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

Bulletin 241

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching

February 1st, 2015

Septuagesima Sunday

Epistle: 1 Cor. 9: 24-27; 10: 1-5
Gospel: Mt. 20: 1-16

Mon 2 No Latin Mass
Tue 3 Saint Blase, Bishop & Martyr
Wed 4 Requiem Mass + Reynold D'Souza
Thu 5 Saint Agatha * Virgin & Martyr
Fri 6 Sacred Heart of Jesus

Mass on February 6th will be followed by adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and benediction.

Mass on February 8th and February 22nd will be at 7:00pm.


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.”

“The time of my dissolution is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have kept the faith. From now on a merited crown awaits me; on that day the Lord, just judge that He is, will reward it to me—and not only me, but to all who have looked for His appearing with eager longing” (2 Tim 4. 6-8).

Remember the theology of Saint Paul. A man is justified by faith and saved by grace, not by works. It is only works that proceed from faith and love that bring an eternal reward; and this only because God, by His grace, has made such good works possible and because he has graciously promised to reward them!



Father Fasching's Mass Travel Schedule – Christmas & Easter


Feb. 7- 8 - 5th - Sunday of the Year
Gainesville, Ava - Fr. Fasching

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


In Christo Jesu et
Maria Immaculata,

Father Jeff Fasching

Bulletin 222

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching

September 21, 2014

15th Sunday after Pentecost

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

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

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

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

In Christo Jesu et
Maria Immaculata,

Father Jeff Fasching

Bulletin 221

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching

September 14th 2014

Exaltation of the Holy Cross

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


In Christo Jesu et
Maria Immaculata,

Father Jeff Fasching

Bulletin 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 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 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