Bulletin 197

SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806

EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)

CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching

March 30, 2014

Fourth Sunday of Lent (Leatare Sunday)

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

Mon 31 No Latin Mass
Tue 1 Feria of Lent
Wed 2 Feria of Lent
Thu 3 Feria of Lent
Fri 4 Feria of Lent

Mass on Friday, April 4 will be followed by adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, stations of the cross and benediction.

Jesus Christ is the good pastor and the good shepherd. He always has tender compassion for sinners. Christ says: “I am come that they may life and may have it more abundantly.” Christ came to us upon this earth not just to restore the life of grace that we lost through sin, but to give us an even better life than what we had before the fall! Remember the words of Saint Paul: “where sin abounded, grace did more abound.”

Jesus Christ could have redeemed the world simply by willing it, but He suffered such a painful death in order to show us His immense love for mankind. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd giveth his life for his sheep…I lay down my life for my sheep.” God could give us no greater proof of His love! No one, says Jesus Christ, can show greater love to his friends, than to give his life for them. Remember Christ did not only die for His friends, but also for us who were His enemies by sin. Christ’s death satisfies God’s justice for the sins we have committed!

In Christ,

Father Jeff Fasching

The Male Priesthood

Finally, the Holy See and the vast majority of bishops throughout the world teach that a male priesthood is divinely willed for the Church and that the Church does not have the authority to change this. The faithful are to give obsequium religiosum (religious submission, allegiance) to the Roman Pontiff and to the college of bishops when they teach as successors of Peter and the apostles.

Response: Granted that one should show respect for the magisterium of the Church, critics feel compelled to stand up for what they regard as a matter of truth and justice.

In Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

Purgatory Revisited

The justice of God is terrible, and it punishes with extreme rigor even the most trivial faults. These faults may be light in our eyes, but to God they are not! The least sin displeases Him infinitely and demands enormous atonement. This is why the pains of Purgatory are so severe and should arouse in us a holy fear!

However, we should allow this fear to turn into a charitable compassion towards the poor suffering souls, but also with a vigilant zeal for our own spiritual welfare. If you truly think of the fires of Purgatory, you will avoid the least faults, and you will practice penance. The idea being that you expiate your sins in this life, rather than in the next!

We should be careful of excessive fear and not lose confidence. We must also remember the Mercy of God, which is not less infinite than His Justice! “In te, Domine, speravi, non confundar in aeternum—“In Thee, O Lord, I have hoped; let me never be put to confusion.”

In Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

Pray for Priests

We live in a world where God’s Church and its Commandments are despised. The preaching of His Word and the observance of His precepts are hindered. Religion is driven from the school, justice from the workplace, morality from the home and from society. The banishment of religion means the banishment of both peace and prosperity. In the wake of this disaster come only revolution and war. We must pray that God's Church be restored to its proper place. Pray that your priests will be faithful to the Holy Father and all that the Holy Catholic Church teaches. Pray that they will lead the effort in restoring peace and prosperity to our nation and world.

Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching