From the Pastor’s Desk:

Not everything goes as planned. This past week January 31 thru February 4 we celebrated, or tried to celebrate across our country, 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 was Catholic Schools: Communities of Faith, Excellence and Service. Our schools are an added value for our 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 in our parishes that give of their time to minister to the needs of others, they 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. Within the Catholic School, whether a student is Catholic or non-Catholic, each student is required to participate in the religious education program. The religious education program presents to the student an authentic statement of the teachings and practices of the Catholic Church. Students are also required to attend prayer services and Mass. Having been a teacher for many years at Notre Dame High School, I would tell parents, “I do not test the faith of your sons/daughters; I test their knowledge of the Catholic Faith!” Within a Catholic School, education of our faith is important. I want students to know why we celebrate, how we celebrate and not just give an answer, “we always do it that way!” 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. 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 to any Catholic student.

MORNING OF REFLECTION

St. Martha's Group is hosting a Morning of Reflection for women, Saturday, Feb. 19th. It will begin with the 8:30am Mass after which we will proceed to the school dining room where Fr. Allen Kirchner will speak. If you cannot make it to Mass you are welcome to come for the session (9:15am). A soup & salad lunch will be served afterward. Please call the office, 831-3565, if you plan to attend so that we will know how many to expect for lunch.

Lenten Fair!!

Mark your calendars for Sunday, Feb 27th. St. Anne's Group and the Youth Faith Formation Program of St. Agnes will sponsor a Lenten Fair in the St. Agnes Gym from 9:15 AM11:00 AM. We welcome all families to this special event which will offer activities and resources to help prepare for the Lenten season. Activities will include making Mardi Gras masks, learning about the saints of Lent, Holy Week activities. playing some Lenten Bingo and picking up spiritual resources. There is no charge for this event. We welcome anyone who may wish to help set up or clean up after this event. The Knights of Columbus will offer their monthly breakfast on this same day so come enjoy breakfast in the cafeteria and then spend some time at the Lenten Fair. Contact Iris at ibounds@sta-cathedral.org to volunteer.

PCCW

In your parish envelopes during Feb, you will find a special envelope: Parish Council of Catholic Women. St. Agnes Cathedral PCCW does much work in our parish to help women meet their spiritual, social and community needs. PCCW does much to assist with community outreach as well such as assisting with meals at Rare Breed and Harmony House. We sponsor many events throughout the year for women and families. A new event that PCCW and St. Anne's group support is the Advent Fair and support will also be given to the upcoming Lenten Fair. All women of the parish are automatically members of PCCW & all are welcome at events. We try to make sure that we do not charge for any event. Any amount that you can place in the envelope will be greatly appreciated. If you do not receive envelopes, just place your donation in the collection basket on Sundays and mark the envelope PCCW. You can also call the parish office to make a donation or drop it by the parish office. Your support is greatly appreciated and allows PCCW to continue our work in the parish and in our community. PCCW Officer Volunteers needed: Our St. Agnes Parish Council of Catholic Women is looking for new officers for the upcoming year which ends in July. We invite any woman of the parish to consider this opportunity to take a leadership role in this wonderful organization that does so much for our parish. Women of any age are encouraged to sign up. Even if you are new to the parish or never attended a PCCW event, you are encouraged to consider this role. Our current officers have served well and long to keep this organization flourishing. The current officers will also be on hand to answer questions and to guide you in your role. Please call the parish office and ask for Sister Elizabeth for more details.

From the Pastor’s Desk::

This past week we celebrated not only here in Springfield but across our country, 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 was Catholic Schools: Communities of Faith, Excellence and Service.  Our schools are an added value for our 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 in our parishes that give of their time to minister to the needs of others, they 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.

Within the Catholic School, whether a student is Catholic or non-Catholic, each student is required to participate in the religious education program.  The religious education program presents to the student an authentic statement of the teachings and practices of the Catholic Church.  Students are also required to attend prayer services and Mass. Having been a teacher for many years at Notre Dame High School, I would tell parents, “I do not test the faith of your sons/daughters; I test their knowledge of the Catholic Faith!”  Within a Catholic School, education of our faith is important.  I want students to know why we celebrate, how we celebrate and not just give an answer, “we always do it that way!”

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.

As we have celebrated 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 to any Catholic student.

COLD WEATHER SHELTER

Sacred Heart Church would like to invite you to join us helping the homeless this winter in Springfield.  We will offer a cold-weather shelter (open on any night that is 32 degrees or below) on Mondays and Wednesdays for 24 men.  Guests arrive at 7pm and will leave at 7am.  If you cannot volunteer for the full 12 hours, we will also take volunteers in 6 hour shifts (7p-1am and 1am-7am) We will offer training and support for anyone who is interested, please contact Fr Ray at Sacred heart at 417 869 3646 and we thank you for helping our brothers in need.

As further information, we will offer an evening snack and breakfast for our guests.  We will have a minimum of 2 volunteers each evening and after the men are asleep, volunteers will have a separate area to rest as well.     If someone or a group want to come in to assist with the breakfast or evening snack that is another option for folks.

MORNING OF REFLECTION

St. Martha's Group is hosting a Morning of Reflection for women, Saturday, Feb. 19th.  It will begin with the 8:30am Mass after which we will proceed to the school dining room where Fr. Allen Kirchner will speak.  If you cannot make it to Mass you are welcome to come for the session (9:15am).  A soup & salad lunch will be served afterward.  This would be a great way to prepare for Lent.

Please call the office, 831-3565, if you plan to attend so that we will know how many to expect for lunch.

PCCW

In your parish envelopes during Feb, you will find a special envelope: Parish Council of Catholic Women.  St. Agnes Cathedral PCCW  does much work in our parish to help women meet their spiritual, social and community needs.  PCCW does much to assist with community outreach as well such as assisting with meals at Rare Breed and Harmony House.  We sponsor many events throughout the year for women and families.  A new event that PCCW and St. Anne's group support is the Advent Fair and support will also be given to the upcoming Lenten Fair.  

All women of the parish are automatically members of PCCW & all are welcome at events.  We try to make sure that we do not charge for any event.  Any amount that you can place in the envelope will be greatly appreciated and will help us to make certain that we do not have to charge for events.  If you do not receive envelopes, just place your donation in the collection basket on Sundays and mark the envelope PCCW.  You can also call the parish office to make a donation or drop it by the parish office.  Your support is greatly appreciated and allows PCCW to continue our work in the parish and in our community.

PCCW Officer Volunteers needed:

Our St. Agnes Parish Council of Catholic Women is looking for new officers for the upcoming year which ends in July.  We invite any woman of the parish to consider this opportunity to take a leadership role in this wonderful organization that does so much for our parish.  Women of any age are encouraged to sign up.  Even if you are new to the parish or never attended a PCCW event, you are encouraged to consider this role. Our current officers have served well and long to keep this

organization flourishing.  The current officers will also be on hand to answer questions and to guide you in your role.  Maybe you know someone who you feel would be a great officer and is a bit shy?  Please call the parish office and ask for Sister Elizabeth for more details.  Thank you for your consideration in serving our parish.  God Bless!

From the Pastor’s Desk:

Even in the midst of the pandemic, our Catholic churches continued to provide spiritual nourishment, granted on a very limited basis. We also began to find new ways provide the mass for the people, first only by live streaming, then with limited numbers and slowly adding more people into the congregation. Since October we have been keeping track of attendance and we are slowly gathering back around the Eucharistic Table in Sunday worship. In other areas our Catholic Schools have been able to remain open and in person with only limited closures. Each of our schools under the direction of pastor and principal have worked to maintain their individual school needed according to their parish community while still belonging to the Springfield Catholic School System. Organizations such as Knights of Columbus, Parish Council of Catholic Women, along with different spiritual activities such as RCIA, PSR, and scripture study groups have all begun their activities, in some way. We are learning how to live and work within a pandemic. We also know that some things may never be the same. We have also learned how to do some things better because we were forced to change how we were functioning. I want to thank everyone for their patience, their prayers, their support over the past year as Fr. Allen and the parish staff have worked to provide for the spiritual needs of our parish. I also take this time to thank everyone for their financial support over the past year. I would like to invite the men of St. Agnes Cathedral to the 3rd annual catholic men’s Conference to be held On February 26th . It will take place at Springfield Catholic High School in the large open gym. Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers will present two presentations, along with several local speakers. The day begins with Mass celebrated by Bishop Rice at 8 am. Lunch is provided and the day will end by 3:30 pm. There is no charge to attend, but registration is required to ensure there are enough meals provided. Register DioSCG.org/men. We are posting a short video clip on St. Agnes face book and web page. This is perfect time to spend in a safe open environment drawing closer to the Lord.

MORNING OF REFLECTION

St. Martha's Group is hosting a Morning of Reflection for women, Saturday, Feb. 19th. It will begin with the 8:30am Mass after which we will proceed to the school dining room where Fr. Allen Kirchner will speak. If you cannot make it to Mass you are welcome to come for the session (9:15am). A soup & salad lunch will be served afterward. This would be a great way to prepare for Lent. Please call the office, 831-3565, if you plan to attend so that we will know how many to expect for lunch.

A Valentine Celebration!

The Knights of Columbus St. Anne Council #698 presents an Enjoyable Evening of Fun, Delicious Food & Great Music! Saturday, February 12, 2022, The Diamond Room (Knights of Columbus Hall) 2340 W. Grand Street, Springfield, Missouri 65802 from 6:00 p.m.- 10:00 p.m. (Social Hour at 6 p.m./ Dinner at 7 p.m.) Featuring the Big Band/ Swing Dance sounds of CADUCEUS. $35 per person includes dinner buffet featuring bacon wrapped pork loin and bourbon glazed salmon. (*Cash Bar will be available) Please contact Tom Rouse, from 7-9 p.m. at (417) 299-0627, to secure your reservation.

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.

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.

Struggling with Life since being Widowed, Divorced or Separated?

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.

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

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.  

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!

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.

Youth Activities:

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.

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.

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.