St. Ambrose Catholic Homeschool Co-op meets at the Basilica on Friday mornings. Registration is open now until May 10th for the 2024-25 school year. (Families moving to Chattanooga over the summer may apply after that date.) Classes begin August 16 for nursery-aged children through high schoolers. Classes offered include Latin, Sign Language, Art, Science, US Geography, Chemistry, Health, and more. Detailed information and registration forms are posted on our St. Ambrose page (click to access). To schedule a visit or with questions, please e-mail stambrosecoop@gmail.com.

Our Lorelei’s Library in the hallway next to the Basilica is available for every parishioner to check out a single book at a time for up to 3 weeks. We have a few friendly requests: PARENTS, please write in your own name and phone number LEGIBLY on the checkout card so that we can follow up with you if needed. Also, if your child takes some books out to look at, please kindly put them back in the right place, by category and title. THANK YOU for your help so that everyone can find and enjoy the books! Click for more info about Lorelei's Library.

In 2022, Basilica parishioner Lynn Elverd, a veteran servant of our Altar Ministry, Religious Education helper, and Greeter, suffered multiple spinal fractures caused by cancer. After several months of chemo and a stem cell treatment, she has remained in 100% remission since 2023! She will need continued chemo. Thank you for your prayers for Lynn! (Click for more info)

The Diocese of Knoxville is taking a group of teens to Steubenville Atlanta, hosted by the Archdiocese of Atlanta, July 26-28, 2024. The Steubenville youth conferences exist to bring high schoolers into a life-changing encounter with Jesus Christ. Click for details. Early bird registration due by March 15.  

“Accompany Me” Women’s Retreat Mar. 15-17 with Fr. Zachary Griffith will be hosted by the Dominican Sisters at Bethany Retreat House, 2002 Garner Creek Rd. Dickson, TN. Cost is $260. Space is limited. Register with Denice Eckler 423-322-5218.

Mrs. Pamela Mahoney Rudd, longtime Basilica parishioner, passed away in her home January 24, 2024, around 10pm, in the company of her family. Her death followed a brief bout with brain cancer, that was diagnosed in early December, 2023. Pamela is survived by her husband, Robin Rudd, her six grown children, and fourteen grandchildren. She was the oldest of eight siblings, including the Basilica's late maintenance supervisor, John Mahoney. Pam's funeral arrangements will be announced here as soon as they are available.  Please pray for her, especially the Divine Mercy Chaplet. [Click for more info.]

Traditional Lighting of Luminaries on All Souls Day Thurs. Nov. 2 at 6pm in the Basilica, with a Rosary in remembrance of our loved ones, To honor a deceased loved one at this service, please submit his/her name by Sun., Oct. 29. Click for details.

Geraldine DeBoer has been diagnosed with end-stage liver disease. She is the mother and primary caretaker of Daniel Sharkey, who has been on our prayer list for his severe complications from diabetes. Please pray for Geraldine and her care providers as they get her ready to be a candidate for a liver transplant. Also, Geraldine would really appreciate anybody that can help Daniel by sitting with him during the day to keep him company while she is attending to her own health needs. Click for more info and MEAL TRAIN for Geraldine & family.

Calling all women who appreciate our priests: A new Seven Sisters Apostolate for Basilica women is beginning. The Seven Sisters Apostolate is a call to strengthen the Church by ensuring that a Holy Hour is prayed each day of the week for the sole intention of a specific priest or bishop—a “holy wasting” (cf. Mt. 26:10) or lavishing of prayer for his deeper conformity to Christ. Click for more information.

You are invited to EWTN’s FREE Family Celebration event on Saturday, August 26th at the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex (BJCC) in Birmingham, AL. Listen to inspirational speakers in both English and Spanish, meet EWTN TV and Radio hosts, and spend time with leading Catholic authors. Confession and Adoration are available throughout the day, as well as the celebration of the Holy Mass. Doors open at 8:00 am. Visit ewtn.com/familycelebration and click on the registration button to reserve your spot for this wonderful family event.

We host parish dinners, receptions after funerals, Confirmation, concerts, and more. We need help planning, cook, serving, and cleaning. But we also just need donations of food and drink for each event. It is not expected for everyone to help every time. Contact Florence Porter flomporter@yahoo.com to join!

Michael Buendia, a young adult parishioner of the Basilica as well as St. Jude, has passed at the age of 43 after being hospitalized for several days with possible cancer. A large mass was found in his lower abdomen. Michael is survived by his wife Karmel Buendia, daughter of Basilica parishioner Bill Jochym, and their two small children. Please pray for Michael's soul and for his family.

Attention, rising 5th through 8th graders: Registration is now open for the annual summer God Camps, sponsored by the Diocese of Knoxville, that will be held at Adventure Ocoee in July 24 - 29. Click for more information and to register.

We are starting a “Quad” initiative this Lent. Catholics tend to be lacking when it comes to building fellowship. This Lent, we encourage you to do something radical. Form a group of 4 men or 4 women to meet each week of Lent to study a saint, the Bible, or some other Catholic program—you get to choose. After Mass there will be flyers in the back with a short guide of how to get started. See the flyer and reach out to someone you feel the Holy Spirit is guiding you towards.

Lent Ember Days of 2023 are Wed/Fri/Sat March 1, 3, and 4. While a fast is not obligatory, it is a worthy and traditional spiritual practice to fast or abstain in some way on these days. Click for more info at https://www.fisheaters.com/emberdays.html

Laura Duford suffers from complete heart block and several other heart conditions. UPDATE: She had a successful surgery for her 5th pacemaker Feb. 13, 2023, and she is need of prayers for her anticipated 6-week recovery. A meal train will be added soon. Laura and Dave Duford and their four young children are active at the Basilica and appreciate the prayers of the parish family. Click here to read more about Laura's health conditions and suggested prayers.

In connection to the Abiding Together podcast, the Catholic Motherhood group will be discussing Be Transformed: The Healing Power of the Sacraments, by Bob Schuchts. The group will meet via Zoom on Tuesday nights from 8-9pm. Contact Nikki Pacitti at (423) 718-2843 for further details and for a discount code for the book.

ALL WOMEN are invited to the Knoxville Diocesan Council of Catholic Women Convention at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Lenoir City, April 20-22. Come 1, 2 or all 3 days. The conference brings together women from across the Diocese to share in spirituality and holy sisterhood. On Thursday, there will be a Memorial Mass with Bishop Stika, honoring women in the Diocese who have died during the last year followed by a banquet with Keynote Speaker Melissa Foley. On Saturday, Fr. John Arthur Orr will speak on the Eucharist as the food for our journey. Early Registration is $125. Click for more information and visit the KDCCW.Org website.

We have a few spots left for women of all ages for a retreat Feb. 3-5 at the Bethany House in Dickson, TN! The title is Beyond the Noise and it will be led by Fr. Christopher Floersh. Afternoon walks, rosary, lectio divina, divine chapter, quiet time, holy hour, fellowship, and daily Mass. The Dominican Sisters pamper us with home-cooked meals and top-notch accommodations. Friday evening at 5 through Noon on Sunday (Central Time).

14-year-old Basilica parishioner, Lorelei Truett, daughter of Lance and Ashley Truett, passed away on Dec. 2, 2021, after a seven-month battle with leukemia that was diagnosed on April 27, 2021. Let us surround her family with our prayers. May Lorelei rest in peace. May her soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Lorelei's Funeral Mass was celebrated at the Basilica Saturday, December 11. (Click to read much more about Lorelei, and for ways to support the Truett family.)