Sometimes we can have a strong sense of our own unworthiness when we are in the presence of the Lord. Several characters in the gospels express this sense of unworthiness before Jesus. John the Baptist expressed his unworthiness to baptize Jesus; the Roman centurion expressed his unworthiness to have Jesus come to his home. In this morning’s gospel reading, Simon Peter expresses his unworthiness just to be in the presence of Jesus. Each of these characters felt that the gap between themselves and Jesus was so great that they simply weren’t worthy to have him draw close to them. Yet, on each occasion, Jesus brushed aside the objection. He insisted on John baptizing him; he insisted on going to the home of the Roman centurion; he insists to Simon Peter that he will not be departing from him. On the contrary, Simon Peter was called by Jesus to share intimately in his work of catching people, gathering people into God’s kingdom. The Lord does not want our sense of unworthiness to become a block between himself and us. Yes, we are unworthy, but the Lord does not ask us to be worthy. Rather, he asks us to be willing, to be responsive to his will for our lives. His purpose for our lives is always so much more generous than the plans or purposes we might have for ourselves. Like Simon Peter in the gospel reading, we can discover that at the very moment when we are most aware of our unworthiness, the Lord is looking ahead to the person we can become and to the role we can play in his work in the world.  

Keep your family safe, O Lord, with unfailing care, that, relying solely on the hope of heavenly grace, they may be defended always by your protection.  Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Pray for our Sick:      

Paula Aguilera

Carl Austin

Josie Campos

Pat Carrathers

Domingo Castillo, Sr.

Gabriel Castillo

Lucia Castillo y Sierra

Leonora Deanda

Richard Detterman

John Elser

Gerald Entrop

Maria Hernandez

Bobby Holman

Cliff Kreitz

Roberta Kreitz

Dottie Lopez

Clark Nicholl

Debby Nicholl

Larry Nicholl

Alicia Lopez

Mary Orta

Frances Pillow

Mary Riggs

Ruth Ann Roberts

Alfredo Rodriguez

Socorro Rodriguez

Eleanor Schwab

Daniel Sisneros

Linda Stone

Isabel Vega

L.A. Walker

Nelwyn Wiley

Lord hear our prayer. Amen 

A Quote - Worthy of Reflection: 

Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them. 

James Baldwin

Volunteers are needed at BSA hospital as extraordinary ministers of communion. It does not require much time.  Training is provided and the schedule is very flexible. This promises to be a very rewarding experience for all of those willing to spend some time supporting this ministry.  Please contact Elma Fletcher at elma.fletcher@yahoo.com.  If you prefer to have a conversation to discuss the opportunity, please call # (806) 206-4496.

Bishop Patrick Zurek will preside at a "Word Service and Celebration of the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick" today, Sunday, February 9, at 3:00 pm, at St. Mary's Cathedral.  All are invited to take part, along with the sick, their families, and caregivers.

The St. Martin's Parish Catholic Daughters of America will hold their Annual Enchilada Dinner on next Sunday, February 16, in the Parish Hall.  The meal will include enchiladas, beans, rice, dessert, and a drink.  The cost will be $12.00 for adults and $6.00 for children under 12 years of age.  Proceeds from this year's dinner will support the many charitable efforts of Court # 2472.  

In addition to the dinner, a silent auction will take place.  Parishioners are asked to donate items of value that would be suitable for the auction.  We encourage all parishioners to support this effort and we look forward to seeing you there.

Msgr. Rex will be traveling to California to visit his brother Larry and will be away from the parish from February 17-21.  There will be no weekday Masses that week. 

If you hear the Lord calling your name, we are in need of parishioners to serve as
lectors, ushers, and extraordinary ministers of communion at weekend Masses.  If you feel that you can serve in this capacity, please speak with Msgr. Rex.  Your participation in this ministry will be greatly appreciated.  

The Central Deanery of the Diocese of Amarillo will host a Day of Reconciliation on Wednesday, March 19 from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm at St. Mary’s Cathedral.  Multi-lingual priests will be available throughout the nine-hour period.

2025 is the Jubilee Holy Year, the 2,025th anniversary of the Incarnation of our Lord, an "event of great spiritual, ecclesial, and social significance in the life of the Church." The concept of "Jubilee" has its origins in the Book of Leviticus (chapter 25) as a special year of reconciliation, pilgrimage, and coming home. Pope Francis has designated the 2025 Holy Year as a time to renew ourselves as "Pilgrims of Hope". 

The Diocese of Amarillo is excited to announce that Bishop Patrick J. Zurek has added four additional Pilgrimage of Hope locations for the 2025 Jubilee Year for the Diocese of Amarillo. They are:

* St. Laurence Church, representing the Central Deanery

* Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Groom, representing the East Deanery

* Church of the Holy Spirit, Tulia, representing the South Deanery

* Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Dumas, representing the North Deanery 

These parishes are in addition to the Divine Mercy Chapel at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Amarillo.

The Catholic Church gives the Pope many titles to signify his spiritual leadership of the People of God – the Vicar of Christ, the Successor of St Peter, the Bishop of Rome, the Servant of the Servants of God. 

But did you know that he is also the Head of State of two sovereign entities, i.e. Vatican City State and the Holy See? 

Although “the Vatican” and “the Holy See” are often used interchangeably, the two are quite different.

The Vatican City State was created in 1929 through the Lateran Treaty signed by the Holy See (which has existed since the time of the early Church) and Italy. Pursuant to this Treaty, the Holy See has jurisdiction over the Vatican City State.

Nevertheless, the Vatican City State is in itself an internationally-recognized sovereign entity, with its own flag and national anthem, its own currency (currently the euro), postage stamps, and daily newspaper (L’Osservatore Romano). The Gendermerie Corps maintain public order, while the Swiss Guards are responsible for the Pope’s personal protection. As its geographical area is just 0.44 sq km, many of its institutions and offices are located in buildings in ‘extraterritorial zones’ throughout the city of Rome.

Its form of government is an absolute monarchy – as its head of state, the Pope has supreme authority over Vatican City and its population of less than 1,000 citizens.[1]

The word ‘see’ (Latin: sedes) refers to the episcopal seat or chair from which a bishop exercises authority over the faithful in his diocese.

The Holy See (Latin: sancta sedes, ‘holy chair) is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Bishop of Rome, and the central government of the universal Church. Through the Roman Curia and the various Dicasteries (government departments) of the Holy See, the Pope exercises supreme spiritual leadership over some 1.4 billion Roman Catholics in the local Churches worldwide.

The Holy See is also a sovereign entity under international law (this is why it could sign the Lateran Treaty with Italy) and maintains diplomatic ties with over 180 nations. It is the only religious entity represented in the United Nations, where it is enjoys neutral Permanent Observer status. Papal representatives to the UN  and other states (Apostolic Nuncios) are officially accredited to the Holy See, not the Vatican City State.

Even if the Vatican City State ceased to exist, the jurisdiction of Holy See over the people of God would still remain, as it was before the Lateran Treaty, and has been since the time of St Peter.