Please pray for the repose of the soul of Emma Claire Giles Davenport, who passed away 4/27/2024 at the age of 88. She was raised in the parish of Sts. Peter and Paul, graduated from Notre Dame High School, and taught in the public schools for over 40 years. Click for her obituary.

A "Life in the Spirit Seminar" will be presented by members of the Alleluia Community of Augusta, GA at St. Augustine Church in Signal Mountain, TN on May 10-11. The Seminar helps those who attend grasp, with an adult understanding, our Sacrament of Confirmation and how necessary it is to living a full and abundant life in Christ. Click for details and registration. Discount available if you register by March 15!

Married couples of all ages: Join us Saturday, June 15, at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Lenoir City for a full-day retreat sponsored by the Diocese of Knoxville and Regnum Christi-Knoxville. Reflect, refocus, and rejuvenate your marriage. This is an opportunity for an intimate experience between you and your spouse only. No group discussions. Check-in at 8:30am. Retreat ends at 4:30pm. $86/couple (breakfast and lunch included). Click for more info and to register by June 9.

The Diocese of Knoxville is sponsoring two retreats for Middle Schoolers this summer, both held at Adventure Ocoee Retreat Center: REACH God Camp for rising 7th & 8th graders will be June 21 7pm -June 24 5pm ($245). DISCOVER God Camp for rising 5th & 6th graders will be June 25 7pm -June 28 11am ($215). Click for flyer and links to register.

Fr. Carter reports: On the evening of April 17, 2024, in a planned military training operation that took place in the vicinity of the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul, downwash from the rotor blades of a helicopter caused damage to the rectory roof, and this resulted in the fig tree planted at the southeast corner being damaged. It does not seem that anything else was damaged, and no one was hurt. We are already in contact with officials to remedy the situation. I ask you to join me in thanking God that this was the extent of the complications experienced last night, and I ask you to continue to pray for the safety and well-being of the brave men and women of our U. S. Military, law enforcement, and all who serve the common good. - Fr. David Carter

JuliAnna & Peter Hills delivered their fourth baby, Maximilian John, on April 8. The Hills family asks your prayers for Max. Max was born with a partially collapsed lung. Update 4/14/24: Maximilian did it! He is home from the hospital, safe and sound! Thank you for your prayers. Please continue to pray as he develops. Click for info and a meal train for the Hills family.

As a parish enjoying the title of ‘minor Basilica’, we have the responsibility to share the gift of sacred art and architecture of our church. We receive many requests for tours from schools and other groups of pilgrims. We are looking for parishioners to serve as docents and offer tours to visitors. Click for more information. *** Fr. Carter will offer an initial training Sat. April 6 at 3pm in the Basilica. ***

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.

Mary Antoinette ("Toni") Powell passed away at the age of 79 on March 19, 2024. Toni was an active Basilica parishioner and volunteer in the Altar Ministry, until she moved to Hixson a couple of years ago. Toni will be greatly missed. May Toni Powell, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Click to see Toni's funeral arrangements and obituary, once they are available at the Chattanooga Funeral Home - North Chapel website.

Our Collection Counting ministry needs more volunteers to help count the offertory collection. The work usually takes between one and two hours. For more information and to volunteer for this ministry, contact Marina Delaney in the parish office at business@stspeterandpaulbasilica.com

Emilio Tomás Diaz, Basilica parishioner, passed away March 13, 2024. A funeral services for Emilio will be held Saturday, March 23, 2024 at 10am at Advantage Funeral, with visitation until 4pm. (Click for details.) Please pray for his soul, especially the Divine Mercy Chaplet.

The River Gallery, which is owned by parishioners of the Basilica, is currently exhibiting religious artwork, featuring Basilica images photographed by Stephen Golder. We invite you to the opening reception Friday, March 8, 5:30-7pm, the photography demo Saturday, March 9 12-2pm, and to enjoy the exhibit during March and April!

Click to read Fr. Carter's letter to parishioners about these updates about our deacon and seminarians: (1) Dcn. Gaspar DeGaetano has retired from active ministry. (2) Dcn. Renzo Alvarado Suarez is now serving at our English Masses and activities as part of his English immersion experience. (3) Seminarian Nicholas Hickman has been installed in the official ministry of Lector of the Church.

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.  

Please welcome Fr. Michael Hendershott, S.T.L., who arrived at the Basilica on Feb. 12. Fr. Hendershott is at the Basilica on a temporary assignment as our Parochial Vicar. You can read about Fr. Hendershott here.

Seminarian Nicholas Hickman, our Basilica parishioner, is in his first year at St. Meinrad Seminary. He was back home at the Basilica recently when we had the Vocation Story night, and he wrote a letter to fellow Basilica parishioners expressing thanks and giving an update on his experience in seminary. Click to read the letter.

Charlene (C. K.) Reynolds, longtime Basilica parishioner, passed away on Feb. 12 peacefully in the presence of her family. Charlene had been very ill for seven years or so, including liver disease and cancer. Charlene's funeral Mass will be Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024 at 1pm at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul.

“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.

Effective Feb. 12, 2024, Fr. Michael Hendershott will be coming to the Basilica on a temporary assignment to serve as our Parochial Vicar. He will also take up the sacramental responsibilities at the Catholic Student Center on campus. In order to facilitate this move, our beloved Fr. Valentin Iurochkin, who has been with us since December 30, 2019, has been asked to become the Parochial Vicar of Holy Ghost Church in Knoxville. (Click to read Fr. Carter's full letter to parishioners.)