www.covenantteen.com

Bishop Patrick J. Zurek Born in Sealy, TX in 1948 to Arnold and Victoria Zurek, Bishop Zurek was the youngest of three children. He received his Bachelor’s of Science in Mathematics from the University of St. Thomas, Houston, TX, and graduating Magna Cum Laude. He attended St. Mary’s Seminary in Houston, and the Pontifical North American College in Rome. He also received his STB (Bachelor of Sacred Theology Cum Laude from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas (The Angelicum), in Rome. He also received his STL (License in Sacred Theology) in the field of Moral Theology from the Alfonsianum, in Rome. He graduated Magna Cum Laude. Bishop Zurek continues to hold several important offices on the national, international and regional level. He serves on the USCCB Planning Committee to develop the New Spanish Bible. He also remains a member of the Border Bishops Committee organized to discuss pastoral initiatives and immigration issues; and is the president and CEO of the Czech American Priests Association. http://www.amarillodiocese.org/bishop.html

Fr. Tony Ricard

Keynote Rev. R. Tony Ricard, M.Th., M.Div., is a Priest for the Archdiocese of New Orleans and is the Pastor of Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish. He is also a Core Instructor of Church Doctrine for the Institute for Black Catholic Studies at Xavier University in New Orleans. Fr. Tony has given keynote addresses, retreats, revivals, and youth talks across the nation. At last count, he has preached in 18 countries. Fr. Tony is a native of New Orleans and a proud graduate of Our Lady of Lourdes Elementary School and St. Augustine High School. He is a former New Orleans Public School teacher who holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Loyola University, a Master of Theology degree from Xavier University’s Institute for Black Catholic Studies and a Master of Divinity degree from Notre Dame Seminary. http://www.fathertony.com/

Paul Florez

Paul Ybarra Florez Graduated from Texas Tech University in 1986, with a degree in Social Work and Sociology and his Masters in Theology from Incarnate Word College, San Antonio, TX. He has also studied under Robert Coles of Harvard University. Paul Florez has served as Director of Youth Ministry for the Catholic Diocese of Lubbock, TX for 17 years. Paul has served as a consultant in youth ministry and serves the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry Board of Directors and the National Network for Hispanic Youth Ministers. Paul has conducted workshops for national youth organizations throughout the United States, Europe and Mexico on topics of Christology, Multi-Cultural Awareness, Youth Ministry Development, and Leadership Development and Formation. Paul Florez  has worked extensively and collaboratively with Father Tony Ricard of the Arch-Diocese of New Orleans and KnightTime Publishing.   Paul Florez is currently working for Texas Department of Criminal Justice as a State/Federal Parole Officer. Married to Virginia Florez, in love for 28 years and married for 20, I don't remember! We have two wonderful children "Blessed Am I among women" Gabie who is 18 years old, who thinks “she all that and cup KOOL-aid” and Estrellita who is 12 years old. She is just interested in climbing, running, falling, yelling, sleeping, eating pizza, eating her "mocos", playing fastpitch softball and giving hugs and kisses. I guess she is your average 12-year-old. She loves HOME DEPOT!!!!!!! YEAH BOY! I can’t forget the baby of the house “tinkerbell”. Well, she is a dog who thinks she is a cat.

Host Band

St. Mary's Life Teen Band Pictured from left to right:: Back row-Jim Rogers, Robert Gilmore, Steve Baker, Ian Gilmore, Kevin Raef. Front row-Angelique Herr, Patricia Gross, Brandon Wilhelm. St. Mary’s Life Teen Music Ministry has been serving the teens of our church and the Diocese of Amarillo for the past 12 years. We have served our Youth weekly at the Life Teen Mass, providing music at retreats, providing XLT Adoration and Parish wide praise and worship on a monthly basis. We have also participated in Youth 2000 and provided music for the Liturgy at the Eucharistic Congress. We wish to thank the many contributors who made this project possible and to allow all monies collected from the CD to go to reducing our re-building debt. The cost of the CD is $15.00 and is available at the church office at 1200 S. Washington Street and will be available for purchase after the Life Teen Mass. If you want to order a CD you can email Kevin Raef at kkraef@amaonline.com or call him at 806-655-2358. www.stmarysamarillo.com

Friday Night & Spanish Host Band

MARANATHA Maranatha, a phrase occurring only once  in the New Testament, stands for "Our Lord, come!" in Aramaic, the language once Jesus spoke. It was in late 2008 that we decided to borrow this name and form a band that would express, through innovative and creative music, the joy of Our Lord coming.    Maranatha, una frase mencionada tan sólo una vez en el Nuevo Testamento, significa "Ven, Nuestro Señor" en Arameo, la lengua que alguna vez Jesús habló. Fue a finales del 2008 que decidimos tomar prestado este nombre y formar una banda que expresara, a través de música innovadora y creativa, el regocijo de la venida de Nuestro Señor. Vicente Flores - 806-679-3818 Guillermo Gerling 806-206-1159