News - Last Rites & Funerals RSS Feed

+Felipe Ramos-Lopez, Basilica parishioner, died on April 2, 2022 at the age of 59. Survivors include his wife Maria Florinda Simon Ramirez, and ten adult children. A funeral prayer service will be held Saturday, April 9, at 12pm at Advantage Funeral Home on McCallie Ave. Please pray for the eternal repose of Felipe's soul.

This past season in our parish, there have been several deaths of parishioners and family members, and we are grieving these losses as a community. We are expanding our St. Mary Magdalene Bereavement Ministry to provide accompaniment to all who have experienced the loss of a loved one. We have started a grief support program, offering meetings, prayer partners, and coping resources. If you would like to learn more and participate, click for details.

+Marsha Conway Salter, a longtime Basilica parishioner, passed on Feb. 22, 2022, following a period of illness. She and her husband Jim had celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at the Basilica in 2019. Visitation will be held at the Basilica on Saturday, March 19, at 12:30pm, followed by her funeral Mass at 1:30pm. A reception will follow in Varallo Parish Hall. Please pray for the repose of Marsha's soul.

Rudy Marquez passed away the morning of 3/9/22 after pneumonia following COVID-19. Rudy was an active member of the Knights of Columbus Council at St. Jude. Rudy's wife Lupita was the Basilica's Parish Secretary for several years. Funeral followed by burial will at St. Jude on 3/16/22 at 11am. Please pray for Rudy's soul, especially the Divine Mercy Chaplet. Click for more information and to access a meal train for the Marquez family.

Martha Rose Skelly, sister of the late pastor of the Basilica, Msgr. George Schmidt, and wife of Lawrence Skelly, passed away on 3/2/22, after several years with Huntington's disease. Visitation will be from 7-8pm Sun. 3/13/22 at the Chattanooga Funeral Home. Her funeral Mass will be 12pm Mon. 3/14/22 at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul (in place of the regular 12pm Mass), followed by a reception in Varallo Parish Hall. Click to see Martha's obituary and photos.

Long-time Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul parishioner, Elizabeth (Betty) Hogan, passed away peacefully on January 12, 2022, at the age of 92. Betty had been attending the Basilica faithfully until she moved to The Bridge assisted living facility. A Funeral Mass will be offered Sat., March 12, at 1pm at the Basilica. Please join in praying for her soul, especially the Divine Mercy Chaplet.

+Catherine Ann Nuccio, sister of Basilica parishioner Robert Nodes, passed away on Jan. 26, 2022. She will be buried at Mount Olivet on Friday, Feb. 4, at 10am. May her soul rest in peace. Please pray for her family during this time of mourning. Click to see her obituary and a video tribute.

14-year-old Basilica parishioner, Lorelei Truett, daughter of Lance and Ashley Truett, passed away on Dec. 2, 2021, after a seven-month battle with leukemia that was diagnosed on April 27, 2021. Let us surround her family with our prayers. May Lorelei rest in peace. May her soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Lorelei's Funeral Mass was celebrated at the Basilica Saturday, December 11. (Click to read much more about Lorelei, and for ways to support the Truett family.)

After the past year with no receptions, we are preparing to resume our Reception Ministry gradually as the safety provisions allow. We need your help! 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. Click to find out more...

Please pray for the soul of +James Monroe Price - age 81, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, passed away Saturday, December 25, 2021, after a time of illness. He was born on February 17, 1940. Mr. Price had been a long-time member of Sts. Peter and Paul. Graveside service and burial will be held January 7, 2021, at 2pm, at Mount Olivet Cemetery. May he rest in peace.

+Jo Anne Gore Schmitt, mother of Basilica parishioner Julie Schmitt Gersch (married to Kevin Gersch) and grandmother to Harrison, Holden, and Hannah Gersch, passed away on Dec. 15 after a brief illness. Before she passed, she was aware and appreciative of the prayers of the Basilica parishioners, and she asked that we continue to pray for her. Jo Anne was a lifelong devout Catholic and contributed so much to the community where she lived. Click to read her life story.

+Betty Rodela, mother of Basilica choir member Lou Rodela (who is married to Laina Rodela) passed away on Dec. 12, 2021 at the age of 92. Lou was able to get down to Texas to see her, along with all her children, and pray and sing for her. Click to read about Betty's life. Please pray for her soul and for the Rodela family.

Bishop Stika has announced the passing last night of +Fr. Joe Brando, who had his first priestly assignment at Sts. Peter and Paul, and had been planning to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his priesthood next June, here at Sts. Peter and Paul. Fr. Brando's funeral will be at the Basilica Friday, Dec. 17, at our 12pm Mass time. Please pray for the repose of the soul of +Fr. Joe Brando.

Anita Holcomb, who has been suffering terminal cancer for several years, suffered a stroke at the age of 81, and passed away on Dec. 9, 2021. Fr. Carter has was able to give her the Last Rites. Anita was a devout Catholic and parishioner of Sts. Peter and Paul. Please pray for Anita today, particularly the Divine Mercy Chaplet, for her soul. (Click for a link to this prayer.)

Please pray for the repose of the soul of +Marie Josephine Awad, 95, of Chattanooga, TN, who passed on Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021. Marie had a passion for the arts and travel and worked in advertising and retail sales with Miller Brothers, Proffitt's, Loveman's and Belk. She was a member of The Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul and secretary of the Latin Club and English Club as part of the NDHS Class of 1944. Family will receive friends on Friday, Nov. 12 from 1-2pm at The Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul. A Rosary will be prayed for Marie at 1:30pm. Funeral Mass will follow at 2pm.

On All Souls Day, Nov. 2, The Basilica will honor our loved ones who have gone before us with a traditional lighting of luminaries and Rosary service outdoors following 5pm Vespers. If you would like to honor a deceased loved one with a dedicated luminary (whether or not you can be present), submit orders to Debbie Cliche after Mass on Oct. 23 & 24, or to the parish office. Orders are due by Thurs. Oct. 28. Click for the order form.

Memorial Mass 7am Nov. 11 at the Basilica for +Therese Catherine Giles Paullus, who died Sept. 6, 2021 at the age of 93. Therese had attended Sts. Peter and Paul her whole life until moving to CA more than 20 years ago. She was a former student of the "Old Notre Dame" school. Her grandparents lived in their house at the corner of Houston and 8th, and her great-grandfather was a brick mason who helped to build Sts. Peter and Paul. All are welcome to attend the Mass and pray for Therese's soul. Click to read her obituary.

+ Gustavo Espino Serano murió 16 de octubre 2021 de complicaciones de la diabtes, a la edad de 52 años. Participó en la Basílica, así como St. Stephen y OLPH. *** +Gustavo Espino Serano died Oct. 16, 2021, of complications from diabetes, at the age of 52. He participated at the Basilica, St. Stephen, and OLPH. Visitation Friday, Oct. 22 from 4-8pm/Vigil Service at 7:15pm. Lane Funeral Home, 601 Ashland Terrace, Chattanooga, TN 37415. May he rest in peace. Descanse en paz.

María Juan Tomas-Manuel, de 76 años, de East Ridge, Tennessee, falleció el miércoles 13 de octubre de 2021 después de luchar contra el cáncer. D. E. P. Haga clic para ver los arreglos funerarios. ****** Maria Juan Tomas-Manuel, age 76, passed away on Wednesday, October 13, 2021, after a short battle with liver cancer. May she rest in peace. Click for funeral arrangements.

Moisés Rosario Pérez falleció a las 6:50 pm del 9 de octubre de 2021, a la edad de 44 años. Tenía cáncer en los huesos. Misa Exequial 12 de octubre 5:30pm. Le sobreviven su esposa, María Rosa Miranda Pérez, y sus 6 hijos. Descanse en paz. Moisés Rosario Pérez falleció died on October 9 of bone cancer. An active parishioner of the Basilica, he is survived by his wife and six children. A funeral Mass in Spanish will be offered at the Basilica October 12 at 5:30pm at the Basilica. May he rest in peace.