Saint Agnes 1/19/22 Saint Agnes 1/19/22

From the Pastor's Desk

In my study class on Sunday morning I began this section of classes on the historical Jesus and have now moved into the historical apostolic era with understanding coming from the Acts of the Apostles and early Church Fathers. My letter this week is concerning, what constitutes the Catholic Church? The Catholic Church is actually a family of churches united by our common faith and common understanding and acceptance of the primacy of the bishop of Rome. All Catholic churches are linked to the bishop of Rome, but every Catholic Church is not Roman Catholic. This is important for each of us to understand.

The Roman Catholic Church is the largest and most international of the Catholic Churches. It refers to all those peoples, churches which trace their evangelization directly or indirectly to the Church of Rome. The Roman Catholic Church is organized into dioceses headed by the bishop, with his immediate superior being the pope, the bishop of Rome.

The patriarchal churches (bishops of Alexandria, Antioch, Jerusalem and Constantinople) stemming from ancient times, are known as patriarchs. They have a special role of authority and preside over other dioceses. They have their own distinctive rituals, languages in their liturgies and a special emphasis on the role and authority of assembly of bishops. The six Catholic patriarchal churches are the Armenian, Chaldean, Coptic, Maronite, Melkite and Syriac.

Major Archiepiscopal churches are much like the patriarchal churches. They are headed by a major archbishop. The four Catholic major archiepiscopal churches are the Romanian, Syro-Malabar, Syro-Malankara and Ukrainian.

There are two Metropolitan churches. They are smaller Eastern Catholic churches not yet canonically organized into major archiepiscopal church. They are the Ethiopic and Ruthenian churches.

Bishops under the direction of Rome: Bishops appointed by the Holy See for Catholics who are not members of the above three Catholic Churches. They exist in Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Macedonia, Serbia, Slovakia and Ukraine.

Eastern Catholic Churches without a bishop. In Albania, Belarus, Georgia, and Russia there are some Catholics of the Byzantine tradition without bishops of their own.

All of these that I have listed are in union with Rome, but are not termed Roman Catholic, because they are not of the Western or Latin Rite. They are different than the Greek Orthodox and Russian Orthodox churches who are not in union with Rome. So when the Catholic Church under the direction of Rome moves to change liturgy, teachings, or disciplines all of these Catholic Churches must be taken into consideration and into the dialogue. We in the United States must remember we are only a part of the Roman Catholic Church.

Saint Agnes 1/19/22 Saint Agnes 1/19/22

Struggling with Life since being Widowed, Divorced or Separated?

Beginning Experience of Springfield is offering an eight-week support program, Coping With Life Alone, designed to help individuals work through the trauma of losing a spouse through death or divorce. The program will begin Thursday February 10, 2022 at 6:30pm at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, 2200 W. Republic Rd., Springfield, MO. Beginning Experience programs, offer strength and growth through a community of friendship, support and prayer. The program’s trained facilitators have themselves experienced divorce or the death of a spouse.

Struggling with Life since being Widowed, Divorced or Separated?

The cost of the program is $30, but financial assistance is available for those in need. Covid-19 protocols will be followed.

Saint Agnes 1/19/22 Saint Agnes 1/19/22

Youth Activities

Come join the youth of our parish as we make Valentines for homebound parishioners and those who are in skilled care facilities. We will also be playing Bingo. Of course there will be prizes & food! Fr. Lewis will also be there to challenge anyone to a game of Axis and Allies. (Fr. Lewis is pretty confident he can win this game.) Join us on Sunday, Feb 6th in the school cafeteria from 6:15 until 8:00 PM. Parent volunteers are needed to help supervise the games. Call Iris at the parish office if you have questions.

Information is now available for the 2022 Diocesan Youth Conference. This is open to youth in grades 7-12. We have an opportunity to attend the day long event which will be held in Carthage on Saturday, March 26th. We also have the opportunity to share a bus with SEAS parish. If you are interested in attending this event or would like more information about getting a group from St. Agnes to attend this event, please contact Iris at 831-3565 or at ibounds@sta-cathedral.org. We are looking for parents to attend as well to help in chaperoning this event.

Saint Agnes 1/19/22 Saint Agnes 1/19/22

MARCH FOR LIFE

We would like to invite all who support a culture of life to join St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Nixa MO in a March for Life on Sunday, January 23. The March begins at St. Francis of Assisi, 844 S. Gregg Road at 1:00pm. Participants may also join the March at The Bridge Church/O’Reilly Auto parking lot at 2:00pm, or Nixa Jr. High at approx. 2:30pm. The total route will stretch from St. Francis to Tracker Rd. (via Main Street) and back. March for 30 minutes or 1-3.5 hours. Or if you wish, grab a lawn chair and hold a sign along the route. We have signs and we’ll provide “crossing guards” at intersections. Join us in support of life from conception to natural death. God bless!

Saint Agnes 1/12/22 Saint Agnes 1/12/22

FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK

Jesus was the greatest story teller that has ever lived. He used simple word-pictures to help people understand who God is and what His kingdom or reign is like. Jesus’ teachings used images and characters taken from the everyday life and world around Him to create a drama to illustrate his message. Even after almost 2000 years His parables hold meaning for us. Over a third of the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke contain parables told by Jesus. His parables challenge us to discover what God is like and move us to make a response to God’s love and truth. Remember a picture can take the place of a thousand words. In His parables Jesus painted vivid pictures with short, simple and ordinary everyday events of His time. Parables of the mustard seed, a determined woman looking for her lost coin, a barren fig tree, the pearl of great price, the uninvited wedding guests, the good Samaritan, the ten bridesmaids, the list goes on and on. Jesus’ parables may have been for a specific time and place, they are to speak of timeless realities to people of every time and place. Jesus used parables to help the listener to search and discover the deeper meaning and underlying truth of the reality being portrayed. Most, but not all parables bring out a lesson or a moral. Jesus also used parables to teach important truths about God and his kingdom and lessons pertaining to the way of life and happiness which God has for us. Jesus’ audience would have been very familiar with stories containing fig trees, wineskins, oil lamps, money, stewards, judges, wedding parties; these were illustrations of everyday life. Today we may have to do some “homework” to understand the social customs described. Jesus’ parables have a double meaning. First, there is the literal meaning, apparent to anyone who has experience with the subject matter. There also is a deeper meaning about God’s truth and His kingdom. The parables often involve an element of surprise or an unexpected twist. We may be taken off guard and have to take a second look. That is truly the gift of the parables, when the story challenges us and invites us to further reflection. It is interesting that Jesus tells his disciples that not everyone would understand his parables. Jesus was aware that some people would refuse to understand them and that they would close their hearts to what He was saying. God can only reveal the secrets of His kingdom to the humble and trusting person who acknowledges the need for God and for His truth. It is important not to get bogged down in the details of the parable, it is the main point that counts. Jesus meant for His parables to provoke a response. As we have begun Ordinary time, listen carefully to the gospel reading and search for the deeper meaning before the homily begins.

Saint Agnes 1/12/22 Saint Agnes 1/12/22

Youth Activities:

1st Eucharist Session: Families of young people who are planning to receive their First Eucharist in May of 2022 are asked to attend an informational session to be held on Sun, Jan. 23rd at 10:15 AM. The session will be held in the Upper Conference Room of the school. We will discuss the schedule for the rest of the year, resources available for our families and ways we can make the reception of the Eucharist more meaningful for all. Please call the parish office if you have questions or email Iris at ibounds@stacathedral.org

CONGRATULATIONS St. Agnes Cathedral welcomes Jasyah Mitchell who was Baptized Sat, Jan 8th by Father Lewis Hejna. Jasyah is the son of Eric and Miroslaba Mitchell. Please continue to pray for Jasyah and his family as he grows in faith. 1st Eucharist Session: Families of young people who are planning to receive their First Eucharist in May of 2022 are asked to attend an informational session to be held on Sun, Jan. 23rd at 10:15 AM. The session will be held in the Upper Conference Room of the school. We will discuss the schedule for the rest of the year, resources available for our families and ways we can make the reception of the Eucharist more meaningful for all. Please call the parish office if you have questions or email Iris at ibounds@stacathedral.org. The next youth event will be Sunday, Feb 13th. Please mark your calendars & check the bulletin and website for more details.

Saint Agnes 1/12/22 Saint Agnes 1/12/22

49th ANNIVERSARY OF THE U.S. SUPREME COURT ROE VS WADE

Bishop Edward Rice will celebrate the 5:00 p.m. Mass, in St. Agnes Cathedral, on Saturday, January 22, 2022, which marks the 49th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court Roe vs Wade decision that legalized abortion in the United Sates. He will lead the Rosary after Mass to pray for an end to abortion. All are invited to attend this event.

Saint Agnes 1/12/22 Saint Agnes 1/12/22

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS:

Knights Breakfast: The next breakfast sponsored by your Knights of Columbus is on Sunday, January 16th after the 8:00 AM Mass. Come and warm yourselves with a hot breakfast. Knights Meeting: The January meeting of the Knights of Columbus is on Tuesday, the 18th, 7:00 PM in the Dining Room. We need to start planning for our Lenten Fish Dinner event and for other activities. Please come join us. We welcome all help and suggestions.

Saint Agnes 12/29/21 Saint Agnes 12/29/21

From the Pastor’s Desk::

As the Advent Season rushed us from Thanksgiving to Christmas, so has the Christmas Season rushed us to Epiphany and then next weekend with the Baptism of the Lord and the end of the Christmas Season. The Solemnity of Epiphany that we celebrate this weekend is celebrated differently in other countries. Here in the United States it is simply another Sunday Liturgy following the Holy Family Sunday within the Octave of Christmas with no real fanfare, accept we place the three Magi statues at the nativity scene. In some of the Western European countries it is on this day that gifts are exchanged, not on Christmas itself.

Epiphany commemorates the revelation of Jesus to the world. The three Magi, after searching for years are able to find the Christ child. Since Christmas, our manger scene in Church has shown over the past days that the Magi were not present at Bethlehem, but after talking to King Herod and then going to Bethlehem and with the help of the star were guided to Nazareth. Here they according to the Gospels presented their precious gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

The Magi represent the peoples of the world other than the Jewish people. Christ was to be the savior of all peoples, not just the Jews. Traditional nativity scenes portray the skin color of the Magi as white, black and red. It was the theologian Tertullian writing in the third century who first called them “almost “ kings. The names of Melchior, Gaspar, and Balthasar were first mentioned in the sixth century. By the Middles Ages devotion to the Magi was popular all over Europe. They were venerated as saints and their images appeared in different forms of art.

As we begin this New Year, may each of us make every effort to live the Christmas message of love, peace and joy every day of 2022. Let these be our New Year’s resolutions. If we lose a few pounds or give up some of our bad habits, so much the better. But if we truly lived the Christmas message, we could affect not only our lives, but the lives of many of those around us. Smiles and forgiveness are contagious and as the Christ Child holds out His arms in the manger, He invites each of us to follow His example.

I want to thank our choirs, cantors, servers, lectors, all who helped to decorate for the seasons, all who gave donations for our flowers to make our liturgies here at the St. Agnes Cathedral so beautiful and prayerful.

Saint Agnes 12/29/21 Saint Agnes 12/29/21

THANK YOU!!

St. Agnes Faith Formation program would like to thank those that donated to Sammy's Window. Donations of hygiene products, hats, gloves, underwear, clothing, toys & gift cards are helping make the lives of foster and adoptive children brighter. The generosity of St. Agnes parishioners is amazing as a FULL car load of items was brought to Sammy's Window. Thank you! Thank you and many blessings to each of you!

Saint Agnes 12/29/21 Saint Agnes 12/29/21

THANKS! MERCI! GRAZIE!

I have been overwhelmed with all the items that have been brought in for homeless adults and poor/foster children. If I hadn’t moved some of it out as it came in, my office could have been filled to overflowing!!!! As it was, I generally had to move bags out of my way every time I entered the office so I could get to the computer! And that is a good thing. Just know that some people’s lives will be a bit better because of your generosity. Thanks for making the Advent project successful.

-Sister Elizabeth Ann

Saint Agnes 12/29/21 Saint Agnes 12/29/21

CHRISTMAS FLOWER DONATIONS

In Memory of:

Deceased members of Preuger and Bounds Families

‘Don and Judy Rippee

Darline Rapp

Phyllis Rippee

Stephen Refuerzo

Darla

Vernon & Ida Hanson

Lee & Angie Viorel

Lee Viorel, Jr.

Mac & Mary Hammock

Susan Jurgensmeyer

Barb McMillian

Joan Bean

Margarita Gagliardi

Keller-Maksin Families

Max Sorey

Rose Pentecost

Matthew Zimmerman

Randy Friga

Dorsey Roe, Jr.

Joe Lloyd Roe

Fe Samson

Lourdes Nibres

Nicole Pacana

Procop & Mary Francka

Rosie & Jake Francka

Bill Horton

Saint Agnes 12/20/21 Saint Agnes 12/20/21

From the Pastor's Desk:

As Catholic Feasts are celebrated, the Feast of the Holy Family which we celebrate this weekend is a relatively new feast. It began to be celebrated in the universal Church in 1920. Devotion to the Holy Family became popular during the 17th century. The theme of family and this feast dedicated to it, is of special importance today in the face of challenges to the contemporary family.

Mary and Joseph along with the Christ Child gives us a perfect example of working together as a family. Love, compassion, sharing, caring for one another

Mary and Joseph along with the Christ Child gives us a perfect example of working together as a family. Love, compassion, sharing, caring for one another, are all examples that the three members of the Holy Family provide for us. As couples today have problems and concerns with one another, I invite them to take a good look at Mary and Joseph. Mary, a young girl finds herself expecting a child, and the child was not that of her betrothed. Joseph finds his betrothed carrying a child which he knows is not his. That had to put a strain on the relationship! It took a lot of faith on the part of Joseph to accept the story of the Angel Gabriel and the Holy Spirit. Joseph had the legal right to divorce Mary, as they in the eyes of the Jewish Faith were married, but were in the year before they lived as husband and wife. Finally, it took the Angel Gabriel face to face with Joseph before the situation becomes calm.

If all of that was not enough to break Mary and Joseph apart. What followed was that trip to Bethlehem with Mary ready to give birth, especially riding on a donkey, a birth in a stable, and the sudden flight to Egypt, leaving behind home and job. All of this was with the fear of King Herod seeking to kill the new born child. Couples today who are having problems need to sit down together and really look to what the Holy Family teaches through their own lives as family. In fact all of us can learn many virtues from Joseph, Mary and Jesus if we would study their lives.

Joseph and Mary work together to provide for the Christ Child and in turn the Scriptures tell us that as Christ grows, He is obedient to Mary and His foster father, Joseph. All three members of the Holy Family have much to teach each of us, single, married, male or female, young or old. As we celebrate this feast, let the members of the Holy Family be our examples of how to treat those whom we should love the most; our spouse, our parents, our children.

**Thank you to all who have helped in decorating the church for the Christmas Season.

**Thank you to all the members of the choirs, the servers, the liturgical ministers who have

given of their time to help lead us in our liturgical celebrations this Christmas.

**Thank you to all of you for your gifts and cards

Saint Agnes 12/20/21 Saint Agnes 12/20/21

OUR CHRISTMAS COLLECTION

The Christmas collection gives us the opportunity to assist the diocese in funding the formation of our future priests -our seminarians - and meeting the needs of our retired diocesan priests. We ask you to generously support those Clergy Who Have Served and those Clergy Who Will Serve.

Saint Agnes 12/20/21 Saint Agnes 12/20/21

STEUBENVILLE YOUTH CONFERENCE

STEUBENVILLE YOUTH CONFERENCE

Plans are already being made for the Steubenville Conference July 15th-17th, 2022. Steubenville is open to students who will have just completed 8th grade to those who have just graduated from high school. The conference will feature nationally known speakers, dynamic music and opportunities for young people to participate in the Eucharist, Reconciliation and Adoration. The theme for this year will be "Fearless" and will be held on the campus of MSU. St. Agnes Cathedral offers financial assistance to our parish families. There are also scholarships available through the Diocese. Please contact Iris at ibounds@sta-cathedral.org if you have further questions or wish to sign up. You can also check out the Steubenville Conference website for more information.

http://steubystl.com

Saint Agnes 12/20/21 Saint Agnes 12/20/21

CHRISTMAS FLOWER DONATIONS

In Memory of:

Deceased members of Preuger and Bounds Families

‘Don and Judy Rippee

Darline Rapp

Phyllis Rippee

Vernon & Ida Hanson

Lee & Angie Viorel

Lee Viorel, Jr.

Mac & Mary Hammock

Susan Jurgensmeyer

Barb McMillion

Joan Bean

Margarita Gagliardi

Max Sorey

Rose Pentecost

Saint Agnes 12/13/21 Saint Agnes 12/13/21

From the Pastor's Desk:

The final full week of Advent begins this weekend. On Friday, December 17th we will begin the Christmas Novena. The Novena is built around the O Antiphons. Their main theme is messianic, stressing the hope of the Savior’s coming. Within them Jesus proclaimed by various titles, mainly taken from the prophet Isaiah. Each O Antiphon begins with an invocation of the expected Messiah, followed by praise of him under one of his particular titles. Each ends with a petition for God’s people, corresponding to the title by which he is addressed in the Antiphon.

On December 17th, Wisdom from the Most High: O holy Word of God, you govern all creation with your strong yet tender care. Come and show your people the way to salvation.

On December 18th, Ruler of House of Israel: the Lord will be there with us, majestic, our judge, the Lord our lawgiver, the Lord our King, he it is who will save us.

On December 19th, Root of Jesse: remember that Jesse was the father of King David, and the prophet Micah had prophesied that the Messiah would be of the house and lineage of David and be born in David’s city, Bethlehem.

On December 20th, Key of David: O royal Power of Israel controlling at your will the gate of Heaven, leading the captive people into freedom and He will rule forever.

On December 21st, Rising Dawn and Dayspring: for the people who have walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shown.

On December 22nd, King of the Gentiles: a King of all the nations, and He shall judge between the nations and impose His justice and terms on all peoples.

On December23rd, Emmanuel: the King and lawgiver, the desire of the nations and Savior of all peoples. The title itself means, “God is with us.”

Many people have asked me, “Are not novenas supposed to be nine days, the Christmas Novena continues at the Christmas Eve Mass when I sing the Christmas Proclamation and concludes on Christmas Day with Mass and the Gospel of Jesus’ Birth from John’s account.

I invite everyone this year to share in this beautiful Advent tradition leading up to the celebration of our Lord’s birth on Christmas. Let the Christmas Novena help make this a truly spiritual time. The Novena with adoration and benediction is about 35 minutes. Come and spend that short time with the Lord away from all the stuff of the world.

Saint Agnes 12/13/21 Saint Agnes 12/13/21

THANK YOU!

To everyone who donated to our building fund for the New Parish Hall on Giving Tuesday, we appreciate you so much!

Saint Agnes 12/13/21 Saint Agnes 12/13/21

DONATIONS FOR ADVENT

The Faith Formation program will again be accepting donations for Sammy's Window during the Advent Season. Items needed include body wash, shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, combs, brushes, socks and underwear. Sammy's Window services foster and adoptive families in 27 counties across Southwest Missouri. You can bring these items to PSR classes on Sundays or to the parish office. We ask that all items be brought by Dec. 20th

Saint Agnes 12/13/21 Saint Agnes 12/13/21

OUR CHRISTMAS COLLECTION

The Christmas collection will give us the opportunity to assist the diocese in funding the formation of our future priests -our seminarians - and meeting the needs of our retired diocesan priests. We ask you to generously support those Clergy Who Have Served and those Clergy Who Will Serve.