Buletin 87

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

January 29th, 2012 Fourth Sunday after Epiphany

Epistle: Rom. 13: 8-10
Gospel: Mt 18: 23-27

Mass Schedule January 30th through February 3rd

Monday-Saint Martina, Virgin & Martyr-NO LATIN MASS
Tuesday-Saint John Bosco, Confessor-NO LATIN MASS
Wednesday-Saint Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop & Martyr
Thursday-Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Friday-Saint Blase, Bishop & Martyr

The Latin Mass Community of Springfield, MO will hold its monthly pot-luck dinner in the Saint Agnes school cafeteria immediately following the 2:30pm Mass on Sunday, February 5th. All are invited to attend. You may bring any religious articles you wish to have blessed.

On February 3rd there is a blessing of throats at Mass in honor of Saint Blase. In addition, I will be available immediately after the 2:30pm Mass on February 5th for the blessing of throats.

NOTE THERE WILL BE NO LATIN MASS ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 31ST.

Christ demands faith from all of us. For example, when we meditate on the fourth luminous mystery of the Holy Rosary we focus on Christ’s transfiguration. As with any mystery in the life of Christ we must always ask for a particular grace when we focus on the mystery. With the transfiguration we must beg God for the ability to see with His transforming vision rather than our own limited human vision. This grace is attainable for a person from any state of life, but we often hear more about those who have chosen to embrace a vocation to the priesthood or religious life that have great faith or practice heroic virtue.

So how can one recognize the way of life to which he is called by God? The most important factor is to embrace a regular habit of prayer with faith that God will make His will known to those who sincerely seek it. While praying, one must try to maintain an attitude of perfect detachment. One must fight against the tendency to lean toward one alternative rather than another before God manifests His will. One must maintain a spirit of generosity and willingness to embrace whatever God reveals to be His will. If one prays and reflects God will eventually let the person know what He wills for the person. God will allow the person to experience greater light, peace and certainty with regard to the way of life God wills for the person. This is how one will grow in conviction that this is God’s will.

In discerning God’s will in the choice of a way of life, one should place before one’s mind the one end and purpose for which one has been created by God, namely, to praise, reverence and serve God, and in this way to save one’s soul. Furthermore, one must be resolved not to allow any other consideration to sway one’s choice. With that in mind, one should ask oneself what way of life seems to offer the person, with his special gifts and graces, the best means for attaining that end. Which path is the best means for promoting the greater glory of God? Which way of life provides the best means for attaining holiness? Which way of life provides the best means for contributing to the well-being of the greater number of people and of helping them attain salvation?

Clarity often comes from imagining oneself on one’s death bed and asking the question which choice I would then wish that I had made. I should now make that choice. Imagine standing before God in judgment and having to render an account of one’s life. Which choice will I then wish I had made?

In Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

Bulletin 86

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

January 22nd, 2012 Third Sunday after Epiphany

Epistle: Rom. 12: 16-21
Gospel: Mt 8: 1-13

Mass Schedule January 23rd through January 27th

Monday-Saint Raymond of Penafort, Confessor-NO LATIN MASS
Tuesday-Saint Timothy, Bishop & Martyr
Wednesday-Conversion of Saint Paul
Thursday-Saint Polycarp, Bishop & Martyr
Friday-Saint John Chrysostom; Bishop, Confessor & Martyr

We are now celebrating the Church Unity Octave. January 18 to 25 inclusive focuses on the intention of the unity of the entire Catholic Church. The dogmatic constitution Pastor Aeternus proposed that the Roman Pontiff, as successor of Saint Peter, has primacy of jurisdiction over the whole Church and that he is infallible when defining doctrines of faith and morals as binding in faith on the universal Church. Christ established the Church in order to continue for all time the saving work of redemption…so that in the Church…all the faithful might be united together in the bond of one faith and one love.

Furthermore, Christ made Saint Peter head of the Church in order that Peter might be “the visible foundation of a twofold unity,” namely; “that the episcopate might be one and undivided, and that the whole multitude of believers might be preserved in unity of faith and communion…”

The council explains why it is necessary to define the Church’s teaching concerning “the establishment, the perpetuity, and nature of this sacred apostolic primacy.” The reason is to promote “the protection, the safety, and the increase of the Catholic flock,” and to strengthen the Church against the attacks that at that time were being made against her by her enemies. The council believed that the Church would be strengthened against these and other ills if the authority of the Supreme Pontiff, which was strongly supported by the vast majority of Catholics, were confirmed by its solemn decrees.

The council teaches that because the Roman Pontiff is head of the whole Church by divine right, he is supreme judge of the faithful in all matters pertaining to Church life. All cases referred to him, and no case decided by him can be reviewed by any other authority. His judgment is final. Once the pope has decided an issue, it is not permitted to appeal over his head to any other tribunal, not even to a general council.

The papal office exists to preserve the purity of the faith, to serve Christian unity, and to minister to the needs of the Catholic community. Let us pray during this octave for a unity of faith which is so desperately needed in our time.

Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

Bulletin 85

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

January 15th, 2012 Second Sunday after Epiphany

Epistle: Rom. 12: 6-16
Gospel: Jn. 2: 1-11

Mass Schedule January 16, through January 20th

Monday-Saint Marcellus I, Pope & Martyr-NO LATIN MASS
Tuesday-Saint Anthony, Abbot
Wednesday-Feria
Thursday-Feria
Friday-Requiem Mass + Michael Michado

The self-manifestation at the wedding of Cana is the second luminous mystery in the life of Jesus Christ. Before Jesus changed the water into wine His disciples already believed that Jesus was the Messiah. However, with this first public miracle the disciples began to experience a much deeper faith. At Cana, the Blessed Virgin Mary obtained from her Son the temporal need of providing for the guests at the wedding. This mystery emphasizes the importance of relying on the Blessed Virgin Mary’s prayers for all our own needs.

Mary’s prayers are unparalleled in effectiveness with God because they are the prayers of a Mother, whereas the prayers of the saints are prayers of servants. Since Jesus Christ has an infinite love for His Mother, Mary’s prayers cannot go unanswered. We have an opportunity to grow in our devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary whenever we choose. Let us beg God through her prayers to draw us closer to Christ our Savior.

Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

Bulletin 84

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

January 8th, 2012 Holy Family

Epistle: Col. 3:12-17
Gospel: Lk. 2:42-52

Mass Schedule January 9th through January 13th

Monday-Feria of 1st Sunday after the Epiphany-NO LATIN MASS
Tuesday-Feria of 1st Sunday after the Epiphany
Wednesday-Feria of 1st Sunday after the Epiphany
Thursday-Feria of 1st Sunday after the Epiphany
Friday-Commemoration of the Baptism of the Lord

There will be a pot-luck dinner in the school cafeteria immediately following the 2:30pm Mass on January 8th.

Jesus always had His heart set on doing the will of the Father. He teaches that our primary duty is to do the will of God, even over and above any human authority. Jesus therefore asks His parents in the gospel: “Did you not know that I must be about my Father’s business?”

Although Mary knew from the start that the Child Jesus was God, the Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple sums up Jesus’ life in Nazareth, which was one of obedience. He was subject to Joseph and Mary. Jesus, who is God, obeyed His parents.

Jesus lived a hidden life for many years in preparation for His years of public life. He has left us an example. Most of us can find holiness in doing the simple, every-day things of life extraordinarily well. This should be our aim in life each and every day. We must obey the will of God unselfishly.

Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

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