Bulletin 131

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

December 16th, 2012; Third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday)

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

Mass schedule December 17th through December 21st

Monday: Greater Feria of Advent--No Latin Mass

Tuesday: Greater Feria of Advent

Wednesday: Ember Wednesday of Advent

Thursday: Greater Feria of Advent

Friday: Saint Thomas * Apostle

The most powerful temptations we can possibly experience are those to ambition, pride and arrogance. Ambition is the worst of them because it caused Lucifer to be cast out of heaven into hell. Some theologians say it was because of a spiritual self-complacency combined with an awareness of their angelic nature’s grandeur and excellence, which caused such self-pride that he and the fallen angels arrogantly desired to be equal to God.

Contrast this attitude with that of Saint John the Baptist in today’s Gospel. Saint John played a significant role in the mystery of the Visitation. His humility thus appears to be the most excellent and the most perfect that has ever been, after only Our Lord Himself and the Blessed Virgin Mary. He was sanctified in the womb of his mother, Saint Anne, when Mary paid her a visit while pregnant with Our Savior. He went on to perform an outstanding, single-minded, public ministry in pointing the way to Christ. Saint John was so effective and well-liked that his followers were ready to name him the Messiah. Saint John was tempted with one of the most violent temptations imaginable to pride and ambition. It was even presented by his own friends, sent to him from Jerusalem by the hypocritical doctors of the Law. They wanted to find out if John was actually the Christ. If so, they wanted to give John his due honor.

The religious leaders were waiting for the Messiah. They knew that all the prophecies had been fulfilled. Jesus Christ came performing miracles and teaching His doctrine. However, instead of acknowledging Him, the religious leaders go looking for someone else. When asked, Saint John said I am not the Christ. He could have easily accepted the praise that his followers wished to bestow upon him, but he did not. John was so humble and truthful that he refused even to accept credit that he actually deserved!

We can learn humility from Saint John the Baptist. We can learn humility from the Blessed Virgin Mary. We should acknowledge the teaching of Christ who said “Learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart.”

In Christ,

Fr. Jeff Fasching

Bulletin 130

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

December 9th, 2012; Second Sunday of Advent

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

Mass schedule December 10th through December 14th

Monday: Feria of Advent--No Latin Mass

Tuesday: Requiem Mass + Mary D’souza

Wednesday: Feria of Advent

Thursday: Requiem Mass + Kennedy Creado

Friday: Feria of Advent

NOTE: December 8 (Immaculate Conception) is a holy day of obligation. Mass will be at 2:30pm

“Blessed is he who will not be scandalized in Me.” How could anybody be scandalized after having seen Jesus Christ perform so many miracles, works of charity and mercy? But Jesus Christ says: “I will be the disgrace of men, the outcast of the people. I will be a scandal to the Jews and a stumbling block to the Gentiles. But blessed is he who will not be scandalized in me. For I, who am now working such great miracles in your midst, must be crucified and attached to a Cross. Because of that many will be scandalized.” Blessed are those who will not be scandalized at Our Lord’s humiliations when they see Him outcast and everybody’s laughingstock. Blessed are they who, during their lives, crucify themselves with Him, meditating on His Passion and mortifying themselves with Him.

This is our true path if we are true Christians. We must cling to the Cross, and constantly meditate upon it. There is no other path to Heaven. Jesus Christ has given us the example. If we do not meditate upon the Cross and practice self-mortification we will remain empty of good. We will be scandalized by Our Lord’s Passion just as were many of His contemporaries. There is no other gate to Heaven than that of humiliation and mortification.

Sincerely in Christ,

Fr. Jeff Fasching

Bulletin 129

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

December 2, 2012; First Sunday of Advent

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

Mass schedule December 3rd through December 8th.

Monday: Saint Francis Xavier; Confessor--No Latin Mass

Tuesday: Requiem Mass + Esperance Fernandes

Wednesday: Feria of Advent

Thursday: Requiem Mass + Sathorine Fernandes

Friday: Sacred Heart of Jesus

Saturday: Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary—Mass at 2:30pm

NOTE: December 8 (Immaculate Conception) is a holy day of obligation.

The first Sunday of Advent marks the beginning of the Liturgical Year. Christ’s coming is twofold: in mercy and in justice. Saint Paul therefore exhorts us to “cast off the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light.” We must put on the Lord Jesus Christ. We prepare for Christ’s coming by striving to amend our lives and praying for true contrition for our sins. When we petition our Lord in prayer, amendment and contrition must always be at the top of the list.

This Advent let us mortify ourselves. We now have a wonderful opportunity to do penance for our sins and display our sincere love for Jesus Christ as we anticipate His return.

Sincerely in Christ,

Fr. Jeffery A. Fasching

Bulletin 128

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

November 25th, 2012; Last Sunday after Pentecost

Epistle: Col. 1: 9-14; Gospel: Mt. 24: 13-25

Mass schedule November 26th through November 30th

Monday: Saint Sylvester, Abbot--No Latin Mass

Tuesday: Requiem Mass + Catherine Dias

Wednesday: Requiem Mass + Anne Machado

Thursday: Requiem Mass + Joyce Spencer

Friday: Requiem Mass + Austin Machado

Saint Paul exhorts us to give thanks to God the Father for the countless gifts He has bestowed upon us in the person of Jesus Christ. God has made us worthy to share the lot of the saints in light and delivered us from the powers of darkness by the blood of Jesus Christ. Today we rejoice because we have been freed from our sins through the death of Jesus Christ. We should be reminded that we cannot neglect to show our appreciation for what God has done for us without suffering the consequences. Indifference towards God love permeates our culture. Many are choosing death over life in Christ Jesus. Let us embrace life with the saints and pray for those who do not.

The month of November is dedicated to the Holy Souls. Indulgences, which remove temporal punishment due to forgiven sin, may be gained by the living for themselves or applied to the souls in purgatory but they cannot be applied to other living persons. Indulgences are called plenary if they remove all temporal punishment and partial if they remove only some of it. A plenary indulgence can be acquired only once in the course of a day but a partial indulgence may be acquired more than once a day. To gain an indulgence for oneself one must be baptized, in the state of grace at least at the completion of the prescribed work and subject to the one granting the indulgence. He must also have at least a general intention of gaining them and must perform the works enjoined at the time and in the manner prescribed.

Some works to which are attached plenary indulgences are: a visit to the Blessed Sacrament which lasts for a half hour, the Stations of the Cross, recitation of five decades of the Rosary while contemplating the mysteries, and reading of Scripture for one half hour.

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.

Bulletin 127

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

November 18, 2012; Sixth Resumed Sunday after Epiphany

Epistle: 1 Thess. 1: 2-10; Gospel: Mt. 13: 31-35

Mass schedule November 19 through November 23

Monday: Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, Widow-- No Latin Mass

Tuesday: Saint Felix of Valois, Confessor

Wednesday: Requiem Mass + Mario Machado

Thursday: Requiem Mass + June Baker MASS AT 10:00AM

Friday: Saint Clement I, Pope & Martyr

The month of November is dedicated to the Holy Souls. Indulgences, which remove temporal punishment due to forgiven sin, may be gained by the living for themselves or applied to the souls in purgatory but they cannot be applied to other living persons. Indulgences are called plenary if they remove all temporal punishment and partial if they remove only some of it. A plenary indulgence can be acquired only once in the course of a day but a partial indulgence may be acquired more than once a day. To gain an indulgence for oneself one must be baptized, in the state of grace at least at the completion of the prescribed work and subject to the one granting the indulgence. He must also have at least a general intention of gaining them and must perform the works enjoined at the time and in the manner prescribed.

Some works to which are attached plenary indulgences are: a visit to the Blessed Sacrament which lasts for a half hour, the Stations of the Cross, recitation of five decades of the Rosary while contemplating the mysteries, and reading of Scripture for one half hour.

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.

Many desire God, but fear death. They are afraid of the assaults of Hell upon their souls. Even the saints have trembled at the hour of death, so how much more should we be afraid! Although it is true that Satan attacks even the holy saints at their hour of death, it is also true that God always comes to their aid at that moment. When dangers increase God helps all the more. The powers of Hell will assault the dying Christian, but his guardian angel will also be present to offer consolation. Saint Michael will also come to his aid. He has been appointed by God to defend His faithful servants in their last fight against the powers of Hell. The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, will assist those who have been devoted to her during their lives. Jesus Christ Himself will give those souls for whom He died confidence and strength to resist the powers of the enemy.

We should therefore rejoice at death! Death delivers us from this valley of tears and labor. At death we are free from suffering. Death also delivers us from our actual sins and the danger of falling into Hell. Through death, paradise is opened up for us!

In Christ,

Fr. Jeffery A. Fasching

Bulletin 126

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

November 11, 2012; Fifth Resumed Sunday after Epiphany

Epistle: Col. 3: 12-17—Gospel: Mt. 13: 24-30

Mass schedule November 12 through November 16

Monday: Saint Martin I; Pope & Martyr-- No Latin Mass

Tuesday: Saint Didacus; Confessor

Wednesday: Requiem Mass + Antonio Garcia

Thursday: Saint Albert the Great; Bishop, Confessor & Doctor

Friday: Saint Gertrude—No Latin Mass

The month of November is dedicated to the Holy Souls. Indulgences, which remove temporal punishment due to forgiven sin, may be gained by the living for themselves or applied to the souls in purgatory but they cannot be applied to other living persons. Indulgences are called plenary if they remove all temporal punishment and partial if they remove only some of it. A plenary indulgence can be acquired only once in the course of a day but a partial indulgence may be acquired more than once a day. To gain an indulgence for oneself one must be baptized, in the state of grace at least at the completion of the prescribed work and subject to the one granting the indulgence. He must also have at least a general intention of gaining them and must perform the works enjoined at the time and in the manner prescribed.

Some works to which are attached plenary indulgences are: a visit to the Blessed Sacrament which lasts for a half hour, the Stations of the Cross, recitation of five decades of the Rosary while contemplating the mysteries, and reading of Scripture for one half hour.

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.

Jesus Christ explicitly refers to Hell in the Gospels. In contrast to this life, where there is always some relief or interruption from the tribulations which we suffer, the damned must remain forever in the fires of hell. They are always in torture and always weeping without ever enjoying a moment’s rest. There is absolutely nobody to pity their sufferings. They burn forever in despair and have themselves been the cause of their own destruction. The saints, the Blessed Virgin Mary and even God Himself do not show compassion for their miseries. In fact, the saints even rejoice in the vengeance inflicted upon the injuries offered to their God! The Blessed Virgin cannot show pity because the damned hate her Son. Jesus Christ cannot pity them because they have rejected His love.

We must make it our aim in life to save our souls! We must never take for granted our salvation! We must toil and suffer to work out our redemption in cooperation with the grace of God.

In Christ,

Fr. Jeffery Fasching

Bulletin 125

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

November 4th, 2012; 23rd Sunday after Pentecost

Epistle: Phil. 3: 17-21; 4: 1-3—Gospel: Mt. 9: 18-26

Mass schedule November 5th through November 9th

Monday: Feria; No Latin Mass

Tuesday: Feria

Wednesday: Feria

Thursday: Daily Mass for the Dead

Friday: Dedication of the Archbasilica of Our Holy Savior


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 if only mentally, for the departed.


Indulgences, which remove temporal punishment due to forgiven sin, may be gained by the living for themselves or applied to the souls in purgatory but they cannot be applied to other living persons. Indulgences are called plenary if they remove all temporal punishment and partial if they remove only some of it. A plenary indulgence can be acquired only once in the course of a day but a partial indulgence may be acquired more than once a day. To gain an indulgence for oneself one must be baptized, in the state of grace at least at the completion of the prescribed work and subject to the one granting the indulgence. He must also have at least a general intention of gaining them and must perform the works enjoined at the time and in the manner prescribed.

Some works to which are attached plenary indulgences are: a visit to the Blessed Sacrament which lasts for a half hour, the Stations of the Cross, recitation of five decades of the Rosary while contemplating the mysteries, and reading of Scripture for one half hour.

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.

In Christ,
Fr. Jeffery Fasching