ST. THOMAS THE APOSTLE

CATHOLIC CHURCH

4100 South Coulter Street Amarillo, TX 79109

The Ascension of the Lord May 24, 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

Everlasting Easter

The Easter season is almost over. This season is always a

tougher one for us Catholics. We get Advent and Lent:

preparation. We are on board with Christmas, mainly

because we like to keep up our decorations until someone

tells us the exact day we must take them down. But Easter

as a season is a bit more difficult to observe. The rest of the

world has moved on. There are no Easter eggs left in store

windows and all those religious movies on television have

given way to reruns or season-ending episodes. It just feels

like Easter anywhere … except in the Church.

The truth is that it should feel like Easter all year-round

in the Church. Every Sunday, we celebrate a mini-Easter.

Our Lord is ALIVE! He is risen and alive, and we need to

celebrate. We also need to be about the work of the Lord.

We are an Easter people who bear witness to his resurrection

through our stewardship. If he had never risen, then we

would be called to nothing by no one. But he lives! As this

Easter season is drawing to a close, it is prudent to reflect on

what his death and resurrection mean for each of us. How

has it changed us? How does it motivate us? It doesn’t look

like Easter in most corners of the world, so it is up to us to

bring a little Easter to every place we go and to everyone

we meet.

~Tracy Earl Welliver, MTS

©LPi

Parish News/Events

Our Stewardship

THE ASCENSION OF THE LORD

A pair of ducks found their way to the same little corner of

the property year after year. Sheltered by a little grove of

trees, they quickly made their preparations to build a nest,

lay eggs, and welcome in a new family. Then one year, only

one of the ducks came to that little corner. She went about

the business of building a nest, but this time, she was clearly

unsettled. She would wander around, sometimes seemingly

without purpose, almost hoping perhaps that her mate might

come along. But, she remained alone. There were many

times when we could hear her “crying”, mourning her

loneliness and lack of purpose, sitting on a batch of eggs

that would never hatch. One day, she quietly left that little

corner never to return again. Many human beings approach life this way. We silently

grieve our loneliness, lack of direction, and sense of pur-

pose. Maybe life once had meaning for us, but nothing

seems to claim us and settle our restlessness any longer.

We wander around looking and hoping for someone or

something to come our way. We may even sob at times,

wailing as we sit with the misery of our pain. Will happiness

ever come our way again? Or will we simply leave where

we are never to return again? Many are lost, wandering

souls who are not quite sure where to settle or where to

make a home. We are meant to be in Christ. This glorious feast of the

Ascension shows us, with clear vision, who Jesus really is!

Understanding ourselves in Christ really changes things up

and reorients us to our greater purpose, mission, and

meaning. We are part of the cosmic wonder of creation and

part of a bigger plan and mystery, destined to be much

more than what we now know ourselves to be. Could Jesus’

friends know who he would become? If we can find the

Christ present within and see the Christ bursting forth in all

creation and beyond, then we can come to know our truth

and understand where our home and life is meant to be. Advancing upon the blessing of each new day with the

certain knowledge that you are an unconditionally loved

child of God gives you the axis and the safe harbor to cope

with whatever comes your way. The gift of joy will be yours,

and you can discover your true meaning and purpose. Look

within, look without, look above, and look below. You are

not alone. Trust that God will lead you where you need to be

and transform you into who you really are.

©LPi Budget Actual Variance May 17, 2020 NOT AVAILABLE DUE TO PUBLICATION DATE “I am praying for them…” ~JOHN 17:9

Prayer is the foundation of our Faith and the foundation of Stewardship. Pray in good times and in bad. Prayer is always the first best option in any situation, not just the last resort. Pray for friends and family and for those that don’t treat you very well. Pray to give praise, to thank, and to ask God for help. Pray to see what God wants you to do with the gifts He has given you. ~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, Don Terrill, Marilyn Carr, Glenda

Gerber, Erminia Wiggs, Cecilia Gleason, Jeannine

Bellinghausen, Madeline Ryberg, 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, May 24:

Acts 1:1-11/Eph 1:17-23/Mt 28:16-20 Monday, May 25:

Acts 19:1-8/Jn 16:29-33 Tuesday, May 26:

Acts 20:17-27/Jn 17:1-11a Wednesday, May 27:

Acts 20:28-38/Jn 17:11b-19 Thursday, May 28:

Acts 22:30; 23:6-11/Jn 17:20-26 Friday, May 29:

Acts 25:13b-21/Jn 21:15-19 Saturday, May 30:

Acts 2:1-11/1/Cor 12:3b-7, 12-13/Jn 20:19-23 Sunday, May 31:

Acts 2:1-11/1/Cor 12:3b-7, 12-13/Jn 20:19-23

Daily Scripture Readings

Holy Cross Catholic Academy congratulates the graduating seniors for the class of 2020! Selena Luna Kristine Nguyen John Reeves Karina Ronquillo Pierce Seidenberger Yesenia Torres Aaron Vincent

Father, I have knowledge, so will You show me now, How to use it wisely and find a way somehow To make the world I live in a little better place, And make life with its problems a little bit easier to face. Grant me faith and courage and put purpose in my days, And show me how to serve Thee in effective ways. So my education, my knowledge and my skill May find their true fulfillment as I learn to do Thy will. And may I ever be aware in everything I do, That knowledge comes from learning, and wisdom comes from You. Amen.

PERPETUAL EUCHARISTIC ADORATION: At this time, the Adoration Chapel is closed until further notice. We will keep the parish updated. 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.

CARDBOARD RECYCLING: The green cardboard recycling bin is still available for your use. Be sure to recycle those boxes when you get your on-line orders! Bring your clean, flattened cardboard and place in the container located near the dumpster at the back service entrance. The monthly fee is sponsored by Gloe Landscaping.

St. Thomas Youth Events

All Youth activities are suspended until further notice. Updates

will be posted as they become available.

Stay safe and stay well.

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.

A big “THANK YOU” to St. Thomas Altar Guild for donating the beautiful flowers that surrounded the Blessed Mother’s statue on Mother’s Day. A big “THANK YOU” to St. Thomas Men’s Club for donating the funds to purchase the congratulatory banner for the 2020 High School Seniors that is displayed in front of the church.

Here are a few more kind notes from some of our members

that were included with their weekly/monthly offerings:

“Thank you and miss seeing the family church. Really appreciate the Live Streaming of the Mass.” /s/ Myrtle White Father John, “Thank you so much for the encouraging messages. They are so needed at this time. Hoping to join together soon for Mass. Sending prayers and blessings.” /s/ Elias & Dorothy Urias Dear Fr. John & Fr. Victor, “How I look forward to Mass at St. Thomas. Here at the Craig we are still in lock down and the church is closed. This has been a very difficult time. I cannot get your daily Masses so EWTN has been my help….. I pray my rosary daily and ask the Blessed Mother’s help that this pandemic is over soon. May God bless us all. Be careful & stay well.” /s/ Shirley Mager.

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.

SAVE THE DATE:

The 37th Annual Jerry Harpole

Memorial Scholarship Golf

Tournament originally scheduled

for May 16, 2020, has been

tentatively rescheduled for Aug. 29.

Parish News/Events

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, MAY 25

11:00 AM

+Leo Joseph & Kevin Joseph Mack by Maureen Mack TUESDAY, MAY 26

11:00 AM

+Stew Bryant by Gary Rider

+Wayne Kuehler by Narcisa Slaton

WEDNESDAY, MAY 27

11:00 AM

Int. of Rev. John Valdez by Pat Wilcox

+Edna Henke by Pat Stich THURSDAY, MAY 28

11:00 AM

Int. of Shelly Diller by Albert & Betty Sciumbato FRIDAY, MAY 29

11:00 AM

Int. of Kim Schmucker

Int. of Mary Moreno by George & Rebecca Moreno SATURDAY, MAY 30 5:00 PM +Carmen Arosemena by Carrizo Family SUNDAY, MAY 31

9:00 AM

MEMBERS OF THE PARISH FAMILY

11:15 AM

+Stew Bryant by Stephen & Rosalie Chontos

Religious Education & RCIA Memorial Day - May 25, 2020

RE NEWS *All R.E. classes are cancelled for the time being. Take home lessons have been emailed for anyone interested. Please let Kerry know if you haven’t received lesson ideas but want some. *1st Communion II and RCIC II students have materials for a take-home retreat and material to complete at home before the Sacrament of 1st Communion, which will be rescheduled for a later date. Please check your email and the Remind app to know when these will need to be returned! *Confirmation I students will need to complete their saint projects and other lessons at home. Information about the assignments has been emailed to parents. Please email Kerry at kacker@amarillo.church if you have not received this information.

RCIA NEWS +Since we will not be able to gather for our traditional Holy Week masses, our candidates and catechumen will plan to enter the Church during Pentecost, May 30!

+ If you’re an adult who has never been baptized, NOW is the time begin your preparation! 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!

**All Inquiry classes will be put on hold temporarily.

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

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

Adult Faith Formation

A Prayer for Strength, Hope and Healing

Dear heavenly Father we come to you today with heavy hearts for the countless number of people in need today. We pray for Strength, Hope and Healing. Lord we pray for all the healthcare providers all around the world, our heroes, and their families. We pray for Strength, Hope and Healing. We pray for our leaders all around the world. We pray for Strength, Hope, and Healing. We pray for our entire family, and our employees who are uncertain of jobs, we pray for financial grace and for the moms and dads who are both teacher and parent. We pray for Strength, Hope and Healing. Lord you told us “Faith the size of a mustard seed” is all we need as we know this too shall pass. We pray a prayer of Strength, Hope and Healing . Amen ©Creighton University Online Ministries

With Gratitude and Honor

Gracious God, on this Memorial Day weekend, we

remember and give thanks for those who have given their

lives in the service of our country. When the need was

greatest, they stepped forward and did their duty to

defend the freedoms that we enjoy, and to

win the same for others.

O God, you yourself have taught us that no love is greater

than that which gives itself for another. These honored

dead gave the most precious gift they had, life itself,

for loved ones and neighbors, for

comrades and country - and for us.

Help us to honor their memory by caring for the family

members they have left behind, by ensuring that their

wounded comrades are properly cared for,

by being watchful caretakers of the freedoms

for which they gave their lives, and by demanding

that no other young men and women

follow them to a soldier's grave unless the

reason is worthy and the cause is just.

Holy One, help us to remember that freedom is not free.

There are times when its cost is, indeed, dear.

Never let us forget those who paid so terrible a

price to ensure that freedom would be our legacy.

Though their names may fade with the passing

of generations, may we never

forget what they have done. Help us to be

worthy of their sacrifice, O God, help us to be worthy.

- J. Veltri, S.J.

catholic-cemetery.org