Bulletin 184

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching

December 29th, 2013
Sunday in the Octave of Christmas
Gal. 4: 1-7
Gospel: Lk. 2: 33-40

Mass Schedule December 30 – January 3

Mon 30 No Latin Mass
Tue 31 7th Day in the Octave of Christmas
Wed 1 Octave Day of Christmas – Midnight Mass
Thu 2 Feria of Christmastide
Fri 3 Sacred Heart of Jesus

Mass will be offered in the Extraordinary Form at 12 midnight on New Year’s Eve at Saint Agnes Cathedral. This is the Octave Day of Christmas and a Holy Day of Obligation in the United States.

Mass on January 3rd will be followed by adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and benediction.

A plenary indulgence may be gained by publicly saying or singing the Te Deum in thanksgiving on the last day of the year (December 31). A plenary indulgence may also be gained by publicly saying or singing the Veni Creator Spiritus on the first day of the year (January 1).

In Christ,

Fr. Jeff Fasching

Bulletin 183

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching

December 22nd, 2013
Fourth Sunday of Advent (Rorate Sunday)
Epistle: 1 Cor. 4: 1-5
Gospel: Lk. 3: 1-6

Mass Schedule December 23 – December 27

Mon 23 No Latin Mass
Tue 24 Vigil of the Nativity of Our Lord—10:00am
Wed 25 The Nativity of Our Lord –2:30pm
Thu 26 Saint Stephen * Deacon & Protomartyr
Fri 27 Saint John * Apostle & Evangelist

Our next pot-luck dinner will be on Sunday, December 22nd following the 2:30pm Latin Mass in the school cafeteria. His Excellency, Bishop James Johnston will be the homilist at Mass and will be joining us for dinner.

Mass in the Extraordinary Form on Christmas day will be at 2:30pm at Saint Agnes Cathedral.

Midnight Mass will be offered in the Extraordinary Form at 12:00pm midnight on New Year’s Eve at Saint Agnes Cathedral. This is the Octave Day of Christmas and a Holy Day of Obligation in the United States.

A plenary indulgence may be gained by publicly saying or singing the Te Deum in thanksgiving on the last day of the year (December 31). A plenary indulgence may also be gained by publicly saying or singing the Veni Creator Spiritus on the first day of the year (January 1).

Saint Paul speaks of the greatness, the dignity and the duty of the Christian priest. He is a minister of Christ and the instrument of Christ. The priest is “another Christ.” A priest is appointed steward of the mysteries of God for the benefit of the mystical body of Christ. Pope Pius XI writes the following regarding the office of the priesthood: “The Christian, at almost every important state of his mortal career, finds as his side the priest with power received from God, for the purpose of communicating or increasing that grace which is the supernatural life of his soul.”

In Christ,

Fr. Jeff Fasching

Bulletin 182

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching

December 15th, 2013
Third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday)
Epistle: Phil. 4: 4-7
Gospel: Jn. 1: 19-28

Mass Schedule December 16th – December 20th

Mon 16 No Latin Mass
Tue 17 Greater Feria of Advent
Wed 18 Ember Wednesday
Thu 19 Greater Feria of Advent
Fri 20 Ember Friday

Our next pot-luck dinner will be on Sunday, December 22nd following the 2:30pm Latin Mass in the school cafeteria. His Excellency, Bishop James Johnston will be the homilist at Mass and will be joining us for dinner.

Mass in the Extraordinary Form on Christmas day will be at 2:30pm at Saint Agnes Cathedral.

Midnight Mass will be offered in the Extraordinary Form at 12:00pm midnight on New Year’s Eve at Saint Agnes Cathedral. This is the Octave Day of Christmas and a Holy Day of Obligation in the United States.

In the Book of Revelations we read:

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, the New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband, and I heard a great voice from the throne saying, “Behold the dwelling of God is with men. He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be with them. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain any more, for the former things have passed away.”

Advent is a time of hope and expectation. We look forward to a renewal. We look forward to a time when creation itself will be set free from its bondage to death. God has in store for His children things that we cannot imagine now, but one day we shall see God as He is. We are made in God’s image. Since we share in His divine nature we hope for the day that we will be able to see God as He sees Himself!

In Christ,

Father Jeff Fasching

Bulletin 181

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching

December 8th, 2013

Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Epistle: Prov. 8: 22-35
Gospel: Lk. 1: 26-28

Mass Schedule December 9th – December 13th

Mon 9 No Latin Mass
Tue 10 Feria of Advent
Wed 11 Saint Damasus I, Pope & Confessor
Thu 12 Feria of Advent
Fri 13 Saint Lucy, Virgin & Martyr

Our next pot-luck dinner will be on Sunday, December 22nd following the 2:30pm Latin Mass in the school cafeteria. His Excellency, Bishop James Johnston will be the homilist at Mass and will be joining us for dinner.

Mass in the Extraordinary Form on Christmas day will be at 2:30pm at Saint Agnes Cathedral.

Midnight Mass will be offered in the Extraordinary Form at 12:00pm midnight on New Year’s Eve at Saint Agnes Cathedral. This is the Octave Day of Christmas and a Holy Day of Obligation in the United States.

Sunday, December 8th is the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Your prayers are requested for those who will be making their Total Consecration to Jesus Christ through the Blessed Virgin Mary during Mass on this day.

The Blessed Virgin Mary was conceived by the Holy Ghost without any stain of original sin. Mary has therefore been distinguished by the grace of God as the holiest of all the saints. She has been set apart by God from the rest of mankind as God’s perfect and sinless creature. The Blessed Virgin’s glory and majesty are due to her sinlessness. The graces she stored up while she walked upon this earth were infinite. These graces elevated her to Queen of heaven and earth and of all the saints! Mary has never been under Satan’s power. We should therefore pray to God through her that we too never succumb to the devil’s influence. “O Queen conceived without original sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee!”

Fr. Jeff Fasching

Bulletin 180

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching

December 1st, 2013
First Sunday of Advent
Epistle: Rom. 13: 11-14
Gospel: Lk. 21: 25-33

Mass Schedule December 2nd – December 6th

Mon 2 No Latin Mass
Tue 3 Saint Francis Xavier, Confessor
Wed 4 Saint Peter Chrysologus; Bishop, Confessor & Doctor
Thu 5 Feria of Advent
Fri 6 Sacred Heart of Jesus—Mass will be followed by Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction.

Our next pot-luck dinner will be on Sunday, December 22nd following the 2:30pm Latin Mass in the school cafeteria. His Excellency, Bishop James Johnston will be the homilist at Mass and will be joining us for dinner.

Sunday, December 8th is the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Your prayers are requested for those who will be making their Total Consecration to Jesus Christ through the Blessed Virgin Mary during Mass on this day.

Christ’s second coming will be a most solemn event. There will be a public and general judgment for each individual and God’s mercy and justice will be made manifest for the whole world to see! This will be a day of terror for those who have lived evil lives and joy for those who have remained faithful to Jesus Christ. A reward will soon come so never give up the fight against evil! Christ’s victory on the cross is a victory over sin and Satan. On the Day of Judgment this victory will be seen clearly. We must therefore be vigilant! “He ascended into heaven whence He will come again to judge the living and the dead, each according to his merits. Those who have responded to the love and compassion of God will go into eternal life. Those who have refused them to the end will be consigned to the fire that is never extinguished.”

Fr. Jeff Fasching

Bulletin 179

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching

November 24th, 2013

24th and Last Sunday after Pentecost

Epistle: Col. 1: 9-14
Gospel: Mt. 24: 13-25

Mass Schedule November 25th through November 29th

Mon 25 No Latin Mass
Tue 26 Saint Sylvester, Abbot
Wed 27 Requiem Mass
Thu 28 No Latin Mass
Fri 29 No Latin Mass

Our next pot-luck dinner will be on Sunday, December 22nd following the 2:30pm Latin Mass in the school cafeteria. His Excellency, Bishop James Johnston will join us for Mass and dinner.

Saint Paul always encouraged his brothers to advance in holiness through prayer and intense effort! Sanctity is something that is not simply handed to us. We must work hard for it every day. We need the Holy Ghost to enlighten us with wisdom, understanding and strength. Saint Thomas Aquinas says: “it is not enough to have knowledge, for he who knows the right thing to do and fails to do it commits sin, therefore one must need to perform virtuous actions.” We have to rely on God for strength in order to do good.

We also have “the inheritance of the saints” in order to draw on the treasury of spiritual goods which the Church is constantly applying to its members. These include prayers, merits and sacrifices which benefit all of us! God has brought us out of darkness into His own wonderful light says Saint Paul. This has been through no merits of ours or any past service we have rendered to God, but only the merits of the only mediator, Jesus Christ!

In Christ,

Fr. Jeffery Fasching

Bulletin 178

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching

November 17th, 2013
6th Resumed Sunday after Epiphany
Epistle: 1 Thess. 1: 2-10
Gospel: Mt. 13: 31-35

Mass Schedule November 18th through November 22nd

Mon 18 No Latin Mass
Tue 19 No Latin Mass
Wed 20 Saint Felix of Valois, Confessor
Thu 21 Requiem Mass
Fri 22 Saint Cecilia * Virgin & Martyr

Our next pot-luck dinner will be on Sunday, December 22nd following the 2:30pm Latin Mass in the school cafeteria. His Excellency, Bishop James Johnston will join us for Mass and dinner.

It is natural to fear death, but we really should not. In fact, it is not at all a morbid desire to long for death with one’s whole heart and soul! Actually we should rejoice at death because death means that we are finally delivered from this present “valley of tears” and all our earthly suffering! Death delivers us from our actual sins and through death we are given the chance to enter into the heavenly Paradise for which we were born!

What is death? Job says that our life is full of miseries, infirmities, crosses, persecutions and fears. This is not a life for rest and enjoyment, but for labor and suffering! The only way we can merit heaven is by toil, labor and pain. It is true that death is the punishment of sin, but the miseries this life offers are so great that death should seem to be a relief rather than a punishment.

If we are prepared to die, death is welcomed. In our earthly life the world, evil spirits, the flesh and the passions all draw the soul to sin and eternal death. But death brings us to the possession of Jesus Christ, our true life!

In Christ,

Fr. Jeff Fasching

Bulletin 177

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching

November 10th, 2013

5th Resumed Sunday After Epiphany

Epistle: Col. 3: 12-17
Gospel: Mt. 13: 24-30

Mass Schedule November 11th through November 15h

Mon 11 No Latin Mass
Tue 12 Saint Martin I, Pope & Martyr
Wed 13 Saint Didacus, Confessor
Thu 14 Requiem Mass + Mrs. Xavier
Fri 15 Saint Albert the Great; Bishop, Confessor & Doctor

Our next pot-luck dinner will be on Sunday, December 22nd following the 2:30pm Latin Mass in the school cafeteria. His Excellency, Bishop James Johnston will join us for Mass and dinner.

Catholic Traditionalism verses Fundamentalism

A Traditional Latin Mass (Vetus Ordo) Celebrated at St. Agnes Cathedral in Springfield Missouri in 2010
Celebrant is  Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching, the Most Rev. James V. Johnston kneels in Choir
Photo by John Kelly

NOTE: This article pertains primarily to Catholicism in the English-speaking world.  The situation can be quite different in non-Anglophone countries.

Traditionalism and Fundamentalism; yes there is a difference.  This is most especially the case in Catholicism.  We see it in Protestantism too, but in Catholicism the line is more clearly drawn, and it is a line based in attitude.

Traditionalism is when Catholics cling to tradition, and overall, this is a very good thing.  It helps to keep the Church connected to her past, and in the end, it keeps her identity clear.  From the 1970s through early 2000s, there was a shortage of traditionalists in the Catholic Church, and the Church suffered because of this.  Thankfully, that is starting to change.  The trend toward returning to traditional practices really picked up in the late 1990s to early 2000s, however, because many priests and bishops had adopted a hostile attitude toward tradition, many traditionalists had nowhere to go but to illicit SSPX chapels and schismatic sedevacantist groups.  Consequently, there was a mix between what I will henceforth refer to as "traditionalists" and "fundamentalists."  Traditionalists mingled with the fundamentalists and vice versa, because they had nowhere else to go, creating a traditional-fundamental soup in those dioceses were the bishop was hostile to the traditional Latin mass and other traditional practises.

Fundamentalism in the Catholic world actually has a whole lot in common with fundamentalism in the Protestant world, and I'm sure some Catholic fundamentalists will object to me using that term in reference to them, and shriek at me making such a comparison.  However, I am very familiar with fundamentalism from my experience as a Protestant.  I know it like the back of my hand, and I can smell it a mile away. Fundamentalism, in a Catholic sense, is when a Catholic basically adopts an attitude of thinking he's more Catholic than the pope.  I mean this quite literally.  The pope is often referred to as a "heretic" or a "schismatic" or an "antipope."  The mainstream Catholic Church is often seen as a "false church" of heresy, and the only "true Catholics" are those who adhere to their sectarian groups and mentality.  A good example of this can often be found in the SSPX (Society of Saint Pius X).  Now it's not fair to paint all persons within this group a Catholic fundamentalists, but I think it is fair to say the SSPX fosters this sort of attitude among its members.  It is an attitude of superiority, wherein one thinks one is "more Catholic," or even worse, "more legitimately Catholic" simply because one clings to the older traditions of the Church.  However, it runs deeper than that.  There is a doctrinal division too, wherein Catholic fundamentalists become a magisterium unto themselves, believing they are the only "authentic" interpreters of Catholic teaching and tradition.  Even Rome is presumed to be "in error" about these things.  That being said, there is always room for disagreement over some pastoral issues within the Catholic Church, but this isn't what I'm talking about here.  I'm not talking about two Catholics, who both submit to the authority of Rome and the local bishop, but have a vehement disagreement over how a certain Church teaching or discipline should be interpreted.  I'm not talking about Catholics who have different liturgical preferences and think the Church has gone too far one way or another.  I'm not even talking about Catholics who say the pope is wrong on this issue or that.  Again, there is room for disagreement within the pale of orthodoxy.  No!  What I'm talking about here is entirely different.  I'm talking about a Catholic, who may have a disagreement with the Church (over this issue or that), and then takes it to the point where he pronounces the Church to be false, or having been "taken over" by the forces of evil, to the point where this Catholic feels he can no longer be a regular member of the Church, but instead must live and worship apart from it.  This is when traditionalism goes beyond traditionalism and becomes fundamentalism.  The SSPX is not alone in flirting with this kind of fundamentalist attitude.  There are other organisations even more involved: such as the SSPV (Society of Saint Pius V) for example, which is outright sedevacantist, along with the CMIQ (Congregation of Mary Immaculate Queen), and the MHFM (Most Holy Family Monastery) among others.  While it would be unfair and (so far) inaccurate to classify the SSPX as a sedevacantist organisation, it is however accurate to say that many sedevacantists frequent SSPX chapels and mingle in this traditionalist-fundamentalist soup.

All of this changed in July of 2007, when Pope Benedict XVI issued Summorum Pontificum.  To any non-traditionalist Catholic reading this, pay attention here, because I'm going to reveal something big to you.  No recent document of the Church has done more to hinder the fundamentalist movement in Catholicism than this document.  If you don't like Catholic fundamentalism, then you better love Summorum Pontificum, and here is why...

Summorum Pontificum is the papal motu proprio that liberalised the regular celebration of the pre-1970 Traditional Latin Mass.  It brought the Missal of 1962 back into the mainstream of Catholicism as the "Vetus Ordo" or the "Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite."  This means that all lay Catholics, anywhere in the world, have a sacred RIGHT under canon law to request, and be accommodated with, a Traditional Latin Mass to a stable and consistent group.  It also means that every Catholic priest, everywhere in the world, has the sacred right under canon law to celebrate this form of the mass (privately), assuming he is competent to do so, without permission from his local bishop or ordinary.  Contemporary or "modernist" Catholics were initially livid about this, and some of them still are, but I assert their frustration is misplaced, and in fact, they should rejoice at this decision, because it has done more to undermine Catholic fundamentalism than anything else.  What Pope Benedict XVI did here was pull the rug out from underneath the Catholic fundamentalist movement.  You see, prior to 2007, Catholic fundamentalists had a virtual monopoly on the Traditional Latin Mass, especially in those areas where the local bishop and priests where hostile to the older traditions of the Church.  What these bishops and priests didn't realise, was that their hostility toward older traditions was actually the very "fuel" feeding the Catholic fundamentalist movement.  Those Catholics who were merely "traditionalists," and not fundamentalist in attitude, had nowhere else to go, but to a local schismatic chapel, where they could be gradually indoctrinated with fundamentalist propaganda.  In short, the greatest thing fuelling the rise of Catholic fundamentalism was the very hostility toward tradition that some bishops and priests were using in a futile attempt to quash it.  Here is the fatal flaw that many contemporary or "modernist" bishops made.  They failed to understand that fundamentalism is 100% reactionary in nature.  It is a response to provocation, nothing more and nothing less.  By creating a provocation, such as eliminating all Latin masses for example, the bishop actually creates the perfect conditions necessary for the rise of Catholic fundamentalism in his diocesan territory.  Nowhere was this more evident than in my own local diocese, wherein the previous bishop (presumably in an attempt to quash fundamentalism) did just that. He banned traditional Latin masses all throughout the diocese.  It wasn't long after that a local SSPX chapel sprang up, and grew, and grew, and grew!  I suspect it would likely be nearly a mega-church by now, where it not for Pope Benedict XVI's intervention in 2007 with Summorum Pontificum.  By 2008 a new bishop was installed in the diocese, and he immediately provided for a traditional Latin mass to be celebrated in his own cathedral almost daily.  As a result, the growth of the local SSPX chapel came to a grinding halt.  The damage was done by the unwitting actions of the previous bishop, but is now controlled (for the time being) by the actions of the new bishop.  In short, all Catholics must learn a lesson from this, because the exact same thing can be seen in the Protestant world.  You don't stop fundamentalism by attacking tradition.  In fact, that is the worst possible thing you can do, because you see, fundamentalism is entirely 100% reactionary.  If you create a provocation, you will get a reaction.  The way you stop fundamentalism, contain it, and limit it's growth, is by embracing tradition!  For heaven's sake people, learn this!  Burn this into your brains!  A Catholic fundamentalist is no different than a Protestant fundamentalist in attitude and action.  You want to stop fundamentalism -- then embrace tradition!

As a general rule, there is a simple litmus test that can be applied to determine if a Catholic is a fundamentalist or merely a traditionalist.  Protestants don't have this luxury in identifying their fundamentalists, as they don't have the necessary structures.  It's called the full-communion rule.  This is how you know.  If the Catholic in question is very traditional in nature, and exclusively attends the traditional Latin mass, but does so in a parish or cathedral that is under the bishop, or else a traditionalist society that is approved and regularised by Rome, then what you have here is a Catholic traditionalist -- not a fundamentalist.  Traditionalists are absolutely not threat to the Catholic Church.  Indeed, they are the spice and life of the Church, because they keep her connected to her past and very identity.  They are humble.  They submit to proper ecclesiastical authorities.  They are in full union with the pope.  Such people should be celebrated not ostracised.

If however, the Catholic in question is very traditional in nature, exclusively attends the traditional Latin mass, but does so in a parish that is neither approved nor regularised by Rome (when a fully regularised mass is available nearby), then what you have here (in most cases) is a fundamentalist -- not a traditionalist.  This is an extremely important distinction, because the term "radical traditionalist" or "rad-trad" is often incorrectly applied to these people.  Because you see, there is nothing "traditional" about breaking communion with Rome, or worshipping at a mass that is neither approved nor regularised.  A mass that is illicit is anything but "traditional."  It is the very antithesis of "traditionalism."  Fundamentalist -- yes.  Traditionalist -- no!  Not even close.  I assert if Pope Pius X were alive as pontiff today, he would make many changes to today's Church, but simultaneously, I assert he would excommunicate the fundamentalist society that bears his name (SSPX), along with anyone who continued to frequent their masses.  No sir, there is nothing "traditional" about bucking the authority of Rome.

What Pope Benedict XVI did with Summorum Pontificum was brilliant, and he will remembered by future generations as one of the greatest minds in Church history.  By regularising the traditional Latin mass throughout the Church again, he effectively put an end to the virtual monopoly fundamentalists had on traditional Catholicism.  He opened wide the doors of the Church to traditionalist Catholics who do not fit in with the fundamentalists they had previously associated with in illicit chapels and groups.

So let's start using terminology correctly, and reclaiming "traditionalism" as something that is welcome within the Catholic Church.  Traditional Catholics who remain humble and submissive to the pope and bishops should be given praise and support, even if you're a priest or layperson who wants nothing to do with this way of expressing Catholicism.  Likewise, let's start identifying those who operate outside the Church as what they are -- fundamentalists.  As their behaviour is strikingly similar to fundamentalism within Protestantism, even to the point of declaring the pope a "heretic."  Finally, it's time to stop confusing traditionalists with fundamentalists.  There is a difference, and it's insulting to traditionalists within the Catholic Church to classify them with the same word used to describe fundamentalists outside the Church.  It is also counter-productive.  If you're a Catholic who doesn't care for fundamentalism, then stop calling it "traditionalism."  It is not.  Stop calling fundamentalist "traditionalists."  They are not.  There is a difference. Traditionalists operate inside the Church, fundamentalists do not.  Let's start recognising that please!

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This article was posted on this website at the request of the Rev. Jeff Fasching.

Bulletin 176

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching

November 3rd, 2013

4th Resumed Sunday After Epiphany

Epistle: Rom. 13: 8-10
Gospel: Mt. 8: 23-27

Mass Schedule November 4th through November 8th

Mon 4 No Latin Mass
Tue 5 Requiem Mass + Ricki John Pederson
Wed 6 Feria
Thu 7 Feria
Fri 8 Feria

Our next pot-luck dinner will be on Sunday, November 3rd following the 2:30pm Latin Mass in the school cafeteria. This will be combined with an all-saints day party.

The month of November is dedicated to the Holy Souls. On all the days of November 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”).

Fr. Jeff Fasching

Bulletin 175

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching

October 27th, 2013
Christ the King

Epistle: Col. 1: 12-20
Gospel: Jn. 18: 33-37

Mass Schedule October 28th through November 1st:

Mon 28 SS. Simon * & Jude * Apostles—No Latin Mass
Tue 29 Feria
Wed 30 Feria
Thu 31 Feria
Fri All Saints—Mass @ 10:30am


Our next pot-luck dinner will be on Sunday, November 3rd following the 2:30pm Latin Mass in the school cafeteria. This will be combined with an all-saints day party.

All Saints Day is a holy day of obligation in the Universal Church and in the U.S.

The month of November is dedicated to the Holy Souls. On all the days of November 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”).

Sunday, October 27 is the feast of the Kingship of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Christ is our King by right. He is the Son of God. In His divine nature as God He is the sovereign Lord and Master. He has conquered sin and Satan through His sufferings, passion and death. We too conquer sin and hell in and through Jesus Christ our King!

One may gain a plenary indulgence by the public recitation of the Act of Consecration of the Human Race to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The following is the text of prayer:

Most sweet Jesus,
Redeemer of the human race,
look down upon us,
humbly prostrate before Thine altar.

We are Thine and Thine we wish to be;
but to be more surely united with Thee,
behold each one of us freely consecrates himself today
to Thy Most Sacred Heart.

Many, indeed, have never known Thee;
many, too, despising Thy precepts,
have rejected Thee.

Have mercy on them all,
most merciful Jesus,
and draw them to Thy Sacred Heart.

Be Thou King, O Lord,
not only of the faithful who have never forsaken Thee,
but also of the prodigal children who have abandoned Thee,
grant that they may quickly return to their Father's house,
lest they die of wretchedness and hunger.
Be Thou King of those who are deceived by erroneous opinions,
or whom discord keeps aloof
and call them back to the harbour of truth and unity of faith,
so that soon there may be but one flock and one shepherd.

Be Thou King of all those who even now sit in the shadow of idolatry or Islam,
and refuse not Thou to bring them into the light of Thy kingdom.
Look, finally, with eyes of pity upon the children of that race,
which was for so long a time Thy chosen people;
and let Thy Blood, which was once invoked upon them in vengeance,
now descend upon them also in a cleansing flood of redemption and eternal life.

Grant, O Lord,
to Thy Church,
assurance of freedom and immunity from harm;
give peace and order to all nations,
and make the earth resound
from pole to pole with one cry:
Praise to the Divine Heart
that wrought our salvation:
to it be glory
and honour forever.

Amen

Fr. Jeff Fasching

Bulletin 174

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching

October 20th, 2013
22nd Sunday after Pentecost

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

The annual clergy conference will be held in Branson, MO October 21st through October 25th. There will be no 12:15pm Latin Mass this week.

Our next pot-luck dinner will be on Sunday, November 3rd following the 2:30pm Latin Mass in the school cafeteria. This will be combined with an all-saints day party.

Sunday, October 27 is the feast of the Kingship of Our Lord Jesus Christ. One may gain a plenary indulgence by the public recitation of the Act of Consecration of the Human Race to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The following is the text of prayer:

Most sweet Jesus,
Redeemer of the human race,
look down upon us,
humbly prostrate before Thine altar.

We are Thine and Thine we wish to be;
but to be more surely united with Thee,
behold each one of us freely consecrates himself today
to Thy Most Sacred Heart.

Many, indeed, have never known Thee;
many, too, despising Thy precepts,
have rejected Thee.

Have mercy on them all,
most merciful Jesus,
and draw them to Thy Sacred Heart.

Be Thou King, O Lord,
not only of the faithful who have never forsaken Thee,
but also of the prodigal children who have abandoned Thee,
grant that they may quickly return to their Father's house,
lest they die of wretchedness and hunger.
Be Thou King of those who are deceived by erroneous opinions,
or whom discord keeps aloof
and call them back to the harbour of truth and unity of faith,
so that soon there may be but one flock and one shepherd.

Be Thou King of all those who even now sit in the shadow of idolatry or Islam,
and refuse not Thou to bring them into the light of Thy kingdom.
Look, finally, with eyes of pity upon the children of that race,
which was for so long a time Thy chosen people;
and let Thy Blood, which was once invoked upon them in vengeance,
now descend upon them also in a cleansing flood of redemption and eternal life.

Grant, O Lord,
to Thy Church,
assurance of freedom and immunity from harm;
give peace and order to all nations,
and make the earth resound
from pole to pole with one cry:
Praise to the Divine Heart
that wrought our salvation:
to it be glory
and honour forever.

Amen

Fr. Jeff Fasching

Bulletin 173

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching

October 13, 2013
21st Sunday after Pentecost

Epistle: Eph. 6:10-17
Gospel: Mt. 18:23-25

Mon 14 Saint Callistus I, Pope & Martyr—No Latin Mass
Tue 15 Saint Teresa of Avila, Virgin
Wed 16 Saint Hedwig, Widow
Thu 17 Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, Virgin
Fri 18 Saint Luke, Evangelist

The annual clergy conference will be held in Branson, MO October 21st through October 25th. There will be no Latin Mass during that week.

Sunday, October 27 is the feast of the Kingship of Our Lord Jesus Christ. One may gain a plenary indulgence by the public recitation of the Act of Consecration of the Human Race to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The following is the text of prayer:


Most sweet Jesus,
Redeemer of the human race,
look down upon us,
humbly prostrate before Thine altar.

We are Thine and Thine we wish to be;
but to be more surely united with Thee,
behold each one of us freely consecrates himself today
to Thy Most Sacred Heart.

Many, indeed, have never known Thee;
many, too, despising Thy precepts,
have rejected Thee.

Have mercy on them all,
most merciful Jesus,
and draw them to Thy Sacred Heart.

Be Thou King, O Lord,
not only of the faithful who have never forsaken Thee,
but also of the prodigal children who have abandoned Thee,
grant that they may quickly return to their Father's house,
lest they die of wretchedness and hunger.

Be Thou King of those who are deceived by erroneous opinions,
or whom discord keeps aloof
and call them back to the harbour of truth and unity of faith,
so that soon there may be but one flock and one shepherd.

Be Thou King of all those who even now sit in the shadow of idolatry or Islam,
and refuse not Thou to bring them into the light of Thy kingdom.
Look, finally, with eyes of pity upon the children of that race,
which was for so long a time Thy chosen people;
and let Thy Blood, which was once invoked upon them in vengeance,
now descend upon them also in a cleansing flood of redemption and eternal life.

Grant, O Lord,
to Thy Church,
assurance of freedom and immunity from harm;
give peace and order to all nations,
and make the earth resound
from pole to pole with one cry:
Praise to the Divine Heart
that wrought our salvation:
to it be glory
and honour forever.

Amen

Fr. Jeff Fasching

Bulletin 172

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching

October 6, 2013
External Solemnity of Our Lady of the Rosary

Epistle: Prov. 8:22-24, 32-35
Gospel: Luke 1:26-38

Mon 7 Our Lady of the Rosary—No Latin Mass
Tue 8 Saint Bridget of Sweden, Widow
Wed 9 Saint John Leonardi, Confessor
Thu 10 Saint Francis Borgia, Confessor
Fri 11 Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The next pot-luck dinner will be Sunday, October 6th following the 2:30pm Latin Mass.

Wealth and power were often considered signs of God’s benevolence toward His people in Old Testament times. They were the reward for a good conscience and an upright life. In contrast, like Job, if one suffered it was believed that that person was sinful and was being punished by God.

However, in the New Testament, it is the poor and dispossessed who take priority. The weak, orphans and those who have contrite hearts are the ones that find favor with God. In and through Jesus Christ God forgives sinners of all kinds, from the prodigal son to the publican to the Samaritan. God condemns the religious leaders who cling more to their own self-righteousness than to mercy and love.

In the Blessed Virgin Mary we see the fact that God chose a member of Israel’s race to bring us His Savior. Nowhere else is God’s mercy shown more abundantly! Divine Mercy made His home in the womb of the Virgin and she became His temple. Mary’s Magnificat is the song of God’s mercy!

In Christ,

Fr. Jeff Fasching

Bulletin 171

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching

September 29, 2013

Dedication of Saint Michael the Archangel

Epistle: Apoc. 1: 1-5
Gospel: Mt. 18: 1-10

Mon 30 Saint Jerome; Priest, Confessor & Doctor—No Latin Mass
Tue 1 Feria—No Latin Mass
Wed 2 Holy Guardian Angels
Thu 3 Requiem Mass + John Scaria
Fri 4 Sacred Heart of Jesus

The next pot-luck dinner will be Sunday, October 6th following the 2:30pm Latin Mass.
There will be no Latin Mass on Tuesday, October 1st.

The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is a prayer! It must be offered with attention and devotion. The ritual is actually a collection of prayers. All who participate must be sure that they remain attentive in the sacrifice and the sacred mysteries that are occurring. This does not necessarily translate into being more physically active. Man is a creature of habit. It is possible to be physically active in something while the interior life is not at all connected with the activity. Therefore a ritual should be designed to maintain the attention of the faithful. Again, this does not mean it must be active and verbal. Rather the ritual should be one of profound beauty that will naturally draw the worshipper to its contemplation. It should not be chatty and activist in nature so as to cause distractions that make it difficult for someone to maintain focus on God. Motion by nature draws our attention; therefore activity can distract our focus. Our attention should not be drawn to motion, but to God. This is why a ritual should not be activist in nature.

The essential fruit of the Mass has its immediate and only source in the self-immolation of Christ, and is, therefore, independent of the contents of the formulas of the Mass Rite of the Church. The accidental fruit derived from the ritual of the Mass is something real and therefore must be taken seriously by those whose task it is to protect and administer the sacraments, namely the Magisterium.

In Christ,
Fr. Jeff Fasching

Bulletin 170

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching

September 22, 18th Sunday after Pentecost

Epistle: 1 Cor. 1: 4-8
Gospel: Mt. 9: 1-8

Mon 23 Saint Linus * Pope & Martyr—No Latin Mass
Tue 24 Requiem Mass + John Scaria
Wed 25 Feria
Thu 26 Feria
Fri 27 SS. Cosmas * Damian * Martyrs

The next pot-luck dinner will be Sunday, October 6th following the 2:30pm Latin Mass.

It is entirely possible for one form of ritual to be more efficacious than another form. At the present time, we have two forms of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass—the Ordinary Form and the Extraordinary Form. When one form is offered with greater solemnity, it tends to be more efficacious that one that is offered with less solemnity. The solemnity gives greater glory to God. Since Jesus Christ is the King and Ruler of the universe, He deserves a greater ritual than any earthly king!

The ritual of the Holy Sacrifice is a combination of prayers and gestures. Prayer itself has governing principles that make it meritorious, and these principles can be applied to the ritual of the Mass. Saint Thomas observes that vocal prayer is done in order to render God His due and to move man’s mind and heart toward Him. Prayer is an act of the virtue of religion and we pray as God’s creatures because it is our duty.

The same principle can be applied to the ritual of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. The ritual of the Mass ought to be ordered to God and not to man, except insofar as man is served in order to serve God. In other words, God is the end of the ritual, not man. This follows the order of charity in which we love God first and then our neighbor for the sake of God. The ritual should not have man as its finality, but God. If it has man as its finality, it goes contrary to charity, which has God as its end. It will also go contrary to justice since one will not render to God through the prayers of the ritual what it due to Him.

In Christ,

Father Jeff Fasching

Bulletin 169

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching

September 15th, 17th Sunday after Pentecost

Epistle: Eph. 4: 1-6
Gospel: Mt. 22: 34-46

Mon 16 SS. Cornelius * Pope & Cyprian * Martyrs—No Latin Mass
Tue 17 Requiem Mass + John Scaria
Wed 18 Ember Wednesday
Thu 19 Saint Januarius & Companions Martyrs
Fri 20 Ember Friday

The Blessed Virgin Mary infinitely surpasses the angels in grace, merits, and dignity, and in all other perfections! How is it then possible not to love Mary? The world without Mary’s prayers would long ago have ceased to be. The graces we receive from heaven come though her hands. If God had treated us as we deserved after all our sins, we would long ago have been burning in hell. How many countless souls has Mary saved from the fires of hell?! We must really thank the Blessed Virgin Mary for our salvation because she throws herself at the feet of Jesus Christ and asks Him to give sinners more time in order that they may amend their lives.

Mary points out to the Father all that her Son did and suffered for mankind in order to avert His wrath. She reminds her Son of everything that she suffered during her life for His sake. We can only imagine the affection of this holy mother. How can there be people who despise her? How can people ridicule those who are devoted to her?

In Christ,

Fr. Jeff Fasching

Bulletin 168

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching

September 8th, 16th Sunday after Pentecost

Epistle: Eph. 3: 13-21
Gospel: Lk. 14: 1-11

Mon 9 Feria—No Latin Mass
Tue 10 Requiem Mass + John Scaria
Wed 11 Feria
Thu 12 Most Holy Name of Mary
Fri 13 Feria

There will be NO LATIN MASS September 2nd through September 6th. Fr. Fasching will be on vacation.

Pot-luck dinner after the 2:30pm Mass this Sunday, September 8th in the school cafeteria.

This Sunday we commemorate the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Mary is as truly the Mother of God as any woman is mother of the child she bears, for she performed for her Son the same biological function and maternal role that any mother performs who conceives, gives birth, and nurtures a child from her own flesh and blood!

The only difference is that Mary conceived virginally by the power of the Holy Ghost, and the offspring that she conceived and bore is the eternal Son of God, who united Himself to our humanity in her womb. The child born of her is truly human, truly like us in all things but sin; He is also truly divine, the eternal Son of God incarnate. He is one person, an eternal divine person, subsisting in two natures, human and divine. Mary is mother of this divine person according to His human nature.

It was fitting that Mary be conceived without sin because she was destined to be the worthy, beloved Mother of the holy God. In preserving Mary from all sin, God prepared a holy tabernacle in which His Son was to dwell, a holy body from which He was to take His humanity, a holy Mother whom he could love with the fullness of His divine/human love.

In Christ,
Fr. Jeff Fasching

Bulletin 167

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching

September 1st, 15th Sunday after Pentecost

Epistle: Gal. 5: 25, 26; 6: 1-10-- Gospel: Lk. 7: 11-16

There will be NO LATIN MASS September 2nd through September 6th. Fr. Fasching will be on vacation.

Although young infants will often sleep or rest quietly during the time of Mass, there are times when they must be taken out of the church so as to not be disruptive to the priest and the rest of the congregation. The Holy Sacrifice is a time of prayer. Some parents seem to find difficult to remove their children from the church when they find it hard to control them. We must remember that the saints assure us that distracted efforts to pray are always richly rewarded. Parents may always ask other adults without children to pray for them during the time of Mass. Pray to the Blessed Virgin Mary for patience and ask the Holy Family for help.

Fr. Jeff Fasching

Bulletin 166

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching

August 25th, 14th Sunday after Pentecost

Epistle: Gal. 5: 16-24; Gospel: Mt. 6: 24-33

Mass Schedule August 26th through August 30th

Mon 26 Feria--No Latin Mass

Tue 27 Saint Joseph Calasance, Confessor

Wed 28 Saint Augustine; Bishop, Confessor & Doctor

Thu 29 Beheading of Saint John Baptist

Fri 30 Requiem Mass M.S. John

Our next pot-luck dinner will be held on Sunday, September 8th immediately following the 2:30pm Mass in the school cafeteria. All are invited to attend.

There will be NO LATIN MASS September 2nd through September 6th. Fr. Fasching will be on vacation.

Children are so precious to Our Lord Jesus Christ! “Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not” says Our Lord. Jesus Christ desires that young children attend Mass and make visits to the Blessed Sacrament. However, when making visits to church or attending Mass a parent must teach their young children discipline and set clear expectations as to how they are to conduct themselves.

For example, if a child misbehaves and is sent to the back of the church this should not be a reward for misbehavior. You must let him know that being removed from the church means further discipline, not the chance to play and run free. A child must know your expectations to remain quiet while in church and must be shown consistency in your discipline. A child will need reminding about the necessity of being quiet in church. Eventually he will need to understand that it is also important to be able to sit still in church. This training should take place before the child is able to walk.

Children respond to the expectations of adults when they are presented clearly and consistently. Scripture warns parents: “and a child left to himself will become headstrong.” A child’s behavior reflects his parent’s own parental skills.

Fr. Jeff Fasching

Bulletin 165

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching

August 18th, 13th Sunday after Pentecost

Epistle: Gal. 3: 16-22; Gospel: Lk. 17: 11-19

Mass Schedule August 19th through August 23rd

Mon 19 Saint John Eudes, Confessor—No Latin Mass

Tue 20 Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, Abbot & Doctor

Wed 21 Saint Jane Frances de Chantal, Widow

Thu 22 Immaculate Heart of Mary

Fri 23 Saint Philip Benizi, Confessor

Our next pot-luck dinner will be held on Sunday, September 8th immediately following the 2:30pm Mass in the school cafeteria. All are invited to attend.

Human nature is such that to please one’s friends, a man will try to imitate them. Nature inclines men to do what they see others do. Scripture says: “They were mingled among heathens, and learned their works.” The prophet Isaiah exhorts us to “touch no unclean thing.” Saint Augustine writes of himself, that when he associated with bad companions, who boasted of their wickedness, he felt himself impelled to sin without shame.

This is why it is absolutely necessary to avoid like the plague all familiarity with the wicked. Saint Paul says that it is impossible never to meet them, but it is in our power to abstain from familiar intercourse with them. You must fly from scandalous friends, who, by their bad examples and words, poison your soul. If you do not, and by their bad example you become contaminated and lost, God will show no compassion because scripture clearly warns us to not associate with them.

Saint Paul says: “Know you not, that a little leaven corrupts the whole lump?” (I Cor.: 6) These are the false prophets that Jesus Christ Himself warns us to avoid. Scandalous language corrupts the morals of those who hear it. Saint Paul says: “Evil communications corrupt good manners.” (I Cor.15:33)

Fr. Jeff Fasching

Bulletin 164

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching

August 11th, 12th Sunday after Pentecost

Epistle: 2 Cor. 3: 4-9; Gospel: Luke 10: 23-37

Mass Schedule August 12th through August 16th

Mon 12 Saint Clare, Virgin—No Latin Mass

Tue 13 Feria

Wed 14 Vigil of the Assumption

Thu 15 Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary—Mass @ 10:30am

Fri 16 Saint Joachim, Father of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Mass for the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary will be as 10:30am on Thursday, August 15th.

Our next pot-luck dinner will be held on Sunday, September 8th immediately following the 2:30pm Mass in the school cafeteria. All are invited to attend.

Sloth is one of the seven deadly sins. Sloth is defined as laziness or carelessness to do right and to practice virtue because of the trouble attached to it. Christian modesty is a virtue, but it has been forgotten even among Catholics today. We need modesty in order to protect chastity. We cannot restore chastity to the individual, the family or the society as long as modesty is either ignored or violated on such a large scale as it is today!

There have been no fewer than five modern Popes who have time and again issued directives on Christian modesty in order to refute all the modern errors. Is this not why Jesus Christ established in His Church the Supreme Teaching Authority?! Christ did this to protect the Church from errors and to correct the clergy, the teachers and the parents who, intentionally or in good faith, would propagate errors.

Unfortunately, anyone who in today’s culture dares to advocate traditional Christian modesty is considered, even by a large number of Catholics, a scrupulous person, or a nut. However, remember that Christ said this would be the price one must pay who strives to be loyal to Him and His Church and not to the world.

Pope Pius XII has said: “Mainly through sins of impurity do the forces of darkness subjugate souls.” This same message was given by Our Lady of Fatima: “The sins that lead most souls to hell are the sins of the flesh.” Impurity has become the ruling passion of the world due to a general breakdown of modesty. It is like a spiritual cancer slowly eating away the spiritual life of souls. The question becomes: “is it a losing battle to go against the ways of our culture with respect to modesty and chastity?” The answer is this is exactly what Satan would like us to believe. Our silence would be leaving the entire field of morality in his blood thirsty hands. Pope Pius XII has pointed out the seriousness of our world situation as well as the remedy-confident recourse to The Blessed Virgin Mary.

Our Popes have taught the following: A dress cannot be called decent which is cut deeper than two fingers breadth under the pit of the throat, which does not cover the arms at least to the elbows, and scarcely reaches a bit beyond the knees. Furthermore dresses of transparent material are improper. Does my back, stomach or shoulders show? Does my back or stomach show when I bend or stretch? When bending over does my blouse hang down and open for everyone to see? Is my blouse or top tight? Is it more loose fitting or is it too tight and revealing? Can one see the outline of my underwear through my tight-fitting clothing? Blouses and tops that are too tight are very immodest and say a lot about the woman who wears such a blouse or top. Lastly, how much flesh is showing? Modesty is not just about how much of our skin is showing, but how much of our feminine shape is showing.

Father Jeff Fasching

Bulletin 163

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching

August 4th, 11th Sunday after Pentecost

Epistle: 1 Cor. 15: 1-10; Gospel: Mark 7: 31-37

Mass Schedule August 5th through August 9th

Mon 5 Dedication of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major—No Latin Mass

Tue 6 Transfiguration of Our Lord

Wed 7 Saint Cajetan, Confessor

Thu 8 Saint John Mary Vianney, Confessor

Fri 9 Vigil of Saint Lawrence

Friday, August 2nd is the first Friday of the month. There will be adoration of the Blessed Sacrament followed by benediction after the 12:15pm Mass.

At the Last Supper, Jesus told His disciples that He is the vine and they are the branches; if they remain in Him they will bear much fruit, but if they are cut off from Him they can do nothing for eternal life (Jn 15.4f). Saint Paul teaches that whatever good deeds one accomplishes, if one does not have charity (and therefore the state of grace which always accompanies it), one gains nothing “If I give everything I have to feed the poor and hand over my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing,” (1 Cor. 13.2).

In its Decree on Justification, ch. 16, the Council of Trent teaches: “Jesus Christ Himself continuously infuses strength into the justified, as the head into the members (Eph 4.15) and the vine into the branches (Jn 15.5); this strength always precedes, accompanies, and follows their good works which, without it, could in no way be pleasing to God and meritorious.” One who is in a state of mortal sin is spiritually dead and therefore cannot merit anything! We must pray that we will always serve God in purity of heart.

In Christ,

Fr. Jeff Fasching

Bulletin 162

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching

July 28, 2013 10th Sunday after Pentecost

Epistle: 1 Cor. 12: 2-11; Gospel: Luke 18: 9-14

Mass Schedule July 29th through August 2nd

Mon 29 Saint Martha, Virgin—No Latin Mass

Tue 30 Feria

Wed 31 Saint Ignatius Loyola, Confessor

Thu 1 Feria

Fri 2 Sacred Heart of Jesus

The next pot-luck dinner will be this Sunday, July 28th in the school cafeteria immediately following the 2:30pm Latin Mass. All are invited to attend.

Friday, August 2nd is the first Friday of the month. There will be adoration of the Blessed Sacrament followed by benediction after the 12:15pm Mass.

While proclaiming that men are saved by faith and not by the works of the law, Saint Paul at the same time teaches that God will reward every person according to his works and that each one will reap only what he sows. In his letter to the Romans Saint Paul writes: “On that day…He will repay every man for what he has done: eternal life to those who strive for glory, honor, and immortality by patiently doing right; wrath and fury to those who selfishly disobey the truth and obey wickedness…There will be glory, honor, and peace for everyone who has done good”… (Rom 2.6-10).

Saint Paul encourages those who labor for the Lord by assuring them that “Each will receive his wages in proportion to his toil” (1Cor 3.8). “Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being. Do it for the Lord rather than for men, since you know full well you will receive an inheritance from Him as your reward” (Col 3.23f).

In other texts Saint Paul speaks of running the race to win the prize. In his letter to the Corinthians he says: “You know that while all the runners in the stadium take part in the race, the award goes to one man. In that case, run so as to win! Athletes deny themselves all sorts of things. They do this to win a crown of leaves that withers, but we a crown that is imperishable. I do not run like a man who loses sight of the finish line…What I do is discipline my own body and master it…Phil 3.14: “My entire attention is on the finish line as I run toward the prize to which God calls me—life on high in Christ Jesus.”

In Christ,

Father Jeff Fasching

Bulletin 161

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching

July 21, 2013 9th Sunday after Pentecost

Epistle: 1 Cor. 10:6-13; Gospel: Luke 19:41-47

Mass Schedule July 22 through July 26

Mon 22 Saint Mary Magdalene, Penitent—No Latin Mass

Tue 23 Saint Apollinaris, Bishop & Martyr

Wed 24 Feria

Thu 25 Saint James the Greater, Apostle

Fri 26 Saint Anne, Mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary

God has called mankind in His gracious goodness to a destiny surpassing its natural powers. We were created for heaven and eternity. God has elevated our nature by endowing it with supernatural life! This is a sharing in His divine life! God gives us grace as a pure gift, but we must receive it and cooperate with it in order to grow in union with Him. In Catholic tradition, this free cooperation with grace that permits us to grow in divine life is called merit. Merit may be defined as a good work freely done that is worthy of a promised reward. It may be defined as the right to a promised reward because of a good work done.

When God, in His mercy, freely justifies the sinner and gives the life of grace, with this gift He bestows the capacity to cooperate with grace and thus grow in the life of grace. This capacity is what is meant by merit. For example, a man mows your yard and you pay him twenty dollars. When the person is done he deserves the amount you agreed to pay him. He has merited his work. An athlete wins a marathon. He runs faster than all the other runners. He has merited the coveted first place prize!

Although the noun “merit” is not a biblical term, it has been traditionally used to express a complex of ideas that are found in the Bible. It is similar in this respect to words like “Holy Trinity,” “Bible,” “Holy Eucharist,” “Holy Orders,” “ordination,” etc., which are also not found in the Bible but which express realities taught in the Bible. The reality of merit is expressed in the Bible under images such as reward, repayment, wages, prize, crown, which God as a just judge promises to give to men because of good works done during their life on earth.

Jesus Christ often speaks of the reward that will be given for good works. For example, to those who suffer persecution for His sake He says: “Be glad and rejoice, for your reward is great in heaven” (Mt 5.11f).
“When you give pray, do it in secret, “and your Father who sees in secret will repay you” (Mt 6.6). When you fast, do not appear to be fasting, “and your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you” (Mt 6.18).
He urges His disciples not to store up earthly treasure but instead to store up treasure in heaven (Mt 6.20). When Peter asked Jesus what the disciples can expect for having given up all things to follow Him, Jesus says: “Everyone who has given up home, brothers or sisters, father or mother, wife or children or property for my sake will receive many times as much and inherit everlasting life” (Mt 19.27-29).

In Christ,

Fr. Jeff Fasching

Bulletin 160

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching

July 14, 2013 8th Sunday after Pentecost

Epistle: Rom. 8:12-17--Gospel: Lk. 16:1-9

Mass Schedule July 15 through July 19

Mon 15 Saint Henry the Emperor, Confessor—No Latin Mass

Tue 16 Requiem Mass + Ravi Monker

Wed 17 Feria

Thu 18 Saint Camillus de Lellis, Confessor

Fri 19 Saint Vincent de Paul, Confessor

The SSPX and the Traditional Latin Mass

Father Jeffery Fasching celebrates a Traditional Latin Mass
at Saint Agnes Cathedral in Springfield Missouri
Photo by John Kelly

Vatican City, Jun 27, 2013 / 04:38 pm (CNA).- On the 25th anniversary of the illicit ordination of four bishops by traditionalist Bishop Marcel Lefebvre, the Society of Saint Pius X indicated a definitive break of talks with the Catholic Church... read more

I know I'm probably going to step in it with this blog entry, but that's never stopped me before.  Basically it looks like the talks between Rome and the "Society of Saint Pius X" (SSPX) are permanently stalled, with the SSPX bishops saying that Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI, was wrong about his "hermeneutic of continuity" verses a "hermeneutic of rupture" and his analysis that modern forms of communication (television and radio) have given the Modernists the valued tools they needed to transform Western civilisation, bring chaos down upon all of Protestantism, and crisis into the Catholic Church.  Instead, the SSPX is insisting that the cause of the current crisis within the Catholic Church is the Second Vatican Council itself, along with the introduction of the new mass.  With this statement, the SSPX is basically saying that the Vatican is wrong.  The popes are wrong, and the entire Western Catholic Church (Roman Rite) is wrong.  It would seem, based on my understanding of their statement, that they are saying talks with Rome will not resume until Rome is willing to admit that the SSPX is right.  In my opinion, their position is now strikingly similar to that of the Eastern Orthodox (minus the filioque controversy of course) and one wonders if what we are witnessing is an attempt to plant a Western Orthodox Church apart from Rome.

What concerns me is how this breaks down locally in my immediate area, which I'm sure many parallel situations exist in many other local communities throughout the United States and the entire Anglosphere.  I know there are many good Catholics, who are part of SSPX chapels, both clergy and laity, and I would not dare question their motives.  If anything I admire their zeal.  What concerns me is our local situation that I'm sure is shared in many communities.  Here in my diocese, the Traditional Latin Mass (TLM), or Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, was banned by our previous bishop for decades, who is currently making news for other reasons.  It was during his reign that a local SSPX chapel was established in our area.  At that time, it could easily be argued that the establishment of this parish was a necessity, due to the ridiculous situation that existed at that time between traditional Catholics and the local bishop.  Many wrote to him, myself included, begging him to reconsider.  He did eventually have a change of heart, in 2007 after Summorum Pontificum was given, permitting the TLM once a month in Springfield and more frequently in a distant rural parish.  However, that bishop retired about five years ago.  His successor and current bishop of our diocese has not only tolerated the TLM, but has made more than generous availability of the TLM, seeing to it that it's celebrated regularly, no less than FIVE DAYS A WEEK!!! (Sunday, Tuesday - Friday).  The priest who celebrates this TLM mass, Father Jeffery Fasching, also hears confession before each and every mass, and is the most dedicated traditional Catholic priest local to this area.  His homilies are consistent with traditional Catholic sensibilities.  His manner of dress reflects this too.  What I am saying here is that our current bishop has more than compensated for the mistakes of our previous bishop on this matter.  To learn more about our new bishop's excellent provision made for traditional Catholics, you can read this website.

One would think with such a generous provision for traditional Catholics in the area, that the need for the local SSPX parish would diminish, and that regular attendance would fizzle.  Such is not the case, and this is the cause of my concern.  Having provided more than adequately for the liturgical and pastoral needs of traditional Catholics in the area, one would think that traditional Catholics would flock to the cathedral for mass.  Many faithful have, but still, many have not.  I personally know this priest who celebrates the TLM mass for the cathedral.  I can assure you he is 100% traditional in his teaching and sensibilities.  He provides a doctrinally safe environment for anyone under his priestly care.  So why aren't more SSPX members flocking to Saint Agnes Cathedral?

I can't answer this question.  All I can do is speculate, and I would rather not do that either.  What I can say is that the leadership's decision to cut off all dialogue with Rome does not help the situation of traditional Catholics here in Springfield Missouri, and if anything, puts them in an awkward situation, especially if they still attend the local SSPX chapel for Sunday mass.

I'll leave it up to the experts to decide if a new schism has been created now between Rome and the SSPX.  What I can say is that based on perceptions alone, a "functional schism" already exists at a local level, even if not yet an "official schism" on the global level.  I say a "functional schism" for multiple reasons.  First, those who attend the SSPX chapel for confession and Eucharist are attending a chapel that is not in any way connected with any recognised authority in the entire worldwide Catholic Church, not to mention no authority recognised at the local diocesan level.  True, SSPX priests are validly ordained, and the sacraments they offer are valid, just like the Eastern Orthodox priests and their sacraments.  However, they are also illicit (meaning "illegal" according to Church law).  Like the Eastern Orthodox, the priest does not have permission to minister by any authority within the Roman Catholic Church.  Speaking as a former Protestant, who converted to the Catholic Church, primarily over the issue of authority, this is a very big problem.  It is a very "protestant" thing to buck the authority of a local bishop who is doing everything within his power to accommodate your needs.  I would say providing a TLM mass and confession FIVE DAYS A WEEK is more than an accommodation!  What more could anyone expect?  An engraved invitation perhaps?  Second,  by regularly attending the local SSPX parish, which is illicit and indeed redundant now, the faithful are separating themselves from the majority body of Catholics in the Springfield area united under the bishop or some kind of approved Church authority.  Again, speaking as a former Protestant, this is a recipe for schism.  After all, as a former Protestant, I ought to know a thing or two about schism, as this is the primary feature of Protestantism.  Who ever heard of "reforming" the Church from an organisation that operates outside of the official Church structure?  I say it's never been done.  Third and finally, there is a clear "attitude" of schism among SOME who do attend the local SSPX chapel and I'm sure this is not just a problem limited to our area alone.  I would not dare mention any names, but I know of some who are outright sedevacantists, and others who frequently accuse the pope of heresy.  Conspiracy theories abound among these types, and other Catholics are frequently looked down upon as "less Catholic" or "barely Catholic at all" simply for attending a regular diocesan parish.  I dare not say all those who attend the local SSPX chapel fit this description.  That would be an unfair generalisation.  I am only saying that I have witnessed these things among SOME who attend the local SSPX chapel, and they know who they are.   These people contribute to a "functional schism" in a more profound way than the other two reasons above.  They should step back and consider what kind of damage they are doing, not only to Christ's Holy Catholic Church, but to the SSPX as well.

The whole crisis in the Catholic Church is rather straight forward and easy to understand if people look at it in a dispassionate way and listen to the wise narrative of the former Pope Benedict XVI.

During the early 1960s the whole Western world was about to be overwhelmed by a tsunami of Modernism and moral relativism. It affected everyone and everything. All of Protestantism was affected by this as well as many within the Catholic Church. So the massive error the SSPX makes, in my opinion, is that they fail to understand the rise of Modernism was universal, affecting the Protestants even more profoundly than the Catholics. To blame all the Modernist problems in the Church on Vatican II is to entirely miss the point. Protestants could care less about Vatican II. It had no bearing on their churches or worldview. It was irrelevant to them. Yet they were more profoundly affected by Modernism than Catholics were. Modernism has gutted the Catholic Church, but in Protestantism it levelled their churches, clearing the way for Evangelical mega-churches, which though currently successful, are built on very unstable soil.

The key instrument of Modernism's torrent through Western society was the creation and widespread distribution of a little device called television. Through this seemingly harmless machine, the agents of Modernism were able to spread their poison far and wide, and as Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI pointed out in the last days of his papacy, the "Council of the Media," created by the liberal press overshadowed the real "Council of Vatican II." The television, radio and press media, along with willing accomplices in the Church, spread a false notion about Vatican II, which took root in the 60s and 70s, leaving us with the crisis we currently have today.

That's pretty much it in a nutshell. Modernism ravaged the Church because of rapid modern communication, and the liberal press, giving people a false idea of what Vatican II was all about. The Catholic Church was wholly unprepared to deal with this new media of communication and has consistently stayed several steps behind it.

Some of the documents in Vatican II were left "deliberately vague." We don't know the reason why and we can only speculate -- so let's not. What we do know is that if these "vague" documents are interpreted in the light of previous Church teaching (the "hermeneutic of continuity") then there is no problem. Catholics stay traditional with just a few updates and that is that. If however, these "vague" documents are interpreted outside of previous Church teaching (the "hermeneutic of rupture") then all sorts of wacky things start to happen, which leads to the Modernist crisis in the Church today.

So there you go. That is what is wrong in the Church, and that is what needs to be repaired. We already have the tools and the demographics on our side. The crisis in the Church will correct on its own regardless of any further intervention by the pope, because everything has been put into place by the last two popes. The only thing Pope Francis can do is speed it up, slow it down or leave it alone, and that will be his legacy which we must trust in God's hands.

On a local level, reform can happen in only one way, and that is if, as many Catholics as possible are participating in canonically-approved celebrations of the TLM.  It has become apparent now that is not going to happen with SSPX chapels any time in the near future.  Therefore, I would encourage all those who assist at a SSPX parish to flock to the nearest diocesan or canonically-approved TLM, if one is available nearby.  Your numbers will have NO EFFECT (ZERO PERCENT EFFECTIVENESS) on reforming Holy Mother Church, if you remain separated from her main body within the walls of a SSPX chapel.  I would say your attendance there has effectively neutralised your witness.  If the local bishop has made provision for you, as our bishop has in Springfield Missouri, then your witness is needed there instead.  That is, unless you like your witness being neutralised. As for clergy within the SSPX, their situation is different of course, but thanks to the provisions made by the last two popes, the door is wide open for reconciliation with Holy Mother Church.  I would encourage these priests to strengthen their priestly ministry by incardination under a tradition-friendly bishop, or into the Vatican loyal FSSP, or any of the dozen or so traditional institutes that remain loyal to the Holy See.  Now is not the time for division and stagnation.  Now is the time for reform and renewal!  We need the witness of all traditional Catholics to make it happen in a timely manner.  Indeed, it is now only the division of traditional Catholics that is slowing things down.

I applaud the efforts of the Bishop of Springfield-Cape Girardeau on this matter.  He is a shining example for other bishops to follow when it comes to this.  The influx of new traditional Catholics into Saint Agnes Cathedral will only trigger bigger and better reforms in the future.  It can do nothing else.

Originally posted on "Catholic In the Ozarks" www.CatholicInTheOzarks.com
used by permission.

Bulletin 159

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching

July 7, 2013 7th Sunday after Pentecost

Epistle: Rom. 6:19-23--Gospel: Mk. 7:15-21

Mass Schedule July 8 through July 12

Mon 8 Saint Elizabeth of Portugal, Queen & Widow—No Latin Mass

Tue 9 Requiem Mass + Mr. & Mrs. Kurien

Wed 10 Seven Holy Brothers, Martyrs and SS. Rufina & Secunda, Virgins & Martyrs

Thu 11 Saint Pius I, Pope & Martyr

Fri 12 Saint John Gualbert, Abbot

Jesus Christ has said that we should never perform our actions in order that we may be praised by men. If we seek a reward in heaven, then we must strive to hide our good works as much as possible. If not, the devil may very well rob us of our merit through pride. Many do good works that are not founded in the soul. In other words, their religion is strictly exterior.

The saints knew their religion well and always sought to humble themselves in order to obtain the mercy of God. Many Christians practice their religion based on their mood. Some do it routinely out of habit alone. Many people pray much and frequently receive the Sacraments, but they still keep their bad habits and secret vices. They want to be both friends of God and friends of sin.

False virtue is a great sin. We must always have a pure intention when we undertake good works. It is not the size and greatness of the act which gives them merit, but rather our intention to please God and God alone.

In Christ,

Fr. Jeff Fasching

Bulletin 158

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching

June 30, 2013 6th Sunday after Pentecost

Epistle: Rom. 6:3-11-- Gospel: Mk. 8:1-9

Mass Schedule July 1 through July 5

Mon 1 The Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ—No Latin Mass

Tue 2 Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Wed 3 Saint Irenaeus, Bishop & Martyr

Thu 4 Feria

Fri 5 Sacred Heart of Jesus—Mass will be followed by adoration of the Blessed Sacrament with benediction.

The next pot-luck dinner will be on Sunday, June 30 in the school cafeteria immediately following the 2:30pm Latin Mass. All are invited to attend.


Our Lord Jesus Christ attracted people to Himself. He welcomed absolutely everybody. The Gospel shows how one day thousands of people followed Him and remained in His company for three days without eating anything. Jesus Christ worked the miracle of the loaves because He took pity upon the people.

If we look into this parable with a spiritual sense, we realize that there is no food in this world capable of satisfying our souls. All earthly goods, pleasures, riches and honors cannot satisfy the soul. The soul has been created for God. God alone can satisfy the soul. The world offers nothing but vanity. Those who love the world are under a great illusion disguised as happiness. The psalmist asks: “How long will you be dull at heart?” “Why do you love the goods of this world, which are all vanity and lies?”

If the goods of this world made men happy and content, the rich and powerful would be completely happy. But we see almost always they are in fact the unhappiest of men. No matter how much a man possesses, he is never satisfied. If we would learn to wish for nothing but God, He will satisfy all the desires our hearts!

In Christ,

Father Jeff Fasching

Bulletin 157

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching

June 23, 2013 5th Sunday after Pentecost

Epistle: 1 Pet. 3:8-15; Gospel: Mt. 5:20-24

Mass Schedule June 24 through June 28

Mon 24 Nativity of Saint John the Baptist * No Latin Mass

Tue 25 Saint William, Abbot

Wed 26 SS. John * & Paul * Martyrs

Thu 27 Feria

Fri 28 Vigil of SS. Peter * & Paul * Apostles

The next pot-luck dinner will be on Sunday, June 30 in the school cafeteria immediately following the 2:30pm Latin Mass. All are invited to attend.

We have been baptized into Christ and thus are children of God. Our duty is to show our love for God by love of our neighbor. Christian charity is the key to holiness of life. When we serve one another we serve God Himself! Saint Peter says that we should be zealous for good and sanctify the Lord Jesus Christ in our hearts.

In Christ,

Father Jeff Fasching

Bulletin 156

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching

June 16, 2013 4th Sunday after Pentecost

Epistle: Rom. 8: 18-23; Gospel: Lk. 5: 1-11

Mass Schedule June 17 through June 21

Mon 17 Saint Gregory Barbarigo, Bishop & Confessor- No Latin Mass

Tue 18 Saint Ephrem of Syria; Deacon, Confessor & Doctor

Wed 19 Saint Juliana of Falconieri, Virgin

Thu 20 Saint Silverius, Pope & Martyr

Fri 21 Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, Confessor-NO LATIN MASS

The next pot-luck dinner will be on Sunday, June 30 in the school cafeteria immediately following the 2:30pm Latin Mass. All are invited to attend.

There will be no Latin Mass on Friday, June 21st.

We are all going to die, but we cannot be certain when that day will come. We must never lose sight of the fact that death is certain for all of us. Here on earth we are pilgrims on a journey. The letter to the Hebrews reminds us: “For we have not here a lasting city, but we seek one that is to come.” Our true home is in heaven with God. We must therefore be careful to seek after too much happiness in this life and thus expose ourselves to the danger of misery in the next. Our true home is an eternal home. We are souls who have faith. We must use our lives here as a preparation for the day we meet Jesus Christ as our Judge.

When we frequently think of the reality of death we are able to detach ourselves from the goods of the earth. If we often consider how we must soon leave this world, we will learn to despise riches, pleasures and honor in this life. We know not the day or the hour. Now is the time to make ready.

In Christ,

Father Jeffery Fasching

Bulletin 155

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching

June 9, 2013 External Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Epistle: Eph. 3:8-12, 14-19—Gospel: Jn. 19: 31-37

Mass Schedule June 10 through June 14

Mon 10 Saint Margaret of Scotland Widow No Latin Mass

Tue 11 Saint Barnabas * Apostle

Wed 12 Saint John of San Facundo Confessor

Thu 13 Saint Anthony of Padua Confessor & Doctor

Fri 14 Saint Basil the Great Bishop, Confessor & Doctor

The Feast of the Sacred Heart is an invitation for us to honor the infinite love Jesus Christ shows us in the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar. His Sacred Heart symbolizes the immense love He has for each one of us. Christ’s love induced Him not only to suffer and die for our redemption, but to also institute the Sacrament of His Body and Blood.

“Behold this Heart, which, notwithstanding the burning love for man with which it is consumed and exhausted, meets with no other return from the generality of Christians than sacrilege, contempt, indifference, and ingratitude.”

We must repent from our past indifference and sins. Let us begin today by honoring Christ’s Sacred Heart. Let us make reparation for all the insults He suffers in the Sacrament of His love. Let us make ourselves among His adorers and renew our devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

In Christ,

Father Jeffery Fasching

Bulletin 154

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching

June 2, 2013 External Solemnity of Corpus Christi

Epistle: I Cor. 11: 23-29—Gospel: Jn. 6: 56-59

“May our Lord Jesus Christ in the Most Blessed Sacrament be praised, adored, and loved, with grateful affection, at every moment, in all the tabernacles of the world, even to the end of time!”
“O Sacrament most holy! O Sacrament divine! All praise and all thanksgiving be every moment Thine!”

On the Feast of Corpus Christi we are reminded of our duty to worship and glorify Jesus Christ and His true presence in the Blessed Sacrament. Our lives must be such as to bring other souls to Jesus Christ! We must take advantage of every available opportunity to adore Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar.

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament will take place from 12:30pm until 1:30pm at Saint Agnes Cathedral on Sunday, June 2. Confessions will be heard from 1:45pm until 2:15pm and immediately following Mass and Benediction until all confession are heard.

Friday, June 7, 2013 is the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. A plenary indulgence may be gained by saying the Act of Reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus publicly in front of the Blessed Sacrament on this day.

Mass Schedule June 3 through June 7

Mon 3 Feria No Latin Mass

Tue 4 Saint Francis Caracciolo, Confessor

Wed 5 Saint Boniface, Bishop & Martyr

Thu 6 Saint Norbert, Bishop & Confessor

Fri 7 Sacred Heart of Jesus

Fr. Jeffery A. Fasching

Bulletin 153

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching

May 26, 2013 Trinity Sunday

Epistle: Rom. 11: 33-36—Gospel: Mt. 28: 18-20

Mass Schedule May 27—May 31

Mon 27 Saint Bede the Venerable Confessor & Doctor No Latin Mass

Tue 28 Saint Augustine of Canterbury Bishop & Confessor

Wed 29 Saint Mary Magdelene de Pazzi Virgin

Thu 30 Corpus Christi

Fri 31 Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary

“Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto. Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.”

Bulletin 152

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching

Mass Schedule for Pentecost

Tue 21 Tuesday after Pentecost

Wed 22 Ember Wednesday of Pentecost

Thu 23 Thursday after Pentecost

Fri 24 Ember Friday of Pentecost

The Church recalls that the Holy Ghost descended upon the Apostles when “suddenly there came a sound from heaven,” and the Holy Ghost descended upon the Apostles. They received the visible presence of God in the form of fire. Since God is love, Jesus Christ says: If a man loves Me, he will keep My word.” Our love for God is therefore proved by our works. We love God when we keep His commandments and deny ourselves the gratification of our appetites. As baptized Christians, we must always call to mind our great dignity because we have God abiding as a guest in our souls. We must therefore cleanse our hearts and minds from all filth and works of iniquity. Jesus says: “We will come to him, and make our abode with him.”

Fr. Jeffery Fasching

Bulletin 151

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching

May 5th, 2013 Fifth Sunday after Easter—NO LATIN MASS (Parish First Communion)

Mass Schedule May 6th through May 10th

Monday, May 6—Feria of Paschaltide—NO LATIN MASS
Tuesday, May 7—Saint Stanislaus, Bishop & Martyr
Wednesday, May 8—Vigil of the Ascension
Thursday, May 9—Ascension of the Lord
Friday, May 10—Saint Antoninus—NO LATIN MASS
Sunday, May 12—Sunday after the Ascension—Fr. Bill Hodgson
Monday, May 13th through Monday, May 20th—NO LATIN MASS

There will be NO MASS in the Extraordinary Form on Sunday, May 5th due to the Parish First Holy Communion Mass.

Father Bill Hodgson will offer Mass in the Extraordinary Form on Sunday, May 12th at 2:30pm at Saint Agnes Cathedral.

There will be NO MASS in the Extraordinary Form on Sunday, May 19th.

Father Fasching will be on vacation from Thursday, May 9th through Monday, May 20th.

Bulletin 150

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching

April 28th, 2013 Fourth Sunday after Easter

Epistle: Jas. 1: 17-21
Gospel: Jn. 16: 5-14

Mass schedule April 29th through May 3rd

Monday: Saint Peter of Verona —No Latin Mass
Tuesday: Saint Catherine of Siena, Virgin
Wednesday: Saint Joseph the Worker
Thursday: Saint Athanasius – Bishop, Confessor, & Doctor – No Latin Mass
Friday: Sacred Heart of Jesus

Thursday, May 2nd is the annual Clergy Day of Recollection for Vocations in Mountain View. There will be no Mass in the Extraordinary Form.

There will be no Mass in the Extraordinary Form on Sunday, May 5th due to the Parish First Holy Communion Mass.

God is the source of all good things, both material and spiritual. There can be absolutely no evil attributed to God. We have been created by God and recreated by “the Word of Truth” which is God’s holy Gospel. Saint Paul says that we as Christians are a sign of hope for all mankind and for all of God’s creation. We must therefore listen to God’s Word with reverence and submission. We must live the Gospel message with all our hearts.

We must remember the importance of ridding our minds and bodies of all vice in order to receive God’s Word and live it in a worthy manner. If we do not turn away from our evil inclinations we cannot do any good. Our pride can easily deceive us if we do not listen to God’s Word with the proper dispositions.

In Christ,
Father Jeffery Fasching

Bulletin 149

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching

April 21st, 2013 Third Sunday after Easter

Epistle: 1 Pet. 2: 11-19
Gospel: Jn. 16: 16-22

Mass schedule April 22nd through April 26th

Monday: SS. Soter & Caius, Popes & Martyrs —No Latin Mass
Tuesday: Feria of Paschaltide
Wednesday: St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen, Martyr
Thursday: St. Mark, Evangelist
Friday: SS. Cletus & Marcellinus, Popes & Martyrs

All are invited to the pot-luck dinner Sunday, April 21st immediately following the 2:30pm Mass in the school cafeteria.

Jesus Christ has commanded us to take up our Crosses and follow Him if we wish to gain eternal life. He clearly taught that His followers would undergo sufferings and persecutions in this life, but they would have their reward in heaven if they remained faithful. The rest of the world will make merry and rejoice, while the Christian will suffer persecutions. Catholic Doctrine has always taught that the only way to share in the glory of the Resurrection is through the Cross. All the saints were familiar with suffering. In fact, they became extremely anxious when they were not made to suffer because they felt like Christ had abandoned them! “Take up thy Cross and follow me,” says Jesus Christ. You must either suffer in this life or give up the hope of seeing God in heaven!

In Christ,

Fr. Jeff Fasching