The faithful are invited to attend and participate in the annual Chrism Mass on Tuesday, April 16 at 7:00pm at St. Mary’s Cathedral, 1200 South Washington.

Seating is limited and ticket sales have been brisk for the seventh Bishop’s Gala, taking place Friday, May 3 at Amarillo Country Club, 4800 Bushland Blvd.

The annual School-A-Thon to benefit St. Joseph School will take place Friday, May 17 from 9:00am to 3:00pm at Southlawn Park, 4417 Parker St, Amarillo.

The ninth annual St. Joseph’s Festival is set for Sunday, May 5 from noon to 7:00pm at the church, 4122 South Bonham, Amarillo.

St. Mary’s Church in Umbarger will host its seventh annual Frühlingsfest, or Spring Festival, Saturday, May 4 in the parish hall at 22830 Pondaseta Road.

Tickets are still available for the Catholic Student Center at West Texas A&M University’s Chance to Win fundraiser to raise needed funds for the purchase of four heating and air conditioning units.

All First Degree Knights, First Degree candidates and those wishing to join the Knights of Columbus are encouraged to attend a First, Second and Third Degree Exemplification, sponsored by Knights of Columbus Council #1450 at St. Mary’s Cathedral, 1200 South Washington. The exemplifications are set for Saturday, May 18, beginning at 8:30am in the Monsignor Francis A. Smyer Reception Room.

This is the first story in a series CNS is doing called Children at Risk on child sexual abuse in the U.S.

Here is an explanation of the Celebration of the Rite of Election of Catechumens and the Call to Continuing Conversion of Candidates who are preparing for Confirmation and First Eucharist or Reception into the Full Communion of the Catholic Church. The explanation follows in Spanish.

Parishes in the Diocese of Amarillo have announced Mass Schedules for March 6, Ash Wednesday.

A conversation with Bishop Patrick J. Zurek, which aired on St. Valentine Catholic Radio and can be found in the Feb. 17 issue of The West Texas Catholic. Photo by Enedelia Obregon, freelancer for the Catholic Spirit, Diocese of Austin.

The next opportunity to take The Sacraments of Healing course, part of the Faith Formation Basic Course, will be Saturday, March 2, according to Sister María Elena Ferrer, SSND, Coordinator of the Diocesan Office of Faith Formation.

Friday, March 1 is the deadline to register to take part in a Youth Pilgrimage to Oklahoma City in honor of Blessed Stanley Rother, Farmer, Priest and Martyr.

Tickets are on sale for the 20th annual Salt and Pepper Luncheon, taking place Thursday, March 21 from 11:30am to 1:00pm at St. Mary’s Cathedral, 1200 South Washington.

All women in the Diocese of Amarillo are invited to attend a Retreat, sponsored by the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (DCCW). The Retreat is set for Saturday, March 16 from 8:00am to noon at St. Hyacinth Church, 4500 West Hills Trail.

Good, Better, Best is the theme of a Lenten Parish Mission at St. Ann’s Church Wednesday, March 20 through Friday, March 22.

A Lenten Parish Mission will take place Monday, March 18 through Wednesday, March 20 at St. Martin de Porres Church.

A Busy Person’s Lenten Retreat, sponsored by the Bishop DeFalco Retreat Center, will take place Tuesday, March 26 at the center, 2100 North Spring.

The Diocese of Amarillo will celebrate the Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion Sunday, March 10 at 2:30pm at St. Mary’s Cathedral, 1200 South Washington.

The Diocese of Amarillo is offering adults who have not received the Sacrament of Confirmation the opportunity to prepare for the reception of the Sacrament, according to Sister María Elena Ferrer, SSND, director of the Diocesan Office of Faith Formation.