Stewardship

October 16, 2025

Dear Basilica Parishioner,

Once again, we have a problem, but it’s a good problem to have. We keep expanding! As you’ve heard me say many times over the past few months, the number of inquirers into our program for becoming Catholic continues to grow by leaps and bounds. It has even doubled from years past. Besides those wanting to become Catholic, the already Catholic people seem to be coming to us in droves also. We were celebrating just last year cresting 2,000 Massgoers every weekend, which was already 100% growth from a decade ago. Just in the past year, we are welcoming over 2,300 every weekend, in just a year’s time! Our Religious Education for our youth has expanded and our OCIA program is overflowing with more new inquirers than ever. Luckily, we just renovated the St. Dominic Building to accommodate our classes with upgrades to the electrical, HVAC, and plumbing, among other things. I’m sure you almost get tired of hearing about all the many activities we advertise from the pulpit each week. But in reality, this is where we wanted to be. Back in 2018, we discerned a Strategic Plan, whose Vision statement said that we would be a parish of actively engaged, invested, and committed followers of Christ living the fullness of the Catholic faith. And our #1 Strategic Priority was Growth in Attendance and Participation. Success! So we have a good problem indeed! 

Recognizing this trend, last fall, we did a town-hall-style listening session with our parish leadership, one fruit of which was identifying the need to expand our parish staff. Very providentially, and owing to the good stewardship of those who advise the parish, we ended the year with a little bit of a surplus that allowed us to fulfill the dream of expanding those who can work for the parish and give dedicated service to you. But it does mean that we must keep up our efforts and maintain the resources that allow us to serve you. 

That presents another problem. We need to provide the resources necessary to minister well to all who come through our doors. This is where you come in. Every year, we conduct our Annual Stewardship Appeal. I hope that you can see that the resources that you have entrusted to our parish are being used wisely and prudently to minister to more and more people and doing more and more things to advance the Kingdom of God through His Catholic Church here in downtown Chattanooga. We will conduct the in-pew pledge on Oct. 25-26 and Nov. 1-2. I am inviting everyone who calls the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul their home parish, especially our new parishioners who have never pledged before, to make a stewardship commitment. If you like what you experience here, help us to provide that to you and to the many more who are coming through our doors each day. Please see our Annual Stewardship Appeal pledge form and consider the convenient option of Online Giving. Take a moment and pray how the Lord is directing you to make a return to Him from the goodness He has shown to us. Thank you for your continued generosity!