June 27, 2008

Faith sustains soldiers, families during wartime

Theresa Laurence, Tennessee Register

Army Capt. Alex Graziano sits in the Catholic chaplain’s office at Soldier’s Chapel in Fort Campbell, Ky., his weathered hands clasping a camouflage bandana with Psalm 91 inscribed on it. “… I shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day…” it reads.

“These terms are very tangible to me,” he said. The strength Graziano draws from the psalm carried him through many security missions during his two deployments to Iraq. “That peace of mind is huge when you have a whole bunch of craziness staring you in the face.”

Bishop David Choby visits with Maj. Edward Ohm, the Catholic installation chaplain at the Ft. Campbell Army base, home of the 101st Airborne, earlier this month. During his day-long visit, Bishop Choby saw a demonstration of the Air Assault School obstacle course, visited the hospital, toured the museum, celebrated Mass, and had dinner with soldiers and their families. Catholic soldiers stationed at Ft. Campbell and their families say they rely on their faith to sustain them during wartime. Photo by Theresa Laurence

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Monroe Carell Jr. lauded for generosity, spirituality

Theresa Laurence and Andy Telli, Tennessee Register

The Cathedral of the Incarnation was packed June 22 as friends of Monroe Carell Jr. celebrated the life of the distinguished Nashville businessman, philanthropist and faithful Catholic.

Before the afternoon vigil service, lines of well-wishers snaked around the Cathedral’s Fleming Center waiting to offer their condolences to Carell’s wife of 52 years, Ann, and their three daughters: Julie, Edie and Kathryn.

Carell’s faith was an important part of his life, said Father Pat Kibby, Carell’s pastor at the Cathedral. “Especially these last few weeks as he was dying, I would go over to pray with him and he was the one doing all the praying. And listening to his prayers, he was a man of deep faith. …

Aquinas College seeks approval of facility expansion plans

Andy Telli, Tennessee Register

Aquinas College and the Dominican Campus are seeking approval for a master plan that will be “transformational” for Middle Tennessee’s only Catholic college.

The Dominican Campus on Harding Road in Nashville, owned and operated by the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia, has filed an application with Metro Nashville planning authorities for an institutional overlay zoning, which is designed to guide growth on school and college campuses.

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Charismatic Conference returns for 25th year

Barbara Dodd, Tennessee Register

Twenty-five years ago Teresa Seibert decided to have a conference for the Charismatic Renewal movement. She thought it would be a one-time event. Little did she know how much the conference would grow and how long it would last.

The 25th annual Mid-South Regional Charismatic Conference will be held at St. Ignatius Church in Antioch on July 11 and 12.

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Father Bernard to retire after serving diocese for 58 years

Theresa Laurence, Tennessee Register

Father Bernard Niedergeses would prefer to slip into retirement quietly, without a party or a public goodbye. If the Tennessee Register didn’t print this article, celebrating his 58 years of service to the Diocese of Nashville, he might feel relieved rather than slighted.

But the parishioners of St. Pius X and Assumption churches, where Father Bernard has served for 38 years, might be up in arms if their beloved pastor were to retire without notice.

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Father Buchignani’s retirement opens new phase of his priesthood

Andy Telli, Tennessee Register

LAWRENCEBURG. Father Richard Buchignani sits in his office at Sacred Heart Church in Lawrenceburg with stacks of paper on his desk and boxes piling up on the floor. He’s been going through all the files and paperwork he’s accumulated over the last two decades as pastor.

“When you’re here 24 years, as I have been, it’s all over the place,” he said. “St. Francis of Assisi had it right from the beginning. All you really need is your garb.”

After 46 years as a priest, Father Buchignani will move into retirement on July 1. He won’t be going far, deciding to stay in Lawrenceburg, where he has been leading one of the Diocese of Nashville’s oldest parishes since 1984.

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St. Rose lets good times roll on bocce courts

Andy Telli, Tennessee Register

MURFREESBORO. Go to the bocce courts at St. Rose of Lima Church in Murfreesboro on a bright Sunday afternoon, and you’ll find people twisting their bodies and waving their arms trying to will their ball into the right position.

The cheers and groans tell you if they were successful. The laughs and smiles tell you they’re all having a good time.

“I love the game,” said St. Rose parishioner Bill Bickford, who helped launch the St. Rose Bocce Club three years ago. “It’s addictive.”

Bickford was introduced to bocce, an ancient game with roots in Egypt as many as 5,000 years before Christ, as a boy growing up in upstate New York.

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Parochial schools unfazed by Metro school system shake-up

Katie Lewis, Tennessee Register

The stacked desks and taped boxes in the hallway are a sign of change, but Tim Keogh said that the state’s tightening of control of the Metro Nashville public school system likely would not affect Holy Rosary Academy.

Since the school is mainly supported by parishioners of Holy Rosary and St. Stephen, which is in Wilson County and not affected by the Metro changes, the HRA principal anticipates a regular school year – his second at the K-8 Catholic school.

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Register columnist writes book on building successful marriage

Fran Rajotte, Tennessee Register

In marriage, we are not alone. Our lives and love stories connect us to our spouse. This is one of the themes John Bosio weaves into his new book, “Happy Together: The Catholic Blueprint for a Loving Marriage.”

In his book, Bosio addresses topics such as attentiveness and truthfulness, forgiveness, comfort, healing, making room for another in one’s life, welcoming and acceptance, drawing on the experiences of he and his wife, Teri, and other couples that have touched his life.

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Mission trip challenges teens’ views on immigration, poverty

Theresa Laurence, Tennessee Register

A mission trip to a Mexican border town with the diocese’s Catholic Youth Office earlier this month was “probably the most life changing experience I could have asked for,” said Ann Goodrich, one of the 15 teen participants.

Goodrich, along with her fellow travelers, had her views on immigration and poverty challenged, and her faith strengthened during the week long trip.

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Parishes planning Fourth of July picnics

Fireworks and fried chicken will be just some of the attractions to Fourth of July picnics hosted by parishes around the Diocese of Nashville, including St. Edward in Nashville and Sacred Heart in Loretto.

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