ST. THOMAS THE APOSTLE

CATHOLIC CHURCH

4100 South Coulter Street Amarillo, TX 79109

Fourth Sunday of Advent December 24, 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 "Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,

and you shall name him Jesus." Today is the last Sunday of

the Advent season, and we hear in the Gospel the

anticipation of the feast we will celebrate in just one day.

Christmas is coming! Jesus is on his way!

We have had weeks to prepare for this momentous

occasion, and now we are on the very verge of its arrival.

The children in our midst can hardly contain their

excitement as they wait to wake up on Christmas morning.

The thrill of this coming moment is meant to remind us of the

joy and anticipation we should all feel as we await the

coming of Christ. Yes, Christmas is a great feast, but there is

more here than a remembrance of the past or a fabulous

party in the present. There is a looking-ahead as well. We

celebrate as we anticipate.

Much as Mary must have waited in wonder during the

nine months of her pregnancy, we wait in hopeful

expectation as Christians looking forward to being reunited

with our Savior. Our future is full of hope. The deflating

melancholy that afflicts many people after a holiday runs its

course need not be the experience of the Christian waiting

for Christ. We are always looking forward to something!

There is never a moment when we have no cause for joy.

Our lives are lived in a kind of unending advent as we stand

in watchful waiting.

Let us remember this as we enter into our Christmas Eve

gatherings and festivities. As we join with family and friends

to share in the good things of this life, may we carry with us

the joy of knowing that even better things lie in store for us

who welcome the infant Jesus into our hearts and homes.

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,

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,

Jeannette Kaminski, Mary Maalouf, Emile Jones, Nadine

Hadley, Brian Dolan, Madeline Arrott, Lupita Randon, Betty

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

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

Family, JoAnn Mercer, Valerie Williams, John (Jack) Hoben,

LaRuth Haverfield, Betty Stevens, Richard Herbsleb,

Bernetta Owens.

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

& Jena Brown, Cody Keesee, Justin Spencer.

Prayer Intentions PERPETUAL EUCHARISTIC ADORATION: At this time, an Adorer is needed for Sun., 2:00 p.m., Thurs., 3:00 a.m., Fri., 1:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., & 12:00 p.m. If you are interested in being a part of this worthwhile ministry, call Simon Wright at 806-570-9776. THE FOLLOWING SPECIAL COLLECTION has been remitted to the Diocese, Retired Religious Fund, $14,468. Thank you for your continued generosity.

Budget Actual Variance Dec. 17, 2017 NOT AVAILABLE DUE TO PUBLICATION DATE

“Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you!” ~LUKE 1:28 Faith is a gift from God. Take time in silence and thank Him for all the gifts He has given you. Try to set aside any anger or resentment you have and really open your heart to receive the gift of God’s mercy and forgiveness. We can’t give what we don’t have. We need to receive God’s mercy and forgiveness first before we can give it to others. ~Office of Stewardship & Development & United 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.

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

The birth of the Messiah gives the church great hope.

Although secular celebrations of Christmas ignore the

significance of the holy day, the church gives us

Advent to help us keep our focus. We reorient our

hearts and minds to recall, once again, the mysterious

glory of the Incarnation. In these weeks of yuletide

preparation, we stop to remind ourselves what it

means to be Christian, in case we have begun taking

it for granted. To be Christian is to believe that God is

truly with us, in the most personal, intimate way

imaginable; he is one of us! "They shall name him

Emmanuel, which means 'God is with us.'" Through the

Incarnation, God became human and lived among

us to love us, to guide us, to heal us, and to strengthen

us. It is the promise of a savior given through the early

prophets, a promise that the faithful held dear as they

waited. As that most beautiful of all anniversaries

approaches, celebrate this season remembering the

greatest gift ever given to every person--the gift of a

Savior. ~Liturgical Publications

More Parish News

CHRISTMAS LITURGY 2017

CHRISTMAS EVE – Sun., Dec.24

Children's Mass

Prelude Music: 4:45 p.m.

Mass: 5:00 p.m.

Vigil Mass

Prelude Music: 6:45 p.m.

Mass: 7:00 p.m.

Midnight Mass

Prelude Music: 11:30 p.m.

Mass: 12:00 Midnight

CHRISTMAS DAY - Mon., Dec. 25

10:00 a.m. only

NEW YEAR’S EVE – Sun., Dec. 31, 2017

7:30 a.m.

9:00 a.m.

11:15 a.m.

New Year's Day, Mon., Jan. 1, 2018

10:00 a.m. only

PARISH OFFICES WILL BE

CLOSED MON., DEC. 25,

CHRISTMAS DAY,

AND TUES., DEC. 26.

THE STAFF WISHES EACH OF YOU

A VERY MERRY & BLESSED CHRISTMAS!

Youth Schedule and Events

St. Thomas Youth would like to wish everyone in the Parish a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Our trips for this coming year are Oklahoma City during Spring Break and Steubenville Conference in Dallas this summer. God bless everyone!

For more information, contact Andrew Neighbors at aneighbors@stthomasamarillo.org

Around the Diocese

Holy Cross Corner The faculty, staff and students from Holy Cross Catholic Academy would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Loving Father, Help us remember the birth of Jesus, That we may share in the song of the angels,

The gladness of the shepherds, And worship of the wise men. Close the door of hate And open the door of love all over the world. Let kindness come with every gift And good desires with every greeting. Deliver us from evil by the blessing, which Christ brings And teach us to be merry with clear hearts. May the Christmas morning make us Happy to be thy children And Christmas evening bring us To our beds with grateful thoughts Forgiving and forgiven For Jesus sake Amen. - Robert Louis Stevenson

ACTS RETREATS: The next retreats are: Teen’s ACTS Retreat #22, Dec. 28-31; Men’s ACTS Retreat #79, Jan. 18-21, 2018. To register and for more information on ACTS go to ACTSamarillo.org. RETROUVAILLE: Thinking about Separation or Divorce? Is your marriage or that of a relative or friend struggling or even heading for divorce? Do you know how to save that marriage? Or do you feel helpless? Retrouvaille is designed to help troubled marriages regain their health. It helps spouses uncover or re-awaken the love, trust, and commitment that originally brought them together. The program is highly successful in saving hurting marriages, even bringing reconciliation to couples who have already separated or divorced. For confidential information about or to register for the January program beginning with a weekend on January 26-28 call Paul or Patty Miguel at 806-420-1520 or email us at retropairamarillo@gmail.com or visit the website at www.HelpOurMarriage.com. ENGAGED ENCOUNTER: If you are planning a wedding you can attend the Engaged Encounter at the Bishop DeFalco Retreat Center as part of your Marriage preparation. To register contact: Molly at the Diocese of Amarillo (806) 383-2243 or by visiting www.amarillodiocese.org/engaged-encounter. Upcoming dates: Feb. 17-18, 2018, May 19-20, 2018, June 21-22, 2018. GETTING MARRIED? If you are getting married sometime this year, NFP is a mandatory requirement in the Diocese of Ama-rillo for couples seeking the sacrament of matrimony. For more information and class schedules near you, please visit the web-site, www.amarillodiocese.org/nfp.

MSGR. TASH SUPER BOWL SALSA is returning soon! Do you have any jars to return for recycling? Please bring them to church and place on the table under the bulletin board. Thank you to all the parishioners who continue to make this endeavor suc-cessful and those who will support us in the future! 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.

More Parish News

IN COMPLIANCE WITH IRS REGULATIONS All contributions are being recorded as of the date they are received by the Church. All contributions to be credited for this year, should be received no later than Dec. 31, 2017. Thank you.

ATTENTION PARISHIONERS! When making payments to United Catholic Appeal & Preparing the Way , 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 cooperation.

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

Youth Director……………………………………..Andrew Neighbors

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, December 24: Advent – 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16/Rom 16:25-27/Lk 1:26-38 Christmas Eve - Is 9:1-6/Ti 2:11-14/Lk 2:1-14

Monday, December 25:

Is 52:7-10/Heb 1:1-6/Jn 1:1-18

Tuesday, December 26:

Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59/Mt 10:17-22

Wednesday, December 27:

1 Jn 1:1-4/Jn 20:1a, 2-8

Thursday, December 28:

1 Jn 1:5—2:2/Mt 2:13-18

Friday, December 29:

1 Jn 2:3-11/Lk 2:22-35

Saturday, December 30:

1 Jn 2:12-27/Lk 2:36-40

Sunday, December 31:

Sir 3:2-6, 12-14/Col 3:12-21/Lk 2:22-40

Daily Scripture Readings

Liturgy Schedule and Special Mass Intentions:

Monday 12/25 10:00 AM +Sammie Scott

Gary & Sharon Britten

Tuesday 12/26

6:00 PM

+Theresa Rider

Gary Rider

Wednesday 12/27 7:00 AM +Bob Gulde

Ann Roach

Thursday 12/28 7:00AM Spec. Int. of Anne Stich

Pat Stich

Friday 12/29 7:00 AM +Theodore Pietrzykowski

His Family

Saturday 12/30 5:00 PM

+Msgr. Joseph Tash &

Nathan Tash

Michael Callahan

Sunday 12/31

7:30 AM MEMBERS OF PARISH FAMILY

9:00 AM +Carol Wiseman

Gerald & Colette Mieller

11:15 AM

+Benito Antognoli

Randy Toland &

Paula Antognoli

Week at a Glance

RE News

*Thanks to all who volunteered with the mini-retreat for the Reconciliation students!

Sacramental meeting for parents of students are as follows: --(1st Communion Year 2)

Jan. 21, 2018 10:05-11:05 Upper Room OR Jan. 30 7-8 p.m. Upper Room

*No class this week!

RCIA News

+ Inquiry classes will resume on January 7. Join us!

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

Adult Faith Formation

Religious Education News MONDAY, DECEMBER 25 ALL PARISH OFFICES CLOSED - MERRY CHRISTMAS! TUESDAY, DECEMBER 26 ALL PARISH OFFICES CLOSED FOR CHRISTMAS BREAK WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 27 7:30 a.m. - ACTS Small Group - Library 9:00 a.m. - Community Bible Study - Parlor 9:30 a.m. - Marianist Group - Marian Room 5:30 p.m. - Confessions THURSDAY, DECEMBER 28 10:00 a.m. - Rosary Group - Chapel 6:30 p.m. - Deacon Prayer Group - Parlor FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29 NO SCHEDULED EVENTS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30 3:30 p.m. - Confessions - Chapel SUNDAY, DECEMBER 31 NO SCHEDULED EVENTS

GOD’S PROMISE

The lengthy passage from Samuel is a wonderful

exposition of God’s promise to the house of David:

that his throne would forever be gloriously occu-

pied by his descendants. Hidden in the mystery of

the prophecy is the promise of the Savior, the Mes-

siah, Son of God and Son of David. The prophet Na-

than, speaking in God’s name, poetically turns

around David’s plan to build a house for God, and

announces God’s plan to build a “house,” that is, a

dynasty for David. From this house of David will

come the Messiah, the Christ, not in kingly splen-

dor as David ruled, but as a humble man, destined

to rule forever and over all. When God gives a gift,

it’s amazing what we are given—so different from

what we ever could have imagined.

Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co., Inc.

THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD

Take a moment to contemplate the symbols of the

season. The crèche tells us the Gospel stories: first from

Luke, which details the human birth in a lowly stable

and the angels' message to shepherds; and later from

Matthew, which describes the arrival of Magi who

signify that God's salvation extends to all. The angels

stand as heralds of the good news, an emblem for

each of us on this solemn feast of our own duty to

spread the message that Christ is born and saves us

from our sins. The tree stands as a symbol of life, its

green branches unfading even in the winter cold, just

as God's life remains in us even though our human

form should die. The wreath made of evergreens

reminds us that God is one, without beginning or end.

The candles recall the birth of him who is forever the

Light of the world. Today, we celebrate the fact that

God came to earth as a beautiful, innocent infant

who rejects no one. We rejoice this day in the birth of

Christ! And tonight, we remember that Jesus Christ

came into this world quietly, humbly, and gracefully,

an example of how we should live our lives.

~Liturgical Publications