January 1st, 2012 Octave Day of Christmas
Epistle: Tit. 2:11-15
Gospel: Lk. 2:21
Mass Schedule January 2nd through January 6th
SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806 EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS: Celebrant Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching
Monday-Most Holy Name of Jesus-NO LATIN MASS
Tuesday-Feria of Christmastide-NO LATIN MASS
Wednesday-Feria of Christmastide-NO LATIN MASS
Thursday-Feria in Christmastide-NO LATIN MASS
Friday-Epiphany of the Lord-NO LATIN MASS
There will be no daily Mass in the Extraordinary Form this week. The Latin Mass will resume with the Feast of the Holy Family on January 8th at 2:30pm. There will be a pot-luck dinner in the school cafeteria immediately following the 2:30pm Mass on January 8th.
The words of the dogmatic constitution on the Church of the Second Vatican Council (lumen gentium, nn. 61-62) remind us that:
This motherhood of Mary in the order of grace—from the consent which she gave in faith at the incarnation, and which she continued to give unhesitatingly at the foot of the cross—lasts without interruption until all the elect enter into eternal fulfillment. When she was taken up into heaven, she did not lay aside this saving role but she continues by her intercession for all to gain for us the gifts of eternal salvation. In her maternal love she cares for the brothers of her Son as they journey on earth in the midst of dangers and hardships, until they are brought safely home to the happiness of heaven. The Blessed Virgin is thus invoked in the Church under the titles of Advocate, Auxiliatrix, Adjutrix and Mediatrix. These titles must not, however, be understood as in any way detracting from, or adding to, the dignity and effectiveness of Christ, the one Mediator.
No creature can ever be classed as an equal with the incarnate Word, the Redeemer. But just as the priesthood of Christ is shared in various ways by His ministers and His faithful people, and as the goodness of God, one though it is, is in different ways, really shared with creatures, so also the unique mediation of Christ does not exclude but brings about a variety of shared cooperation, deriving from the one unique source.
The Church does not hesitate to acknowledge this kind of subordinate role in the person of Mary. The Church has continuous experience of its effects, and commends it to the hearts of the faithful, so that as they lean on her motherly protection they may be brought into closer union with the Mediator, our Savior.
Sincerely in Christ,
Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching
