Friday, November 25, 2011

Bulletin 78

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806 EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS: Celebrant Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

November 27th, 2011 First Sunday of Advent

Epistle: Rom. 13: 11-14
Gospel: Lk. 21: 25-33

Mass Schedule November 28th through December 2nd.

Monday-Feria of Advent-NO LATIN MASS
Tuesday-Feria of Advent
Wednesday-Saint Andrew, Apostle
Thursday-Feria of Advent
Friday-Sacred Heart of Jesus

There will be a pot-luck dinner on Sunday, December 4th immediately following the 2:30pm Latin Mass in the school cafeteria. All are invited to attend. Bring water, candles, or any religious articles you wish to have blessed.

As we begin the season of Advent, Christ speaks in the Gospel of His coming in glory at the end of time. Mankind will see Christ’s power and glory when He comes to judge the living and the dead. God’s justice and mercy to men throughout history will shine for all to see.

The second coming of Christ is a day of terror for evildoers and of joy for those who have remained faithful to Christ. Christ’s victory on the cross over sin, satan, and death will be seen clearly. Saint Paul therefore encourages us to be “awaiting our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.”

As we await the coming of Jesus Christ we must remember that the Advent season is a time of preparation and repentance. We prepare ourselves by reforming our lives. We must beg God for true contrition for our sins and for a sincere transformation. This transformation involves putting our old life of sin behind us once and for all.

Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Bulletin 77

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806 EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS: Celebrant Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

November 20th, 2011 23rd Sunday after Pentecost

Epistle: Phil. 3: 17-21; 4: 1-3
Gospel: Mt. 19: 18-26

Mass Schedule November 21st through November 25th

Monday-Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary-NO LATIN MASS
Tuesday-Requiem Mass + Catherine Diaz
Wednesday-Requiem Mass + Charlie Diaz
Thursday-Saint John of the Cross, Confessor & Doctor-MASS AT 11:00AM
Friday-Saint Catherine of Alexandria, Virgin & Martyr-NO LATIN MASS

MASS ON THANKSGIVING DAY WILL BE AT 11:00AM AT SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL. THERE WILL BE NO LATIN MASS ON FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25TH.

Because of the physical and mental suffering that it brings, and the threat that it poses to human existence, sickness is one of the greatest trials that human beings must experience. We often ask the question in times of great suffering why human life is subject to such a painful ordeal. Why does God place this burden upon us?

Although Scripture gives us no clear answer to these questions, Christian tradition has generally regarded sickness not as belonging to humanity’s original condition but as resulting from humanity’s rebellion against God. Before that event, described in the book of Genesis, Adam and Eve had access to the Tree of Life, the fruit of which would ward off death, and presumably sickness that leads to death. After the fall, the Lord God pronounced a sentence upon the couple. Woman would suffer pain in giving birth and Man would have to toil by the sweat of his brow to make a living from the earth that has been cursed by God. Both Man and Woman were denied access to the Tree of Life and now must return to the earth from which they came. In interpreting the Genesis story, Christian tradition has generally seen sickness, suffering and death as consequences of Adam’s sin. These painful realities belong to humanity’s present fallen condition, but will have no place in the world to come, where “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain, for the old order has passed away” (Rev 21.4).

Sickness is part of that distressful condition from which Christ has come to deliver mankind. He certainly did so in the Gospel today when the woman with the flow of blood touched His clothing. In fact, it is Christ’s own sufferings that have not only freed us from sin, but have given strength and courage to those afflicted with sickness. Christ gives them hope that by patiently accepting their ordeal in union with Him they may share in His redemptive work. This is the mystery of the Cross! In order to share in Christ’s resurrection, we must be willing to share in His Cross.

In Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Bulletin 76

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806 EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS: Celebrant Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

November 13th, 2011 22nd Sunday after Pentecost

Epistle: Phil. 1:6-11
Gospel: Mt. 22:15-21

Mass Schedule November 14th through November 18th:

Monday-Saint Josaphat, Bishop & Martyr-NO LATIN MASS
Tuesday-Saint Albert the Great, Bishop, Confessor & Doctor
Wednesday-Requiem Mass + Annie Machado
Thursday-Requiem Mass + Deceased Relatives of James Family
Friday-Dedication of the Basilicas of SS Peter & Paul

MASS ON THANKSGIVING DAY WILL BE AT 11:00AM AT SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL. THERE WILL BE NO LATIN MASS ON FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25TH.

In the Book of Exodus, God revealed Himself to Moses and spoke the words: “merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.” God’s faithfulness means we should always completely surrender to God without fear because He always keeps His promises and is true to His word.

We must constantly foster a personal relationship with Jesus Christ though prayer. We must strive to receive the sacraments frequently. We owe God our very lives through service and self-sacrifice. We must obey His commandments. To do so, we must foster personal love and commitment toward Jesus Christ.

Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Bulletin 75

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806 EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS: Celebrant Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

November 6th, 2011 21st Sunday after Pentecost

Epistle: Eph. 6: 10-17
Gospel: Mt. 18: 23-35

Mass Schedule November 7th through November 11th:

Monday-Feria-NO LATIN MASS
Tuesday-Requiem Mass + Mary Dsouza
Wednesday-Dedication of the Archbasilica of Our Holy Savior
Thursday-Saint Andrew Avellino, Confessor
Friday-Saint Martin of Tours, Bishop & Confessor

The month of November is dedicated to the Holy Souls. On all days from November 1 through November 8 inclusive, a plenary indulgence, applicable only to the Poor Souls, is granted to those who visit a cemetery and pray, even if only mentally, for the departed. Partial indulgences are granted to those who recite Lauds or Vespers of the Office of the Dead, and to those who recite the prayer “Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domini, et lux perpetua luceat eis. Requiescant in pace” (“Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace”).

“An indulgence is a remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has already been forgiven, which the faithful Christian who is duly disposed gains under certain prescribed conditions through the action of the Church which, as the minister of redemption, dispenses and applies with authority the treasury of the satisfactions of Christ and the saints.” Paul VI, apostolic constitution, Indulgentiarum doctrina, Norm 1.

An indulgence is partial or plenary according as it removes either part or all of the temporal punishment due to sin. The faithful can gain indulgences for themselves, or apply them to the dead.

Saint Paul reminds us we must all be prepared to struggle “against the principalities” of this world, namely those angels who rebelled against God whom Christ has won victory over. We must fight with spiritual weapons; truth, righteousness, peace and faith. These weapons guarantee our victory! Our fight should therefore be fought with joy and confidence!

Satan is constantly seeking to bring about man’s eternal damnation. However, since Christ has defeated satan through the power of the cross, satan no longer has power over us. We must, however, still contend with the enemy. Prayer is the single most important weapon for fighting the enemy. Prayer helps us to conquer evil passions and temptations brought about by the devil. It is not enough simply to go through the motions. We must constantly pray from the heart.

In Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching