Around The Diocese

Diocesan Celebration Scheduled
 Amarillo—Save Saturday, Aug. 22 on your calendars.
 The Diocese of Amarillo will celebrate its Centennial with a Mass of Thanksgiving that morning at 10:00 at St. Mary’s Cathedral, 1200 South Washington.
 Look for additional information very soon in all available media.
 

Women’s Cursillo
Amarillo—A Women’s Cursillo is set for Thursday, March 5 through Sunday, March 8 at St. Francis Convent at 4301 NE 18^th St.
Cost of the Cursillo, which will be conducted entirely in Spanish, is $150 per person. Please contact your parish Ultreya representative for additional information or to sign up.
 
St. Francis German Sausage Dinner
Amarillo—The 68th annual German Sausage Dinner to benefit St. Francis of Assisi Church will be served Sunday from 11:00am to 2:00pm in the St. Francis Parish Hall, ten miles east of Amarillo off Highway 60 and one mile east of Tyson.
The meal will be dine-in and takeout, according to parish spokesperson Gerald Detten, and added there will be bulk prices for the dinner as well.
A Country Store will be open, with an assortment of homemade goods on sale. There will also be a raffle for a variety of prizes at 1:30pm. Tickets are $1.00 each or six for $5.00 and will be sold during the dinner.
Find out more about the dinner by calling Detten at 806-382-8813.
 
Pampa Polish Sausage Dinner 
Pampa—Knights of Columbus Council #2767 at St. Vincent de Paul Church will host its 74^th annual Polish Sausage Dinner Sunday from 11:00am to 2:00pm in the Pastoral Education Center (PEC) at the parish, 810 West 23^rd Ave.
Advance tickets are available at $15.00 each, or $18.00 at the door the day of the meal. Tickets can be purchased from any member of Knights of Columbus Council #2767.
The meal will include Polish Sausage, beans, potato salad, coleslaw and dessert.
“We encourage everyone to join us for a great meal and fellowship on Sunday at St. Vincent de Paul Church,” said Adolfo Reséndiz, Grand Knight of Council #2767.
For more information about the dinner, please contact Reséndiz at 806-802-9084 or Dr. Jack Albracht at 806-663-1950.
 
Runners, Walked Sought In Shamrock
Shamrock—Knights of Columbus Council #12493 at St. Patrick’s Church; Sacred Heart Church, Canadian; St. Mary’s Church, Wheeler; and Our Mother of Mercy Church, Wellington, will conduct a 5K Run/Walk Saturday, March 14.
The 5K Run/Walk is taking place as part of the 79^th annual St. Patrick’s Celebration.
Registration begins at 7:30am, under the water tower on Main Street on the south end of downtown Shamrock, near Bartlett’s Lumber and Hardware. The race begins at 8:15am, also on the south end of Main Street.
Registration fee is $30 per person and all participants will receive a t-shirt. For additional information, please call Vincent Koelzer at 806-216-1235.
 
Natural Family Planning Calendar
Amarillo—A Natural Family Planning course has been scheduled in early-2026 in the Diocese of Amarillo.
A Marquette Method sessions in English is set for Saturday, March 14 at 1:00pm, in the Conference Center of the Diocesan Pastoral Center, 4512 NE 24^th Ave., Amarillo. For more details or to register, please contact Dr. Faye Usala at 806-683-5561 or via email, [email protected].
An online, Sympto-Thermal self-paced NFP class in either English or Spanish can be accessed at ccli.org. Cost of the class is $170, plus shipping. The class lasts approximately two months, according to Jennifer Wagner. Learn more about the course by calling Wagner at 806-433-9561.

Worship Prayer Movie Night
Panhandle—Catholics and non-Catholics are invited to the next Worship Prayer Movie Night for teens and young adults. The evening, hosted by the Franciscan Sisters of Christ the Light, is scheduled Friday, March 20. The evening begins at 6:00 in the St. Francis House of Prayer at 125 John Paul Circle with a Holy Hour of Praise and Worship music, prayer and a brief time of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. There is also a simple meal served during a movie chosen for its relativity for Faith and the modern world, according to Sister Mary Michael Huseman. The evening is scheduled to conclude at 9:30. For more details, please call Sancta Maria Convent at 806-537-3182.
  
Engaged Encounter
Amarillo—Couples in the Diocese of Amarillo planning to get married within the next three to six months are encouraged to attend the first Engaged Encounter weekend of 2026 Saturday, March 28 and Sunday, March 29 at the Bishop DeFalco Retreat Center, 2100 North Spring. For more details about the Engaged Encounter weekend or to sign up, please contact Karlynn Hochstein in the Family Life Office at the Diocesan Pastoral Center, 806-410-3839.
 
Denim And Diamonds
Amarillo—St. Mary’s Cathedral and St. Mary’s Cathedral School are teaming up to host Denim and Diamonds Friday, April 17 from 6:30pm to 11:30pm in the Monsignor Francis A. Smyer Activity Center at 1200 South Washington.
Tickets for the evening are $75 each, which includes an opportunity to win a $5,000 VISA Gift Card.
The Big Texan Steak Ranch will cater an evening meal. There will also be a drawing, a silent auction and dancing.
Find out more about Denim and Diamonds by calling St. Mary’s Cathedral at 806-376-7204 or St. Mary’s Cathedral School at 806-376-9112.

Wanted: Communion Ministers
 Amarillo—Volunteers are needed at BSA Hospital as communion ministers. The commitment does not require much time, according to Elma Fletcher, and training is provided.
  Those interested in volunteering are asked to contact Fletcher at 806-206-4496 or via email, [email protected].
 
 The Market On Tierra Blanca
 Canyon—Volunteers are needed to assist at The Market on Tierra Blanca, a ministry of St. Helen’s Outreach at St. Ann’s Church.
  The Market on Tierra Blanca, the only full-service food pantry in Randall County, is open Tuesdays from 3:00pm to 7:00pm and Friday mornings from 9:00 to noon.
  For additional information about St. Helen’s Outreach or to volunteer to help in The Market on Tierra Blanca, please contact Glenn Backus at 806-655-3302 or via email, [email protected].
 
 Sacred Heart Devotional Group
 Amarillo—A Sacred Heart Devotional Prayer Group has been formed at St. Mary’s Cathedral. Father Avitus K. Siriwa, parochial vicar, is directing the group and serving as spiritual director.
  “We would like to welcome all, from parishes around the area to join us in our dedication to Jesus’s Sacred Heart the First Friday of each month,” said Tara and Dustin Meyer, who are assisting Father Siriwa with the group. “Prayers are after the 7:00am Mass every First Friday of the month at St. Mary’s Cathedral. The prayer group conducts quarterly meetings and consecrates new members to the devotion of the Sacred Heart of Jesus every year.
  “Our Lord Jesus Christ appeared to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque between 1673 and 1675. Among the words spoken to her, she heard Jesus make 12 promises to those who would respond to the pleading of His heart and make an effort to return His love.
  St. Margaret Mary once said, ‘I do not know of any other exercise in the spiritual life that is more calculated to raise a soul in a short amount of time to the height of perfection and to make it taste the true sweetness to be found in the service of Jesus Christ.’”
  Learn more about the 12 promises made through the Sacred Heart devotion online at welcomehisheart.com/12-promises. For additional information on the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Devotion, please contact Duane and Theresa Grove at 303-242-7308 or [email protected] or Father Avitus K. Siriwa at St. Mary’s Cathedral, 806-376-7204, ext. 3007 or [email protected].
 
 Adoration At St. Thomas the Apostle Church
 Amarillo—St. Thomas the Apostle Church is in need of people to participate in the parish’s Perpetual Adoration Ministry.
 “We have had a Perpetual Adoration Ministry for 20 years here at St. Thomas,” said Simon Wright, who serves as Adoration Coordinator. “We are inviting everyone to become a part of this ministry.
 “Adoration is a sign of devotion and worship of Jesus Christ who is, present in body, blood, soul and divinity, under the appearance of the sacramental bread.
 “Adoration offers many spiritual benefits. It gives us a chance to be still and listen to God. In the quiet, we can hear His voice better.
 “Our Eucharistic Lord Jesus, is  available all the time, day and night, for anyone to come to Him to praise Him, to pour out one’s heart to Him, to ask for inspiration, to be consoled and comforted in afflictions, to express sorrow for sin, to ask favors, to ask guidance, to get encouragement, to receive strength, to give thanks and to be healed of spiritual and physical infirmities.
 “Everyone is welcome. We are in particular need of hourly adorers and substitutes who would be available for late night and early morning hours.”
 Those interested in this ministry are asked to please contact Wright at 806-570-9776.

Joseph’s Project: A Pregnancy Resource Center
Amarillo—Catholic Charities of the Texas Panhandle has introduced a new program designed for moms who are pregnant or families with kids who are up to three-years-old. Joseph’s Project: A Pregnancy Resource Center is tailored for expectant mothers and for those with new families. For additional details about Joseph’s Project or to assist with a donation of material assistance, such as diapers, wipes, unopened formula or clothing, please contact Catholic Charities of the Texas Panhandle at 806-376-4571.  
   
  Catholic Community Scripture Study
  Amarillo—The Catholic Community Scripture Study, which began in 1990, meets on Wednesday mornings from 9:45 to 10:45 at St. Hyacinth Church, 4500 West Hills Trail.
  As in the past, the weekly gathering focuses on the scripture insights from At Home with the Word for a preview of the coming Sunday Scriptures.
  Everyone is welcome on any Wednesday morning that he/she can attend.
  For additional information please call Teresa Hunt at 806-676-9445.
 
  Volunteers Needed
  Amarillo—Catholic Charities of the Texas Panhandle needs volunteers in its InterFaith Hunger Project grocery store. Volunteers are needed on Wednesdays and Thursdays to check out clients, sack groceries and deliver them to their vehicles. Volunteers are also needed to help stock shelves. For additional information, please contact Davina Brown at Catholic Charities of the Texas Panhandle, 806-376-4571.
 
 Contemplative Power Hour
  Amarillo—The Bishop DeFalco Retreat Center at 2100 North Spring is offering a Contemplative Power Hour on Tuesdays, from 11:00am to 1:00pm. Adoration will take place from 11:00 to 11:30, followed by the recitation of the Rosary at 11:30 and Contemplative Prayer at noon. There is no charge and those attending are encouraged to stay for the entire time or for a portion. For additional information please call the Bishop DeFalco Retreat Center at 806-383-1811.
 
  English As A Second Language
  Amarillo—The English as a Second Language (ESL) program at Catholic Charities of the Texas Panhandle need volunteers. The program needs volunteers willing to tutor students in a class setting or individually. For additional information about the ESL program, please contact Ashlee Pallares, program coordinator, at 806-376-4571.
 
  Eucharistic Holy Hour
  Amarillo—The public is invited to attend and take part in a Eucharistic Holy Hour on Thursdays at St. Hyacinth Church, beginning at 5:30, at 4500 West Hills Trail. The hour begins with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, followed by a homily, silent meditation, common prayer and concluding with Benediction. Mass follows at 6:30. For further information please call the parish office at St. Hyacinth Church, 806-358-1351.
 
  Prison Ministry
  Amarillo—The prison ministry team in the Diocese of Amarillo is recruiting ordained deacons or lay volunteers for this special ministry. Prison ministry is also one of the Corporal Works of Mercy. Those interested in this ministry are asked to contact Deacon Blaine Westlake at the Diocesan Pastoral Center, 806-383-2243, ext. 117.
 
  Diocesan Newspaper Is Now Digital
  Amarillo—The West Texas Catholic is now a digital publication.
  A limited number of newspapers are sent to each parish and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The newspaper is not being mailed out to individuals, except for some very specific reasons, such as shut-ins. If a person requests a paper copy be mailed to their house, they will be required to pay the $25 subscription fee directly to the diocese, not to the parish. Please call your parish for additional information on how you can pick up a printed version.
  For additional information or to add shut-ins who need the newspaper, please contact the diocesan Development Office at 806-383-2243, ext. 119.
   
  Sunday Mass On The Guadalupe Radio Network
  Amarillo—There is another option for Sunday Mass for shut-ins and the sick.
  The Guadalupe Radio Network is now rebroadcasting the 9:30am Sunday Mass from St. Mary’s Cathedral at 5:00 on Sunday afternoons. For additional information about the Mass broadcast or to sponsor a broadcast, please call St. Mary’s Cathedral at 806-376-7204.
 
  Tell Us What’s Going On
  Diocesan entities are encouraged to report their fundraisers and activities. Please send that information via email to [email protected]. Please send information about these events 45 to 60 days prior to the event. We’ll do our best to give your activities attention in the diocesan newspaper, the diocesan website and on The West Texas Catholic: The Podcast.