ST. THOMAS THE APOSTLE

CATHOLIC CHURCH

4100 South Coulter Street Amarillo, TX 79109

Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time February 23, 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 The Gospels continue to challenge us to the core. This is especially

true in the way our social relationships have developed. Feeling safe

and secure in the world are not things that come easily these days.

Actually, we may find ourselves feeling more reservation, caution,

reluctance, and fear than ever before. In a moment’s notice, life

can drastically change. When someone has been intentionally and

violently hurt, especially someone we love, we can all too easily

find ourselves very attracted to the Old Testament philosophy of “an

eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.”

Intellectually, we know this is not what Jesus wants us to do. But

on some level it just seems to make practical or even political

sense. After all, why should we allow someone to get away with a

heinously violent act? Yet, Jesus cannot be any clearer than he is

with this! Offer no resistance to one who is evil. Turn the other cheek

as well. When pressed into service, go two miles. Do not turn your

back on one who wants to borrow. Love your enemies. Now, take

a moment to reflect on all of this. Consider a horrible act of violence

committed against someone you love. Listen. Think. Be honest. Can

you do as Jesus directs?

We want to be holy. But we are more comfortable with a definition

of holiness that can keep us saying our prayers and on our knees in

church. We are not comfortable with a definition of holiness that has

something to say about to how we react to and negotiate life. We

like to keep a sharp and strong line between the secular and the

sacred. In fact, we would prefer that the doors between them be

kept closed. God wants us to be holy as He is holy. If God sees this

one way and we see it another, then where does this leave us on

our journey to God?

Our minds like the practical, worldly, and secular answers to

things. They are more black and white and at first glance appear

to make more sense. Holiness wells up from our souls and is beyond

reason. It cannot be explained. It is something we just simply know

comes as a result of deep prayer. The truly contemplative eye

knows inwardly that what Jesus asks is true and then willingly

does it. It may not be easy. ©LPi

Parish News/Events

Our Stewardship

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 will be Feb 25. For more information, please contact Dolores Lukach at 682-557-0200. SPECIAL ASH WEDNESDAY COLLECTION: A collection will be taken on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 26, to help support the churches in Eastern & Central Europe. For those of you who receive monthly envelopes, please use the envelope in your monthly packet.

DIVINE MERCY CHAPLET: Please feel free to join in the praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet every Friday, at approximately 11:10 a.m., in the chapel. We invite you to come and take part in this beautiful Chaplet…we’ll be using the CD from Marians of the Immaculate Conception. Hope you’ll join us. Please bring your rosary. ST. THOMAS FISH FRY #1: The first fish fry for the Lenten Season will be held on Fri., Mar. 6, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., in the Gym. Tickets will be on sale after Mass on Feb. 22/23 and Feb. 29/Mar. 1. Proceeds to benefit future Pilgrimages of the Music Department. See flyer in bulletin for details. ST. THOMAS ROSARY GROUP: If you are interested in praying 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. THE RECENT SECOND COLLECTION the has been remitted to the Diocese: Catholic Campus Ministry $5,543. Thank you for your generosity.

Budget Actual Variance Feb. 16, 2020 Not Available due to Publication Date “For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” ~MATTHEW 5:20 The scribes and Pharisees lived according to the letter of the law, and they used this to elevate themselves above the other people. Jesus is clear - it’s the love that you have in your heart that will get you to heaven. Simply following church rules out of obligation, not love, does not put you on the path to heaven. Attending Mass on Sunday and then gossiping about a fellow parishioner on the parking lot is an example of a modern day Pharisee. ~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,

Nadine Hadley, 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, February 23:

Lv 19:1-2, 17-18/1 Cor 3:16-23/Mt 5:38-48 Monday, February 24:

Jas 3:13-18/Mk 9:14-29 Tuesday, February 25:

Jas 4:1-10/Mk 9:30-37 Wednesday, February 26:

Jl 2:12-18/2 Cor 5:20—6:2/Mt 6:1-6, 16-18 Thursday, February 27:

Dt 30:15-20/Lk 9:22-25 Friday, February 28:

Is 58:1-9a/Mt 9:14-15 Saturday, February 29:

Is 58:9b-14/Lk 5:27-32 Sunday, March 1:

Gn 2:7-9; 3:1-7/Rom 5:12-19/Mt 4:1-11

Daily Scripture Readings

Altar Flowers this week

were donated by

Katie McKillip-Harstrom

in memory of

Theresa McKillip-Van Haelst

FEB. 26, 2020

MASS, WITH THE

DISTRIBUTION OF ASHES,

WILL BE CELEBRATED AT

7:00 A.M., 12:15 P.M., & 7:00 P.M.

THERE WILL BE STATIONS OF

THE CROSS ON FRIDAY, FEB. 28.

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 you can call the Parish Office at 358-2461.

ST. FRANCIS KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS is hosting two Lenten Fish Fry’s on Fri., Feb. 28, and again 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. 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. COMMUNION MINISTERS NEEDED: Please consider volunteering to bring Communion to patients 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.

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. URGENT NEED for Midnight to 7:00 a.m., substitutes. 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

ATTENTION HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS! Any senior that wants to be in the West Texas Catholic MUST submit the following information no later than FEBRUARY 26, 2020. This is for May graduating CATHOLIC SENIORS of ST. THOMAS ONLY. No pictures are needed. Send only this info: FIRST AND LAST NAME & HIGH SCHOOL ATTENDING. Send this info to neighborspatriot@gmail.com

Congratulations to Holy Cross students! Madison Mirelez (8th grade) participated in the 64th annual South Plains Regional Science and Engineering Fair on Feb. 7. She received the following awards: 1. Broadcom Masters Award 2. High Plains Underground Water Conservation Award

3. US Stockholm Jr. water prize of $50 4. 3rd place trophy in 8th grade biological division

She will advance to state competition in March

Holy Cross placed 3rd at the local Math Counts competition on February 8th. Team members included:

Maggie Houlihan Kelly Le Rachel Lane Madison Mirelez Alternates: Oliver Beckanavic and Jade Hernandez

Hooray for the Mustangs!

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

AN ASH WEDNESDAY PRAYER

"Ashes to ashes. Dust to dust."

You remind us today, oh Lord, of our origin and end.

In the beginning, You fashioned us in the Garden.

You dignified dust with the Breath of Life.

You made us in Your image and likeness.

You led Your people through the dust of the

Sinai wilderness to the Promised Land.

You overcame temptation in the dry desert.

You healed the blind with dirt and clay.

Three times, Your body stirred the dust

as you fell on the road to Calvary.

Hear the cry of Your people!

One day we will return to dust.

This Lenten season, stir our minds to contemplate You,

our hearts to love You, and our bodies to serve You

in our brothers and sisters.

May our prayer, fasting, and almsgiving

be Your breath alive in us.

Amen.

~LPi

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, FEBRUARY 24

6:00 PM

+Edna Henke by Bob Wieck Family TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25

6:00 PM +Pete Aboytes by Joe Schilling Family

+Tom & Paul Stich by Pat Stich WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26

7:00 AM

+William Carder by Bernie & Diane Wieck

12:15 PM

+Libby Howard by Tom & Sandy Riney

7:00 PM

MEMBERS OF THE PARISH FAMILY THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27

7:00 AM

+Paula Ryan by Paul Tullar & Meg Morey FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28

7:00 AM

Int. of Tuesday “Why Catholic Group”

+Steve & Phyllis Molnar by Pat Wilcox SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 29

5:00 PM

In Thanksgiving for Ray & Dee Ramirez SUNDAY, MARCH 1

7:30 AM

MEMBERS OF THE PARISH FAMILY

9:00 AM

+Rene Bynum by Joe & Madeline Rybert

11:15 AM

+Bessie Stirling by Rudy & Vickey Velez

Religious Education & RCIA Week at a Glance

RE NEWS

* Wednesday night classes get Feb. 26 to allow for families to attend the Ash Wednesday mass at 7:00 p.m., if needed.

RCIA NEWS

+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. The first step of RCIA is an Inquiry class that meets from 10:05-11:05 a.m. in the library. The class is informal and fun! Upcoming inquiry dates are as follows: Feb. 23, 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, FEBRUARY 24 6:00 p.m. - Cub Scouts Pack Meeting - Gym TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25 1:45 p.m. - Divine Mercy Cenacle - Marian Room 5:00 p.m. - Mardi Gras/Fat Tuesday Party - Gym 7:00 p.m. - Boy Scout Troop 87 - Gym WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26 7:00 a.m. - Ash Wednesday Morning Mass - Church 12:15 p.m. - Ash Wednesday Afternoon Mass - Church 5:30 p.m. - NO CONFESSIONS 6:30 p.m. - RCIA Class - Upper Room (S) 7:00 p.m. - Ash Wednesday Evening Mass 7:00 p.m. - Ash Wednesday Overflow Mass - Msgr. Tash Hall THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27 10:00 a.m. - Rosary Group - Chapel 6:30 p.m. - Diaconate Prayer Group - Parlor FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28 11:10 a.m. - Divine Mercy Chaplet - Chapel 5:00 p.m. - #1 Lenten Meal (Altar Guild) -Gym 7:00 p.m. - Stations of the Cross - Church SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 29 3:30 p.m. - Confessions - Chapel 5:00 p.m. - RCIA Rite of Sending - Church SUNDAY, MARCH 1 9:00 a.m. - Youth Lenten Choir - Church 10:05 a.m. - “No Greater Love” (AFF) - Upper Room (N) 10:05 a.m. - “Romans” (AFF) -Upper room (S) 10:05 a.m. - RE Classes - Education/Pre-K Wing 11:15 a.m. - Breaking Open the Word - Library 2:30 p.m. - Rite of Election - St. Mary’s Cathedral 5;00 p.m. - Youth Orchestra - Music Wing 5:30 p.m. - Youth Bells - Music Wing 6:15 p.m. - Youth Choir - Music Wing

Adult Faith Formation

PREPARING FOR LENT

This is a wonderful week to ask the question: “Who do We may feel like we never have enough; enough money, time, love, status or anything else that seems be the focus of our lives. We live lives that are packed with activities, meetings and obligations - keeping our hearts distracted away from our relationship with God, from our families and from others in our lives who need our love.

In these few days before Lent begins, we can begin to prepare our hearts by asking ourselves how we want Lent to be different this year. What do we want to ask the Lord to give us - and more importantly, we can ask what the Lord wants for us this Lent. What gift of generosity, love or attention can we share with others in the weeks ahead? How can we focus on the Lenten season and ask that our hearts be opened to what is real - not to the externals which distract us so much? How will I be with my family and friends this Lent? What will I do that sets this season apart from my nor-mal routines? How can I name, anticipate and feel the gifts the Lord showers on me with such love in the weeks ahead? And every morning, we can begin by sitting at the side of our beds with our hands open on our laps, asking God to help us receive these gifts with open hearts. We can carry that focus with us through-out the day, remembering in the quiet moments what we are asking for. Always, we end our day simply thanking God for the love and gifts of the day.

©Creighton University Online Ministries

Rachel’s Corner

Abortion After-Care Healing

If a history of sexual abuse has existed before an abortion, the woman may experience the abortion itself as simply a further continuation of the violations of self that have gone before. After the abortion, just as after episodes of sexual abuse, she must be prepared to hide

her shame, guilt, despair and grief behind a painted mask of normalcy. We can help. Healing and hope are awaiting you on a Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat™. Next Rachel’s Vineyard in the Lubbock area will be on March 6-8, 2020 (in English) and September 18-20, 2020, (in Spanish.)

Confidential contact: Mindy at rios2000us@yahoo.com

or 806-702-2284

“Lent stimulates us to let the Word of God penetrate our

life and in this way to know the fundamental truth: who

we are, where we come from, where we must go, what

path we must take in life.”

~Pope Benedict XVI