News - Religious Education RSS Feed

In-person VBS is being planned for August 2, 3, and 4 from 8:45am to 12pm. Both adult and teen volunteers are needed to make this happen. Please contact Florence Porter at dre@stspeterandpaulbasilica.com to sign up to volunteer. All volunteers 18 and up must be certified with Safe Haven.

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.)

The Bieszad family of eight is in a crisis situation, the children having been removed from their home due to repairs and improvements needed in their home. They are in need of urgent prayer and help in the form of labor, material, and financial support in order to reunite their family. Click to learn more about their situation and the specific help they need. (List of needs last updated 6/10/21.)

Joseph Shramko, a teen in our parish and an NDHS student, suffered a serious fall on April 8. He has begun a lengthy healing process from several brain injuries. The Shramkos are praying for miraculous intervention for Joseph's full functional recovery, and they are asking for our prayers especially through the intercession of Fr. Patrick Ryan. They have set up a Caring Bridge site to share updates and needs. Click for updates, ways to help, and to access Joseph's Caring Bridge site.

The Basilica parish family asks your prayers for 14-year-old Lorelei Truett, daughter of Lance and Ashley Truett. Lorelei was diagnosed with leukemia on April 27, 2021. After receiving the sacramental Anointing of the Sick, she began chemotherapy treatment on April 28 at T. C. Thompson Children’s Hospital at Erlanger. The first 30-day treatment did not put her into remission, and so she will return for a more aggressive treatment on June 7. We are posting updates and needs here. (Click to read more.)

Nicholas Hickman, Basilica veteran Altar Server and Youth Group member, has completed his first year of seminary at Conception Abbey (Fr. Carter's alma mater)to become a priest. We are happy to welcome him back to the Basilica this summer. Please keep Nicholas in your prayers!

On April 24, 2021, Fr. Carter interviewed Sandy Pricer, Basilica parishioner, and the Founder and Co-Director of the St. Ambrose Catholic Homeschool Co-op. Click to read or watch the interview and for links to more information about our homeschool co-op.

Select the title to view a list of our regular scheduled ministry activities, and then click the name of the particular ministry for more information. Please note that parish activities on campus are limited during the coronavirus outbreak. However, many of our groups have resumed on-campus and others are continuing to meet virtually, outdoors, off-campus, etc.  

Do you love classical education? Do you desire to homeschool within a supportive, faithfully Catholic community? Regina Caeli Academy, a university-style hybrid education program for preschool through 12th grade, has been invited to consider starting up a school in Chattanooga this fall. They are hosting an information session on Sunday, April 18 at 4pm at the Knights of Columbus Hall at 313 Sylvan St. Click here to find out more about Regina Caeli Academy, and contact Shannon Hinson at 423-991-8352 to sign up for the information session.

SPEAK FOR LIFE! The Greater Chattanooga Right to Life 2021 Oratory Contest for high school students will be held March 27. This event involves researching, writing, and presenting a short speech. Entries must be received by March 23rd. The competition offers cash prizes and a chance to compete at the state and national level. Click for details.

DYM, the Basilica of Sts. Peter & Paul's Downtown Youth Ministry, will be offering Wednesday in-person meetings 6-8pm and Sunday virtual meetings 6:30-8pm beginning in Lent! All 6th to 12th grade students are welcome! Click for schedule details.

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. at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in downtown Chattanooga, will take registrations March 1 through June 15 for the 2021-22 school year. Classes begin August 20 for nursery-aged children through high schoolers. Classes offered include Latin, Spanish, Theology, History, Geography, and Science. Details and registration forms are posted on the Homeschool Co-Op page of the Basilica website (Click here.)

Our Annual Stewardship Appeal is in progress and we are aiming for 100% participation from all parishioners. (Click to review and submit the appeal on our Stewardship page at any time.) NOTE: We have increased expenses because of the additional third priest to minister to the growing Hispanic community. We are especially worried about the facilities of the parish, including our roof and HVAC, both of which are substantial capital investments. As of yet, only 109 of the 498 households in our parish have made a pledge for the coming year. That's just 22%. Please help us reach 100% participation!  Thank you for your generous support to our parish.

Beginning January 26th, Fr. Carter will offer altar server training for the Extraordinary Form, Tuesdays at 5:30pm, as well as serving at 7am weekday Masses. To prepare for the training, it is necessary to learn the Latin prayers and read the altar server manual. For more information, visit our Altar Servers page and contact admin@stspeterandpaulbasilica.com to sign up.

We are conducting a comprehensive survey of the parish. This planning study follows an extensive process that helped produce our strategic priorities. Before we make any final decisions regarding proposed plans for our Basilica and our parish, we would like to hear from you regarding our needs and the possibility of conducting a major fundraising effort. Your feedback will enable us to determine potential support for several projects. Your input is valuable as we plan for the future of Sts. Peter and Paul.

Rise UP Cooperative is a new organization in Chattanooga offering life skills for at-risk teens to help them become Responsible, Empowered, and Productive. Virtual classes are offered Tuesdays 7-8 pm via Zoom. Visit riseupcooperative.org or Facebook page Contact Sandy Pricer office@riseupcooperative.org 423-708-5447 to take part in classes or to volunteer. Click for more info.

National Vocation Awareness Week will be celebrated in our country November 1-7, 2020. 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.

Help ensure all children have the opportunity to enjoy a Catholic school education by supporting our Catholic Schools Tuition Support Collection on Nov. 7-8 & 14-15.

The Catholic Schools Raffle is under way. $10/ticket with $6.50 going directly to schools for tuition assistance. The Basilica partners with Notre Dame High School to sell tickets. There are 16 prizes totaling $27,000!  Buy tickets through Dec 29 at myndhs.com, or get an order form in the parish office or at Notre Dame High School. Winners will be drawn on Jan. 11th.

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.