Parish News

Our Stewardship

ST. THOMAS PRAYER CHAIN

Do you know someone in need of special prayers? The Prayer Chain is always taking requests. Please contact

Debi Banach at 358-2461, Ext. 107.

PLEASE KEEP THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE OUR SICK AND HOMEBOUND: Kate Schmidt, Ben Canales, Marilyn Brzostowski, Cleta Bustos, Steve Chontos, Elizabeth Stone, Terry Moenter, Carmen Oviedo, Lynn Gerken, Glenda Fassauer, Braxton Sandoval, Cheryle Wayne, Jerry Stone, Jerry Terry, Donna VonOsinski, Sue Bezner, Esther York, Shanna O’Gorman, Mike O’Neill, Angie Van Bakel, Eveline Rivers-McCoy, Mark Ortega, Bill & Marie Hughes, Ray Harmon, Jeannette Kaminski, Mary Maalouf, Emile Jones, Tony Sisneros, Frank Galitski, Alice & Ollie Perry, John (Jack) Hoben, Nadine Hadley, Brian Dolan, Robert Mitchell, Charlie Hennessey, Madeline Arrott, LaRuth Haverfield, Nathan Tatum, Lupita Randon, Carolyn Shoberg, Allen Lamb, Darrell Goodin, Barbara Fowlkes, Betty Cutting. OUR SERVICE MEN & WOMEN: Cruz Rey Esparza, Sheldon Fowler, Shelby Lopez, A. J. Serafin, Lee Wingfield, Sean Callahan, Bryan Revell, John Nussbaum, Rachel Nussbaum, Matt Nussbaum, Christopher Schrock, David Oviedo Cantu, Jacob Bitonel, Jason Freeby, Brandon Owens, Jacob Tumbelson, T. J. Pevehouse, Swasey Brown, Cody Keesee.

Prayer Intentions ST. THOMAS PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY: The Shawl Ministry meets each Wed. evening in the Parlor from 6:00 -8:00 p.m. If you like to knit or crochet, you are welcome to join this very worth-while ministry. The group will be meeting this Wed., Sept. 7. KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS #4621 BREAKFAST: The first breakfast of the year will be held on Sun., Sept. 11. 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. ALTAR SERVER TRAINING : All who would like to become an altar server it is required that you attend a training session. Training sessions will be on Sept., 17, at 10:00 a.m., & Sept. 18, at 5:00 p.m. Training will be in the Church. MASTER SERVER TRAINING: Youth and adults (at least 16 years of age) who are in good standing with the church and complete the necessary training are welcome to join the ministry. Training sessions will be on Sept., 11, at 3:00 p.m., and Sept. 12, at 7:00 p.m. Training will be in the Church. For more information about Altar/Master Server training, contact Dayamin Winchester at dwinchester@stthomasamarillo.org BAPTISM CLASS: If you are new parents and/or 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.

Budget Actual Variance Aug. 28, 2016 $ 26,831.00 $ 24,044.94* ($ 2,786.06) Month-to-Date $107,324.00 $ 95,373.09** ($11,950.91) * Envelopes/Loose Collection **Includes Aug. on-line giving of $3,810 “One man is lavish yet grows still richer; another is too sparing, yet is the poorer. He who confers benefits will be amply enriched, and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.” ~Proverbs 11:24-25

PERPETUAL EUCHARISTIC ADORATION: At this time, the hours needing to be filled are Wed., 2:00 a.m., & 5:00 p.m./ Thurs., 1:00 a.m., & 2:00 a.m./ Fri., 12 a.m., 1:00 a.m./ Sat., 2:00 p.m., & 8:00 p.m. Thank you to all Adorers who have signed up, but we are still in need of full time adorers and substitutes. If you are interested in being a part of this worthwhile ministry, call Simon Wright, 806-570-9776. ST. THOMAS BRIDGE CLUB: If you and your spouse enjoy card games and fellowship, come join the St. Thomas Bridge Club. Beginners and experienced players are welcome. Monthly gatherings are held October through May. For more information, call Alice or Reg Armstrong at 358-3315.

ALTAR FLOWERS

The Altar Flowers this week

were donated by Jimmy & D’Ann Moutos

in memory of John & Beverly Slaughter

NURSERY WORKER POSITION: St. Thomas is seeking a loving, energetic, reliable and mature nursery worker with dependable transportation. This position requires experience with infants through age three. Nursery worker must be outgoing and welcoming to parents/guardians and children. Must be available Saturday evenings and Sunday mornings, plus occasional other hours, including holidays. For more information call the Parish Office.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 5 HAVE A BLESSED AND SAFE HOLIDAY!

VOCATIONS CRUCIFIX: The crucifix is taken home by a person 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.

Youth Schedule and Events WORLDWIDE MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER: Looking for a way to increase the love and romance in your marriage? Do you need time just for the two of you, away from the chores, the kids, and all the hassles? The Marriage Encounter Weekend on October 21-23, at the Bishop DeFalco Retreat Center in Amarillo, may be the perfect answer! Contact Rick & Bev Feller, (405-323-9119) or email rbfeller@gmail.com for more information, or apply online at www.meamarillo.org by Sept. 25, to receive a $25 discount off your $100 application fee (use Promo Code: Early Bird). FRANCISCAN SISTERS OF MARY IMMACULATE and the Franciscan Association of Mercy invite you to an evening of prayer and fellowship, Sept. 10, at 6:00 p.m., in the Community Room at St. Francis Convent, 4301 NE 18th, Amarillo. Please enter in the Eastern-most double door and please bring a covered dish enough to feed twelve people. Paper goods and drinks will be provided. AMARILLO RIGHT TO LIFE needs volunteers for the Tri-State Fair booth. The shifts will be 3 hours and we would like to have 2 people per shift if possible. The fair runs from Fri., Sept. 16, to Sat., Sept. 24. If you arrive before 1:00 p.m., on Mon. thru Fri., there is no gate charge. Also all day Monday is Senior Citizen day and there is no gate charge. There is free parking at Gate 1 and free Handicap parking at Gate 3. There will be passes available if you can pick them up and then leave them in the booth for the next shift of workers. This is our annual plea for our community to stand up for Life for the Unborn and against Euthanasia as well. If you can spend a few hours please call Jeanie Burney at 806-371-7131, and if she doesn't answer right away, leave a message. Also you can e-mail her at Texasvt@aol.com. Thank you so much and God Bless You in this Holy Year of Mercy. Our booth is in the Commercial Exhibit building. MINISTRIES OF CHARITY MASS: All are invited to a special Mass which will be offered for the Ministries of Charity; Chaplains, communion to the homebound, visitors to hospitals and nursing facilities, prison ministry and all those involved in our outreach through Catholic Charities. The date for this Mass will be Oct. 18, 7:00 p.m., at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Amarillo, 1200 S. Washington.

Young Adults will be meeting this Tues., Sept. 6, at 7:00 p.m., in The Dwelling. For more detailed information please check the STAY Bulletin Board. 4th Grade – High School. Have a great 3 day weekend! Parents, we are having an informational meeting on Sept. 18, starting at 10:05 a.m. in the Dwelling. This is a meeting so you can see what your child will be doing in the program, and for you to give your feedback. It is at the same time as the kids’ religious education classes, so you will be kid free. Please contact Caleb Hubbard at 806-358-2461 or chubbard@stthomasamarillo.org if you have any questions.

Around the Diocese

Holy Cross Corner School is in full swing and Holy Cross Catholic Academy wishes everyone a great school year! Exaltation of the Cross On September 14, 2016, Holy Cross will welcome Bishop Zurek as he celebrates Mass along with several other priests from around our diocese in

honor of HCCA's feast day, The Exaltation of the Cross. The Mass will take place at 11:00 am at St. Joseph Church. This is a special day for HCCA as we celebrate who we are and give thanks for the cross that saved us from our sins. St. Mary's and St. Joseph's 3rd, 4th and 5th graders will also be present to celebrate this special day with the HCCA family. We would love for you to join in on this special occasion as well.

Mark your calendars!

Prayer for Labor Day On this weekend, when we rest from our usual labors, loving Father, we pray for all who shoulder the tasks of human labor—in the marketplace, in factories and offices, in the professions, and in family living. We thank you, Lord, for the gift and opportunity of work; may our efforts always be pure of heart, for the good of others and the glory of your name. We lift up to you all who long for just employment and those who work to defend the rights and needs of workers every-where. May those of us who are now retired always remember that we still make a valuable contribution to our Church and our world by our prayers and deeds of charity. May our working and our resting all give praise to you until the day we share together in eternal rest with all our departed in your Kingdom as you live and reign Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen ~Being Catholic/Prayer - Archdiocese of Detroit

ST. THOMAS THE APOSTLE PARISH STAFF Pastor ………………………………………………………..Rev. John Valdez Deacon ……………………………………………………….Blaine Westlake Deacon ……………………………………………………....... Phillip Whitson Retired Deacon ……………………………………………...….... Jim Brown Retired Deacon …………………………………………….Terry Pevehouse Music Dir./Organist/Choir Master………………………….... Jim Gardner Assistant Music Dir. ……………………………...................Nicole Koetting Youth Director ………………………………………… …….Caleb Hubbard Religious Ed & Adult Faith Formation Director………………Kerry Acker Parish Secretary …………………………………………………..Rita Walker Facility Administrator …………………………………………...Bryan Webb Parish Bookkeeper ………………………………………..Virginia Christian Religious Ed Secretary ………………………………………...Debi Banach Parish Life Coordinator ……………………………………….....Julie Jones Ministry Assistant …………………………………...…Dayamin Winchester Music Secretary ………………………………………………...Judith Tucker Music Assistant …………………………………………Stephanie Gallegos Facility Assistant …………………………………………….....Glen Starcher Facility Assistant ……………………………………………….....Tony Derda Liturgical Environmentalist ……………………………………...Julie Pierce

Liturgy Schedule and Special Mass Intentions:

Monday 9/5 NO MASS

Tuesday 9/6 7:00 AM +Dick Wilcox Mary Ann Manske

Wednesday 9/7

7:00 AM

+Ray Prien Duane & Barbara Carlson

Thursday 9/8 7:00 AM +Ann Anderwald Nadine Berend

Friday 9/9 7:00 AM +Luke Harpole Paul & Jenny Harpole

Saturday 9/10 5:00 PM Spec. Int. of Mary Ann Engler Pat Stich

Sunday 9/11

7:30 AM MEMBERS OF PARISH FAMILY

9:00 AM Spec. Int. of Neva Burks Maureen Mack

11:15 AM +Rose Ruiz Carrizo Family

Sunday, September 4 ; Wis 9:13-18b/Phlm 9-10, 12-17/Lk 14:25-33 Monday, September 5: 1 Cor 5:1-8/Lk 6:6-11 Tuesday, September 6: 1 Cor 5:1-8/Lk 6:12-19 Wednesday, September 7: 1 Cor 7:25-31/Lk 6:20-26 Thursday, September 8 Mi 5:1-4a/Mt 1:1-16, 18-23 Friday, September 9: 1 Cor 9:16-19, 22b-27/Lk 6:39-42 Saturday, September 10: 1 Cor 10:14-22/Lk 6:43-49 Sunday, September 11: Ex 32:7-11, 13-14/Tn 1:12-17/Lk 15:1-32

Daily Scripture Readings

Week at a Glance RE Notes:

Registration is available both online and in person! Please

sign your children up BEFORE classes begin on Sept. 11! ONLINE link: stthomasamarillo.org/religious-education-registration

However, you will need to mail in your registration fee before your child is officially enrolled.

We almost have all the catechists and assistants we need, but we could use a few more! Please be open to helping!

RCIA Notes: RCIA begins this week! Please join us in the parish hall at

7:00 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 6.

++We are still seeking members of our church community to help with this vital ministry!++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Contact the RE office through email: Kerry at kacker@stthomasamarillo.org or by phone 358-2461 ext. 106, or Debi at ext. 107 to sign up as a catechist or to learn more about RCIA.

Adult Faith Formation ADULT FORMATION – FALL 2016

The purpose of Adult Faith Formation programs is to provide adult parishioners with opportunities to grow in faith and spirituality through Bible stud-ies, doctrinal studies, faith sharing groups, prayer groups, and other opportunities for continuing faith formation. Our parish offers many opportunities to help us grow spiritually. Please refer to the flyer in the bulletin for all scheduled events or visit the parish website at www.stthomasamarillo.org, or contact

Dayamín Winchester at dwinchester@stthomasamarillo.org ALL ARE WELCOME!

Religious Education News

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 5 LABOR DAY - PARISH OFFICES ARE CLOSED

HAVE A BLESSED & SAFE HOLIDAY!

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 3:30 p.m. - Confessions - Chapel 4:00 p.m. - Cantor’s Rehearsal - Music Wing 6:00 p.m. - Ministerial Dinner - Gym

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 NO SCHEDULED PARISH EVENTS

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 2:00 p.m. - Our Lady’s Rosary Makers - Marian Room 7:00 p.m. - Young Adults - The Dwelling 7:00 p.m. - Boy Scouts - Gym 7:00 p.m. - RCIA - Msgr. Tash Hall

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 7:30 a.m. - ACTS Small Group - Library 9:00 a.m. - Community Scripture Study - Parlor 5:30 p.m. - Confessions - Chapel 6:00 p.m. - Prayer Shawl Ministry - Parlor 6:30 p.m. - Adult Handbells - Music Wing 6:30 p.m. - Open House - Marian Room

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 10:00 a.m. - Rosary Group - Chapel 6:30 p.m. - Natural Family Planning Class - Marian Room 7:00 p.m. - Boy Scouts - Scout Room 7:00 p.m. - Baptism Class - Church 7:00 p.m. - Boy Scouts Roundtable Mtg. - Msgr. Tash Hall

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 8:00 a.m. - KC Breakfast - Gym 10:05 a.m. - RE Classes - Education/Pre-K Wing 4:30 p.m. - Young in Spirit - Msgr. Tash Hall 5:00 p.m. - Youth Bells - Music Wing 5:45 p.m. - Youth Choir - Music Wing 6:30 p.m. - Parent Meeting for Youth Choir - Church