Monday, March 26, 2012

Bulletin 95 Addendum

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806 EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN):

CELEBRANT Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

March 25th, 2012 Passion Sunday

Epistle: Heb. 9: 11-15; Gospel: Jn. 8: 46-59

Mass Schedule March 26th through March 30th

Monday: Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary- NO LATIN MASS

Tuesday through Friday: Feria of Passiontide

Christ offered Himself upon the Cross because He willed it. No one took His life from Him. He laid it down freely. Christ offered His life for the sins of the world. By the will of His Father, weariness, fear and sadness broke His heart. Christ was a lonely stranger upon the earth. He was without true friends in the midst of a perverse, sensual and ungrateful people! Imagine how He must have longed for heaven and His Father’s house.

Christ watched in terror as the heartless executioners mocked Him, abused Him and spit in His face. He watched the hypocritical Pharisees ridicule Him on the road to Calvary. Saint Leo the Great tells us that:

“True reverence for the Lord’s passion means fixing the eyes of our heart on Jesus crucified and recognizing in Him our own humanity. The earth-our earthly nature-should tremble at the suffering of its Redeemer. The rocks-the hearts of unbelievers-should burst asunder. The dead, imprisoned in the tombs of their mortality, should come forth, the massive stones now ripped apart. Foreshadowing’s of the future resurrection should appear in the holy city, the Church of God: what is to happen to our bodies should now take place in our hearts.

No one, however weak, is denied a share in the victory of the Cross. No one is beyond the help of the prayer of Christ. His prayer brought benefit to the multitude that raged against Him. How much more does it bring to those who turn to Him in repentance.”

Have you ever experienced a desire to follow Christ in a special way? How can an individual recognize the way of life to which he is called by God? First of all one must have recourse to prayer, and while one prays, one must try to maintain an attitude of perfect detachment, not allowing oneself to be inclined to one alternative rather than to another before God manifests His will. One must maintain a spirit of generosity and readiness to embrace whatever God reveals to be His will. If one prays, reflects, and seeks in this manner, God will let the person know what He wills for the person.

In attempting to discern 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: that is to praise, reverence, and serve God, and in this way to save one’s soul, and be resolved not to allow any other considerations sway one’s choice. Which way of life offers the best means for promoting the greater glory of God? Which way of life provides the best means for attaining the heights of holiness? Which way of life provides the best opportunity for contributing to the well-being of the greater number of people and of helping them attain salvation?

Let me see myself on my death bed and ask myself which choice I would then wish that I had made. I should now make that decision. Let me also see myself standing before God in judgment after my death, and as God asks an account of my life, let me consider which choice I shall then wish that I had made in life. I should now make that decision!

Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

Springfield area Catholic pro-life supporters have organized the Springfield, MO Life Runners chapter, associated with the National Life Runners Team. Life Runners is an organization encouraging Catholics to support respect for all life from conception through natural death, through prayer, witness, and walking/running. We want to invite all area pro-life Catholics to join Life Runners, and to join in our upcoming events, including:

• Fun Run/Walk at Phelps Grove Park at 8am on April 21 with National Life Runners director Dr. Patrick Castle.

• Walk and Time of Prayers and Witness at Cowden Park across from Planned Parenthood on May 12 from 10am-Noon.

• The Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Medical Mile and 5K on June 2 at Meyer Center by Cox South Hospital.

• Saint Louis Rock and Roll Marathon/Half-Marathon/5K on October 21 in Saint Louis, MO.

For more information, visit their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/315417748506189/

NOTE: I will be running with Dr. Patrick Castle in the go Saint Louis Marathon in Saint Louis, MO on April 15th, 2012 at 7:00am. This is Divine Mercy Sunday.

THERE WILL BE NO LATIN MASS ON APRIL 15TH AT 2:30PM.

THERE WILL BE NO POT LUCK DINNER THIS MONTH…OUR NEXT POT LUCK DINNER WILL BE APRIL 1 IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE 2:30PM MASS.

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Bulletin 95

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

March 25th, 2012 Passion Sunday

Epistle: Heb. 9: 11-15; Gospel: Jn. 8: 46-59

Mass Schedule March 26th through March 30th

Monday: Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary- NO LATIN MASS

Tuesday through Friday: Feria of Passiontide

Christ offered Himself upon the Cross because He willed it. No one took His life from Him. He laid it down freely. Christ offered His life for the sins of the world. By the will of His Father, weariness, fear and sadness broke His heart. Christ was a lonely stranger upon the earth. He was without true friends in the midst of a perverse, sensual and ungrateful people! Imagine how He must have longed for heaven and His Father’s house.

Christ watched in terror as the heartless executioners mocked Him, abused Him and spit in His face. He watched the hypocritical Pharisees ridicule Him on the road to Calvary. Saint Leo the Great tells us that:

“True reverence for the Lord’s passion means fixing the eyes of our heart on Jesus crucified and recognizing in Him our own humanity. The earth-our earthly nature-should tremble at the suffering of its Redeemer. The rocks-the hearts of unbelievers-should burst asunder. The dead, imprisoned in the tombs of their mortality, should come forth, the massive stones now ripped apart. Foreshadowing’s of the future resurrection should appear in the holy city, the Church of God: what is to happen to our bodies should now take place in our hearts.

No one, however weak, is denied a share in the victory of the Cross. No one is beyond the help of the prayer of Christ. His prayer brought benefit to the multitude that raged against Him. How much more does it bring to those who turn to Him in repentance.”

Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

Springfield area Catholic pro-life supporters have organized the Springfield, MO Life Runners chapter, associated with the National Life Runners Team. Life Runners is an organization encouraging Catholics to support respect for all life from conception through natural death, through prayer, witness, and walking/running. We want to invite all area pro-life Catholics to join Life Runners, and to join in our upcoming events, including:

• Fun Run/Walk at Phelps Grove Park at 8am on April 21 with National Life Runners director Dr. Patrick Castle.

• Walk and Time of Prayers and Witness at Cowden Park across from Planned Parenthood on May 12 from 10am-Noon.

• The Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Medical Mile and 5K on June 2 at Meyer Center by Cox South Hospital.

• Saint Louis Rock and Roll Marathon/Half-Marathon/5K on October 21 in Saint Louis, MO.

For more information, visit their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/315417748506189/

NOTE: I will be running with Dr. Patrick Castle in the go Saint Louis Marathon in Saint Louis, MO on April 15th, 2012 at 7:00am. This is Divine Mercy Sunday.

THERE WILL BE NO LATIN MASS ON APRIL 15TH AT 2:30PM.

THERE WILL BE NO POT LUCK DINNER THIS MONTH.

Saturday, March 17, 2012

Bulletin 94

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN):

CELEBRANT Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

March 18, 2012 Fourth Sunday of Lent (Leatare Sunday)

Epistle: Gal. 4: 22-31; Gospel: Jn.6:1-15

Mass Schedule March 19th through March 23rd

Monday: Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary- NO LATIN MASS

Tuesday through Friday: Feria of Lent

Springfield area Catholic pro-life supporters have organized the Springfield, MO Life Runners chapter, associated with the National Life Runners Team. Life Runners is an organization encouraging Catholics to support respect for all life from conception through natural death, through prayer, witness, and walking/running. We want to invite all area pro-life Catholics to join Life Runners, and to join in our upcoming events, including:

• Fun Run/Walk at Phelps Grove Park at 8am on April 21 with National Life Runners director Dr. Patrick Castle.

• Walk and Time of Prayers and Witness at Cowden Park across from Planned Parenthood on May 12 from 10am-Noon.

• The Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Medical Mile and 5K on June 2 at Meyer Center by Cox South Hospital.

• Saint Louis Rock and Roll Marathon/Half-Marathon/5K on October 21 in Saint Louis, MO.

For more information, visit their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/315417748506189/

NOTE: I will be running with Dr. Patrick Castle in the go Saint Louis Marathon in Saint Louis, MO on April 15th, 2012 at 7:00am. This is Divine Mercy Sunday.

THERE WILL BE NO LATIN MASS ON APRIL 15TH AT 2:30PM.

THERE WILL BE NO POT LUCK DINNER THIS MONTH.

Jesus promises Himself as nourishment for our souls. He also demands that we trust Him when difficulties and trials come our way. We must always have faith. In fact, if we cultivate a true and sincere devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, one great effect of such a devotion is that Mary will give us a share in this same faith of hers! The Blessed Virgin’s faith was the greatest of all faiths. It was greater than the faiths of all the apostles, saints and prophets combined!

Mary had a perfect holiness. In the Blessed Virgin God places before our eyes a concrete model of what we are to love, and, loving, strive to be. He gives us a model that is at once perfect and yet lowly, lovable, and imitable. Despite her unique privilege and lofty holiness, Mary is the most imitable of the saints, because her greatness is in her lowliness. She is the handmaid of the Lord. Mother, yes, but first handmaid. Blessed because she believed. Blessed because of her faith!

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us!!

In Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Buletin 93

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

March 11, 2012 Third Sunday of Lent
Epistle: Eph. 5: 1-9; Gospel: Lk. 11: 14-28

Mass Schedule March 12th through March 16th:

Monday: Feria of Lent NO LATIN MASS
Tuesday through Friday: Feria of Lent

Springfield area Catholic pro-life supporters have organized the Springfield, MO Life Runners chapter, associated with the National Life Runners Team. Life Runners is an organization encouraging Catholics to support respect for all life from conception through natural death, through prayer, witness, and walking/running. We want to invite all area pro-life Catholics to join Life Runners, and to join in our upcoming events, including:

. A Fun Run/Walk at Sequiota Park at 8am on March 3 – bring cans of food to help Saint Vincent de Paul and feed the poor.

• Fun Run/Walk at Phelps Grove Park at 8am on April 21 with National Life Runners director Dr. Patrick Castle.

• Walk and Time of Prayers and Witness at Cowden Park across from Planned Parenthood on May 12 from 10am-Noon.

• The Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Medical Mile and 5K on June 2 at Meyer Center by Cox South Hospital.

• Saint Louis Rock and Roll Marathon/Half-Marathon/5K on October 21 in Saint Louis, MO.

For more information, visit their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/315417748506189/

NOTE: I will be running with Dr. Patrick Castle in the go Saint Louis Marathon in Saint Louis, MO on April 15th, 2012 at 7:00am. This is Divine Mercy Sunday.

THERE WILL BE NO LATIN MASS ON APRIL 15TH AT 2:30PM.

THERE WILL BE NO POT LUCK DINNER THIS MONTH.

Saint Paul reminds us that if we want to please God our Father, we must learn from His Son Jesus Christ. We must learn the details of His life. We must adopt his attitudes. We must contemplate His life. If we truly love Jesus Christ we will sincerely want to know all about His life and character so that we can become more like Him.

There is absolutely no quicker way to conform ourselves to the person of Jesus Christ than by meditating upon the mysteries of His life. We do this when we pray the Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Saint Louis Marie de Montfort writes that: “All our perfection consists in being conformed, united and consecrated to Jesus Christ; and therefore the most perfect of all devotions is, without any doubt, that which the most perfectly conforms, unites and consecrates us to Jesus Christ. Now Mary, being the most conformed of all creatures to Jesus Christ, it follows that of all devotions, that which most consecrates and conforms the soul to our Lord is devotion to His Holy Mother; that the more a soul is consecrated to Mary, the more it is consecrated to Jesus Christ.”

My prayer is that more souls devote themselves to praying the Holy Rosary each day. Let us be slaves of Jesus Christ in Mary.

Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

Sunday, March 4, 2012

Bulletin 92

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

March 4, 2012 Second Sunday of Lent (No Latin Mass)

Epistle: I Thess. 4:1-7
Gospel: Mt. 17: 1-9

Mass Schedule March 5th through March 9th

Monday-------FERIA OF LENT-NO LATIN MASS
Tuesday-------FERIA OF LENT
Wednesday---FERIA OF LENT
Thursday------FERIA OF LENT
Friday----------FERIA OF LENT

Sunday, March 4th at 3:00pm is the Rite of Election at Saint Agnes Cathedral. There will be no Latin Mass.

From a sermon by Saint Leo the Great, pope:

The Lord reveals His glory in the presence of chosen witnesses. His body is like that of the rest of mankind, but He makes it shine with such splendor that His face becomes like the sun in glory and His garments as white as snow.

The great reason for this transfiguration was to remove the scandal of the cross from the hearts of His disciples, and to prevent the humiliation of His voluntary suffering from disturbing the faith of those who had witnessed the surpassing glory that lay concealed.

With no less forethought He was also providing a firm foundation for the hope of holy Church. The whole body of Christ was to understand the kind of transformation that it would receive as His gift. The members of that body were to look forward to a share in that glory which first blazed out in Christ their head.

The Lord had Himself spoken of this when He foretold the splendor of His coming: “Then the just will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father.” Saint Paul the apostle bore witness to this same truth when he said: “I consider that the sufferings of the present time are not to be compared with the future glory that is to be revealed in us.” In another place he says: “You are dead, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.

…In the preaching of the holy Gospel all should receive a strengthening of their faith. No one should be ashamed of the cross of Christ, through which the world has been redeemed.

No one should fear to suffer for the sake of justice; no one should lose confidence in the reward that has been promised. The way to rest is through toil, the way to life is through death. Christ has taken on Himself the whole weakness of our lowly human nature. If then we are steadfast in our faith in Him and in our love for Him, we win the victory that He has won, we receive what He has promised…
\
Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Bulletin 91

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

February 26, 2012 First Sunday of Lent

Epistle: II Cor. 6: 1-10
Gospel: Mt. 4: 1-11

Mass Schedule February 27th through March 2nd.

Monday-------FERIA OF LENT-NO LATIN MASS
Tuesday-------FERIA OF LENT
Wednesday---EMBER WEDNESDAY
Thursday------FERIA OF LENT
Friday----------EMBER FRIDAY-NO LATIN MASS

Sunday, March 4th at 3:00pm is the Rite of Election at Saint Agnes Cathedral. There will be no Latin Mass.

There will be no Latin Mass on Friday, March 2nd at 12:15pm.

Christ our Lord allowed Himself to be tempted in order to give us an example and to instruct us. The Catholic Church teaches us that there are three levels of temptation. The first level is that of suggestion, or external temptation. This is the only way that Christ could be tempted since He was perfect. We can all undergo external temptation without committing any sin. The second level of temptation is that temptation in which we take delight. Although we may not give clear consent, this level of temptation becomes internal and thus becomes sinful. Finally, there is temptation to which we consent. This form of temptation is always sinful because it affects the deepest part of our soul. Christ allowed himself to be externally tempted in order to show us how to fight and conquer our own temptations. We must learn to trust in God and turn to prayer when we are tempted.

Nobody is above temptation. All the great saints were tempted. We must prepare ourselves for temptation by prayer and fasting just as Jesus did. This is why the Church gives us the beautiful season of Lent. Jesus’ withdrawal into the desert invites us to prepare ourselves by prayer and penance to battle temptation, but also teaches us how to prepare before making any significant decision or action.

Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

b

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Bulletin 90

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

February 19, 2012 Quinquagesima Sunday

Epistle: 1Cor. 13:1-13
Gospel: Lk. 18:31-43

Mass Schedule February 20th through February 24th

Monday-------FERIA-NO LATIN MASS
Tuesday-------FERIA
Wednesday---Ash Wednesday (Mass at 2:00pm)
Thursday------Thursday after Ash Wednesday
Friday----------Friday after Ash Wednesday

February 22: Ash Wednesday. Latin Mass at 2:00pm. Ashes will be blessed and distributed before Mass. Ash Wednesday is a day of fast and abstinence.

Laws of Days of Abstinence: Current Practice
 Begins on one’s 14th birthday.
 Ash Wednesday and the Fridays of Lent.
 Obliges abstention from flesh meat.

Laws of Days of Penance: Current Practice
 Applies to all the Faithful.
 Lent and Fridays outside of Lent

Laws of Days of Fast: Current Practice
 Applies to everyone aged 18 to 59, inclusive.
 One full meal permitted and two other meals may be taken which, when combined, are less than a full meal.
 Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.

The obligation to do penance is lifted on Fridays which are also celebrated as a solemnity. The following is a list of Solemnities in the New Rite which can fall on a Friday:
 January 1: Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God; Solemnity of the Epiphany
 March 19: Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Spouse of Mary
 March 25: Solemnity of the Annunciation
 June 24: Solemnity of Saint John the Baptist
 June 29: Solemnity of Ss. Peter and Paul
 August 15: Solemnity of the Assumption
 November 1: Solemnity of All Saints
 December 8: Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception
 December 25: Solemnity of Christmas
 Principal patron of a place (city, state, nation)
 Dedication of a particular church and the anniversary
 The Title, founder, or principal patron of a religious order or congregation

Laws of Days of Abstinence: The Discipline of 1962
 Applies on one’s 7th birthday.
 Complete Abstinence: all Fridays of the year, Ash Wednesday, the Vigil of Christmas.
 Partial Abstinence (meat and soup or gravy made from meat permitted once a day at the principle meal): all the days of Lent, the Ember Days of Wednesday, and Saturday, and the Vigils of Pentecost and the Assumption.
 Abstinence from meat is dispensed on Holy Days of Obligation

Laws of Fast: The Discipline of 1962
 Applies for those aged 21 to 59, inclusive.
 Days of Lent from Ash Wednesday inclusive, Ember Days, and Vigils of Christmas, Pentecost, and the Assumption.
 One full meal permitted and two other meals may be taken which, when combined, are less than a full meal.

Laws of the Eucharistic Fast: Current Legislation
Under the New Code of Canon Law, the Fast for Holy Communion is one hour before the reception of the Holy Eucharist. However, in the document reducing the fast to one hour, the Pope has encouraged those who were able to maintain the previous discipline.

The Law of the Eucharistic Fast: The Discipline of 1962
The complete fast from all food and drink (except water or medicine) for three hours before the reception of Holy Communion. In the document reducing the fast to three hours, the Pope still encouraged those who were able to maintain the midnight fast which was the previous discipline.

On each of the Fridays of Lent, a plenary indulgence in granted to the faithful who, after Communion, recite the “Prayer Before a Crucifix”:

Look down upon me, good and gentle Jesus while before Thy face I humbly kneel and, with burning soul, pray and beseech Thee to fix deep in my heart lively sentiments of faith, hope and charity; true contrition for my sins; and a firm purpose of amendment; while I contemplate with great love and tender pity Thy five most precious wounds, pondering over them within me while I call to mind the words which David Thy prophet said of Thee, my Jesus: “They have pierced My hands and My feet, they have numbered all My bones.” Amen.

Saint Paul in his letter to the Corinthians speaks of the three theological virtues; faith, hope and love. The theological virtues are among our greatest gifts from God. They are infused into our hearts through divine grace. However, we must remember our responsibility to nourish these God-given gifts. We must always and everyday pray for them. We should beg God that we grow in them, never take them for granted, but instead cherish them as our most prized possessions.

We are all people of faith. Perhaps we may know somebody whom we believe to be a person of great faith. Chances are we know somebody who seems to have little, if any faith at all. Faith is a precious gift. The strength of our faith depends a great deal on how we ourselves nourish it. We should constantly ask God for an increase in faith.

We see in the Gospel another great example of Jesus Christ demanding faith from the blind man who wishes to see. Our Lord gives the blind man his sight because “thy faith hath made thee whole.” The blind man believed in his heart that Jesus had the power to heal him. Therefore when the blind man asked for his sight, it was given to him.

Our Lord wants the exact same faith from each one of us. One of the easiest and most effective ways of nourishing our faith and praying for the other virtues is meditating on the mysteries of the Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary. When we mediate upon the resurrection, for example, we must beg God for a greater faith. We should contemplate the unprecedented faith that was given to the Blessed Virgin Mary and ask God for a share in this same faith. When we focus on the ascension we should ask God for a greater hope that where He has gone, we will one day follow.

Saint Paul explains that virtues of faith and hope mean nothing if we do not put them into practice, therefore the greatest of these virtues is love. “Holy” people are people who exercise on a regular basis the virtue of charity. Hence, charity is the key to holiness and sanctity. We can find charitable things to do each and every day that help us grow in holiness. These can be the smallest of acts, because God looks at the intention of one’s heart, not the magnitude of the act.

Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching