“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.)

Lorelei’s Library was established and dedicated on Oct. 5 to remember and honor Lorelei Truett (6/3/2007-12/2/2021), our 14-year-old parishioner who died last December as a result of leukemia. Lorelei had a great love for reading, and this library is meant to pass on to many young people the opportunity to love what she loved. The library of children and young adult books is open for parishioners of all ages. There are instructions on how to use the library on-site and on our website.

Deacon Gaspar will take prayer intentions with him on his pilgrimage to Lourdes and Fatima. If you would like to submit a prayer request, you may email him at deacongaspar@me.com or write the intention on a small piece of paper and bring it to the parish office by Thurs., Oct. 20, to ensure that he will have it before he leaves. You may fold it or place it in a small envelope marked Fatima Prayer Request for privacy.

Our Jubilate Deo Youth Schola is a sacred music class and choir for youth 2nd through 12th grade whose voices have not changed yet. It will meet Fridays at 4:30pm beginning September 9 for beginner-level students (advanced students returning October 7). Please sign up here on on our website. Click for more information.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION classes for age 4 through high school will be held Sunday mornings from 10:15 to 11:15, beginning the week of September 11, 2022. 3-year-olds will have a separate class, Friday mornings from 10:30-11:45am (also open to 4-year-olds). Catholics are expected to pursue the Sacraments of Initiation. In addition to the education provided by parents, participation in our parish Religious Education classes is required to prepare for receiving the sacraments. FIRST HOLY COMMUNION is in 2nd grade. CONFIRMATION is in 6th Grade (older youth also welcome). Click for more information including options for ADULTS seeking to complete their Sacraments of Initiation.