From The East Tennessee Catholic, May 6, 2012
Book, gift store will be a nonprofit ministry after gift from Fillauers By Bill Brewer
The Paraclete, a staple for Catholics across the diocese for books and gifts, is now part of the Diocese of Knoxville.
The diocese took ownership of the retail outlet April 1 when Karl and Becky Fillauer, who started the Paraclete in May 1987, made it a gift to the diocese.
The property transfer includes a commercial building on Erin Drive the Fillauer family gave to Sacred Heart Cathedral in December.
Discussions between the Fillauer family, longtime Sacred Heart parishioners, and the diocese on the future of buildings the family owns adjacent to Sacred Heart began about a year ago, according to Father David Boettner, Sacred Heart pastor.
The store, originally located on Broadway near the Fourth and Gill neighborhood, relocated to 417 Erin Drive off Northshore Drive in 1990, shortly after the diocese formed.
“Karl Fillauer’s vision for The Paraclete was as a ministry,” said Father Boettner. “He was participating in a lay leadership program and saw it as a way to enhance faith. Originally, his intention was running the store as a way to reach out to Catholics and those of other faiths.”
In gifting The Paraclete to the diocese, the Fillauer family wanted to ensure that the store would continue to be a resource for Catholics in East Tennessee, Father Boettner said.
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