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

The Word of God

Scripture possesses a sacred character and excellence because God is the author. Since Scripture is the Word of God, it must be valued among our most prized possessions. "All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work' (2 Tim 3:16). Scripture thus strengthens our faith, but it also provides a means for hope and consolation in the midst of trials and adversities.

De Verbum states: "in the sacred books the Father who is in heaven comes lovingly to meet His children, and talks with them. And such is the force and power of the Word of God that it can serve the Church as her support and vigour, and the children of the Church as strength for their faith, food for the soul, and a pure and lasting fount of spiritual life."

We must be diligent in our study of Sacred Scripture. Saint Jerome once wrote that ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ. If we want to strengthen our relationship with Christ we must increase our knowledge of Sacred Scripture.

Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching