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

Eileen Dolan at 358-2461, Ext. 106.

PLEASE KEEP THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE OUR SICK AND HOMEBOUND: Kate Schmidt, Ben Canales, Tonia L. Allen, 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, Aggie Padilla, Mary Maalouf, Emile Jones, Tony Sisneros, Mary Britten, Frank Galitski, Ray Prien, Mike Hartman, Alice & Ollie Perry and. Nancy Mason. 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

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS #4621 BREAKFAST: Don’t forget to attend the KC breakfast TODAY, Sun., Jan. 10, 2016. 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.

THE FOLLOWING SPECIAL COLLECTION has been remitted to the Diocese, Catholic Campaign for Human Development, $4,972.00 Thank you for your continued generosity. PADRE'S SALSA SALES: Salsa sales will take place the weekend of Jan. 23/24. Watch the bulletin for details. In the meantime, please return your salsa jars to the church. Thank you. PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS will be held the weekend of Feb. 27/28, 2016. The Nominating Committee, Charlie Hennessey, Ryan Huseman, Sandy Riney & Cindy Schilmoeller will be accepting names of proposed nominees for consideration by the committee until Jan. 8, 2016. PERPETUAL EUCHARISTIC ADORATION: At this time, Hours that need filling are Sat., 11:00 a.m., & Sun., 12:00 a.m. Please call Simon Wright at 806-570-9776 if you are interested in becoming a part of this wonderful ministry. 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.

Social Concerns

Budget Actual Variance Christmas Day Collection 2015 - $29,813.95 Dec. 27, 2015 $ 26,831.00 $ 13,435.50 ($ 13,395.50) Month-to-Date $107,324.00 $ 114,527.30 $ 7,203.30 New Year Collection 2016 - $12,333.00 Jan. 3, 2016 $ 26,831.00 $ 26,149.50 ($ 681.50)

"Baptism is God's most beautiful and magnificent gift. It is called gift because it is conferred on those who bring nothing of their own; grace because it is given even to the guilty; Baptism because sin is buried in the water; anointing because it is priestly and royal as are those anointed; enlightenment because it radiates light; clothing since it veils our shame; bath because it washes; and seal as it is our guard and the sign of God's Lordship. St. Gregory of Nazianzus Orations The Social Concerns Committee will meet on Mon. Jan. 11, at 7:00 p.m., in the Parlor. New members are always welcome. So, please come and join us!

A LITTLE SLICE OF HEAVEN COOKBOOK: The new Catholic Historical Society has put out a 125-recipe cookbook which is a compilation of the recipes of Bishop Zurek and the Priests & Religious of the Diocese of Amarillo. St. Thomas has a limited number of copies for sale (cost is $17.50.) Checks should be made payable to CHS Cookbook Project. Just come by the church between 8:30 a.m. & 4:30 p.m., if you would like to purchase a cookbook. Any staff member can assist you.

ALTAR FLOWERS

The Altar Flowers this week were donated by

Charles & Joan Graham in memory of Catherine Koehler

You are cordially invited to the 25th

Ordination Anniversary Mass &

Reception for our Pastor, Fr. John Valdez,

on Fri., Jan. 22, beginning with Mass at

6:00 p.m., celebrated by Bishop Zurek,

and a reception following in the

Gym & Msgr. Tash Hall.

Need more information about St. Thomas? GO to the website: stthomasamarillo.org. Do you know someone homebound, sick & can’t make Mass? GO to the website and check out Mass every weekend streamed LIVE at 11:15 a.m., on Sunday mornings! (Broadcast begins at 11:00 m.)

Youth Schedule and Events

Around the Diocese SAVE THE DATE: Diocesan Walk for LIFE – January 23, 2016 “Come to Me, all you who suffer and are burdened, and I will refresh you.” Mt. 11:28. The Year of Mercy will soon be upon us, and we hope that many will join us in the sharing of the grief, the suffering and the sorrow that has been placed upon our broth-ers and sisters who have been affected by a culture of death. For more information contact our office at Respect Life 806-383-2243, Ext 129. CATHOLIC CAMPUS MINISTRY: Mark your calendars to attend the annual WT A&M Catholic Student Center Auction Fundraiser on Sat., Feb. 6, 2016, from 6:00 p.m. to midnight at St. Thomas the Apostle Church. Fundraiser includes a dinner, dance, live & silent auction and a raffle. Advanced purchased tickets are only $50.00 per person. Donations for the auction from ministries and lay organization in the diocese will be greatly appreciated. Please call Betty Aragon, Auction Coordinator, 806-655-4345, if you have questions or are interested in donating auction items. Thank you for supporting the Catholic Student Center’s ministry to students at WT A&M University and beyond.

WORLDWIDE MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER: Married Couples – Worn out from the Holidays? Are you looking for a special weekend away together? Attending the Marriage Encounter Weekend, Feb. 12-14, at the Bishop DeFalco Retreat Center in Amarillo, might just be what you need to rekindle your romance, renew your commitment and enrich your communication. Apply online at www.wwme-section10.org/Amarillo today, as only a few spaces are still available. For more information, contact Rick & Bev Feller, 405-323-9119 or email rbfeller@gmail.com. Note: This is the last weekend to take advantage of the $25 discount on your $100 application fee (use Promo Code: Early Bird). 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 Breast-feeding (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. The cost is $70.00. We are listed at: http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/marriage-and-family/

natural-family-planning/nfp-distance-learning.cfm.

Holy Cross Corner

Music Notes Save the date! Knights of Columbus and Music Department Fish Fry Lent 2016: February 12th & 26th

Sun. - Jan. 10: 5:00 p.m. - Youth Handbell

5:45 - 6:30 p.m. - Youth Choir

Wed., Jan. 13: 6:30 p.m. - Adult Handbell Rehearsal 6:30 p.m. - All KIDS Choir Regular Rehearsals Resume 7:45 p.m. - Adult Choir

Sun., Jan. 17:

No Youth Orchestra, Handbell or Choir Rehearsals

Congratulations to the winner of the local Scripps Spelling Bee - Pierce Seidenberger. 1st runner up - Jordan Walters. 2nd runner up - Angelica Hernandez. They all will be going to the area contest Jan. 21. Thank you to all the contestants – the bee was

very competitive. Also, thank you to Mr. Wedding, Landree Steadman and Kelly Garner for helping with the contest.

Go Mustangs!

ATTENTION PARISHIONERS Our volunteers who count our collection each week request that all parishioners indicate on the outside of their contribution envelopes the amount of monies enclosed. This will insure better accuracy for accounting purposes. Also, if you put a loose check in the collection basket please show your full name (not initials) in order to record that donation properly. Thank you for your cooperation regarding this matter. STA PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY: The Prayer Shawl group meets each Wed. evening meetings from 6:00-8:00 p.m., in the Parlor. All women in the parish who knit and/or crochet, are welcome you to join this meaningful ministry.

WELCOME ALL OF YOU! We are so glad you came to worship with us today. If you are new to St. Thomas and interested in becoming a registered member, please find registration forms on the credenza outside the bell tower visit our website, at www.stthomasamarillo.org.

Hey gang! High school STAY will be meeting this Wed., Jan. 13, from 7:00-9:00 p.m., in The Dwelling. See you there!

Our next Middle school STAY will be tonight Sun., Jan.10, from 6:30-8:00 p.m., in The Dwelling. Friends are always

welcome, hope to see you there!

**If you are going on the STAY Ski Trip, please have your final payment and waivers packet turned in TODAY! Thanks!!**

Our first F.A.S.T. of 2016 will be Sun., Jan. 24. Mark your calendars and I’ll see you there!

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!

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 RE/Social Concerns/AFF Dir. ………………….…..................Eileen Dolan 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 1/11 NO MASS

Tuesday 1/12 7:00 AM +Rosemary Brown Her Family

Wednesday 1/13 7:00 AM +Don & Grace Frei Mary Sweeney

Thursday 1/14 7:00 AM +Dora Pohlmeier Prayer Shawl Ministry

Friday 1/15 7:00 AM Thanksgiving of St. Gerald &

St. Jude Catherine Gutierrez

Saturday 1/16 5:00 PM +Sharon Smart Joe & Eunice Schilling

Sunday 1/17

7:30 AM Members of the Parish Family

9:00 AM +Frank Brooks Bunnie Brooks

11:15 AM +Clare Wood Sandy Vaughn

Daily Scripture Readings Sunday, January 10: Is 40:1-5, 9-11/Ti 2:11-14; 3:4-7/Lk 3:15-16, 21-22 Monday, January 11: 1 Sm 1:1-8/Mk 1:14-20 Tuesday, January 12: 1 Sm 1:9-20/Mk 1:21-28 Wednesday, January 13: 1 Sm 3:1-10, 19-20/Mk 1:29-39 Thursday, January 14: 1 Sm 4:1-11/Mk 1:40-45 Friday, January 15: 1 Sm 8:4-7, 10-22a/Mk 2:1-12 Saturday, January 16: 1 Sm 9:1-4, 17-19; 10:1a/Mk 2:13-17 Sunday, January 17: Is 62:1-5/1 Cor 12:4-11/Jn 2:1-11

Week at a Glance

FAMILY ACTIVITY: Baptism Today is a special day as we celebrate the Baptism of Jesus. Therefore, it is an appropriate time to consider your own Baptism, that cleansed you from original sin and made you a member of God's family. Talk to your parents about your baptism. Look at pic-tures, your baptismal pictures, garment, candle and certificate and, if possible, talk to your godparents about what your baptism meant to them. Discuss how special it is to be a part of God's family and His Church.

Adult Faith Formation ADULT FAITH FORMATION - 2016

SUNDAY SYMBOLON – PART II: The Catholic Faith Ex-plained. Starting on January 24, at 10:05 a.m., in the Marian Room. FIRST CORINTHIANS: The Church and the Christian community. Starting on February 14, at 10:05 a.m., in the Msgr. Tash Hall. TUESDAY UNLOCKING THE MYSTERY OF THE BIBLE – Starting on Tuesday, February 2nd, at 10:00 a.m., in the Marian Room WEDNESDAY SYMBOLON – PART I: The Catholic Faith Ex-plained – Starting on February 3rd, at 6:30 p.m., in the Marian Room.

BOOK CLUB - HAIL, HOLY QUEEN by Scott Hann To sign up, contact Dayamín Winchester at dwinchester@stthomasamarillo.org

Religious Education News Monday, January 11 12:00 p.m. - Contemplative Power Hour - Chapel 6:30 p.m. - Cub Scout Den Meetings - Education Wing 7:00 p.m. - Social Concerns Committee - Parlor Tuesday, January 12 2:00 p.m. - Divine Mercy Cenacle - Marian Room 6:00 p.m. - Boy Scouts - Scout Room 7:00 p.m. - Boy Scouts - Gym 7:00 p.m. - RCIA - Msgr. Tash Hall Wednesday, January 13 7:30 a.m. - ACTS Small Group - Library 9:00 a.m. - Community Scripture Study - Parlor 11:00 a.m. - Lunch Bunch - The Dwelling 5:30 p.m. - NO CONFESSIONS 6:00 p.m. - Prayer Shawl Group - Parlor 6:30 p.m. - Adult Handbells - Music Wing 6:30 p.m. - Children’s Choir Groups - Music Wing 7:00 p.m. - High School STAY - The Dwelling/Gym 7:00 p.m. - Confirmation Class - Room B5 7:45 p.m. - Adult Choir - Music Wing Thursday, January 14 7:00 a.m. - Boy Scout Council Meeting - Msgr. Tash Hall 10:00 a.m. - Rosary Group - Chapel 1:30 p.m. - Focolare Movement - Marian Room 6:00 p.m. - Boy Scouts - Scout Room 6:30 p.m. - Boy Scouts Roundtable Banquet - Msgr. Tash Hall 7:00 p.m. - Baptism Class (Tentative) Friday, January 15 NO SCHEDULED ACTIVITIES Saturday, January 16 3:30 p.m. - Confessions - Chapel 4:00 p.m. - Cantor’s Rehearsal - Music Wing Sunday, January 17 9:00 a.m. - Breaking Open the Word - Library 10:05 a.m. - AFF - “Epic” - Msgr. Tash Hall 11:15 a.m. - Breaking Open the Word - Library 12:30 p.m. - Depression Support Group - Bride’s Room

January Calendar Sun. 1/10-RCIC Parents Mtg. - 10:05 a.m. - Rm. B-1 Sat. 1/23-2nd Gr./RCIC Prayer Day -12:30-3:45 p.m. - Hall

Sat. 1/30-2nd Gr./RCIC Reconciliation-10:00 a.m. - Church

God of grace and glory, you call us with your voice of flame to be your people, faithful and courageous. As your beloved Son embraced his mission in the waters of baptism, inspire us with the fire of your Spirit to join in his transforming work. We ask this in the name of our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.