ST. THOMAS THE APOSTLE

CATHOLIC CHURCH

4100 South Coulter Street Amarillo, TX 79109

Second Sunday of Lent March 8, 2020

Church Phone: (806) 358-2461

Rectory Phone: (806) 353-1016

Fax: (806) 358-2529

Website: https://amarillo.church

Office Hours: (M-F) 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Diocese of Amarillo

Mass Times Saturday: 5:00 PM (Sunday Vigil Mass)

Sunday: 7:30, 9:00, and 11:15 AM

Monday & Tuesday: 6:00 PM

Wednesday thru Friday: 7:00 AM

Holy Days: (to be announced) Sacrament of Reconciliation Wednesday: 5:30-6:30 PM

Saturday: 3:30-4:30 PM

Other times by appointment

Sacrament of Baptism

Contact the Parish Office to schedule a date and

time. Parents and sponsors must attend a Baptism

class. One sponsor must be Catholic and at least

16 years of age.

Sacraments of 1st Reconciliation and 1st Communion

These sacraments combine into one sacramental

preparation program which takes two consecutive

years of religious education classes to complete.

Students must be at least in first grade to begin this

preparation.

Sacrament of Confirmation

This sacrament takes two consecutive years of faith

formation to complete. Students must be in at least

seventh grade before beginning this preparation.

Sacrament of Matrimony

Contact the Pastor at least six months before the

date of the wedding.

Sacrament of the Sick

Please notify the parish secretary of any sick or

elderly shut-ins and all those in the hospital.

The Rite of Christian Initiation

The program for adults (RCIA) is open to

non-Catholics who wish to learn more about the

Catholic faith and to Catholics who have not

celebrated the Sacraments. This process is offered

on an ongoing basis.

REFLECTION

Psychology has taught us a great deal about family dynamics

and how we have come to be the person we find ourselves to

be. We are comprised of such a mixed bag of blessings and

obstacles with their graced moments and sinful ones. Think

back on the journey of your life and how the many different and

varied choices that you made influenced the direction your life.

If you didn’t go on that first date with your spouse, who would be

beside you today? If you chose to be in one place rather than

another, what would have happened to the course your life has

taken? We are on such a wonderful, exciting journey. What is

most incredible and awesome is that we are not alone! God is

with us. He inspires, heals, opens doors, and calls us every mo-

ment of our lives. The very life we have is due only to Him.

We can all sit down and list adjectives describing who we

are. One may find him or herself more artistic than another or

quicker with wit. We have unique gifts and talents and have the

great gift of free will, which we treasure. Our histories come with

more baggage for some and less hurdles for others, but we all

have to find our way through the path we are on. However,

have you ever given much thought to who you really are?

That question has more merit than may at first appear.

We know ourselves as we live out our earthly journey. But do

we know our heavenly self? What we know here is only one

small part of who God has made us to be. The disciples really

thought they knew Jesus until they went up the mountain. We

also may think we know our true selves, too. We know that in

eternal life we shall not only see God, but become like Him.

Who will you be? What surprise do you think God has for you?

©LPi

Parish News/Events

Our Stewardship

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS #4621 BREAKFAST: The next pancake breakfast will be held TODAY, Sun., Mar. 8. They will be serving continuously from 8:00 a.m., to 12:30 p.m., in the Gym. Adults $7, Children 10 and under $3. Proceeds benefit seminarians and charities. SAVE THE DATE: June 15-18, 2020 - Pre-K through 5th Grade, St. Thomas Vacation Bible School - Rocky Railway- Jesus’ Power Pulls Us Through. Volunteers are needed to make this a blessed week for our kids. To volunteer, contact Jessica Schenk at 806-676-7736. DIVINE MERCY CENACLE invites everyone for the study and discussion of St. Faustina's Diary, related Scriptures and Catholic Catechism highlighted by praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet. Please join us every other Tuesday in the Marian Room from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. The next meetings are scheduled for Mar. 10 & Mar. 24. For more information, please contact Dolores Lukach at 682-557-0200. ST. THOMAS PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY: If you know some-one in need of prayers, please let the Prayer Shawl Ministry reach out to you with a Prayer Shawl. You can pick up a shawl, Mon. through Fri., 8:30 a.m., to 4:30 p.m. They are located in the credenza next to the Bell Tower. Monetary or yarn donations (three skeins of Lyon Brand Homespun) will be greatly appreciat-ed. The Prayer Shawl group meets on Wed. evenings from 5:30 -7:30 p.m. in the Parlor. ST. THOMAS ROSARY GROUP: If you are interested in pray-ing the rosary with a group once a week, you are welcome to join the St. Thomas Rosary Group each Thurs. morning at 10:00 a.m., in the Chapel. Afterwards, they meet in the Parlor for some refreshments and fellowship. ATTENTION PARISHIONERS: Please be reminded that there is a nursery and cry room available for those of you who have chil-dren who become fussy during Mass. We would also like to re-mind you that there is no food allowed in the main church. If you wish to give your children snacks or solid food during Mass, please go to the hallway or the nursery to take care of those needs. Thank you for your cooperation as we strive to make the celebration of Mass a solemn and calm experience for everyone.

Budget Actual Variance Mar. 1, 2020 $ 31,000.00 $ 35,189.00 $ 4,189.00 “Go forth from the land of your kinsfolk and from your father’s house to a land that I will show you.” ~GENESIS 12:1

God calls all of us to leave behind our old ways and to follow Him, placing our complete trust in Him. Some of the old ways that we may have to struggle to leave behind might be materialism, selfishness and greed. Yet God promises to show us a new land and a better way to live. Remember what St. Teresa of Calcutta said, “God does not call us to be successful, God calls us to be faithful.” ~archstl.org

PLEASE KEEP THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE IN YOUR PRAYERS:

OUR SICK AND HOMEBOUND:

Kate Schmidt, Ben Canales, Cleta Bustos, Steve Chontos,

Glenda Fassauer, Braxton Sandoval, Cheryle Wayne, Jerry

Stone, Jerry Terry, Esther York, Mike O’Neill, Emile Jones,

Madeline Arrott, Lupita Randon, Betty Cutting, Judy Allen,

Jordan Barrientez, Paul Kiefer, Doug Tyler, JoAnn Mercer,

John (Jack) Hoben, LaRuth Haverfield, Richard Herbsleb,

James Rhodes, Rod Lancour, Jack Turner, Ray Ramirez, C. D.

Williams, Kim Zinsmeyer, Michael Hubbs, Margaret Herring,

Carol Olivas, Jac DeMont, Ivonne Padilla, Don Terrill, Marilyn

Carr, Glenda Gerber, Erminia Wiggs, Cecilia Gleason,

Jeannine Bellinghausen, Madeline Ryberg, Henry Jack

Hamlin, Tom Leezer, Steven Torres , Marisa Delgado, Ofelia

Horich, Rhonnie Kaplan OUR SERVICE MEN & WOMEN:

Sheldon Fowler, A. J. Serafin, Lee Wingfield, Sean Callahan,

Bryan Revell, John Nussbaum, Rachel Nussbaum, Matt

Nussbaum, Christopher Schrock, David Oviedo Cantu,

Jacob Bitonel, Jason Freeby, Jacob Tumbelson, Swasey &

Jena Brown, Cody Keesee, Justin Spencer, Ryan Huseman,

Ethan Thomas Weaver, Toby Bitonel, Jeremiah Tumbleson,

Jarred Romero, David Graham, William Weinheimer ,

Trevor Bunkers, Chase Logan

Sunday, March 8:

Gn 12:1-4a/2 Tim 1:8b-10/Mt 17:1-9 Monday, March 9:

Dn 9:4b-10/Lk 6:36-38 Tuesday, March 10:

Is 1:10, 16-20/Mt 23:1-12 Wednesday, March 11:

Jer 18:18-20/Mt 20:17-28 Thursday, March 12:

Jer 17:5-10/Lk 16:19-31 Friday, March 13:

Gn 37:3-4, 12-13a, 17b-28a/Mt 21:33-43, 45-46 Saturday, March 14:

Ex 17:3-7/Rom 5:1-2, 5-8/Jn 4:5-42 Sunday, March 15:

Ex 17:3-7/Rom 5:1-2, 5-8/Jn 4:5-42

Daily Scripture Readings

7:00 PM EVERY FRIDAY

DURING LENT, BUT

ON GOOD FRIDAY,

STATIONS WILL BE

AT 12:15 PM.

If you want a lovely memorial tribute to a lost loved one or loved ones or a way to honor those special individuals in your life, be reminded that you may purchase a beautiful fresh flower arrangement designed by Scott’s Flowers for a donation of $85.00.

If you are interested in purchasing Altar Flowers, complete a request form (forms can be found next to the credenza outside the bell tower) or just call the Parish Office, 358-2461.

Congratulations to the Varsity Boys Basketball team at Holy Cross Catholic Academy! The varsity boys had a great season and finished strong as Bi-District Champions!

Thanks to everyone who came out to support the team. A special thank you to Coaches Matthew Rosas and Greg Palacio.

Way to go Mustangs!

Holy Cross Catholic Academy is seeking applications for the following coaching positions in the 1920-21 school year:

Middle School Volleyball Coach Varsity Volleyball Coach Middle School Football Coach

Email resume to Tim Gallegos, Athletic Director at tgallegos@holycrossama.org

Registration for the 2020-2021 school year has begun!

Please contact the school for questions: Holy Cross Catholic Academy 4110 S. Bonham Amarillo, Texas 79110 806-355-9637

PERPETUAL EUCHARISTIC ADORATION: At this time, an Adorer is needed for Mon., 1:00 a.m./Tues., 12:00 p.m./Thurs., 1:00 a.m./Fri., 1:00 a.m./Sat., 1:00 p.m. If you are interested in being a part of this worthwhile ministry, call Simon Wright at 806-570-9776. GETTING MARRIED? If you are getting married sometime this year, NFP is a mandatory requirement in the Diocese of Amarillo for couples seeking the sacrament of matrimony. For more information and class schedules near you, please visit the website, www.amarillodiocese.org/nfp.

St. Thomas Youth Events

THANK YOU St. Thomas! The Souper Bowl of Caring set an

ALL TIME RECORD! $3,205 was raised for Catholic Charities of

the Texas Panhandle. Way to go St. Thomas!

Holy Cross Catholic Academy Parish News/Events

VOCATIONS CRUCIFIX: The crucifix is taken home by an individual or family each week and put in a safe place of honor. The prayer for vocations is then prayed each day by the person or family for the entire week. Your prayers are greatly needed so we ask that you sign up now in the Bell Tower.

If you are new parents and/or first- time sponsors, you are required to attend a Baptism class before the reception of the sacrament. Please call the parish office, 358-2461, to register for the next scheduled class.

Around the Diocese

ST. MARY’S CHURCH, CLARENDON is hosting Fish Fry’s this Lent, Mar. 13, Mar. 27, & Apr. 3, St. Mary’s Parish Hall, Montgomery & McLelland, Clarendon, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. All you can eat. Adults, 12 years & up, $12.00; College Students with College ID, $10.00; children 5-12, $5.00 & under 5, Free. 21ST ANNUAL SALT & PEPPER LUNCHEON benefitting Catholic Charities Hunger Project, will be held on Thurs., Mar. 19, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., St. Mary’s Cathedral, 1200 S. Washington. Guest Speaker will be John Mark Beilue. For information or tickets, call Catholic Charities at 376-4571. ST. MARY’S CATHEDRAL, AMARILLO is hosting a Lenten Mission of Hope, Healing, Forgiveness, Grace & Mercy, with Marty Rotella, Catholic Singer, Evangelist, Musician, to be held Monday & Tuesday, Mar. 30 & 31, beginning at 7:00 p.m., 1200 S. Washington St., Amarillo, TX. For more information, call the St. Mary’s at 806-376-7204. ST. FRANCIS KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS is hosting another Lenten Fish Fry on Fri., on Apr. 3, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at St. Francis Catholic Church Parish Hall, 5005 Klinke Road (just eat of the Tyson meat plant.) Tickets are $12 for Adults, $6 for Youth 7-12, and children under 6 eat free. Take-outs available. Call Gerald Detten, 382-8813 or Phil Houlihan, 220-9281, for details and/or directions. COMMUNION MINISTERS NEEDED: Please consider volunteering to bring Communion to patients who are in BSA Hospital. That may be once a week, less, or as a substitute. For further information or to contact me, Davlyn Duesterhaus, BSA Chaplain, call my office at 212-4283 or the main Spiritual Care Office at 212-5343.

TWENTY-FIFTH ANNUAL “BACH’S” LUNCH SERIES

Friday, March 13, 2020 West Texas A&M University,

Dr. Michael Johnson, Organist

Friday, March 20, 2020 Westminster Presbyterian Church,

Mr. Michael Raillard, Organist

Friday, March 27, 2020 First Presbyterian Church, Mr. Norman Goad, Organist

Friday, April 3, 2020

St. Andrews Episcopal Church, Mr. Michael Mitchell, Organist

Bring a “box” lunch and some friends with you. Program begins promptly at 12:05 p.m., with a twenty-five minute organ recital. Following the recital, the host church will provide tea, coffee and a place to eat. You will have plenty of time to get back to work by 1:00 p.m. For more information, visit the Facebook page, Amarillo Chapter American Guild of Organist, or call Dr. Michael Johnson at 806-654-3239.

This series is sponsored by the Amarillo Chapter of the American Guild of Organists.

ST. THOMAS THE APOSTLE PARISH STAFF

Pastor ……………………………………………..….Rev. John Valdez

Assistant Pastor…………………………..Rev. Victor Hugo Andrade

Deacon ………………………………….…………….Blaine Westlake

Deacon …………………………………………………..Phillip Whitson

Retired Deacon ……………………………………………..Jim Brown

Retired Deacon ……………………………………..Terry Pevehouse

Music Director/Organist/Choir Master……...………..Jim Gardner

Children/Youth Choir Director…………………….Mykel Byersmith

Religious Ed & Adult Faith Formation Director…..……Kerry Acker

Youth Director……………………………………..Andrew Neighbors

Parish Secretary …………………………………………...Rita Walker

Facility Administrator …………………………………….Bryan Webb

Parish Bookkeeper …………………………..…….Virginia Christian

Parish Life Coordinator ………………………..………….Julie Jones

Ministry Assistant ……………………..……… Dayamin Winchester

Music Secretary ………………………..……….....……Judith Tucker

Music/RE Assistant ..……………………..…..…Stephanie Gallegos

Facility Assistant …………………………..…..…….....Glen Starcher

Custodian …………………………………………….Mark Ebenkamp

Custodian ………………………………………………....Curtis Zeissel

Liturgical Environmentalist………………………………..Julie Pierce

Mass Intentions

MONDAY, MARCH 9

7:00 AM

+Stew Bryant by Joe & Eunice Schilling TUESDAY, MARCH 10

6:00 PM +Phillip Eberlien by Robert & Rondelle Parker WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11

7:00 AM

+Eloise Espinoza by Tom & Margie Campbell THURSDAY, MARCH 12

7:00 AM

Intention of Kim Schmucker FRIDAY, MARCH 13

7:00 AM

+Edna Henke by Ann Roach

Intention of Shelly Diller by Albert & Betty Sciumbato SATURDAY, MARCH 14

5:00 PM

+Tom & Paul Stich by Pat Stich SUNDAY, MARCH 15

7:30 AM

MEMBERS OF THE PARISH FAMILY

9:00 AM

+Anthony Kuhlmann by Mike & Patsy Ronayne

11:15 AM

Intention of Tommy & Sue Bezner

Religious Education & RCIA Week at a Glance

RE NEWS *Adults are invited to a “Church Search” activity exploring the spe-cial areas and sacred items of the sanctuary, chapel, and sacristy! Please come either: Wed., March 11 from 6:45-8 p.m., or Sun., March 22 from 10:15-11 a.m. Meet in the Church sanctuary to get started! *There are no RE classes on March 15 or March 18 due to spring break.

*Wednesday, March 18, the RE office will be closed. *We do have RE classes on Sunday, March 22.

RCIA NEWS +Our candidates will participate in a Lenten penitential rite on Tuesday, March 10 at the 6 p.m. mass.

+It’s never too late or too early to look into what it means to be Catholic! Come check out the Inquiry class held twice monthly. Upcoming inquiry dates are as follows: March 8 & 22, April 5 & 19, May 3 & 17

+Please note that these classes are a required part of the RCIA formation process.

Contact Kerry Acker DRE at kacker@stthomasamarillo.org or 806.358.2461, Ext. 106, for more info on RCIA or Religious Education

MONDAY, MONDAY, MARCH 9 7:00 p.m. - Altar Guild - Msgr. Tash Hall TUESDAY, MARCH 10 10:00 a.m. - “No Greater Love” (AFF) - Marian Room 1:45 p.m. - Divine Mercy Cenacle - Marian Room 6:00 p.m. - RCIA Penitential Rite - Church 7:00 p.m. - Boy Scout Troop 87 - Gym WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11 9:00 a.m. - Community Scripture Study - Parlor 9:30 a.m. - Marianists Group - Groom’s Room 5:30 p.m. - Prayer Shawl Group - Parlor 5:30 p.m. - Confessions - Chapel 6:30 p.m. - Safe Environment Training - B1 Media Rm. 6:30 p.m. - RCIA Class - Upper Room (S) 6:30 p.m. - “Wisdom” (AFF Class) -Upper Room (N) 6:30 p.m. - Confirmation I Class - B9 6:30 p.m. - 1st Communion II Class - Classroom A-2 6:30 p.m. - Adult Bells - Music Wing 6:30 p.m. - KIDS Choirs - Music Wing 6:45 p.m. - Church Search (AFF) -Church 6:45 p.m. - Parent Sacramental Session - Marian Room 7:00 p.m. - High School S.T.A.Y. - The Dwelling/Gym 7:45 p.m. - Adult Choir - Music Wing THURSDAY, MARCH 12 10:00 a.m. - Rosary Group - Chapel 1:30 p.m. - Focolare Group - Marian Room FRIDAY, MARCH 13 11:10 a.m. - Divine Mercy Chaplet - Chapel 5:00 p.m. - #2 Lenten Meal - (Soup & Salad) - Gym 7:00 p.m. - Stations of the Cross - Church SATURDAY, MARCH 14 9:30 a.m. - AFF Book Club - Library 3:30 p.m. - Confessions - Chapel SUNDAY, MARCH 15 10:05 a.m. - RCIA Inquiry Class - Library 10:05 a.m. - NO RE CLASSES 11:15 a.m. - First Scrutiny (RCIA) -Church 4:00 p.m. - St. Thomas Bridge Club - Parlor

Adult Faith Formation

SECOND WEEK OF LENT

We continue the first part of Lent, during which we learn, along with those preparing for Baptism, wonderful lessons in our faith. We can feel the rhythm developing. Sunday is always our celebration of the Lord's resurrection, and establishes our theme for the week. Wednes-days and Fridays remind us of our commitment to a change of heart. Monday, Tuesday and Thurs-day re-introduce us to wonderful scriptures for our journey. Saturday is always uplifting and joyful. The Opening Prayer of the Liturgy each day continues to guide our prayer. As we experience how simple these prayers are, and how easy they are to make our own, we find ourselves praying together in the same Spirit, with one another on this journey, around the world. ©Creighton University Online Ministries

Rachel’s Corner

Abortion After-Care Healing

Rachel’s Vineyard™ is a safe place to renew, rebuild and redeem hearts broken by abortion. Weekend retreats offer a supportive, confidential

and very non-judgmental environment where women and men can reconcile past abortion pain and begin the process of restoration.

Confidential contact: Mindy at rios2000us@yahoo.com

or 806-702-2284

"As Lent is the time for greater love, listen to Jesus’

thirst…He knows your weakness. He wants only your

love, wants only the chance to love you.”

~Blessed Teresa of Calcutta