News and Events

Our Basilica parish supports the Ladies of Charity, who give direct financial assistance to the poor. Besides collecting monetary donations and gently used items, their Greater Goods Gift Store needs volunteers to sort and tag their many donations, assist customers in the store, or cashier. Click for more info.

Registration is open for RE, Youth Group, and Jubilate Deo Youth Schola! Religious Education classes for preK through 12th grade will be offered Sundays at 10:15am beginning September 12. Class attendance is required for First Holy Communion and Confirmation and is strongly encouraged for all grades. Our Youth Group for grades 6-12 will meet Wednesdays from 6-8pm beginning August 25. The Jubilate Deo Youth Schola for grades 2-12 will begin in September. Please register on our Youth Registration page for this year, even if you registered last year.

Parishioner Jim Stewart suffered a serious bike accident before Easter that resulted in a head injury and required a hip replacement. He has completed his rehab in Atlanta and is finally back in Chattanooga! His family has set up a Caring Bridge site to assist us in following his recovery and communicating support and encouragement to him. Please pray for Jim Stewart. Click for more info and to access the Caring Bridge site.

As a necessary step in the Cause for Sainthood for Father Patrick Ryan, the remains of Father Ryan will be exhumed beginning July 19 and moved to a new tomb at the basilica on July 31. The exhumation is a necessarily private event. However, all are invited to the July 31 events, including the procession from Mount Olivet to the Basilica, Memorial Mass, blessing of his new tomb, and reception. Click to view the invitation and listen to Jim Wogan's podcast interview with Fr. Carter and Dcn. Gaspar about this process.

The Bieszad family of eight is in a crisis situation, the children having been removed from their home due to repairs and improvements needed in their home. They are in need of urgent prayer and help in the form of labor, material, and financial support in order to reunite their family. Click to learn more about their situation and the specific help they need. (List of needs last updated 6/10/21.)

Joseph Shramko, a teen in our parish and an NDHS student, suffered a serious fall on April 8. He has begun a lengthy healing process from several brain injuries and now undergoing intense rehabilitation at Shepherd Center in Atlanta. The Shramkos are praying for Joseph's full functional recovery, and they are asking for our prayers especially through the intercession of Fr. Patrick Ryan. They have set up a Caring Bridge site to share updates and needs. Click for updates, ways to help, and to access Joseph's Caring Bridge site.

Daniel Sharkey is a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 610 and has voluntered 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 would appreciate prayers, calls, and visits. Click to read more.

Do you enjoy hearing and singing the traditional sacred music of the Mass? If you can sight read your voice part, sing on pitch, and join our Thursday 6:30pm rehearsals, please consider joining us. Click to find out more.

Bishop Richard F. Stika has issued a pastoral letter on sin and the worthy reception of the Holy Eucharist. You can read the document here: http://dioknox.org/news/pastoral-letter-holy-eucharist

We are looking into offering hearing assistance devices during Mass for the hard of hearing. Before we can invest in this new system, we will need the support of volunteers to help with handing out the hearing devices at each Mass, and keeping them charged. If you are interested in supporting this effort to help fellow parishioners hear the Mass, please contact Maria Rist in the choir loft or through the parish office.

The Basilica parish family asks your prayers for 14-year-old Lorelei Truett, daughter of Lance and Ashley Truett. Lorelei was diagnosed with leukemia on April 27, 2021. After receiving the sacramental Anointing of the Sick, she began chemotherapy treatment on April 28 at T. C. Thompson Children’s Hospital at Erlanger. After two month-long difficult treatments, she is very close to being in remission but needs further treatment and a bone marrow transplant. We are posting updates and needs here. (Click to read more.)

Bishop Stika has announced new priest assignments, which affect the Basilica. As of August 1, Fr. Moises Moreno will move to Gatlinburg to serve as Parochial Vicar of two parishes:  St. Mary in Gatlinburg and Holy Cross in Pigeon Forge, and he will lead their Hispanic communities. Click to read more.

25-year old Abigail Rose Tobin, daughter of Diane & Michael Tobin, passed away Monday, June 28. Please pray especially the Divine Mercy Chaplet for Abigail, her two children, and family. The funeral will be Sunday, July 4 at 5pm at the Basilica. Click to read her obituary, watch a tribute video, and for an opportunity to help with the sudden and costs they were not prepared for. May Abigail Rose Tobin, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Frank Villegas recently returned to the Catholic Church, along with his wife Jerry, a new convert, and he immediately became active in our parish, especially as an altar server. Frank began suffering from debilitating headaches in February and is working with a specialist. He prays for relief, in the hope to return to ministry at the Basilica. Click for more info and suggested prayers for Frank.