Prayers at the Foot of the Altar

Prayers at the Foot of the Altar

Friday, September 27, 2013

Bulletin 171

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching

September 29, 2013

Dedication of Saint Michael the Archangel

Epistle: Apoc. 1: 1-5
Gospel: Mt. 18: 1-10

Mon 30 Saint Jerome; Priest, Confessor & Doctor—No Latin Mass
Tue 1 Feria—No Latin Mass
Wed 2 Holy Guardian Angels
Thu 3 Requiem Mass + John Scaria
Fri 4 Sacred Heart of Jesus

The next pot-luck dinner will be Sunday, October 6th following the 2:30pm Latin Mass.
There will be no Latin Mass on Tuesday, October 1st.

The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is a prayer! It must be offered with attention and devotion. The ritual is actually a collection of prayers. All who participate must be sure that they remain attentive in the sacrifice and the sacred mysteries that are occurring. This does not necessarily translate into being more physically active. Man is a creature of habit. It is possible to be physically active in something while the interior life is not at all connected with the activity. Therefore a ritual should be designed to maintain the attention of the faithful. Again, this does not mean it must be active and verbal. Rather the ritual should be one of profound beauty that will naturally draw the worshipper to its contemplation. It should not be chatty and activist in nature so as to cause distractions that make it difficult for someone to maintain focus on God. Motion by nature draws our attention; therefore activity can distract our focus. Our attention should not be drawn to motion, but to God. This is why a ritual should not be activist in nature.

The essential fruit of the Mass has its immediate and only source in the self-immolation of Christ, and is, therefore, independent of the contents of the formulas of the Mass Rite of the Church. The accidental fruit derived from the ritual of the Mass is something real and therefore must be taken seriously by those whose task it is to protect and administer the sacraments, namely the Magisterium.

In Christ,
Fr. Jeff Fasching




Saturday, September 21, 2013

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



Friday, September 13, 2013

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

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Bulletin 168

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching

September 8th, 16th Sunday after Pentecost

Epistle: Eph. 3: 13-21
Gospel: Lk. 14: 1-11

Mon 9 Feria—No Latin Mass
Tue 10 Requiem Mass + John Scaria
Wed 11 Feria
Thu 12 Most Holy Name of Mary
Fri 13 Feria

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

Pot-luck dinner after the 2:30pm Mass this Sunday, September 8th in the school cafeteria.

This Sunday we commemorate the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Mary is as truly the Mother of God as any woman is mother of the child she bears, for she performed for her Son the same biological function and maternal role that any mother performs who conceives, gives birth, and nurtures a child from her own flesh and blood!

The only difference is that Mary conceived virginally by the power of the Holy Ghost, and the offspring that she conceived and bore is the eternal Son of God, who united Himself to our humanity in her womb. The child born of her is truly human, truly like us in all things but sin; He is also truly divine, the eternal Son of God incarnate. He is one person, an eternal divine person, subsisting in two natures, human and divine. Mary is mother of this divine person according to His human nature.

It was fitting that Mary be conceived without sin because she was destined to be the worthy, beloved Mother of the holy God. In preserving Mary from all sin, God prepared a holy tabernacle in which His Son was to dwell, a holy body from which He was to take His humanity, a holy Mother whom he could love with the fullness of His divine/human love.

In Christ,
Fr. Jeff Fasching





Friday, May 3, 2013

Bulletin 151

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching

May 5th, 2013 Fifth Sunday after Easter—NO LATIN MASS (Parish First Communion)

Mass Schedule May 6th through May 10th

Monday, May 6—Feria of Paschaltide—NO LATIN MASS
Tuesday, May 7—Saint Stanislaus, Bishop & Martyr
Wednesday, May 8—Vigil of the Ascension
Thursday, May 9—Ascension of the Lord
Friday, May 10—Saint Antoninus—NO LATIN MASS
Sunday, May 12—Sunday after the Ascension—Fr. Bill Hodgson
Monday, May 13th through Monday, May 20th—NO LATIN MASS

There will be NO MASS in the Extraordinary Form on Sunday, May 5th due to the Parish First Holy Communion Mass.

Father Bill Hodgson will offer Mass in the Extraordinary Form on Sunday, May 12th at 2:30pm at Saint Agnes Cathedral.

There will be NO MASS in the Extraordinary Form on Sunday, May 19th.

Father Fasching will be on vacation from Thursday, May 9th through Monday, May 20th.





Friday, April 26, 2013

Bulletin 150

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching

April 28th, 2013 Fourth Sunday after Easter

Epistle: Jas. 1: 17-21
Gospel: Jn. 16: 5-14

Mass schedule April 29th through May 3rd

Monday: Saint Peter of Verona —No Latin Mass
Tuesday: Saint Catherine of Siena, Virgin
Wednesday: Saint Joseph the Worker
Thursday: Saint Athanasius – Bishop, Confessor, & Doctor – No Latin Mass
Friday: Sacred Heart of Jesus

Thursday, May 2nd is the annual Clergy Day of Recollection for Vocations in Mountain View. There will be no Mass in the Extraordinary Form.

There will be no Mass in the Extraordinary Form on Sunday, May 5th due to the Parish First Holy Communion Mass.

God is the source of all good things, both material and spiritual. There can be absolutely no evil attributed to God. We have been created by God and recreated by “the Word of Truth” which is God’s holy Gospel. Saint Paul says that we as Christians are a sign of hope for all mankind and for all of God’s creation. We must therefore listen to God’s Word with reverence and submission. We must live the Gospel message with all our hearts.

We must remember the importance of ridding our minds and bodies of all vice in order to receive God’s Word and live it in a worthy manner. If we do not turn away from our evil inclinations we cannot do any good. Our pride can easily deceive us if we do not listen to God’s Word with the proper dispositions.

In Christ,
Father Jeffery Fasching


Saturday, April 20, 2013

Bulletin 149

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching

April 21st, 2013 Third Sunday after Easter

Epistle: 1 Pet. 2: 11-19
Gospel: Jn. 16: 16-22

Mass schedule April 22nd through April 26th

Monday: SS. Soter & Caius, Popes & Martyrs—No Latin Mass
Tuesday: Feria of Paschaltide
Wednesday: St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen, Martyr
Thursday: St. Mark, Evangelist
Friday: SS. Cletus & Marcellinus, Popes & Martyrs

All are invited to the pot-luck dinner Sunday, April 21st immediately following the 2:30pm Mass in the school cafeteria.

Jesus Christ has commanded us to take up our Crosses and follow Him if we wish to gain eternal life. He clearly taught that His followers would undergo sufferings and persecutions in this life, but they would have their reward in heaven if they remained faithful. The rest of the world will make merry and rejoice, while the Christian will suffer persecutions. Catholic Doctrine has always taught that the only way to share in the glory of the Resurrection is through the Cross. All the saints were familiar with suffering. In fact, they became extremely anxious when they were not made to suffer because they felt like Christ had abandoned them! “Take up thy Cross and follow me,” says Jesus Christ. You must either suffer in this life or give up the hope of seeing God in heaven!

In Christ,

Fr. Jeff Fasching







Friday, April 12, 2013

Bulletin 148

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching

April 14th, 2013 Second Sunday after Easter

Epistle: 1 Pet. 2: 21-25
Gospel: Jn. 10: 11-16

Mass schedule April 15th through April 19th

Monday: Feria of Paschaltide—No Latin Mass
Tuesday: Feria of Paschaltide
Wednesday: Feria of Paschaltide
Thursday: Feria of Paschaltide
Friday: Feria of Paschaltide

The next pot-luck dinner will be held on Sunday, April 21st immediately following the 2:30pm Mass in the school cafeteria.

We must receive the Sacraments with the proper dispositions if we want to obtain God’s grace. We must acquire a true horror of sin. We must gladly use all the means necessary that God offers us to avoid relapsing into sin. Many people are receiving Holy Communion and relapsing right back into serious sin. Many go to Confession one day, and the next fall again into the same sins! These people who confess without contrition and detestation of their sins will have no power over the enemy! Many go to Confession unprepared. They don’t feel the proper repentance. They don’t have a true resolution of not sinning again! Instead of fighting against the devil, they are taking his side!

We must obey the promptings of grace. We must always pray, pray and then pray some more. We must receive the Sacraments with the right dispositions. We must remain faithful to the end. Saint Matthew says: “He that shall persevere to the end shall be saved!”

In Christ,

Father Jeffery Fasching




Sunday, April 7, 2013

Bulletin 147

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching

April 7th, 2013 Low Sunday (Octave of Easter)

Epistle: 1 Jn. 5: 4-10
Gospel: Jn. 20: 19-31

Mass schedule April 8th through April 12th

Monday: Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary—No Latin Mass
Tuesday: Feria of Paschaltide
Wednesday: Feria of Paschaltide
Thursday: Saint Leo the Great; Pope, Confessor & Doctor
Friday: Feria of Paschaltide

April 7th, 2013 is called Divine Mercy Sunday. A plenary indulgence is granted to those who take part in the prayers and devotions held in honor of Divine Mercy, or who, in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament exposed or in the tabernacle, recite the Our Father and the Creed, adding a devout prayer to the Merciful Lord Jesus (e.g., “Merciful Jesus, I trust in You!”).

Immediately following Mass today the Chaplet of Divine Mercy will be sung before the Blessed Sacrament Exposed followed by benediction. Christ institutes the Sacrament of Penance in today’s Gospel. Let us seek His Divine Mercy with trust and humility as we confess our sins.

The next pot-luck dinner will be held on Sunday, April 21st immediately following the 2:30pm Mass in the school cafeteria.

In Christ,

Father Jeffery Fasching


Saturday, March 30, 2013

Bulletin 146

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching

March 31st, 2013 Easter Sunday

Epistle: I Cor. 5: 7-8
Gospel: Mk. 16: 1-7

Mass schedule April 1st through April 5th

Easter Monday No Latin Mass
Easter Tuesday
Easter Wednesday
Easter Thursday
Easter Friday

On Easter Sunday the Mass highlights the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead! The Mass also alludes to the spiritual resurrection experienced by all those who have been baptized. We recall Christ’s death on the Cross through which He triumphed over sin and Satan, but today we joyfully emphasize how Christ rises from the grave to the dismay of His enemies!

In the office of the Church we proclaim: “This is the day which the Lord had made; let us celebrate it with transports of joy.”

The Body of Christ which previously had been scourged, beaten and nailed to the Cross comes forth from the tomb in resplendent fashion! The Victim once slain by the cruelty of man now shows in a glorious way His triumph over death. The Resurrection is the most concrete proof of Christ’s Divinity. Our belief in the Resurrection is the foundation of our faith. Saint Augustine once wrote that the Resurrection of Christ is God’s supreme and wholly marvelous work! Saint Paul writes: “If Christ be not risen again your faith is in vain.” (I Cor. 15) Furthermore, “God hath given us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. He hath raised us up together with Christ and hath made us sit together in the heavenly places.”


In Christ,

Father Jeff Fasching



Sunday, March 24, 2013

Bulletin 145

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching

March 24th, 2013 Palm Sunday

There will be no Liturgies in the Extraordinary Form during Holy Week. Mass on Easter Sunday is at 2:30pm.

“Let the faithful be invited to take part in the Procession of Palms in greater numbers, this rendering Christ the King public witness of their love and gratitude.”

Palm Sunday commemorates the last triumph of Jesus Christ on earth and begins Holy Week. Palm Sunday is a celebration of the triumphant entry of Our Lord Jesus Christ into Jerusalem. Christ’s followers cut off branches from trees and laid them on the ground while proclaiming Christ as the Son of David. In commemoration of this event palms are blessed to begin the Liturgy and are carried in solemn procession.

It will be only days later that these very followers will call for the death of Jesus Christ. However, as Christians we believe that Christ’s death was not a failure. It was through His Passion and Death that Christ conquered sin, Satan and the world! “I, if I be lifted up…will draw all things to Myself” (Jn. 12:32).

On Palm Sunday we give thanks to Jesus Christ for redeeming us through His Passion and Death. Christ is our triumphant King. He is King of the universe and King of our hearts if we allow Him to be.

In Christ,

Father Jeffery Fasching


Saturday, March 16, 2013

Bulletin 144

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT Father Jeff Fasching

March 17th, 2013 Passion Sunday

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

Mass schedule March 18th through March 22nd

Monday of Passion Week--NO LATIN MASS

Tuesday—Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Wednesday of Passion Week

Thursday of Passion Week

Friday of Passion Week

During the Fridays of Lent following the 12:15pm Mass, there will be Stations of the Cross with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction.

On each of the Fridays of Lent, a plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful who, after Communion, recite the “Prayer before a Crucifix.”



Laws of Days of Abstinence: The Discipline of 1962

• Applies on one’s 7th birthday.
• Complete Abstinence: all Fridays of the year, Ash Wednesday, Holy Saturday, and 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.
The Law of the Eucharistic Fast: The Discipline of 1962
• The complete fast from all food and drink (except for 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.

As baptized Christians we are all vessels of election. God has given over to us an immense treasure of grace that we may be holy and spotless in His presence and that we may worthily carry His name before the nations. We have been purchased, and at a price, so we are to glorify God in our bodies. The grace we received at baptism must not remain sterile. We cannot be perfect and thus worthy of God unless we fight manfully at all times against our tendencies to evil.

Saint Alphonsus reminds us that what saddens Jesus Christ is the sight of a baptized soul habitually negligent, without concern for such disorder, without seeking to escape that state of torpor, without fearing that his shameful sleep is the forerunner of spiritual death. You are neither cold by mortal sin, nor hot with an ardent love. You are lukewarm and provoke the disgust of the Almighty. God must restrain Himself not to vomit such a soul out of His mouth! A lukewarm soul is like the paralytic lying helpless before the fountain of grace without strength to approach it. We must wish for Christ’s coming. He alone can cure us. We cannot allow our disease to invade all our members so that we no longer even recoil at the touch of sin! We cannot allow our will to sleep so that it no longer thrills at the remembrance of God’s favors. We cannot allow our faculties to become dulled so that they no longer have any spirit either for prayer or for action or for combat!

Speaking of venial sins, the saint says that the danger is even greater for those who commit many venial sins through attachment to any passion, such as pride, ambition, aversion to a neighbor, or an inordinate affection for any person. Satan slowly draws us in first by a slender thread, then by a cord, then by a rope, and finally by a chain of Hell—that is by mortal sin! Then we are his slaves. We must fight to be slaves of Jesus Christ, rather than Satan.

Fr. Jeff Fasching


Sunday, March 10, 2013

Bulletin 143

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT Father Jeff Fasching

March 10th, 2013 Fourth Sunday of Lent (Laetare Sunday)

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

Mass schedule March 11th through March 15th

Monday—Feria of Lent-NO LATIN MASS

Tuesday—Feria of Lent-NO LATIN MASS

Wednesday—Feria of Lent

Thursday—Feria of Lent

Friday—Feria of Lent

During the Fridays of Lent following the 12:15pm Mass, there will be Stations of the Cross with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction.

On each of the Fridays of Lent, a plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful who, after Communion, recite the “Prayer before a Crucifix.”



Laws of Days of Abstinence: The Discipline of 1962

• Applies on one’s 7th birthday.
• Complete Abstinence: all Fridays of the year, Ash Wednesday, Holy Saturday, and 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.
The Law of the Eucharistic Fast: The Discipline of 1962
• The complete fast from all food and drink (except for 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.

The love Jesus Christ shows us is immense. Christ descended from Heaven to redeem us and save us from the power of Satan and the grip of Hell. “I am come that they may have life and may have it more abundantly” (John 10.10). Jesus came to earth not only to restore us to the life of grace without which we cannot hope to attain Heaven, but to give us an even better life that we had lost through our sin. Saint Leo once said that the benefits which we have received from the death of Jesus far outweigh the injury which Satan has done us by sin! This is why Saint Paul writes: “where sin abounded, grace did more abound” (Rom. 5.20).

There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. What more proof do we need of God’s love for us? We were reconciled to God by Christ Jesus when were still His enemies! Jesus came not to destroy evil mankind, but to save it. Christ teaches us to be meek, and to bear and pardon injuries. However, meekness is not to be equated with weakness. Rather, meekness involves embracing compassion, patience and humility. These are all qualities found in genuine and sincere Christians. Jesus came to find His sheep that were lost. Have you allowed Him to find you?

In Christ,

Fr. Jeff Fasching

Friday, March 1, 2013

Bulletin 142

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

March 3rd, 2013 Third Sunday of Lent

Epistle: Eph. 5: 1-9; Gospel: Lk. 11: 14-28

Mass schedule March 4th through March 8th

Monday—Feria of Lent-NO LATIN MASS

Tuesday—Feria of Lent

Wednesday—Feria of Lent

Thursday—Feria of Lent

Friday—Feria of Lent

During the Fridays of Lent following the 12:15pm Mass, there will be Stations of the Cross with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction.

On each of the Fridays of Lent, a plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful who, after Communion, recite the “Prayer before a Crucifix.”

Christ gave His life of His own free will. He died out of love for you and me. He came to show His infinite love and He thus gave His all. He submitted to His Passion and lived a life of self-denial to give us an example of how we are to live. Despite His sufferings, He must have experienced joy in knowing He was saving mankind.

If we embrace Christ’s lifestyle we will be able to resist the corruption of a paganized society. Immorality, fornication and impurity run rampant all around us. No matter what the world succumbs to we should always resist these evils because we are called to holiness of life. We are temples of the Holy Ghost. We have been purchased at a great price!

We must therefore strive to live with modesty and refinement. We must keep watch over our senses and hearts. We must avoid all occasions of sin. We should frequent the sacraments, especially Confession and Holy Communion. We should foster a tender devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and beg for contrition and reparation.

In Christ,
Father Jeff Fasching


Laws of Days of Abstinence: The Discipline of 1962

• Applies on one’s 7th birthday.
• Complete Abstinence: all Fridays of the year, Ash Wednesday, Holy Saturday, and 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.
The Law of the Eucharistic Fast: The Discipline of 1962
• The complete fast from all food and drink (except for 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.

Friday, February 22, 2013

Bulletin 141

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

February 24th, 2013 Second Sunday of Lent

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

Mass schedule February 25th through March 1st

Monday—Feria of Lent--NO LATIN MASS

Tuesday—Feria of Lent

Wednesday—Feria of Lent

Thursday—Feria of Lent

Friday—Sacred Heart of Jesus

Pot-luck dinner this month will be Sunday, February 24th immediately following the 2:30pm Mass in the school cafeteria.

During the Fridays of Lent following the 12:15pm Mass, there will be Stations of the Cross with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction.

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

The season of Lent affords us a wonderful opportunity to grow spiritually. By practicing self-discipline and self-denial we place ourselves in a position to lift our minds and hearts closer to our God. As Jesus Christ said to Satan when He allowed Himself to be tempted in the desert: “Man does not live on bread alone.” When we practice mortification we identify with the life of self-denial that Jesus Christ Himself chose when He walked upon this earth. God deserves our best. He wants our whole hearts. Hence the first commandment.

We should also realize that the Lenten season reminds us of how we are called to live throughout the entire year, not just for this short Liturgical season. By denying ourselves we learn to amend our lives. Ideally, we also feel sincere contrition for our sins. This was Christ’s basic message when He preached: “Repent and believe in the Gospel.” John the Baptist preached the same message as did his predecessors.

Finally, we must make sure our motives for our Lenten observances are pure. We should do all for love of God. When we pray we must pray to sincerely want to amend our lives. We must constantly beg God for true contrition. These are the “higher” petitions that must always be a priority when we seek God in prayer. If we truly want to change and make amends for our sins we will. God, in turn, will give us everything else we ask for besides.

In Christ,

Father Jeff Fasching

Laws of Days of Abstinence: The Discipline of 1962

• Applies on one’s 7th birthday.
• Complete Abstinence: all Fridays of the year, Ash Wednesday, Holy Saturday, and 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.
The Law of the Eucharistic Fast: The Discipline of 1962
• The complete fast from all food and drink (except for 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.

Friday, February 15, 2013

Bulletin 140

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

February 17th, 2013 First Sunday of Lent NO LATIN MASS AT 2:30PM

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

Mass schedule February 18th through February 22nd

Monday—Feria of Lent--NO LATIN MASS

Tuesday—Feria of Lent

Wednesday—Ember Wednesday

Thursday—Feria of Lent

Friday—Chair of Saint Peter *

Pot-luck dinner this month will be Sunday, February 24th immediately following the 2:30pm Mass in the school cafeteria.

During the Fridays of Lent following the 12:15pm Mass, there will be Stations of the Cross with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction.

Laws of Days of Abstinence: The Discipline of 1962

• Applies on one’s 7th birthday.

• Complete Abstinence: all Fridays of the year, Ash Wednesday, Holy Saturday, and 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.
The Law of the Eucharistic Fast: The Discipline of 1962

• The complete fast from all food and drink (except for 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.

Friday, February 8, 2013

Bulletin 139

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

February 10th, 2013 Quinquagesima Sunday

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

Mass schedule February 11th --- February 15th

Monday-Our Lady of Lourdes--NO LATIN MASS

Tuesday-Seven Holy Servite Founders; Confessors—NO LATIN MASS

Wednesday-Ash Wednesday—Mass at 2:00pm

Thursday-Thursday after Ash Wednesday

Friday-Friday after Ash Wednesday

Pot-luck dinner this month will be Sunday, February 24th immediately following the 2:30pm Mass.

There will be no Latin Mass Tuesday, February 12th at 12:15pm.

Mass on Ash Wednesday will be at 2:00pm. Stations of the Cross and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will immediately follow Mass.

Laws of Days of Abstinence: The Discipline of 1962

• Applies on one’s 7th birthday.

• Complete Abstinence: all Fridays of the year, Ash Wednesday, Holy Saturday, and 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.

The Law of the Eucharistic Fast: The Discipline of 1962

• The complete fast from all food and drink (except for 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.

Friday, February 1, 2013

Bulletin 138

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

February 3rd, 2013 Sexagesima Sunday

Epistle: II Cor. 11: 19-33; 12: 1-9—Gospel: Lk. 8: 4-15

Mass schedule February 4th --- February 8th

Monday-Saint Andrew Corsini; Bishop & Confessor--NO LATIN MASS

Tuesday-Saint Agatha * Virgin & Martyr

Wednesday-Saint Titus, Bishop & Confessor

Thursday-Saint Romuald, Abbot

Friday-Saint John of Matha, Confessor

In memory of Saint Blaise, Bishop & Martyr, the blessing of throats will be offered this Sunday immediately following the 2:30pm Mass.

Satan deceives those who are sinners. He makes them think they lead a life of happiness and enjoy peace while engaging in their sensual appetites. However, there can be no peace for those who offend our God. God has stated that all His enemies lead a life of misery. God has created us with an intellect which gives us mastery over brute animals. We have been created for God. We must love Him and strive to be united with Him. God alone is able to make us truly happy. The world and worldly goods can never make a man happy and content.

King David once cried: “My tears have become my bread, day and night, whilst it is said to me daily: Where is thy God?” In a state of sin David sought out his many possessions and royal amusements, but to no avail. David’s conscience could only be heard to say: “Where is thy God? Go and seek the God whom you have lost. He alone can restore your peace!”

Sin brings only remorse of conscience. The Lord says to sinners: “You have refused to serve me in peace.” The result for the sinner is a life of hunger, thirst and constant yearning. Let us choose the happy life of those who love God. The peace which God offers surpasses all sensual delights the world has to offer. God alone can give content to the heart. Go to Holy Mass. Practice prayer regularly. Visit the Blessed Sacrament. Go to confession and communion often. Avoid evil conversations. Walk always with God and your life will change forever. You will enjoy peace which the world will never give you.

In Christ,

Fr. Jeff Fasching

Saturday, January 26, 2013

Bulletin 137

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

January 27th, 2013 Septuagesima Sunday

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

Mass schedule January 28th through February 1st

Monday-Saint Peter Nolasco, Confessor-NO LATIN MASS

Tuesday-Saint Frances de Sales-Bishop, Confessor & Doctor-NO LATIN MASS

Wednesday-Saint Martina-Virgin & Martyr

Thursday-Saint John Bosco, Confessor

Friday-Sacred Heart of Jesus

There will be no Latin Mass on Tuesday, January 29th at 12:15pm.

Christianity is a tough religion. To be better than average, a Christian must train himself. Saint Paul compares this training to preparing for an athletic event. For an athlete to be successful, he must practice. The more practice, the better the athlete. The same holds true for followers of Christ. We cannot simply pay Our Lord lip service. We must run to win the prize. In order to make progress in the spiritual life we must live in moderation. We must mortify our selfish desires in order to receive a crown that does not fade away.

As we prepare for the Lenten season we chastise our bodies in order to bring them into subjection. We strive to become masters of ourselves in order follow Christ more closely. Christ gives us His Body and Blood as our spiritual food to help us on our way to victory.

Sincerely in Christ,

Fr. Jeff Fasching


Friday, January 18, 2013

Bulletin 136

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

January 20th, 2013 Second Sunday after Epiphany

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

Mass schedule January 21st through January 25th

Monday-Saint Agnes * Virgin & Martyr-NO LATIN MASS

Tuesday-SS. Vincent & Anastasius, Martyrs

Wednesday-Saint Raymond of Penafort, Confessor

Thursday-Saint Timothy, Bishop & Martyr

Friday-Conversion of Saint Paul

The Wedding Feast at Cana in Galilee is the second luminous mystery of the Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Jesus Christ works His first public miracle because His Mother asks Him to! When we ponder this mystery in the life of Christ we should realize how it pleases God when we approach Him through His Blessed Mother. Mary is the most powerful intercessor of all the saints. In fact, one single sigh to her Son is more powerful than the prayers of all the angels and saints combined! Mary’s prayer is the prayer of a Mother, whereas the prayers of saints and angels are prayers of servants. All that the Mother asks of the Son is granted to her.

Mary has a heart full of love and mercy for poor sinners. She desires to see us happy in this life. We have only to turn to her if we want to be heard. It is true that God loved us so much that He died for us, but in the heart of Our Lord there is also justice for sinners. In the heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary there is nothing but mercy. When Jesus Christ is ready to punish a sinner, Mary intercedes and begs pardon for the sinner and Jesus cannot refuse her anything! The Most Holy Virgin places herself between her Son and us. The greater we sin, the more tenderness and compassion she feels for us.

Let us renew our devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and approach God through her with all our needs.

Sincerely in Christ,

Fr. Jeff Fasching

Saturday, January 12, 2013

Bulletin 135

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

January 13th, 2013 Holy Family

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

Mass schedule January 14th through January 18th

Monday-Saint Hilary-Bishop, Confessor & Doctor-NO LATIN MASS

Tuesday-Saint Paul, the First Hermit

Wednesday-Saint Marcellus I-Pope & Martyr

Thursday-Saint Anthony, Abbot

Friday-Votive Mass of the Chair of Saint Peter


The Feast of the Holy Family offers us a chance to reflect upon God’s eternal truths and the true meaning of life. We are a pilgrim people and the true home we were born for is in heaven. In this world filled with temptation and the pride of life we must learn the great value of silence. We should ask God for the gift of meditation and reflect upon that which is spiritual. We should pray each day for a well-ordered and disciplined life of prayer. We must first be rooted deeply in Christ if we hope to fulfill our duty as Christians to bring Him into a world where so many are in desperate need of His grace.

The Feast of the Holy Family should also help us to understand the importance of family life. The family is the basic unit of society. However, it is rapidly deteriorating and in many places almost completely vanquished from our culture. The family is the context in which children were meant to be raised.

We should also reflect upon the value of work. Jesus Christ chose to become the Son of a carpenter. He was never too proud to embrace an honest day’s work. Saint Paul writes in his Epistle: “All whatsoever you do in word or in work, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God and the Father by Jesus Christ our Lord.” We should put all our hearts into everything we do and do all for love of God alone. If we can truly say that love of God is our motivation then we are on the path to holiness.

Sincerely in Christ,

Fr. Jeff Fasching

Saturday, January 5, 2013

Bulletin 134

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

January 6th, 2013 Epiphany of the Lord

Epistle: Is. 60: 1-6; Gospel: Mt. 2: 1-12

Mass schedule January 7th through January 11th

Monday through Friday—Feria of Epiphanytide—NO LATIN MASS

THERE WILL BE NO LATIN MASS THIS WEEK

The Magi come to adore the infant Jesus. Epiphany should remind us of our own responsibility to worship our Lord Jesus Christ, particularly in the Blessed Sacrament of the Eucharist. The Christmas season reminds us that the grace of God has appeared on earth in the person of Jesus Christ. Christ has wrought our redemption through His precious blood. We have been purchased at a great price! God wants us to return His love.


We see the infinite humility of Jesus Christ in the Nativity. In fact Christ’s entire life was a perfect example of humility. But He doesn’t stop there. Christ continues to make Himself present on our altars under the appearance of bread and wine. He gives us the opportunity to worship Him whenever we desire. As we begin a New Year let us resolve to visit our Lord more frequently in the Blessed Sacrament of the altar. Let us learn to receive His Body and Blood with greater fervor and devotion.

In Christ,

Fr. Jeff Fasching