A group of Catholics interested in starting a church in Smith County celebrated a Mass, followed by a meeting to discuss their plans, at the Carthage United Methodist Church on Thursday, June 24, 2021. It was believed to be the first-ever public Catholic Mass celebrated in Smith County. Nancy Picou receives communion from Glenmary Father Don Tranel.
In the more than two centuries since Smith County was founded, it has never been home to a Catholic church.
But a group of interested Catholics, led by Glenmary Home Missioner Father Don Tranel, have begun the work to establish a parish there.
“They’re pumped. They’re excited. They can’t wait,” Father Tranel said of the group.
On June 24, Father Tranel celebrated a Mass at the Carthage United Methodist Church that was attended by 81 people, including Father John Hammond, Vicar General of the Diocese of Nashville. It was the first publicly celebrated Mass ever in the county, Father Tranel said…. (full article available at tennesseeregister.com)