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

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

Seek the Good of Others

From a letter to the Corinthians by Saint Clement, pope:

The command has been written: Cling to the saints, for those who cling to them will be sanctified. There is a passage in Scripture as well which states: "With the innocent man you will be innocent, and with the chosen you will be chosen also; likewise with the perverse you will deal perversely..."

Why are there strife and passion, schisms and even war among you? Do we not possess the same Spirit of grace which was given to us and the same calling in Christ? Why do we tear apart and divide the body of Christ? Why do we revolt against our own body...?

We should put an end to this division immediately...


Father Angelo Vanderputten, FSSP, has volunteered to offer Mass in the Extraordinary Form at Saint Agnes Cathedral on July 15th at 2:30pm. There will be Mass on July 15th at 2:30pm at Saint Agnes Cathedral.

In Christ,

Father Jeff Fasching

Bulletin 110

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

July 8th, 2012; 6th Sunday after Pentecost

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

Mass Schedule July 9th through July 13th

Monday --Feria--NO LATIN MASS

Tuesday-Seven Holy Brothers, Martyrs and SS Rufina & Secunda, Virgins & Martyrs

Wednesday-Saint Pius I, Pope & Martyr

Thursday-Saint John Gualbert, Abbot

Friday-Feria


FR FASCHING WILL BE ON RETREAT BEGINNING SATURDAY, JULY 14th. THERE WILL BE NO LATIN MASS ON SUNDAY, JULY 15TH AT 2:30PM. THERE WILL BE NO LATIN MASS JULY 16TH THROUGH JULY 20TH. THE LATIN MASS WILL RESUME ON SUNDAY, JULY 22nd AT 2:30PM.


The wonderful effects of baptism should remind us of the profound meaning of this rite which Jesus Christ Himself instituted. Baptism should remind us of the Passion of Christ as well as the future glory won for us as a result of His Passion. Baptism gives us a “new birth” and at the same time presupposes a symbolic death.

When we were baptized we were born into a new life. We were freed from the darkness of sin and entered into a new light. God removes every trace of sin in baptism and also remits the penalties that these sins incur. We are given all the graces necessary to live a good Christian life. The soul receives the mark of a Christian forever!

Christ suffered physical death. In baptism we die spiritually to the life of sin. Because of Christ’s death sin and satan no longer have power over us. However, we must exercise our own personal effort in order to remain dead to sin. God’s grace is always with us provided that we cooperate with it.

Sincerely in Christ,

Fr. Jeff Fasching

Bulletin 108

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

June 24th, 2012 Nativity of Saint John the Baptist

Epistle: Is. 49: 1-3,5,6,7; Gospel: Lk. 1: 57-68

Mass Schedule June 25th through June 29th

Monday –Saint William, Abbot-NO LATIN MASS

Tuesday-SS. John & Paul, Martyrs

Wednesday-Our Lady of Perpetual Help

Thursday-Vigil of SS. Peter & Paul, Apostles

Friday-SS. Peter & Paul, Apostles

Thank you to Jim Gillett who planned and organized the Procession of the Blessed Sacrament through the streets of Springfield! Thanks to all of you who participated and were involved in making this event with the Bishop a great success!

Saint John the Baptist grew up to lead an austere life. The scriptures tell us that he lived in the desert in solitude to prepare for his ministry. When he began preaching repentance and the coming of the Christ, people flocked to him in order to listen to his words. John the Baptist was never concerned with the passing things of the world. His focus was on Christ alone and the coming of God’s kingdom. He knew his role as a pilgrim on earth. John the Baptist’s followers instinctively knew that he was a man of God.

Vatican II teaches us that Christians, on pilgrimage toward the heavenly city, should seek and savor the things which are above. This duty increases our obligation to work with all men in bringing others to Christ. A pilgrim, like John the Baptist, maintains a certain detachment with regard to the goods he meets along the way. While enjoying and making good use of whatever will help him in his journey, he does not loiter along the way to the eternal kingdom. John the Baptist always kept his focus. So it is with the Christian on the way to the eternal kingdom. As Christians, we have died with Christ in Baptism. We seek no longer the goods of this world but our hearts should be set on things that are above, where Christ reigns. Saint Paul writes to the Colossians:

If then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Think of what is above, not of what is on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God (Col 3.1f).

Sincerely in Christ,

Father Jeff Fasching

Bulletin 105

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

June 3rd, 2012 Trinity Sunday

Epistle: Rom. 11:33-36; Gospel: Mt. 28:18-20

Mass Schedule June 4th through June 8th

Monday –Saint Francis Caracciolo, Confessor-NO LATIN MASS

Tuesday-Saint Boniface, Bishop & Martyr

Wednesday-Saint Norbert, Bishop & Confessor

Thursday-Corpus Christi

Friday-Feria of the 1st Sunday after Pentecost

JUNE 10, 2012 IS THE SOLEMNITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI. MASS WILL BEGIN AT 2:00 PM. A PROCESSION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT WILL IMMEDIATELY FOLLOW MASS BEGINNING AT 4:00PM. JOIN HIS EXCELLENCY, BISHOP JAMES V. JOHNSTON FOR THIS DIOCESAN EVENT.

THERE WILL BE NO CONFESSIONS ON SUNDAY, JUNE 10 BEFORE THE 2:00PM MASS.

Jesus Christ tells His Apostles: “All power is given to Me in heaven and on earth.” Omnipotence is an attribute belonging to God alone. Jesus gives His disciples authority to carry out their mission. The authority of the Church, therefore, comes directly from Jesus Christ. With respect to faith and morals this authority is higher than any on earth.

The Apostles and their successors receive the command to teach all nations exactly what Jesus taught. We have the responsibility to proclaim the truth until the end of time. The teachings of the Pope and the Bishops should therefore always be accepted with humble obedience.

The mission of the Church is to continue the work of Christ. Christ promises to stay with the Church to the end of time and never leave it. This means that the Church will never fail to fulfill its mission until the end of time!
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Sincerely in Christ,

Father Jeffery A. Fasching

Salvation in the Catholic Church

Jesus Christ speaks very clearly when He says in the Gospel that the Holy Ghost will teach all the truth. If one wishes to be fully incorporated into the Church of Christ one must embrace the entire system of the Catholic Church:

They are fully incorporated into the society of the Church who, possessing the Spirit of Christ, accept her entire system and all the means of salvation given her, and through union with her visible structure are joined to Christ, who rules her through the Supreme Pontiff and the bishops. This joining is effected by the bonds of professed faith, of the sacraments, of ecclesiastical government, and of communion. (LG 14b-366)

To be fully incorporated into the Church one must be united to it by all of the bonds, interior and exterior. The interior bonds of the Holy Ghost include sanctifying grace, faith, hope and love. The exterior bonds include the same professed faith, sacraments, government, and communion.

Pray for Christian unity.

Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

Relation of Catholic Church With Other Christian Churches

The Catholic Church recognizes that she is joined with all those separated Christian brothers who are baptized and profess faith in Christ, but she regrets that they do not preserve the fullness of Christian faith and are not united with her in the one visible community of love which Christ founded on Blessed Peter and which He wills for all His disciples.

The Church knows that in many ways she is joined with those who, being baptized, are honored with the name of Christian, though they do not profess the faith in its entirety or do not preserve unity of communion with the successor of Peter... (LG 15-Fl 366)

...Our separated brethren, whether considered as individuals or as communities and Churches, are not blessed with that unity which Jesus Christ wished to bestow on all those to whom He has given new birth into one body, and whom He has quickened to newness of life--that unity which the Holy Scriptures and the ancient Tradition of the Church proclaim...(UR 3b-Fl 455f)

Continue to pray for Christian unity!

Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

The Fullness of Christ's Church

The Catholic Church has always acknowledged that Eastern orthodox churches have valid priesthood, episcopacy, and sacraments. Although the fullness of Christ's Church is found only in the Catholic Church, many genuine elements or endowments of Christ's Church can be found in varying degrees outside the visible structure of the Catholic Church. For example, Holy Scripture, faith in Christ, Baptism, Christ inspired hope and love, preaching of the Gospel, etc.

Although Vatican II did not wish to identify the Church of Christ exclusively with the Roman Catholic Church, it did make it clear that Christ entrusted His entire Church to Peter's pastoral care and that it is in His Catholic Church alone that all the means of salvation can be found.

It is through Christ's Catholic Church alone, which is the all-embracing means of salvation, that the fullness of the means of salvation can be obtained. It was to the apostolic college alone, of which Peter is the head that we believe our Lord entrusted all the blessings of the New Covenant, in order to establish on earth the one Body of Christ into which all those should be fully incorporated who already belong in any way to God's people. UR 3e-456)


Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

Christian Unity

The New Testament places strong emphases on the unity of the Church. The Church is:

• one People of God (1 Pet 2.9f)

• one Body of Christ (1 Cor 12.2; Eph 4.4)

• one Temple of the Holy Ghost (Eph 2.21)

• one household of God (Eph 2.19)

• one flock of Christ (Jn 10.16)

• one bride of Christ (Eph 5.25-32).

Last Sunday, when Christ described Himself as the Good Shepherd, He spoke of His desire to unite all His sheep so that there will be but one flock and one shepherd:

“I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep and my sheep know me…I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must lead them, too, and they shall hear my voice. There shall be one flock then, one shepherd.” (Jn 10. 14-16)

Jesus Christ also prayed at the Last Supper for unity when He said:

“I do not pray for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their word, that all may be one, as you, Father, are in me, and I in you; I pray that they may be one in us, that the world may believe that you sent me. I have given them the glory you gave me, that they may be one, as we are one—I living in them, you living in me—that their unity may be complete.” (Jn 17.20-23)

Finally, the Epistle to the Ephesians speaks emphatically about the unity which Christians are to preserve and the many bonds that make them one:

“Make every effort to preserve the unity which has the Spirit as its origin and peace as its binding force. There is but one body and one Spirit, just as there is but one hope given all of you by your call. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all, and works through all, and is in all.” (Eph 4.1-5)

Note: one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all! Pray for Christian unity!

Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

The Catholic Church Continued

In Christ, our humanity has already entered into glory. Yet He remains with the Church. “He is continually active in the world, leading men to the Church, and through her, joining them more closely to Himself, and making them partakers of His glorious life.” He does this through the Holy Ghost and by giving us His own Body and Blood as nourishment. The Church must be deeply conscious of the continued presence of the risen Lord in her midst, especially when she gathers to pray:

Christ is always present in His Church, especially in her liturgical celebrations. He is present in the sacrifice of the Mass, not only in the person of His minister, “the same now offering, through the ministry of priests, who formerly offered Himself on the cross,” but especially under the Eucharistic species. By His power He is present in the sacraments, so that when a man baptizes it is really Christ Himself who baptizes. He is present in His word, since it is He Himself who speaks when the Holy Scriptures are read in the church. He is present, finally, when the Church prays and sings, for He promised, “Where two or three are gathered together for my sake, there am I in the midst of them” (Mt 18.20).

Sacraments are encounters with Christ!! We should also be conscious of the continued presence and activity of the risen Lord in and through the ministers He has raised up to be the representatives and instruments through whom He cares for His people. “Although guided by human shepherds, the Church’s sheep are nevertheless ceaselessly led and nourished by Christ Himself, the Good Shepherd.” This is especially true of bishops, because they “in an eminent and visible way undertake Christ’s own role as Teacher, Shepherd, and High Priest and…act in His presence.”

Priests also must be seen as “living instruments of Christ the eternal priest…; every priest in his own way represents the person of Christ Himself…” In fact, all the baptized faithful are instruments through whom Christ and the Holy Ghost continue to act for the sanctification of the world, because all are members of one mystical body in which Christ lives, and one living temple in which the Holy Ghost remains present in the world.

The Church of God on earth remains in intimate communion with those who have gone before, whether they be the suffering souls in Purgatory or the saints reigning with Christ in glory. The loving union which Christ establishes among His disciples is not broken by death, but is rather increased. Knowing that nothing unclean can appear before God (Rev 21.27); knowing also that those who are united with Christ can help one another by prayer and good works, from early times members of the Church have prayed for the faithful departed, confident that they are able to bring them help in their need “because it is “a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead that they may be loosed form sins” 2 Mach 12.46).

In Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

Sincere Repentance

From a homily written in the second century:

We should repent of our sins while we are still on earth...we must wholeheartedly repent of sins committed in the body and make it possible for the Lord to save us while there is time. When we have left this world, we shall no longer be able to repent and confess our sins. We must do the will of the Father, keep our bodies pure, and observe the commandments of the Lord, for this is the way to obtain eternal life...In other words, in order to obtain eternal life, we must remain pure and keep the seal of our baptism undefiled.

...Our bodies are the temple of God, and as such we must guard them, for even as we were called in the body, so shall we also be judged in the body...
Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

More of the Male Priesthood

The following are the principal arguments put forward by those who hold that women should not be excluded from ministerial priesthood because of their sex. First, women should have equal rights and dignity in the Church and should not suffer discrimination because of their sex. Vatican II recognized this principle, and so does Saint Paul: “All of you who have been baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Him. There does not exist among you Jew or Greek, slave or freeman, male or female. All are one in Christ Jesus” (Gal 3.27). Granted that no one has a right to ordination, nevertheless one does have a right not to be discriminated against simply because of one’s sex.

Response: To recognize the differences between men and women is not to show discrimination, but to invite reflection on the proper way to promote the dignity and role of each sex. If a priest is to be a visible symbol of Christ, who stands in relation to the Church as groom and bride, it is not discriminatory to choose those to be priests who can represent Christ in this way.

In Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

Penance II

The Sacrament of Penance is a Sacrament which our Lord Jesus Christ instituted for the forgiveness of sins committed after Baptism. There is no sin which this sacrament does not remit, no matter how grave or how numerous. Every sinner is sure of forgiveness and being made one again with God provided that he makes the necessary reparation. We must know our sins, the number of them, and the circumstances which cause us to sin. We have to pray to the Holy Ghost in order to attain this knowledge. If we examine our conscience without praying for enlightenment from the Holy Ghost we run the risk of making a sacrilegious confession!

The Council of Trent teaches us that the complete confession of sins was also instituted by the Lord and is by divine law necessary for all who have fallen after Baptism…For it is clear that without knowledge of the case priests could not exercise this judgment, nor could they observe equity in the imposition of penances if the penitents declared their sins only in general not specifically and in particular.

Thus it follows that all mortal sins, of which penitents after a diligent self-examination are conscious, must be recounted by them in confession, though they may be most secret and may have been committed only against the last two precepts of the Decalogue; for these sins sometimes wound souls more grievously and are more dangerous than those which are committed openly…when Christ’s faithful strive to confess all sins that occur to their memory, they undoubtedly place all of them before the divine mercy for pardon. But those who fail to do so and knowingly withhold some, place nothing before the divine goodness for remission.

In Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

Confession of Sins

The Council of Trent teaches us that the complete confession of sins was also instituted by the Lord and is by divine law necessary for all who have fallen after Baptism…For it is clear that without knowledge of the case priests could not exercise this judgment, nor could they observe equity in the imposition of penances if the penitents declared their sins only in general not specifically and in particular.

Thus it follows that all mortal sins, of which penitents after a diligent self-examination are conscious, must be recounted by them in confession, though they may be most secret and may have been committed only against the last two precepts of the Decalogue; for these sins sometimes wound souls more grievously and are more dangerous than those which are committed openly…when Christ’s faithful strive to confess all sins that occur to their memory, they undoubtedly place all of them before the divine mercy for pardon. But those who fail to do so and knowingly withhold some, place nothing before the divine goodness for remission.

One is not obliged to confess doubtful mortal sins. If, in making a confession, one deliberately conceals a mortal sin, one lies to the Holy Ghost and thereby commits a grave sacrilege. The sin of deception is more serious than one which God punishes by death itself because it is perpetrated within the sacrament. No sins are forgiven, not even those which were confessed.

The Council of Trent teaches clearly that venial sins are proper matter for the sacrament of Penance. However, they are optional or free matter. One may confess them, but is not obliged to do so. As regards venial sins, by which we are not excluded from the grace of God and into which we fall more frequently, it is right and profitable, and implies no presumption whatever, to declare them in confession, as can be seen from the practice of devout people; yet, they may be omitted without guilt and can be expiated by many other remedies, for example, through prayer, fasting, almsgiving, or other forms of penance and works of charity.

We must make an integral confession of all mortal sins according to species and approximate number. According to species means that we must confess clearly what particular kind of sin one has committed. It is not enough to say “I have committed sins of impurity and injustice.” We have to be specific. We must say I have lied, stolen, cheated, etc.

Going to Confession

How frequently should we go to confession? We should avoid receiving the sacrament in a merely routine, mechanical fashion; but this does not mean we should not receive it regularly and frequently. If we are serious about advancing in the spiritual life, as every Catholic should be, we should go often to confession. Pope Pius XII in his encyclical Mystici Corporis wrote:

They are in error who have asserted that frequent confession of venial sins in not to be highly regarded…To hasten daily progress along the path of virtue, we wish the practice of frequent confession to be especially commended, a practice introduced by the Church, but not without the inspiration of the Holy Ghost. By it genuine self-knowledge is increased, Christian humility grows, evil habits are uprooted, spiritual neglect and tepidity are resisted, the conscience is purified, the will strengthened, a salutary control of one’s affections gained, and in virtue of the sacrament itself grace is increased. Therefore let those among the clergy who make light of and lessen esteem for frequent confession, realize that they are approaching a course which is foreign to the Spirit of Christ and destructive of the Mystical Body of our Savior.

Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

Pentecost

We know we are a child of the Holy Ghost if we avoid grievous sin. The Holy Ghost can only dwell in a soul who has no part of serious sin. Every sin is an abomination to the Holy Ghost. Saint Paul writes: “Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God.” In other words, do not sin! Sin turns the dwelling place of the Holy Ghost into the dwelling place of Satan! Saint Gregory says: “The sinner’s heart is the devil’s workshop, but not the dwelling of the Holy Ghost.” It is most notably the sins of impurity-unchaste thoughts, words, and actions which drive the Holy Ghost out of our hearts. The sensual man cannot receive the grace of the Holy Ghost. The book of Genesis tells us: “My spirit shall not remain in man forever, because he is flesh;” in other words, because he is addicted to the lust of the flesh.

If you have lost the Holy Ghost through leading a sinful life now is the time to repent! You must do penance to purify your soul and receive the Holy Ghost once again into your heart. Saint Peter says: “Do penance, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of your sins and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”


In Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

The Comforter

"I will send you another comforter," another deliverer, "the Holy Ghost," says Jesus Christ. This Holy Spirit will not only rule over the holy Church founded by Him, but He will enter into every soul and enlighten and guide them in the way of salvation; in Him we shall live, walk, and work for heaven. However, not all men who have received the Holy Ghost cooperate with Him for heaven.

We have received the Holy Ghost both in Baptism and Confirmation. We have received the Spirit of truth who guides us into all truth. We must cooperate with the promptings of His grace in order to live up to our calling as sons and daughters of Jesus Christ. We must "stir" up the Holy Ghost who comes to us whenever we sincerely open up our hearts to Him. How often we forget that our Creator God dwells in our very souls! How often we grieve Him by our sins!

Pentecost is upon us! Veni Sancte Spiritus! Let us beg the Holy Ghost to purify our hearts and make us worthy temples of the Holy Spirit!

Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

Charity III

Saint Peter in his epistle for Mass today encourages us to put on charity above all else. Christian charity is the key to holiness. Saint Paul himself reminds us that charity is how we show our true love for Jesus Christ. As we approach Pentecost we acknowledge that we have received the very Holy Ghost of God into our souls! We must realize we can accomplish anything we set out to do!

Veni Sancte Spiritus!

In Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

The Ascension of our Lord

Today our focus is on our Savior who went back into heaven and assumed His place at the right hand of His Father. We know that Christ never actually left His glory in heaven when He took upon Himself our human nature. After He suffered, died and was buried He rose from the dead. We firmly believe that He was seen for forty days by many eyewitnesses. When He ascended back into heaven His apostles were sad. However, they were also consoled at the words of Christ. He told His apostles He had to go so that they would be able to receive the Advocate. It was only after Christ sent His Holy Spirit upon His apostles that they were able to proclaim the Gospel with boldness, confidence and authoriy.

During the Easter season we must remember we are a people of joy. Our joy comes from the privilege of possessing the very same Holy Spirit by virtue of our baptism and confirmation. We thus share the same mission Christ entrusted His apostles with. Our very lives must be focused on proclaiming the Gospel of Christ. As we celebrate the Ascension of our Lord, we beg God for the grace of a firm faith and lively courage to follow in the footsteps of His apostles.

Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching