Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Happy Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus! The 1983 Code of Canon Law—building on what Paul VI called “the grave and urgent problem” of reminding Catholics about “the significance and importance of the divine precept of penitence”—states that “abstinence from meat, or from some other food as determined by the episcopal conference, …
Friday Consecration of Russia and Ukraine
Pope Francis invites all the faithful to join him in a special prayer to consecrate Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on Friday, March 25. Act of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary O Mary, Mother of God and our mother, in this time of trial we turn to you. As our mother, you love us …
Urgent Prayer for Peace
The story of our parish unfolds along our walking trail. From our Memorial Bridge, dedicated during the 75th anniversary of our parish to the memory of all the departed teachers who served in our school since 1950, to Saint Mary Church, built by parishioners in 1962, we are surrounded by the memories of parishioners, both living and departed. Between the …
Archbishop Kurtz Interview
Archbishop Joseph Kurtz, former bishop of Knoxville and retired metropolitan of the Archdiocese of Louisville (whose ecclesiastical province includes the Diocese of Knoxville), as well as past president of the US bishops’ conference, sat down for a friendly, full-length interview with journalist JD Flynn of The Pillar. The interview, published a few days ago, is worth a listen, and sharing. …
You Shall Not Defraud!
Reminder: Beware of Fraudsters! “What is communications scamming?” Scammers may pretend to be a clergyman or lay minister asking parishioners for gift card contributions. Scammers use email, text and even voice calls. Bogus emails often include a legitimate looking email address. Bogus text messages and voice calls may include a caller ID that appears to be from a local number, …
Patriots Day Message from Father Shelton
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, On September 11, 2001, right after the 8 am Mass, I was driving from my parish in Johnson City to Knoxville for a meeting, and so I heard the whole thing on NPR, first through interrupted programming, then through live coverage. I remember not being able to make mobile phone calls for hours. Father …
Use of the Johnson and Johnson Covid-19 Vaccine
WASHINGTON– On March 2, Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades of Fort Wayne-South Bend, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Doctrine, and Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of Kansas City in Kansas, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Pro-Life Activities, issued a statement on the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine recently approved for use in the United States. “The …
Happy Thanksgiving!
A Thanksgiving Day message from Father Shelton: Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Happy Thanksgiving! We all have many reasons to be thankful today. God gives us the gift of life, and he surrounds us with the lives of others who care for us as family, friends and neighbors. I’m especially grateful for the members of Saint Mary Parish, and …
Advent by Candlelight and Christ Child Shower
Advent by Candlelight December 1st @ 7:00 p.m. Virtual via Zoom “The End of the World, The Coming of a New Hope” Guest Speaker, Dr. Tim Logan, Atmospheric Sciences, Texas A&M University Please register before Dec. 1 to receive the zoom presentation invite by emailing: stmarywomenfellowship@gmail.com Christ Child Shower Baby shower gifts, gift cards, necessities for children up to …
Liberalism, Integralism and Evangelization: A Pastor Reflects Upon Christ the King
“Nations will be reminded by the annual celebration of this feast that not only private individuals but also rulers and princes are bound to give public honor and obedience to Christ. It will call to their minds the thought of the last judgment, wherein Christ, who has been cast out of public life, despised, neglected and ignored, will most severely …
The McCarrick Report: A Professional Response
The following is a message from the Leadership Roundtable on Church Management, an organization of laity, religious, and clergy working together to promote best practices and accountability in the management, finances, communications, and human resource development of the Catholic Church in the U.S., including greater incorporation of the expertise of the laity. The Leadership Roundtable brings together leaders from the …
Resumption Update No. 7
PARISH MISSION: Come and join us this Advent are our Parish Mission! Presented by: Sister Maria Juan, RSM, Director of Faith Formation, Diocese of Knoxville, TN. A three-night reflection as we ‘prepare ourselves for the coming of the Lord’. St Mary’s Church, Oak Ridge: Each evening- 7PM to 9PM, December 9th, 10th, and 11th. There will be Confession each evening at 6:30 PM (please …