Pentecost

The very same Holy Ghost that gave the first Apostles the fortitude and courage to proclaim Christ's message is present to us. In fact, He dwells within us by virtue of our baptism and confirmation! We have the same power as the first disciples of Christ! We must believe with a lively faith that Christ is willing and ready to work within us as He did so for the Apostles at the first Pentecost! Come Holy Ghost!! Give us courage and a lively faith!

Fr Jeff Fasching

Easter!

Jesus Christ is risen!! Our lenten observances are now completed and we focus on the risen Christ! Christ has won the victory over sin and satan. Many people in Churches throughout the world have been baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. The newly baptized must always remember they share in Christ's victory! We must never forget the power that is ours by virtue of our baptism. We have received God Himself into our very being. We must not underestimate the good we are capable of and the impact we can have upon others through our prayer and good works.

In Christ,

Fr. Jeff Fasching

The Epiphany of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Epiphany means the Manifestation of God. Jesus Christ is God and Lord of the entire world! The star appears in the East, the water is changed into wine at the wedding feast of Cana, and tomorrow Jesus is Baptized in the Jordan by John..."This is my beloved Son," says the voice from heaven. All these miracles help us to recognize the Child Jesus as our God and King. They help us to adore Him with greater faith!

"We are the people of Your pasture and the sheep of your hand." (Psalm 94). Jesus reveals Himself to the world. We must beg Him to reveal Himself more and more to our own souls!

Fr. Jeff Fasching

Bulletin 274

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeff Fasching

September 20th, 2015

17th Sunday after Pentecost

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

Mon 21 No Latin Mass
Tues 22 St. Thomas of Villanova, Bishop & Confessor
Wed 23 Ember Wednesday
Thu 24 Our Lady of Ransom
Fri 25 Ember Friday


Our goal is this life should be to serve God perfectly. Faith is necessary in order to be saved. Hope is also necessary in order to have pure and right motives so as to please God in all our actions. But charity urges us to love God because He is infinitely good and He deserves to be loved.

Charity is a theological virtue that God infuses into our heart by which we learn to love Him with our whole heart and our neighbor as ourselves for the love of God. We must pray each day that we learn to love God above all things, even ourselves! To love God means being willing to lose fortune, good name, parents, friends, children, husband, wife, even our own life, rather than to lose God by committing a mortal sin.

Man was created to love God, therefore we can only find happiness in God alone. God alone is capable of satisfying us and making us truly happy. Turn to Him!


In Christo Jesu et
Maria Immaculata,

Father Jeff Fasching

Bulletin 263

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeff Fasching

July 5th, 2015

Sixth Sunday after Pentecost

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

Mon 6--No Latin Mass

Tue 7--Requiem Mass + M.V. Xavier

Wed 8—Saint Elizabeth of Portugal, Queen & Widow

Thu 9--Feria

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


Effective Tuesday, June 30th 2015 the daily Mass in the Extraordinary Form will be at 6:30am. There will no longer be Mass in the Extraordinary Form at 12:15pm beginning on June 30th, 2015.

Father Fasching's schedule for the Sacrament of Penance effective Tuesday, June 30 2015 will be as follows:


Tuesday-11:30am-12:15pm
Thursday-11:30am-12:15pm
or by appointment


God alone can give us the proper nourishment that our souls require! He takes pity on us and nourishes our souls to sustain our supernatural life. Saint Paul reminds us that “we are baptized in Christ Jesus...in His death...so we also may walk in newness of life.” Only in Jesus Christ can we find everything we need for the nourishment and life of our souls. It is only in Him that we can find grace, love, faith and the inspiration to practice virtue! We must die a spiritual death to our faults and passions if we are to remain united to Him. This death must be constantly renewed: “I die daily” (1 Cor. 15:31).


In Christo Jesu et
Maria Immaculata,


Father Jeff Fasching

Bulletin 261

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeff Fasching

June 21, 2015

Fourth Sunday after Pentecost

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

Mon 22 -- No Latin Mass

Tue 23 – Vigil of the Nativity of John the Baptist

Wed 24 – Nativity of Saint John the Baptist *

Thu 25 – No Latin Mass

Fri 26 --No Latin Mass


...And Jesus saith to Simon: Fear not, from henceforth thou shalt catch men...We must be completely convinced of our own weakness and inability before Our Lord will permit us to have any success. God will only come to our aid when we are aware of our willingness to openly admit our poverty. God wants us to have a great faith in Him. We must never trust in our own strength, but rather we must always have complete confidence in Almighty God!

“O Lord, you are my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?” If a battle should rise up against me, in this will I be confident...You protect me in the secret place of Your tabernacle...As soon as God sees us totally convinced of our nothingness, He comes to our aid! All we have to do is humble ourselves and admit all our imperfections...This is the key to holiness!

“Abide in Me and I in you,” says Jesus (Jn 15:4). Then Jesus instituted the Eucharist for the purpose of nourishing our life of union with Him! Each time we approach the Holy Eucharist, Jesus rekindles in us the fire of His love! When we are united to Him we can accomplish anything! Without Him, we can do nothing!


Effective Tuesday, June 30th 2015 the daily Mass in the Extraordinary Form will be at 6:30am. There will no longer be Mass in the Extraordinary Form at 12:15pm beginning on June 30th, 2015.

Father Fasching's schedule for the Sacrament of Penance effective Tuesday, June 30 2015 will be as follows:

Sunday-1:30pm-2:15pm
Tuesday-11:30am-12:15pm
Thursday-11:30am-12:15pm
or by appt.


Congratulations to Father Joseph Kelly and his family! Father Kelly was ordained to the priesthood by His Excellency Bishop James V. Johnston on June 12th 2015. For priests who are young-impel them for Your glory, Lord...Continue to pray for vocations to the priesthood.


In Christo Jesu et
Maria Immaculata,


Father Jeff Fasching

Bulletin 255

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeff Fasching

May 10, 2015

Fifth Sunday After Easter

Epistle: Jas. 1:22-27
Gospel: Jn. 16:23-30

Mon 11 -- No Latin Mass

Tue 12 – Ss. Nereus, Achilleus, Domitilla, Virgin, & Pancras, Martyrs

Wed 13 – Vigil of the Ascension

Thu 14 – Ascension of the Lord

Fri 15 – Saint John Baptist de la Salle, Confessor


At the last Supper, Christ warned His apostles that He would soon be leaving them. He would soon return to the glory He always had with His Father in heaven. At this point, the apostles were far from knowing and loving Jesus perfectly. They knew that He came forth from God, but their faith was still very weak, and they would soon lose it altogether. The apostles were now enjoying Christ's company after His Resurrection. Christ teaches them everything they are required to know in order to become the teachers of the whole world.

Jesus says to His apostles: “The Father loveth you, because ye have loved Me.” We ourselves should be consoled by these words. Christ tells us to ask God the Father for everything we need. We should ask first and foremost to persevere in the spirit of Eastertide. We should pray to Saint James, the apostle of Paschal Time and the apostle of good works that we may obtain the grace to persevere in this new life of grace with our risen Lord! It is not enough to simply believe, says Saint James, but we must also demonstrate our faith with good works!


In Christo Jesu et
Maria Immaculata,


Father Jeff Fasching

Bulletin 254

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeff Fasching

May 3, 2015

Fourth Sunday After Easter

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

Mon 4 -- No Latin Mass

Tue 5 – No Latin Mass

Wed 6 – Feria of Paschaltide

Thu 7 – Saint Stanislaus, Bishop @ Martyr

Fri 8 – Our Lady, Mediatrix of All Graces


Saint Agnes Cathedral celebrates First Holy Communion Mass on Sunday, May 3rd at 2:00pm.

The Latin Mass on Sunday, May 3rd will be at 7:00pm.


Christ has confided to His Apostles the sacred deposit of the truths which are to form the object of our faith. During these forty days of Easter we must follow Him in His work of instituting the sacraments. We must not only believe, but we must also incorporate within us the great fruit of our redemption which is called grace. We are living members of our Divine Head and thus joint heirs with Him in the Kingdom of Heaven! It is by means of the sacraments that Christ produces in us this wondrous work of our justification. He applies to us His Incarnation and Sacrifice by a means which He Himself in His power and wisdom has instituted.

When instituting the sacraments, our Lord assigned to each an essential rite: and this rite is outward and sensible. He made the Flesh, which He united to His Divine Person, become the instrument of our salvation by His Passion and Death on the Cross. He redeemed us by shedding His Blood for us! The same is true with respect to the sacraments. He follows the same mysterious plan, taking physical things as His auxiliaries in effecting the work of our justification. He raises them to a supernatural state, and makes them the faithful and all-powerful conductors of His grace.


In Christo Jesu et
Maria Immaculata,


Father Jeff Fasching

Bulletin 252

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeff Fasching

April 19, 2015

Second Sunday After Easter (Good Shepherd Sunday)

Epistle: 1 Pet. 2: 21-25
Gospel: Jn. 10: 11-16

Mon 20 -- No Latin Mass

Tue 21 – Saint Anselm—Bishop, Confessor & Doctor

Wed 22 – Ss. Soter & Caius—Popes & Martyrs

Thu 23 – Saint George, Martyr

Fri 24 – Saint Fidelis of Sigmaringen, Martyr


Christ is the Good Shepherd. On the Cross His sufferings fulfill the prophecies written about the suffering servant Yahweh in the Book of Isaiah (52:13-53:12). His sufferings have a redemptive value. Christ takes our sins upon Himself and offers them on the Cross to God the Father as an atoning Sacrifice. We are now dead to sin and have the ability to live in righteousness and holiness with the help of God's grace!

No matter what suffering may come our way, it cannot compare to the suffering of Our Lord. When we unite our sufferings to the Passion of Jesus Christ, we have the opportunity to merit reward in heaven!

Christ is the Good Shepherd...”I will seek out my sheep, and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered” (Ezek. 34:12).




Discernment Retreat for College age men—April 24-26, 2015 at Meinrad Seminary in Indiana.


Encounter with God's call—April 18-20, 2015 at Conception Seminary College--for young men 16 and under who are considering a vocation to the priesthood.


For more information, please contact Fr. Patrick Nwokoye, Director of Vocation Promotion at 573-200-1814—email: pnwokoye@dioscg.org or Fr. J. Friedel, Director of Vocations/Seminarians, at jfriedel@dioscg.org.



In Christo Jesu et
Maria Immaculata,


Father Jeff Fasching

Bulletin 250

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeff Fasching

April 5, 2015

Easter Sunday

Epistle: I Cor. 5:7-8
Gospel: Mk. 16: 1-7

Mon 6 Easter Monday -- No Latin Mass

Tue 7 Easter Tuesday

Wed 8 Easter Wednesday

Thu 9 Easter Thursday

Fri 10 Easter Friday

The next potluck will be on Divine Mercy Sunday-April 12th.

HE IS RISEN!

The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass today is filled with allusions to the Resurrection of our Lord and to Baptism. Jesus was immolated, but He triumphs on the Cross! He comes forth triumphant from the sepulcher...

Alleluia!

“This is the day which the Lord has made; let us celebrate it with transports of joy.” (From the Office of the Church).

Christ has triumphed over all His enemies. He has clothed in glory and splendor His Body which had been Victim. Christ has triumphed over death! He is God Divine!

“If Christ be not risen again your faith is vain.” 1Cor. 15

St. Paul reminds us that God has given us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ...! Our destiny is heaven!


The following is from the office of vocations:


Quo Vadis-Kenrick-Glennon Seminary April 10-11, 2015


An opportunity for young men discerning a call to the priesthood or just
want to learn more about the priesthood to visit a local seminary, listen and interact with seminarians.


Exploring Priesthood Weekend—April 17-19, 2015


Is a retreat designed to help men discern God's call to the diocesan priesthood. To be called by God to serve Him as a priest means to have one's soul stirred deep within. Throughout a weekend of prayer, discussion and group interaction, men begin to better understand God's movement in their life. Exploring priesthood weekends are held at Mundelein Seminary.


Discernment Retreat for College age men—April 24-26, 2015 at Meinrad Seminary in Indiana.


Encounter with God's call—April 18-20, 2015 at Conception Seminary College--for young men 16 and under who are considering a vocation to the priesthood.


For more information, please contact Fr. Patrick Nwokoye, Director of Vocation Promotion at 573-200-1814—email: pnwokoye@dioscg.org or Fr. J. Friedel, Director of Vocations/Seminarians, at jfriedel@dioscg.org.



In Christo Jesu et
Maria Immaculata,


Father Jeff Fasching

Bulletin 249

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeff Fasching

March 29, 2015

Palm Sunday

Epistle: Phil. 2: 5-11
Gospel: Mt. 26: 36-75; 27: 1-60

Mon 30 -- No Latin Mass

Tue 31--Tuesday of Holy Week-Latin Mass-12:15pm-Chrism Mass @ 7:00pm

Wed 1--Wednesday of Holy Week—No Latin Mass

Thu 2 Holy Thursday—No Latin Mass

Fri 3 Good Friday—No Good Friday Liturgy

The next potluck will be on Divine Mercy Sunday-April 12th.


The second Sunday in Passionide, or Palm Sunday, commemorates the last triumph of our Lord Jesus Christ on earth. It marks the beginning of Holy Week. “Let the faithful be invited to take part in the Procession of Palms in greater numbers, thus rendering Christ the King public witness of their love and gratitude.”

On Palm Sunday the Church celebrates the triumphant entry of Our Lord into Jerusalem. The crowds went before and after Jesus Christ with branches cut from trees thrown before Him. They shouted “Hosanna to the Son of David. Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord.”

We commemorate this triumph by blessing palms and carrying them in solemn procession. Although this triumph ultimately led to the death of Jesus, we know for certain that His Passion and Death is how he conquered the world, sin, and Satan! “If I be lifted up...I will draw all things to Myself.” Jn. 12:32.

The following are announcements from the Office of Vocations regarding discernment opportunities for young men.


Quo Vadis-Kenrick-Glennon Seminary April 10-11, 2015


An opportunity for young men discerning a call to the priesthood or just
want to learn more about the priesthood to visit a local seminary, listen and interact with seminarians.


Exploring Priesthood Weekend—April 17-19, 2015


Is a retreat designed to help men discern God's call to the diocesan priesthood. To be called by God to serve Him as a priest means to have one's soul stirred deep within. Throughout a weekend of prayer, discussion and group interaction, men begin to better understand God's movement in their life. Exploring priesthood weekends are held at Mundelein Seminary.


Discernment Retreat for College age men—April 24-26, 2015 at Meinrad Seminary in Indiana.


Encounter with God's call—April 18-20, 2015 at Conception Seminary College--for young men 16 and under who are considering a vocation to the priesthood.


For more information, please contact Fr. Patrick Nwokoye, Director of Vocation Promotion at 573-200-1814—email: pnwokoye@dioscg.org or Fr. J. Friedel, Director of Vocations/Seminarians, at jfriedel@dioscg.org.



In Christo Jesu et
Maria Immaculata,


Father Jeff Fasching

Pope Francis and the Blood of St. Januarius

Saint Januarius was a Catholic bishop of Naples (in Italy) who was martyred for being a Christian under the reign of Caesar Diocletian in about AD 305. He was beheaded at the Solfatara crater near Pozzuoli. His martyrdom is honoured in both the Roman Catholic Church and Eastern Orthodox churches. There is a cathedral in Naples which stands as a shrine in his memory, housing the relic of a small vile filled with some of his blood. According to legend, the blood was saved by a woman named Eusebia just after the saint's death. The blood, being some 1,700 years old now, has long since hardened. However, three times a year, a phenomenon occurs, in which the clotted and decayed blood returns to its liquid state. This happens on September 19 (Saint Januarius day, to commemorate his martyrdom), on December 16 (to celebrate his patronage of both Naples and of the archdiocese), and on the Saturday before the first Sunday of May (to commemorate the reunification of his relics). Religious pilgrims often visit the shrine on these dates to witness the phenomenon.

I call it a phenomenon, as opposed to a miracle, because the Vatican has never officially ruled it a miracle, though it does pay respect to the phenomenon and the devotion that has developed because of it.

In addition to these annual dates, the blood has also turned to liquid in the presence of three popes. The last time this occurred was in 1848 with Pius IX. It hasn't happened since, when other popes visited the shrine, until now. Pope Francis visited the cathedral on March 21, 2015. The following video tells of the encounter and the phenomenon...

Now, before we go on, let's be perfectly clear about some things. First, Pope Francis did not perform any miracle. He had no intention of turning the clotted blood back into liquid. He simply venerated the relic by kissing it, a sign of deep devotion and respect. Second, if indeed the phenomenon is miraculous, then it was God who performed the miracle, by the intercession of Saint Januarius. Again, Pope Francis did not do it. Third, whether it is a miracle or a phenomenon, God can use either to send us a message.

To try to find meaning in this, we should look back to when this happened with the last pope. Remember, popes have visited this shrine since then, and the blood has not liquefied for any of them. It did however liquefy for Pope Francis. This hasn't happened in 167 years. The last time this happened with a pope was in 1848 with Pope Pius IX, who was the longest reigning pope in Church history. Pius IX however, is also one of the most interesting popes in modern times. Following his visit to Naples in 1848, after the clotted blood of Saint Januarius had liquefied, that very same year Pope Pius IX was forced into exile from the Vatican. The exile was the result of political disputes and social unrest in Italy at the time. He returned to the Vatican two years later and from thence forth practically became a prisoner therein. Relations between the papacy and the Italian government where at an all time low, and the era was marked by riots in the streets and marauding gangs in the countryside. It was an especially dark time for the papacy, but Pius IX found himself purified in this crucible of fire. He proclaimed the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception infallibly, which is something Catholics had always believed, but hadn't been settled as an indisputable matter of faith until his proclamation. He approved a petition to name Mary, as the Immaculate Conception, the official patroness of the United States of America. He penned 38 papal encyclicals, and convened the First Vatican Council. He wrote the now famous 'Syllabus of Errors', which condemned the errors of Modernism, errors that have since led humanity into two world wars, and a global confrontation with communism, as well as the rapid deterioration of Western civilisation. During this time, Pope Pius IX was well known for a personal lifestyle of simplicity and poverty, which has since led the papacy to increasingly become a more spiritual office, and less of a temporal one. Pius IX's papacy is regarded by historians as the birth of the modern papacy, restoring the office to something closer to what it once was at the time of the apostles and the early centuries of the Church. Politically, Pius IX started out as a liberal, but later became much more conservative, after his initial exile from the Vatican. He became a reformer of the papacy and the Vatican. The spiritual aspects of Catholicism flourished under his reign, but the political relations between the papacy and the state suffered terribly. Pius IX was not well liked by the political rulers of his day; Italy, France, Germany, Russia and the United States of America. (Yes, even President Abraham Lincoln did not care for him, nor did his successor President Andrew Johnson.) Yet he was loved by Catholic clergy and laymen around the world.

Does this in any way sound like Pope Francis? I can see some similarities between Francis and the early years of Pius IX, during the liberal years of his papacy. Like Pius IX, Francis considers himself a reformer of the Vatican and seeks to reignite zeal among the Catholic faithful. The liquefaction of the blood of Saint Januarius for Pope Pius IX was immediately followed by unprecedented political trials for the Holy Father. This was accompanied by changes in his papacy, and the result was an incredibly holy man who changed the papacy for the better, and reignited the faith of millions of Catholics around the world. Does God have something similar planned for Pope Francis? Is the liquefaction of the blood of Saint Januarius at the kiss of Pope Francis a sign of this? There is no way we can know at this time. What we do know is that the liquefaction of the blood for the last pope turned out to be both a harbinger of evil and a herald of greatness at the same time. Does God use phenomenon like this to tell us something? Sure he does. We see the Bible littered with such things. The only problem is, we don't know exactly what it means until after it happens. For now, we can view the phenomenon of the liquefaction of Saint Janaurius' blood for Pope Francis as a possible sign from heaven, and that's all we can do. As for what it means, if anything, we'll just have to wait and see.

Written by Shane Schaetzel. Posted with permission of author.

------------------------------------------------

Shane Schaetzel is a published author and columnist for Christian print magazines and online publications. He is a freelance writer and the creator of 'FullyChristian.Com -- The random musings of a Catholic in the Ozarks.'

BOOKS BY THIS AUTHOR...

Catholicism for Protestants

Bulletin 243

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching

February 15th, 2015

Quinquagesima Sunday

Epistle: I Cor. 13: 1-13
Gospel: Lk. 18: 31-43

Mon 16 No Latin Mass
Tue 17 Feria
Wed 18 Ash Wednesday—Mass @ 10:00am.
Thu 19 Thursday after Ash Wednesday
Fri 20 Friday after Ash Wednesday

Mass on February 22nd will be at 7:00pm.

Mass on Ash Wednesday will be at 10:00am.

Stations of the Cross will be prayed after Mass on Fridays during Lent.

The next pot luck is scheduled for Sunday, March 1st immediately following the 2:30pm Latin Mass.

On each of the Fridays of Lent, a plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful who, after Communion, recite the “Prayer Before a Crucifix.”

Praying constantly is a necessity if we want to save our souls! We must pray that God gives us light to see! In the fourth luminous mystery of the Holy Rosary we pray that we are able to see with the transforming vision of God and not our own, limited human vision. We must beg God to see the path we must walk in order to save our souls! Satan is constantly trying to deceive us.

We cannot live in a state of sin and slave of the devil and expect to attain eternal salvation. We cannot delude ourselves into thinking we have plenty of time to give ourselves to God. God does not count our years, but rather the sins of each individual. God has fixed for each of us the number of sins He will pardon, but the Day of Judgemt will come soon!

We always will be given the grace to resist temptation if we sincerely ask for it, however, satan would have us believe otherwise. Saint Paul says that God is faithful, and that He never permits us to be tempted above our strength. The more we yield to temptation, the weaker we become. When we have recourse to God He will always give us the strength necessary to resist temptation!


Father Fasching's Mass Travel Schedule – Lent & Easter


Feb. 18 - Ash Wednesday -
Gainesville and Ava – Fr. Fasching

Feb. 21 – 22 - 1st Sunday of Lent
Cabool, Mansfield, Mt. Grove – Fr. Fasching

Mar. 7 – 8 - 3rd Sunday of Lent
Gainesville and Ava - Fr. Fasching

Mar. 21 – 22 - 5th Sunday of Lent
Cabool, Mansfield, Mt. Grove – Fr. Fasching

Apr. 18 - 19 - 3rd Sunday of Easter
Cabool, Mansfield, Mt. Grove – Fr. Fasching

May 2 – 3 - 5th Sunday of Easter
Gainesville, Ava - Fr. Fasching

May 16 – 17 - 7th Sunday of Easter - Confirmation - Ava
Cabool - Sat.4:00 PM - Fr. Fasching
Mt. Grove, Sun. 10:30 AM – Fr. Fasching

May30 – 31 - Trinity Sunday
Gainesville, Ava - Fr. Fasching


In Christo Jesu et
Maria Immaculata,

Father Jeff Fasching

Bulletin 222

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching

September 21, 2014

15th Sunday after Pentecost

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

Mon 22 No Latin Mass
Tue 23 Saint Linus * Pope & Martyr
Wed 24 Ember Wednesday
Thu 25 Feria
Fri 26 Ember Friday

If we look to the New Testament, Christ is constantly exhorting us to observe His commandments. He promises great reward for those who do so. Jesus Christ promises us heaven. Nothing on this earth is capable of gratifying our hearts. We were created for God only. We can find happiness in God alone! Jesus Christ exhorts us to care little for the things of this world, but instead to look for our reward in heaven-a reward that can never come to an end. In the Gospel when Christ is surrounded by people who appeared to think only of their worldly necessities, He said to them: “Be not solicitous as to what you shall eat, and wherewith you shall be clothed. And desiring to make them understand that everything concerning the body was of little consequence, He said to them: “Consider the lilies of the field, they toil not, neither do they spin; and behold your heavenly Father clotheth them; for I say unto you that not even Solomon in all his glory was arrayed as one of these. Observe the birds of the air, they neither sow nor reap, nor do they gather into barns, yet behold how your heavenly Father cares for them. O, ye of little faith, are you not of more account than they? Seek first the kingdom of heaven; that is to say, keep My commandments faithfully, and all things else shall be added unto you over and above.”

If we seek first and foremost to please God above all else and to save our souls, we will never be in want of worldly necessities. Everything we have comes from the goodness of God. When we observe exactly what God commands, we are amazed to find just how God cares for those who strive to please Him. There are many more examples in the Old Testament of how God rewards those who remain true to Him. But the New Testament has many as well. God fed the multitudes with five small loaves and two fishes because the people followed Jesus Christ and sought the sanctification of their souls. All the saints were cared for because they faithfully followed the commandments of God.

In Christo Jesu et
Maria Immaculata,

Father Jeff Fasching

Bulletin 221

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching

September 14th 2014

Exaltation of the Holy Cross

Epistle: Phil. 2: 5-11
Gospel: Jn. 12: 31-36

Mon 15 No Latin Mass
Tue 16 SS. Cornelius * Pope, & Cyprian * Martyrs
Wed 17 Feria
Thu 18 Saint Joseph of Cupertino, Confessor
Fri 19 Saint Januarius & Companions, Martyrs

Our next pot-luck dinner will take place in the school cafeteria on Sunday, September 14th immediately following the 2:30pm Mass. All are invited. In conjunction with the potluck dinner J.B. Kelley's family business will have their “traveling gift shop” set up in the Saint Agnes cafeteria to offer Catholic books, bibles, 1962 missals, DVD's, devotional items, Mystic Monk coffee and tea, and many other gifts.

If you have a special request for a book or other item, please contact J.B. Kelly prior to September 14th. This is provided as a service to the Latin Mass community with thanks to J.B. Kelley.

In addition to serving as celebrant for Mass in the Extraordinary Form (Latin) here at Saint Agnes Cathedral in Springfield, Fr. Fasching continues to serve as chaplain to the non-Catholic hospitals in the Springfield area. These include Cox South, Cox North, Cox Walnut Lawn, Ozarks Community Hospital, and Select Specialty Hospital.

Fr. Fasching also assists Father Paul Wightman, O.M.I., with his parishes including Immaculate Heart of Mary, Mansfield; Sacred Heart, Mountain Grove; Saint Leo the Great, Ava; Saint William, Gainesville; and Saint Michael, Cabool.

As you know, there is no scheduled Latin Mass during the week on Mondays. This is Father Fasching's day off. You are asked not to attempt to contact him on this day.

You shall love the Lord your God with your whole heart, soul and strength. God promises an eternal reward to those who faithfully keep His commandments. On the other hand, God threatens eternal punishment to those who do not. If we find ourselves constantly troubled in this life, it is because we fail to keep the commandments of God faithfully! God has said: “If you keep my commandments faithfully I will bless you in many ways; if, however, you transgress them, you will be cursed in everything you do.” If we wish to be truly happy in this word insofar as we can, there is no other means but that of keeping God's commandments faithfully. The minute we turn aside from God's path, both body and soul will be unhappy not only in this life, but possibly in the next life as well! Eternal happiness truly depends upon our ability to faithfully observe the commandments which God has given us. God rewards in this life those that are faithful to Him.

The Scriptures themselves show us that all those who chose to observe God's commandments were always happy. God never abandons those who do what God commands them to do. In the Book of Genesis Adam is a great example! As long as Adam observed God's law faithfully, he enjoyed a blissful state in absolutely every respect. His body, soul, mind and all his senses were directed to God alone. He even kept company with the angels of heaven! The bliss of our first parents would have remained forever had they continued faithful to their duties. But unfortunately we know that this happy state did not last long. The evil one, so jealous of such bliss, robbed them of all their possessions which they should have enjoyed for all eternity. The very second they chose to transgress God's commandments, everything went wrong with them. Troubles, cares, sickness and fear of death and punishment in the next life took the place of their former bliss. Their lives became nothing but tears and sufferings!


In Christo Jesu et
Maria Immaculata,

Father Jeff Fasching

Bulletin 220

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching

September 7th 2014

13th Sunday after Pentecost

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

Mon 8 No Latin Mass
Tue 9 No Latin Mass
Wed 10 Saint Nicholas of Tolentino, Confessor
Thu 11 Feria
Fri 12 Most Holy Name of Mary

Our next pot-luck dinner will take place in the school cafeteria on Sunday, September 14th immediately following the 2:30pm Mass. All are invited. In conjunction with the potluck dinner, J.B. Kelly's family business will have their “traveling gift shop” set up in the Saint Agnes cafeteria to offer Catholic books, bibles, 1962 missals, DVD's, devotional items, Mystic Monk coffee and tea, and many other gifts.

If you have a special request for a book or other item, please contact J.B. Kelly prior to September 14th. This is provided as a service to the Latin Mass community with thanks to J.B. Kelly.

There will be no Latin Mass on Tuesday, September 9th.

In addition to serving as celebrant for Mass in the Extraordinary Form (Latin) here at Saint Agnes Cathedral in Springfield, Fr. Fasching continues to serve as chaplain to the non-Catholic hospitals in the Springfield area. These include Cox South, Cox North, Cox Walnut Lawn, Ozarks Community Hospital, and Select Specialty Hospital.

Fr. Fasching also assists Father Paul Wightman, O.M.I., with his parishes including Immaculate Heart of Mary, Mansfield; Sacred Heart, Mountain Grove; Saint Leo the Great, Ava; Saint William, Gainesville; and Saint Michael, Cabool.

As you know, there is no scheduled Latin Mass during the week on Mondays. This is Father Fasching's day off. You are asked not to attempt to contact him on this day.

God said to Moses: “Tell my people that if they faithfully observe my commandments, I will fill them with all kinds of blessings, but if they dare to transgress them, I shall punish them with all kinds of sufferings.” God said to Abraham: “Because thou hast faithfully kept my commandments, I will bless thee in everything. I will bless all those who bless thee. I will curse all those who curse thee. Out of thy race the Redeemer of the world shall be born.” God made known to Abraham's people when the time had arrived for them to enter into the promised land. “The people who dwelt in this land committed great sins. For this reason I shall drive them out and put you in their place. But take care not to transgress my commandments. If you keep them faithfully, I shall bless you in and above everything. When you are in the fields or in your houses I shall bless your children, who will then love you, respect you and obey you, and give you all kinds of consolation. I will command the heavens to give you rain at the proper times, as much as will be necessary to water your fields and your meadows. Everything will prosper for you.”

In another place in the Scriptures God says: “If you keep my commandments faithfully I shall watch unceasingly over your preservation. You can be without fear in your houses. I will prevent the wild beasts from harming you. You will be able to sleep in peace. Nothing will disturb you. I will always be with you. I shall walk with you. I am your God, and you will be my people.” Again He says to Moses: “Say unto my people, that if they keep my commandments I will deliver them from all evils that oppress them.” And the Holy Ghost says that “he who keeps the commandments of God is happier than if he possessed all the wealth on the earth.”


In Christo Jesu et
Maria Immaculata,

Father Jeff Fasching

Bulletin 218

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching

August 24, 2014

11th Sunday after Pentecost

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

Mon 25 No Latin Mass
Tue 26 Feria
Wed 27 Saint Joseph Calasance, Confessor
Thu 28 Saint Augustine; Bishop, Confessor & Doctor
Fri 29 Beheading of Saint John the Baptist

The next pot-luck dinner is scheduled for Sunday, September 14th immediately following the 2:30pm Mass in the school cafeteria.

Jesus Christ has certainly done all things well. He was very often found healing the sick, curing diseases and bringing comfort to those who were physically challenged. He made the deaf hear and the dumb speak. He raised people from the dead. He constantly sought to draw sinners to Himself. His heart burned for others to believe in Him for who He was.

Even more important than physically healing His followers, Christ often forgave sinners and pointed out to them their new life in Him. Christ continues to draw all who choose to believe in Him to Himself. For those who possess a lively faith, Christ invites them to an even more intimate union with Him! This is what His heart desires! We were born to be with our God. He has come among us in the person of Jesus Christ and yet so many people are indifferent to all His favors and benefits!

Jesus Christ suffered and died for us to reconcile us to His Father. His desire to be with us and dwell peacefully in our hearts is so strong that He makes Himself miraculously present in the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar! If this were not enough, Christ even commands that we eat His Flesh and drink His Blood, found literally present in the Holy Eucharist! How many people remain cold toward the God that created them and wants to be with them?!

It is true that none of us are worthy of such an intimate union, but Christ has come for sinners! The more we frequent the sacraments with the dispositions of humility and a desire for conversion, the less unworthy we become of receiving Jesus Christ. Christ waits for us. He is a gentleman. He will not force Himself upon us. Choose for Christ today!


In Christo Jesu et
Maria Immaculata,

Father Jeff Fasching

Bulletin 194

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeff Fasching

March 9, 2014

First Sunday of Lent

Epistle: II Cor. 6: 1-10
Gospel: Mt. 4: 1-11

Mon 10 No Latin Mass
Tue 11 Feria of Lent
Wed 12 Ember Wednesday
Thu 13 Feria of Lent
Fri 14 Ember Friday of Lent

If we consent to temptation it is always sinful. All the most important people throughout salvation history were tempted-from Adam to Jesus Christ Himself. But Christ rejected the temptations of Satan. Christ is an example to show how we can always overcome evil through Him who holds all power over evil. However, we must adopt Christ’s attitude during times of trial. Christ never sought the glory that was rightfully His; rather He took the form of a servant. We must remember that glory belongs to God alone. We can always overcome temptation through humility and trust in God!

Laws of Days of Abstinence: The Discipline of 1962

• Applies on one’s 7th birthday.
• Complete Abstinence: all Fridays of the year, Ash Wednesday, Holy Saturday, and the Vigil of Christmas.
• Partial Abstinence (meat and soup or gravy made from meat permitted once a day at the principle meal): all the days of Lent, the Ember Days of Wednesday and Saturday, and the Vigils of Pentecost and the Assumption.
• Abstinence from meat is dispensed on Holy Days of Obligation
Laws of Fast: The Discipline of 1962
• Applies for those aged 21 to 59, inclusive.
• Days of Lent from Ash Wednesday inclusive, Ember Days, and Vigils of Christmas, Pentecost, and the Assumption.
• One full meal permitted and two other meals may be taken which, when combined, are less than a full meal.
The Law of the Eucharistic Fast: The Discipline of 1962
• The complete fast from all food and drink (except for water or medicine) for three hours before the reception of Holy Communion. In the document reducing the fast to three hours, the Pope still encouraged those who were able to maintain the midnight fast which was the previous discipline.

Mass on Ash Wednesday will be at 10:00am

Mass on March 7 will be followed by exposition and benediction of the Blessed Sacrament

The next scheduled pot-luck dinner is March 23

In Christ,

Fr. Jeffery Fasching

Bulletin 192

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeff Fasching

February 23, 2014

Sexagesima Sunday

Epistle: II Cor. 11: 19-33; 12: 1-9
Gospel: Lk. 8: 4-15


Pot-luck dinner Sunday, February 23rd in the school cafeteria immediately following the 2:30pm Mass

Mass on Ash Wednesday will be at 10:00am

Mass Schedule February 24 – February 28

Mon 24 No Latin Mass
Tue 25 Feria
Wed 26 Feria
Thu 27 Saint Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows, Confessor
Fri 28 Feria

Satan is a master of making us believe that by indulging in our sensual appetites we will somehow find happiness and peace. However, there is absolutely no peace for us when we choose to offend God in any way! We have been created for God and God alone. We are meant to be united with Him. Sin separates us from union with God. The world cannot make us happy, only God can!

People of the world toil and labor to accumulate large amounts of money and riches. The more they have, the more they want. They are never satisfied. This is why the rich are often among the most miserable people in the world. They can never get enough. The people who are truly rich are those who seek God alone. They are content with what they have.

God alone offers contentment. People of the world will never believe this fact. They believe that giving themselves to God means bitterness and discontent. But those who choose to walk with God enjoy a sweetness and peace the world cannot offer!

Fr. Jeff Fasching

Bulletin 189

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeff Fasching

February 2, 2014
Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Epistle: Mal. 3: 1-4
Gospel: Lk. 2: 22-32

Mass Schedule February 3-7

Mon 3 No Latin Mass
Tue 4 Saint Andrew Corsini, Bishop & Confessor
Wed 5 Saint Agatha * Virgin & Martyr
Thu 6 Saint Titus, Bishop & Confessor
Fri 7 Sacred Heart of Jesus

Mass on February 7 will be followed by exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and benediction.

February 3 is the feast of Saint Blasé, Bishop and Martyr. In honor of Saint Blasé the traditional blessing of throats will take place immediately following the 2:30pm Mass on February 2.

Sunday, February 2 the Church celebrates the feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple. These events occurred forty days after the birth of Jesus. In the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite February 2 closes out the Christmas season.

Our Lord Jesus Christ was presented in the Temple by the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph in obedience to the Old Law. Christ is revealed as the Messiah and Simeon sings out his Canticle Nunc dimittis. Christ is the light of the nations; hence there will be a blessing of candles with a procession before Mass begins.

To commemorate these two great feasts the faithful are invited to bring Candles (made from bees wax) to be blessed before the 2:30pm Mass on February 2. The procession commemorates the Lord’s entry into the Temple in Jerusalem and Christ’s entering into God’s house for the first time. You are invited to reflect upon the dispositions of the Blessed Virgin Mary as she presents Christ in the Temple. She shows her obedience to the Law of Moses and, as always, is a shining example of humility and purity.

In Christo Jesu et Maria Immaculata,

Fr. Jeff Fasching