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In Fr. Carter’s pastor’s notes for 11/29/20 and 12/6/20, you’ll find instructions about the proper use of a personal hand corporal, as a reverent way to receive the Sacred Host without touching it with your hand. We have a limited number of these hand corporals available in the vestibule for a suggested donation of $1. Or you may also bring a similar cloth of your own.

On the Feast of Christ the King (November 22 for the Ordinary Form), we will recite the traditional Act of Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus at our Sunday Masses. It can be found in the leaflet at the entrance, and is also posted here. There is the opportunity for a plenary indulgence, under the usual conditions, for those who recite the prayer publicly on the feast of Christ the King.

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 in January, 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.

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!

Walking with Moms in Need is a USCCB-sponsored pro-life program launching in early 2021 at the Basilica to provide one-on-one assistance to moms as well as dads in our community:  in assessing skills, setting goals, and preparing for an education or job placement. We need volunteers in the following areas:  Topic Developers, Speakers, Dinner Prep and Servers, Childcare, and Leader. Click for details.

On Wednesday, Nov. 4th, at 6pm, Fr. Carter delivered his annual State of the Parish Address.

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.

“The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.” Accept God’s ways for your marriage. Strengthen, renew, and rekindle your marriage sacrament by attending a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend on November 13-15. This is a virtual experience, so no overnight stay in a hotel. Right from the comfort of your home. You can get more information or apply online at GATN-wwme.org or by calling 678-242-WWME.

To make a donation for Christmas flowers for our altar in memory or honor of a loved one in any amount, please indicate with names on the payment envelope or contact the parish office if donating online.

Call to service from Fr. Carter:  We are still looking for more technical volunteers to operate the live-stream, as well as ushers and cleaning volunteers for each weekend Mass. We have a particular need for people to commit to the 11:30 Extraordinary Form Mass.

If you have ever benefitted from a book that we have offered to the parish at Christmas time in the past, and would like to extend that gift to others in the future, please contact the parish to help us be able to order a new book on prayer to give out at Christmas. Click for details. UPDATE - We have received additional donations such that we are able to offer this book as a Christmas gift. Many thanks to those who gave and who prayed about this opportunity.

Calling all women with a servant's heart! The Altar Ministry (previously known as the "Altar Guild") has been hosting information sessions and is currently looking for new members. To find out more, see the information on our Altar Ministry page, and contact Tia Yunker, our new Altar Ministry Coordinator.

Pre-Order Advent Candles NOW! St Ambrose Homeschool Co-op is selling Advent candles at $6/set of 4 - 12” tapers. Deadline to pre-order is Nov. 6 for Nov. 23 – Dec 4 pick-up in the parish office during M-F, 9am-4pm office hours. Click for details

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.

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.  

The First Session of the Tribunal of the Diocese of Knoxville for the Inquiry that will examine the life, Christian virtues, heroic offering of life, reputation for holiness and signs of intercessory power of Fr. Patrick Ryan took place Sept. 28, 2020 at the Basilica. Bishop Stika was the celebrant, with Bishop Spalding of Nashville as the primary concelebrant, Cardinal Rigali and many other clergy in attendance. The session began with sung Mid-Morning Prayer (Office of the Dead), continued with the swearing in of officials for the tribunal; commentary on the Life of Fr. Patrick Ryan by Dcn. Gaspar DeGaetano, Diocesan Postulator; and presentation of documents for the archive. The events continued with a sung Mass for the Dead for a Priest, offered for Fr. Patrick Ryan. At the conclusion of that Mass, the officials of the new Ecclesiastical Tribunal of Knoxville were sworn in, and Fr. David Carter was re-installed as pastor of The Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul. The Gloria Dei Schola sang the service and the Mass as well as an interlude of sacred motets, and the Basilica's recently completed pipe organ was played in full.