VERY REVEREND MICHAEL CUMMINS

RECTOR, CATHEDRAL OF THE MOST SACRED HEART OF JESUS

Fr. Michael Cummins is a priest in the Diocese of Knoxville. In addition to being assigned as the Rector at Sacred Heart, he also serves as Vicar of Priests for the diocese.  Ordained in 1995, Fr. Michael holds a Licentiate in Sacred Theology and has fulfilled various roles within the Diocese throughout his priesthood. In 2026, he was appointed to serve as rector of the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Born and raised in Johnson City, he feels at home in this part of the Diocese. Fr. Michael enjoys experiencing the beauty of nature.  For ten years, he volunteered at the wolf habitat at Bays Mountain Park. This experience led him to an ongoing love for Yellowstone National Park and a desire to visit all the national parks across the country. To date, he has visited forty national parks. Fr. Michael also enjoys spending time with his dogs, Lucy and Aggie. Follow the link below to read Fr. Michael’s blog. [email protected]

The Alternate Path

FATHER DIEGO RIVERA

ASSOCIATE PASTOR

Fr. Diego was born August 4, 1979, in La Ceja, a town near Medellín, Colombia. He is the second of 5 children; three brothers and one sister. His family currently lives in Colombia. While in seminary, he and Father Arthur Torres met and became friends. Father Diego was ordained a priest on December 7, 2014. After ordination, he worked in Brazil for five years, serving as a parish priest for four of those years. With immense joy, he begins a new experience in the Diocese of Knoxville, where he hopes to offer generous and evangelizing service. In his free time, he likes to read, walk in parks, and visit museums. He loves ice cream and watching movies at the cinema. [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]

CHRISTIAN RATTERMAN

DIRECTOR OF YOUTH & YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY

SCOTT BARRON

DIRECTOR OF PARISH EVENTS AND CAMPUS SECURITY

Scott works closely with event organizers to identify the needs of the parish, ensuring the success of various events, and serves as a hospitality ambassador for the Cathedral. In this new role, he coordinates the parish’s efforts in youth ministry and programs for Cathedral Kids, Children’s Liturgy of the Word, and the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA). He also collaborates with the Director of Evangelization, Youth, and Young Adult Ministry to plan an annual parish retreat. For more information, he can be reached at [email protected].

RYAN SEAVER

ASSOCIATE ORGANIST

Ryan Seaver serves as the Associate Organist at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. A recent graduate of Franciscan University of Steubenville, he double-majored, earning degrees in both Theology and Catechetics with double-minors in Sacred Music and Music Ministry.

A proud alumnus of both the Cathedral School and Knoxville Catholic High School, Ryan first discovered his love for the organ during his formative years. As a middle school student, he regularly accompanied school Masses, and by high school, he was faithfully serving as organist for the 7:30 AM Sunday Mass. During this time, he studied under Dr. Edie Johnson and also held the position of organist at Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Knoxville.

While pursuing his undergraduate studies, Ryan was named an organ fellow at the Pittsburgh Oratory of St. Philip Neri and studied with Professor Nicholas Will.

In his role at the Cathedral, Ryan’s responsibilities include accompanying liturgies and providing musical support across parish events, as well as serving in a teaching and mentoring role within the Cathedral Academy of Music.

Deeply rooted in his faith and musical vocation, Ryan is profoundly grateful to God for the opportunity to serve the Church through the sacred music of the Liturgy and to give back to his alma mater and faith community. [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.

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.

BRENDAN SUTER

FACILITIES COORDINATOR

Brendan was born and raised in Bergen County, New Jersey, where he lived until November 1st. He has been married to his wife, Kelly, for 35 years, and they have three grown children. Brendan has worked as a general contractor, kitchen designer, and cabinetmaker. For the past 12 years, he has been employed by the Catholic Church, where his children were baptized and attended school and where he has been an active parishioner. [email protected]

COREY MIDDLETON

PORTER

Corey Middleton is a native of Greenville, South Carolina, and a proud son of the Palmetto State. After high school, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, serving four years on active duty and four more in the reserves. Following his military service, he attended Clemson University, where he earned a B.A. in History and Political Science. His diverse background—from corporate sales to construction and agricultural work—has shaped his character, versatility, and strong work ethic.

 

As Cathedral Porter, Corey assists with hospitality, building access, campus safety, and the daily operations that support the liturgical and communal life of the Cathedral. He considers it a profound blessing to serve in this sacred space and strives to carry out his duties with humility, reverence, and a spirit of Christian hospitality. [email protected]

KENDALL DOOGAN

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL

Mrs. Kendall Doogan serves the Sacred Heart Cathedral School community as our new Assistant Principal of Academics. With over 20 years in education, both in public and Catholic schools, as an administrator, general education teacher, and special area teacher, she brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the Sacred Heart Community. 

Mrs. Doogan has a Master’s degree in Education from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and a Master’s degree in School Leadership and Administration from Trevecca University, Nashville. Kendall and her husband, John, have one son, JR, who is a student at SHCS.  Mrs. Doogan is excited to have SHCS be a part of her story; “God has written a unique and unrepeatable story for each of us, but He lets us write the ending.”–Blessed Carlo Acutis   [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. 

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]