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, …
Pentecost Sunday and Our Pandemic Response
On March 25, 2021 Bishop Stika revised his “Decree Concerning Public Mass and Gathering Directives and made some significant changes. Most importantly he intends to restore the obligation to attend Sunday Mass effective Pentecost Sunday (May 22-23, 2021). Fr. Shelton asked the Divine Worship Committee’s (DWC) subcommittee on COVID protection to review the revised Decree and make suggestions with regard …
Divine Mercy Sunday
Three conditions for the Divine Mercy Sunday plenary indulgence: A plenary indulgence is granted under the usual conditions (sacramental confession, Eucharistic communion and prayer for the intentions of Supreme Pontiff) to the faithful who, on the Second Sunday of Easter or Divine Mercy Sunday, in any church or chapel, in a spirit that is completely detached from the affection for …
Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Spouse of the BVM
Dear Friends in Christ, The Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary is Friday, March 19th. I encourage you to make a visit to the side altar of Saint Joseph on that day, and there to pray for all the husbands in our parish. Also, please pray the “Prayer to Saint Joseph for the Diocese of Knoxville” …
Pastor’s Update
Dear Friends in Christ, I thank Dave Duhamel for organizing our Lenten mission: “Conviction, Contrition, Conversion”. Sr. Scholastica, OP, will lead us in exploring how the intellect, emotions and will help us enter into Lent. See details and sign-up on our parish website. The teaching staff in our school is now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, and many of …
Candlemas Day
Candlemas Day: The Feast of the Presentation Tuesday, February 2nd Candlemas is celebrated 40 days after Christmas, when Saints Joseph and Mary processed to the Jerusalem Temple and obediently presented Jesus to His Heavenly Father, ritually proclaiming: “With a strong hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt, out of a house of slavery. When Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let …
Mary, Mother of God
Mass schedule for the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God: December 31st at 6 pm. January 1st at 10:30 am and in Spanish at 2 pm.
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 …
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 …
Procession of Children @ 4 pm Christmas Eve Mass
St Mary’s is offering all children attending the 4 PM Christmas Eve Mass the opportunity to process into Church as either an angel or shepherd, offering homage to our new-born King. There will be costumes downstairs in the Social Hall for the kids to dress in. Parents are asked to bring the children participating prior to the Mass to get …
Saint Martin de Porres
The Memorial of Saint Martin de Porres is November 3rd. Saint Martin, though abandoned by his father and abused by his mother, was a devoted and caring Catholic. Early in his life he developed a love for both the Holy Rosary and the Blessed Sacrament. To the harshness with which the world treated him, he responded with kindness, especially to …