MOST REVEREND BISHOP MARK BECKMAN
BISHOP, DIOCESE OF KNOXVILLE
Bishop Mark Beckman was born on October 19, 1962, in Lawrenceburg, TN, in the Diocese of Nashville. He attended Sacred Heart School and Lawrence County High School in Lawrenceburg, TN, before pursuing further studies at St. Ambrose College in Davenport, IA, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in History. Bishop Beckman then pursued further studies at the Catholic University of Louvain in Belgium, where he studied together with Archbishop Fabre and earned a Master’s Degree in Religious Studies. He was ordained the 4th Bishop of the Diocese of Knoxville on July 26, 2024.
FATHER DAVID BOETTNER
RECTOR, CATHEDRAL OF THE MOST SACRED HEART OF JESUS
Ordained in May 1994, Fr. David has served as an Associate Pastor at Our Lady of Perpetual Help-Chattanooga and Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. He served as Pastor of St. Mary Church-Athens and St. Thomas the Apostle-Lenoir City. He holds a B.A. from St. Meinrad and a Master of Divinity degree from St. Mary of the Lake. [email protected]
FATHER JHON MARIO GARCIA
ASSOCIATE PASTOR
Father Jhon Mario was born in a town called Dosquebradas in Colombia, South America. He is the third of 7 children and entered the seminary of the Congregation of the Mission (Vincentian Fathers) in 2005. He was ordained a priest on August 16, 2014. After his ordination, he was sent to work in Vocational Ministry for his congregation. In 2017, his superiors sent him to work with the Hispanic ministry in California at Saint Mary Magdalen, Camarillo, CA, Archdiocese of Los Angeles, where he worked for two and a half years. [email protected].
FATHER MARTIN GLADYSZ
ASSOCIATE PASTOR
Fr. Martin Gładysz was born in Krakow, Poland. In 2002, he obtained a master’s degree at the Pontifical Academy of Theology (currently the Pontifical University of John Paul II in Krakow). On May 18, 2002, he was ordained a priest at the Cathedral Basilica of the Holy Family in Częstochowa. For eight years, he was a missionary in Papua New Guinea. Fr. Martin works with the Polish community in East Tennessee. [email protected]
FATHER DANNY HERMAN
ASSOCIATE PASTOR
Raised in the small rural town of Mountain City, TN, Fr. Danny grew up a cradle Catholic in the heart of Appalachia’s predominant Baptist community. His upbringing, amidst the natural beauty and tight-knit community of East Tennessee, has profoundly influenced his spiritual life and fostered a unique appreciation for both the Church’s Tradition and the tradition of the South. An outdoors enthusiast, Fr. Danny enjoys staying active through exercise, hiking, and travel, reflecting his belief in the importance of nurturing both body and spirit. As he steps into his role at The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral Parish, he brings with him a vision to nurture faith among parishioners and actively pursue holiness in East Tennessee. [email protected]
WALT OTEY
DEACON/CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Deacon Walt brings several decades of experience in corporate business to this role, where he spent much of his time on financial analysis. In his new role, he will oversee the parish’s economic operation, including the roles of the Office Manager/Bookkeeper and the SHCS Business Manager. This position will administer staff payroll and related needs, safeguard assets through financial analyses and internal control procedures, and make recommendations based on those analyses. Walt became a Catholic in 1989 in Greeneville and began formation to the permanent diaconate for the Diocese of Knoxville in August of 2010. [email protected]
FREDY VARGAS
DEACON
Deacon Fredy Vargas serves along with Deacon Walt Otey as a permanent Deacon in our parish and will be available to serve for both English and Spanish Speaking Masses and other Sacraments. [email protected]
MIKE MESCALL
DEACON
RICK GRINSTEAD
DIRECTOR OF EVANGELIZATION, YOUTH & YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY
Rick has been a passionate youth worker for the Church for over 20 years. His ministries have had the privilege of working with thousands of youth and young adults through retreats, speaking engagements, and relational ministry. His wife and eight children love being a part of the ministries and could not be more excited to join the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart family. Rick believes that together, we will not only be able to thrive in evangelization, and youth and young adult ministry, but also bring about a vibrant and exciting era. [email protected]
JANET PEREZ
YOUTH & YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY / ECHO
Led by the Spirit, Janet is an Echo Apprentice from the University of Notre Dame. She is part of the Echo Program, where she is simultaneously pursuing her Master’s Degree in Theology while serving the Church.
Janet works alongside Rick Grinstead in the Youth and Young Adult Ministry office. She graduated from Loyola University Chicago with her Bachelor’s in English: Creative Writing. After Loyola, she participated in FrancisCorps, a year-long volunteer service program where she worked with Teen Refugees. [email protected]
SCOTT BARRON
DIRECTOR OF PARISH MINISTRIES
Scott collaborates with event organizers, identifies parish needs to ensure an event’s success, and act as a hospitality ambassador for the Cathedral. This new role coordinates the parish’s efforts in youth ministry and formation for Cathedral Kids, Children’s Liturgy of the Word, and RCIA. This position works with the Director of Evangelization, Youth, and Young Adult Ministry to coordinate an annual Parish Retreat. [email protected]
MARY MAC WILSON
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
Mary Mac serves as the primary advisor and assistant to the Pastor on parish administration and ministry matters. This will ensure smooth, coordinated efforts by the parish staff to support parish activities and provide a high level of service by the team to parish members. [email protected]
GLENN KAHLER
DIRECTOR OF MUSIC AND LITURGY
Glenn oversees our liturgical celebrations, weekly Masses, special feasts, and diocesan celebrations. He manages cantors and music ministers and also directs the 9:00 am Mass and the Sacred Heart Youth Choir. Glenn is an accomplished arranger and composer in television and film. [email protected]
BYONG-SUK MOON
ORGANIST
Suk Moon (organist) graduated with a degree in organ performance from the Department of Instrumental Music at Yonsei University in Korea. He continued his study in organ at Detmolt National University for Music in Germany, obtaining a master’s degree and the prestigious Soloist Diploma in Organ (equivalent to a doctorate in the U.S.) Byong-Suk also completed the coursework in Catholic Church Music and won multiple International Organ Competitions in Germany such as Dom Zu Speyer International Organ Competition (2nd place), Wiesbaden Bach Preis International Organ Competition (2nd place), and Magdeburg International Organ Competition Diploma. [email protected]
HILDA CARRERA-RODAS
PARISH SECRETARY
Hilda Carrera joined our staff in 2015 and now moves to her new position as parish secretary. Hilda is directly responsible for the daily operation of the parish office in support of the Pastor and Chief Operating Officer. She now assists in organizing and maintaining parish records and correspondence. She will also help in the scheduling of appointments for the pastor and coordination of sacramental ministry. Hilda can be reached at [email protected] or 865-588-0249.
STEVE COY
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS
Steve has been with the Cathedral since September 2016 after over 20 years in radio and television broadcasting. He oversees social media, web page content, and the church bulletin. He also leads our Video Production Ministry team, which manages our Mass Streaming online. For stories ideas or suggestions, please email Steve at [email protected]
MICHELLE HORTON
OFFICE MANAGER
Michelle comes to us most recently from Blaine Construction as their accounts payable manager for 13 years. She and her husband Alan are long-term parishioners of the Cathedral parish and have 3 wonderful boys – Riley, Sebastian, and Titus. Riley is a 6th grader at SHCS, Sebastian is a kindergartener at SHCS, and Titus is in the baby room at our preschool. [email protected]
SANDRA PORTOCARRERO CUBAS
RECEPTIONIST
Sandra is originally from Peru and has been a parishioner at the Cathedral since 2017. Her daughter Maia is an 8th grader at Sacred Heart Cathedral School. She is fluent in Spanish, loves to help others feel welcome, and is excited about her new role as an office receptionist. Sandra can be reached at [email protected] or by calling 865-588-0249.
FACILITIES
TOM GREER
DIRECTOR OF FACILITIES
Tom is responsible for the comprehensive maintenance and operations of the parish office, Cathedral, school, rectory, plus the Chancery and several convents. In addition to maintaining facilities, he works closely with subcontractors on the construction of the new Cathedral. [email protected]
ANDRES CAMPOS
PORTER
Andres was born and raised in Chicago, IL. After finishing college, he first came to Knoxville for a few months to visit relatives, but decided to stay. After some time, Andres continued his education by studying computer-aided drafting and design. He worked as a project engineer with a granite and marble countertop company. At Sacred Heart he loves the fact that you get a sense of community and the hospitality and generosity of the faithful are impressive. For Campos, interacting with the community and help maintain this sense of hospitality is meaningful.
CATHEDRAL SCHOOL
MARY SUE KOSKY
PRINCIPAL
Mrs. Kosky holds a B.S. in Special Education from the University of South Florida (1988) and an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership and Supervision from Lincoln Memorial University (2012). She has 18 years of teaching experience in both public and Catholic schools, working with students in self-contained special education classrooms, resource rooms, and the regular classroom. Additionally, Mrs. Kosky served as Assistant Principal for seven years at St. John Neumann Catholic School in Knoxville, TN. She earned a certificate in Catholic School Leadership from Loyola Marymount University (2016). Mrs. Kosky has five adult children, including twins, who all graduated from Knoxville Catholic High School. She and her husband are active parishioners of the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. She is committed to the role of Principal of Sacred Heart Cathedral School in answer to God’s call to serve. She loves to travel, spend time with family, and read. [email protected]
VALERIE HANKS
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
Mrs. Valerie Hanks serves the Sacred Heart Cathedral School community as our Assistant Principal. With 25 years in education, the last 13 at Sacred Heart, and the desire to provide all students with an excellent education, while collaborating with families and colleagues, she is confident that our school will continue to grow and develop in not only our academics but also our charism, mission, and vision. Mrs. Hanks has a Master’s degree in Education from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and her Catholic School Administration and Leadership certification from Loyola Marymount University. Valerie and her husband, Wayne, have one daughter, Sophia, who is a graduate of SHCS and KCHS. They also have a 95 lb rescue dog who thinks she is a lap puppy. Mrs. Hanks looks forward to the new school year and the amazing things our Eagles will accomplish. [email protected]
ELISA CRAWFORD
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT
Elisa was born and raised in Knoxville and graduated from St. Joseph’s and Knoxville Catholic High School. She has a B.A. in Communication from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where she was a UT majorette for four years. Elisa has 10+ years of experience in development and community relations. She is excited to join the Sacred Heart family as the Director of Development, where her passion for building relationships within the community can thrive. Elisa and her husband, Matt, have three daughters, two of whom attend Sacred Heart Cathedral School as a Little Eagle and Kindergartener. She enjoys spending quality time with her family & friends, traveling to new places, and any UT sporting event! [email protected]
MARK AMREIN
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
Mark Amrein. Before a 17-year career as a higher-education administrator, Mark wore many hats at Ville de Marie Academy, a Catholic K-12 school in Scottsdale, AZ, for six years. There he taught math and history to grades 5-10, established that school’s athletic department acting as Athletic Director, coached many different sports, and served as Dean of Discipline. He very much looks forward to working in such an environment again. Mark and his family moved to Knoxville in 2011 and have been members of the Cathedral parish since. Mark’s two daughters attended SHCS, and his wife of 30 years, Maria, previously served as a substitute teacher here. Mark also has two older boys, both married, one of whom resides in Knoxville and recently graced their family with their first grandchild. If you don’t know Mark already, he may at least be a familiar face. He has been an adult altar server ever since the new Cathedral opened in 2018. [email protected]
EMILY WIDMER
Director of Admissions
Emily is a Knoxville native and a graduate of Sacred Heart Cathedral School and Knoxville Catholic High School. She has a B.A. from Maryville College and obtained her M.S. from the University of Tennessee in Educational Administration. Emily worked as a middle and high school history teacher for Knox County Schools before “coming home” to SHCS in 2021. Emily and her husband, Nick, are expecting their first child in October 2023. She enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and doing anything active or outdoors in her free time. [email protected]