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The Basilica Outreach Committee is collecting items in November to meet the needs of individuals using the services of the CHATT Foundation. Fall and Winter clothing and accessories, socks, underwear, unused pillows, bed linens, blankets, handwarmers, pop-top cans, deodorant razors, towels/washcloths, laundry detergent, napkins/cups, and canned vegetables. Drop off donations in the Basilica vestibule by Nov. 24.

Please donate new or barely worn coats, scarves, gloves, and socks appropriate for children ages infant to 18 years in the bin marked “Coats for Kids” the Basilica’s vestibule. Items will be collected through Thanksgiving weekend, December 1, and distributed to children in our parish Hispanic Ministry & the Chambliss Center for Children. Sponsored by the Knights of Columbus Council 610.

The CHATT Foundation, which supports the homeless in Chattanooga, is sponsoring their Grateful Gobbler Walk fundraiser on Thanksgiving Day. 100% of the proceeds support the Maclellan Shelter for Families. Click here for details on the race and how you can help. *** JOIN THE TEAM for the Basilica of Sts. Peter of Paul when registering at gratefulgobblerwalk.org ($15-$35). On race day, the Basilica team will gather near the starting point with a Basilica sign. *** Consider making a donation to support the shelter even if you can't make the walk.

The Tennessee Baptist Children’s Homes (TBCH) provides safe, loving homes and support for children in need across Tennessee, helping them thrive in a nurturing, Christ-centered environment. Adopt a child at TBCH through Dec. 12 by making a $100 or greater gift to provide them with 5-10 of their Christmas list wish items. Email: [email protected]. Visit riseupcooperative.org for more info.

In addition to donating to Catholic Charities of East Tennessee relief efforts for Hurricane Helene, Basilica parishioners Dcn. Joe Roy and Hank DeHart and our Motherhood group are collaborating with efforts in Unicoi County and St. Michael the Archangel parish in Erwin, TN, to get supplies to people in need. We are collecting specific supplies at the Basilica through Monday, October 7 at 12pm. Please drop your donations in the marked bins under the steps that go down to Varallo Parish Hall. Please ONLY donate the items listed on the TWO flyers here (click to see the two lists). NO CLOTHING.

We are offering a Theology of the Body Read Along Class this school year for adults, led by Barb Kaine, based on Pope John Paul II's book, Man and Woman He Created Them. The Basilica will host classes Wed. mornings from 9am to 11am in Varallo Parish Hall. Our Lady of Perpetual Help parish will host Tues. evening classes from 6pm to 8pm. Classes begin September 17th & 18th, 2024. RSVP to [email protected].

As the month of June approaches each year, many Catholic Christians ask what we are supposed to do in response to the Pride movement The best response is to be humble. In the vestibule we are offering a limited number of copies of the booklet, 30 Days of Humility: A Christian Response to Pride. This booklet can also be accessed here as a PDF.

Our Collection Counting ministry needs more volunteers to help count the offertory collection. The work usually takes between one and two hours. For more information and to volunteer for this ministry, contact Marina Delaney in the parish office at [email protected]

The Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul has partnered with My Catholic Will – the only online Catholic will-writing tool available. In as little as 15 minutes, you can write your will for FREE and consider a legacy gift to The Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul, and also specify your wishes for a Catholic funeral and burial. Click for details.

The River Gallery, which is owned by parishioners of the Basilica, is currently exhibiting religious artwork, featuring Basilica images photographed by Stephen Golder. We invite you to the opening reception Friday, March 8, 5:30-7pm, the photography demo Saturday, March 9 12-2pm, and to enjoy the exhibit during March and April!

Fr. David Carter gives commentary on the Fiducia Supplicans: On the Pastoral Meaning of Blessings, issued by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of Faith on 12/18/2023.

Geraldine DeBoer has been diagnosed with end-stage liver disease. She is the mother and primary caretaker of Daniel Sharkey, who has been on our prayer list for his severe complications from diabetes. Please pray for Geraldine and her care providers as they get her ready to be a candidate for a liver transplant. Also, Geraldine would really appreciate anybody that can help Daniel by sitting with him during the day to keep him company while she is attending to her own health needs. Click for more info and MEAL TRAIN for Geraldine & family.

We are all shocked by the horrible devastation from the fires that ravaged an area of Maui in Hawaii with a death toll hard to imagine. For those who want to assist financially with the disaster relief, we ask that they donate to Catholic Charities Hawaii at https://www.catholiccharitieshawaii.org/maui-relief/ (click here to access) as they are closest to the grieving community and can best assist them with their immediate and more long term needs. Please pray for the many victims of this tragedy and for the loved ones who mourn family members and friends who perished in the fires.

Please welcome Fr. John Anglin OFM who will be with us to celebrate Masses on April 29 & 30, 2023, and tell us about the work of Unbound, a lay Catholic sponsorship ministry that helps children and elderly in 18 developing countries. To learn more, call (800) 875-6564 or visit Unbound online at www.unbound.org.

Parishioner Katie Bird has organized a new Facebook group called "Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul (TN) - Buy Nothing Group." Basilica parishioners are encouraged to join and post items or services that they are offering to give away or looking to receive for free. The hope is to provide a convenient channel for practicing charity and solidarity within the Basilica community. Click for details.

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.

In connection to the Abiding Together podcast, the Catholic Motherhood group will be discussing Be Transformed: The Healing Power of the Sacraments, by Bob Schuchts. The group will meet via Zoom on Tuesday nights from 8-9pm. Contact Nikki Pacitti at (423) 718-2843 for further details and for a discount code for the book.

ALL WOMEN are invited to the Knoxville Diocesan Council of Catholic Women Convention at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Lenoir City, April 20-22. Come 1, 2 or all 3 days. The conference brings together women from across the Diocese to share in spirituality and holy sisterhood. On Thursday, there will be a Memorial Mass with Bishop Stika, honoring women in the Diocese who have died during the last year followed by a banquet with Keynote Speaker Melissa Foley. On Saturday, Fr. John Arthur Orr will speak on the Eucharist as the food for our journey. Early Registration is $125. Click for more information and visit the KDCCW.Org website.

We are recruiting volunteers for two very important liturgical ministries in our parish: our Usher/Greeter ministry – to provide welcome and help to all who come through our doors, and our Sacristan ministry - to prepare the altar for Holy Mass. Training will be provided. Contact the parish office to discuss these opportunities.

We have a few spots left for women of all ages for a retreat Feb. 3-5 at the Bethany House in Dickson, TN! The title is Beyond the Noise and it will be led by Fr. Christopher Floersh. Afternoon walks, rosary, lectio divina, divine chapter, quiet time, holy hour, fellowship, and daily Mass. The Dominican Sisters pamper us with home-cooked meals and top-notch accommodations. Friday evening at 5 through Noon on Sunday (Central Time).