ST. THOMAS THE APOSTLE

CATHOLIC CHURCH

4100 South Coulter Street Amarillo, TX 79109

Twenty First Sunday in Ordinary Time August 27, 2017

Church Phone: (806) 358-2461

Rectory Phone: (806) 353-1016

Fax: (806) 358-2529

Website: www.stthomasamarillo.org

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

Wednesday-Friday: 7:00 AM

Tuesday: 6:00 PM

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

sixth 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 "And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will

build my church." Simon got a new name after his profession

of faith. As soon as he declared to Jesus, "You are the Christ,

the Son of the living God," Jesus renamed him with a title

that means "rock." And with that name he gave Peter the

mission to be a solid foundation upon which he would build

his church. Not Peter's church. Not James or Paul's church.

Not Martin Luther's or John Calvin's or anybody else's. This is

Jesus' church, the church of Christ himself, that we call the

Catholic Church.

So it was Christ himself who desired to give authority in the

church--"the keys to the kingdom of heaven"--to a human

leader. Peter was thus established as the first pope. He

exercised a special kind of headship, within the community

of the apostles and the church at large, because Jesus

gave him the power to do so, not because Peter claimed it

for himself. And so too every pope since, right down to our

Holy Father today, exercises this unique leadership within the

Church.

What a gift this is to us! Jesus knew well the human

tendency to squabble and disagree, to argue and

compete. He knew that the church would be prone to all of

this because of her members, and that providing a final

voice of authority, saying in effect that "the buck stops here"

would be helpful for maintaining unity. As Catholics, even in

spite of the differing opinions and perspectives that are

manifest in the Church, we nonetheless maintain a strong

sense of identity and belief thanks in large part to the

papacy. Today, may we give thanks for the pope and pray

for him as he strives to lead all of us closer and closer to

Christ.

Parish News

Our Stewardship

PLEASE KEEP THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE IN YOUR PRAYERS:

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, Esther

York, Shanna O’Gorman, Mike O’Neill, Angie Van Bakel,

Mark Ortega, Bill Hughes, Jeannette Kaminski, Mary

Maalouf, Emile Jones, Nadine Hadley, Brian Dolan, Robert

Mitchell, Madeline Arrott, Lupita Randon, Carolyn Shoberg,

Betty Cutting, Judy Allen, Roy Steele, Jordan Barrientez,

Gilbert Ybarra, Paul & Catherine Kiefer, Doug Tyler, Nancy

Kulman Family, JoAnn Mercer, Valerie Williams

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, Justin Spencer

Prayer Intentions

ST. THOMAS PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY: If you know someone in need of prayers, please let the Prayer Shawl Ministry reach out to you with a Prayer Shawl. You can pick up a shawl during office hours, Mon. through Fri., 8:30 a.m., to 4:30 p.m. Monetary or yarn donations (three skeins of Lyon Brand Home-spun) will be greatly appreciated. The Prayer Shawl group meets on Wed. evenings from 6:00-8:00 p.m. in the Parlor. THE GROUP WILL RESUME MEETING ON WED., SEPT. 6. ST. THOMAS BRIDGE CLUB: The St. Thomas Bridge Club welcomes all bridge players to join. They play on the third Sun. of each month at 4:00 p.m., in the Parlor. The start date for the year will be Sun., Sept. 17. To join, find yourself a partner and call Jim or Evelyn King. 806-355-2707. SAVE THE DATE: The parish’s Boy Scout Troop 87 will celebrate their 30th Anniversary at 2:00 p.m., on Nov. 5, in Msgr. Tash Hall. BABYSITTER NEEDED: Adult Faith Formation Department is seeking an adult babysitter to monitor the nursery while parents attend classes during the week. For more information contact Dayamín Winchester at dwinchester@stthomasamarillo.org or 358-2461, ext. 123. SUNDAY MORNING COFFEE & DONUTS: We would love to host coffee and donuts each Sunday between Masses. If your family would be willing to help host this fellowship event just once or on a weekly basis, please contact Julie Jones in the Parish Office. 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. PERPETUAL EUCHARISTIC ADORATION: At this time, an Adorer is needed for Thurs., 3:00 a.m., & Sat., 8:00 p.m. If you are interested in being a part of this worthwhile ministry, call Simon Wright at 806-570-9776.

Budget Actual Variance August 20, 2017 $ 26,831.00 $ 23,811.00 ($ 3,020.00) Month-to-Date $ 80,993.00 $ 81,335.67 $ 342.67 August 15 - Feast of the Assumption - $3,433 “Or who has given the Lord anything that he may be repaid?” ROMANS 11:35 St. Paul reminds us of a central fact of stewardship. We cannot give the Lord anything, because God already owns it all. God made everything. All that we can do is return a portion of God’s many gifts back to Him. Sincere gratitude for our gifts opens our hearts to joyful generosity! ~Office of Stewardship and the Annual Catholic Appeal

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, please contact

Debi Banach at 358-2461, Ext. 107.

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.

ATTENTION PARISHIONERS: When making payments to United Catholic Appeal and/or Preparing the Way Campaign, please mail those payments to the Stewardship & Development Office, Diocese of Amarillo, P. O. Box 5644, Amarillo, TX 79117. We receive these payments here at St. Thomas and have to forward them to the Diocese, where the records are kept, thus resulting in the parish paying the postage. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. ATTENTION LECTORS! The new lector workbooks 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.

ALTAR FLOWERS

The Altar Flowers this week

were donated by

David Van Vickle

in memory of

Mary Roberta Van Vickle

More Parish News

ATTENTION LITURGICAL MINISTERS: Please be reminded that in the event you are unable to serve on your designated date and need of a substitute, there are lists of the assigned ministers available in the Parish Office. Just give Rita a call, 358-2461, and she will e-mail or fax a list to you. Thank you for your service to

our parish community.

Youth Schedule and Events

High School STAY is no longer meeting for the Summer. All Youth, FAST, Middle School STAY & High School STAY

will start back one the new school year is underway. Be on the lookout for information about the first meeting. Enjoy the

rest of your summer vacation.

Around the Diocese

Holy Cross Corner

Holy Cross Catholic Academy welcomed back students on 08/13/17 with the inaugural Back to School Rally. Classes began on 08/16/17. We are looking forward to a great year with our fami-lies and want to remind you that it is NEVER too late

to invest in Catholic education.

Holy Cross, where faith and knowledge meet!

HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC CHURCH, NAZARETH: Holy Family Church will be hosting their annual Labor Day Weekend picnic and parish fundraiser on Sun., Sept. 3, at the Nazareth Communi-ty Hall & surrounding area, beginning with a parade at 10:00 a.m.. There will be a roast beef lunch, bake shop, adult raffle, adult bin-go, children’s games, hamburger supper, etc. For prices and de-tails about meals and events, see flyer on bulletin board next to the bell tower. EVANGELIZING AT CATHOLIC BOOTH AT TRI-STATE FAIR: This is an invitation to all who would like to participate in evangelizing outside the Church setting at the Catholic Booth during the Tri-State Fair. There will be a training day on Sat., Aug. 26, from 9:00 a.m., to 1:00 p.m., at St. Mary's Cathedral Reception Room. Lunch will be provided. Please RSVP to ckcox59@suddenlink.net or leave a message with your name and number at 806-672-3105. The fair dates are Sept. 15-23. You can also participate in this ministry by donating Catholic Bibles, Catechisms (both English and Spanish) or any other religious and devotional articles that can be given away to educate and help people grow in their faith. CATHOLIC CHARITIES FALL BALL: Silent Auction Items Needed. The Catholic Charities Fall Ball Committee is seeking silent auction items for the event on Sept. 23. Catholic Charities of the Texas Panhandle seeks every day to put the words of the Beatitudes (Matt. 5:3-11) into action by providing a variety of services to those in need. Please consider supporting the many works of CCTXP with a donation of an item that is new or of artistic value. Gift certificates are welcome. Call Vickey Velez, 806-663-9029, or Janie Street, 806-664-6533, to donate. HOLY LAND PILGRIMAGE: “Walk in the Footsteps of Jesus”- Walk where Jesus walked...Cruise the Sea of Galilee...Visit Nazareth...Climb the Mt. of Olives & view the Old City of Jerusalem...Walk the via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre...visit Bethlehem’s Church of the Nativity. This pilgrimage will take place Jan. 15 through 24, 2018 (10 days) and is hosted by Msgr. Joe Bixenman. The cost is $2999 per person from Dallas (air/land tour is $2599 plus $400 government taxes/airline surcharges.) The tour price includes roundtrip air from Dallas, First Class hotels, Breakfast & Dinner daily, Comprehensive Sightseeing, Porterage, Entrance Fees and much more! For a detailed brochure, please contact Msgr. Bixenman at bixenmanjoe6@gmail.com or 806-681-1717. DON’T MISS THIS TRIP OF A LIFETIME!! BOOKLOVERS: Father Ken Keller, Pastor of Holy Family Church, Nazareth, has generously donated a huge collection of books, covering a variety of subjects, to the Diocesan Museum. If anyone is interested in browsing, borrowing or purchasing any of these books, contact Susan Garner at the Diocese of Amarillo, 383-2243, and she will be happy to assist you. SHARE your heart & home with an exchange student! Many students are waiting for a Host Family for the 2017/18 school year. These students, 15–18 yrs. old, are from Asia, Europe, and South America. They must arrive by Aug. 31 to participate in the program. We are now accepting Welcome Families & permanent Host Families. Welcome Families are temporary, 6–8 weeks, while a permanent host family is being sought. Host families can be one or two parents, with or without children, empty nesters, or retired couples. They provide the student with a bed, meals, and a caring, guiding home life. Please call Arleen Morley at 236-1134 for more information. SHARE Exchange Student Program is a 501(C) nonprofit educational organization: sharesouthwest.org.

More Parish News

BEST OF NORTHERN SPAIN

featuring Fatima & Lourdes 11 DAYS: APRIL 16 – 26, 2018

Visiting Lisbon, Fatima, Salamanca, Avila, Madrid,

Lourdes, Montserrat and Barcelona!

Ho sted b y

FR. SCOTT R AEF a nd

FR. J OHN VALDE Z

$3379 FROM DALLAS (Air/land price is $2979 from Dallas plus $400 government taxes/

airline surcharges)

TOUR PRICE INCLUDES: Roundtrip Air from Dallas, First Class/Select Hotels, Most Meals, Comprehensive Sightseeing with a

Professional Tour Director, Entrance Fees, Porterage and Much More!!

FOR MORE INFORMATION & A BROCHURE, PLEASE CONTACT

FR. JOHN VALDEZ at 806-358-2461 or email: jvaldez@stthomasamarillo.org

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

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

Young Adult Coordinator …………………………….Caleb Hubbard

Liturgical Environmentalist ………………………………...Julie Pierce

Sunday, August 27: Is 22:19-23/Rom 11:33-36/Mt 16:13-20

Monday, August 28:

1 Thes 1:1-5, 8b-10/Mt 23:13-22

Tuesday, August 29:

1 Thes 2:1-8/Mk 6:17-29

Wednesday, August 30:

1 Thes 2:9-13/Mt 23:27-32

Thursday, August 31:

1 Thes 3:7-13/Mt 24:42-51

Friday, September 1:

1 Thes 4:1-8/Mt 25:1-13

Saturday, September 2:

1 Thes 4:9-11/Mt 25:14-30

Sunday, September 3:

Jer 20:7-9/Rom 12:1-2/Mt 16:21-27

Daily Scripture Readings

Liturgy Schedule and Special Mass Intentions:

Monday 8/28 NO MASS

Tuesday 8/29

6:00 PM

+Dick Wilcox

Pat Wilcox

Wednesday 8/30

7:00 AM

+Roberta Brockman

St. Thomas Men’s Club

Thursday 8/31 7:00 AM +Theresa Rider

STA Prayer Shawl Ministry

Friday 9/1 7:00 AM +Doris Kaczmarek

Norma Tacker

Saturday 9/2 5:00 PM +Ed Homen

Leon & Mary Bohr

Sunday 9/3

7:30 AM MEMBERS OF PARISH FAMILY

9:00 AM Spec. Int. of Joan Caine

Don & Alby Peters

11:15 AM +Rev. John Hickey

Greg & Moneisa Thompson

Week at a Glance

RE News

*RE registration dates will continue Aug. 26-27 after each

mass in the gym. Registration forms are also available out-side the RE office or online.

*RE classes begin September 10!

*We still need catechists, so please check your bulletin and

on the boards around the parish for our needs!

*Contact Kerry, DRE, at kacker@sththomasamarillo.org or 806-358-2461, ext. 106, for more info!

RCIA News

+Interested in Catholicism and possibly joining

the Church next Easter? Come to an informational meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 6 at 6:30 in the new

Upper Room!

+Contact Kerry Acker at kacker@stthomasamarillo.org or 806.358.2461 for more info on RCIA!

Adult Faith Formation

Religious Education News MONDAY, AUGUST 28 NO SCHEDULED EVENTS TUESDAY, AUGUST 29 2:00 p.m. - Divine Mercy Cenacle Group - Marian Room WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 30 7:00 a.m. - ACTS Small Group - Library 9:00 a.m. - Community Bible Study - Parlor 10:00 a.m.- Marianist Group - Marian Room 5:30 p.m. - Confessions - Chapel 6:30 p.m. - Adult Handbells - Music Wing 6:30 p.m. - RCIA Team Meeting - Library THURSDAY, AUGUST 31 10:00 a.m. - Rosary Group - Chapel 6:30 p.m. - Light Weigh - Groom’s Room 6:30 p.m. - Deacon Prayer Group—Parlor FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1 NO SCHEDULED EVENTS SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 2 3:30 p.m. - Confessions - Chapel SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 3 NO SCHEDULED EVENTS

BE A ROCK

Peter’s history as a follower or friend of Jesus is a bit spotty. It might be natural to wonder if Jesus, in giving him the keys to the kingdom, didn’t feel a bit like a par-ent giving a teenager the keys to the family car. But it was at the moment when God’s power and presence broke through everything else to raise up Peter’s great profession of faith in Christ as Messiah that Jesus chose to establish the bond between the loving, forgiving mercy of heaven and our vocation to be witnesses of that love, mercy, and forgiveness on earth. Like any parent, Jesus no doubt foresaw the failings, the irresponsible maneuvers or impaired senses, the collisions that the church would be headed for. But, most importantly, he also saw us at that moment as God prefers to see us: capable of manifesting great faith, with a willingness to remain at the feet of Christ to un-derstand what it truly means to be Messiah and Christ. As the letter to the Romans points out to us today, we have not known the mind or the wisdom of God, but God knows us and still chooses to manifest the reign of justice, joy, beauty, and peace through us. Let this be our vocation. Let us always strive to be solid ground on which the church of Jesus Christ can be founded and on which it can continue to be built. Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co., Inc.

DIOCESE OF AMARILLO: The Diocese of Amarillo is seeking applicants for a Facilities Management/Loss Prevention position. Please visit www.amarillodiocese.org/finance for a com-plete job description. Please send inquiries/resumes to pwhitson@dioama.org. DIOCESE OF AMARILLO FAMILY LIFE OFFICE is in need of Part-Time receptionist/assistant who is proficient in Microsoft Of-fice with some experience in social media. Strong clerical and organizational skills. Ability to multi-task. Physical ability capable of some light lifting (15lbs). Send inquiries or resume to sfrausto@dioama.org. DEFALCO RETREAT CENTER : Part-Time Kitchen Staff: We are hiring energetic kitchen staff to assist with prep work, dish washing, and cleaning. Work schedule is dependent on Retreat Center schedule of events. Previous experience in a fast paced kitchen is preferred but not required. Part-time Hospitality Staff: The Hospitality Minister position is a part-time position, and the shifts are evenings and weekends based on our facility calen-dar of events. Our hospitality ministers are responsible for greet-ing and checking in guests, handling guest needs, assisting in light housekeeping duties during their shifts, and securing the building at the end of their shift to assure the safety and security of staff and guests. Must enjoy working with people and should possess basic computer skills, and be able to lift 20 pounds.

Employment Opportunities YOUTH MINISTER: St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Amarillo, Texas is seeking a Youth Minister. The Youth Minister will oversee and facilitate youth ministry to approximately 120 youth between 4th and 12th grades. 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.