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.
 
Pilgrimage Of Hope Locations
 Amarillo—Have you visited the four additional Pilgrimage of Hope locations for the 2025 Jubilee Year?
They are:
• St. Laurence Church, 2300 North Spring, Amarillo, representing the Central Deanery;
• Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 411 Ware Ave., Groom, representing the East Deanery;
• Church of the Holy Spirit, 511 South Austin, Tulia, representing the South Deanery; and,
• Sts. Peter and Paul Church, 915 Maddox, Dumas, representing the North Deanery.
These parishes are in addition to the Divine Mercy Chapel at St. Mary’s Cathedral, 1200 South Washington, Amarillo.
 
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, Dec. 19. 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.

ACTS Retreats
 Amarillo—A Teen’s ACTS (Adoration, Community, Theology and Service) Retreat will be offered Thursday, Jan. 1 through Sunday, Jan. 4, at the Bishop DeFalco Retreat Center, 2100 North Spring. Registration forms are available at parish offices or through the ACTS Community website, actsamarillo.org.  The deadline to register for the retreat is Tuesday, Dec. 23. For additional information about ACTS in the Diocese of Amarillo, please contact Jimmy Hund at 806-344-4842.
 
Natural Family Planning Calendar
 Amarillo—Two Natural Family Planning courses are scheduled in early-2026 in the Diocese of Amarillo.
Marquette Method sessions in English are scheduled Saturday, Jan. 10 and Saturday, March 14, both at 1:00pm, and both 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.
 
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 21 and Sunday, March 22 at the Bishop DeFalco Retreat Center, 2100 North Spring. For more details about the Engaged Encounter weekend or to sign up, please contact Ana Mendoza in the Family Life Office at the Diocesan Pastoral Center, 806-410-3839.
 
Roses Of Mary Youth Invitation
 Amarillo—The Franciscan Sisters of Mary Immaculate invite all young women in the Diocese of Amarillo between the ages of 15 and 25 to encounters at the Franciscan Convent at 4301 NE 18th Ave. on Saturday afternoons between 3:00 and 5:00. Those under 18 years of age will be required to bring a permission note from a parent. The encounters are bilingual and will include a number of activities, including prayer, sharing of experiences, Adoration, worship, pastries, crafts, discussion of themes relevant to young women and other activities. For more information, please call the Franciscan Sisters of Mary Immaculate at 806-383-5769.
  
 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 more details about the Sacred Heart Devotional Prayer Group, please contact Tara and Dustin Meyer at [email protected] or Father Siriwa at [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.