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.

Mr. Daniel Cooper, 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 for the summer of 2023. He will be serving in our Masses and various activities this summer. Please welcome him to our parish and keep him in your prayers during his time with us. Click to read his vocation story.

Shirley Ann McCaleb Lautigar passed away on May 7, 2023. Shirley and her husband Ron had been active parishioners at the Basilica until retiring to Alexian Village in 2019. Shirley was the former head of our Altar Ministry, and a dedicated volunteer of our Facilities projects with her husband Ron, our Facilities Coordinator. Shirley died peacefully in her sleep, of complications from several illnesses. Click for details and to read her obituary.

+ Carole Steiner Tubbs passed from this world on 3/23/2023, after a post-stroke decline. Carole and the Steiner family had been long-time parishioners of Sts. Peter and Paul and she was a graduate of Notre Dame High School. Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul Saturday, June 10, at 2:00 pm, with visitation at 1:30 pm before Mass. Click to read her obituary. May Carole Steiner Tubbs, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Please welcome Fr. John Anglin OFM who will be with us to celebrate Masses on April 29 & 30, 2023, and tell us about the work of Unbound, a lay Catholic sponsorship ministry that helps children and elderly in 18 developing countries. To learn more, call (800) 875-6564 or visit Unbound online at www.unbound.org.

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.

The Cause for Sainthood for former pastor of Sts. Peter and Paul, Fr. Patrick Ryan, has many costs associated. The Ombrellino Gift Shop now has mugs, pens, pencils, as well as medals to offer for a donation to the Cause of Sainthood of Fr. Patrick Ryan. If you would like to make a monetary donation to support the Cause, you can do so on our Online Giving or by donating cash or a check to the Basilica, marked "Cause of Fr. Patrick Ryan".

Thanks to all those who contributed to beautify our altar with flowers at Easter. Click to see a list of honorary Easter flower donations.

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.

Daniel Sharkey is a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 610 and has volunteered as an Usher/Greeter for many years. Daniel suffers from diabetes and related complications, as well as ministrokes, that have limited his activities and mobility. Daniel appreciates prayers, calls, and visits. Daniel is now legally blind and has fallen a few times due to instability. He could benefit from folks to read to him in person or on the phone to engage him. Click to read more.

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

Click to see our schedule for Lent, Holy Week, and Easter 2023 including Friday Adoration, Stations of the Cross, Fish Fry, and all the special liturgies during these high holy seasons. Also note the rules for fasting and abstinence.

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.

Kimberly Russell is a recent convert to the Catholic faith. She and her husband Robert and two daughters joined the Basilica parish in 2022. Kimberly had surgery at Vanderbilt on January 24 and is thankful for everyone's prayers. Recovery has been painful, but she is back to her activities including church, and she and her family are preparing to complete their initiation into the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil. Click for details.

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.

Having trouble hearing the homily? We now have hearing assistance available through listening devices or through your smartphone, with the “Listen Everywhere” app. Look for the “Assisted Hearing” display in the vestibule. We are looking for volunteers to help us get these devices and the app to people at Mass. Click for details.  

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI passed away the morning of December 31, 2022, at the age of 95. Click to read Pope Benedict's own spiritual testament, his obituary, and several articles regarding his illness, death, and funeral. Please pray for the repose of the soul of +Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.

We are recruiting volunteers for two very important liturgical ministries in our parish: our Usher/Greeter ministry – to provide welcome and help to all who come through our doors, and our Sacristan ministry - to prepare the altar for Holy Mass. Training will be provided. Contact the parish office to discuss these opportunities.

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).