Inside the Diocese of Knoxville

Deacon Bob Hunt discusses his new book, "Thy Word, an Introduction to the Bible for People in the Pews".  

Catholic Filmmakers Veronica DiPippo and Marc Aramian, producers of Father Ryan: A Higher Call, discuss their latest project He Named Him Adam, as well as their life in Hollywood, the roadblocks and challenges they encountered while working there, and their move to the Diocese of Knoxville. 

The Diocese of Knoxville is helping form lay leaders for the Church by working with The University of Notre Dame and The McGrath Institute for Church Life. Lizzie Morris, an Echo Graduate Services student from Illinois joins us on this episode to speak about her work here in East Tennessee. 

Loune Viaud, a Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award recipient, met with the Haiti Outreach Ministry at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. She joins Jim Wogan for this update on the situation in Haiti and the work of Partners in Health and the Haiti Outreach Ministry. 

Jason Evert of the Chastity Project will be leading a family-based event at St. John Neumann Parish on Oct. 22. that invites parents, teens (13+), and all adults to learn about God's plan for love and consider the meaning of sex, gender, and the human body.  This episode previews Jason's ministry and the event at SJN. 

Coinciding with the National Eucharistic Revival, the International Eucharistic Miracles Exhibit visits two parishes in the Diocese of Knoxville in September. This traveling exhibit contains an extensive assortment of photographs and historical descriptions of Eucharistic miracles recognized by the Catholic Church. Learn more with podcast host Jim Wogan and guest Sherry Hartz of the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Chattanooga.

The relics of St. Pio, Padre Pio of Pietrelcina, canonized in 2002 and one of the most discussed and intriguing religious figures of the 20th century, will visit the Diocese of Knoxville in September 2023. Founder and CEO of the Saint Pio Foundation Luciano Lamonarca, joins Jim Wogan from Italy for this discussion.

New Catholic Schools Superintendent Mary Ann Deschaine discusses the upcoming academic year and addresses current issues affecting Catholic schools in the Diocese of Knoxville.

Martin Vargas, executive director of the St. Mary's Legacy Clinic, discusses this unique and impactful healthcare ministry of the Diocese of Knoxville. How it works. How it's funded. Who it impacts. And where it's going. 

How one parish, among others, is putting the call of Pope Francis' 2015 encyclical Laudato Si' (Caring for Our Common Home) into action.

Tyler Ross from the Diocese of Knoxville Tribunal discusses canon law, canon lawyers, and the work of the diocesan tribunal.  Episode originally aired in 2020.  https://dioknox.org/tribunal 

Matt Webster, president of the Haiti Outreach Program, discusses the current situation in Haiti and how the ministry continues as it begins its third decade of work there.

The appearance of the Virgin Mary in Mexico in 1531 is one of few Marian apparitions acknowledged by the Vatican.  Our discussion focuses on Our Lady's appearance, her message, and how we celebrate this feast in the Diocese of Knoxville almost 500 years after it occurred.   

Diocesan School Superintendent Dr. Sedonna Prater had an unexpected and first-person encounter with history this summer. Her much-anticipated trip to Scotland came during the death and funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. In this episode, Dr. Prater shares stories of her experience and also gives an overview of the beginning of the 2022 academic year.

Monsignor Robert (Bob) Hofstetter, a priest of 68 years and most recently the pastor of the Church of the Good Shepherd Parish in Newport, Tenn., passed away on July 7, 2022. He was 94.  Emily Booker sat down with Monsignor Hofstetter in 2019 to discuss his life and vocation. 

Mark Calvert, OCDS, president of the Third Order Secular Discalced Carmelites in Knoxville, talks about the history of the Carmelite order, Carmelite spirituality, and how lay people participate as members of a religious community.

A bishop walking down the street almost gets hit on the head by a discarded Christmas tree on Dec. 26.  Has the celebration really come to this?  Sister Peter Miriam Dolan, RSM, discusses a better way to show our faith during the Christmas season. 

Blanca Primm, director of the Office of Hispanic Ministry, discusses the challenges and beauty in serving the culturally diverse Hispanic communities in the Diocese of the Knoxville.

Mallory Nygard, librarian for St. John Neumann School in Farragut, discusses the importance of children engaging in literature, especially in a Catholic environment. She also discusses her own writing and how reading and writing can help us process difficult situations. Ms. Nygard's collection of poetry, “Pelican,” can be found at https://mallorynygard.com/

The Christian world joined soldiers of the Battle of Lepanto in praying for victory at the Battle of Lepanto in 1571. How can praying The Rosary help in our daily battles against sin and reinforce our faith in Christ? Join Sister Peter Miriam Dolan, RSM, for an insightful discussion on The Rosary. 

Kathy DeAngelis, chair of the Leadership Commission for the Knoxville Diocesan Council of Catholic Women, talks about the importance of welcoming others and preparing leaders in our parish, ministry, or organizations.

Why do we suffer, how do we suffer, and can something positive come from it? Sister Peter Miriam Dolan, RSM, director of Christian Formation for the Diocese of Knoxville offers useful insight and some quotes to ponder as we face this most human challenge.

Bishop Richard F. Stika discusses his busy summer, a recent pastoral letter, and of course, baseball season.

As a necessary step in the Cause for Sainthood for Father Patrick Ryan, the Diocese of Knoxville and the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Chattanooga are preparing to relocate the remains of Father Ryan to a new tomb at the basilica. 

Sister Peter Miriam Dolan, RSM, discusses her new role as director of Christian formation for the Diocese of Knoxville, and her skills as a crab fisherman while serving in the Archdiocese of Seattle.

Bishop Stika appeared on the Hallerin Hill radio show on WOKI-FM in Knoxville on June 22 to discuss the recent USCCB decision to produce a document on the meaning of the Eucharist in the life of the Church.

Ryan Seaver, an organist and senior at Knoxville Catholic High School, discusses his interest in the organ and the role the organ plays in church music.  Ryan recently performed his senior recital at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. You can watch the performance here: https://youtu.be/D0JQOzEOCW8

The profound testimony of a not-so-easy conversion to the Catholic faith by a man who now teaches others how to become Catholic at St. Therese of Lisieux Parish in Cleveland, Tenn.  

Rick Grinstead, director of youth and young adult ministry for the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, talks about the challenges and joys of ministering to young adults today. He also discusses the St. Meinrad Young Adult Initiative, which is studying how to serve young adults in the Church.

Father Arthur Torres, pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, talks about his call to the priesthood and his journey from Colombia to East Tennessee. 

Father Randy Stice, Director of the Office of Worship and Liturgy, discusses how the liturgy of the Mass can instruct and form our faith. 

Father Randy Stice, Director of the Office of Worship and Liturgy, talks about understanding liturgy and how the Church has preserved her tradition of worship.

Sister Mary Lisa Renfer, RSM, discusses her role as the new medical director of the St. Mary's Legacy Clinic, health care in rural areas of the Diocese of Knoxville, and the impact of COVID-19 on clinic operations.    

Father Chris Michelson joins Jim Wogan for a discussion of Catholic schools in the Diocese of Knoxville and funding for tuition support.

Tyler Ross of the Diocese of Knoxville discusses canon law and the new diocesan tribunal established by Bishop Richard F. Stika.

Sister Anunziata Grace made her profession of perpetual vows and consecration as a hermitess for the Diocese of Knoxville on Aug. 22. She talks to Emily about her call to a life dedicated to prayer and what the eremitical life entails.

Seminarian Wojciech Sobczuk speaks with Emily Booker about the call to seminary, seminary life, and following God's call led him from Poland to East Tennessee.  You can learn about vocations in the diocese at https://dioknox.org/vocations/

Sister Anna Marie McGuan joins Jim Wogan for a discussion on the study of scripture and how lay Catholics can come to a better understanding of its words and meaning. 

Sister Marianna Koonce, RSM, MD, medical director of the St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic, discusses how the mobile clinic provides compassion and care to patients in rural East Tennessee and how holistic medicine strives to serve spiritual and physical needs. She also gives some timely advice regarding the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). You can learn more about the St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic at https://stmaryclinic.org/

Catholic convert Steve Ray travels the world telling his story of conversion and giving Catholics the tools necessary to defend their faith. Steve is leading a 3-night mission at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Lenoir City on March 29-30-31.

Deacon Tim Elliott discusses the role of the deacon in the Catholic Church and the formation of deacons in the Diocese of Knoxville. 

Sister Timothea is a witness to the history of the Catholic Church, especially during her years in Rome at the time of the papacy of St. John Paul II. She recounts her experiences in there amid the election of Pope John Paul II, the attempt on his life in 1981, and the visit to the Vatican by former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev. Sister Timothea is the former Director of Christian Formation for the Diocese of Knoxville and currently serves as the censor librorum and theological consultant to Bishop Richard F. Stika.

Father Tom Charters, a Glenmary priest who pastors St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Erwin, discusses starting a church community and how all of us are called to mission and to reach out to our neighbors.

Father Michael Cummins, pastor of St. Dominic Parish in Kingsport, discusses leading an annual retreat to Yellowstone National Park, where participants learn more about God through exploring and resting in His creation.

Diocese of Knoxville staff member Brittany Garcia was recently invited to the U.S.-Mexico border as part of an encounter sponsored by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. She speaks with Jim about her experiences and the message she brings back to the Diocese of Knoxville. 

Bishop Richard F. Stika discusses his upcoming trip to Rome to meet with Pope Francis and also offers his thoughts on the Synod of bishops for the Pan-Amazon region. 

How do you build the Catholic Church in the remote areas of the  South?  Brother Craig Digmann of the Glenmary Home Missioners discusses his ministry in very rural Hancock Co., Tenn.

Father Michael Hendershott joins Emily for a discussion how men at Holy Ghost Parish in Knoxville gather in prayer and song on Mondays and the other ministries that allow men of all ages to come together in faith for a deeper understanding of Christ and the real Truth. 

The first Catholic Mass in Union County, Tenn., was celebrated in a carport in 2011. From those very humble beginnings, a parish church now exists. Father Steve Pawelk, a Glenmary priest who has led St. Teresa of Kolkata Parish and St. John Paul II Mission, joins Jim Wogan for this edition of Inside the Diocese of Knoxville.  

Father Martin Gladysz talks to Emily about how his call to the priesthood has led him from Poland to Papua New Guinea to East Tennessee. He also talks about a recent vacation through the American West. 

Matthew Donahue talks to Jim about life as a seminarian, his summer assignment at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Lenoir City, and his studies at the Pontifical North American College in Rome.