Parish Ministry Updates

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

American Heritage Girls are meeting virtually on Monday evenings.

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.

Catholic Motherhood ministry is currently meeting on the third Sunday of the month at 6pm for a Mom's Night Out at a local restaurant. The group is also continuing to offer prayer support and meal support to mothers with new babies. Contact wesson.rachel@gmail.com with any questions or to be added to the Catholic Motherhood email list/prayer chain.

The Deacon’s Table, hosted by Dcn. Tom and Brenda McConnell, is now meeting virtually at 5pm every Sunday. Contact Dcn. Tom for further information.

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

Knights of Columbus Fr. Patrick Ryan Council 610 is always happy to welcome new 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, for all whose voices have changed to the lower octave. No musical experience required.

Married and Engaged Ministry - If you are married or engaged, join the "Basilica Married and Engaged Ministry" group on Facebook and our weekly Tuesday Zoom meeting from 7-9pm. There will be stimulating discussions on parenting, Catholic life, and life in general. Eventually we will have date nights, pot lucks and profound friendships that will 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

Religious Education classes are in session, with First Holy Communion and Confirmation classes meeting in person on Sundays at 10:15 am, and other grades meeting virtually.

St. Ambrose Catholic Homeschool Co-Op - To ensure the safety of our community, St. Ambrose Catholic Homeschool Co-Op will not be meeting for the fall 2020 semester or the spring 2021 semester. Stay tuned for a return for fall 2021. Also, we are planning some informal outings for spring 2021. There are great things ahead! From our families to yours, we wish you continued health and look forward to meeting again.

Our Altar Ministry that cares for the altar linens and many items and areas of the sanctuary and church is re-forming and looking for new members. Information sessions will be held on Nov. 1 and 7. See the St. Martha Altar Ministry page and contact Tia Yunker for more information.

Young Adults - “Catholic Chatt” meets Sunday evenings and also Monday ladies' & men's night and Tuesday taco nights. 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 meets virtually on Wednesdays at 6:30pm.

Our Usher/Greeter ministry is seeking new volunteers to welcome people who come to the Basilica. We also need helpers to disinfect the church after Masses during the coronavirus pandemic.

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.

Trail Life USA - Our Trail Life USA Troop is not meeting at this time. Stay tuned.