Bulletin 270

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeff Fasching

August 23rd, 2015

13th Sunday after Pentecost

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


Mon 24 No Latin Mass
Tues25 St. Louis IX, King & Confessor
Wed 26 St. Zephyrinus, Pope & Martyr
Thu 27 St. Joseph Calasance, Confessor
Fri 26 St. Augustine, Bishop, Confessor & Doctor


Make it a practice to lift up your heart to God. Give thanks to Him each day because He gives us so many good things! We are in this world to love Him! We were created to love Him! God is worthy of our love because of His infinite goodness, His infinite beauty and His infinite perfections! Give God your heart and beg Him to destroy in it whatever is opposed to His sacred love!


In Christo Jesu et
Maria Immaculata,

Father Jeff Fasching

Bulletin 264

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeff Fasching

July 12th, 2015

Seventh Sunday after Pentecost

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

Mon 13--No Latin Mass

Tue 14—Saint Bonaventure-Bishop, Confessor, & Doctor

Wed 15—Saint Henry the Emperor, Confessor

Thu 16—Our Lady of Mount Carmel

Fri 17—Saint Alexis, Confessor


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 is all powerful because He can do all that He wills; and He can do as He wills, when He wills, without any limitations! Nothing can impede His action, nor oppose His will; nothing is difficult for Him! God's works, even the greatest, are performed in one instant by as simple act of His will. God is so omnipotent that with a single word He has brought all things into existence out of nothing. God's word is omnipotent, creative, operative, and effective, so that it infallibly produces whatever it expresses. God is so omnipotent that He can change men, the children of sin, into His adopted sons, called to share in His own divine life! He can even draw good from evil! God is infinite goodness! Let us worship Him!


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 190

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeff Fasching

February 9, 2014

5th Sunday after Epiphany NO LATIN MASS

Due to the afternoon Diocesan Wedding Anniversary Mass and the Missouri State Concert Choir at 7:00pm in the Cathedral, there will be no Latin Mass Sunday, February 9th.

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

Mass Schedule February 10-14

Mon 10 No Latin Mass
Tue 11 Our Lady of Lourdes
Wed 12 Seven Holy Servite Founders, Confessors
Thu 13 + Requiem Mass B. Fernandez
Fri 14 + Requiem Mass B. Fernandez


Fr. 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 173

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching

October 13, 2013
21st Sunday after Pentecost

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Amen

Fr. Jeff Fasching

Bulletin 172

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In Christ,

Fr. Jeff Fasching

Bulletin 170

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching

September 22, 18th Sunday after Pentecost

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

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

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

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

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

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

In Christ,

Father Jeff Fasching

Bulletin 169

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching

September 15th, 17th Sunday after Pentecost

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

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

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

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

In Christ,

Fr. Jeff Fasching

Bulletin 167

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching

September 1st, 15th Sunday after Pentecost

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

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

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

Fr. Jeff Fasching

Bulletin 165

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching

August 18th, 13th Sunday after Pentecost

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

Mass Schedule August 19th through August 23rd

Mon 19 Saint John Eudes, Confessor—No Latin Mass

Tue 20 Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, Abbot & Doctor

Wed 21 Saint Jane Frances de Chantal, Widow

Thu 22 Immaculate Heart of Mary

Fri 23 Saint Philip Benizi, Confessor

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

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

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

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

Fr. Jeff Fasching

Bulletin 163

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching

August 4th, 11th Sunday after Pentecost

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

Mass Schedule August 5th through August 9th

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

Tue 6 Transfiguration of Our Lord

Wed 7 Saint Cajetan, Confessor

Thu 8 Saint John Mary Vianney, Confessor

Fri 9 Vigil of Saint Lawrence

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

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

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

In Christ,

Fr. Jeff Fasching

Bulletin 162

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching

July 28, 2013 10th Sunday after Pentecost

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

Mass Schedule July 29th through August 2nd

Mon 29 Saint Martha, Virgin—No Latin Mass

Tue 30 Feria

Wed 31 Saint Ignatius Loyola, Confessor

Thu 1 Feria

Fri 2 Sacred Heart of Jesus

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

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

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

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

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

In Christ,

Father Jeff Fasching

Bulletin 161

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching

July 21, 2013 9th Sunday after Pentecost

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

Mass Schedule July 22 through July 26

Mon 22 Saint Mary Magdalene, Penitent—No Latin Mass

Tue 23 Saint Apollinaris, Bishop & Martyr

Wed 24 Feria

Thu 25 Saint James the Greater, Apostle

Fri 26 Saint Anne, Mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary

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

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

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

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

In Christ,

Fr. Jeff Fasching

Bulletin 160

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching

July 14, 2013 8th Sunday after Pentecost

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

Mass Schedule July 15 through July 19

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

Tue 16 Requiem Mass + Ravi Monker

Wed 17 Feria

Thu 18 Saint Camillus de Lellis, Confessor

Fri 19 Saint Vincent de Paul, Confessor

Bulletin 159

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching

July 7, 2013 7th Sunday after Pentecost

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

Mass Schedule July 8 through July 12

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

Tue 9 Requiem Mass + Mr. & Mrs. Kurien

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

Thu 11 Saint Pius I, Pope & Martyr

Fri 12 Saint John Gualbert, Abbot

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

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

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

In Christ,

Fr. Jeff Fasching

Bulletin 158

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching

June 30, 2013 6th Sunday after Pentecost

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

Mass Schedule July 1 through July 5

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

Tue 2 Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Wed 3 Saint Irenaeus, Bishop & Martyr

Thu 4 Feria

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

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


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

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

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

In Christ,

Father Jeff Fasching

Bulletin 157

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching

June 23, 2013 5th Sunday after Pentecost

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

Mass Schedule June 24 through June 28

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

Tue 25 Saint William, Abbot

Wed 26 SS. John * & Paul * Martyrs

Thu 27 Feria

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

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

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

In Christ,

Father Jeff Fasching

Bulletin 156

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching

June 16, 2013 4th Sunday after Pentecost

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

Mass Schedule June 17 through June 21

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

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

Wed 19 Saint Juliana of Falconieri, Virgin

Thu 20 Saint Silverius, Pope & Martyr

Fri 21 Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, Confessor-NO LATIN MASS

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

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

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

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

In Christ,

Father Jeffery Fasching