FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK
Change and believe the good news. The New Testament Greek word for conversion is Metanoia, which means “a change
of heart”, or “an act of repentance”. You might be surprised at how infrequently conversion is used in the Gospels. John’s
Gospel never mentions it. Mark uses the word only three times, and Matthew seven times. Only Luke uses the word with
frequency, some fourteen times. Yet the concept of conversion certainly lies at the heart of Jesus’ message in all the Gospels.
“This is the time of fulfillment. The reign of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the good news! That is a challenge
that Jesus puts before each of us.
It is the theme of the Lenten season. At the root of any act of conversion is change. Heeding the message of Jesus involves
a change of mind, a change of heart and a change of behavior. Christian conversion always moves a person beyond
their present state and into a new and vital relationship with God. Conversion cannot be limited to a dramatic, once
-in-a-lifetime, “born again” experience. Christian conversion is more often the gradual process of God’s grace transforming
our lives. It entails being born again and again and again… Here are some of the basic features of Christian conversion.
*Conversion is an act of God’s grace. God initiates the process and we are invited to respond.
*Conversion is a movement from sin, darkness and blindness toward God, light and sight.
*Conversion is a personal encounter with Jesus Christ which radically transforms the way we think, speak and live.
*Conversion is an ongoing process which begins with Baptism but which requires constant surrender to God’s will.
*Conversion changes the whole person, with an internal (attitudinal) and external (behavioral) change in life.
*Conversion results in tremendous joy and a desire to share the good news with others.
This weekend is Laetare Sunday, the fourth Sunday of Lent. It is meant to be a day of celebration within the austere Season
of Lent. Thus the celebrant wears rose colored vestments and the theme is Rejoice Jerusalem. It is twenty one days
before Easter.
Easter Egg Time!
Hard to believe it is that time of
year again when we are asking
for donations of eggs for our
Annual Easter Egg
Hunt. Please bring wrapped candy to fill eggs
or already filled eggs to the
parish office. We will also
recycle those previously used
plastic eggs.
First Eucharist Retreat
Families with children who will be making their First Eucharist in
May need to mark their calendars for Saturday, April 12th. We will
meet in the cathedral at 9:30 for rehearsal for First Eucharist. We
will then go to the cafeteria where children will make banners,
write petitions & make other preparations for First Eucharist. All
supplies for the banners will be provided, but families are
encouraged to bring glue guns and special materials that they
wish to use for the banners. If you have questions, please contact
Iris at the parish office or at ibounds@sta-cathedral.org
CONGRATULATIONS!
Congratulations to Santiago Barron who was baptized on
March 13th after the 5:30 PM Mass. Santiago is the son of
Salvador and Bethany Barron. Please continue to keep
Santiago in your prayers.
Congratulations to Catalina Inez Allen who was Baptized on
March 13th after the 5:30 PM Mass. Catalina is the
daughter of Christopher Allen and Clarissa Barron. Please
prayer for Catalina as she grows in faith.
Congratulations to Isaiah Dorsett who was Baptized
during the 5:00 PM Mass on Sat, March 15th. Isaiah is the son
of Heather and Jacob Dorsett. As a parish, please continue to
keep Isaiah and his family in your prayers.
Dear Parishioners,
Grow up! That is a normal reaction from someone who thinks that someone else is acting irresponsibly. Grow Up! Act your age! As we go through the Lenten Season, I have never read that Jesus used those words, but he got really close. As Jesus confronted the temple priests, the Pharisees and Sadducees, even his own disciples, he wanted to help move them forward in their spirituality, but they were rooted in the Jewish Laws of food and animal sacrifices.
Lent is a time of conversion. To grow up and become responsible, mature human beings in our Christian Faith. Most of us mature in all other areas of life, physically, intellectually and emotionally. Our spiritual life falls behind, our ideas of God, prayer, worship and the living out of our Christian faith.
Repentance is the first step on our way to fulfillment as a human person. That is one of the reasons we need to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation during Lent, because sin causes a lack of unity in our lives, jealousy, greed, and arrogance takes us away from God and destroys relationships. Lents’ call to conversion challenges the lack of unity in our lives, and the need for wholeness, the need to put together the scattered pieces of our lives.
In Jesus we see what our own life is called to be. Within Jesus is seen what it mean to be a whole human being. As human beings what are we really searching for? We are searching whether we realize it or not, to complete our lives in Jesus. Many people seek completeness in a sexual free lifestyle, or in vast sums of money, or in power over others, all those temptations from Satan.
God created us, chosen us to be responsible members of his Church. That means that there is a divine purpose for each of us. Each of us need to do better, to think better, pray better, share better, love better. We need to become more mature in our faith life with Jesus as Lent calls for conversion. In our gospel this weekend, Jesus is talking to us, it is a time for Him to fertilize us, to hoe the hard ground around our hearts so that he can bring us to new life.
Please Join us for our Lenten Penance Service March 24 at 7 pm
Easter Egg Time!
Hard to believe it is that time of year again when we are asking for donations of eggs for our Annual Easter Egg Hunt. Please bring wrapped candy to fill eggs or already filled eggs to the parish office. We will also recycle those previously used plastic eggs.
AREA LENTEN PENANCE SERVICES
March 24, 7 pm St Agnes Cathedral, Springfield
March 30, 3 pm Our Lady of the Cove, Kimberling City
April 1, 7 pm St. Joseph the Worker, Ozark
April 6, 3 pm Our Lady of the Lake, Branson
April 7, 7 pm SEAS, Springfield
April 10, 7 pm St. Joseph, Springfield
Springfield Catholic High School's spring play is "Done to Death." It is a murder mystery/comedy! The shows are April 4 and 5 at 7:00 PM and April 6 at 2:00 PM. Scan the QR Code for ticket information!
From the Pastor’s Desk
Last weekend, 11 young people received the Sacrament of Confirmation from Bishop Rice here at St. Agnes Cathedral. They began their preparation in August and it was one of choice, commitment, witness, and ministry. The candidates were asked over the months to take a good hard look at their practice of their faith life, to participate in the sacramental classes, perform apostolic works and make their own decision to ask for the sacrament. After meeting with each candidate for 15-20 minutes I happily recommended these candidates to our bishop. I celebrate and congratulate all those young people who took the time of preparation prayerfully and seri-ously.
The Sacrament of Confirmation is a special event in the life of an individual Catholic and the entire parish family. It’s call and grace confirm discipleship. The fullness of the gifts of the Holy Spirit help to form the Christian more fully in the image of Jesus Christ. We may use the term, an adult Catholic, within the Church with all the responsibilities that parents had accepted when they asked to have their son or daughter baptized. Thus Vatican II decreed that the rite of the sacrament be revised, that those receiving the sacrament be fully educated so that it’s connection with the whole church and the Rite of Christian Initiation be understood. Confirmation is the third and final Sacrament of Initiation (Baptism, Holy Eucharist and Confirmation).
As early as the 7th Century, the post baptismal anointing with Sacred Chrism by the bishop became the regular practice in the West-ern Roman Catholic Church. Medieval theologians saw Confirmation as a gift of the Holy Spirit for the strengthening of the candi-date’s inner life and social witness.
By the 16th century, the general practice after the Tridentine reforms was to confirm, as an affirmation or public profession, the bap-tismal commitment that had been made by parents and godparents at the time of Baptism.
Following Vatican II, two major understandings and approaches to the sacrament of Confirmation became accepted. The im-portance of Confirmation as a part of the RCIA with the Easter Vigil, and the maturity model as a person becomes more active within the Church, using their gifts and talents for the building up of God’s Kingdom by asking for the fullness of the Holy Spirit in one’s life.
Please Join us for our Lenten Penance Service March 24 at 7 pm
Easter Egg Time!
Hard to believe it is that time of year again when we are asking for donations of eggs for our Annual Easter Egg Hunt. Please bring wrapped candy to fill eggs or already filled eggs to the parish office. We will also recycle those previously used plastic eggs.
AREA LENTEN PENANCE SERVICES
March 17. 18, 19, 6 pm Holy Trinity, Springfield
March 24, 7 pm St Agnes Cathedral, Springfield
March 30, 3 pm Our Lady of the Cove, Kimberling City
April 1, 7 pm St. Joseph the Worker, Ozark
April 6, 3 pm Our Lady of the Lake, Branson
April 7, 7 pm SEAS, Springfield
April 10, 7 pm St. Joseph, Springfield
Congratulations
to our young people who were confirmed on Saturday, March 8th during the 5:00 PM Mass. The following young people were confirmed by Bishop Rice: Marianela Abril, Nicholas Johnson, Terrence Keohane, Danny Nguyen, Kay Nguyen, Rocco Palazzzolo, Ezekiel Perches, Cindy Truong, Kayla Truong, Fina Wilke & Thomas Wright. A very special thank you to families, sponsors and all those who supported these young people during the journey to Confirmation. We also acknowledge our catechists who helped in this process, Troy Cronkhite, Rosemary Driscoll, Genevieve Otradovec, Barb Horras and Kerri Le. We thank our musicians who helped to make the Mass a beautiful celebration. Please keep these young people in your prayers as they continue on their faith journey.
From the Pastor’s Desk
The whole world seems to be in some sense hurting. The continuing war of aggression against the country of the Ukraine, the ongoing war in Gaza, therein the terrorism on every continent, hunger, human trafficking, all types of disease, weather related disasters. The list can go on and on. Jesus did not sugar coat things or pretend everything would be just fine. He led by example. His life was one of rejection, ridicule, suffering and a horrible death. For hundreds of years Christians have offered up everything that happens in their day: the joys and suffering, offering to God as a prayer.
God’s ways are not our ways and suffering reminds us of that more than anything else. We live in a culture that despises any type of pain and suffering. Thus we have pain relievers that are constantly being given to us in the form of pills, products, experiences. Anything that can help us to avoid suffering is on the market. The secular world cannot make sense of suffering because it views suffering as worthless. Jesus’ suffering had tremendous value and as His disciples our suffering is somehow connected to his suffering in ways we will never fully understand in this lifetime. Suffering is a part of life. In my homily last weekend, I called it “loss”. Like so many things in life that we have little or no control over, how we respond to suffering makes a huge difference.
Once we come to the understanding of the inevitable sufferings of life, offering it to God as a prayer for ourselves and for others. We become filled with a deep and abiding peace. Since the dawn of Christianity the Church Fathers, the heroes, champions and saints of Christianity have been meditating on the passion and death of Jesus Christ. The world changed that Friday afternoon when Jesus gave up His life upon the cross.
Jesus was very clear in the Gospel when He told His disciples, “If you want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” As we begin the Lenten Season let our prayer be, Jesus, teach me to embrace the unavoidable suffering of life, and keep me ever mindful of those who suffer more than I do. May the Church and our country help those who are suffering?
ST. AGNES FAMILY SMALL GROUP
Join us to talk about God and the Mass. We will meet in the preschool room every Sunday of Lent directly after the 11:30 am Mass. Feel free to bring your own snacks and/or lunch for your family. The kids can play and the parents can talk!
We welcome the following families to St. Agnes Parish:
Eric Gibbs and Michelle LaPointe
Ana Lohmiller
John, Mary Ann, Cole and Jacob Dobbs
Taylor, Stephanie, Angelina, and Giovanna Newton
Evelyn Tippie
Noah Harrison
Salvador, Bethany and Santiago Barron
Edward, Cassandra, Derek and Dane Simek
Alexander Clavijo-Bejarano, Linda Fajardo, Linda Clavijo-Fajardo, Prisca Fajardo, and Jeff Clavlio-Fajardo
Michael, Jennifer, George, Liam, Hazel, Alice, Edward, Andrew, and Louis Dwyer
Jacob, Heather, and Isaiah Dorsett
MARCH FOR LIFE
The annual state-wide March for Life in Jefferson City to raise awareness of the sanctity of life and to let our elected officials know we want them to work on upholding the dignity of life in all its stages will be Thu., May 01, 2025. T-shirts are available to purchase for $8, to guarantee a shirt, you must register by April 1, 2025! Registration is now open to order T-shirts and to ride the chartered bus from Springfield, For more information, please contact Sharon Ostendorf, Office of Respect Life, at sostendorf@dioscg.org or (417) 866-0841. Additional information may also be found at https://midwestmarchforlife.com
From the Pastor’s Desk:
Beginning this Sunday January 26, Catholic Schools across the United States are celebrating National Catholic Schools Week. It is a week set aside each year to celebrate Catholic School and the ministry they perform in educating young people in the Catholic Faith, in Christian morality and in providing academic excellence.
The first Catholic school that opened in the United State was called St. Mary’s School in Philadelphia, in 1783. It took years before the curiosity for Catholic education grew. The number of Catholic schools grew as the massive inflow of Catholics from all over the world began in the late 1800s. By the 1920s, more than 6,000 Catholic elementary schools accepted and enrolled almost two million students and employed 42,000 teachers. By the latter half of that century, enrollment grew, even more, reaching double the number of students. Ever since Catholic schools have been widely perceived and established as a viable means of education.
The theme this year 2025, is Catholic Schools: United in Faith and Community. Each of our Catholic schools, will host Masses on a daily basis as normal, several different assembles, events and other activities for the students, families, parishioners to join in the celebration. Our Catholic schools are an important part of our parishes.
Sunday January 26 the 11:30 liturgy will be led by St. Agnes students, who will also handout bookmarks they have made. On Tuesday as we celebrate community, donation to Life House needs, and community builder games led by STUCO. Tuesday will feature trips of the movies and special treats provided by Home & School. Wednesday is a Color Guard presentation with First Responders and St. Agnes Open House. A special prayer time for Vocations, along with vocation/job dress up day. On Friday will be a special lunch for Faculty & Staff, along with dress as your teacher day.
National Catholic Schools Week is a celebration for everyone. Come and celebrate with us.
Safe Environment Requirements for all diocesan personnel—clergy, employees, and adult volunteers
The mission and ministry of creating a safe environment for all to flourish and thrive is a responsibility we each share. Before regularly working or volunteering with minors or vulnerable adults, all diocesan personnel (clergy, employees and adult volunteers) are required to first complete:
the Safe Environment Training;
a Background Screening; and,
a current, signed Code of Conduct.
The Safe Environment training is available Online after creating an account in the VIRTUS system, through the VIRTUS Website: https://www.virtusonline.org/virtus/.
The Code of Conduct is required annually and is made available at the beginning of the fiscal year, July 1, and expires December 31 the following year.
The Background Screening Application is now accessed through the VIRTUS account. These forms and the Safe Environment Policies are available on the diocesan Website, under the Office of Child and Youth Protection at https://dioscg.org/child-youth-protection/. Questions about these requirements may be directed to the Office of Child and Youth Protection at (417) 866-0841 or by Email: childandyouthprotection@dioscg.org.
7 DAYS of PRAYER for HEALING from ABUSE
The 7 Days of Prayer for Healing from Abuse prayer guide was created by a local priest with the hope and intention of bringing healing and peace. Pamphlets have been created with the prayer model and are available from the Office of Child & Youth Protection and available to download from the diocesan Website at https://dioscg.org/healing-prayers/
CAMP RENEWAL Registration
Registrations are currently being accepted for Camp Renewal Summer 2025! Camp Renewal is open to youth who will be entering 5th through 9th grade. For those entering 10th, 11th and 12th grades and adults, there is a need for volunteers. Please complete the online registration as soon as possible. Parents must sign the online registration. Deadline for Camper application is April 18th, 2025. You can obtain more information by picking up a brochure in the vestibule of St. Agnes Cathedral, in the parish office or in the school. You can also register online by going to https://dioscg.formstack.com/forms/camp re new all
FIRST EUCHARIST
Families with children who are preparing to receive their First Eucharist should plan to attend an informational session on Sunday, Feb 2nd at 10:15 in the Upper Conference Room of the school. Following the session, the young people preparing for Eucharist will attend a Mass of commitment at the 11:30 Mass in the Cathedral. If families have questions or need resources, please contact iris at ibounds@sta-cathedral.org.