News - January 2026 RSS Feed

Jacqueline Mathis, mother of Basilica parishioner Anthony Mathis, passed away on Jan. 27, 2026, following a battle with Stage 4 lung cancer. Visitation will be Fri., Feb. 6 from 3pm-5pm, with a Rosary at 4:30pm, at Advantage Funeral, Franklin-Strickland Chapel, 1724 McCallie Ave. Funeral Mass will be held at the Basilica of Sts. Peter & Paul Sat., Feb. 7 at 10:30am, followed by burial at Mount Olivet Cemetery. We ask for your prayers for Ms. Jacqueline's soul.

The men of Sts. Peter & Paul and St. Jude have started an inter-parish Bible study at 6:30pm every Friday. The group meets at the St. Jude Library, and men from all parishes are invited. We will begin studying the Church Fathers and how we can apply their teachings to modern day. Click for info.

Can you spend 1 hour per week to help the poor? You are invited to the Basilica’s Community Outreach Ministry Open House on Saturday, February 7 at noon-1:30 PM at Oscar & Cathy Palisoc’s house. Also, The Basilica of Sts. Peter & Paul is starting a Perpetual Food Drive every week. Our beneficiary through Feb. 15 is CHATT Foundation. Click for details.

The developer, Evelyn Capital, has withdrawn the rezoning petition to build a 12-story building that would have overshadowed the Basilica and threatened its structural integrity. We are collaborating with the developer to discuss alternative solutions that would benefit the community.

Your gift not only funds many of the operations of the Diocese of Knoxville, it funds services that are of great help to the ministries here in our parish, including: Religious Education programs, Campus Ministry, Youth Ministry, Hispanic Ministry, Tribunal, and Catholic Charities. Each Appeal gift enables the diocese to build up the kingdom of God throughout East Tennessee.

It is traditional for parish priests to bless chalk for each family so that they may mark the names of the three Magi over their doors, in the blessing of homes as a witness of their faith and protection against evil. After Mass on the weekend of Jan. 3 & 4, 2026, you can pick up blessed chalk in the vestibule, and take it home for a traditional Epiphany House Blessing. Click to see the instructional flyer.