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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 stambrosecoop@gmail.com. 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.

Due to life changes our Trail Life Troopmaster has had to step back. We are in need of a volunteer Troopmaster in order to continue. The Troopmaster organizes the troop leaders, oversees troop meetings. Previous outdoor experience in any capacity is encouraged. Click for more information.  

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 admin@stspeterandpaulbasilica.com. *** We are also looking for a safe small crib and a swing in good condition for our nursery. Donations appreciated! ***

The Bieszad family of eight experienced a crisis in April 2021 when the children were separated from them, while extensive repairs and improvements were needed in their home. The family has gotten through the challenges and are settled together in their home, which was renovated with the help of Basilica parishioners. Andrew is now working at a local hospital, and Jessica is hoping to pursue a nursing degree. They are grateful for all the support. Read more about the Bieszads here: https://stspeterandpaulbasilica.com/news/prayer-and-help-needed-to-reunite-the-bieszad-family Click to learn more about their story.

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.)

Please pray for 7-year-old Hannah Stradley, the youngest child of Michael and Danielle Stradley (formerly our parish DRE's). It looks as if she has developed Type 1 diabetes. She is responding well to treatment and is now home. It seems it was caught soon enough and she’s not having any of the more concerning problems. Please pray for her and her family as they navigate the steps ahead with diabetes.

The St. Ambrose Catholic Homeschool Co-Op is happy to announce the in-person return of their annual Advent Candle Sales. St. Ambrose families will be selling candles before and after all Masses the weekends of November 6/7, 13/14, and 20/21. Candles are $6 for a box of four 12-inch tapers. To pre-order candles, contact the co-op at stambrosecoop@gmail.com. Friday pickup also available via pre-arrangement at the same e-mail address. Thank you for your support of this Basilica ministry.

National Vocation Awareness Week will be celebrated in our country November 7-13, 2021. Please ask Our Lord for more dedicated, holy priests, deacons and consecrated men and women. May they be inspired by Jesus Christ, supported by our faith community, and respond generously to God’s gift of a vocation.

Our 2021-22 Annual Stewardship Appeal is beginning. 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 aging 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 23 & 24 (Click to view and submit the pledge on our Stewardship page at any time.) Thank you for your generous support for our parish.

Our Downtown Youth Ministry for 6th-12th graders is transitioning to new leadership. Kalista Bartee, who is expecting her fifth child, is passing the torch to Jenny Haug. The Youth Group continues to meet Wednesdays from 6-8pm in Varallo Parish Hall. Click here to find out more.

Autumn Ember Days of 2021 fall on Sept. 15, 17, & 18 or Sept. 22, 24, & 25, depending on the calendar. 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. For folks using the 1962 (or newer) calendar, the Autumn Ember Days will fall on the Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday after the third Sunday in September (i.e., Sept. 22, 24, and 25, 2021). This will always follow Holy Cross Day, but the days might not fall in the same week that honors the Feast of the Holy Cross (which is always September 14). Older calendars will have the Autumn Ember Days as the Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday that immediately come after Holy Cross Day, no matter how many Sundays come before. (i. e., Sept. 15, 17, and 18, 2021). Click for more info at https://www.fisheaters.com/emberdays.html

Registration is open for RE, Youth Group, and Jubilate Deo Youth Schola! Religious Education classes for preK through 12th grade will be offered Sundays at 10:15am beginning September 12. Class attendance is required for First Holy Communion and Confirmation and is strongly encouraged for all grades. Our Youth Group for grades 6-12 will meet Wednesdays from 6-8pm beginning August 25. The Jubilate Deo Youth Schola for grades 2-12 will meet Fridays 4:30-5:30pm beginning Sept. 10 for new students/returning students joining Oct. 1. Please register on our Youth Registration page for this year, even if you registered last year.

In-person VBS for preK through 6th graders will be held August 2, 3, and 4 from 8:45 to 11:45am. Registration is due to Florence Porter by July 25. Register online (click for registration form) or fill out the printed form in the vestibule. Both adult and teen volunteers are needed. Please contact Florence Porter at dre@stspeterandpaulbasilica.com to sign up to volunteer. All volunteers 18 and up must be certified with Safe Haven.

Religious Education classes for all grades will resume Sundays from 10:15-11:15am beginning September 12. We need a lead teacher and an assistant for each classroom. A great way to learn about our faith is to teach it! You just need a deep desire to share the Catholic Faith, and we will support you with the tools to share it. For more information, contact Florence Porter at dre@stspeterandpaulbasilica.com

Trail Life is in need of adult volunteers by July 1st in order to be able to field a troop this year. You do not have to be a parent of a Trailman to serve. Please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry for our boys and young men. (Click for details.)