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, Mary Britten, Frank Galitski, Mike Hartman, Alice & Ollie Perry, John (Jack) Hoben, Nadine Hadley, Brian Dolan, Robert Mitchell, Charlie Hennessey, Madeline Arrott, LaRuth Haverfield, Dick Wilcox, Nathan Tatum, Avery Blais. 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.

Prayer Intentions UNITED CATHOLIC APPEAL: Thanks to all parishioners who have completed their UCA pledge cards. Currently, 218 families (15%) have pledged $107,551 (66%) of our goal. If you have not already done so, please complete your pledge card at your earliest convenience. Thank you in advance for your participation and generosity. MISSION ROSARIES: If you would be interested in learning how to make Mission Rosaries, please join us this Summer on Tues. afternoons beginning June 7, in the Marian Room from 2:00-3:30 p.m. There will be a $5 fee to cover the cost of supplies. We'll have a light snack afterwards. If you plan on joining us, or have questions, please e-mail sisneros@att.net or call 681-3185. May Our Lord Bless You! PERPETUAL EUCHARISTIC ADORATION: At this time, the hours needing to be filled are Sun., 12:00 a.m., 4:00 a.m., & 4:00 p.m., and Thurs., 2:00 a.m. Thank you to all Adorers who have signed up, but we are still in need of substitutes. If you are interested in being a part of this worthwhile ministry, call Simon Wright, 806-570-9776. 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. OUR LADY’S ROSARY MAKERS OF ST. THOMAS will be presenting newly Baptized babies or children with a blessed baby blue or light pink rosary. If you would like more information about this, please e-mail sisneros@att.net. 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 FOLLOWING SPECIAL COLLECTION has been remitted to the Diocese, Catholic Communications, $3,282. Thank you for your continued generosity.

Budget Actual Variance May 22, 2016 $ 26,831.00 $ 25,792.00 ($ 1,039.00) Month-to-Date $107,324.00 $ 94,865.21 ($12,458.79) “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” ~John 10:10

ALTAR FLOWERS

The Altar Flowers this week

were donated by Shirley Kuriyama

in memory of Becky Teeter.

SUMMER OFFICE HOURS FOR FRIDAY ONLY

June 1, through August 31, the Parish Office will close at 3:00 p.m. on Friday.

THE MOST HOLY BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST

I thank You not only for becoming my food but also for offering Yourself as a continual sacrifice to Your

Eternal Father for my salvation. I thank You, Divine Priest, for offering Yourself

as a Sacrifice daily upon our altars in adoration and homage to the Most Blessed Trinity, and for

making amends for our poor and miserable adorations.

I thank You for renewing in this daily Sacrifice the actual Sacrifice of the Cross

offered on Calvary, in which You satisfy Divine justice for us poor sinners.

~Trinity Communications

Youth Schedule and Events ST. BENEDICT MONASTERY: Please join the sisters on June 12, from 1:30-4:30 p.m., for their Founders’ Day Open House, 17825 S. Western St. Tour the Monastery and Retreat/Spirituality Center. Register for door prizes, enjoy refreshments and visit with the Sisters. Vespers will be at 4:30 p.m. ACTS AMARILLO invites YOU to join them for a faith-filled week-end this summer that will give you a generous dose of God's grace. Times are as follows: Women's Retreat, June 9-12; Teen Retreat, June 23-26; Men's Retreat Aug. 11-14. Don't miss out on this one-of-a-kind experience! It makes a GREAT Mother's Day or Father's Day gift! Register today at www.actsamarillo.org. NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING (NFP): Learn at home and at your own pace with the Home Study Course from NFP Interna-tional, www.nfpandmore.org. Includes Ecological Breastfeeding (it really can space babies,) a double-check system of fertility awareness, and Catholic teaching that’s easy to understand. Work with a live instructor by e-mail. Completion certificate, $70.00 We are listed at the U.S. Bishops’ website under NFP long distance learning: www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/marriage-and-family/natural-family-planning/nfp-distance-learning.cfm. ENGAGED ENCOUNTER - Looking to Marriage? This is designed to give couples an opportunity to talk deeply about their future life together, self-identity; role expectations, money, sex, children and family. Call Molly at 806-383-2243, ext 116 for more information and to register. The next weekend is Sat. & Sun., May 21/22. RESPECT LIFE: Love Life Family – Love is patient “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, with all malice.” Eph. 4:31. Patience takes root when I recognize that other people also have a right to live in this world, just as they are. It does not matter if they hold me back, if they unsettle my plans, or annoy me by the way they act or think or if they are not everything I want them to be.” – Pope Francis, Joy of Love *find us– facebook/RLMAMA. EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: Holy Cross Catholic Academy, the Diocese of Amarillo’s middle school and high school (grades 6-12), is seeking a new principal, beginning in the summer of 2016. The successful candidate will be a practicing Catholic who is a collaborative and visionary leader, willing and able to continue to uphold and strengthen the school’s commitment to fostering spiritual growth, academic excellence, and a life of service. Applicants must hold a master’s degree, with a minimum of 18 graduate credits in educational administration. Experience teaching in a Catholic school is desirable, as is the ability to communicate well in both English and Spanish. Please send a letter of application, resume, a statement of philosophy of Catholic education, and contact information for at least 3 professional references to Fr. Robert A. Busch, Superintendent of Catholic Schools of the Diocese of Amarillo, at rbusch@dioama.org. Review of applications will begin immediately.

HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY HOLIDAY

As is our tradition, the senior rings for the Holy Cross Catholic Academy Class of 2017 were blessed by Father Robert Busch, Head of School and Superintendent of Catholic Schools in the Amarillo Diocese at St. Joseph’s Church on Wed., May 11. Juniors Nicholas Aranda, Christopher Correa, Ryan

Huseman, Emmanuel Marquez, Claudia Moreno, Andrea Wallace and Kayla Wilhelm received their rings after the blessing. All of the rings have the Holy Cross Catholic Academy crest on them. Congratulations to our soon-to-be seniors. Go Mustangs!

Congratulations to all of our St. Thomas Seniors! May God

bless you as graduate and take next steps on your life’s journey. We’re praying for you!

Sign-ups for our summer trip are going on now! We’ll be attending the Steubenville Mid-America conference in

Springfield, MO, and spending a day at the Boathouse District in Oklahoma City. The trip will be July 15-18 and the cost is $300.

Contact Greg Nagel at nagel.gregory@gmail.com for more information. Spots are filling up and the deadline to sign up

is Friday, June 3!!

We will also be using Flocknote this year as an additional form of communication for youth news and activities, so please

subscribe to the Flocknote group for which your youth will be in! We have a separate list serve for F.A.S.T. (4th& 5th grade),

Middle School S.T.A.Y. (6th – 8th grade) and High School S.T.A.Y. (9th – 12th grade). If you are already subscribed to the St. Thomas

Flocknote group, search for the appropriate group under the Youth Ministry tab and click to subscribe!

Around the Diocese

Holy Cross Corner

ST. THOMAS JOB OPPORTUNITY: St. Thomas Church is seeking a Youth Minister. The Youth Minister will over-see and facilitate youth ministry to approximately 120 youth between 4th and 12th grades and young adults between the ages of 18-30. This full-time, salary compensated position requires night and weekend work. Candidates must be faithful, energetic Catholics in good standing with the Church. All candidates should submit resumes to the Parish Office at St. Thomas the Apostle Church 4100 S. Coulter, Amarillo, TX 79109.

ST. THOMAS JOB OPPORTUNITY: St. Thomas the Apostle Church is seeking a Director of Religious Education. The DRE will oversee the entire faith formation process for members of all ages, including RCIA, Sacrament Preparation, Adult Faith Formation, VBS and Religious Education for school children. This full-time, salary compensated position requires night and weekend work. Candidates must be faithful, energetic Catholics in good standing with the Church. For further details, candidates may contact the Parish Office at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 358-2461. Resumes should be mailed to the church at 4100 S. Coulter, Amarillo, TX, 79109.

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 …………………………………………………….Greg Nagel 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 5/30 NO MASS

Tuesday 5/31 7:00 AM +Len Strathman Donald & Mary Zidlicky

Wednesday 6/1

7:00 AM

+Andrea Lejeune Raymond & Sammie Wood

Thursday 6/2 7:00 AM +Helen Gaschen Terry & Julie Pierce

Friday 6/3 7:00 AM +Dora Pohlmeier Gary & Theresa Rider

Saturday 6/4 5:00 PM +Becky Teeter Shirley Kuriyama

Sunday 6/5

7:30 AM MEMBERS OF PARISH FAMILY

9:00 AM +Ella Mae Sweeney Donald & Alby Peters

11:15 AM +Leo Freeby His Family

Daily Scripture Readings Sunday, May 29: Gn 14:18-20/1 Cor 11:23-26/Lk 9:11b-17 Monday, May 30: 2 Pt 1:2-7/Mk 12:1-12 Tuesday, May 31: Zep 3:14-18a/Lk 1:39-56 Wednesday, June 1: 2 Tm 1:1-3, 6-12/Mk 12:18-27 Thursday, June 2: 2 Tm 2:8-15/Mk 12:28-34 Friday, June 3: Ez 34:11-16/Rom 5:5b-11/Lk 15:3-7 Saturday, June 4: 2 Tm 4:1-8/Lk 2:41-51 Sunday, June 5: 1 Kgs 17:17-24/Gal 1:11-19/Lk 7:11-17

Week at a Glance

ATTENTION PARENTS OF 2ND GRADERS . . . First Communion pictures have arrived and can be picked-up in the Bell Tower. They will remain in the Bell Tower until the end of June, after which they can be picked -up in the RE Office Monday through Thursday between the hours of 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM. ATTENTION PARENTS OF CONFIRMATION CANDIDATES . . . Confirmation certificates are ready to be picked-up in the Bell Tower. They will remain in the Bell Tower until the end of June, after which they can be picked up in the RE Office Mon. through Thurs. between the hours of 9:00 a.m., and 1:00 p.m.

Adult Faith Formation

TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION Once the early Christians realized that Christ’s coming in glory was delayed, there was a need to pro-vide for the governance and everyday needs of the church. The various “orders” within the church car-ried forward the apostles’ ministry, but also allowed for a measure of creativity. The sacrament we call “holy orders” evolved somewhat slowly. At first, it made sense for Christians to use the forms they knew, adapting them to new situations. Synagogues, for ex-ample, were administered by a board of “elders,” translated into Greek as presbyteros. We know from the Acts of the Apostles that a system of presbyters was a normal feature of church life from earliest days. They stood in relationship to another order, that of “overseers,” translated into Greek as episkopos, giv-ing us the English “bishops.” The bishop was the shepherd, the faithful tender of the flock, one who of-fered the Eucharist, forgave sins, and maintained the bond of charity. Just as the deacons were the chief advisers for the charitable life of the church, so were the presbyters meant to advise the bishop on the spiri-tual life of the faithful. They were trusted advisers at first, not pastors or priests as we understand those terms today. —Rev. James Field, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co. 

Religious Education News Monday, May 30

- PARISH OFFICES CLOSED

Tuesday, May 31 7:00 p.m. - Boy Scouts - Gym Wednesday, June 1 7:30 a.m. - ACTS Small Group - Library 9:00 a.m. - Community Scripture Study - Parlor 5:30 p.m. - Confessions - Chapel 6:30 p.m. - Adult Handbells - Music Wing Thursday, June 2 10:00 a.m. - Rosary Group - Chapel 2:00 p.m. - Our Lady’s Rosary Makers - Marian Room 7:00 p.m. - Boy Scouts Roundtable Meeting - Msgr. Tash Hall Friday, June 3 NO SCHEDULED EVENTS Saturday, June 4 3:30 p.m. - Confessions - Chapel 4:00 p.m. - Cantor’s Rehearsal - Music Wing Sunday, June 5 12:30 p.m. - Depression Group - Bride’s Room

Catholic Prayer for Troops

All-powerful and ever-living God, when Abraham left his native land

and departed from his people, you kept him safe through all his journeys.

Protect these soldiers. Be their constant companion and their

strength in battle, their refuge in every adversity.

Guide them, O Lord, that they may return home in safety.

We ask this through Christ our Lord. "The United States and the freedom for which it stands, the freedom for which they died, must endure and prosper. Their lives remind us that freedom is not bought cheaply. It has a cost; it imposes a burden."

-- Ronald Reagan, Memorial Day speech, 1982