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 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, Donna VonOsinski, Esther York, Shanna O’Gorman, Mike O’Neill, Angie Van Bakel, Mark Ortega, Bill & Marie Hughes, Ray Harmon, Jeannette Kaminski, Mary Maalouf, Emile Jones, Tony Sisneros, Frank Galitski, John (Jack) Hoben, Nadine Hadley, Brian Dolan, Robert Mitchell, Madeline Arrott, LaRuth Haverfield, Lupita Randon, Carolyn Shoberg, Allen Lamb, Darrell Goodin, Barbara Fowlkes, Betty Cutting, Judy Allen, Roy Steele. 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

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS #4621 BREAKFAST is TODAY, Sun., Oct. 9. 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.

SOCIAL CONCERNS COMMITTEE will meet on Mon., Oct. 10, at 7:00 p.m., in the Parlor. As always, new members are welcome. ST. THOMAS MORNING ALTAR GUILD will be meeting on Fri., Oct. 14, at 10:00 a.m., in the Msgr. Tash Hall. The program will be information on the Eveline Rivers Project. If you have not joined the Altar Guild, membership forms will be available. Please come join us! ST. THOMAS EVENING ALTAR GUILD will be meeting on Mon., Oct. 17, at 7:00 p.m., in the Msgr. Tash Hall. The Eveline Rivers Project will give information to members. Please come join us for refreshments, fun and fellowship. Membership forms will be available. SAVE THE DATE: Mark you calendars for Sat., Oct. 15, at 12:00 p.m. That is the day St. Thomas the Apostle Parish will have it's 4th Annual "America Needs Fatima" Rosary Rally. Please join us in praying the Scriptural Joyful Mysteries of the Holy Rosary. Jim Gardner and members of the Choir will provide us with beautiful music. We will be blessed with Exposition of the Holy Eucharist. PERPETUAL EUCHARISTIC ADORATION: At this time, the hours needing to be filled are Wed., 2:00 a.m./Thurs., 1:00 a.m. Thanks 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.

Budget Actual Variance Oct. 2, 2016 $ 26,831.00 $ 28,485.00 $ 1,654.00 “What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister has nothing to wear and has no food for the day, and one of you says to them, ‘go in peace, keep warm, and eat well,’ but you do not give them the necessities of the body, what good is it? So also faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead?” ~James 2:14-17

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. 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 at the Religious Education Office Mon.-Thurs. between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monetary or yarn donations (three skeins of Lyon Brand Homespun) will be greatly appreciated. The Prayer Shawl group meets each Wed. evening from 6:00-8:00 p.m., in the Parlor. 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.

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 for the 9:00 a.m., & 11:15 a.m., Sunday services. For more information call the Parish Office.

ALTAR FLOWERS

The flowers this week were donated

by Kris & Glenda Fitzpatrick in memory of

Ruby Baker-Roberts

ST. THOMAS PARISH OFFICES will be closed Mon., Oct. 10, in observance of Columbus Day.

Have a safe and blessed holiday.

Youth Schedule and Events ST. MARY’S CATHOLIC CATHEDRAL SCHOOL: Mark your calendars for St. Mary’s Cathedral School’s Carnival, Sat., Oct. 15, Noon to 7:00 p.m., 1200 S. Washington. The day will include games, great food, bingo, sweet shop, silent auction and a raffle. WORLDWIDE MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER: Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend, October 21-23: Refresh, Re-energize & Reconnect with Marriage Encounter! Whether you are newly married or have been married for decades, good communication is the key to keeping your love relationship vibrant and strong! The next weekend is Oct. 21-23, at the Bishop DeFalco Retreat Center in Amarillo. 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). 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. SIXTH ANNUAL RED MASS: The public is invited to attend and take part in the Sixth Annual Red Mass of the Amarillo Diocese on Tues., Oct. 11, at 6:30 p.m., at St. Mary’s Cathedral. Bishop Patrick J. Zurek will be principal celebrant and homilist, with priests of the Diocese concelebrating with him. After the keynote address by Michael A. Scaperlanda, President of St. Gregory’s University in Shawnee, Oklahoma, there will be a reception with heavy hors d’oeuvres and cocktails in the Msgr. Francis A. Smyer Reception Room. THE DISCIPLES OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRUST are looking for volunteers to help with the Annual Calendar Project Sat., Oct. 29 - Nov. 2, from 9:00 a.m., to 9:00 p.m., at the Knight's Hall at Hillside & Western (5818 S. Western.) There is something for everyone to do from sorting & stapling to proofing and stuffing envelopes. You can join the Sisters for times of prayer, food and fellowship during the event. For more information go to www.dljc.org or contact Sister Cecilia at sistersdljc@gmail.com or call Sister Elizabeth Ann at (806) 679-4525. CABINET MAKER NEEDED: The Catholic Historical Society is in need of experienced, reasonable, cabinet makers to build display shelving and cabinets for the new Diocesan Museum. The cabinets will be museum type using a good percentage of glass. If you are qualified, please contact Susan Garner, Diocesan Archivist, 806-383-2243. NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING (NFP): Learn NFP at home and at your own pace with the Home Study Course from NFP International, 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 email. Completion certificate. Only $70. We are listed at the U.S Bishops' website under NFP long distance learning: http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/marriage-and-family/natural-family-planning/nfp-distance-learning.cfm.

MS STAY (6th – 8th Grade) TONIGHT!, Sun., Oct. 9. We are meeting tonight from 7:00-8:30 p.m., in The Dwelling. Check the STAY Board for activity. High School STAY will be meeting this Wed. at 7:00 p.m., in The Dwelling. For more detailed information please check the STAY Bulletin Board. Lunch Bunch is now meeting in the Gym each Wed. during your school lunch break. FAST (4th and 5th grade) We will meet Oct. 25, 5:30-7:00 p.m. Young Adults will be meeting this Tues., Oct. 11, at 7:00 p.m., in The Dwelling. For more detailed information please check the STAY Bulletin Board. T-Shirts- – Orders were due on Oct. 3. More shirts have been ordered, so if you missed the deadline, contact Caleb for a shirt. You are guaranteed a shirt if you ordered by Oct. 3, and there are extras, but they are first come first serve. Please contact Caleb Hubbard by phone at 806-358-2461 or at chubbard@stthomasamarillo.org, if you have any questions.

Around the Diocese

Holy Cross Corner Holy Cross Catholic Academy announces their new parent organization - The Catholic Community Cornerstone – also known as “The C”. The C is hosting a Spaghetti Dinner followed by a band and choir concert on Mon., Oct. 17, at the Bishop Zurek Parish Hall at Blessed

Sacrament Church located at 2500 South Bolton. The dinner will be served from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m., and the performance to follow at 7:00 p.m. Adult plates are $8.00 and children plates are $4.00. Everyone is invited! Please come out to support the only secondary Catholic school in Amarillo.

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 10/10 NO MASS

Tuesday 10/11 7:00 AM Nicholas Reeves His Family

Wednesday 10/12

7:00 AM

Spec. Int. of Pat Stich Jerry & Jan Lis

Thursday 10/13 7:00 AM +Ray Prien Marion Prien

Friday 10/14 7:00 AM +Helen Kuehler Don & Alby Peters

Saturday 10/15 5:00 PM +John & Theresa Parker Mr. & Mrs. Robert Parker

Sunday 10/16

7:30 AM +Jeannette Heinrich Melvin & Bernadette Kalka

9:00 AM MEMBERS OF PARISH FAMILY

11:15 AM +Josefa Carrizo Ricardo Carrizo Family

Sunday, October 9: 2 Kgs 5:14-17/2 Tm 2:8-13/Lk 17:11-19 Monday, October 10: Gal 4:22-24, 26-27, 31—5:1/Lk 11:29-32 Tuesday, October 11: Gal 5:1-6/Lk 11:37-41 Wednesday, October 12: Gal 5:18-25/Lk 11:42-46 Thursday, October 13: Eph 1:1-10/Lk 11:47-54 Friday, October 14: Eph 1:11-14/Lk 12:1-7 Saturday, October 15: Eph 1:15-23/Lk 12:8-12 Sunday, October 16: Ex 17:8-13/2 Tm 3:14—4:2/Lk 18:1-8

Daily Scripture Readings

Week at a Glance RE Notes:

We are still seeking an 8th grade teacher and/or assistant and an 11th grade assistant.

Please consider helping! FYI: ALL children are REQUIRED by the diocese to have AT LEAST TWO CONSECUTIVE YEARS OF RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION BEFORE MAKING FIRST COMMUNION AND CONFIRMATION.

Safe environment classes are coming up Oct. 16 and Oct. 23! Make sure to be in class those week-

ends so that you don’t have to make them up!

RCIA Notes:

The Inquiry period of the RCIA has begun! New people seeking information about the Catholic Church are welcome to come!!

7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, in the Msgr. Tash Hall!

Contact the RE office at 358-2461 ext. 106, or e-mail Kerry at kacker@stthomasamarillo.org or by phone or Debi, Ext. 107, to sign up as a catechist or to learn more about RCIA.

Adult Faith Formation

GRATITUDE

Surelywe can all recall at least a few days inourliveswhenthingsweregoingsowellthatnoth‐ingcouldputus inabadmood.Maybe itwas theday a very special person asked us to the seniorprom,orperhapsitwasourweddingday.Maybeitwas thedaywe learned thatwewereexpectingalong‐awaited child, or the daywe got an overduepromotion. There was elation in our hearts andlightness in our step, an extraordinary vitalitythroughouttheday.Weprobablygotonthephoneright away to tell at least a fewkeypeople aboutourgoodfortune. ThisissurelyhowNaamanandthelepermusthave feltwhen theywere ridof their terribledis‐eases. They were hard‐pressed to contain theirgratitude,andalthoughtheywerebothunfamiliarwith the customs of a foreign land, they had thegoodmannerstothankthepeopleresponsiblefortheircures. Copyright © J. S. Paluch

Religious Education News

MONDAY, OCTOBER 10 PARISH OFFICES CLOSED IN

OBSERVANCE OF COLUMBUS DAY

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15 6:15 a.m. - That Man Is You - Gym 12:00 p.m.- Annual Rosary Rally - Church 3:30 p.m. - Confessions - Chapel 4:00 p.m. - Cantor’s Rehearsal - Music Wing 4:30 p.m. - St. Thomas Bridge Club - Msgr. Tash Hall

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14 10:00 a.m. - Morning Altar Guild - Msgr. Tash Hall/Parlor

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11 10:00 a.m. - Bible Timeline (AFF) - Marian Room 2:00 p.m. - Divine Mercy Cenacle - Marian Room 6:15 p.m. - Boy Scouts - Scouts Room 7:00 p.m. - Young Adults - The Dwelling 7:00 p.m. - RCIA - Msgr. Tash Hall 7:00 p.m. - Boy Scouts - Gym

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12 7:30 a.m. - ACTS Small Group - Library 9:00 a.m. - Community Scripture Study - Parlor 10:00 a.m. - Marianist Group - Marian Room 11:00 a.m. - Lunch Bunch - Gym 5:30 p.m. - Confessions 6:00 p.m. - Prayer Shawl Ministry - Parlor 6:30 p.m. - Adult Handbells - Music Wing 6:30 p.m. - Symbolon II (AFF) - Marian Room 6:30 p.m. - Adult Handbells - Music Wing 6:30 p.m. - K.I.D.S. Choirs - Music Wing 7:00 p.m. - High School Stay -The Dwelling/Gym 7:45 p.m. - Adult Choir - Music Wing

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13 10:00 a.m. - Deanery Meeting - Msgr. Tash Hall/Parlor 10:00 a.m. - Rosary Group - Chapel 7:00 p.m. - Boy Scouts - Scout Room

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16 9:00 a.m. - Coffee & Donuts - Gym 10:05 a.m. - RE Classes - Education/Pre-K Wing 10:05 a.m. - AFF - “Follow Me” - Marian Room 10:05 a.m. - AFF - “The Prophets” - Msgr. Tash Hall 5:00 p.m. - Youth Orchestra - Music Wing 5:30 p.m. - Youth Bells - Music Wing 6:15 p.m. - Youth Choir - Music Wing

Please remember St. Thomas the Apostle Church in your wills, memorials, life insurance, stock, annuity,

living trust and other planned gifts. Thank you.