News - Forever Young Catholics (40+) RSS Feed

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.

Basilica parishioner Lynn Elverd, a veteran servant of our Altar Ministry, Religious Education helper, and Greeter, had been having severe back pain with difficulty walking and lifting her arms for several weeks. She went to the ER on August 26, 2022, and discovered she had multiple spine fractures. Oncology tests have revealed she has a form of cancer, Kappa Light Chain Myeloma. Following several months of chemo treatment, her pain is lessening. The next step is a stem cell treatment at the Sarah Cannon Center in Nashville. UPDATE: Doctors say she is now at 90% remission, going into the stem cell treatment. Please pray for Lynn's healing, the difficulties ahead as she loses immunity, and the ability to manage her pain. (Click for more info)

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.

On Sept. 29, 2022, Cate Mueller went to the hospital for what she thought was a stroke, and she was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer that has also spread to parts of her brain. She has undergone radiation and chemotherapy, and is receiving immunotherapy through 2023. Cate has tolerated the treatments with grace and even humor, and the treatments are working! Cate is married to Dan Mueller, our Basilica Usher Coordinator and Knights of Columbus Liaison, and she is active at the Basilica as a Lector and a member of the Finance Council. Please pray for Cate and her family. Click to read more.

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 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).

St. Ambrose Catholic Homeschool Co-op is happy to announce our annual Advent Candle fundraiser. St. Ambrose families will be selling candles following all Masses the weekends of November 5/6, 12/13, and 19/20. 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.

Traditional Lighting of Luminaries on All Souls Day in remembrance of deceased loved ones, following 5pm Vespers on Nov. 2. Cost is $5 per luminary to support our Under One Roof campaign. Submit order & fee to Debbie Cliche after Mass or to the parish office. Orders due by Thurs. Oct. 27. Click for details and to order.

Join Fr. Alex Hernandez on a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, Spain August 29-September 8, 2023. Follow this Catholic pilgrim path that has existed since the 9th century. See the relics of St. James the Greater, the Apostle. Experience the culture, history, and countryside of Spain. Cost: $4,199. Call Pro Catholic Tours at 508-505-6078 to register. Click for more information.