10 AND 60 YEARS

October 24th marks the completion of my 10th year in my ministry here at St. Agnes Cathedral Parish. When I started here in 2010 I had no expectation of how long I would stay. And as noted previously on St. Agnes Facebook page and in The Mirror, 2020 is also the 60th anniversary of my vows as an Adorer of the Blood of Christ. Because we were unable to celebrate with a Mass at our convent in Ruma, IL, I have scheduled the Mass Intention for the Saturday evening Mass to be one of Thanksgiving both for 10 years and 60 years. At that time, God willing, I will renew my vows to give witness to my commitment. Sr. Elizabeth Ann

Youth Activities

There will be no Confirmation class Sunday, Oct 18th. All PSR classes will meet as scheduled. Youth of the parish: Mark your calendars for Sunday, Nov. 1st for an upcoming youth event: More details to follow.

From the Pastor’s Desk:

When I was growing up there was a special devotion to the Eucharist built around 40 hours over a weekend with each parish in rotation once a year. It has slipped by the wayside in many parishes as so much crowds in on our lives in our modern 21st century. However, there is something that builds upon it and I invite and urge you to find in this prayer/ meditative form, a strengthening from Jesus our Lord. Here at St. Agnes we do not set aside a weekend, but every Monday the Lord is present on the Altar in the Monstrance for private devotion. Centuries ago, the Forty Hours Devotion began in Europe. St. John Neumann came to this country as a missionary. He became bishop of Philadelphia and was known for his hard work and devotion to the people of his diocese. He had a tremendous devotion to Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. St. John had an intense desire to help lead others to prayer before Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament exposed in a monstrance. One night, after nearly abandoning his dream of spreading the “Forty Hours Devotion”, St. John fell asleep from total exhaustion while writing at his desk. A little while later he awoke to the smell of smoke, a lit candle had overturned and started a fire. Of the charred remains of his papers, only one letter remained unburned, the letter he had written about the “Forty Hours Devotion.” St. John knelt to thank God for sparing him from harm and he did not hesitate any longer to carry out his teaching of the spiritual importance of Eucharistic Prayer Devotion. In 1853 Bishop John Neumann began the Forty Hours Devotion on the feast of Corpus Christi, in the Church of St. Philip Neri, the saint who had started the Devotion in Rome. In the United States we are blessed to have over 1100 chapels of Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration. Jesus is truly present in the Holy Eucharist, if we believe what takes place at the altar. When we come before Jesus exposed in the Blessed Sacrament, we come to Him as we are, creatures made in His image. He already knows us. He has called us to Himself; He loves us and longs to be with us. “Come to Me all of you who are weary and find life burdensome and I will refresh you.” (Mt. 11:28) Please consider spending some time with our Eucharistic Lord on Monday in the Chapel following the 8:30 Mass to 5:30 pm. This is a quiet time to reflect and thank God for all the many blessings He has given us. Also it is a time to pray and ask the Lord for safety and protection for our country. “Can you spend even 30 minutes with Me?” asks the Lord.

WORK DAY AT CATHOLIC CHARITIES/LIFEHOUSE

Our last work day for this year will be Tuesday, October 27 from 9 -11. For more information or to volunteer, please call or email Jana Hukriede @ 417-840-4109/ janahukriede@gmail.com. All volunteers wear masks and practice social distancing.

10 AND 60 YEAR Anniversary

10 AND 60 YEARS October 24th marks the completion of my 10th year in my ministry here at St. Agnes Cathedral Parish. When I started here in 2010 I had no expectation of how long I would stay. And as noted previously on St. Agnes Facebook page and in The Mirror, 2020 is also the 60th anniversary of my vows as an Adorer of the Blood of Christ. Because we were unable to celebrate with a Mass at our convent in Ruma, IL, I have scheduled the Mass Intention for the Saturday evening Mass to be one of Thanksgiving both for 10 years and 60 years. At that time, God willing, I will renew my vows to give witness to my commitment. Sr. Elizabeth Ann

103rd ANNIVERSARY of FATIMA

- Message from Bishop Rice In honor of the 103rd Anniversary of the Blessed Mother's appearance to the children in Fatima and her continued plea for everyone to recite the Rosary every day, I am asking every parish to publicly recite the Rosary on Tue., Oct. 13, for unity and the needs of our nation. Many of our parishes have the tradition of praying the Rosary daily during the months of May and October. Please keep in your intentions divine guidance for the upcoming election, racial harmony, and an increased respect for life.

From the Pastor’s Desk:

This week we are celebrating the three great Archangels: Gabriel, Michael and Raphael. To begin with, angels are pure spirits created by God. The belief in angels is found in the Old Testament theology. They are employed by God as the ministers of God’s will. St. Augustine speaks of angels: “Angel is the name of their office, not of their nature, it is ‘spirit’; if you seek the name of their office, it is ’angel’: from what they are, ‘spirit,’ from what they do, ‘angel.’” The whole being of angels are servants and messengers of God. According to Jesus in Matthew 18:10, angels always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven they are the “mighty ones who do his word, hearkening to the voice of his word.” God's mightiest angels, the most powerful spiritual beings, are the archangels whom we are honoring and celebrating this coming Tuesday. While the exact amount of archangels is debated among different faiths, this Tuesday we are celebrating the three archangels who specialize in different types of work helping humanity, and they are considered by many believers to be the most important archangels. They are: ♦ Michael, who leads all of the holy angels, often works on missions that involve fighting evil, proclaiming God's truth, and strengthening people's faith. ♦ Gabriel, who communicates God's most important announcements to humans, specializes in helping people understand God's messages and apply them to their lives well. ♦ Raphael, who serves as God's main healing angel, cares for the health of people, animals, and every other part of God's creation. Angels have been present since creation and throughout the history of salvation, announcing this salvation. In the scriptures they are seen closing the earthly paradise, protecting Lot, saving Hagar and her son, stopped Abraham from scarifying his son, announcing the births of John the Baptist and Jesus. The list from the scriptures could go on. In our liturgies we join with the angels and saints to adore and praise God. As we pray at the end of a funeral, “May the angels lead you into Paradise..” Here on earth we children of God share our faith in the blessed company of angels united in God.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

St. Agnes Parish Living Rosary will be Sunday, Oct. 11. Please check the bulletin next week for further details. Confirmation sessions continue on Sunday mornings from 10-11:00 AM. We will either meet outside under the tent or will meet in the school library depending upon the weather. If you have any questions about Confirmation and have not yet registered, please contact Iris at ibounds@sta-catherdral.org Reconciliation Families who plan to have their children receive the sacraments of Reconciliation or Eucharist in second grade need to complete a registration form for their child. These forms are available on our parish website or can be sent to you. These children should also be enrolled either in a Catholic school or in our parish PSR program.

TENTATIVELY...PLANNING FOR A ST. AGNES PARISH BAZAAR

WANTED...Vendors for our annual bazaar which will be Nov. 7 & 8. If you have a craft or business or know of anyone who does, we would love to have you spend the weekend with us. Please spread the word. The more, the merrier. All information can be obtained from Judy Hauschildt at judyhauschildt@gmail.com, or 1 (641) 751-6632.

Women of the Parish!

PCCW invites you to the 8:30 Mass on Sat. Oct .10th. The Mass intention will be for the deceased members of our PCCW. After the Mass, we will join together to say the rosary as a group in the Cathedral. At the completion of the Mass, we will join together outside under the tent for a light breakfast where we can socially distance & enjoy each other's company.

From the Pastor’s Desk

: As we continue in the new normal. Things really do feel better as we begin our fourth week in the classrooms, person to person teaching both here in our grade school and at the high school. I have had auditions for the theater. There will not be a musical, but short plays with a limited number of students in each of them. We will be working on character, and what I call speaking quality. Here in the parish we are beginning sacramental preparation for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Confirmation. When I was growing up, we had very little or no preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation. Depending upon the size of our parishes, the bishop may have only come every three years, thus Confirmation was given at all different ages. I personally received the sacrament when I was in the eighth grade. The Sacrament of Confirmation is a special event in the life of an individual Catholic and the entire parish family. Its’ call and grace confirm discipleship. The gifts of the Holy Spirit help to form the Christian more fully in the image of Jesus Christ. We 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 its’ connection with the whole church and the rite of Christian Initiation be understood. As early as the 7th Century, the post baptismal anointing with Sacred Chrism by the bishop became the regular practice in the Western Roman Catholic Church. Medieval theologians saw Confirmation as a gift of the Holy Spirit for the strengthening of the candidate’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 baptismal 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 importance 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. Over the past three years our Diocese has been working with the parishes to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation in the eighth grade and here at St. Agnes Cathedral we are now at that point. Last Sunday Iris Bounds met with young people and their parents as we have begun the prayer/study/spiritual growth for the celebration of the Sacrament in February, 2021. Please keep all our young people in prayer as they prepare to receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Confirmation.

TENTATIVELY...PLANNING FOR A ST. AGNES PARISH BAZAAR WANTED

...Vendors for our annual bazaar which will be Nov. 7 & 8. If you have a craft or business or know of anyone who does, we would love to have you spend the weekend with us. Please spread the word. The more, the merrier. All information can be obtained from Judy Hauschildt at judyhauschildt@gmail.com, or 1 (641) 751 -6632.

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL WALK FOR THE POOR

The St. Agnes St. Vincent De Paul will sponsor the annual walk for the Poor on Sat, Sept 26th on the St. Agnes parking lot. Registration will begin at 8:30 and the walk will begin at 9:15 AM. Participants can choose a 1 mile walk or a 3 mile walk. SVDP will follow all safety guidelines established by the city and the diocese. If you would rather do a virtual walk that is available too. The annual walk is the major fundraiser for SVDP and helps in the ministry of helping people in the Springfield area with utility assistance, bus passes & gas vouchers. There will be donuts, coffee, water and free t-shirts for all participants. Bring your family and support the walk with your pledge. You can also go online to register by using the following link: http://www.fopwalk.org/

PCCW

Women of the Parish! PCCW invites you to the 8:30 Mass on Sat. Oct .10th. The Mass intention will be for the deceased members of our PCCW. After the Mass, we will join together to say the rosary as a group in the Cathedral. At the completion of the Mass, we will join together outside under the tent for a light breakfast where we can socially distance & enjoy each other's company.

From the Pastor’s Desk:

This coming Monday, Sept 14 we will celebrate the feast day of the Triumph of the Cross. This feast was observed in Rome before the end of the seventh century. It commemorates the recovery of the Holy Cross, which had been placed on Mt. Calvary by St. Helena the mother of Constantine the Great and preserved in Jerusalem. It had fallen into the hands of Chosroes, King of the Persians. The precious relic was recovered and returned to Jerusalem by Emperor Heraclius in 629. This day is also called the Exaltation of the Cross, or the Elevation of the Cross. The liturgy of the Cross is a triumphant liturgy. When Moses lifted up the bronze serpent over the people, it was a foreshadowing of the salvation through Jesus when He was lifted up on the Cross. The Church proclaims the triumph of the Cross, as the instrument of our redemption. To follow Christ we must take up His cross, follow Him and become obedient until death, even if it means death on the cross. We identify with Christ on the Cross through our pains and sufferings, thus share in His cross. We make the Sign of the Cross before prayer which is to help us to fix our minds and hearts on God. After prayer we make the Sign of the Cross to keep close to God. During trials and temptations our strength and protection is the Sign of the Cross. At Baptism we are sealed with the Sign of the Cross, signifying the fullness of redemption and that we belong to Christ. Let us look to the cross frequently, and realize that when we make the Sign of the Cross we give our entire self to God — mind, soul, heart, body, will, thoughts. Monday is the first evening for RCIA. Fr. Allen will be leading our RCIA this year. The RCIA can also serve as a focus for ongoing conversion for all members of the Catholic Church. As Catholics see new candidates learning doctrine, they are encouraged to study their faith. The whole parish community is invited to participate in the liturgical ceremonies welcoming new members. Those rites include RCIA Dismissal from the Liturgy of the Eucharist, the Rite of Acceptance, the Rite of Sending & Election, The Holy Saturday service, and Mystagogia. As “old” parishioners see the newly baptized begin ministries of service, they are encouraged to serve more generously. Those who act as sponsors and teachers for the candidates have abundant opportunities for personal growth. Please pray for all those who are continuing their faith journey through our RCIA.

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS (RCIA)

If you or anyone you know is interested in joining the Catholic Church, learning more about the Church and our beliefs, or getting a “booster dose” in the faith, RCIA may be for you. Classes will start September 14 at 6:30 pm. Please contact Fr. Kirchner at akirchner@stacathedral. org or 831-3565 for more information and to be added to the contact list. Fr. Allen Kirchner

Sacramental Preparation

Confirmation sessions begin with a parent and candidate meeting on Sunday, Sept 13th at 10:00 AM in the school library.

Reconciliation meeting for parents who have a child who will be receiving the sacrament of Reconciliation will be held Tuesday, Sept 15th at 7:00 PM in the dining room. If your child was not baptized at St. Agnes, please bring a copy of their baptismal certificate. If you have questions about the reception of any of the sacraments, please contact Iris at ibounds@sta

ATTENTION Youth of the Parish:

Join us for "Adoration Under the Stars" Sunday, Sept 20 6:30-8:30 PM Food, games, music and adoration. Families welcome too! Bring lawn chairs or blankets as we pray under the stars. Feel free to invite others! All are welcome!

From the Pastor’s Desk:

As we celebrate Labor Day weekend, we are celebrating all people who work, making this country the greatest nation on earth. It matters not if they are factory workers, professionals, farmers, housewives; county, state, or federal workers. All people who work to earn their way in life have made this a stronger nation. This is why we celebrate Labor Day. We have a high quality of life by the standards of most of the world’s population. We can open our refrigerators and find foods in season and out of season. Foods grown here in the Midwest, on the east coast, the west coast, or from South America all find their way to our grocery store shelves. The products we purchase in our stores come from all over the world. However, the pandemic has shown us one thing, that most nations experience all the time, store shelves were empty of many items. The supply chain faltered. Businesses closed as we sheltered in our homes. In the months that followed some businesses never reopened. Today many people are still looking for work. In the midst of rebuilding our lives we are celebrating all people who work—both in the past and today—who have contributed to making our country the great nation it is. As the new norm continues and people feel safe wearing our masks and sanitizing we will overcome this hard period of time for our country. Every day in every corner of our world, there are men, women, and children walking across national borders to find work, to find shelter, to find safety, to find food, and to find the freedom to make their lives better. We might understand those who are fleeing from violence and war, but do we understand that many countries don’t have jobs, or any way to make a living to buy food and medicine for their families? As we celebrate this weekend, please remember to thank God for all He has given you and me. Regardless of how hard our lives may be, I do not believe that we have people going through the city dumps collecting bottles or aluminum cans to sell so they can buy food that day. As I have traveled through some of the developing nations of the world, I have seen adults as well as children digging in the city dumps so they could eat that day. Pope Francis stated: “Work is fundamental to the dignity of a person. It gives one the ability to maintain oneself, one’s family, to contribute to the growth of one’s own nation.” Unfortunately, millions of workers today are denied this honor and respect as a result of unemployment, underemployment, unjust wages, wage theft, abuse, and exploitation. To all those who are retired, I thank each of you for your many years of hard work. For all who are working today, I thank you also. In one way or another you are making my world/our world, a better place in which to live. I also want to thank all the members of our armed forces who are stationed all over the world fighting, or on some type of border patrol to keep our nation free and safe. Have a Blessed and safe holiday weekend.

PARISH HEALTHCARE MINISTRY 2020

It is a critical time for all of us to keep our immunizations up-to-date, especially flu shots. The CDC recommends that we all stay current on immunizations in order to help protect ourselves and others from vaccine-preventable illnesses. Maintaining routine vaccinations can help prevent illnesses, reduce the stress on the healthcare system, and protect at risk, vulnerable populations during the COVID-19 pandemic. We will not be hosting a flu shot clinic at St. Agnes this year. Please schedule your family (everyone over the age of six months) for a flu shot this fall at your pharmacy of choice or at your doctor's office (can be done on-line). The Pharmacies also take walk-ins. HyVee has a Drive-Up Clinic. Check their website for days and times. Watch our bulletin for further updates.