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.
 
Quilt Fundraiser
Clarendon—St. Mary’s Church is conducting a raffle to raise funds for its new church building, which is under construction. Top prize is a quilt, donated by Carolyn Ponce. Tickets are $1.00 each, with the drawing taking place sometime in the next several months. Learn more about the quilt raffle by calling Chriss Clifford at 806-206-6767.

Umbarger Frühlingsfest 
Umbarger—St. Mary’s Church will host its 13^th Frühlingsfest, or Spring Festival, Saturday, May 9, starting at 6:00pm in the parish hall at 22830 Pondaseta Road.
Tickets are $150 per couple, which includes a Tenderloin steak dinner with all the fixings, a Reverse Drawing, a Calcutta, beverages, desserts and a Live Auction. There will also be a dance, with music by Insufficient Funds.
All winners will be determined in a reverse drawing, according to Father Alvin Tshuma, parochial administrator at St. Mary’s Church. First prize is a $3,000 Cashier’s Check, second prize is a $2,000 Cashier’s Check and third prize is a $1,000 Cashier’s Check.
Proceeds from the evening will benefit St. Mary’s Church. No one under 21 will be admitted.
Tickets may be purchased by contacting Brandon Finke at 806-681-6232 or, any parishioner at St. Mary’s Church.  

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, May 15. 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.

Knights Of Columbus Breakfast
 Amarillo—Knights of Columbus Council #1450 at St. Mary’s Cathedral will host breakfast after Masses on Sunday, May 17. Learn more about the breakfasts by calling the parish office at St. Mary’s Cathedral, 806-376-7204.

Engaged Encounter Weekend
Amarillo—The next Engaged Encounter weekend is scheduled Saturday, June 6 and Sunday, June 7 at the Bishop DeFalco Retreat Center, 2100 North Spring. Couples in the Diocese of Amarillo planning to get married within the next three to six months are encouraged to sign up for the June weekend as soon as possible. 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.
 
ACTS Retreats
Amarillo—A Teen’s ACTS (Adoration, Community, Theology and Service) Retreat is scheduled Thursday, July 16 through Sunday, July 19, at the Bishop DeFalco Retreat Center, 2100 North Spring. Registration forms are available at parish offices or through the ACTS Community website, actsamarillo.org. For additional information about ACTS in the Diocese of Amarillo, please contact Jimmy Hund at 806-344-4842.
 
Letting The Light In
Hereford—Families, friends and alumni of St. Anthony’s School are invited to partner in an improvement project at the school. Contributions are needed to purchase new windows on the west side of the north building of the school, which are in need of replacement. New windows would replace many windows that are drafty, difficult to open, or are no longer energy efficient. To assist with a monetary contribution of any size, please call Father Grant Spinhirne at St. Anthony’s Church at 806-364-6150.
 
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.