Graduation Week

Starting on Wednesday, the University of Tennessee will begin to confer degrees to its graduates.  It is always a moving moment when the students move their tassels from left to right, master’s students are awarded their diplomas, and when doctoral candidates are finally hooded. It is a great liturgy and I always shed a tear up  seeing people’s lives transition and change before my eyes.  In a certain way, it is much like the moment of baptism, the first reception of Holy Communion, or the exchange of wedding vows.  Something new and wonderful is beginning, even when it means saying goodbye.

In  my nine years, there have been many stand out moments at Graduation time. Students who struggled academically finally crossing the stage with great pride. Discovering over and over again how successful some of the students who hang at John XXIII are in class. Or watching parishioners like Al Legendre and John Sobieski leading the academic procession as macebearer.  Looking back,  there are two highlights for me:  being present for the hooding 0f two parishioners Dr. Greg Duthey & Dr. Ruth Queen Smith.  Both Greg and Ruth faced great challenges in obtaining their degrees but hung in there, cheered on and assisted at many points by parishioners at John XXIII.  I rang a cowbell for Ruth when she was hooded, to remind her that her mother, who always did that, was sending her approval from heaven. It was a great moment for them and for us and a great image of how the Body of Christ is always in action on campus.

Yes, it will be pariticularly bittersweet for me this year to send people forth, for in effect I am graduating with the class of 2009.  If anyone can get me into the Arts & Sciences Commencement Ceremony on Friday, that would be great!  I know I have to hear what Dr. Dolly Parton, who will receive an honorary doctorate,  has to say to us graduates on how to succeed in the future.  If any Tennessean can give me direction on how to be a success in Hollywood, she certainly could!

Congratulations to all 2009 Graduates of the University of Tennessee, our community of faith which has nurtured you these years, sends you forth with God’s blessing to be Good News to all you encounter.

God Bless, Father Eric

Wedding Show Episode #4

This time on the Princess, the Priest, and the War for the Perfect Wedding, Fr. Eric is accused of being uneducated when it comes to talking about sex in pre-cana conferences with brides and grooms…  Given the way the webisode begins, who can blame me for being distracted?

Can I Get Married at the Beach?

Check out the newest episode of the Princess, the Priest, and the War for the Perfect Wedding on Busted Halo.com.  Check out my Hawaiian Apparel.

Appreciate you!

This is one of the phrases I’ll take away from East Tennessee.  Does anyone have any idea where it comes from? When I hear the phrase, it still jars my ear. I imagine it came from a preacher or inspirational speaker who reminded to listeners how important it is to value and affirm another person for an act of charity and it just caught on down in these parts.  If saying that we appreciate “it,” the act, is good, recognizing the actor is even better. 

As the end of the school year draws to a close, it is a very important time for me to say to all who made this school year a success:  I appreciate you!  

There are so many people who have stepped up in large and small ways around here and I realize as soon as I do this I am in great peril in leaving someone out… but let me try.  Our student leadership this year has been tremendous.  I’ve been on the road too much this year, so I was very glad to have great people taking care of things in CSA, Knights, Retreats, Young Adults, Pro-Life Collegians, Athletes, International Group.  I am very thankful to Fr. Paul who does an excellent job guiding the undergrads. 

Those who look after the educational needs of children, youth, and adults also have been great gifts.  Staff members Ruth Queen Smith, Donna Dudek, and Michael Donovan and parishioners who work with them are among the best catechists in the Diocese.  Our music program led by Nancy Strange and Kevin Crowe and their choirs deserve a great round of applause for raising our voices in praise.  Then there are all the unsung heroes who garden, devote football Saturdays to parking cars, wash linens, organize books, arrange flowers, schedule lectors, serve at Mass, and so forth.  Where would we be without you! 

To those who support all we do with your love, prayers, talent and treasure, THANKS!  We want you to be our special guests this Friday for our annual Appreciation Dinner.  It allows the staff to take the opportunity to thank you in a special way.  It will also be a special time to reflect on what makes this parish special so to help the next pastor know the character and quality of our community of faith.  Don’t forget to let us know you are coming! 

God Bless, Father Eric

PS:  I am away this weekend for an official Paulist Visitation of our parish Church in Chicago, Old St. Mary’s.  Fr. Mike Kallock is pastor there, and Fr. Bob Cary is the Associate.  I’ll send your regards!  Be back Wednesday.

Watch Episode#2 of the Wedding Show

Catch the next webisode of the Princess, The Priest and the War for the Perfect Wedding featuring Fr. Eric.  Fr. Eric gives you good advice on how to approach all those other priests out there who aren’t as nice as Fr. Paul or him!  The show is lots of fun… tell your friends who are preparing to get married.

HAPPY EASTER!

Masses for Easter are as follows:
Saturday Easter Vigil at 9:00 p.m.
Come welcome our newest Catholics!
Sunday Morning 9:00 am & 11:15 am
NO Sunday Evening Masses

Come to the Triduum!

Holy Thursday Evening begins the most holy three days of the Church Year.  Triduum, which means Three Days, begins with the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, on Holy Thursday evening at 7:30pm.  We remember the Last Supper and Jesus’s command to wash one another’s feet and then walk with Jesus to the Garden of Gethsemane as he awaits his persecution.  On Good Friday, we walk with Christ to the Cross.  We will have Stations of the Cross at Noon and celebrate the Good Friday Liturgy at 3pm, the hour of Christ’s death on the Cross.  At 9pm Saturday night, in the dark, we begin our Easter Vigil.  It was between sundown and sunrise that Christ rose from the Dead and by the time we finish our Vigil we will be singing Alleluia with full voice!  It is also the night when those preparing to enter the Church are baptized, confirmed and receive Holy Communion.  On Sunday Morning we bask in the joy of the risen Christ!  Masses are at 9:00am & 11:15am.  Come Early to get a good spot to celebrate!  The Easter Bunny will also be on the job, too!

Happy Easter!

These new Catholics join a very dynamic community as was evidenced on Monday of Holy Week.  It was a banner evening for Parishioners and Students at John XXIII at U.T.’s Annual Chancellor’s Honors Banquet.  John Sobieski was named 2009 Macebearer.  The Macebearer is the highest honor at the University of Tennessee.  John, who is professor of law joined the faculty in 1972, has served in many posts including Interim Dean of the Law School.  Dr. Susan Speraw won the Jefferson Prize, an award for a tenure track faculty member who has demonstrated excellence in research and creative activity.  Susan, on the faculty of the nursing school, was honored for her work with Homeland Security Nursing Program.  Dr. Stephen Oliver received a Research & Creative Achievement Award for his research in Animal Science.  Charles Primm was recognized for Extraordinary Customer Service for his superb work as primary author and editor of the “Tennessee Today” employee newsletter.  

Student Erin Bernstein received the top student honor the Torchbearer Award for her many achievements at U.T. including her work in Uganda with Jazz for Justice.  She is involved in so many activities on campus and here at John XXIII and still manages to maintain a 4.0 GPA.  Two faculty members who wrote letters of recommendation for her described her as one of the top five students they have known in their 30 years of teaching!

Finally, I received a citation from the Chancellor for Extraordinary Community Service!  Speaking of service, John XXIII special friend Deacon Dean Burry, the new director of catering at UT, did an excellent job shepherding his first major event.   Congratulations to all!  You make us proud!

Happy Easter to you and your loved ones!  Father Eric

John XXIII Parishioners Take Top Awards at Chancellor’s Honors

It was a banner evening last night for Parishioners and Students at John XXIII at the Annual Chancellor’s Honors Banquet at the University of Tennessee!  John Sobieski was named 2009 Macebearer.  The Macebearer is the highest honor at the University of Tennessee.  John, who is professor of law joined the faculty in 1972, has served in many posts including Interim Dean of the Law School.  Dr. Susan Speraw won the Jefferson Prize, an award for a tenure track faculty member who has demonstrated excellence in research and creative activity.  Susan, on the faculty of the nursing school, was honored for her work with Homeland Security Nursing Program.  Dr. Stephen Oliver received a Research & Creative Achievement Award for his research in Animal Science.  Charles Primm was recognized for Extraordinary Customer Service for his superb work as primary author and editor of the “Tennessee Today” employee newsletter.  Student

Erin Bernstein received the top student honor the Torchbearer Award for her many achievements at U.T. including her work in Uganda with Jazz for Justice.  She is involved in so many activities on campus and here at John XXIII and still manages to maintain a 4.0 GPA.  Two faculty members who wrote letters of recommendation for her described her as one of the top five students they have known in their 30 years of teaching!

Finally, even Father Eric received a citation from the Chancellor for Extraordinary Community Service!  Speaking of service Deacon Dean Burry, the new director of catering at UT, did an excellent job shepherding his first major event.

Congratulations to all!  You make us proud!

Get Reading!

Our new book club is looking for folks interested in reading the best of Catholic Literature!  Go to the groups webpage for more details!

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