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 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

Bulletin 245

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching

March 1st, 2015

Second Sunday of Lent

Epistle: 1 Thess. 4: 1-7
Gospel: Mt. 17: 1-9

Mon 2-- No Latin Mass
Tue 3 Feria of Lent-- No Latin Mass
Wed 4 Feria of Lent
Thu 5 Feria of Lent
Fri 6 Sacred Heart of Jesus

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament followed by benediction after Mass on March 6th.

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.”


After entering into Paradise, the Blessed will have no more sorrows. “God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.” “And death shall be no more, nor mourning, nor crying, nor sorrow, shall be any more, for the former things are passed away.” And He that sat on the throne, said: “Behold, I make all things new.” Rev. 21:5.

In Paradise, death and the fear of death are no more. There are no more sorrows, no infirmities, no poverty and no inconveniences. There are no persecutions and no envy. Each rejoices at the happiness of others as if it were his own. There is no more fear of eternal perdition. The soul is confirmed in grace. It cannot sin and cannot lose God!

All these are nothing, however, compared with seeing and loving God face to face. God Himself, whom the saints are allowed to behold, is the principal reward of the just in heaven. We must therefore bear with courage our current sufferings. They are nothing in order to gain heaven. “Your sorrow will be turned into joy.” John 16:20.

We must now love God and work for heaven. The saints wait for us. Mary expects us. Jesus Christ expects us. He holds a crown for each of us!


In Christo Jesu et
Maria Immaculata,

Father Jeff Fasching

Christ and the Church

The Church is also drawn by Christ to her future existence beyond time. When Christ comes again in glory, and the last enemy, death, has been destroyed (1Cor. 15.26f), when sin has been cast out and every evil overcome, and every tear has been wiped away (Rev. 7.17, 21.4), the Bride of the Lamb will appear in all her radiant beauty, without stain or wrinkle, and will enter into the unimaginable glory of the Lord. The Heavenly Jerusalem will be revealed in all its splendor (Rev. 21), which eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man ever conceived (1Cor. 2.9). The corruption of this world will pass away, and a new heaven and a new earth will appear, this present world having undergone a profound transformation that fills it with the glory of God! The risen Lord will raise up our mortal bodies, endowing them with the marvelous qualities of His own glorified body: spirituality, incorruptibility, agility, and resplendent glory (1Cor. 15. 42-44).

Fr. Jeff Fasching

Death

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

The State of Grace and Charity

Sanctifying grace makes one holy and pleasing to God and gives an estimable value to one’s good actions done with love.  If one lacks sanctifying grace, one is spiritually dead, and thus unable to do anything of value for eternal life.  This is clearly implied in the teaching of Scripture and of the magisterium.
 
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).


Fr. Jeff Fasching

The Immaculate Conception

Mary -- Conceived without Sin

As the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception (Dec. 8th) approaches, I thought it appropriate to explain the significance of this feast. This is probably the most misunderstood doctrine among non-Catholics. Even some Catholics don't understand it. To be clear, let's define it. The doctrine of the Immaculate Conception is a dogma, meaning that is is a required belief of all Catholics. In other words, if you don't believe in the Immaculate Conception, then technically speaking, you're not really Catholic. It is defined as the belief that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was herself conceived without the stain of original sin.

Some Protestants contend that the doctrine is "unbiblical," that it "deifies Mary as a goddess," and "diminishes the role of Christ in the redemption of humanity." Such contention is unwarranted, and a little paranoid, as I'll demonstrate below.

The stain of original sin was defined by St. Augustine as the mark of sin inherited by all people from the time of their conception. This means that when the first humans (Adam and Eve) sinned against God, they did so before any of their children were born. Because of this, all children conceived after their sin (i.e. the whole human race), would inherent the stain of the sin they committed. The sin they committed was one of selfishness and rebellion against God. The stain of this sin penetrated all the way through their souls to the flesh itself -- staining it and corrupting it. Thus, all children born of their flesh would inherit this stain of original sin. Think of it as a hereditary trait. It is manifested in the form of pride, selfishness and rebellion. It creates in people the desire to commit various sins: lying, cheating, stealing, lust, rage, etc. It can be seen from the earliest ages of childhood. Every time a small child acts in a selfish way, or becomes rebellious toward his parents, he demonstrates the stain of original sin in his own mind and body. God designed human beings to be totally selfless, giving, and obedient creatures. But this does not describe the human race today. That's because the stain of original sin, inherited from our first parents (Adam and Eve), has twisted and corrupting what God has created. Instead of being selfless, we are selfish. Instead of being giving, we are greedy. Instead of being obedient, we are rebellious. Such is the nature of our fallen human race. Now many Protestants think of original sin as a type of depravity -- moral corruption or innate wickedness -- as if people are "evil" at their core. Catholics tend to see original sin more as deprivation than depravity -- meaning that original sin deprives human beings of what they need to be holy. The desire to be loving and selfless is there, but the deprivation of original sin makes that impossible to achieve on our own.

God cannot tolerate sin, and it must be dealt with. Before mankind can be restored to God, we must first be freed of the original sin that stains and deprives us. This is the reason why God sent Jesus Christ (God made flesh) into the world. His sacrificial death on the cross frees us from all sin, including original sin. But in order for this sacrifice to be atoning for the human race, it must come from a member of the human race. Only a perfect and spotless human being can undo the damage done by our first parents. A perfect duplicate (or copy) of a human being wouldn't be enough. This spotless sacrifice must be a direct descendant of the sinful human race, and he must be divine himself, so that he may atone for all human sins, not just the first one. Protestant Christians understand this concept very well, and teach it in their churches. They know that Jesus must atone for all the sins of the world, and they know he is fully human as well as fully divine. In this sense, Protestants are very "Catholic" in their thinking. What they often fail to consider is that the flesh of Jesus Christ must be truly descended from the sinful human race in order for Jesus to be truly "one of us." If God created a whole new body in Mary's womb from "the dust of the earth" so to speak, essentially a copy of humanity, totally separate from any sinful human genetics, he really wouldn't be human at all. He would be a whole new race, entirely separate from the human race, and completely disconnected from the rest of humanity. He might look like us, but he wouldn't really be "one of us." In order for Jesus Christ to truly be "one of us," he would have to be genetically linked to the human race, and since Jesus only has one biological parent, there is only one person through whom that link can be made. That person is the Blessed Virgin Mary.

When Jesus was miraculously conceived inside Mary's womb, at the time of the annunciation by the Angel Gabriel, his human genetic make-up came directly from her. True, his divine nature came directly from the Godhead, but his human nature came from Mary. So Mary is the human genetic link between Jesus Christ (God made flesh) and mankind. There is only one problem. If Mary's flesh was stained with original sin (like the rest of us), than Jesus would have inherited that same original sin nature. Yet the Scriptures clearly tell us that Jesus was without sin. So we have a theological problem. How could Jesus' flesh and blood be "without sin" if he inherited his human flesh and blood from Mary? Granted, he is God, so he can do whatever he wants, but he chose to do it a certain way that was fitting to his desire. Enter the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception.

From the earliest times, Christians have always believed that Mary was immaculate -- meaning perfect and without sin....
"He (Jesus) was the ark formed of incorruptible wood (Mary). For by this is signified that His tabernacle (body) was exempt from putridity and corruption (sin)." -- (Hippolytus, AD 235)
"This Virgin Mother of the Only-begotten of God, is called Mary, worthy of God, immaculate of the immaculate, one of the one." -- (Origen, AD 244)
The idea here is that God miraculously preserved Mary from original sin from the time of her first existence (i.e. conception). The idea comes from the Holy Scripture in which the Angel Gabriel says to Mary: "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you." -- (Luke 1:28) The phrase "full of grace" is a translation of the Greek word kecharitomene. It expresses a characteristic quality of Mary that is unique. The traditional translation, "full of grace," is better than the one found in many recent English versions of the New Testament, which give something along the lines of "highly favoured one." Mary was indeed a highly favoured daughter of God, but the Greek implies more than that. The grace given to Mary is both permanent and unique. Kecharitomene is a perfect, passive, participle of the Greek word charitoo, meaning "to fill or endow with grace." Since this term is in the perfect tense, it indicates that Mary was given this grace in the past, but it has a continuing effect in the present. So, the grace Mary enjoyed did not begin at the angel’s visit. In fact, according to meaning the Greek word kecharitomene, it extended over her whole life, from conception onward. She was in a state of grace from the first moment of her existence (i.e. conception).

Now there is nothing particularly new about this concept. Biblically speaking, Mary wasn't the first person God fashioned in a perfect state of grace -- immaculate -- or without sin. The very first examples we have are Adam and Eve themselves. Both Adam and Eve were in a perfect state of grace at their "conception." Though the Scriptures tell us God fashioned them using a different method than normal procreation, it doesn't change the fact that they were made "without sin" (i.e. immaculate). So we could say the first immaculate conception happened in Eden when God formed the first man (Adam) and the first woman (Eve). In many ways, we could even consider the immaculate conception of Mary a "less dramatic miracle" (if we dare) because God still used the normal procreative processes when he fashioned her.

The question that arises is how? How would God fashion Mary "without sin" when both her parents were obviously stained by original sin, and they conceived her naturally? That is the mystery of the miracle. We can only conclude that God had already chosen Mary as Christ's mother, even from the first moment of her conception in the womb of her own mother. That being the case, the only reason why Mary was conceived without sin is because of Jesus Christ. Her body (flesh and blood) was redeemed retroactively, by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, that wouldn't happen until three decades later, because she was chosen to be the vessel through whom Jesus Christ (The Eternal Word) would enter this world as a human being.

Theologically this is very important, because Jesus received all of his human flesh and blood from Mary. That flesh and blood ought to be unspoiled and unstained by sin. Furthermore, modern science tells us that cells from the mother and child do exchange between them during pregnancy. Jesus and Mary literally shared flesh and blood, as all mothers and their babies do during normal human pregnancy. They were in a state of physical communion during that nine months of pregnancy. That means for Jesus to inherit and maintain a perfect body from his mother, without sin, his physical mother should be without sin as well. Likewise, if Mary was to be in a state of physical communion with her son Jesus, receiving his flesh and blood while he was in her womb, it would be necessary for her to be in a perfect state of grace -- immaculate. While God can do anything he wants, it is only fitting and proper for things to be done this way, and the Scriptures seem to support this with the angelic salutation "full of grace.”

So the doctrine of the immaculate conception does not "deify" Mary as many Protestants falsely believe. Nor does it diminish the role of Christ in the redemption of the human race. You can't even say it's "unbiblical" since the Greek word kecharitomene in Luke 1:28 practically defines the doctrine. Rather, it simply states that Mary was no different than the sinless Eve before the fall. Does this mean that Mary was better than Eve? No. Does this mean that Mary was greater or less than Eve? No. It means she was exactly the same as Eve physically, mentally and spiritually speaking. Does this mean that Mary could have sinned? YES! She most certainly could have followed the example of Eve and disobeyed the command of God. If she had, she would have suffered the same fate as Eve, and carried the stain of original sin herself. But the difference is that when the test was given, Mary chose to obey God whereas Eve did not. Eve's test was in the fruit of the tree. Mary's test was in the fruit of the womb. Eve failed her test, while Mary joyously passed hers. From the moment she responded to the angel, "Behold I am the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word" -- (Luke 1:38), she accepted the Lord's will for her, even though she knew it would bring her hardship. Because of that, Mary's purpose was fulfilled. God preserved her without sin, to be like Eve, so she could become the "New Eve," and bring forth the "New Adam" (Romans 5:12-21) who is Christ the Lord.

So now, the question of "why?" arises. Why did Mary choose to obey God, while Eve chose to disobey? Any answer we give is pure speculation, of course, but I think a fair speculation would be the Old Covenant itself. Mary was a Jew. She was raised her whole life to follow the Jewish laws. Tradition tells us she was educated as a child in the Jerusalem Temple, where she served as a consecrated virgin for the Lord. (Protoevangelium of James) Thus Mary had a grace that Eve was not given -- the Mosaic Law. Because of this, she had an understanding of God that was somewhat of a mystery to Eve. Beyond that, unlike Eve, Mary was able to personally witness the effects of original sin all around her. Eve learnt that lesson the hard way, having no prior experience with sin, she introduced original sin to the world with Adam her husband. Mary, in contrast, spent a lifetime toiling in the effects of that original sin, working for survival in a broken world filled with pain and suffering, even though she herself was sinless. This experience, combined with the Mosaic Law, certainly helped to give Mary the courage to say "yes" to a plan that would ultimately bring much more pain and suffering into her own life.

The doctrine of the Immaculate Conception of Mary is rich in ancient Jewish symbolism. It is foreshadowed in the Old Testament with the Ark of the Covenant. Hebrews 9:4 tells us that the contents contained inside the Ark of the Covenant were; the stone tablets of the Law (the word of God), along with a jar of manna (bread from heaven) and Aaron's rod (a symbol of the holy priesthood). All of these are images foreshadowing Jesus Christ, who is the incarnate Word of God (John 1:1-4,14), the Bread from Heaven (John 6:31-65) and our eternal High Priest (Hebrews 4:14).

Now the Ark of the Covenant was consecrated to God and considered holy. It was not to be touched by sinful man under penalty of death, and God himself had no problem exacting this penalty, even when a man touched it in an attempt to prevent it from falling (2nd Samuel 6:6-7; 1st Chronicles 13:9-10). This Old Testament example is designed to illustrate that the ark, which carried the symbols of the Old Covenant, was just as holy as the Old Covenant itself.

Now as I said, the stone tablets, manna and rod were signs foreshadowing Jesus Christ. He is the New Covenant. Thus the "ark" that carried him in her womb is holy too, just as the ark that carried the symbols that foreshadowed him was holy. Mary is the Ark of the New Covenant because she carried Jesus Christ in her womb. Jesus, who is the Word of God, the Bread of Life and our eternal High Priest, was carried for nine months inside the "ark" of Mary. She carried him in her arms and on her hip for another two years at least. If the ark of the Old Covenant was holy, than surely this ark of the New Covenant is even holier.

The doctrine of the Immaculate Conception points more to Christ than Mary. Though Mary is the object of the doctrine, she is not the subject of it. The subject is Christ, and it is his perfectly sinless body that is being addressed. Through Mary, Jesus inherited the "flesh and blood" of mankind. He bore the genetic code of the fallen human race, yet he did so with one modification, the stain of original sin was removed. The flesh he inherited was immaculate. That immaculate flesh was the gift of his mother -- Mary -- who herself received it as a gift from God. So Jesus really and truly was descended from Adam and Eve through Mary. He really and truly was "one of us," having the same ancestors and genetic code that originated from them. God rehabilitated the original, immaculate nature of humanity in Mary, but her sinlessness didn't help anybody but herself. She was the only beneficiary of this filling of grace (kecharitomene). Mary's sinlessness doesn't save anybody else. It doesn't save me, and it doesn't save you. All God did with the immaculate conception was reset the clock, so to speak, to give one person another chance. For the sake of humanity, and revealing himself in the Law of Moses, God gave one more human being, schooled in that law, a chance to say "yes" for humanity. Her "yes" brought forth the Messiah who would fulfil the Law of Moses, and effectively save the rest of us. The doctrine of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, is a doctrine that points entirely to Jesus Christ. Without him, the Immaculate Conception of Mary makes no logical sense.

In following Jesus Christ, we all become "immaculate" upon our baptism. This is the promise that is given to us. Granted, our bodies (and minds) remain damaged by sin, but this is a temporary condition. Those who are faithful, and endure to the end, not only get to look forward to an afterlife in heaven, but also a future resurrection, in which our recreated bodied will be like those of Jesus and Mary -- perfect and immaculate. In this life, the Christian is privileged to experience an immaculate soul upon the sacraments of baptism and reconciliation. In the next life, however, Christians will be privileged to experience an immaculate body as well.

Written by Shane Schaetzel, reposted by permission. Source: http://catholicozarks.blogspot.com/2014/11/mary-conceived-without-sin.html

Bulletin 228

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching

November 2, 2014

21st Sunday after Pentecost

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

Sat 1 All Saints No Latin Mass

Mon 3 Commemoration of All Souls No Latin Mass
Tue 4 Daily Mass for the Dead
Wed 5 Daily Mass for the Dead
Tue 6 Daily Mass for the Dead
Fri 7 Daily Mass for the Dead

Mass on Friday, November 7th will be followed by adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and benediction.

There will be a pot-luck dinner on Sunday, November 9th in the school cafeteria immediately following the 2:30pm Mass. This will include an All Saints day party.

All Saints Day is a holy day of obligation in the Universal Church; since it falls on Saturday in the U.S., the precept to attend Mass is abrogated by the USCCB.

The month of November is dedicated to the Holy Souls. On all the days from November 1 through November 8 inclusive, a plenary indulgence, applicable only to the Poor Souls, is granted to those who visit a cemetery and pray, even in 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”).

All indulgences whatsoever may be applied to the Poor Souls at any time by way of suffrage. The simple intention to offer them for the Poor Souls is sufficient.

Saint Paul always exhorts us to give thanks to God! God has made us worthy to partake of the lot of the saints in light! What more could we ask for?! Through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ we have been delivered from satan's grasp and the power of darkness. We have so much to be grateful for because our destiny is to be with God in heaven forever. Since we have been redeemed through the Blood of Jesus Christ and received remission of all our sins we rejoice!

Life on earth is warfare. Saint Paul reminds us we are battling the power of Satan. We must be strong in the Lord who has given us the victory over the powers of hell. Our fight is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers. With God we truly are able to resist evil in all forms!

We must turn to God who gives us victory over sin through the Precious Blood of Jesus Christ!



Father Fasching's Mass Travel Schedule – Oct., Nov., Dec.


Oct. 4 – 5 27th Sunday of the Year
Cabool, Mansfield, Mt. Grove – Fr. Paul
Gainesville, Ava – Fr.Fasching

Oct. 11 - 12 28th Sunday of the Year
Cabool, Mansfield, Mt. Grove - Fr. Paul
Gainesville, Ava – SCAP – Deacon Joe

Oct. 18 – 19 29th Sunday of the Year
Cabool, Mansfield, Mt. Grove – Fr. Fasching
Gainesville, Ava - Fr. Paul

Oct. 25 – 26 30th Sunday of the Year
Cabool, Mansfield, Mt. Grove – Fr .John Ettensohn
Gainesville, Ava - Fr. Paul

Nov. 1 – 2 All Saint – All Souls
Cabool, Mansfield, Mt. Grove - Fr. Paul
Gainesville, Ava - Fr. Fasching

Nov. 8 – 9 Dedication of Lateran Basilica
Cabool, Mansfield, Mt. Grove – SCAP – Deacon Joe
Gainesville, Ava - Fr. Paul

Nov. 15 – 16 33rd Sunday of Year
Cabool, Mansfield, Mt. Grove – Fr. Fasching
Gainesville, Ava - Fr. Paul

Nov. 22 – 23 Feast of Christ the King
Cabool, Mansfield, Mt. Grove – Fr. Paul
Gainesville, Ava - SCAP – Deacon Joe

Nov. 29 – 30 1st Sunday of Advent
Cabool, Mansfield, Mt. Grove – Fr. Paul
Gainesville, Ava – Fr. Fasching

Dec. 6 – 7 2nd Sunday of Advent
Cabool, Mansfield, Mt. Grove - SCAP – Deacon Joe
Gainesville, Ava - Fr. Paul


Dec. 13 – 14 3rd Sunday of Advent
Cabool, Mansfield, Mt. Grove - Fr. Fasching
Gainesville, Ava - Fr. Paul

Dec. 20 – 21 34th Sunday of Advent
Cabool, Mansfield, Mt. Grove – Fr. Paul
Gainesville, Ava - SCAP – Deacon Joe


In Christo Jesu et
Maria Immaculata,

Father Jeff Fasching

Bulletin 226

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching

October 19, 2014

19th Sunday after Pentecost

Epistle: Eph. 4: 23-28
Gospel: Matth. 22: 1-14

October 26, 2014 Christ the King


There will be NO LATIN MASS October 20-24. Father Fasching will be attending the annual clergy conference in Branson, MO.

We are all destined for a heavenly reward and eternal happiness! The choice is ours. God offers His grace. He gives every man the opportunity to walk in union with Him in this present life. Saint Paul tells us this in his epistle to the Ephesians. We are to be renewed in the spirit of our minds and put on the “new man.” This new man is created in justice and holiness of truth! Through our baptism we die to our former way of life in sin and conquer satan through the Passion and Death of Jesus Christ! Christ has won the victory for us and He offers eternal salvation to all who follow Him and believe in Him. We must choose for Christ now!



Father Fasching's Mass Travel Schedule – Oct., Nov., Dec.


Oct. 4 – 5 27th Sunday of the Year
Cabool, Mansfield, Mt. Grove – Fr. Paul
Gainesville, Ava – Fr.Fasching

Oct. 11 - 12 28th Sunday of the Year
Cabool, Mansfield, Mt. Grove - Fr. Paul
Gainesville, Ava – SCAP – Deacon Joe

Oct. 18 – 19 29th Sunday of the Year
Cabool, Mansfield, Mt. Grove – Fr. Fasching
Gainesville, Ava - Fr. Paul

Oct. 25 – 26 30th Sunday of the Year
Cabool, Mansfield, Mt. Grove – Fr .John Ettensohn
Gainesville, Ava - Fr. Paul

Nov. 1 – 2 All Saint – All Souls
Cabool, Mansfield, Mt. Grove - Fr. Paul
Gainesville, Ava - Fr. Fasching

Nov. 8 – 9 Dedication of Lateran Basilica
Cabool, Mansfield, Mt. Grove – SCAP – Deacon Joe
Gainesville, Ava - Fr. Paul

Nov. 15 – 16 33rd Sunday of Year
Cabool, Mansfield, Mt. Grove – Fr. Fasching
Gainesville, Ava - Fr. Paul

Nov. 22 – 23 Feast of Christ the King
Cabool, Mansfield, Mt. Grove – Fr. Paul
Gainesville, Ava - SCAP – Deacon Joe

Nov. 29 – 30 1st Sunday of Advent
Cabool, Mansfield, Mt. Grove – Fr. Paul
Gainesville, Ava – Fr. Fasching

Dec. 6 – 7 2nd Sunday of Advent
Cabool, Mansfield, Mt. Grove - SCAP – Deacon Joe
Gainesville, Ava - Fr. Paul


Dec. 13 – 14 3rd Sunday of Advent
Cabool, Mansfield, Mt. Grove - Fr. Fasching
Gainesville, Ava - Fr. Paul

Dec. 20 – 21 34th Sunday of Advent
Cabool, Mansfield, Mt. Grove – Fr. Paul
Gainesville, Ava - SCAP – Deacon Joe


In Christo Jesu et
Maria Immaculata,

Father Jeff Fasching

Bulletin 213

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching

July 20, 2014

6th Sunday after Pentecost

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

Mon 21 Saint Laurence Brindisi, Confessor & Doctor-No Latin Mass
Tue 22 Saint Mary Magdalene, Penitent
Wed 23 Saint Apollinaris, Bishop & Martyr
Thu 24 Requiem Mass, + Mr. John
Fri 25 Saint James the Greater * Apostle

Christ died in order to free us from the slavery of sin and the power of satan. He won victory over satan by shedding His blood on the cross. We share in this victory by virtue of our baptism! We too have power over all sin in and through Jesus Christ! In fact, our baptism is symbolic of our dying to sin and rising to a new life in Jesus Christ. We must constantly fight against the temptation to sin. But we must also realize that God gives us the grace and power always to overcome it. The choice is ours.

In Christo Jesu et
Maria Immaculata,

Father Jeff Fasching

Bulletin 205

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching

May 25, 2014

Fifth Sunday after Easter

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

Mon 26 No Latin Mass
Tue 27 Saint Bede the Venerable; Confessor & Doctor
Wed 28 Vigil of the Ascension
Thu 29 Ascension of the Lord
Fri 30 Feria after the Ascension

Mass on June 22nd (the External Solemnity of Corpus Christi) will begin at 1:30pm.

Pot-luck following Mass on Sunday, June 1.

When we pray to God we must always pray with humility, confidence and perseverance. God resists the proud but He gives grace to the humble of heart. If we trust in our own strength our prayers will be rejected by the Lord. We may be among the worst of sinners, but if we humble ourselves before the Lord and repent of our sins God will hear us. The psalmist says that a humble, contrite heart will not be rejected by God!

If we pray with confidence we will obtain whatever we ask of God. No one has ever placed his trust in God and been abandoned. Jesus Christ says in the Gospel: “All things whatsoever you ask when you pray, believe that you shall receive, and they shall come unto you.”

Finally, we must persevere in prayer until the day we die. We must never stop praying! The scriptures tell us this. Nothing should get in our way of constantly praying to God. We must remove anything that stands in the way of our prayers to God. Perseverance is a gift we must constantly ask God for. We must ask the Blessed Virgin Mary to obtain this grace for us.

In Christ,

Fr. Jeff Fasching

Bulletin 197

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching

March 30, 2014

Fourth Sunday of Lent (Leatare Sunday)

Epistle: Gal. 4: 22-31
Gospel: Jn. 6: 1-15

Mon 31 No Latin Mass
Tue 1 Feria of Lent
Wed 2 Feria of Lent
Thu 3 Feria of Lent
Fri 4 Feria of Lent

Mass on Friday, April 4 will be followed by adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, stations of the cross and benediction.

Jesus Christ is the good pastor and the good shepherd. He always has tender compassion for sinners. Christ says: “I am come that they may life and may have it more abundantly.” Christ came to us upon this earth not just to restore the life of grace that we lost through sin, but to give us an even better life than what we had before the fall! Remember the words of Saint Paul: “where sin abounded, grace did more abound.”

Jesus Christ could have redeemed the world simply by willing it, but He suffered such a painful death in order to show us His immense love for mankind. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd giveth his life for his sheep…I lay down my life for my sheep.” God could give us no greater proof of His love! No one, says Jesus Christ, can show greater love to his friends, than to give his life for them. Remember Christ did not only die for His friends, but also for us who were His enemies by sin. Christ’s death satisfies God’s justice for the sins we have committed!

In Christ,

Father Jeff Fasching

Bulletin 195

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeff Fasching

March 16, 2014

Second Sunday of Lent (NO LATIN MASS)

THERE WILL BE NOT LATIN MASS SUNDAY, MARCH 16 DUE TO THE DIOCESAN RITE OF ELECTION CEREMONIES

Epistle: I Thess. 4: 1-7
Gospel: Mt. 17: 1-9

Mon 17 No Latin Mass
Tue 18 Feria of Lent
Wed 19 Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Thu 20 Feria of Lent
Fri 21 Feria of Lent

Jesus Christ said to the Jews: “What have I not done for you, you ungrateful people! But there will come a day when you will seek me, and you will not find me, because I will flee, and you will die in your sins.” God offers us every means of conversion from sin, but we must desire to be converted. We must pray for conversion each day. We must pray that we amend our lives.

Those who choose to remain in sin play a dangerous game. The death of a sinner is certainly fearful, yet many choose to die that death! We must respond to God’s call now while we are able, otherwise we could very well perish in our sin. Now is the acceptable time, now is the day of salvation!

In Christ,

Father Jeffery 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 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 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 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 146

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching

March 31st, 2013 Easter Sunday

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

Mass schedule April 1st through April 5th

Easter Monday No Latin Mass
Easter Tuesday
Easter Wednesday
Easter Thursday
Easter Friday

On Easter Sunday the Mass highlights the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead! The Mass also alludes to the spiritual resurrection experienced by all those who have been baptized. We recall Christ’s death on the Cross through which He triumphed over sin and Satan, but today we joyfully emphasize how Christ rises from the grave to the dismay of His enemies!

In the office of the Church we proclaim: “This is the day which the Lord had made; let us celebrate it with transports of joy.”

The Body of Christ which previously had been scourged, beaten and nailed to the Cross comes forth from the tomb in resplendent fashion! The Victim once slain by the cruelty of man now shows in a glorious way His triumph over death. The Resurrection is the most concrete proof of Christ’s Divinity. Our belief in the Resurrection is the foundation of our faith. Saint Augustine once wrote that the Resurrection of Christ is God’s supreme and wholly marvelous work! Saint Paul writes: “If Christ be not risen again your faith is in vain.” (I Cor. 15) Furthermore, “God hath given us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. He hath raised us up together with Christ and hath made us sit together in the heavenly places.”


In Christ,

Father Jeff Fasching

Bulletin 145

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching

March 24th, 2013 Palm Sunday

There will be no Liturgies in the Extraordinary Form during Holy Week. Mass on Easter Sunday is at 2:30pm.

“Let the faithful be invited to take part in the Procession of Palms in greater numbers, this rendering Christ the King public witness of their love and gratitude.”

Palm Sunday commemorates the last triumph of Jesus Christ on earth and begins Holy Week. Palm Sunday is a celebration of the triumphant entry of Our Lord Jesus Christ into Jerusalem. Christ’s followers cut off branches from trees and laid them on the ground while proclaiming Christ as the Son of David. In commemoration of this event palms are blessed to begin the Liturgy and are carried in solemn procession.

It will be only days later that these very followers will call for the death of Jesus Christ. However, as Christians we believe that Christ’s death was not a failure. It was through His Passion and Death that Christ conquered sin, Satan and the world! “I, if I be lifted up…will draw all things to Myself” (Jn. 12:32).

On Palm Sunday we give thanks to Jesus Christ for redeeming us through His Passion and Death. Christ is our triumphant King. He is King of the universe and King of our hearts if we allow Him to be.

In Christ,

Father Jeffery Fasching