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, Betty Cutting, Judy Allen, Roy Steele, Maria Arias, Jordan Barrientez. 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 MEN’S CLUB: The St. Thomas Men's Club will meet Mon., Dec. 5, at 7:00 p.m. in the Bell Tower to put up the parish Christmas tree. A short business meeting and meal will follow. All men of the parish are invited. All are welcome to pray the rosary with us beforehand at 6:30 in the chapel.

A SECOND COLLECTION will be taken at all liturgies next weekend, Dec. 10/11, for the Retirement Fund for Religious. Please use the envelope provided in your monthly packet. KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS #4621 BREAKFAST: Next pancake breakfast will be held on Sun., Dec. 11 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. ADVENT COMMUNAL RECONCILIATION: The Advent Communal Reconciliation Service will be held at St. Mary’s Cathedral on Wed., Dec. 14, at 7:00 p.m. This will be the only reconciliation service during Advent. THE FOLLOWING SPECIAL COLLECTION had been remitted to the Diocese, Campaign for Human Development, in the amount of $4,988. Thank you for your continued generosity. ST. THOMAS ALTAR GUILD: A big THANK YOU to all who supported our raffle for the Jack Sorenson painting. Our income for this project was $7,100 and the lucky winner was Madeline Ryberg. We are blessed to have such a great response from our parish family.

Budget Actual Variance Nov. 27, 2016 $ 26,831.00 $ 22,914.00 ($ 3,917.00) Month-to-Date $ 107,324.00 $ 110,443.41 $ 3,119.41 “All tithes of the land, whether in grain from the fields or in fruit from the trees, belong to the Lord, as sacred to Him.” ~Leviticus 27:30

PADRE’S SALSA: In preparation for New Year salsa sales, please return your empty jars as soon as possible. Watch the bulletin for dates when Padre’s Salsa will be on sale. PERPETUAL EUCHARISTIC ADORATION: At this time, the hours needing to be filled are Mon., 4:00 a.m./Tues., 2:00 a.m./ Wed., 2:00 a.m./Thurs., 1:00 a.m. If you are interested in being a part of this worthwhile ministry, call Simon Wright, 806-570-9776. ATTENTION LECTORS! The new lector workbooks are now available in the Parish Office. If you currently serve as a Lec-tor, there is NO CHARGE for these books; however, if you wish to make a donation, please feel free to do so. Thank You Lec-tors 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. 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. ST. THOMAS PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY: The Shawl Ministry meets each Wed. evening in the Parlor from 6:00-8:00 p.m. If you like to knit or crochet, you are welcome to join this very worth-while ministry.

ALTAR FLOWERS

The Altar Flower this week were donated by

Katie McKillip-Harstrom in memory of David Edwin Harstrom

THURS., DEC. 8, IS THE FEAST OF

THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

AND A HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION.

MASS WILL BE CELEBRATED

AT 7:00 A.M., 12:15 P.M., & 7:00 P.M.

THE PARISH OFFICES WILL BE

CLOSED IN OBSERVANCE

OF THE HOLY DAY.

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 2016 should be received no later than Dec. 31. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Youth Schedule and Events BISHOP DEFALCO RETREAT CENTER: WE NEED YOUR HELP! The Retreat Center needs baked goods for the Dec. 9, bake sale. Items can be dropped off at the Retreat Center at 2100 N Spring St., on Dec. 8, between 8:30 a.m., & 4:30 p.m. If you have any questions, call 806 -383-1811. Proceeds from the sale benefit the Retreat Center. Thank you! 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 sepa-rated or divorced. For confidential information about or to register for the January program beginning with a weekend on Jan. 6-8, call Paul or Patty Miguel, 806-420-1520, or email us at retropairamarillo@gmail.com or visit the website at www.HalpOurMarriage.com. 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.

SECOND WEEK OF THE ADVENT JOURNEY

God is leading Israel in joy by the light of his glory, with his mercy and justice for company. ~Baruch 5 We begin this second week of our Advent journey with this wonderful proclamation of the end of our exile. We really can take off our robe of misery and put on the splendor of the glory of God forever. Let us experience today what it will be like to be freed from the power of our sins to hold us captive. Freed from our longing, our desire: that we might be set free. “The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.” ~Ps. 126

Young Adults will be meeting this Tues., Dec. 6, at 7:00 p.m., in The Dwelling. We will be celebrating Thanksgiving with a pot luck dinner. All young adults are welcomed! High School STAY is meeting this Wed., Dec. 7, at 7:00 p.m., in The Dwelling. This will be the final meeting for this year and there will be a Christmas celebration. MS STAY (6th – 8th Grade) We will be meeting on Dec. 11, for our Christmas activity from 7:00-8:30pm., in The Dwelling. FAST (4th and 5th grade) We are NOT meeting on the 4th Sunday in December due to Christmas, but instead, we are meeting on Dec. 11, from 5:30-7:00 p.m., in The Dwelling, for our Christmas activity. Lunch Bunch will resume on Jan. 11, 2017.

Please contact Caleb Hubbard at chubbard@stthomasamarillo.org or by phone

at 358-2461, Ext. 121, if you have any questions.

Around the Diocese

Holy Cross Corner Texas Association for Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS) District 1A Volleyball Recognition for the 2016 season: 1st Team: Anna Phillips, junior

2nd Team: Claudia Moreno, senior Jenna Rickwartz, sophomore Honorable Mention: Makaela Webb, sophomore Karina Ronquillo, freshman Mary Huseman, sophomore

Congratulations Lady Mustangs!

SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT PRAYER Lord, our God, we praise You for Your Son, Jesus Christ,

for He is Emmanuel, the Hope of all people. He is the Wisdom that teaches and guides us.

He is the Savior of us all. O Lord, let your blessing come upon us as we light the

first and second (purple) candles of this wreath. May the wreath and its light be a sign of Christ’s

promise of salvation. May He come quickly and not delay. We ask this in His holy name. Amen.

© Sacred Heart League

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 12/5 NO MASS

Tuesday 12/6

7:00 AM

+Pat McCarty Zidlicky Family

Wednesday 12/7

7:00 AM

+Ray Prien Joe Sullivan Family

Thursday 12/8

7:00 AM

12:15 PM

7:00 PM

Spec. Int. of Mary Schooler Mary Sweeney +Dick Wilcox

Tom & Sandy Riney MEMBERS OF PARISH FAMILY

Friday 12/9 7:00 AM +Aileen Aureli Marlene Casasanta

Saturday 12/10 5:00 PM +Martin Burke Paschal & Mary Kay Bottoms

Sunday 12/11

7:30 AM MEMBERS OF PARISH FAMILY

9:00 AM +Dora Pohlmeier Gary & Theresa Rider

11:15 AM +Dick Wilcox KC’s #4621

Sunday, December 4: Is 11:1-10/Rom 15:4-9/Mt 3:1-12 Monday, December 5: Is 35:1-10/Lk 5:17-26 Tuesday, December 6: Is 40:1-11/Mt 18:12-14 Wednesday, December 7: Is 40:25-31/Mt 11:28-30 Thursday, December 8: Gn 3:9-15, 20/Eph 1:3-6, 11-12/Lk 1:26-38 Friday, December 9: Is 48:17-19/Mt 11:16-19 Saturday, December 10: Sir 48:1-4, 9-11/Mt 17:9a, 10-13 Sunday, December 11: Is 35:1-6a, 10/Jas 5:7-10/Mt 11:2-11

Daily Scripture Readings

Week at a Glance RE Notes:

Safe environment class make-ups will be offered soon! Opt-outs require a meeting with Fr. John.

Parents of children preparing for the

sacraments this year need to bring baptismal certificates to the RE office (if child was baptized

somewhere other than St. Thomas) as soon as possible!

RCIA Notes:

Beginning in January, we will have an on-going

inquiry class offered on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month. Any non-Catholic

with questions about the faith or a desire to become Catholic is welcome to

join at any time!

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

Adult Faith Formation

ADVENT

Advent provides an opportunity to look ahead to the celebration of the

coming of Jesus.

Join Us on Wednesday, Dec. 7, at 6:30 p.m., in the Marian Room.

EVERYONE IS WELCOME!

Religious Education News

MONDAY, DECEMBER 5 12:00 p.m. - Contemplative Power Hour - Chapel 6:30 p.m. - STMC - Chapel/Msgr. Tash Hall 6:30 p.m. - Cub Scouts Pack Meeting - Gym

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10 6:15 a.m. - TMIY - Msgr. Tash Hall 3:30 p.m. - Confessions - Chapel 4:00 p.m. - Cantor’s Rehearsal - Music Wing 6:00 p.m. - Panhandle Christmas Formal - Gym

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9 11:00 a.m. - Interfaith Hunger Project (CCTXP) -Gym

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

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7 7:30 a.m. - ACTS Small Group - Library 9:00 a.m. - Community Scripture Study - Parlor 10:00 a.m. - Marianist Group - Marian Room 5:30 p.m. - Confessions - Chapel 6:00 p.m. - Prayer Shawl Group - Parlor 6:30 p.m. - Advent Class (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, DECEMBER 8 7:00 a.m. - Morning Mass - Church 12:15 p.m. - Afternoon Mass - Church 7:00 p.m. - Evening Mass - Church 7:00 p.m. - Boy Scouts - Scout Room

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11 7:00 a.m. - KC Breakfast - Gym 9:00 a.m. - Combined Music Mass - Church 9:30 a.m. - Breaking Open the Word - Library 10:05 a.m. - RE Classes - Education/Pre-K Wing 4:30 p.m. - Young in Spirit - Msgr. Tash Hall 5:00 p.m. - Youth Orchestra - Music Wing 5:30 p.m. - FAST - The Dwelling/Gym 5:30 p.m. - Youth Bells - Music Wing 6:15 p.m. - Youth Choir -Music 7:00 p.m. - MS STAY - The Dwelling/Gym