An Eagle Scout Court of Honor will be held at St. Mary’s on Sunday, May 6th at 2:30 p.m. in the reception room. Five young men from Troop 1221 will be raised to the rank of Eagle Scout. They are: Regan Clemens, Addison Berryman, Isaiah Nolan, Andrew Jameson, CJ McKnight and Salvador Sanchez. Congratulation. Well Done!

Senior High School Graduation and Baccalaureate Mass is Sunday, May 20th at 6:00 p.m. All seniors of the parish are invited to attend. If you want to be part of the video that is put together…you must get your photos in NOW. This is going to be the last call on this item.

As our parish religious education classes and faith formation for adults ends on this weekend…and get a breather for the summer months…and we have some time to evaluate and lay plans for the coming fall program…I thank all of you who have cooperated generously as catechists and formators and workers in the faith formation of hundreds of people, teens and children. Now…we lay plans for the new fall programs on all levels…and I am sure a few new initiatives for the coming year.

FLOWERS TO MARY…NEXT Sunday at 9:15 a.m. Mass at the beginning of the liturgy and at the 12:00 noon Mass also…ALL THE CHILDREN…are invited to be part of the “May Crowning”. We provide the flowers.

UNITED CATHOLIC APPEAL…is this announcement getting old…Does it sould like I am beginning to nag…well This announcement is getting old and I am beginning to nag. Please…put the pen and pencil to the contribution card and put it in the envelope and return these to the parish. If you do not know where your card mailed out to you is…please pick up a card at the gathering desk of the Church. Let’s wind this up…please.

Vacation Bible School Registration begins this weekend…we will be taking names of St. Mary’s parish members first and then…later…open it up to other parishes and families. The benefit of membership…but please remember…if you wait too long to register…you may not be able to get on the list…Do not put this off.

This coming fall based upon intent of returns received…we will have two kindergarten classes, two first grades, two second grades, one third grade, one fourth grade and one fifth grade. Downstairs Montessori will have 96 and a full capacity. Montessori based upon this school year had a waiting list of more than 60 plus. Now…The plan:

Develop the capacity to open up two more Montessori rooms by

1. Placing a double wide portable on the parish property and use it for stretching the present Montessori or:

2. Rethink and redo already available space in our present school. Rework and reallocate space opening up some new possibilities that could become teaching rooms and do this before the repainting the school begins in June, this summer.

All options are being looked into and I have asked an architect who worked on our church with us to come in and have a look at what I am thinking about and then make recommendations.

Like I said…it is a good problem to have. GROWTH AND STABILITY

One of the realities that our Catholic parents will have to struggle with this new school year is my expectation and requirement that our Catholic parents are observant, registered, identifiable members of a Catholic church…whether that is here or at another Catholic parish. I require membership and attendance. There is only so much cash…money to be able to put into a school…and I require that Catholic parents who get a big tuition break be in fact: practicing Catholics. And if you are not going to the Catholic Church regularly…then you will not receive the tuition break from St. Mary’s. Have our parish people heard me speak about registered, identifiable and observant before ? It is like one of my mantras.

I was presented the statistics of the national Iowa Test scores this week for our boys and girls at St. Mary’s School. Very interesting reading and also very indicative of how Mrs. Lewis has raised the instructive level of education in our school. To see our boys and girls at the highest 20, 30 to 40 percentile of all the boys and girls in the USA who took the test is very good. Thank you to our teaching staff. In almost every instance our boys and girls are way above grade level. Well done.

The Amarillo Agency for Women will be selling fresh roses on Mother’s Day here at the parish church which helps this agency continue its ministry providing screening for pregnancy and council for prevention of abortion.

Seniors graduating….the parish graduation Mass and baccalaureate is Sunday, May20th at the 6:00 pm Life Teen liturgy….your pictures for the video shown at the end of the liturgy are now due. It takes a good deal of time to produce this video and your photos are needed now….not later….or they will not be used in the presentation.

The senior dinner last week was wonderful in the number of people that turned out as well as the excellent meal provided and the great core of teens who worked and staffed the event with parents. Thank You.

Registration for St.Mary’s School is being taken. Forms are being sent out with school contracts that verify parish registration and that families are identifiable Catholics who attend Mass and support the parish. Our parish financially supports our school generously….and no one should expect to attend our school and receive Catholic tuition rate and tuition assistance without #1)being registered as a Catholic family in a Catholic church; #2) attending weekend Mass; #3) contributing something financially to the parish. If this comes as a surprise then you have not been listening to me when I speak about being registered and identifiable. It all goes together and there is no free ride. It is called good stewardship.

Mother’sDay…..May 13th…….May Crowning of Mary at 9:15 Mass and 12:00 noon.

Divine Mercy Sunday this year is also the first anniversary of raising Blessed Pope John Paul the Second to the dignity of the altar as a blessed of the Church. In the sanctuary this weekend are two precious relics of Blessed Pope John Paul II….one a relic of his blood and the other a relic of his hair and white zucchetto worn on his head. Two new relics for the reliquary behind the tabernacle in the Cathedral Church.

New Stephen Ministers are commissioned this Sunday morning at the 9:15 liturgy. Stephen ministers and leaders have become the heart and soul of this pastor’s collaborative ministry as spiritual care givers are commissioned and sent to people in spiritual need in the name of Jesus, Divine Mercy. No better feast day for commissioning could be chosen than this divine Mercy. Our new Stephen Ministers are: Steve Beckham, Phil Houlihan, Alan Greer, Mary Koetting, Amber Leer, Carol Navarez, Dorothy Urias, Joan Whalen and Rose Surace. These men and women have been prepared in fifty hours of training and supervision for their ministry. Congratulations and thank you from your pastor who is deeply indebted to you for your ministry.

Our Senior Citizen Banquet is this Sunday afternoon. Our senior citizens are invited by our youth ministry to a catered meal once a year as a way of saying thank you to our parish “wisdom leaders and builders of the church.” This is one way our youth ministry can say thank you to our Senior Citizens of the parish. THANK YOU. WE LOVE YOU AND WE ARE GRATEFUL!

My personal thanks and gratitude to the small army of volunteers who helped with all the Holy Week liturgies…..from music, choir, environment, flowers, décor, crucifix hanging in purple and red, preparation of and for ceremonies, Chrism Mass and priests’ afternoon meal. Set up, take down, clean up. The reason liturgies are done well…..is….that I have a small army of people that get in here and do all the things that need to be done….which allows me the time and liberty to do and prepare what I must do, preach and preside. THANK YOU….I AM MOST GRATEFUL.

Remember your annual bishop’s collection cards and envelopes for the United Catholic Appeal, please….we need to work on getting the campaign where it should be and returning your card, contribution and envelope to the parish as quickly as possible….which will be helpful. We are doing well….but….we need to work at it and wrap it up, please.

PLENARY INDULGENCE: DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY

To gain the indulgence on the Second Sunday of Easter or Divine Mercy Sunday, in any church or chapel, in a spirit that is completely detached from the affection for a sin, even a venial sin, take part in the prayers and devotions held in honor of Divine Mercy, or who, in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament exposed or reserved in the tabernacle, recite the Our Father and the Creed, adding a devout prayer to the merciful Lord Jesus [e.g. Merciful Jesus, I trust in you.]

Being Holy Week, Monsignor is extremely busy. Chrism Mass on Tuesday, Penance on Wednesday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil, and Easter Sunday. Only through the grace of the Holy Spirit and the sheer German stubbornness can he do all of this with great love and care.

With this being said, we want to thank you, Father, for taking such good care of your Sheep and Goats. You are the best.

The Flock

HOLY WEEK MASSES AND ACTIVITIES

Tuesday, April 3rd in the Cathedral Church…The Chrism Mass with the Bishop and all his priests concelebrating the blessing of the Holy Oils. 7:00 pm

Wednesday, April 4th in the Adoration Chapel: The Sacrament of Penance from 7:00 pm until 9:00 pm

Thursday, April 5th—There is only one liturgy this day and it is The Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 7:00 pm with the Bishop and concelebrant priests. The Mandatum: washing of feet,transfer of the Holy Eucharist to the chapel of reservation and the beginning of The Night Watch from 9:00 pm until 11:00 pm.

24/7 Adoration stops from 11:00 pm Thursday until after Easter Sunday Life Teen Mass at 6:00 pm when Adoration will begin again.

Friday, April 6th ~ Good Friday and a day of fast and abstaining from meat. At 3:00 pm: Way of the Cross in the Cathedral Church. At 7:00 pm: The Solemn Passion of the Lord and veneration of the Cross

Saturday, April 7th~ No Sacrament of Penance and no 5:30 pm Mass. The Solemn Easter Vigil begins at 8:30 pm in the Cathedral.

Sunday, April 8th Easter Sunday Masses:8:00 am. 9:15 am, 12:00 noon, 6:00 pm

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For the Night Watch….on Holy Thursday…I would hope that societies and organizations of the parish would spend at least 30 minutes before the Blessed Sacrament in Prayer: The Catholic Council of Women for the Parish, The Knights of Columbus, Stephen Ministers and Leaders, Youth Ministry, Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors, The Parish Councilors and Advisors, The Parish School. 30 minutes before the Blessed Sacrament.

Immaculee and the distribution of funds collected from patrons, donors, and ticket sales took place on Friday, March 23rd at the Cathedral. Five charities that each serve women and women’s ministries benefitted from Immaculee: Amarillo Agency for Women, Martha’s Home, The Downtown Women’s Center, EvelineRiver’s Sunshine Cottage, and Family Support Services….each charity received a check for $15,000….totaling $75,000 earned for charity in Amarillo as our Lenten gift for those with special needs. THANK YOU ST.MARY’S AND OTHER CHURCHES OF AMARILLO.

UNITED CATHOLIC APPEAL….the annual Bishop’s collection for the diocesan offices,ministries, and programs begins this weekend. Every registered and identifiable member of St. Mary’s has received a letter from me, a contribution card and return envelope to our parish about the collection.

Since 1981 we have been doing this collection so it has been with us for many years and supported many causes and projects: the building of the DeFalco Retreat Center, The Capuchin Monastery, Missionary Priests of Jesus Christ. Catholic School Projects, Lay Ministry, Deaconate Office and formation, Religious Education and Faith Formation, Vocations, etc. The needs continue on and the rationale for funding the work of THE CHURCH will never cease.

Every parish is given a goal (a quota) to meet. That St. Mary’s quota or goal is high should not be surprising since our parish has a reported income of one million eight hundred thousand dollars: $1,800,000.

Our parish quota-goal can be made and exceeded as has happened every year since I have been your pastor as every member of the parish makes a commitment and contribution for the GOOD OF THE WHOLE CHURCH.

As I heard Immaculee speak of her confinement for ninety days in a small bathroom, I remembered my first parish assignment in Ralls, where Father Alex Eceiza, and then Father TomIrlbeck, lived before me and the priest’s living quarters , which were just twice the space of Immaculee’s confinement quarters….one door,one small window, a lavatory and shower 12 by 18. I remembered. Having lived in small, rural, poor parishes for the first part of my ministry: Ralls,Crosbyton, Lorenzo, Silverton, Turkey, Quitaque, Kress, Hart, Dimmitt…..I remember having to sweat out bills and doing without. Now I see my time here at St. Mary’s as a time to return something to the “littlepeople” and especially to the small rural communities where there is no population growth, but there is still a Catholic Church and needs. You and I can make a difference and make a contribution along with me for OUR CHURCH AND CHURCHES, PLEASE. Thank you.

MonsignorHarold Waldow

Immaculee’s beautiful person and spirituality filled our parish church on Friday morning when she attended the parish and school Mass at 9:00 a.m. Her love and warmth with our children, especially the upper grades, was wonderful to watch and participate in. Immaculee herself has a ten year old son and a fifteen year old daughter. Our students, under the guidance of Mrs. Geri Russell, had read and studied her story and the story of Our Lady of Kibeho and the rosary of the Passion. To watch the faces and the eyes of our boys and girls was priceless.

The Immaculee committee tirelessly worked for months putting every piece and detail of this very extraordinary, as well as, historic endeavor for Amarillo Christianity….proving that when we put our minds, backs, and energies together: We Can and We Do. The committee to be thanked is Linda McCurdy, Lucy Jalbert, Kelle Hall, Cathi Lake, Marty Marmaduke, Janace Ponder, Suzanne Schwettman, and from other parishes: Pilar deAsin, Eileen Dolan, Joan Graham, Madonna Hogue, Mary Schooler, Bob and Mary Jane Sloan, Karen Phillips, and Mary Parker. Thank You.

The cross generational, congregational, cultural embracing of Immaculee’s person and message was itself a true SIGN for Amarillo. To see the Amarillo Civic Center Auditorium fill up and hear the quiet, as well as the laughter, at Immaculee’s humor as we responded to her story of terror on one hand and side pieces of real everyday life was truly an experience. It was an unforgettable evening.

It will take the rest of the week to figure out all the details of the ticket sales and financial totals but it is most apparent to me not only what we spent to bring Immaculee here to Amarillo but what was donated up front by sponsors and donors….add to that ticket sales….the charities of Amarillo Agency for Women, Eveline Rivers Sunshine Cottage, Martha’s Home, The Downtown Women’s Center and Family Support Services, will all be blessed with a hefty cash gift. And this was the purpose….not to enrich St. Mary’s….but to provide a Lenten gift to the more needy and disadvantaged. My guess would be that we will be able to divide five ways somewhere around $ 60,000 to $ 65,000. We will see what the bottom line looks like this coming week. Again….THANK YOU.

Thank you to all who worked on the committee planning and putting together the Immaculee visit on Friday, March 9th. The committee met for months and labored with all the details of the evening and the successful event was a challenge to say the least. Thank You to all who supported the event and prayed for its success. It was a most worthwhile evening and an unforgettable experience.

The parish committee for the Reverse Raffle for the parish and school has decided to put that fundraiser away for this year. There will be no reverse raffle this year in April as we have done in past years. In my letter from several weeks ago now….I stated that we should focus on basic stewardship, the economy of savings and less on fundraising. Thank you for listening.

March 24th, the Bishop’s Appeal: United Catholic Appeal will start for the year of 2012.“Growing In Faith to do God’s Work” is the herald for this year’s campaign which raises money for the diocesan ministries and offices.

Quiet evenings for Reconciliation….Confessions in the AdorationChapel:

Monday……….March 26th 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Tuesday……….March 27th 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Thursday………March 29th 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Friday………….March 30th 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Congratulations to the Boy and Girl Scouts of St. Mary’s Cathedral Church and School and Holy Cross Academy as well. Your attendance at last Sunday’s 9:15 a.m. Mass was impressive…..especially so the new crew of scout leaders who are taking hold of responsibility for the boys in all divisions. Well Done! Congratulations on badges also earned by the girl scouts.

Elected to the Parish School Board positions are: Dr. Meganne Walsh, Paul Brockman and Laura Valdez. Thank you for placing your name into consideration for balloting and accepting the responsibility for giving direction to our school. I am most grateful to you.

Elijah Johnson: I had to change a lot. I had to stop sinning and I had to come to church more.

Austin Gabel: I had to change the way I felt about going to church and how I treated others. On Sundays I would sometimes not be happy to get up and go to church….and now I love to go to church and learn something new.

Damien Arrellano: I had to change by letting go of not waking up to the morning and waking up to hear the prayers of God.

Ashley Catherall: I have become closer to Him by praying more than I did….and to help out and also become better.

Hannah Dees: I had to learn to admit what I had done wrong.

Michael Simmons: I have had to stop being bad in school.

Matthew Gabel:I had to become more understanding and then I had to learn to listen more to everything in church. I used to think about things I would do after church…like what we would eat and how long chores would take, Now I understand and listen to the readings and gospel. I feel more connected to God because I listen.

Isaiah Meeves: I had to change my attitude and myself but mainly the amount of time I really connected with God and I had to make a few sacrifices.
Abigail Dees: I had to stop reading some books I liked and give them up because they showed me the wrong message.

Charlie Dees: I had to stop being mean.

Daulton Howard: Pray more and come to church.

Daniel Howard: Well, I had to become a lot more humble than I was. The way I talked about myself was very vain and unholy….so when I became more humble, I noticed I had more friends and my talents grew stronger.

Nathan Diaz: I feel like I need to read the bible every day.

The money raised by St. Mary’s Cathedral Church for the Interfaith Coalition for the Homeless in Amarillo has to date been counted and comes to $17,600 dollars, plus. Absolutely wonderful St. Mary’s….WONDERFUL. Thank you for being so generous to the very disadvantaged.