ST. THOMAS THE APOSTLE

CATHOLIC CHURCH

4100 South Coulter Street Amarillo, TX 79109

Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time June 21, 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.

GOSPEL MEDITATION There are many things of which we can be afraid: being rebuked,

rejection, anger, being challenged, having to defend ourselves,

standing alone, insecurity, failure, and even death. For some,

identifying and overcoming their fears is a daunting task.

Regardless of how much they may want to break the cycle of fear,

they find that they remain close friends with old and dysfunctional

behavioral habits and norms. Maybe what they really fear is

change. There are many who gravitate to the familiar and

comfortable, and find safety and security in doing so, even if they

remain mired in mediocrity. Human beings have to learn that there

is life beyond the “what has always been” and that happiness and

depth are possible when old structures and systems have to be left

behind. Can you leave the near and dear, the comfortable and familiar,

the safe and secure, and discover new opportunities? The shear

thought of doing so can bring on feelings of apprehension, intense

anger, resentment, defensiveness, reluctance, resistance, and even

apathy. If we have to be responsible for making the change,

cowardice can creep in. If someone else is to blame for making the

change, any number of possible negative reactions are possible. In

the end, only one thing is required and that is God. If I can rely on

and deepen my relationship with God, especially in the Eucharist

along with a community of believers, then little else is of great

concern. We have to figure out what is really important. It is not

always what we think. The Gospel calls us to stretch ourselves and try new things, not to

remain stuck and stagnant in familiar ways. We are asked to live life

more deliberately, radically, and intentionally. We are asked to

leave the familiar behind and learn to live with changing, and often

limiting, human structures. We cannot get too caught up in the

physical, ideological, or structural systems we are used to. The Holy

Spirit always leads and guides us. If we trust this, we will find our-

selves doing things we never thought we could do. Always seek the

path to joy and love. They keep us from falling victim to our fears

and from seeking the nostalgic crutches we think we need to

achieve a sense of well-being and happiness.

©LPi

Parish News/Events

Our Stewardship

PARISH RECORDS: We need your help! In order to keep our records updated, we are asking registered members to please advise the parish office of any changes in your personal information; that is, phone numbers, address changes, email addresses, etc. If you receive a monthly envelope packet, your address change is automatically forwarded to the parish office by the envelope vendor, Our Sunday Visitor. If you are registered and do not receive envelopes, please let the office know about any address change. Thank you for helping us keep our parish records current and accurate.

CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF THE TEXAS PANHANDLE

ATTENTION PARISH MEMBERS: The parish office would appreciate your help in checking the list of Sick & Homebound as well as Service Men & Women in the weekly bulletin and notifying the office at 358-2461, if anyone needs to be removed from or added to the list so that we can publish accurate information. Thank you. ST. THOMAS PRAYER CHAIN: Do you know someone in need of special prayers? The Prayer Chain is always taking requests. If you would be interested in joining this worthwhile ministry or if you have a prayer chain request, call the RE office, 358-2461, Ext. 107.

Budget Actual Variance June, 2020 NOT AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME “Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Faher.” ~MATTHEW `0:32

Would others know that you are Catholic by the way you act and speak? Do you share your Catholic faith with others? Do you defend your Catholic faith when the situation arises or do you remain silent? Do you pray in public before meals? Pray for the strength and courage to be a joyful witness of our Catholic faith when the opportunity presents itself. Let us become the radiant light and bold witness that we are called to be! ~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, 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, June 21:

Jer 20:10-13/Rom 5:12-15/Mt 10:26-33 Monday, June 22:

2 Kgs 17:5-8, 13-15a, 18/Mt 7:1-5 Tuesday, June 23:

2 Kgs 19:9b-11, 14-21, 31-35a, 36/Mt 7:6, 12-14 Wednesday, June 24:

Is 49:1-6/Acts 13:22-26/Lk 1:57-66, 80 Thursday, June 25:

2 Kgs 24:8-17/Mt 7:21-29 Friday, June 26:

2 Kgs 25:1-12/Mt 8:1-4 Saturday, June 27:

2 Kgs 4:8-11, 14-16a/Rom 6:3-4, 8-11/Mt 10:37-42 Sunday, June 28:

2 Kgs 4:8-11, 14-16a/Rom 6:3-4, 8-11/Mt 10:37-42

Daily Scripture Readings

Altar Flowers this week

were donated by

The Stich Family

in memory of

Tom & Paul Stich

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.

Holy Cross Catholic Academy is proud to announce the following Daughters of the Ameri-can Revolution (DAR) award winners! John Reeves, 12th grader was awarded the Esther McCrory Chapter DAR Good Citizen Award. He attended the awards ceremony in February. Rachel Lane, 8th grader received the National Society DAR Good Citizenship award from the Molly Goodnight Chapter.

Congratulations to these outstanding students!

PERPETUAL EUCHARISTIC ADORATION: 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.

St. Thomas Youth Events

We are excited about the upcoming school year and resuming our

STAY activities. Take care, stay safe, and see you

for the Fall semester!

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.

FATHER’S DAY PRAYER

Most gracious Heavenly Father,

We thank you for our earthly fathers, those to whom you

have entrusted the responsibility to provide loving protection

of their families and guidance of their children. We thank

you, also, for our priests and bishops, whose spiritual father-

hood is so vital to the faith of your people.

May our earthly fathers imitate the manly courage of

Abraham, Jesse and Joseph, and all the holy fathers of the

past in providing wise counsel to the children you have

given to their care. And may our spiritual fathers be guided

by the examples of Saints Peter and Paul, all the Apostles

and their saintly successors. Give them valiant faith in the

face of confusion and conflict, hope in time of trouble and

sorrow, and steadfast love for you, for their families, and for

all your people throughout the world.

Assist all fathers of families, all spiritual fathers, and all

Christian men, that through your Grace they may steadily

grow in holiness and in knowledge and understanding of

your Truth. May they generously impart this knowledge to

those who rely on them.

As you, our Heavenly Father, so loved the world, sending

your only Son to be our Savior and Redeemer, we ask you to

help all men to imitate His fatherly gentleness and mercy

toward those who are weak; His humility, perfect obedience

to your Will, and fearless witness to your Truth. May their lives

be examples to all of heroic faithfulness to you.

We ask your blessing on all those to whom you have

entrusted fatherhood. May your Holy Spirit constantly inspire

them with justice and mercy, wisdom and strength, fidelity

and self-giving love. May they receive your Grace abun-

dantly in this earthly life, and may they look forward to

eternal joy in your presence in the life to come.

We ask this through Jesus Christ, your Son and Our Lord,

Amen. ~aquinasandmore.com/blog/prayers-for-fathers-day/

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.

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, JUNE 22

11:00 AM

+Wilma Morrisey by Pat Stich TUESDAY, JUNE 23

11:00 AM

+Harold Hagemeier by Tom & Sandy Riney

+Loretta Casasanta by Marlene Casasanta

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24

11:00 AM

+Pete Aboytes by Narcisa Slaton

+Pat Ford by Rev. Victor Hugo Andrade THURSDAY, JUNE 25

11:00 AM

+Stew Bryant by Shirley Mager FRIDAY, JUNE 26

11:00 AM

+Edna Henke by Pat Wilcox

+Carol Marasco by Her Family SATURDAY, JUNE 27 5:00 PM Intention of Deacon Henry & Lori Wilhelm SUNDAY, JUNE 28

9:00 AM

+Sue Lis by Jerry Lis

11:15 AM

MEMBERS OF THE PARISH FAMILY

Religious Education & RCIA

RE NEWS *1st Communion II and RCIC II students should be completing their packets and returning them to the RE office. Please leave the completed student workbook (1st Communion II) or leaflets (RCIC II), the monstrance, and the parent handouts in a bag on the bench in Entry A with ATTN: Kerry Acker on the bag! *We are looking to schedule First Communion in two-three differ-ent masses in July. Check back for more info! *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. *We will have updated information on how to enroll in RE in the fall coming soon!

RCIA NEWS

+Please give a huge welcome to the newest members of our Catholic faith: Robert Garza, Chriscella Mariscal, Terry Phelan, and Krystle Rios! These faithful candidates and catechumen have patiently waited to join our Church, and we welcome them with great joy! +Please congratulate our two adult Confirmandi: Fabian Mariscal and Shelbee McWright!

+ 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!

**We hope to have updated information on the inquiry process to share with you all soon!

Daily Prayer This Week Most of us know that having faith is more about con-fidence and trust in the Lord than it is about theologi-cal understanding or assent to truths. The biggest bar-rier to our more complete following of our Lord in faith is fear. This is a wonderful week to ask our Lord to heal us so that we can not be afraid and just have faith in him as we place our faith in his calming pres-ence.

We can begin each day, sitting or standing at the edge of our bed and, in 30 seconds, simply name our desire. "Lord, thank you for this day. Please heal my fears. I want to place my trust in you more completely. Be with me in the tough stuff today."

The phrases from Matthew's Gospel can work their way into our week so easily in this context. "Lord, let me know your love and mercy, that I might treat those I'm now judging with more of the love and mercy you show me." "Lord, it feels like you are inviting me to take a narrower path today than the one I usually take, following the way everyone around me goes. Help me choose your way with greater freedom and peace."

There is a real and sustaining joy that accompanies this sense of intimacy with our Lord, in the midst of our daily, busy lives. It seems right to take a few mo-ments each night to express our thanks to the Lord for the gifts of the day.

Taken from the "Weekly Guide for Daily Prayer" on the Creighton University's Online Ministries web site: http://www.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/online.html Used with permission.

Adult Faith Formation

CATHOLIC QUOTES OF HOPE

“A sinner cannot outrage the Deity more than by

despairing of Divine mercy on account of the

number and enormity of his crimes; for God's

clemency is far greater than the iniquity and guilt of

an entire world ... Of God's mercy never despair.” ~Ven. Blosius

“God guards with special protection a confiding

client, and such an one may be sure no evil will

betide him.” ~St. Vincent of Paul

“God is so good and so merciful, that to obtain

Heaven it is sufficient to ask it of Him from our

hearts.” ~St. Benedict Joseph Labre

“A servant of God should fear nothing, not even

Satan, who is soon discomfited when made little

account of. If the Lord be mighty, the demons are

but his bond-slaves; what evil therefore can they do

to the servants of so great a King?” ~St. Teresa