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.
The Basilica is seeking adults aged 18 and up with experience caring for pre-school-aged children to attend the nursery on Sundays from 8:45am to 1:00pm, for $45/Sunday. (We also welcome volunteer nursery staff.) Reliable attendance is expected on a rotation to include Sundays and occasional special events. Practicing Catholics preferred. Safe Environment training and background check required. Interested candidates should email admin@stspeterandpaulbasilica.com.
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.)
Mrs. Pamela Mahoney Rudd, longtime Basilica parishioner, passed away in her home January 24, 2024, around 10pm, in the company of her family. Her death followed a brief bout with brain cancer, that was diagnosed in early December, 2023. Pamela is survived by her husband, Robin Rudd, her six grown children, and fourteen grandchildren. She was the oldest of eight siblings, including the Basilica's late maintenance supervisor, John Mahoney. Pam's funeral arrangements will be announced here as soon as they are available. Please pray for her, especially the Divine Mercy Chaplet. [Click for more info.]
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. 6 & 7, 2024, 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.
Fr. David Carter gives commentary on the Fiducia Supplicans: On the Pastoral Meaning of Blessings, issued by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of Faith on 12/18/2023.
Here is an Eight Day Home Service for Advent, compiled by Basilica parishioner Diane Tobin, to celebrate the eight days before Christmas that celebrate the titles of Jesus as prophesied of old. It follows the liturgical cycle of the “O Antiphons” Fr. Carter recommends this service as a home devotion in the final week of Advent.
East 8th Street will be closed in front of the church for three days, from December 13-15, while a crane is on-site repairing loose mortar on the bell tower. During this time, there will not be thru-traffic between Georgia Ave. and Lindsey St. The Basilica main parking lot will be closed. Visitors can park at All Saints Academy at 310 E 8th Street, accessed from Lindsey Street. (There is no need to pay for parking while the crane is present.) The front entrance to the church will not be accessible. The Basilica campus can only be accessed by walking through the side gate on Lindsey Street at the St. Dominic Building. Visitors can then enter the church through the lower level glass door entrance to Varallo Parish Hall. Thank you for your patience as we make these repairs necessary for everyone's safety.
This year the Fourth Sunday of Advent falls on December 24, which has raised the “two-for-one” question: Can attendance at a Sunday Christmas Vigil Mass fulfill the obligation for both the Fourth Sunday of Advent and Christmas? The prevailing answer of canonists is “No,” each obligation must be fulfilled with a separate Mass. This is also the desire of Archbishop Fabre. He asks that parishioners should make every effort to attend both a Fourth Sunday of Advent Mass (either Saturday evening or Sunday morning) and a Christmas Mass (either Sunday evening or Monday). Click to see the Basilica Mass schedule for Dec. 23, 24 & 25.
On the Feast of Christ the King (November 25-26), we will recite the traditional Act of Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus at our Sunday Masses. It can be found in the leaflet at the entrance, and is also posted here. There is the opportunity for a plenary indulgence, under the usual conditions, for those who recite the prayer publicly on the feast of Christ the King.
Elizabeth (Liz) Barham, long-time parishioner of Sts. Peter and Paul, passed away on Nov. 17, 2023, at the age of 79. Liz used to lead our prayer card ministry at Sts. Peter and Paul and is remembered as a sharp-witted, lovely lady. Visitation will be Nov. 20 5-7pm with a prayer service at 7pm, and Funeral Mass will be Nov. 21 at 2pm, both at St. Jude Catholic Church, 930 Ashland Terrace, Chattanooga, TN 37415. May Liz, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Najah Dabit, age 90, of Chattanooga, who passed away at home surrounded by her loved ones on Nov. 2, 2023. Najah along with her husband, Milad established Giorgio Men’s Warehouse in 1973. Selfless, generous, and loving are just a few words to describe Najah. Her funeral will be at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul Wed., Nov. 8, at 2pm, Fr. Valentin officiating. Interment to follow at Greenwood Cemetery. A reception will follow in Varallo Parish Hall at 4pm. Click to read her obituary.
Traditional Lighting of Luminaries on All Souls Day Thurs. Nov. 2 at 6pm in the Basilica, with a Rosary in remembrance of our loved ones, To honor a deceased loved one at this service, please submit his/her name by Sun., Oct. 29. Click for details.
"Called to Mission", sponsored by the Vocations Office of the Glenmary Home Missioners, is a day-long retreat for men ages 16-25 who are seeking to understand God's will in their lives, whether that be within marriage, single life, holy orders, or consecrated life. Topics range from following Jesus as Christian disciples to recognizing signs of religious calling to engaging in missions in rural America. Located at St. John Paul II Mission Parish in Rutledge, TN on Sat., Dec. 2 from 8:30 am-5pm. Registration is free! Call or text Glenmary Vocations Office at 513-319-9572 or email vocations@glenmary.org for more info.
Catholic Chatt presents a Fall Retreat Oct. 27-29, 2023, for young men and women ages 18-39. Led by Fr. Michael Zimmerman, topics will include The Sacred Heart & Divine Mercy. Held at Christ Prince of Peace Retreat Center in Benton, TN. Click for details and registration, open through Oct. 20.
