Bishop J. Mark Spalding celebrated Mass with the Overbrook Catholic School community before blessing their Beyond the Brook Farm on Sunday May 7, on the Dominican Campus of the Sisters of St. Cecilia Congregation. The farm was founded by Sister Marie Noelle, OP, in 2017, and includes sheep Cosmas and Damien, cat Isidore, bunnies and chickens. There is also a multitude of crops growing including basil, broccoli, carrots, collard greens, cucumber, eggplant, lavender, lettuce, lima beans, onions, peas, peppers, potatoes, pumpkins, rosemary, sage, spinach, squash, strawberries, thyme, and tomatoes. Along with Mass and the farm blessing, families also enjoyed lunch, live music, inflatable play areas, face painting, balloon artists, and more. Sister Marie Blanchette, OP, principal of Overbrook Catholic School, feeds grass to sheep, Cosmas.

This year the recently formed Children of Mary Circle at Church of the Assumption in Germantown took on one of the biggest celebrations of the year, the parish May Crowning on Sunday, May 7. To prepare, the girls handmade the crown, washed the Mary statue outside the church, and more on Saturday, May 6. Meredith Pelham, director of religious education at Assumption, right, gathers the girls so they can start making the crown for Mary.

Since the Aquinas House opened last September for the students of University Catholic at Tennessee Tech University in Cookeville, the students have wasted no time putting it to use hosting weekly suppers and activities, Bible studies, and more. On Thursday, April 20, the group gathered for pizza and welcomed Father Michael Fye, pastor of St. Ann Church in Nashville, as he spoke to them about the moral life and marijuana. Father Michael Fye, pastor of St. Ann Church in Nashville, addresses the group.

Gina and Brad Miller pose for a photo near the garden they had made in honor of their late daughter, Anna Grace Miller, outside their home in Franklin.

Several people from around the Diocese of Nashville gathered at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Tennessee Ridge on Saturday, April 29, for a one-day Eucharistic Congress Retreat for a day centered around the true presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Throughout the day, attendees heard from Father Ben Cameron of the Fathers of Mercy and lifelong Catholic Kate Morris as they discussed how the Eucharist is the fulfillment of Old Testament scripture and how the Eucharist is the source and summit of the Catholic faith. Participants also shopped with local vendors, participated in Holy Hour, Adoration, had the opportunity to receive the sacrament of Reconciliation and end the day with Mass. Father Joseph Mundakal, CMI, raises the monstrance with the blessed sacrament.

Several people from around the Diocese of Nashville gathered at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Tennessee Ridge on Saturday, April 29, for a one-day Eucharistic Congress Retreat for a day centered around the true presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Throughout the day, attendees heard from Father Ben Cameron of the Fathers of Mercy and lifelong Catholic Kate Morris as they discussed how the Eucharist is the fulfillment of Old Testament scripture and how the Eucharist is the source and summit of the Catholic faith. Participants also shopped with local vendors, participated in Holy Hour, Adoration, had the opportunity to receive the sacrament of Reconciliation and end the day with Mass. Father Ben Cameron, CPM, presents the now consecrated body and blood of Christ.

Voices for a Safer Tennessee organized a three-mile long human chain ending outside the State Capitol. The goal of the event, which drew more than 8,000 people, was to urge the Tennessee Legislature to take steps to address gun violence. Father Mark Beckman, pastor of St. Henry Church in Nashville, was one of several faith leaders who led a prayer during the event.