June 20, 2004

Happenings in June

Our first-ever stewardship campaign is enhanced by a spirit of cooperation and energy.

Growing in Faith Together update

The momentum is building! Growing in Faith Together, our diocesan capital stewardship campaign, is now under way and we are progressing well. Please pray for its spiritual success. As the seven pilot parishes bring their public campaigns to a conclusion and the next 15 parishes begin active planning for the fall campaign, I sense a spirit of openness and grace. Our diocesan steering committee will meet this week to review the progress. Initial reports from St. Jude Parish in Chattanooga and Holy Ghost and Immaculate Conception parishes in Knoxville, all of which have completed their commitment Sunday, are very encouraging. Although I am gratified at the financial success of the goals—an important aspect of a vibrant and active parish—I am even more impressed by the spirit of cooperation and energy. As events continue to unfold, we will keep you informed in the pages of The East Tennessee Catholic.

Bishops’ meeting in Denver

As I write this column, I prepare for the bishops’ semiannual meeting in Denver. The bishops of the United States meet each year in November for their annual meeting and in June for their spring meeting. Every five years the spring meeting is a special assembly, with a pastoral and spiritual focus instead of the usual business-meeting format. Since the last one was in 1999, the summer before my episcopal ordination, this one will be the first one I have experienced. I am looking forward to this special gathering both to renew friendships with my brother bishops and to deepen my spiritual commitment to the Lord in his service.

Despite the spiritual purpose of this gathering, I know that the bishops will also give their attention to three topics. One is the continuation of an independent audit as we seek to deepen our actions to provide a safe environment that protects children and youth. We have made great progress in the diocese, and I am so grateful to all who have assisted in the Virtus training program. Through the very capable direction of Anne Frederick, our director of Religious Education, 38 facilitators have offered training to well over 2,000 adults throughout our diocese in 75 training sessions. Virtually every parish has had an offering of training, and there will be continual opportunities in the future. Keep your eye on the schedule published in The East Tennessee Catholic for an opportunity in your area. Although leaders are required to take part in the training, parents and grandparents and all of the adult faithful are urged to take advantage of it. By the way, it does not end with the three-hour training but continues through periodic and easy-to-use Internet bulletins.

The second issue the bishops will attend to is church moral teaching and the proper formation of conscience, especially as we approach national elections. I wrote to you a month ago in a column titled “The right to live,” in which I began to address these important pastoral issues. I look forward to benefiting from the collective wisdom of the bishops in my continued leadership in this area.

The third issue is a careful review of a proposal for a plenary council in the United States. Those who have proposed a council see an opportunity for the Catholic Church in the United States to renew ourselves, both in our commitment to church teaching and in our practice of the faith. Since the last plenary council (the Third Council of Baltimore) concluded in 1884, our knowledge of this method of pastoral care and governance is limited to the history books. Obviously the purpose of renewal is difficult to argue against. The way we go about this task may have many methods. I look forward to the deliberations.

Happy Father’s Day

Finally, Father’s Day is this Sunday, June 20. How fitting it is to reflect on the gift of fathers in our church and in society. Good and faithful fathers are needed so much today. I urge you to recall the gift of your father in your life, whether he is living or deceased, and to ask the Lord to bless him.

You who are fathers, know of our gratitude and support for you. May your lives be a true reflection of the strength, love, and goodness of our Father in heaven.

Bishop Kurtz’s Schedule

June 20: 8 a.m., Mass, St. Anthony of Padua, Mountain City

June 22: 8:30 a.m., Mass, Chancery

June 23: 11 a.m., campaign steering committee meeting, St. Jude, Chattanooga; 3 p.m., reception for Father Bert Demers, St. Mary’s Medical Center

June 24: 1 p.m., Peyton Manning Golf Tournament to benefit St. Mary’s Medical Center; 6 p.m., annual Serra Club of Knoxville dinner, Our Lady of Fatima, Alcoa

June 25: noon, diocesan staff lunch and meeting, Chancery

June 26: 6 p.m., annual deacons Mass and admission to candidacy for diaconate aspirants, Sacred Heart Cathedral

June 27: 9 a.m., Mass, St. Joseph, Norris, installation of Father Bill McKenzie as pastor; 11 a.m., Mass, St. Therese, Clinton, installation of Father Bill McKenzie as pastor

June 30: 1 p.m., Knights of Columbus golf tournament, Fairfield Glade

July 4: 10 a.m., Mass celebrating 50th anniversary of Father Tom Vos’s entrance into the Franciscan order, St. Joseph the Worker, Madisonville

July 9: TBA, dinner with Knights of Columbus auction winners, Lenoir City

July 10: 5 p.m., Mass for Knights of Columbus state officers, Our Lady of Fatima, Alcoa

July 11: 10 a.m., Mass, St. Mary, Oak Ridge; 3:30 p.m., Mass and picnic for diocesan singles, Sacred Heart Cathedral