KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS SCHOLARSHIPS

The Knights of Columbus Council 698 of Springfield, Missouri will award three educational scholarships for the 2020-2021 school year: Two $1000.00 traditional scholarships to a 2 or 4-year college payable in installments of $500 per semester.
One $500.00 non-traditional scholarship to a Trade/Tech/ Vocational school If the $500.00 non-traditional scholarship is not applied for it will be used to supplement the two $1000.00 scholarships.
The guidelines and application may be downloaded by going to www.kofc698.org and clicking button News & Announcements. Scholarship applications should be postmarked by Tuesday, March 31, 2020 to be considered. Mail completed application to:
Scholarship Chairman, Knights of Columbus 698
3294 S. Palisades Dr.
Springfield MO 65807
Scholarship recipients will be notified through mail by the end of April.

THE MIRROR SUBSCRIPTION

It’s that time of year again! The diocese will send us bill in the coming weeks for each St. Agnes parishioner to receive this weekly newspaper. Each subscription is $14.00. Last year’s bill was approximately $9,500 and St. Agnes paid over $6,000 that wasn’t covered by the envelopes. Please be sure to use you Mirror envelope and if possible include gift subscriptions for parishioners who may not be able to afford theirs.

CCM ANNUAL LENTEN RETREAT

Catholic Campus Ministry (CCM) in Springfield, MO is inviting all college-aged men and women to its annual
Hosea Lenten Retreat. The retreat will be held on March 7 -8, 2020 at the O'Reilly Catholic Student Center on Holland Avenue across from Missouri State University Campus. This year's theme is "Love Reignited" and will be filled with prayer, small group discussion, adoration, and talks given by guest speaker Sr. Jeanne Roads, D.C., and the students. The cost of the retreat is $30. Sign up at CCM's website www.ccm847.org. For more information contact Maria Shockley at (417)-771-0202 or Shockley617@live.missouristate.edu.

From The Pastor’s Desk

St. Agnes Cathedral has many different types of ministries. They involve many different groups and areas; from young to old, from spirituality to social. This month we are highlighting another of our parish ministries; WE ARE CALLED. Over the past year the WE ARE CALLED ministry presented a 6 week course by Bishop Barron on David the King. This year was also the second presentation of 33 Days to Merciful Love, which is a 7 week course by Father Michael Gaitley.
The ministry also presents a coffee and donut welcome time for new parishioners. It participated in the ministry fair held at all the weekend liturgies and gave away 150 books and CDs.
Throughout the year they have presented these movies: St. Francis of Asisi, The Reformer, St. Thomas Aquinas, The Theologian, Blessed John Henry Newman, The Convert, St. Catherine of Siena, The Mystic, G.K. Chesterton, The Evangelist and Michelangelo, The Artist. These individuals have all played important roles in the Church.
The ministry has also been responsible for giving away these spiritual books throughout the year: Why I Love Being Catholic, Building Better Families, Nine Words, Building The Long View, The Joy of the Gospel, The Mega Church Pastor and the Biggest Lie in the History of Christianity.
This past Christmas the ministry gave the book, Rediscover the Saints, by Mathew Kelly to all families at the
Christmas Liturgies. They will be giving to each family this Lent a spiritual meditation book. It will contain a short scripture reading, followed by a short reflection.
As we highlight our different ministries throughout the year, we find that there are many different ways in which we are able to grow in our faith. Each parish has many ministries and then there are ministries which we share across the city parishes. These ministries we advertise in our parish bulletins and on our websites. I cannot encourage parishioners enough to search out what will help you grow in your faith.

CONFIRMATION NEWS…

The next Confirmation session will be held Sunday, Feb 16th from 3:00-4:30 in the St. Agnes cafeteria. All candidates will need to make certain they bring their service reflection forms. Our final Confirmation session
will be held Sunday, March 1st beginning at 3:00 PM in the cafeteria: Sponsors should be present Sunday, March 1st with the candidates. If a sponsors cannot attend, another confirmed person can fill in for that
session. Confirmation is Sat, March 14th.

Knights of Columbus

The next monthly breakfast, sponsored by your St. Agnes Knights group, will be Sunday, Feb. 16th after the 7:00 and 8:30am Masses. We will be serving french toast, eggs and sausage. Hope to see you there.

Knights of Columbus: The monthly Knights meeting will be this Tuesday (Feb. 18th) 7:00 PM in the Band Room. We need to finalize plans for our yearly Lenten Fish Dinner event - so please be there if you can.

The St. Agnes Knights of Columbus will hold their annual Lenten fish dinner on Friday, February 28th in the
cafeteria. We will be serving from 5:00 to 7:00pm and the menu will include fried and baked fish, tater tots, hushpuppies, macaroni & cheese, drinks, and desserts. Come let us serve you this first Friday of Lent.

MARDI GRAS POTLUCK

Ladies of the parish; mark your calendar for Tues, Feb 25th; A Mardi Gras Potluck Dinner. Dinner will begin at 6:30 in the dining room. Bring your favorite dish and bring a copy of the recipe to share. We will also have a dance teacher on hand to show us a line dance or two. Please call the parish office to sign up so we can coordinate food. Donations will be accepted to help offset the cost of dance instructor.

From The Pastor’s Desk

Our Catholic Church is rich in our traditions. We have many forms of praying and outside of the Seven Sacraments I do not believe one is better than the other. Whether we are reading the Bible, Walking in the footsteps of Christ with the Stations of the Cross, Spiritual Reading, celebrating a Novena, praying the Rosary or any of the other form of devotionals, all are leading us closer to Jesus Christ.
During the 1980’s through 2000, many devotionals fell by the wayside, however in the last decade they are once again finding a place in our prayer life as people are searching for ways to strengthen their relationship with Christ.
For centuries, many popes, saints and spiritual leaders have strongly encouraged all to pray the Rosary. The
Blessed Mother has urged us to pray the Rosary. We see that especially in the events which occurred in the early 1900’s at Fatima, witnessed by thousands of believers and non-believers. In the apparitions of our Blessed Mother who asked that the Rosary be prayed daily. She said, “That reparation made via the Rosary holds back the hand of God from striking the world with His just punishments. She concluded her apparitions by a ‘miracle of the sun’ that was witnessed by tens of thousands of people, many who were critics.
Throughout the Rosary’s history it has been considered a powerful weapon against the forces of evil. It has been associated with countless miracles of all types. The saints have called the Rosary a “ladder to heaven”. Those who pray the Rosary on a regular basis can tell you of the spiritual benefits it brings them.

……………………….The Joyful Mysteries
1. Annunciation of the birth of Jesus to Mary by the angel
Gabriel
2. Visitation of Mary to her cousin Elizabeth
3. Nativity of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
4. Presentation of the infant Jesus in the Temple
5. Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple by Mary and Joseph
………………………...The Luminous Mysteries
1. Christ's baptism in the Jordan River
2. The self-revelation of Christ at the marriage of Cana
3. Christ's announcement of the kingdom of God
4. The Transfiguration of Christ
5. The institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper
………………………..The Sorrowful Mysteries
1. Agony of Christ in the Garden
2. Scourging of Jesus at the Pillar
3. Placing of the crown of thorns on the head of Jesus
4. Carrying the Cross by Jesus
5. Crucifixion of our Lord Jesus Christ
…………………………The Glorious Mysteries
1. Resurrection of our Lord from the dead
2. Ascension of our Lord into heaven
3. Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles on Pentecost
4. Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into heaven
5. Coronation of the Virgin Mary
(The Church suggests praying the Joyful Mysteries on Monday & Saturday, the Luminous Mysteries on Thursday, The Sorrowful Mysteries on Tuesday & Friday, and The Glorious Mysteries on Wednesday & Sunday)

SENIORS OF ST AGNES

are invited to our usual baked potato luncheon on Ash Wednesday, Feb 26, after the 12:15 Mass in the Cathedral. Please call the office, 831- 3565, to sign up so there will be enough food for everyone.

S. Elizabeth Ann

Youth Activities

The next Confirmation session will be held Sunday, Feb 9th, from 3-4:30 pm in the St. Agnes Cafeteria.
Candidates should bring their service forms & letter to Bishop Rice & Father Lewis. Youth in grades 8-12 are invited to join us for a “Meet & Greet” with some residents of the Garden located at Fort & Sunset. Join us Sunday, Feb 9th, at 6:00 pm. Please meet us at the Gardens. We will return to St Agnes at 7:00pm for good food & prayer.

IGNITE
Youth in grades 7-8 are invited to attend a Diocesan Youth Conference specifically for 7th & 8th graders. This is a one day conference titled "Ignite" and will be held in West Plains. The date is March 28th from 10:00 AM-5:00
PM at the West Plains Theater of the Civic Center. Parents are encouraged to attend with their child. Bishop Edward Rice along with other nationally known speakers will speak at the event. The cost is $25 and will include lunch and a tshirt. St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish will be taking a bus and have a few open seats they will open to other parishes. Register online by March 6th by going to dioscg.formstack.com/forms/youth_conf_registration. If you have further questions, contact Iris at ibounds@stacathedral.
org.

Camp Re-NEW-All, the summer camp program for the Diocese of Springfield- Cape Girardeau, is now taking applications for this summer. Camp is open to campers going into the 5th-9th grade in the fall, high school staff going into10th-12th grade, and adult staff. Parents and grandparents are invited to volunteer too! Campers are placed on a first-come, first-served basis and weeks fill quickly, so apply early. Brochures are available on the bulletin board in back of church, parish office and parish school. Apply online at https:// dioscg.formstack.com/forms.camp_re_new_all_2020, or call Katie at the Catholic Center, 417-866-0841, with
questions.

WE ARE CALLED

Are you ready to sign up for Your Best Lent Ever Journal? You can call the parish office at 831-3565 and you’ll be on the list. If some are still available on Ash Wednesday, we’ll offer them after Mass.
Ginny Smithberg, 894-2954

From The Pastor’s Desk

The Parish Council of Catholic Women, or PCCW as we call it, is a service organization of St. Agnes Cathedral Parish that all women registered as members of the parish belong to. It is also an affiliation of the Region 3 & 4 Council of Catholic Women, or RCCW; the Diocese of Springfield - Cape Girardeau Council of Catholic Women, or DCCW; and the National Council of Catholic Women, or NCCW. Meeting dates and times vary depending on the program; general meetings are at 6:30 p.m. We often have speakers and food AND we always have fun and fellowship.
What isn’t the PCCW? It is not the older ladies club. It is a mingling of young and old, single and married,
mothers and grandmothers, all working together for the church and the community.
Besides the usual officers, we also have what are called Commission Chairs. The ladies in these positions
receive information that comes from the national, diocesan, and regional levels to the parish. After sorting
through it, they then pass it along to us at our meetings.
PCCW is also about service to its members. From national to parish level, we act to support, empower, and
educate all Catholic women in spirituality, leadership and service. Our programs respond with Gospel values
to the needs of the church and society in our modern world. We strive to help each other to achieve our goals
and not lose sight of our values. One of the real joys of attending meetings is to share stories and gather
inspiration from one another. If you have a problem you are worried about, someone else at that meeting has
probably been through it and can offer some advice.
Some of the different programs and fundraisers of the past year involved:
- Cookie decorating – 50 people attended and brought cookies from home to donate to Sister Elizabeth for home bound & assisted with delivering cookies and poinsettias
- Day of Recollection – mass, speaker, and lunch
- Assisted Father Lewis with Christmas Open House at the rectory – donated cookies
- Donated 100 gift bags for priests when they attended Diocesan Priests’ Institute
- PCCW members attended Regional CCW & Diocesan CCW meeting
- 1st Saturday of the month – attend mass for deceased members of PCCW, rosary, followed by breakfast
- Annual bazaar & Annual garage sale
- Serve monthly meals at Harmony House & serve monthly meals at Rare Breed
- Attend mass monthly at Life House, followed by lunch & hosted Mardi Gras party
- Assist with gifts for Jesse Tree at Christmastime, donated items to Grace Methodist & Sammy’s Window
- Host Diocesan Anniversary Celebration
PCCW needs all the women of the parish. Even if you cannot attend all the meetings, we encourage you to try
to come when you can. Be a worker for some of the fundraisers and come and have some fun once in a while
too.

MINISTRY SCHEDULE

I will be working on the March, April, May schedule soon. Please let me know by Feb. 3 if there are any weekends you will not be available to serve. You can call the office at 831-3565, or call Elizabeth at 838-3639 or e-mail me at eschatz@sta-cathedral.org. Thank you for all you do to make our liturgies spirit-filled.

Bingo Volunteers Needed!

Please consider becoming a St. Agnes Bingo Volunteer! You will meet dedicated fellow parishioners and become part of a rewarding experience that provides continuing and significant financial support to our parish community. 100% of the earnings are used for St. Agnes Cathedral and School related needs. St. Agnes Bingo has been an ongoing fundraiser for more than 11 years and operates solely through volunteers. St. Agnes Bingo operates at the Knights of Columbus Bingo Emporium every Wednesday evening.

Bingo Volunteers are St. Agnes parishioners who agree to work at least one Wednesday evening each month
throughout the year. New volunteers are quickly and easily trained to fill needs for various roles

For more information or to express your interest, please contact the St. Agnes Cathedral office at 417-831-3565 or Jim Nixon at 417-988-9550.

Youth Activities

Youth in grades 8-12 are invited to join us for a “Meet & Greet” with some residents of the Garden located at Fort & Sunset. Join us Sunday, Feb 9th, at 6:00 pm. Please meet us at the Gardens. We will return to St Agnes at 7:00pm for good food & prayer.

The next Confirmation session will be held Sunday, Feb 9th, from 3-4:30 pm in the St. Agnes Cafeteria. Candidates should bring their service forms & letter to Bishop Rice & Father Lewis.

From The Pastor’s Desk

This is National Catholic Schools Week, a week set aside by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops to celebrate and recognize all that our Catholic Schools provide. The theme this year is “Catholic Schools: Learn, Serve, Lead, Succeed.” Our schools are an added value for the nation. The purpose of a Catholic School is to integrate Catholic, Christian teachings and values into every aspect of the educational process. Thus, our young people’s education is a journey of faith; it’s not just a standard education, but one of life-long Catholic teachings and values. Service is another important aspect. The many people here at Saint Agnes Cathedral that give of their time to minister to the needs of others are participating in service. During the school day and after hours, our Catholic Schools are teaching different types of service. The Catholic School also provides an excellent academic education to help young people reach their God-given potential and to be responsible citizens. Our Catholic Schools exist to provide an education that goes beyond preparation for a secular life. It is an education that prepares students for a Christian life. Catholic Schools ASSIST parents in the education and religious formation of their sons and daughters.

Our theme this year, encompasses the core products and values that can be found in Catholic schools across our country. We are teaching our students to become future servant leaders, faith-filled disciples and productive citizens in our communities. In Catholic schools we are all learners, servants and leaders. These shared qualities are what make Catholic schools work. They are what make Catholic schools succeed.

Although each school is different, the curriculum seeks to develop the student’s highest potential through a
teaching/learning process that promotes Language Arts, English, Mathematics, Technology, Science, Social Studies, Fine Arts, Foreign Language, and Physical Education. In recent years, the curriculum has also grown to include the development of the thinking skills: research, critical thinking and problem solving, and also analyzing and evaluating–all working together, many times using the latest in technology. Students are also urged to help others by “giving back to the community,” whether it is within parishes or the community in which they live.

In the United States there are 6,352 Catholic elementary and secondary schools, with a student enrollment of 1.8 million. Our Springfield Catholic School System has 1,339 students enrolled; St. Agnes has 225 students, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton has 227 students, Immaculate Conception has 504 students and Springfield Catholic High School has 383 students.

As we celebrate National Catholic Schools Week, I want to thank every parishioner for their prayers and
financial support, which makes it possible for the Springfield Catholic School System to provide a quality, Catholic Education for any Catholic student.

This semester’s focus for the Adult Faith Formation classes will be the history of the
Catholic Church in the U.S.

Camp Re-NEW-All registration opens Monday!

On Monday morning, January 27, Camp Re-NEW-All, the summer camp program for the Diocese of Springfield- Cape Girardeau, will begin taking applications for this summer. Camp is open to campers going into the 5th-9th grade in the fall, high school staff going into10th-12th grade, and adult staff. Parents and grandparents are invited to volunteer too! Campers are placed on a first come, first-served basis and weeks fill quickly, so apply early. Brochures are available on the bulletin board in back of church, parish office and parish school. Apply online at https://dioscg.formstack.com/forms.camp_re_new_all_2020, or call Katie at the
Catholic Center, 417-866-0841, with questions

WE ARE CALLED

Mathew Kelly asks us what we can accomplish in forty days. Then he mentions several things including traveling to every state, learning to play a new instrument, broadening our horizon, or committing to a new habit. OR, he says
“WE CAN TRANSFORM OUR LIFE.”
He has a great opportunity for us this year. Just sign up at BEST LENT EVER 2020. They will need your first and last name, and your email address. This year he has offered a Lenten Journal that is great. I received 40 free journals to share with you. If we run out you may order one for $14.95 from Dynamic Catholic. Perhaps we can find a little pot of money to help so be sure to call me at 894- 2956 if you want one after they’re gone. It would be our pleasure. I think our 40 days will be incredible.
Ginny Smithberg, 894-2954

PCCW NEWS

Mark your calendar for Sat., Feb. 1. The PCCW Mass (for ALL women of the parish) at 8:30am will be followed by breakfast.

From The Pastor’s Desk

This past weekend we celebrated the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, we concluded the Christmas season. Before we begin Lent we have some time to dwell upon the great mystery of a God who is made visible through human flesh and promises to return. As Christ celebrated His baptism by going into the desert to prepare for His ministry, each of us need to take a good look at our own vocation. “What has God asked us to do, and are we living what He has asked us?”

So often we pack up our Christmas “stuff” and put it on the shelves or in the attic until next year. But we need to be aware of and be careful not to pack away our vocations which began with our baptism. When we were baptized we were brought into God’s family with responsibilities. We are God’s children and a member of His family called to bring forth justice, and to imitate Christ by helping others.

As a member of God’s family we all have gifts from God and that we have been truly blessed by God. The Gospels invite us to follow different paths and as a people of faith and members of a parish faith community we are even called to live differently. Each of us must continually examine how we live our lives, determining if our lives truly reflect our best response to call of Jesus. Each of us have been given gifts, talents and wealth which can be seen as symbolic of the three gifts presented by the Magi at Jesus’ birth which we celebrated at Epiphany. We need to give back to the Lord of creation as He has given to us. That is one of the reasons that I do all the different activities in the parish and the school. God has given me much and I strive to give much in many ways back to God.

As we have begun a new year, I challenge everyone to become more involved in our Parish. Find the activities
that match your talents and interests. Decide how you will become, or remain active in the parish and diocese. In so doing you will begin to experience the joy that being of service to others can give. God will give each of us the ability to balance what we do for others while also caring for the family and friends He has placed in our lives. God will not be outdone in generosity, you will be rewarded many times over. As a people of faith, we are called to share, serve others and be part of a worshipping community called a parish.

I want to thank all of our Bingo workers for their volunteering to work once every 5 weeks at our St. Agnes
Wednesday evening Bingo. This past year we have used money generated over the past several years to: demo the Loretto House; build our storage building (for school, parish, Boy Scouts, Knights of Columbus, Health Care, PCCW, and Vietnamese needs); School HVAC repairs; Cathedral Sound System; facia repair to rectory; school freezer replacement; sidewalk tread plate cover; and replace a door at Well of Life. The total of these projects paid for by Bingo was $224,367.00. We can always use more volunteers, give me a call.