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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.

Brother Kevin Doerge, from our Sts. Peter and Paul parish, has been a Postulant with the Canons Regular of St. John Cantius in Chicago since the summer of 2021. He made his first vows on August 14, 2023, and asks for everyone's prayers as he begins this next step on his journey towards the holy priesthood. Click for photos and his address to send cards.

Calling all women who appreciate our priests: A new Seven Sisters Apostolate for Basilica women is beginning. The Seven Sisters Apostolate is a call to strengthen the Church by ensuring that a Holy Hour is prayed each day of the week for the sole intention of a specific priest or bishop—a “holy wasting” (cf. Mt. 26:10) or lavishing of prayer for his deeper conformity to Christ. Click for more information.

We host parish dinners, receptions after funerals, Confirmation, concerts, and more. We need help planning, cook, serving, and cleaning. But we also just need donations of food and drink for each event. It is not expected for everyone to help every time. Contact Florence Porter [email protected] to join!

Trip includes Rome, Lanciano, Manoppello, San Giovanni Rotondo, Sicily, Mount Etna, Syracuse, Taormina, Catania, Cefalu, Palermo, Trapani, Agrigento, Selinunte; and the expected delivery of our Fr. Patrick Ryan Report to Rome! Cost: $4,999-includes airfare from anywhere in the US. Tour Brochures are in the parish office or view it on our link: https://www.procatholictours.com/trip-store/?action=view_trip&triptemplateid=347 Contact: Pro Catholic Tours Customer Service at 508-505-6078 or [email protected]

Steve & Janet Ray invite you on a Christmas pilgrimage to the Holy Land, Dec. 27, 2023 - Jan. 5, 2024. Join this spiritually enriching Biblical adventure, with Fr. David Carter, chaplain of the pilgrimage. STARTING PRICE per person for double occupancy: $6,899.

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, due to multiple spinal fractures caused by cancer, Kappa Light Chain Myeloma. Following several months of chemo treatment in Chattanooga and a stem cell treatment in Nashville, she is now in 100% remission! She will need chemo for at least 5 years to stay in remission. Her mobility and pain level have improved significantly. Her immune system is suppressed while she recovers. Please pray for Lynn's full healing. (Click for more info)

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.

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.