News and Events

On Mar. 18, 2021, Fr. Carter interviewed Corinne Henderson, Basilica parishioner and board member of La Paz Chattanooga, a social service organization with faith-based roots that serves and strengthens our Latino community via corporal works of mercy. Click to watch the video and read the interview, which is featured in Fr. Carter's pastor's notes for April 18 & April 25, 2021.

Patricia Pinson Woods, who was a lifetime member of Sts. Peter and Paul, died on January 5, 2021. A funeral Mass will be held for Patricia on May 6, at 11:00 am at St. Jude Catholic Church. Interment will follow. May her soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Click for Patricia's obituary.

Joseph Shramko, a 16-year old in our parish, suffered a serious fall on April 8, and he is in critical condition. He is unconscious and experiencing severe swelling of the brain. The Shramkos are praying for miraculous intervention for Joseph and they are asking for our prayers. They have set up a Caring Bridge site to share updates. We encourage you to use the Caring Bridge site to share your prayers and encouragement with them during this critical time. Fr. Carter, Dcn. Gaspar, and the family are asking that we invoke the intercession of Servant of God, Patrick Ryan, for Joseph's healing. You can access Joseph's Caring Bridge site here (follow the prompts to sign in or create an account as needed): https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/josephshramko

Christopher Nelligan, 19, passed away at home in his sleep on Thursday, March 11, 2021. Christopher was born on January 15, 2002, to James and Denise Nelligan. A funeral Mass will be held at the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul on Saturday, March 27, at 10:00 am.

On March 17, 2021, Fr. Carter interviewed Nathan Bird, a Basilica parishioner who is engaged in understanding local politics, and the founder of the Chattanooga Civics website and podcast. Watch or read the interview here (as well as in the pastor's notes for March 28 and April 4). Note that Chattanooga has a run-off election for mayor and several city council seats on April 13, with early voting from March 24 to April 8.

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.

The USCCB, Bishop Stika, and Fr. Carter have recently spoken about the morality of the COVID-19 vaccines, with special considerations about the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. See Bishop Stika's statement and the Chattanooga News Channel 9 interview here.

Samuel Aníbal Ramírez Aguilar was born on October 29, 1991, and passed away on February 22, 2021, at the age of 29, in a car accident. Samuel’s funeral Mass in Spanish is being held on March 6 at 1:00 pm at the Basilica. Visitation will be held on March 7 from 2:00pm-4:00pm at Advantage Funeral & Cremation Services – Franklin-Strickland Chapel. Click for more information.

CATHOLIC MEN: The Tennessee Knights of Columbus welcome you to join the largest Catholic fraternal benefits organization in the world for free through June 30, 2021. We are Catholic men building a bridge back to faith, dedicated to lives of charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism. Practicing Catholic gentleman, age 18 or older, join today using the discount code MCGIVNEY2020 at www.kofc.org/join!

After years of faithful leadership, Rachel Wesson has graciously passed the reins of the Catholic Motherhood Ministry to Diane Tobin. To stay informed, mothers of all ages are invited to join the brand new email group from the Catholic Motherhood page of our website. Many thanks to several mothers who continue to lead various aspects of this thriving ministry that nurtures our parish.

Los Caballeros de Colon de Tennessee te invitan a unirte a la fraternidad Católica de beneficios más grande en el mundo Gratuitamente hasta Junio 30, 2021, usando el código de descuento MCGIVNEY2020 en www.kofc.org/join. Si tú eres un bautizado, practicante hombre Católico, de 18 años o mayor, por favor únete hoy!

On Feb. 5, 2021, Fr. Carter interviewed Sandy Pricer, Basilica parishioner and President/Co-founder of the RISE UP Cooperative, a social service initiative to help at-risk teens and young adults gain life skills. The interview is presented in Fr. Carter's pastor's notes for Feb. 14 and Feb. 21, 2021, and the full transcript and video are included below.

Our Basilica parish community mourns the loss of 13-year old Frieyda Yojana Tomas Morales, who died suddently on Monday of a diabetic coma. Her funeral Mass will be celebrated at the Basilica this Saturday, February 13, at 11:00 am. Friends have organized this fundraiser to help pay for the costs of the funeral home that they were unprepared for. Thank you for your prayers and generosity. Click for the link to donate.

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.