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

The Prodigal Son – The story of the Prodigal Son helps us refocus on the meaning of Lent.  This a time to change our ways, to turn back to God our Father, and to appreciate and share the gifts we have received.  As we begin the second half of our journey with Catholic Relief Services’ Operation Rice Bowl, we remember that we are called to be stewards of what God has given us, and we connect our prayers and fasting with our giving.  Please remember to start bringing in your Rice Bowls.

SEVEN LAST WORD SERIES – Friday, March 19, 2010.  5:05 pm – Mass, 5:30 pm – Pot Luck Soup & Salad and 7:00 pm – Presentation.

 ANNUAL CATHOLIC CHARITIES DINNER – A dinner to benefit the 13 social service programs of the Knoxville region of Catholic Charities of East Tennessee.  Services are directed at the most vulnerable, including families in hardship, individuals in crisis, and children and seniors marginalized by abuse, neglect or other endangerment.  Less than 5 percent of all clients served are Catholic.  The dinner will be Thursday, March 18, 2010 at the Knoxville Convention Center.  There will be a Welcome Reception at 6 pm and Dinner at 7 pm.  Cost is $125.00 per person.  Please contact Fr. Charlie Donahue or the parish office if interested.

S.O.S. Contemplative Prayer (SEEKERS OF SILENCE) Contemplative Saturday Morning – United in Prayer Day – Contemplative Outreach.  A new video with Father Thomas Keating, C.S.O., Saturday, March 21, 2010.  8:30 AM – 12:00 PM at John XXIII University Parish.  Please RSVP at 523-7931. 

Monday:                    4:00 pm – Confession

                                         7:00 pm – Contemplative Prayer

                                         7:00 pm – Parish Council Meeting

Tuesday:                   7:00 pm – RCIA

Wednesday:            7:00 pm – CSA

                                         7:00 pm – Young Adults Group

Thursday:                4:00 pm  – Confession

                                          8:00 pm – Adult Confirmation

Friday:                       5:05 pm – Mass

                                         5:30 PM – Pot Luck Soup & Salad

                                         7:00 pm – Seven Last Words

Saturday:                  5:30 pm – Mass

Sunday:                      9:00 am – Mass

                                          11:15 am – Mass

                                          5:30 pm – Mass & Supper

                                         10:00 pm – Mass

Lector’s Schedule

March 13-14

Sat. 5:30 pm – Richard Higginbotham – Ed Miller

Sun. 9:00 am – Tim Anger – Michelle O’Reilley

Sun. 11:15 am – Lynn Deas – Amy Brace

March 20-21

Sat. 5:3o pm – Steve Hillenbrand – Open

Sun. 9:00 am – Susan Speraw – Beth Phillips

Sun. 11:15 am - Wanda Costen – Ilona Schmidt

Welcome, welcome to the University of Tennessee.  As you begin this new year in your life, we hope that your time at UT will be filled with many great blessings and memories.  Blessed John XXIII University Catholic Center and University Parish is here to serve you.

As your parish Church away from home we hope to be for you a place and a people that helps you grow in faith, make new friends, worship and praise God, EAT!, and have fun.

Each of us on staff is eager to welcome you – Father Paul Rospond, Ruth Queen Smith, Barbara Lockett, Andrea Sirek and I look forward to meeting you!

Attached please find more information about student life at “John the 23rd” and please check out the website at www.john23rd.org.

Start your semester off right with our Catholic Student Association’s Ice Cream and Hot Cholate Social on Wed 1/13/10!

And please join us for our Sunday Supper after the 5:30 Mass starting Sunday 1/17/10! 

Some of our great events and groups! 
• Catholic Athletes Fellowship  “CATH-O-LETES!”
• Collegiate Knights of Columbus
• “LOC” Ladies of Charity Collegiates
• Mission Team
• International Student Group
• Grad Student & Young Professionals Fellowship
• Bible Study & Fellowship Group(s)
• Catholic Student Association (CSA)
• Sunday Suppers
• Sunday 5:30pm and 10pm Masses
• SEARCH & AWAKENING Retreats
• Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Choir & Band!
• More! 

God Bless you in this transition time and again, WELCOME! 
 

Fr. Charlie Donahue, CSP

Pastor

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

There will be a welcome reception after the Masses this weekend (except 8pm Sunday).

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

Goodbye Tee Shirt

Get the commemorative farewell tee shirt for Fr. Eric and help pay for the goodbye bash!

Call the office at 523-7931 or email us at John23@utk.edu to reserve yours today!  Suggested contribution: $15.

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