St. John XXIII Catholic Center

About St. John XXIII University Parish

St. John XXIII University Parish and Catholic Center is the official Catholic campus ministry at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and an active parish in the Diocese of Knoxville. Since 1969 it has helped UT students, faculty, and staff — and many Knoxville neighbors — connect to their faith and to one another. Since 1973 it has been staffed by the Paulist Fathers. The community has been known over the decades as John XXIII Catholic Center, John XXIII University Parish and Catholic Center, the Blessed John XXIII, and finally Saint John XXIII University Parish and Catholic Center as their patron progressed from Pope to Blessed to Saint.

History

The parish grew out of the Newman Movement that came to the University of Tennessee in 1933. After decades of meeting in the UT cafeteria, Ayres Hall classrooms, the Anne McGee Dance Hall, and rented houses on 15th and 17th Streets, the Catholic Center moved to 1710 Melrose Place in 1962, a property given and sold by the Edward Ashe family. In 1966 a worshipping community gathered at the former Fort Sanders Presbyterian Church (today the Laurel Theater). In June 1967, Drs. Harry C. Jacobson, Albert J. Paulus, and John Prados petitioned Bishop Joseph A. Durick to establish a parish and build a new church; ground was broken, the parish of John XXIII was established, and Reverend Sterling McGuire was appointed first pastor in October 25–27, 1969. The new center opened that October, and Bishop Durick dedicated it on April 3, 1970. In August 1973, the Paulist Fathers took charge of the ministry, which they continue today.

The Paulist Fathers

The Paulist Fathers have served at St. John XXIII since 1973. They are a Catholic religious community founded in the United States in 1858 by Isaac Hecker for the work of evangelization and reconciliation. In Knoxville, the Paulists also staff Immaculate Conception Church in downtown Knoxville. Although led by the Paulists, St. John XXIII is fully a parish in the Diocese of Knoxville.

Liturgical Ministries

Volunteers of all ages support worship at St. John XXIII as lectors, extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist, liturgical musicians, and members of the Liturgical Design Committee. Lectors are trained by parish staff and scheduled according to each volunteer's availability. Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist distribute Communion at each liturgy and are trained periodically. Liturgical musicians rehearse about an hour before their scheduled Mass, and Sunday Children's programs engage younger parishioners during the liturgy.

• Lectors
• Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist
• Liturgical Music
• Liturgical Design Committee
• Sunday Children's Programs

Faith Formation & Christian Education

The parish's education ministries serve learners from childhood through adulthood. Children's Religious Education uses the Pflaum Gospel Weeklies as instructional materials and is taught by teams of volunteers. The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) walks inquirers through becoming Catholic, and a Thursday Evening Faith Enrichment offers adult study and faith sharing throughout the year.

• Children's Religious Education (Pflaum Gospel Weeklies)
• Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA)
• Thursday Evening Faith Enrichment (adult study and faith sharing)

Outreach & Social Concerns

A robust Social Concerns Committee coordinates the parish's outreach to Knoxville and beyond, with active ministries to the homebound, the incarcerated, refugees, immigrants, and the environment. Justice Knox is the parish's local social-justice network.

• Ministry of Care — Communion to the homebound and hospital visits
• Justice Knox
• Catholic Jail Ministry
• Refugee Welcoming Committee
• Catholic Response to Climate Change
• Immigrant Transportation Assistance
• Paulist Associates
• Sunday Suppers — meal served after the 5:30 PM Sunday Mass

Campus Ministry — Students at UTK

St. John XXIII is the Catholic home for students at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. VolCatholic is the campus community where Catholic students at UTK connect, and the FOCUS Missionaries (Fellowship of Catholic University Students) serve on the parish staff to walk with students in faith formation, Bible study, and outreach.

• VolCatholic (Catholic student community at UTK)
• FOCUS Missionaries on staff
• 9:00 PM Sunday Mass during the school semester

Parish Administration & Staff

Pastoral leadership is provided by the Paulist Fathers, with day-to-day operations handled by an Office Manager, Administrative Assistant, Music Director, Sunday Evening Music Director, Building Manager, Sunday School Coordinator, and FOCUS Team Director. The parish is guided by a Parish Pastoral Council and a Finance Committee.

• Fr. Larry Rice, C.S.P. — Pastor
• Fr. Richard Whitney, C.S.P. — Associate Pastor
• Fr. Robert (Bob) O'Donnell, C.S.P. — Senior Ministry / Priest in Residence
• Deacon Patrick Murphy-Racey
• Andrea Sirek — Office Manager
• Mary Beth Aguilar — Administrative Assistant
• Kristofer Rucinski — Music Director
• Robert Edenfield — Sunday Evening Music Director
• Timmy Heck — Building Manager
• Jennifer Stambaugh — Sunday School Coordinator
• Benjamin Delaughter — FOCUS Team Director
• FOCUS Missionaries: Emily Williams, Delaney Klee, Jayden Bates, Ava Keating, Connery VanDyke
• Parish Pastoral Council
• Finance Committee

Visiting, Hours & Contact

The parish office is located at 1710 Melrose Place, Knoxville, TN 37916, just minutes from the University of Tennessee campus. The building is open Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 10 PM during fall and spring semesters and Monday through Thursday from 9 AM to 5:30 PM during the summer. Visitors are warmly welcomed.

• Address: 1710 Melrose Place, Knoxville, TN 37916
• Phone: (865) 523-7931
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://john23rd.org
• Building hours (fall/spring): Mon–Fri 9 AM–10 PM
• Building hours (summer): Mon–Thu 9 AM–5:30 PM