News - Home RSS Feed

The First Session of the Tribunal of the Diocese of Knoxville for the Inquiry that will examine the life, Christian virtues, heroic offering of life, reputation for holiness and signs of intercessory power of Fr. Patrick Ryan took place Sept. 28, 2020 at the Basilica. Bishop Stika was the celebrant, with Bishop Spalding of Nashville as the primary concelebrant, Cardinal Rigali and many other clergy in attendance. The session began with sung Mid-Morning Prayer (Office of the Dead), continued with the swearing in of officials for the tribunal; commentary on the Life of Fr. Patrick Ryan by Dcn. Gaspar DeGaetano, Diocesan Postulator; and presentation of documents for the archive. The events continued with a sung Mass for the Dead for a Priest, offered for Fr. Patrick Ryan. At the conclusion of that Mass, the officials of the new Ecclesiastical Tribunal of Knoxville were sworn in, and Fr. David Carter was re-installed as pastor of The Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul. The Gloria Dei Schola sang the service and the Mass as well as an interlude of sacred motets, and the Basilica's recently completed pipe organ was played in full.

Chant made easy! Many men never learned to sing after their voice changed. We have a new opportunity to rediscover your God-given voice and use it in His praise. Beginning October 2nd, Fr. Carter will be teaching a Men’s Vespers Schola on Friday afternoons at 4:30pm, open to anyone whose voice has changed into the lower octave. Sung Vespers in English will follow at 5pm. No musical experience is required; Father will show you everything you need. On most Fridays, we will meet in the church at 4:30. On First Fridays (such as our first session on Oct. 2), we will meet the Nursery for training, while First Friday Adoration is in the church. Then at 5pm we will move into to the church to sing Vespers. Click on the title above to see a video with the kind of chant we will be singing. Our Vespers will be in English. We will start with very simple melodies and work our way up. Email music@stspeterandpaulbasilica.com with questions and to sign up.

For 2020, Fr. Carter has named two recipients of the Servant of God, Fr. Patrick Ryan Award: Adam Foster and Guadalupe Morales. Please read the Parish Awards page to learn why they were chosen. The Servant of God, Fr. Patrick Ryan Award is given each year to members of the parish who exemplify the theological virtue of charity in imitation of the heroic witness of Fr. Patrick Ryan. Inspired by his example to that same measure of charity toward all our brothers and sisters in need, the recipient of this award has been recognized for selfless service, especially towards the poor and needy.

Learn to read and sing the sacred music of the Church! Online beginner lessons and in-person classes Fridays at 4:30 starting Oct. 2. Open to youth grades 2-12 whose voices have not changed. For more info and to register, visit our Jubilate Deo Youth Schola page and contact Maria Rist at music@stspeterandpaulbasilica.com

“The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.” Accept God’s ways for your marriage. Strengthen, renew, and rekindle your marriage sacrament by attending a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend on October 16-18 or November 13-15. This is a virtual experience, so no overnight stay in a hotel. Right from the comfort of your home. You can get more information or apply online at GATN-wwme.org or by calling 678-242-WWME.

Their food pantry at OLPH is most in need of: canned tuna, vegetables, and fruit, cereal, macaroni and cheese, peanut butter, jelly, pasta and spaghetti sauce. Please place non-perishable food items in the basket in our Basilica church vestibule.  

Join Catholic Charities of East Tennessee in a virtual fundraising vent to support its Columbus Home Children’s Emergency Shelter, a place to call home when there is nowhere else to go. Columbus Home Children’s Emergency Shelter meets the unique needs for a stable, nurturing environment for children awaiting a custody decision.

You can make a difference in the life of a mother and child without leaving the comfort of your own home. Catholic Charities of East Tennessee’s five Pregnancy Help Centers are now providing online pregnancy, parenting and life-skills classes. Volunteers follow up weekly with clients via phone to review the material - it’s that easy and convenient! Training is provided, so if you have a couple of hours a week to help a mother in need, call 423-826-0673 to volunteer.

Our priests are now offering confessions for 30 minutes before every Mass except the 7am: the Saturday 5:30 Mass; the Sunday 9:00, 11:30, and 1:30 Masses; as well as before the 12pm Mass Mon-Fri. We are using the confessionals in the church. Please stand in line 6 feet apart (into the vestibule if needed) while waiting. When leaving the confessional, please disinfect the screen, kneeler, and any surface touched, with a wipe provided. Since disinfectant wipes are hard to find, if you have any wipes you can donate to help us offer confessions, please leave them in the confessional. Also, a new Confession resource page is now available on our website. Click to see our new Confession resource page.

This "GoFundMe" campaign to Build a ramp for Daniel Sharkey is a very good cause for one of our most dedicated parish volunteers, who needs a ramp after going through an amputation. Thank you to Adam Foster and the Knights of Columbus and all who can support Daniel in his need. Please read the GoFundMe appeal at the "View More Online" link to learn more and donate.

In union with the Cathedral, we will honor members of service professions on the following Sundays with prayer. Members of the profession are invited to wear your uniform to the 9:00 Mass, and Fr. Carter will give a blessing. Sept. 27 - Law Enforcement, Fire Fighters, and First Responders; Oct. 4 - Judiciary and Legal Profession; Oct. 18 - Health Profession; Nov. 8 - Armed Forces. Click for more info.

The traditional Ember Days of fasting for fall 2020 are Wed., Fri., and Sat., Sept. 16, 18, and 19. While a fast is not obligatory on these days, it can be a worthy and traditional spiritual practice to fast or abstain in some way on these days. See https://www.fisheaters.com/emberdays.html

Provisions and pastoral guidance on attending the Basilica for Mass, sacraments, meetings, and visiting the parish office are fully detailed on our Coronavirus page.

The Deacon’s Table is now having a virtual meeting every Sunday at 5pm. If you are not already signed up with Dcn. Tom, please contact him to receive the notifications.

Registration for Religious Education (grades preK-12), Youth Group (grades 6-12), and Jubilate Deo Youth Schola (grades 2-12) is now open on our website, and there will be a combination of in-person and virtual options starting in September. Even if your child will not be part of in-person classes, PLEASE REGISTER so that you will be included in the virtual offerings.

Parents and other adults who serve in ministries that involve youth are now required to be certified under the “Safe Haven” program, which has replaced the previous VIRTUS Safe Environment program for the Diocese of Knoxville. All adult volunteers who are in contact with youth, including those who have already been VIRTUS-certified, must complete this new program prior to serving The registration and training is available to everyone online at your convenience (allow 2 hours). 

Mr. Frederick R. Viland, a long-time parishioner of the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul, passed away Saturday, Aug. 22, at age 78. His love for the Catholic Church and his love for the Basilica kept him strong through his last months of his life. He enjoyed serving on the Parish Pastoral Council under both Msgr. George Schmidt and Fr. David Carter, as well as serving as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. A private burial has been arranged with his family. Please remember the repose of his soul in your prayers.

Just text keyword “basilica” to 800-950-9952 to access our WeShare Online Giving options.

Bishop Stika has announced priest reassignments for three priests that will affect the Basilica, effective September 9. Click for details.

In this video, Fr. David Carter, Pastor and Rector of the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul, introduces the more ancient form of the Roman rite, known as the Extraordinary Form or the Traditional Latin Mass, which is now being offered at the Basilica every Sunday at 11:30 am. Watch here.