Welcome to the John XXIII Quilt

Welcome to the John XXIII Quilt

All are welcome to the Catholic experience and presence on the campus of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. East Tennessee is known for its beautiful handy works, especially quilt making. John XXIII is a beautiful quilt. Come and make a quilt with us.  The backing for this beautiful, East Tennessee quilt comes from the evangelical mission of the church spoken by Jesus, “Go and baptize, teach, and know that I am with you until the end of time.” (Mt.28:15)  Many of the parishioners who began this faith community are with us today and we are most grateful to them for their attention to the word and their sacrifices in building upon a solid foundation.  Throughout the decades, hundreds of people have visited or passed through John XXIII and the university. They have all left their own special patch, square, sliver, thread and handiwork.  John XXIII is whatever the people make it. At John XXIII, you are immersed in the Holy Spirit and the body of Christ. At the university and in the parish, you have opportunities to learn about the great things that can change and shape your world and your future. Sometimes life can become chilly, lonely, hurtful and unpleasant. That’s when you definitely need to wrap up in the quilt.  Over the years, the quilt has become very warm, cozy, attractive, and welcoming. It is a quilt that you can wrap yourself in and relax. It’s that type of quilt that you can instantly add the presence of your gifts, of music, art, perspective and service. It is a church community deeply rooted in the Church and the Word. The Church constantly looks for and invites new ministries and outreach to those who are not wrapped within the safe warmth of our quilt.  During your time at the university or your time in Knoxville, know that the John XXIII quilt is open to you. You may need its comforting feeling of home. You may need comfort, support and encouragement to help you through a difficult time in life. John XXIII may become your picnic in the park; a safe, fun place where you make lasting friends and memories. This time in your life may become the most formative period of your life. The inspired preaching, teaching, conversations, alone time in the chapel and friendships stitched into this quilt may be the threads of gold for your growth and development.   However, there is a cost. We need you. Your gifts and talents are necessary if our quilt is to become this warm and supportive place. Well-come! Be well with us and join us.  Come to the quilting bee where there is a place around the stand and all can add their patch, strip or square with whatever thread he or she chooses.

One day, our beautiful East Tennessee quilt will be folded up and presented to the Master Quilter.  On that day, the quilt becomes a mosaic, thousands of little tiles and chip of grace and personalities that glittered on the campus of the University of Tennessee with love, kindness, warmth, encouragement and East Tennessee welcome.

 

Invite others to experience the warmth of our quilt.

Ruth Queen Smith, Ed. D.

Pastoral Associate

Weekend of 8/8-8/9/2009

Our parish community’s commitment to help others is part and parcel of our mission.  We can accomplish some level of this through prayer and works of charity.  Our Mission Committee is a concrete means of achieving this, too.

You’ll be hearing more about this committee in the coming weeks, but in the meantime, I wanted to let you know about the first group/endeavor that we are helping to sponsor with a parish gift:

“Non-Profit Immigration Legal Services in Tennessee: Creating a Snapshot of Existing Needs and Present Resources” is a project which hopes to talk to, collate, and convene all those who offer non-profit legal services for new immigrants in Tennessee.

I know full well that the current situation of documented and undocumented immigrants is a divisive one, with various ideas and programs offered as political solutions.  In the meanwhile though, there are people – families, children and extended families caught in a maze of confusion. 

By helping to have a ‘snapshot’  of the current and emerging situation in the state, Catholic Charities, individual parishes and the Diocese of Knoxville will have a first steps in a plan to “reach out, seek peace, and bring unity’ (to borrow a phrase from the Paulist Fathers Playbook!

If you are interested in serving on the Mission Committee, or if you know of a worthy idea/cause/endeavor here in Knoxville, in Tennessee, in the United States or in the world that our parish community might support, please let us know.

Great peace,

- Fr. Charlie

Stay Tuned!

Coming soon you will hear more from John XXIII’s 9th Pastor, Father Charlie Donahue, right in this space!

MANY THANKS!

Words will do no justice to the gratitude I feel in my heart.  All the going away festivities this past week were just fantastic. Thanks to all of you who came to the farewell party and/or Sunday mass this weekend and extended your love and support.  It means so much to me.  I will be leaving Knoxville on July 2nd for the West Coast.  Once I move my stuff I will take an extended summer vacation or mini sabbatical, depending on how you look at it, then start my new work at Paulist Productions located in Pacific Palisades.

Fr. Charlie will arrive the weekend of July 25th and looks forward to beginning his new ministry as Pastor of John XXIII.  I keep stressing to him what a delight it is to shepherd this community.  He agreed with me after spending a week here with you all. He is eager and happy to join you.  Until then, Fr. Paul will be keeping an eye on things.

If you didn’t get the change of address information, it is:

Paulist Productions
17575 Pacific Coast Highway
P.O. Box 1057
Pacific Palisades, CA  90272

Residence:

St. Paul the Apostle Church
10750 Ohio Avenue
Los Angeles, CA  90024

God Bless and THANK YOU For 9 wonderful years at John XXIII.

Fr. Eric

Goodbyes & Hellos

On Thursday, June 25th, there will be a big farewell party for me  at John XXIII hosted by the parish community.  The party starts at 6:30 p.m. with a great BBQ dinner prepared by John XXIII chef Fred Stephens and his team of BBQ experts.  Around 7:30pm there will be some entertainment followed by music and dancing by John XXIII’s house band “Groove Machine.”   No doubt there will be yet another rendition of “Love Shack.”  

Please come!  I would like to see you before we say farewell, for now! Parishioners are encouraged to sign up in the lobby and bring a side dish or dessert.  Friends from around the Diocese are more than welcome and are asked to RSVP by calling the church office at 865 523-7931 so we can have enough food for everyone!

Since many are asking, here is my weekend preaching schedule through the end of the month:

June 6/7 away for a wedding
June 13/14  Saturday 5:30 p.m. & Sunday 9:00 a.m.
June 20/21  Sunday 11:15 a.m. & 8:00 p.m.
June 27/28  Saturday 5:30 p.m., Sunday 9:00 a.m. & 11:15 a.m.

Pending Bishop Stika’s approval, Fr. Charlie Donahue will be assigned to John XXIII, effective July 1.  His first weekend at John XXIII, on the job, will be July 25/26th. Fr. Paul will be holding down the fort in the interim and former pastor Fr. Charlie Brunick will be back 4th of July weekend to visit and say some masses.

As for me, I will ride into the sunset, quite literally, on July 2nd.  Having served in Knoxville for nine years, I know I will be back often, and if provided travel expenses, will consider doing a wedding or two!  I noted to the Bishop that it is my hope that later in my priesthood to be pastor here again and retire here.  Just bury me in upstate New York, with all the Italians!

I look forward to seeing you before I take off.  Check the previous post regarding my new job and the newly nominated pastor of John XXIII.

Peace, Fr. Eric

It’s Official: Fr. Eric New President of Paulist Productions

Greetings from New York City.

This afternoon at the Paulist General Council Meeting I was appointed President of Paulist Productions effective September 1, 2009.  Paulist Productions is the Film/Television/Internet ministry of the Paulist Fathers located in Los Angeles, California.  You can certainly get more information about the ministry at www.PaulistProductions.org.   I’ve been serving at John XXIII since August 2000 and I was hoping to serve two more school years. However, when this opportunity came up unexpectedly in March, it seemed like an excellent opportunity and I applied for it.

Also, at the same meeting today, Fr. Charlie Donahue, currently the director of campus ministry at the University of California/Berkeley’s Newman Hall was nominated by the Paulists to Bishop Stika.  God willing Bishop Stika will appoint him as my successor.  Fr. Charlie is originally from Long Island, New York and has a professional background in publishing.  He was ordained a priest May 2005. He’s 42 years old.  I believe he will be an excellent rookie pastor, and I trust you will all help show him the ropes.

The transition looks like this…   There will be a big going away bash on Thursday, June 25th from 6:30 p.m. until whenever.  My final weekend preaching and saying Mass  will be June 27/28. I will leave Knoxville shortly thereafter.   Fr. Paul (with the help of some visitors) will hold down the fort until Fr. Charlie arrives the weekend of July 25/26.  

As I have said to many of you, this is all very bittersweet for me.  I have loved Knoxville and serving at John XXIII and my heart will always be in Big Orange Country…  but knowing I can’t stay forever in the short term, I am excited about this new opportunity.  Let us pray for one another during this transition period and plan on coming together to remember all the good times we’ve had together.  AND for those students out of town, consider a mid summer’s trip to Knoxville!  I want to say good bye to you all in person if I can!

Sorry to all of you who were asking God for a different result… but as we pray all the time: His will be done.

Paulist General Council Meeting this week

Howdy from New York!  I am here for the Paulist General Council meeting.  During this meeting we will be discussing assignment changes in the community.  Hopefully by this weekend I will be able to share with you if I will get a new assignment; and if so, who would come to John XXIII, pending the Bishop’s approval.  

Otherwise, the weather is cool up North, yet sunny.  I arrived in plenty of time for Mother’s Day dinner!

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

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.

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

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