You could hardly think of a better word than resurrection when you consider what’s happening in Smith County, Tennessee, this Easter. That’s the county where Glenmary missioner Father Don Tranel set up shop in January of last year and started letting people know the possibility of bringing together a Catholic church near the county seat of Carthage. Immediately, Father … [Read more…]
As Glenmary Father Don Tranel looked out over his congregation at St. Peter the Apostle Church in Carthage to begin his homily, he quoted Dorothy from the “The Wizard of Oz”: “There’s no place like home.” The Mass on Saturday, April 9, was the first to be celebrated at the congregation’s property on Upper Ferry … [Read more…]
Less than a year after Glenmary assigned Father Don Tranel to begin a mission in Smith County, Tennessee, the nascent Catholic community there has acquired a permanent space for worship and parish life. The Diocese of Nashville closed on the purchase of New Level Church Nov. 21. The local Catholic community took a loan from … [Read more…]
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. … [Read more…]
In January 2021, Father Don set out to establish a Glenmary mission in Smith County, Tenn., about an hour east of Nashville. There never has been a Catholic church in the county. Here is a note from him on his progress. Things have gotten a little hectic during the summer months here in Smith County. … [Read more…]