Bulletin 83

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

January 1st, 2012 Octave Day of Christmas

Epistle: Tit. 2:11-15
Gospel: Lk. 2:21

Mass Schedule January 2nd through January 6th

Monday-Most Holy Name of Jesus-NO LATIN MASS
Tuesday-Feria of Christmastide-NO LATIN MASS
Wednesday-Feria of Christmastide-NO LATIN MASS
Thursday-Feria in Christmastide-NO LATIN MASS
Friday-Epiphany of the Lord-NO LATIN MASS

There will be no daily Mass in the Extraordinary Form this week. The Latin Mass will resume with the Feast of the Holy Family on January 8th at 2:30pm. There will be a pot-luck dinner in the school cafeteria immediately following the 2:30pm Mass on January 8th.

The words of the dogmatic constitution on the Church of the Second Vatican Council (lumen gentium, nn. 61-62) remind us that:

This motherhood of Mary in the order of grace—from the consent which she gave in faith at the incarnation, and which she continued to give unhesitatingly at the foot of the cross—lasts without interruption until all the elect enter into eternal fulfillment. When she was taken up into heaven, she did not lay aside this saving role but she continues by her intercession for all to gain for us the gifts of eternal salvation. In her maternal love she cares for the brothers of her Son as they journey on earth in the midst of dangers and hardships, until they are brought safely home to the happiness of heaven. The Blessed Virgin is thus invoked in the Church under the titles of Advocate, Auxiliatrix, Adjutrix and Mediatrix. These titles must not, however, be understood as in any way detracting from, or adding to, the dignity and effectiveness of Christ, the one Mediator.

No creature can ever be classed as an equal with the incarnate Word, the Redeemer. But just as the priesthood of Christ is shared in various ways by His ministers and His faithful people, and as the goodness of God, one though it is, is in different ways, really shared with creatures, so also the unique mediation of Christ does not exclude but brings about a variety of shared cooperation, deriving from the one unique source.

The Church does not hesitate to acknowledge this kind of subordinate role in the person of Mary. The Church has continuous experience of its effects, and commends it to the hearts of the faithful, so that as they lean on her motherly protection they may be brought into closer union with the Mediator, our Savior.

Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

Bulletin 82

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

December 25, 2011 The Nativity of Our Lord

Epistle: Heb. 1: 1-12
Gospel: Jn. 1: 1-14

Mass Schedule December 26th through December 30th

Monday-Saint Stephen, Deacon & Protomartyr-NO LATIN MASS
Tuesday-Saint John, Apostle & Evangelist-NO LATIN MASS
Wednesday-Holy Innocents
Thursday-5th Day in the Octave of Christmas
Friday-6th Day in the Octave of Christmas

Midnight Mass in the Extraordinary Form will be offered at Saint Anne Monastery in Springfield. The address is 424 E. Monastery Street. Mass on Christmas day in the Extraordinary Form will be at 2:30pm at Saint Agnes Cathedral.


Saint John describes two basic truths about the Word of God in his prologue—that He is Life and that He is Light. Jesus Christ is the Divine Life, the primary source of all life, natural and supernatural. Jesus says: “I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (Jn 8:12; cf. 12:46).

Saint John also says that the darkness has not overcome this light. There is a struggle between the two. There is an evil power at work in the world (satan) which envelops man’s mind and thus prevents him from knowing God. However, Saint Augustine writes:

But it may be, the dull hearts of some cannot yet receive this light. Their sins weigh them down, and they cannot discern it. Let them not think, however, that, because they cannot discern it, therefore it is not present with them. For they themselves, because of their sins, are darkness. Just as if you place a blind person in the sunshine, although the sun is present to him, yet he is absent from the sun; in the same way, every foolish man, every unrighteous man, every ungodly man, is blind in heart. What course then ought such a one to take? Let him cleanse the eyes of his heart, that he may be able to see God. He will see Wisdom, for God is Wisdom itself, and it is written: “Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see God.” There is no doubt that sin obscures man’s spiritual vision, rendering him unable to see and enjoy the things of God.

Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

Bulletin 81

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

December 18, 2011 Fourth Sunday of Advent (Rorate Sunday)

Epistle: I Cor. 4: 1-5
Gospel: Lk. 3: 1-6

Mass Schedule December 19th through December 23rd

Monday-Greater Feria of Advent-NO LATIN MASS
Tuesday-Requiem Mass + Salvador Jensuan
Wednesday-Saint Thomas, Apostle
Thursday-Greater Feria of Advent
Friday-Greater Feria of Advent

“…The Word of the Lord was made unto John, the son of Zachary, in the desert. And he came into the hill country about the Jordan, preaching the baptism of penance for the remission of sins, as it was written in the book of the sayings of Isaias the Prophet: A voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare ye the way of the Lord…”

Advent is a time of preparation and penance. We anticipate Christ’s birth, but we also prepare for his coming as Judge. John the Baptist was an outstanding example of austerity. He perfectly prepared the way of Christ and recognized his role in doing so. When Christ comes in judgment the world as we know it will change.

Saint Paul says “the form of this world is passing away,” but he does not say that this world will be annihilated at the end of time. Rather he implies that all creation will be renewed, for he writes that “the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God…because creation itself will be set free from its bondage to death and obtain the glorious liberty of the children of God” (Rom 8.19,21).

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 therefore also a time of joy! Let us live this joy during this holy season.

Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

Bulletin 80

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

December 11th, 2011 Third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday)

Epistle: Phil. 4: 4-7
Gospel: Jn. 1: 19-28

Mass Schedule December 12th through December 16th

Monday-Feria of Advent-NO LATIN MASS
Tuesday-Saint Lucy, Virgin & Martyr
Wednesday-Ember Wednesday
Thursday-Requiem Mass + Deacon Bill McNamee
Friday-Ember Friday

Christians are a people of joy! When we sin we lose our joy because we offend God. However, if we repent and purify ourselves in the sacrament of penance God will always forgive us. True peace and joy is the result of nothing other than remaining faithful to God and embracing the Cross. We must remember that Advent is a season of repentance and penance. Those who know God realize that enduring afflictions with patience and faith will always strengthen our faith and ultimately lead to joy.

John the Baptist preached repentance and exemplified a life of penance. Concerning the value of penance, the Council of Trent teaches: “…penances greatly detach penitents from sin; they act like a bridle to keep them in check, and make them more cautious and vigilant in the future. They also heal the after-effects of sin and destroy evil habits acquired through a bad life…Besides, when we suffer in satisfaction for our sins we conform ourselves to Christ Jesus who made satisfaction for our sins (cf. Rom. 5.10; 1 Jn. 2.1f)…; this gives us the surest pledge that, while suffering with him, we shall also be glorified with him (Rom. 8.17).”

Penance atones for sin, satisfies the demands of God’s holiness and justice, pays the debt of temporal punishment due to sin, restores glory to God, and averts divine punishment. It focuses the penitent’s mind more clearly on God and increases sensitivity to spiritual values. Penance intensifies sorrow for sin and desire for holiness. It repairs and heals the harmful effects which sin has done to one’s self, to other persons, and to the social order. Furthermore, penance weakens the bonds of sinful attachments. It gives the penitent better control over unruly nature and deters the penitent from committing sin in the future. Penance strengthens the penitent’s resolve to overcome sin and advance in virtue. Finally, penance conforms the penitent to the likeness of Christ’s passion and therefore prepares the penitent to share the glory of His resurrection!

Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

Bulletin 79

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

December 4th, 2011 Second Sunday of Advent

Epistle: Rom. 15: 4-13
Gospel: Mt. 11: 2-10

Mass Schedule December 5th through December 9th

Monday-Feria of Advent-NO LATIN MASS
Tuesday-Requiem Mass + Kennedy Creado
Wednesday-Saint Ambrose; Bishop, Confessor & Doctor
Thursday-Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary—Latin Mass @ 2:00pm
Friday-Feria of Advent

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

December 8th (Immaculate Conception) is a holy day of obligation. Mass in the Extraordinary Form will be at 2:00pm at Saint Agnes Cathedral.

John was in prison when he heard the works of Christ. He sent two of his disciples to ask Jesus if He is the one to come. Jesus said to them: “Go and relate to John what you have heard and seen. The blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead rise again, the poor have the gospel preached to them…” Jesus goes on to say: “What went you out into the desert to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Behold they that are clothed in soft garments are in the houses of kings. But what went you out to see? A Prophet? Yea I tell you and more than a Prophet…”

In the synoptic gospels, the account of Jesus’ public ministry begins with a description of John the Baptist calling the people to repent in preparation for the coming of God’s Kingdom. The austerity of John’s life bore striking witness to his message. Saint Matthew tells us: “In those days John the Baptizer appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea and saying, Repent! For the kingdom of God is at hand. It was of him that the prophet Isaiah had spoken when he said a voice of one crying out in the desert: Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, and had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. At that time Jerusalem, all Judea, and the whole region around the Jordan were going out to him. They were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins” (Mt 3. 1-12).

People flocked to John the Baptist because they sensed he was a true man of God. He wasn’t concerned with people’s opinions, but only with fulfilling his God-given mission to prepare the way for Christ. Jesus Christ invites us to do the same.

Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

Bulletin 78

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

November 27th, 2011 First Sunday of Advent

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

Mass Schedule November 28th through December 2nd.

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

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

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

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

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

Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching