News - Stewardship RSS Feed

Our Under One Roof projects to replace the Basilica's roof and HVAC system are about to begin. Due to the sharp price increases since the projects were originally quoted, we are asking everyone to consider helping us reach our $500,000 Stretch Goal of additional pledges, by making a new pledge or increasing your pledge by contacting the parish office or picking up a pledge form in the vestibule. Click for more information on the campaign and the additional costs.

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, over a million refugees, mostly women, children, and the elderly have fled to Poland along its 330-mile border. This sudden and unanticipated surge of refugees in such a short period of time has created a humanitarian crisis of epic proportions. The St. John Paul II Shrine in Kraków, Poland is helping thousands of refugees by offering shelter and assisting with meals, clothing, and basic needs. Bishop Stika has asked that a special collection be taken on the weekend of March 19-20. Any assistance given will go to the St. John Paul II Shrine's support of Ukrainian refugees. Click to learn more about the help the Shrine is providing refugees.

Your gift not only funds many of the operations of the Diocese of Knoxville, it funds services that are of great help to the ministries here in our parish, including: Religious Education programs, Campus Ministry, Youth Ministry, Hispanic Ministry, Tribunal, and Catholic Charities. Each Appeal gift enables the diocese to build up the kingdom of God throughout East Tennessee. Please answer Bishop Stika’s request and make a commitment to the annual appeal.

SEEK is a 3 day conference that will have over 1200 college students seeking an encounter with Jesus while immersed in Catholic community, participating in Sacraments, receiving talks from dynamic Catholic speakers, and prayer. For many students who are on the fence about following Christ this conference is a life-changing event. Please prayerfully consider donating to sponsor a student's conference attendance. Click for more info on donating.

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.

Support the school of your choice and the regional Catholic Schools Tuition Assistance Funds to help qualifying families! The Basilica partners with Notre Dame High School. Click here to buy tickets for the NDHS raffle: https://www.myndhs.com/support/raffle, or go to any Dio Knox Catholic school’s website to buy tickets online. $10 each to win 1 of 16 prizes, with a $5,000 cash prize! Ticket sales up to Dec. 28. Drawing will be held on Jan. 11, 2022.

Now that Fr. Patrick Ryan’s remains are entombed at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul, a minimum of $25,000 is needed to bring his cause to Rome, in addition to the expenses already incurred during the exhumation and entombment. The Cause cannot move forward, and will remain at a standstill, until this expense has been met. All donations are greatly appreciated! Click for details on how to donate.

The Basilica has recently been asked to help with two programs to help seniors and the disabled in our community. Meals on Wheels delivers hot meals and My Ride Tennessee provides rides for essential trips to seniors and disabled folks. They need adults to deliver the meals and/or give the rides. Flexible shifts are available. Please consider volunteering for these corporal works of mercy, in the spirit of St. Joseph the Worker. Find out more here...

The Bishop’s Appeal 2021 begins with a mailing that many of our parishioners have received from Bishop Stika asking for a generous commitment to this year’s Appeal. Your gift not only funds many of the operations of the Diocese of Knoxville, but also services that are of great help to our local parish community. For example, funds support our Religious Education programs, Campus Ministry, Youth Ministry, Hispanic Ministry, Tribunal, and Catholic Charities. Please answer Bishop Stika’s request and make a commitment to the annual appeal. In-pew pledge commitment will be Feb. 6-7. Click here for more info and to make your pledge online at any time.

On Jan. 12, 2021, Fr. Carter interviewed Dr. Jimmy Turner, Basilica parishioner and Chief Operations Officer of Chattanooga Community Kitchen. Dr. Turner talks about the causes of homelessness, ways you can best help the poor, the Chattanooga Community Kitchen, other agencies that provide a support network, and even answers the question about how to answer honestly when you are asked for cash. The full transcript of the interview can be found on the Basilica’s website along with Fr. Carter’s Pastor’s Notes for Jan. 24, Jan. 31, and Feb. 6, 2021, accessible at stspeterandpaulbasilica.com/pastors-notes

We have developed a Frequently Asked Questions document to adress questions that have come up about the Under One Roof Campaign. We urge you to review this FAQ document carefully. It is our goal to make sure that everyone is well informed about the projects we are undertaking and how important they are to the future of the Basilica.

We have an outstanding group of parishioners who have agreed to make up our campaign leadership team. (Click to see the list.) Please give prayerful consideration to serving as a volunteer if you are asked.

Due to changes in the tax laws, the parish has mailed 2020 contribution statements only to donors who contributed $5,000 or more. Bishop’s Appeal and Home Campaign contributions are not included. The Diocese will mail a separate statement. If you do not receive a statement and would like one, regardless of amount, contact the parish office at 423-266-1618. Thank you for your generous financial support.

The first phase of our parish “Under One Roof” capital campaign is off to a great start.  We have composed a campaign prayer. We invite you to pray it to help invoke God’s blessings in this important project. You can find it in our bulletin, website, and also taped into our pews so that we can pray it together at Mass. 

Dear Parishioners, A campaign planning study was recently conducted at Sts. Peter and Paul to assess the needs of the Basilica and prepare for a major fundraising initiative. Thank you to everyone who participated. Your feedback and insights were extremely valuable in determining our next course of action. I am happy to share this summary report which highlights the key study findings and recommendations for proceeding. (Click to view Fr. Carter's full report from the Planning Study...)

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.

Our 130th Anniversary Parish Photo Directories have finally arrived! If you had your picture made for the directory, you may pick up the copy in the vestibule with your name on it or call the parish office to arrange to pick yours up. If you were not pictured but would like a copy, we have a limited quantity available for $8 in the parish office. Many thanks to Cathy Oliver for managing this project, Michael Stradley for his creative design work, and all the parishioners who helped to make this beautiful book a reality!