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St. Ambrose Catholic Homeschool Co-op is happy to announce our annual Advent Candle fundraiser. St. Ambrose families will be selling candles following all Masses the weekends of November 5/6, 12/13, and 19/20. Candles are $7 for a box of four 12-inch tapers. To pre-order candles, contact the co-op at [email protected] Friday pickup is also available via pre-arrangement at the same e-mail address. Thank you for your support of this Basilica ministry.

Our 2022-23 Annual Stewardship Appeal has begun. This appeal is to support the regular operation of our parish through Offertory giving. It is separate from the Under One Roof campaign to replace our roof and heating & air conditioner systems. We are aiming for 100% participation in our Offertory by all parishioners. The pledge will be conducted during Mass on October 22 & 23 (Click to view and submit the pledge on our Stewardship page at any time.) Thank you for your generous support for our parish.

Traditional Lighting of Luminaries on All Souls Day in remembrance of deceased loved ones, following 5pm Vespers on Nov. 2. Cost is $5 per luminary to support our Under One Roof campaign. Submit order & fee to Debbie Cliche after Mass or to the parish office. Orders due by Thurs. Oct. 27. Click for details and to order.

Lorelei’s Library was established and dedicated on Oct. 5 to remember and honor Lorelei Truett (6/3/2007-12/2/2021), our 14-year-old parishioner who died last December as a result of leukemia. Lorelei had a great love for reading, and this library is meant to pass on to many young people the opportunity to love what she loved. The library of children and young adult books is open for parishioners of all ages. There are instructions on how to use the library on-site and on our website.

A children’s library is being established in our parish, as a legacy of Lorelei Truett, our 14-year-old parishioner who died of leukemia last December. Lorelei’s Library will be set up on the existing shelves in the hallway next to the church, near the Ombrellino Gift Shop. To help us make space for the children’s books, we invite you to stop by the bookshelves within the next few days and take home whatever books you would like. Books that are left after September 30 will be donated to charity.

Autumn Ember Days of 2022 fall on Sept. 21, 23, and 24. While a fast is not obligatory, it can be a worthy and traditional spiritual practice to fast or abstain in some way on these days. Click for more info at https://www.fisheaters.com/emberdays.html

The Basilica is seeking adults aged 18 and up with experience caring for pre-school-aged children to attend the nursery on Sundays from 8:45am to 1:00pm, for $45/Sunday. Reliable attendance is expected on a rotation to include most Sundays and occasional special events. Practicing Catholics preferred. Safe Environment training and background check required. Interested candidates should email [email protected]

Our Jubilate Deo Youth Schola is a sacred music class and choir for youth 2nd through 12th grade whose voices have not changed yet. It will meet Fridays at 4:30pm beginning September 9 for beginner-level students (advanced students returning October 7). Please sign up here on on our website. Click for more information.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION classes for age 4 through high school will be held Sunday mornings from 10:15 to 11:15, beginning the week of September 11, 2022. 3-year-olds will have a separate class, Friday mornings from 10:30-11:45am (also open to 4-year-olds). Catholics are expected to pursue the Sacraments of Initiation. In addition to the education provided by parents, participation in our parish Religious Education classes is required to prepare for receiving the sacraments. FIRST HOLY COMMUNION is in 2nd grade. CONFIRMATION is in 6th Grade (older youth also welcome). Click for more information including options for ADULTS seeking to complete their Sacraments of Initiation.

Registration is now open for our RCIA program for Becoming Catholic, as well as Religious Education for preK through 12th grade; Youth Group for 6th through 12th grade; and Youth Schola for 2nd grade and up. VOLUNTEERS are needed in these programs at all levels – leadership, teachers, assistants, substitutes, and sponsors. Click for more info.

The Tennessee Pro Life Leadership Conference, hosted by Students for Life of Southeast Tennessee, will be held Saturday, July 23, 2022, from 9am to 3pm, at Apison Baptist Church near Chattanooga. All ages welcome! Conference will feature Tina Whittington, VP of Students for Life of America; Seth Gruber, host of the Unaborted! Podcast; and numerous other inspiring and informative speakers from around the southeast. Register by July 15. Late registrations accepted for an additional $5. Click for details.

Lorelei Truett (6/3/2007 - 12/2/2021) LOVED to read, and especially the classics. As part of Lorelei's legacy, her family is establishing a lending library for our Basilica parish. As the library is being started, the Basilica Catholic Motherhood group and any other interested parishioners are invited to review the proposed book lists. If you have any concern about any of the books, email [email protected] with the name of the book and the concern. We would like your feedback by July 13. Click for the book lists and more information.

*** CANCELED *** Unfortunately we have had to cancel our VBS 2022 that was planned for Camp Columbus on July 6 and 13.

Altar server training will be offered for the Latin Mass beginning July 2022. Attendance is required Sundays at 10:30am and some 7am weekday Masses for training. To prepare for the training, it is necessary to learn the Latin prayers and read the altar server manual. For more information and to sign up, visit our Altar Servers page and contact [email protected]

On May 8 and May 29, the Nursery will be open during the 9:00 Mass only. We expect to open the nursery for the 9:00 Mass through the 11:30 Mass for the other Sundays in May.

The Diocese of Knoxville Office of Youth & Young Adult Ministry is sponsoring GodCamps for rising 5th-8th graders this June. 7th-8th grade camp is June 20-23. 5th-6th grade camp is June 23-25, both at Harrison Bay State Park. Register by Friday, May 27, 2022 to avoid late charge. Click for details.

Ash Wednesday is a day of fasting for adults age 18-59. Ash Wednesday and all Fridays are days of abstinence from meat for those over the age of 14. When fasting, a person is permitted to eat one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal. Those that are excused from fast and abstinence include the physically or mentally ill, including individuals suffering from chronic illnesses such as diabetes. Also excluded are pregnant or nursing women.

Looking for a Catholic homeschool experience with like-minded families? St. Ambrose Catholic Homeschool Co-op, meeting in person on Fridays from 8:30 to 11:45 a.m. We will also offer an afternoon option of life skill classes 1:30-2:30 on the 1st & 3rd Fridays each month. We meet at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in downtown Chattanooga. Registration is open March 1 through May 15 for the 2022-23 school year. Classes begin August 19 for nursery-aged children through high schoolers. Classes offered include Latin, Sign Language, Theology, Greek & Egyptian Mythology, and Biology/Animal Science. To schedule a visit or with questions, please e-mail [email protected] Detailed information and registration forms are posted on St. Ambrose Homeschool Co-op page. Click here.

Joseph Shramko, a teen in our parish and an NDHS student, suffered a serious fall on April 8, 2022. He began a lengthy healing process from several brain injuries, including rehabilitation at Shepherd Center in Atlanta. Six months since the accident, he returned home in Chattanooga to complete rehab and the family was finally reunited! Joseph continues rehab and has returned to high school and is doing well taking two classes. The Shramkos ask our prayers for Joseph's full functional recovery, especially through the intercession of Fr. Patrick Ryan. Click for updates, ways to help, and to access Joseph's Caring Bridge site.

On Saturday, Feb. 12, the Youth Group girls will celebrate “Galentine’s Day” at Polly Claire’s Tea Shop. On Saturday, Feb. 19, the Youth Group boys will have “Fella’s February” at Insane Paintball. See our website for details, and RSVP to JuliAnna Hills by this Feb. 9.