Comments for He Dwells Among Us

Comment on ‘Pray for me’ by Scott

Scott — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 19:07:04 +0000

My wife, Christine, and I pray for you daily, Bishop Stika. We also pray daily for vocations to the priesthood, the permanent diaconate and religious life. May God continue to bless you in all you do as you lead all of us in the Knoxville Diocese to heaven! I have shared your post with my friends on Google Plus: http://goo.gl/uhVYG

Comment on The Gospel of work by Kathleen

Kathleen — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 08:55:22 +0000

God Bless you, your eminence, I pray a rosary for you every Monday!

Comment on Operation ‘Crave Grace’ by bigsheep

bigsheep — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 07:58:37 +0000

I'll join you. I have to lose 100 pounds. One of the dangers I was warned about was that when you start to do something for yourself, you start to do everything for yourself. Since you are doing it for the diocese, it will have a good chance of working for you. I will add to your friends contribution, so be sure to let us know how you do. I know you have diabetes which means you will have to be careful. God bless you with good health and success.

Comment on Herod among us by Christine Lefebvre

Christine Lefebvre — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 22:14:42 +0000

For more than a generation Planned Parenthood has stolen the lives of our unborn children and now they seek to steal the souls of those who have been born.

Thank you, Bishop Stika, for your powerful witness for life, both at the abortion clinics of our city and now, in facing the corrupting influence of Planned Parenthood in our schools.

Comment on ‘Remember me’ by BJJ

BJJ — Sun, 19 Dec 2010 12:55:49 +0000

I'm so glad to hear that you have continued the tradition of making a pastoral visit to Morgan County Regional. Most people don't realize that there are about thirteen state prisons scattered across Tennessee and, while there were only two of us Catholics at the MCRCF Annex (with perhaps another half a dozen at the main compound) when Bishop Joseph made his first visit some ten years ago, I'll never forget how touched we were when, after one us sent him a chiding invitation to visit the 'Lutheran Stronghold' of Wartburg (in reference to the place from which Martin Luther wrote some of his most stinging anti-Catholic polemics), Bishop Joseph showed up! Of course for many years we had been faithfully ministered to by Frs. Michael Jennings and Sweeney, I think Bishop Joseph was the first Bishop to actually visit the prison (though I could be wrong). Indeed, it may have been as a direct result of his visit that, sometime later, a young man who had previously followed the Islamic faith later joined the Catholic faith.
I'm not sure how folks feel when they visit a prison for the first time. I imagine they are a bit overwhelmed by the layers of security they must pass through and, perhaps, even humiliated when they are patted down (though in these days, passing though the local airport might be even worse!). But an inmate of a prison feels that same pressure and humiliation 24 hours a day; seven days a week; and 365 days a year: some far more than others. Those pastoral visits by the faithful priests, laypeople, and yes, an occasional Bishop offer a time of peace. To spend time with a priest or layperson discussing the readings and gospel can be a very enlightening time for all parties to the discussion. You must remember that the time you normally spend at home with your family, shopping, or just about anything else besides working (most folks probably don't know that the vast majority of inmates have jobs too), an inmate, isolated from his family and most of the worldly things you have become accustomed to: that inmate may well be scouring the Bible, the Writings of the Early Church Fathers; The Catechism, and dozens of other religious texts and writings; not necessarily all Catholic either. So, Taker a chance! Visit a prison. You'll be treated to a unique experience and lively discussion. And know that when you leave, those inmates will hate to see you go and will be thoroughly grateful for the time you sacrificed to bring a bit of the Peace of Christ and yourself to 'the joint'.

Comment on Come and follow by dr. todd coulter

dr. todd coulter — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 16:58:46 +0000

awesome, it is so great to see one in love with his priesthood, ad multos annos
dr. todd coulter, biloxi diocese

Comment on Season of hope by miss

miss — Sun, 12 Dec 2010 01:39:15 +0000

I met you at Mount Grace about a year ago as an observer, the one from Texas. It was great to meet you and just wanted to remind you 1 thing–don't mess with Texas : ) God bless you and may Our Lady of Guadalupe protect you always!!

Comment on Season of hope by miss

miss — Sun, 12 Dec 2010 01:36:12 +0000

Hello Bishop!! Thank you for your blog!

Comment on Bishop Stika’s bio by Don’t Say the Text! : Frank Murphy Dot Com

Don’t Say the Text! : Frank Murphy Dot Com — Sun, 26 Sep 2010 22:35:59 +0000

[...] in the game, my wife and I were chatting with two of the guys who run the concession stands as Bishop Richard Stika and Deacon Sean Smith walked past. The bishop stopped short and took a step back to look me in the [...]

Comment on Bishop Stika’s bio by Kim McCready

Kim McCready — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 01:03:58 +0000

Hey Bishop Stitka: We are traveling to your home town on Sunday. We are planning on playing SL most of day on Sunday. We will think of you and offer prayers for you. Tim said to let you know that he would take pictures for you. he he he We are going to call your secretary when we get back and schedule for you to come over for dinner. Tim says he will cook. Take care and God bless.

The McCready's