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Joseph Shramko suffered a serious fall on April 8, 2022, at the age of 16 and began a lengthy healing process from several brain injuries. Joseph continued rehab and was able to finish high school and begin college. In March 2019 he was able to move into his own place. The Shramkos thank you for your prayers for Joseph's full functional recovery, especially through the intercession of Fr. Patrick Ryan. Click for updates.

The Basilica has started a Pro-life Crochet, Knitting, and Quilting Club. Find out more at stspeterandpaulbasilica.com/crochet (click here). Email [email protected] for more information and to sign up.

The traditional Ember Days of fasting for Advent are Wed., Fri., and Sat., Dec. 18, 20, and 21. While a fast is not obligatory, it is a worthy traditional spiritual practice to fast or abstain in some way on one or more of these days.

St. Ambrose Catholic Homeschool Co-op is happy to announce our annual Advent Candle fundraiser. St. Ambrose families will be selling candles after all Masses and before the 1:30 Mass the weekends of November 9/10, 16/17, and 23/24. 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 Downtown Youth Ministry for 6th through 12th grade will kick off the year with a night at Coolidge Park on Wednesday, September 18 from 6-8pm! We will also meet Oct. 16, Nov. 13, and Dec. 11. In addition, the St. Jude Youth Group that we partner with is meeting Sundays from 6:30-8pm, and all 8th-12th graders are invited. Click to see the Youth Group page for details about our events

Registration is now open for our RCIA & Mystagogia programs 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. *** PreK is full. *** VOLUNTEERS are needed in these programs in various roles. Click for more info.

In July we received a 2024 update from our parishioner, Brother Kevin Doerge, who joined the Canons Regular of St. John Cantius in 2021. After a year of parish ministry at St. John Cantius, he renewed his vows on August 14, and he will enter Mundelein Seminary this fall. Click to read his full update. Please keep Brother Kevin in your prayers as he takes this next step towards the priesthood.

The National Eucharistic Pilgrimage will travel the country May 17 - July 16, 2024, culminating at the Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis. The Juan Diego route of the pilgrimage will stop at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul on Monday, June 24. At the Basilica, we will have a Tour led by Fr. Carter at 10:15am; a Holy Hour with Midday Prayer and reflections from the perpetual pilgrims from 11-11:50am, followed by Mass at 12pm. At 7:30pm there will be a Eucharistic procession starting at the Basilica and processing to the UTC Catholic Center for Benediction, followed by music and fellowship at the UTC Catholic Center until 10pm. Please plan to participate! Click for details and to access the registration.

RiseUP Cooperative is proud to host Adventure Trek on June 8th from 10am to 1pm for an exciting family-friendly scavenger hunt for all ages through downtown Chattanooga, with a party and prizes! This event highlights local businesses, celebrates Chattanooga’s rich history, and spreads the word about RiseUp Cooperative benefitting our local youth! Click to learn more and order tickets.

The Diocese of Knoxville is sponsoring two retreats for Middle Schoolers this summer, both held at Adventure Ocoee Retreat Center: REACH God Camp for rising 7th & 8th graders will be June 21 7pm -June 24 5pm ($245). DISCOVER God Camp for rising 5th & 6th graders will be June 25 7pm -June 28 11am ($215). Click for flyer and links to register.

The Diocese of Knoxville is taking a group of teens to Steubenville Atlanta, hosted by the Archdiocese of Atlanta, July 26-28, 2024. The Steubenville youth conferences exist to bring high schoolers into a life-changing encounter with Jesus Christ. Click for details. Early bird registration due by March 15.  

Traditional Lighting of Luminaries on All Souls Day Thurs. Nov. 2 at 6pm in the Basilica, with a Rosary in remembrance of our loved ones, To honor a deceased loved one at this service, please submit his/her name by Sun., Oct. 29. Click for details.

Brother Kevin Doerge, from our Sts. Peter and Paul parish, has been a Postulant with the Canons Regular of St. John Cantius in Chicago since the summer of 2021. He made his first vows on August 14, 2023, and asks for everyone's prayers as he begins this next step on his journey towards the holy priesthood. Click for photos and his address to send cards.

Attention, rising 5th through 8th graders: Registration is now open for the annual summer God Camps, sponsored by the Diocese of Knoxville, that will be held at Adventure Ocoee in July 24 - 29. Click for more information and to register.

We are starting a “Quad” initiative this Lent. Catholics tend to be lacking when it comes to building fellowship. This Lent, we encourage you to do something radical. Form a group of 4 men or 4 women to meet each week of Lent to study a saint, the Bible, or some other Catholic program—you get to choose. After Mass there will be flyers in the back with a short guide of how to get started. See the flyer and reach out to someone you feel the Holy Spirit is guiding you towards.

Lent Ember Days of 2023 are Wed/Fri/Sat March 1, 3, and 4. While a fast is not obligatory, it is 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

Laura Duford suffers from complete heart block and several other heart conditions. UPDATE: She had a successful surgery for her 5th pacemaker Feb. 13, 2023, and she is need of prayers for her anticipated 6-week recovery. A meal train will be added soon. Laura and Dave Duford and their four young children are active at the Basilica and appreciate the prayers of the parish family. Click here to read more about Laura's health conditions and suggested prayers.

Tau House in located in Cincinnati, Ohio. They offer youth groups the opportunity to spend a week living in community while volunteering during the day for area non-profit organizations. They focus on simplicity, spirituality, and service. Mission trip is open to 9th through 12th graders. Cost is $600. Fundraising is encouraged. Spots are limited. If you are interested, please fill out the forms to register. 

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.)

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.