Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage IN THIS ISSUE: PAID Permit 309 Diocesan Calendar 100 Years of Education A New Pastoral Center Amarillo, TX The Latest Update At Hereford School At 4512 NE 24th, Amarillo See Page 4 See Pages 5-7 See Pages 14-15 Volume 77, No. 1 Serving Catholics in the Texas Panhandle - Roman Catholic Diocese of Amarillo January 15, 2017 Leading Off Amarillo—Bishop Patrick J. Annual Respect Life Mass, Walk Saturday, Jan. 28 Zurek has issued his third Pasto- Amarillo—Life and Family ral Letter on the diocesan website, supporters throughout the Texas www.amarillodiocese.org. Panhandle are invited to gather The Pastoral Letter, entitled Saturday, Jan. 28 for the annual A Reflection on the Ordained Respect Life Mass and Walk. Priesthood/Una Reflexión sobre Activities begin with a Diocesan la Ordenación Sacerdotal, can be Respect Life Mass at 10:00am at St. found under the Bishop tab on the Mary’s Cathedral, 1200 South Wash- website, under the Jubilee of Mercy ington, celebrated by Bishop Patrick subhead. The Pastoral Letter is in J. Zurek and concelebrated by priests English and Spanish. of the Diocese of Amarillo. Following Mass, the Walk for Life Amarillo—The Diocesan Pas- will begin with prayer and a proces- toral Center staff has moved to a sion to 15th and Taylor, where the new facility, as of Monday, Jan. Rosary for Life, Marriage and Family 16. The Pastoral Center is now will be prayed at Sanborn Park. located at 4512 NE 24th Ave. The “The greatest gift we have as phone number remains the same: faithful citizens of the United States 806-383-2243 and all extensions is Faith,” said Stephanie Frausto, remain the same. A list of employ- diocesan director of Respect Life ee extensions can be found on the Ministries. “We are given the free- diocesan website, www.amarillo- Participants in the annual Respect Life Mass and Walk make their way to Sanborn Park, Am- dom to believe, the freedom to hope, diocese.org. Please go to the Home arillo, Jan. 23, 2016. This year’s Respect Life Mass and Walk is set for Saturday, Jan. 28, be- the freedom to love and in this, we tab and look under Diocesan Staff ginning with Mass at 10:00am at St. Mary’s Cathedral, 1200 South Washington, Amarillo. (WTC have the freedom to set others free. for the complete list. archives) “For this one day out of the entire The mailing address for the year, let us take our Faith in God and Diocese of Amarillo remains the Catholic Student Center Fundraiser Saturday, Feb. 4 be the hope, the light and the joy that same: P. O. Box 5644, Amarillo, brings others to a belief. We concluded 79117-5644. The street address for Amarillo—Tickets are now penses but we are also hoping to people to meet the students that a Jubilee Year of Mercy last Novem- mailing purposes is now 4512 NE available for the annual Auction raise enough money this year to they are supporting and for the stu- ber; we have seen His mercy witness 24th Ave., Amarillo, 79107-8225. and Steak Dinner to benefit the renovate our chapel.” dents to show their appreciation for to so many at every level imaginable. Catholic Student Center at West Once again the Student Center is all the generosity we have received Let us now be moved by that mercy Bovina—German Sausage with Texas A&M University in Canyon. seeking people who are willing to do- throughout the year,” he said. so that others too may know that yes, all the trimmings will be on the The annual fundraiser is set for nate a gift basket for the silent auction. Tickets are on sale for a raffle, He is mercy and love itself.” menu Sunday, Jan. 29 during the Saturday, Feb. 4 from 6:00pm to “We have had great partici- which takes place in conjunction with Bishop Zurek is requesting that annual German Sausage Dinner at midnight at St. Thomas the Apostle pation with our gift baskets the the annual fundraiser. Tickets are no activities on the parish, school St. Ann’s Church. The dinner will Church, 4100 South Coulter. past several years,” said Father available for a $20.00 donation and or diocesan level are to be sched- run from 11:30am to 2:00pm at the Tickets are $50 each and, as in Schwind. “This has helped make can be purchased from any member uled Saturday, Jan. 28, until after parish hall on Third Street. the past, must be purchased in ad- our annual fundraiser even more of the Catholic Student Center. 1:00pm, so that all Catholics can at- The dinner will be served to vance since no tickets will be sold special and we encourage groups, Top prize in the raffle is the tend the annual Respect Life Mass adults for a suggested $12.00 do- at the door, according to Father S. businesses and organizations to do- Rome VIP Vatican Exploration, and participate in the Walk for Life. nation and to children six and un- Christopher Schwind, CSC chap- nate a gift basket again this year.” which includes a five-night stay at “Bring all your friends and fam- der for a suggested $6.00 donation. lain and executive director. The annual auction and steak the Hotel Ponte Sisto. The Experi- ily, step out in Faith and reach out Takeouts will be available at no ad- “The fifty dollar ticket includes dinner serves as the principal fund- ence includes: to those whom you feel stirred to ditional charge. Sausage and sau- a steak dinner, dancing to the mu- raiser for the CSC, according to • Daily breakfast for two; invite,” said Frausto. “Let us come erkraut will also be available for sic of Young Country, a live and Father Schwind. • A Vatican Museum tour of together to celebrate the gift of life.” purchase the day of the dinner or silent auction and a raffle,” he said. “This is the main source of your choice; and, To learn more, call Frausto at by contacting any St. Ann’s parish- “Proceeds from the fundraiser go funding for our campus ministries, the Diocesan Pastoral Center at ioner prior to the dinner. toward our general operating ex- but it’s also a great opportunity for Please see “Fundraiser,” p.10 383-2243, ext. 129 or 678-4673. 2 West Texas Catholic PAGE 2 January 15, 2017 Editor’s Note: Payday Lend- lenders, they feel there are no al- We have had some results in re- Mayor Harpole: When anyone ing has been a issue discussed in ternatives. They have immediate quiring responsible lending, there- deals with the Payday Lenders in- the State Legislature in the past financial needs, such as medical, by protecting the consumer to a side and outside of the City limits, and is more than likely to be dis- legal issues, vehicle repairs or over- degree. The State of Texas needs they need to remember the old say- cussed during the 85th legislative whelming bills to pay. They can re- to monitor these predatory lend- ing, “Let the buyer beware.” session, which began Jan. 10. ceive money for a car title of other ers. However, the legislature has The West Texas Catholic asked collateral and it seems quicker or shown little interest in this issue. WTC: Any other comments you St. Thomas the Apostle Church, easier than a bank or credit union. Sadly, the Payday Lenders have a wish to add? Amarillo, parishioner and Ama- The questions that city government very strong lobby group in Austin. Mayor Harpole: The City has rillo Mayor Paul Harpole three have been approached with regard After our ordinance passed con- provided some protection but the questions about Payday Lending to very high interest rates, rolling sumers have been lured just out lenders are creative. We have heard and its effects in Amarillo. the note over again and again with of the city limits to new offices set stories of the Payday Lenders lur- The West Texas Catholic: How fees piled on top of more fees. Peo- up to circumvent the city licensing ing Amarillo residents as far away has the Payday Lending industry ple ask us to help control the lend- Paul Harpole and regulation rules. as Hereford to get a loan. Sadly, affected the citizens of Amarillo? ers when the debt keeps cascad- Mayor of Amarillo preying on the unsuspecting and Mayor Paul Harpole: The ing into more and more debt. The WTC: How can we convince desperate seems to be profitable to City of Amarillo has joined many lenders are often providing loans The City Council studied the our residents to avoid doing busi- these lenders. We hope people will cities around the State to address to high-risk credit customers. Oth- issue and received help from con- ness with these people? stop and think before they act. questions raised by our citizens er times, the customers could get a sumer advocacy groups as the City and consumer advocates regarding loan with the bank and just don’t sought a path to make fair loan Bishop Expresses Gratitude situations our residents find them- know that because they might have practices the rule with Payday selves in when they use Payday let their credit slip and were turned Lenders. The previous City Coun- Amarillo—Bishop Patrick J. “I also want to say thank you Lenders. down years before. Some people cil, three years ago, enacted an or- Zurek released the following state- for all the gifts I received.