st. thomas the apostle catholic churchsep 08, 2019 · st. thomas bridge club will resume monthly...
TRANSCRIPT
ST. THOMAS THE APOSTLE
CATHOLIC CHURCH
4100 South Coulter Street Amarillo, TX 79109
Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time September 8, 2019
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 It’s said that upon reading the Gospels, Gandhi commented
that he very much liked Jesus Christ. It was Christ’s followers he
found troublesome. One wonders who Gandhi had met and if
these Christians had truly counted the cost of their faith.
Following Jesus, really following Jesus, is much more challeng-
ing than we may think. He emphasizes this with strong language
in this Sunday’s Gospel. He compares discipleship to the carry-
ing of one’s own execution device — “his own cross” — and for
the need even to “hate” what could disrupt one’s commitment.
Some of this is standard hyperbole, exaggeration for effect
common to the time period. Some of this should make us won-
der how deep our discipleship goes.
“Which of you wishing to construct a tower does not first sit
down and calculate the cost?” Jesus imagines this construction
project gone wrong. Someone may lay the foundation but not
have enough resources to finish. We’ve received the firm
foundation of the sacraments — our baptism, for one, along with
weekly Mass attendance and regular confession. Yet how often
do we find ourselves too distracted, exhausted, or uninterested
to truly build our lives on our faith? We have all met such
Christians. Some days, we may be those Christians ourselves.
We become the incomplete tower that confuses and baffles the
onlookers. “This one began to build but did not have the
resources to finish!”
For some of us, our cross may feel heavier than we expected
upon the first lift. Building a tower means laying stone upon
stone. It’s a process. We don’t arrive at completion overnight.
Grace is always sufficient to provide the resources, but we need
to keep saying yes to the task. This week, consider your own
discipleship. What is one area where you’ve become distracted
or discouraged? How can that improve this week? Let God lay
another brick on the tower. ©LPi
Parish News/Events
Our Stewardship
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS #4621 BREAKFAST: First pancake breakfast of the season is TODAY, Sun., Sept. 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. ST. THOMAS MEN'S CLUB will meet tomorrow, Mon, Sept. 9, at 7:00 p.m., in the Gym. All men of the parish are invited. Join us for food, fun, fellowship and service to the parish. All are welcome to pray the rosary beforehand at 6:30 p.m., in the Chapel. DIVINE MERCY CENACLE: This group meets every other Tuesday in the Marian Room from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. The next gathering will be Tues., Sept. 10. For more information, you may contact Dolores Lukach, 682-557-0200. ST. THOMAS BRIDGE CLUB will resume monthly play in September and, once again, welcomes new players. All you need is a partner. We will meet on the third Sunday of the month
beginning Sept. 15, at 4:00 p.m., in the Parlor, with members bringing a variety of light foods followed by four rounds of bridge. For more information, call Judy Detten, 290-5196, or Jane
Roberts, 679-8111. We also welcome subs to join. ATTENTION LECTORS! The new lector workbooks for 2020 are now available in the Parish Office. If you currently serve as a Lector, there is NO CHARGE for these books; however, if you wish to make a donation, please feel free to do so. Thank You Lectors for your dedication to this ministry! Please come by and pick up your book between 8:30 a.m. & 4:30 p.m., Mon - Fri. THE RECENT SECOND COLLECTION remitted to the Diocese of Amarillo for the Bishop DeFalco Retreat Center resulted in total contributions of $4,051. Thank you for your generosity. ATTENTION PARISHIONERS! If you have already turned in your pledge card for United Catholic Appeal to the Parish Office and are now making payments, those payments need to be sent directly to the Diocese of Amarillo, P. O. Box 5644, Amarillo, TX, 79117, Attention Stewardship & Development Office. St. Thomas cannot process those payments. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.
Budget Actual Variance Sept. 1, 2019 NOT AVAILABLE DUE TO PUBLICATION DATE
“Everyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cnnot be my disciple.” ~LUKE 14:33
When we first hear this statement, it seems that Jesus is making an unrealistic demand upon us. How can we renounce all of our possessions? We need them to live. However, what we must renounce is the belief that they belong to us. Everything that we have belongs to God alone. All of our resources are entrusted to us not only for our own use, but also so that we can help others. Once we renounce the idea that we possess or are entitled to anything, it is much easier to share the many gifts that God has given us. Then we truly are his Disciples. ~archstl.org
PLEASE KEEP THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE IN YOUR PRAYERS:
OUR SICK AND HOMEBOUND:
Kate Schmidt, Ben Canales, Marilyn Brzostowski, Cleta
Bustos, Steve Chontos, Glenda Fassauer, Braxton Sandoval,
Cheryle Wayne, Jerry Stone, Jerry Terry, Esther York, Mike
O’Neill, Jeannette Kaminski, 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, Betty Stevens,
Richard Herbsleb, Edna Henke, James Rhodes, Rod
Lancour, Jack Turner, Ray Ramirez, C. D. Williams, Kim
Zinsmeyer, Michael & Irene Hubbs, Margaret Herring, Carol
Olivas, Joe Detten, Jac DeMont, Ivonne Padilla, Don Terrill,
Marilyn Carr, Jo Rogowski, Gwen Holmes, Glenda Gerber
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,
Cody Detten, Ethan Thomas Weaver, Toby Bitonel, Jeremiah
Tumbleson, Jarred Romero, David Graham
ALTAR FLOWERS
The fresh flowers this week
were donated by
Danny & Sharon Wilhelm
in memory of
Bernard Wilhelm, Tom Britten
and John & Betty Puccerella
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 the Parish Office at 358-2461.
Sunday, September 8: Wis 9:13-18b/Phlm 9-10, 12-17/Lk 14:25-33 Monday, September 9: Col 1:24—2:3/Lk 6:6-11 Tuesday, September 10: Col 2:6-15/Lk 6:12-19 Wednesday, September 11: Col 3:1-11/Lk 6:20-26 Thursday, September 12: Col 3:12-17/Lk 6:27-38 Friday, September 13: 1 Tm 1:1-2, 12-14/Lk 6:39-42 Saturday, September 14: Ex 32:7-11, 13-14/1 Tim 1:12-17/Lk 15:1-32 Sunday, September 15: Ex 32:7-11, 13-14/1 Tim 1:12-17/Lk 15:1-32
Daily Scripture Readings
PRO-LIFE BOOTH: Volunteers are still need to take 3-hour shifts at the pro-life booth at the Tri-State Fair which runs from Sept. 13-21. Call 806-371-7131, if interested in volunteering. DISCIPLES OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST will have a Sister Social (open house) and Art Sale Saturday, Sept.14, from 1:00-4:00 p.m., at the Pastoral Center 4512 NE 24th Ave, Amarillo, TX 79107. You can fellowship with the Sisters, enjoy some refreshments & praise, check out the artwork for sale and, of course, receive prayer. The art sale will range from $2-$600 and will include art books, sculptures, fine art (lithographs, prints, sketches, oil, acrylic, etc.) along with hundreds of collectable friar figurines. All proceeds will go to help educate and form the Sisters in formation. DIOCESE OF AMARILLO - FAMILY LIFE OFFICE: Save the Date for the 22nd Annual Respect Life Banquet on Sun., Sept. 15 in the Amarillo Civic Center Grand Plaza. Tim Staples, Director of Apologetics and Evangelization for Catholic Answers will be the keynote speaker. In addition to Tim’s presentation there will be a prime rib dinner from the Big Texan Steak Ranch, followed by live and silent auctions. Social Hour will start at 4:45 p.m. For additional information, please call the Family Life Office at 806-414-1059 or go online to the Diocese website, amarillodiocese.org. OFFICE OF VOCATIONS invites You To “Come and See” (Discernment Retreat For Young Men 17 Years And Up): Fr. Jonathan Frassero, a monk of St. Meinrad Abbey and spiritual director in their seminary, will be giving a presentation to help young men discover the call of God in their lives. This humorous and lively presentation will answer many misconceptions about priesthood and seminary life while also giving men the opportunity to better know God's plan for their lives. Come and see on Sat., Sept. 28, 2019, 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at WT Catholic Student Center, Canyon, TX. Lunch will be provided. Please RSVP to Victor Holguin at 806-383-2243, Ext. 119 or [email protected]. CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF THE TEXAS PANHANDLE: Mark your calendars for Monte Carlo Night, Sept. 28, at Sunset Center, Ann Crouch event Center. Join us for the fun from 6:30 to 11:30 p.m., and enjoy casino play, silent auction, live auction and the Esquire Jazz Band. For more information, call Catholic Charities at 376-4571. WOMEN’S ACTS RETREAT: Are you looking to deepen your relationship with God, renew your spirituality, give new meaning to your prayer life and Sunday Liturgy and to build lasting friendships? Registration for the October Women’s ACTS Retreat is now open. The retreat will begin at 6:30 p.m., on Thurs., Oct. 17, through Sun., Oct. 20, at the Bishop DeFalco Retreat Center. For more information and to register online, visit actsamarillo.org or ask one of the following team members for a form: Josie Esparza, 806-679-3096, Cari Weinheimer, 806-626-5608, or Leona Wilhelm, 806-679-9445. An ACTS Retreat can help you take positive, life-changing steps in your faith journey. Spots are limited so don’t delay and sign up today. ST. MARY’S CATHEDRAL SCHOOL SAVE THE DATE, Oct. 19, 2019, is the date for St. Mary’s Cathedral School Fall Festival Carnival which will be held from 12:00 Noon to 7:00 p.m., 1200 S. Washington Street. Enjoy food, games, silent auction, raffle & tons of fun. Make plans to join us.
Around the Diocese
PERPETUAL EUCHARISTIC ADORATION: At this time, an Adorer is needed for Mon., 1:00 a.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 High School STAY is in full force! 9th-12th grades join us in the Dwelling from 7:00 to 9:00 PM on September 11, 18, and 25. We will meet at Eveline Rivers on October 2nd from 6:30 to 7:30 PM, and we will also have service projects with Catholic Charities and the Halloween Carnival in October. Andrew Neighbors Youth Director 806-358-2461, Ext. 112
Holy Cross Catholic Academy welcomes
Veronica Mullen! Veronica will be teaching Math and Spanish. She earned her B.S. in Multidisciplinary Studies from Texas Tech University and has 2 years of teaching experience. She recently moved to Ama-
rillo from San Antonio. She has lived in 13 different cities in the US as well as outside the US.
Welcome to the Holy Cross family Veronica!
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.
“Be faithful in small things because it is in
them that your strength lies.”
~Mother Teresa
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, SEPTEMBER 9 6:00 PM
+Rita Artho by Cathy Freeby
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 6:00 PM
Spec. Int. of Edward Jennings by Winnie Jennings
+Dave Roberts by Jane Roberts
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 7:00 AM
+Gene Velasquez by his Family
+Gregory Rosa by Anne Hernandez THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 7:00 AM
+Dennis Sweeney by Mary Sweeney FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 7:00 AM
Spec. Int. of Mary Jane Carroll by Winnie Jennings
+Laura Hernandez by Bessie Stirling SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 5:00 PM
+Maria Espino by Carrizo Family SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15 7:30 AM
+Jan McCoy-Lis by Sheri Acker 9:00 AM
+Albert Ricke by Joe and Kathy Hart 11:15 AM
MEMBERS OF PARISH FAMILY
Religious Education & RCIA Week at a Glance
RE NEWS
*R.E. classes begin this weekend on Sunday morning from 10:05-11:05 a.m. for K-12th grades. PreK classes meet during the 9 or 11:15 a.m. mass. *Late registration will be in the Marian Room this weekend. *Next weekend during the RE class time, parents, catechists, and students from 6th-12th grades are invited to attend the Tim Staples’ talk in the Church! He is a nationally-recognized Catholic apologist. *Sept. 14 and 15 is Catechetical weekend! Please be sure to thank your child’s catechist for their service to your children!
RCIA NEWS +Time is getting short to start the RCIA Process for this upcoming year! Are you interested in becoming Catholic in 2020 or know someone who is? The first step of RCIA is an Inquiry class that meets from 10:05-11:05 a.m. in the library. The class is infor-mal and fun!
Upcoming inquiry dates are as follows: Sept. 8, 15, 22, & 29, Oct. 6, 13, 20, & 27
Nov. 3 & 17, Dec. 8 & 15
+Please note that these classes are a required part of the RCIA formation process. Please call Kerry Acker to get started!
Contact Kerry Acker DRE at [email protected] or
806.358.2461, Ext. 106, for more info on RCIA or Religious Education
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 12:00 p.m. - Contemplative Power Hour - Chapel 6:00 p.m. - Cub Scouts Pack Meeting - Upper Room 6:30 p.m. - St. Thomas Men’s Club - Chapel/Gym 7:00 p.m. - St. Thomas Altar Guild - Msgr. Tash Hall TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 1:45 p.m. - Divine Mercy Cenacle - Marian Room 6:30 p.m. - Safe Environment Training - B1 Media Room 7:00 p.m. - Boy Scouts Troop 87 - Gym WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 9:00 a.m. - Community Bible Study - Parlor 9:30 a.m - Marianist Group - Groom’s Room 5:30 p.m - Confessions - Chapel 6:30 p.m. - RCIA Meeting - Upper Room (S) 6:30 p.m. - Confirmation I Class - B9 6:30 p.m - Adult Handbells - Music Wing 6:30 p.m. - KIDSChoirs - Music Wing 7:00 p.m. - High School STAY - The Dwelling/Gym 7:45 p.m. - Adult Choir - Music Wing THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 10:00 a.m. - Rosary Group - Chapel 1:30 p.m. - Focolare Group - Marian Room 7:00 p.m. - Baptism Class - Church FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 NO SCHEDULED EVENTS SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 6:00 a.m. - Men’s Group (formerly TMIY) -Upper Room (N) 3:30 p.m. - Confessions - Chapel SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15 8:00 a.m. - KC Breakfast - Gym 10:00 a.m. - RCIA Inquiry Class - Library 10:05 a.m. - RE Classes - Education/Pre-K Wing 4:00 p.m. - St. Thomas Bridge Club - Parlor 5:30 p.m. - Youth Bells - Music Wing 6:15 p.m. - Youth Choir - Music Wing
Adult Faith Formation
SUNDAY ROMANS, starting on Sun,. Sept. 29, at 10:05 a.m. in the Upper Room. Cost of workbook $20.00. NO GREATER LOVE, starting on Sun., Sept. 29, at 10:05 a.m. in the Upper Room. Cost of work-book $20.00.
TUESDAY THE PIVOTAL PLAYERS, starting on Tue., Sept., 24 at 10:00 a.m. in the Mar ian Room. Cost of workbook $17.00. WEDNESDAY THE NEW EVANGELIZATION, starting on Wed., Sept. 25, at 6:30 p.m. in the Upper Room. Cost of workbook $15.00
BOOK CLUB
JESUS AND THE JEWISH ROOTS OF THE
EUCHARIST Books are available in the Reli-gious Ed. office. Cost of book $12.00. To sign up contact Dayamín Winchester at 358-2461, ext. 107
or at [email protected]
Workbooks will be available at the first ses-
Rachel’s Corner
Abortion After-Care Healing
It is estimated that each year, 400,000 Catholic women have an abortion. Each one who makes that choice – at the same time believing abortion is wrong – will need to deny the gravity of her decision. This sets up
an inner conflict too painful to bear. Come on a Rachel’s retreat. We can help. For healing after abortion give us a call and join us on the next retreat. Next Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat in the Lubbock area is on Nov.8-10, 2019. Confidential contact: Mindy at [email protected]
or 806-702-2284.
Please remember St. Thomas the Apostle Church in
your wills, memorials, life insurance, stocks, annuities,
living trusts and other planned gifts.
Thank you.