KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Father Christopher Michael Riehl, former pastor of St. John the Evangelist Church in Waynesville, passed away Nov. 10, 2022, from medical complications related to diabetes.
He had just celebrated his 45th birthday on Nov. 7, 2022, and he was a week shy of his 13th anniversary of priestly ordination.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2022, at Holy Ghost Catholic Church, 1041 N. Central St. in Knoxville, Tenn. Family will receive friends before the service from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Burial will follow at 3 p.m. at Mount Olivet Cemetery, 1 Mount Olivet Dr. in Chattanooga, Tenn.
He was born in Gowen, Mich., on Nov. 7, 1977. After having moved around during his childhood, he settled in Jefferson City, Tenn., where he graduated from high school. While studying for – and subsequently earning – an associate’s degree with an emphasis in law at Walter State Community College, he began discerning a call to the priesthood. He later earned a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy from Conception Seminary in Conception, Mo., and a Master of Divinity from St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood, Pa.
In May 2007, he shared the distinction of being ordained a deacon alongside his father, John Riehl, by the Most Rev. Joseph E. Kurtz, archbishop of Louisville. They were ordained at Holy Trinity Church in Jefferson City, their home parish.
On Nov. 14, 2009, Father Riehl was ordained a priest by the Most Rev. Richard F. Stika, bishop of Knoxville.
Father Riehl loved sports, regularly played golf, watched football with his family and friends, and frequently explored the outdoors. While he was also an excellent cook who found immense joy preparing exceptional meals for those he loved, his true love was for Our Lord Jesus Christ and His mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary. Through his deep devotion to Mary, Mother of God, Father Riehl had recently published a book entitled “Listen to Our Lady” and was working on a second book.
Father Riehl spent several years in ministry in the Diocese of Charlotte, including as administrator and later pastor of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Waynesville and Immaculate Conception Mission in Canton from 2014 to 2017. Prior to that, he served at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Charlotte from 2013 to 2014.
Father Riehl is survived by his parents, Deacon John and Shirley Riehl; siblings Suzie, Jeff, Jennifer, Tony, Cindy and Tim; and 11 nieces and nephews. He will be remembered by those who were fortunate enough to know a beloved son and brother.
Click Funeral Home & Cremations – Middlebrook Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
— Catholic News Herald
GREENSBORO — Father James F. Scherer passed away Sept. 15, 2022, at AuthoraCare Collective/Beacon Place in Greensboro.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 21, 2022, at St. Pius X Church, located at 2210 N. Elm St. in Greensboro. A reception will follow.
He was born on March 13, 1937, in Philadelphia. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 16, 1964, and incardinated in the Archdiocese of Atlanta.
During his ministry, he served in the Greensboro area as a marriage and family therapist and certified social worker, and since the 1970s he regularly assisted with offering Masses at St. Pius X Church and other Greensboro area parishes. In 1997, he was featured as the graduation speaker at Bishop McGuinness High School in Kernersville.
Besides his parents, Father Scherer was preceded in death by two siblings, brother Charles and sister Trudy.
He is survived by his sister, Betty Ann McNamara; 15 nieces and nephews; and a multitude of great-nieces and great-nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to one’s favorite charity.
Advantage Funeral & Cremation Services of Greensboro was in charge of the arrangements.
— Catholic News Herald