Parish Ministry Updates

Below are updates on the ministries of our parish. Please note that some parish activities on campus are still suspended during the coronavirus outbreak. However, many of our groups have resumed in-person and others are continuing to meet virtually. Please click the name of the group for more information.

In addition to the below ministries hosted directly by our parish, the Basilica partners with several charitable organizations that rely on the help of our parishioners. See Ways to Give and Receive Help for a listing.

Currently Active Parish Ministries

The ladies' Altar Ministry that cares for the altar linens and many items and areas of the sanctuary and church is accepting new members. See the St. Martha Altar Ministry page and contact Tia Yunker for more information.

American Heritage Girls meets in-person on Monday evenings during the school year. Contact ahgchattanooga@gmail.com for more info.

The Blessed Virgin Mary Visitation Guild brings Holy Communion to the homebound and hospital-bound. Volunteers are needed and will be trained for this mission of mercy.

A Catholic Home Repair Apostolate has begun as part of our Basilica Outreach ministry. Projects are evaluated based on need and ability to accomplish them with the charitable funds and volunteers we have. If you would like to add your time, labor, and skill to our team effort and serve needy parishioners with essential home repairs, contact Jim Gajewski at jgajewski7@gmail.com or 423-708-5578. By joining this apostolate, you can help us help more neighbors.

The Catholic Motherhood ministry is currently meeting on the third Sunday of the month at 6pm for a Mom's Night Out at Rembrandts, The Spice & Tea Exchange or another location. The group offer prayer support and meal support to mothers with new babies, and we have a New Mama's Circle for moms who have babies under 16 months or are expecting their first baby. To be added to the Catholic Motherhood email list/prayer chain, contact Tina Marx at tinafishmarx@gmail.com.

Our Collection Counting ministry needs more volunteers to help count the offertory collection. The work usually takes about an hour. To volunteer for this ministry, contact Marina Delaney in the parish office at business@stspeterandpaulbasilica.com.

Jubilate Deo Youth Schola for students Grades 2-12 with unchanged voices meets Fridays at 4:30pm during the school year.

Knights of Columbus Fr. Patrick Ryan Council 610 is always happy to welcome new practical Catholic men as members. For more information, click the webpage linked above, and contact Dan Mueller, the Basilica's Council 610 representative, through the parish office or our myParish app Directory.

Men's Vespers Schola, led by Fr. Carter, meets Fridays at 4:30pm during the school year, for all whose voices have changed to the lower octave. No musical experience required. During the summer, there is no 4:30 Men's Vespers practice session, but Vespers is still held 5pm daily (6:30pm Saturday) and open to all.

Married and Engaged Ministry - If you are married or engaged, join the "Basilica Married and Engaged Ministry" group on Facebook and our weekly Zoom meetings (Ladies Monday/Men Tuesday from 7-9pm - Zoom meetings are suspended for the summer). We have stimulating discussions on parenting, Catholic life, and life in general. We are have started having potlucks and will eventually have date nights. This is a group for developing profound friendships to last a lifetime. There is no age limit. All engaged and married couples are welcome. We look forward to seeing you! Contact Amelia & Doug Weissman at amelia.smith4815@gmail.com for more information. Join the Zoom meeting here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/608875139

Ombrellino Gift Shop - We are working to re-open the Ombrellino Gift Shop. We have a parishioner to manage it but we still need several to keep it open on the weekend. For more info, contact Marina Delaney in the parish office at business@stspeterandpaulbasilica.com

RCIA program for Becoming Catholic - Adults and families who are exploring conversion to Catholicism are invited to attend our RCIA program for Becoming Catholic, and contact RCIA Director Dan Pacitti for information.

Reception Ministry Recruiting Volunteers! After a year with no receptions, we are preparing to resume our Reception Ministry gradually as the safety provisions allow. We need your help to rebuild our volunteer list! We need help planning, cooking, serving, and cleaning. The Reception Ministry is an ideal opportunity for new and long-time parishioners to exercise hospitality, share your talents, get involved in our activities, and connect with fellow parishioners. Contact Florence Porter at flomporter@yahoo.com to join us!

Religious Education classes for all grades will resume Sundays from 10:15-11:15am beginning September 12, 2021. Fr. Carter encourages parish youth of all ages to participate in our parish RE program for community building and to supplement what is taught at home or school. We still need assistant teachers. A great way to learn about our faith is to teach it! You just need a deep desire to share the Catholic Faith. For more information, contact our DRE, Florence Porter, at dre@stspeterandpaulbasilica.com Register here.

The Sacristan ministry is looking for new adult members to take on the important responsibility of setting up and clearing the altar before and after Mass. Contact Amy Long through the parish office.

Sacred Music Program Seeking Singers - 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. Contact Maria Rist at music@stspeterandpaulbasilica.com or 865-335-0588 to discuss joining the choir.

St. Ambrose Catholic Homeschool Co-Op - Looking for like-minded Catholic homeschooling families? St. Ambrose Catholic Homeschool Co-Op will soon begin taking registrations for fall 2022 semester. Visit our web page and contact stambrosecoop@gmail.com.

The Deacon’s Table, founded by +Dcn. Tom McConnell and his wife, Brenda, is continuing under Brenda McConnell's leadership. The class meets in Varallo Parish Hall Sundays from 10:15-11:15am. See The Deacon’s Table page for more information.

Trail Life USA is a Christian outdoor adventure program working to strengthen boys ages 5-18 in Wisdom, Heritage, Teamwork, Leadership, Character, and Faith. Basilica troop 629 will resume meetings on the 2nd and 3rd Monday of each month beginning Sept. 13, 2021. We are looking for new Trailmen. To find out more, email Nathan Bird at nathanbird126@gmail.com.

Young Adults - “Catholic Chatt” meets Sunday evenings and also ladies' & men's nights, hikes, campouts, etc. at various times for social and spiritual events. We do not belong to one parish but rather are a combination of all congregations in the Chattanooga area. Join our Facebook Group to keep posted on our activities. Contact Jonah Coronis, Basilica parishioner, at 423-424-8618 or jcoronis12@gmail.com to find out more about the group.

Youth Group (Downtown Youth Ministry) for Grades 6-12 - During the school year we have in-person meetings Wednesdays 6-8pm in Varallo Parish Hall. Register here.

Our Usher/Greeter ministry is seeking new volunteers to welcome people who come to the Basilica. See an usher or greeter after Mass, and contact Dan Mueller for more information.
* Related to greeting, we would like to offer a Welcome resource table in the vestibule with volunteers to greet people before and after Mass. We are also 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 these efforts, please contact Maria Rist in the choir loft or through the parish office.

Ministries that are on hold during the pandemic

Book Club - As of December 2020, Book Club meetings are suspended. We normally meet from 7:45-9:00am Wednesdays in Varallo Parish Hall. We began Dante’s Inferno (The Divine Comedy): translation by Anthony Esolen, available on amazon.com on October 14. Contact JuliAnna Hills at 931-581-7527 or hillsjulianna@gmail.com for more info.

Lay Oblates of St. Benedict - Meetings are currently suspended. St. Benedict is known as the Father of Western (European) Monasticism. But his spirituality of prayer and work is valid for even the layman who lives in the world. Our chapter of Lay Oblates of St. Benedict focuses on applying the Rule of St. Benedict to our lives, learning to pray the Scriptures through lectio divina and offering the Liturgy of the Hours in praise of God. To find out more, please contact Jason Richard at 423-432-7196.

SPANISH Language Class - Meetings are currently suspended. For more information, contact our teacher, Armando Sedeño, through the parish office, or armando.sedenom@yahoo.com.mx.

Walking with Moms in Need - USCCB-sponsored pro-life program we have been looking to launch at the Basilica to provide one-on-one assistance to moms and dads in our community: in assessing skills, setting goals, and preparing for an education or job placement. We need volunteers in the following areas: Topic Developers, Speakers, Dinner Prep and Servers, Childcare, and Leader. Contact Sandy Pricer at slpricer@gmail.com or 423-619-1163.