Melvin Freeman, longtime attendee of the Basilica of Sts. Peter & Paul, has passed away at the age of 68. A service will be held Sat. Dec. 13 at 2pm at the Advantage Funeral Home, Franklin-Strickland Chapel, 1724 McCallie Ave. The Basilica will also offer a Memorial Mass for Melvin Sat., Dec. 27 at 9am. Please pray for the repose of Melvin's soul, especially the Divine Mercy Chaplet. Click to read his obituary.

The traditional Ember Days of fasting for Advent are Wed., Fri., and Sat., Dec. 17, 19, and 20. While a fast is not obligatory, it is a worthy traditional spiritual practice to fast or abstain in some way on one or more of these days.

From Dec. 15 - 21, we will be collecting items in the vestibule that are needed by the CHATT Foundation to serve people experiencing homelessness in the Chattanooga area. CHATT Foundation has a specific list of needs for December. Click to see the list.

As we journey through Advent, may our hearts grow in hope, peace, joy, and love. Are you preparing the way of the Lord? Click to see our schedule of Advent events and devotions, and resources from our Diocese.

ABIDE Respite Ministry, located at around the corner at First-Centenary United Methodist Church. ABIDE seeks to care for and support persons with early to moderate memory issues and their caregivers. Volunteers are able to provide community, socialization, and love through activities and companionship with participants. They also give respite to caregivers, knowing their loved ones are being loved and cared for in a safe environment. Click to find out more.

Each year the Knights of Columbus provides thousands of coats to needy children and families. The Knights of Columbus Council 610 will be collecting new and gently used children's coats for donation to the Chambliss Center. Drop off the coats in the Basilica vestibule between Nov. 22 and Dec. 14. Help keep a needy child warm this winter.

The Basilica’s new Servant of God Library for adults is now open for browsing and borrowing books ranging from Theology to Fiction, at the end of the hallway by the elevators. We have over 800 books in the collection, the majority of them donated by the parishioners of Sts. Peter and Paul; it can truly be called a "community library."

Bishop Beckman has responded to the request of the universal Church to implement Traditionis Custodes in the Diocese of Knoxville. Beginning Nov. 23, 2025, the 11:30 Latin Mass at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul will be celebrated according to the Latin edition of the 2002 Roman Missal, with the most traditional options that the current rubrics allow. Click to read Fr. Carter's Pastoral Letter, Bishop Beckman's letter to the faithful, and details about the form of celebration of the 11:30 Mass.

Our 2025-26 Annual Stewardship Appeal is to support the regular operation of our parish through Offertory giving. We are aiming for 100% participation in our Offertory by all parishioners. The pledge will be conducted during Mass on October 25 & 26. (Click to view and submit the pledge on our Stewardship page at any time.) Thank you for your generous support for our parish.

We are starting a new Vocations Ministry at the Basilica, and the first effort of this ministry is parish-wide prayer for new vocations to the priesthood. Click here for a first look at our new Vocations Ministry and the prayer we will be praying together.

St. John Neumann Church in Farragut, TN, is thrilled to present Cathedrals: An Advent Night of Worship, Friday, Dec. 5 at 7pm. This unique concert event features acclaimed Catholic artists Matt Maher and Sarah Kroger, the same artists that performed at the National Eucharistic Congress last year. Click for details and to order tickets.

The Men's Discernment Group is for men who are interested in discerning if God is calling them to the priesthood. Hosted by Father Mark Schuster every fourth Saturday of the month at 9am in JPII conference room at the Chancery. If you are interested, fill out the form (click here) or email vocations@dioknox.org. Zoom option for those not in the Knoxville area. If you know someone who might have a calling, please invite them to this opportunity to discern God's call. Interest form: https://forms.office.com/r/CmSwudiVnf

This past spring, our parish participated in the Disciple Maker Index survey, along with other parishes of the Diocese of Knoxville. Click to read some insights and a detailed report of results. Many thanks to all who participated in the Disciple Maker Index survey. The insights gained from this survey are already helping Fr. Carter to plan for our future.

Kathryn Lois Briggs-Viland, beloved wife, mother, sister, and friend, passed away on October 1. Her devoted husband of 50 years, Frederick Viland, passed in 2020. They were both very deep in their Catholic faith and were proud active members of Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul. Please pray for the repose of their souls. BURIAL will be Sat. Oct. 11, 2025 2pm at Mount Olivet Cemetery. All are welcome.

Please pray for the repose of the soul of William "Bill" Henry Henderson III, 74, who passed away peacefully in his home on September 20, 2025, after a short battle with cancer. Bill is survived by his wife, Corinne (Chair of the Basilica's Finance Council); his brother, Doug Henderson of Austin, Texas; his children, Scot Henderson, Robyn (Garrison) Elder, Mills Simon (one of the Basilica's livestream technicians), and Julia (Bo) Ray; and his three beloved grandchildren, Georgia Grace Elder, Stallings Elder, and Tinsley Ray. A funeral Mass will be held on Friday, Sept. 26, at 10 am at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul. Click here to read Bill's obituary.

All parishioners are invited to support our Youth Ministry by cooking or delivering a dinner or donating toward the weekly cost ($200-$300). Sign up to sponsor a Wed. 6pm dinner here: MEAL TRAIN for Youth Group Wednesday Meetings www.TakeThemAMeal.com/ENTU6526

Registration is open for our OCIA programs for Becoming Catholic, as well as Religious Education for preK through 12th grade; Youth Group for 6th through 12th grade; and Youth Schola for 2nd grade and up. VOLUNTEERS are needed in these programs in various roles. Click for more info.

Our Adult Faith Formation Book Club will begin studying Life of Christ by Fulton Sheen starting Sept. 9, with the option to attend Tuesdays from 6-8pm or Wednesdays from 9-11am in the St. Dominic Building.

The Basilica has started a Pro-life Crochet, Knitting, and Quilting Club. Find out more at stspeterandpaulbasilica.com/crochet (click here). Email BasilicaBlanketsforlife@yahoo.com for more information and to sign up.

Men's Bible Study: Iron Sharpens Iron: Saturdays at 2pm, beginning Sept. 6, 2025 at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 313 Sylvan St., Chattanooga, TN 37405. Click for info and sign-up.