Father Valdez To Note Silver Jubilee

Amarillo—Father John Valdez, pastor of St. Thomas the Apostle Church, will celebrate the 25 ^th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood with a Mass and reception Friday, Jan. 22, beginning at 6:00pm at the church, located at 4100 South Coulter.

Bishop Patrick J. Zurek will be the celebrant, with Father Valdez and his brother priests concelebrating. The Mass will be followed by a reception in the Monsignor Tash Parish Hall.

The son of Thomas and Mary Valdez of Southland, Father Valdez was ordained to the priesthood Jan. 19, 1991 at St. Laurence Cathedral (now St. Laurence Church) by then-Bishop Leroy T. Matthiesen. He has served at Immaculate Conception Church, Perryton; St. Peter’s Church, Booker; St. Vincent de Paul Church, Pampa; and, Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, Amarillo.

He has also served at Sacred Heart Church, Canadian; and, St. Mary’s Church, Wheeler. Father Valdez was pastor at St. Anthony’s Church, Hereford, from Jan. 2004 to Sept. 30, 2013 and has been pastor at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Amarillo, since Oct. 1, 2013.

Father Valdez is currently serving on the diocesan Presbyteral Council and is a member of the diocesan Vocation Team. Since Oct. 1, 2013, he has also served as Vicar of Clergy for the Diocese of Amarillo.