James David Poole Sr., 79, died peacefully with his family on July 24, 2022. A lifelong Catholic, David was a devotee of the traditional Latin Mass and continued to watch the Basilica's Sunday livestream when he could no longer attend in person due to Alzheimer's. Please pray for James David Poole's soul. Click to read about his life.

The Tennessee Pro Life Leadership Conference, hosted by Students for Life of Southeast Tennessee, will be held Saturday, July 23, 2022, from 9am to 3pm, at Apison Baptist Church near Chattanooga. All ages welcome! Conference will feature Tina Whittington, VP of Students for Life of America; Seth Gruber, host of the Unaborted! Podcast; and numerous other inspiring and informative speakers from around the southeast. Register by July 15. Late registrations accepted for an additional $5. Click for details.

*** CANCELED *** Unfortunately we have had to cancel our VBS 2022 that was planned for Camp Columbus on July 6 and 13.

Altar server training will be offered for the Latin Mass beginning July 2022. Attendance is required Sundays at 10:30am and some 7am weekday Masses for training. To prepare for the training, it is necessary to learn the Latin prayers and read the altar server manual. For more information and to sign up, visit our Altar Servers page and contact admin@stspeterandpaulbasilica.com.

Mr. Bobby Denne, a seminarian of the Diocese of Knoxville, who has been studying at St. Meinrad Seminary, has been assigned to serve at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul this summer. He will be serving in our Masses and various activities this summer until he returns to the seminary. Please welcome him to our parish and keep him in your prayers during his time with us.

The Ombrellino Gift Shop would like to train volunteers so that we can open the store more often. If you are interested, please contact the gift shop and take our Safe Haven training if you have not already done so.

We are planning an outdoor Basilica party after the Under One Roof construction is completed! The tentative date is May 20, 2023 (rain date June 3, 2023). If you would like to help us plan this special event, please contact Debbie Cliche.

Carlos Guerra lost his balance while taking a shower and seriously injured one of his knees. He has swelling, pain, and bruises. (He has knee replacement in both knees.) Carlos is working with a surgeon to determine the best plan for healing. We appreciate you including Carlos in your prayers for the sick in our Basilica. Carlos and his wife Viola and adult children, Carlo and Carol, have been parishioners at the Basilica for about three years. The family thanks you for your kind gesture and understanding.

A special advisory about PARKING: We appreciate the privilege to park in the lot behind the Carnegie Building directly to the west of the Basilica on 8th St., during our weekend Masses. The owners of that building have advised us that their parking lot is being re-paved and will be unavailable the weekend of May 7 & 8 only. Weekend parking will still be available next to the church, across from the church entrance, at All Saints Academy (310 E 8th St), and in the UTC parking lot across from All Saints.

Ash Wednesday is a day of fasting for adults age 18-59. Ash Wednesday and all Fridays are days of abstinence from meat for those over the age of 14. When fasting, a person is permitted to eat one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal. Those that are excused from fast and abstinence include the physically or mentally ill, including individuals suffering from chronic illnesses such as diabetes. Also excluded are pregnant or nursing women.

This past season in our parish, there have been several deaths of parishioners and family members, and we are grieving these losses as a community. We are expanding our St. Mary Magdalene Bereavement Ministry to provide accompaniment to all who have experienced the loss of a loved one. We have started a grief support program, offering meetings, prayer partners, and coping resources. If you would like to learn more and participate, click for details.

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Chattanooga is looking for a full-time Bookkeeper. Must be an active member of a Roman Catholic parish. Interested parties should contact Robert Jones at OLPH 423-622-7232 or rjones@myolph.com.

After reviewing the results of the Papal Synod survey of Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul parishioners, we facilitated two listening sessions: one in English and one in Spanish. We produced a report to convey the fruits of the discernment in our parish. (Click to read the report.) This report was sent to be incorporated as input from our diocese, and our diocesan input will eventually make its way to Rome. We are grateful to our volunteer team and all who gave input!

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, over a million refugees, mostly women, children, and the elderly have fled to Poland along its 330-mile border. This sudden and unanticipated surge of refugees in such a short period of time has created a humanitarian crisis of epic proportions. The St. John Paul II Shrine in Kraków, Poland is helping thousands of refugees by offering shelter and assisting with meals, clothing, and basic needs. Bishop Stika has asked that a special collection be taken on the weekend of March 19-20. Any assistance given will go to the St. John Paul II Shrine's support of Ukrainian refugees. Click to learn more about the help the Shrine is providing refugees.

+Marsha Conway Salter, a longtime Basilica parishioner, passed on Feb. 22, 2022, following a period of illness. She and her husband Jim had celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at the Basilica in 2019. Please pray for the repose of Marsha's soul.

Rudy Marquez passed away the morning of 3/9/22 after pneumonia following COVID-19. Rudy was an active member of the Knights of Columbus Council at St. Jude. Rudy's wife Lupita was the Basilica's Parish Secretary for several years. Click for more information and to access a meal train for the Marquez family.

Looking for a Catholic homeschool experience with like-minded families? St. Ambrose Catholic Homeschool Co-op, meeting in person on Fridays from 8:30 to 11:45 a.m. We will also offer an afternoon option of life skill classes 1:30-2:30 on the 1st & 3rd Fridays each month. We meet at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in downtown Chattanooga. Registration is open March 1 through May 15 for the 2022-23 school year. Classes begin August 19 for nursery-aged children through high schoolers. Classes offered include Latin, Sign Language, Theology, Greek & Egyptian Mythology, and Biology/Animal Science. To schedule a visit or with questions, please e-mail stambrosecoop@gmail.com. Detailed information and registration forms are posted on St. Ambrose Homeschool Co-op page. Click here.

We have finally been able to hire two nursery attendants for Sunday mornings! Provided that both our nursery attendants are able to be present, our Nursery is now open during the 9:00 and 11:30 Masses, as well as the class time between Masses, for children under 5 years old.  We are in need of gently used toddler-safe toys and board books. (Please no riding toys.)

The Knights of Columbus is a fraternal organization of devout Catholic men looking to give back to and support their community, family and church. Founded in 1882 by Fr. John J. McGivney, the organization has grown to over two million members worldwide. The Knights are actively seeking new members. An initiation for new members will be held at the Council 610 Hall on Monday, March 14 at 6:30 PM. Knights from Council 610, which is affiliated with the Basilica, will be available to discuss membership and answer your questions after each Mass the weekend of March 5 and 6.

We are starting a Saints Anna and Simeon Society, called “STASIS”, to spiritually support people in difficult or irregular marriage situations, including those divorced and separated, who desire to live in communion with the Catholic Church. Now on our Marriage page are Catholic resources to help you or someone you know. If you are interested in being a part of our STASIS network to give and/or receive spiritual support, contact the parish office.