WOMEN OF FAITH

Any woman in in the parish is welcome to attend Mass with the Woman of Faith group on Wednesday, November 9 at 12:15 pm at Catholic Campus Ministry, 848 S Holland. We will be going to lunch together after Mass at Village Inn on Glenstone.

St. Agnes Annual Advent Fair

will be held Sunday, November 13 from 9:15 -11:00 AM in the St. Agnes Gym. Families of all ages are welcome to attend as we prepare ourselves and our families for this important season. Supplies will be available to make advent wreaths to take home . (If you have your advent wreath and just need candles, those will also be available. Other activities will include crafts for the "Saints of the Season, a Nativity Scavenger Hunt, Advent Bingo with prizes, Jesse Tree Activities & much more. We will also have activities and prayers that families can take home and use throughout the Advent season. This event is sponsored by our St. Anne’s group and the Faith Formation program. All are welcome. Call the parish office at 831- 3565 if you have questions.

From the Pastor's Desk:

In 835 Pope Gregory IV moved the commemoration of martyrs from May 13 to November the first. The night before became known as All Hallow’s Eve, or “holy evening,” and eventually it became Halloween. Our Holy Day Masses for All Saints Day, October 31 at 7:00 pm and on November 1 with be at 8:30, 12.15 and 5:30. It will always be up to debate, if Pope Gregory was simply trying to simulate the pagan peoples of Ireland and England into the church. The pagan people of these lands already had a celebration on that particular date. However it was the Irish farmers living in Ireland hundreds of years ago which prepared for the All Saints Day and the following All Souls Day the night before by going door-to-door collecting food and goods for a village feast and bonfire. Those who contributed were promised prosperity; those who didn’t received threats of bad luck. And yes you are right, the Irish Catholics who immigrated in the 1800’s brought this practice of “trick-or-treating” with them. The rest is the great United States use of advertising and commercialism. Next to Christmas Halloween is the largest money “maker holiday” for businesses. Unfortunately our society has turned a night of prayer and celebration into one of haunted houses, witches and ghosts. This week on November 2, the Church celebrates All Souls Day. It could be said that All Souls Day is the Catholic Church’s Memorial Day/Month. The Month of November begins with the feast of All Saints’ Day, followed by All Souls’ Day. We distinguish between our beloved dead who are in heaven, “all saints,” who pray for us and our loved ones who have died and for whom we are moved to pray. These are the poor souls who still may be undergoing the purging process of death-to-self that follows repentance. In the month of harvest and dying, the Catholic Church memorializes the dead and recognizes Jesus as Lord of the living and the dead. Tickets for our fall musical, “Oklahoma” are on sale this weekend here at St. Agnes beginning at the vigil mass on Saturday evening. The musical was the first, the beginning of the true Broadway musicals. With Oklahoma, vaudeville began to disappear from the stage and classical musicals first under the direction of Rogers and Hammerstein ruled the stage.

SAINT EXTRAVAGANZA!

SAINT EXTRAVAGANZA! The PSR classes invite families to attend this event on Sunday, Oct. 30th from 10:00-11:00 AM in the school cafeteria. Come dressed as your favorite saint; play some Saint Bingo, Saint Jeopardy and much more. There will be prizes and opportunities to learn more about the saints. All are welcome!

SCHS THEATRE PRESENTS: THE MUSICAL COMEDY OKLAHOMA!

Performance dates : Friday November 18th 7pm, Saturday November 19 7 pm and Sunday November 20th matinee 2 pm Tickets will be available after masses!

ST AGNES SENIORS

Because there is a funeral on Monday, October 31 at 10 o'clock I am changing the luncheon at George's for Seniors to 11:15 am instead of 11 o'clock. That will give me a chance to be there with you. Sister Elizabeth Ann. LOOKING FOR A RIDE An older woman is looking for a ride to a weekend Mass. She lives at Madison Towers, 750 S Market Ave, Springfield, MO, 65806. If you are willing to help, give me a call, please. FAITH SHARING I would like to begin a faith sharing (not discussion) group for anyone interested. A time and place to meet will be decided after I hear from a few people. Please call 417-831-3565, ext 103. S. Elizabeth Ann

From the Pastor’s Desk::

People have been asking, “What has happened to all the work from the Synod on Synodality?” I want to give a report from Region 9 which is made up of 14 Dioceses here in the Midwest. Then I will give the top 10 areas of concern within our Diocese. Our parish council has been looking at the areas of concern here at St. Agnes. The feedback on the structure, content and proceedings of each dialogue session was generally positive and participants found it to be a good learning experience in their individual parishes. The major outcome in the Regional report was 1) Church as Community, the need to bring people together in relationship. 2) The Eucharist as Community, united with “church” throughout the world. 3) Lifelong faith formation through small groups, Bible studies and a deeper knowledge of Catholic teaching. 4) The wounds within the church through politics, Bishops at odds with each other and lay people not interested in learning more about their faith. Clericalism with priest and bishop telling people not working with people. Also the sex abuse scandals throughout the world. The top ten in our Diocese began with the Mass and what people wanted in the Mass. 2) People wanting their priests to be pastorally present. 3) The parish needs to be inviting to all. 4) The need for more knowledge of how to reach out to divorced and gay members. 5) The need to build community in the parish. 6) The parents and families not coming to Sunday Mass. 7) The need to reach youth and young adults. 8) Church ministers not living the Church teachings. 9) The challenge to living “Catholic” in Southern Missouri. 10) Many people felt the dialogue from the Synodal process was a starting point. As you read through these you can see that many people felt the same from across the 14 Dioceses, along with some being the same in our diocese. I want to ask each of you as you read these five areas in the Region and the ten areas in our Diocese, “How many of them are a concern for you personally?” It is a challenge for our Parish Council to begin to plan for the future of our parish, moving from a Maintenance to Mission style. If anyone would like to be a part of study and planning please contact me at the office at 417-831-3565.

ST AGNES SENIORS

ST AGNES SENIORS On Oct 31st at 11 a.m. we will meet at George’s restaurant at 339 S Glenstone Ave for breakfast or lunch for which there is a buffet. Please notify the parish if you think you will be attending. A $5 donation for the building fund is requested that day, but I will pay for the group from the money earned from last year’s bake sale at the bazaar. LOOKING FOR A RIDE An older woman is looking for a ride to a weekend Mass. She lives at Madison Towers, 750 s market Ave, Springfield, MO, 65806. If you are willing to help, give me a call, please. FAITH SHARING I would like to begin a faith sharing (not discussion) group for anyone interested. A time and place to meet will be decided after I hear from a few people. Please call 417-831-3565, ext 103. S. Elizabeth Ann

Trunk or Treat

Trunk or Treat The Vietnamese Community invites all families to attend BOO FEST on Sunday, Oct. 30th beginning at 6:00 PM. The evening will include food, drinks, inflatables for kids, a trunk decoration contest , costume contest & a pumpkin carving contest. There is a need for trunks; candy will even be provided if needed. REMEMBER, the entire parish is invited! Hope to see you there.

Youth Activities

SAINT EXTRAVAGANZA! The PSR classes invite families to attend this event on Sunday, Oct. 30th from 10:00-11:00 AM in the school cafeteria. Come dressed as your favorite saint; play some saint bingo, Saint jeopardy and much more. There will be prizes and opportunities to leave more about the saints. All are welcome! Mark your calendars; Our annual "Advent Fair" will be held on Sunday, November 13th in the gym between the Sunday Masses. All will be welcome. We are asking for assistance with the activities. Please contact the parish office at 831-3565 to help with the event. You can also email Iris at ibounds@stacathedral.org.

From the Pastor’s Desk::

St. John Neumann came to this country as a missionary and was consecrated as 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.

Throughout our country the Roman Catholic Church has begun a three year Eucharistic Revival.  If we believe what takes place at the altar, Jesus is truly present in the Holy Eucharist. 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)

Following our 5 pm Sunday Mass this weekend beginning at 6pm we will have Eucharistic Adoration until 7 pm.  Come and spend an hour with the Lord in prayer, in meditation and praise.  The celebration of the mass is the heart of our Catholic Faith and adoration is a time to be in the presence of the Lord.

Please consider spending some time with our Eucharistic Lord on Mondays in the Chapel between the hours of 9:00 am and 5:30 pm.  This is a quiet time to reflect and thank God for all the many blessings He has given us.  “Can you spend even 30 minutes with Me?” asks the Lord.

Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration is at Holy Trinity Church here in Springfield.  The parish is inviting people who can make a commitment for one hour, daily or weekly to call or sign up.  For more information there are forms in the back of the Cathedral or contact Holy Trinity, or go on their website.

Walmart, Hobby Lobby just to name 2 stores have Christmas trees for sale.  I bring this up because in November and December many times people are thinking about their end of the year giving.  Even though we have not begun our Capital Campaign, we are collecting and accepting money to be put into our building account.  Those monies are only to be used for our new parish center.  Please consider your end of

ALL WOMEN OF THE PARISH…

belong to the Parish Council of Catholic Women.  Normally there are officers that preside over the meetings and events, but this year we have no one to take those positions.  SO…we are looking at a different way of doing things.  The parish has 3 women’s groups that meet on a monthly basis that comprise the basis of the PCCW.  A committee has been formed from those 3 groups to oversee the budget and other necessary things required for the council.  Each group will plan a social event that ALL women are invited to attend.  Watch for notices in the bulletin for events and ways to become involved.

We encourage the women of our parish to investigate these groups and become a part of one of them.  They are St. Martha’s, Women of Faith, and St. Ann’s.

Together with God we can do great things for our parish and the community.

HELP NEEDED FOR FUNERAL DINNERS

The parish has 2 groups that take turns providing luncheons for funeral dinners.  It is a wonderful service that we offer the families, and they truly appreciate it. We have dedicated people that help with this and they are very appreciated, but due to differing circumstances our number of helpers has dwindled.  If you would like to become a part of these teams, please call the office (417-831-3565) and let us know. It would entail fixing food to bring the morning of the funeral.  If you would like to physically help the day of the funeral, let us know that also. 

Thank you so much for considering this opportunity.

From the Pastor's Desk:

On Wednesday, September 14th we celebrate both in the Roman as well as in the Orthodox Catholic Church the Feast of the Exultation of the Holy Cross of Christ.

After the death and resurrection of Christ, both the Jewish and Roman authorities in Jerusalem took extreme efforts to obscure Christ's tomb in the garden near the site of His crucifixion, (Holy Sepulchre). They used tons of earth to cover over the site, and then built a pagan temple on top of it. The Cross on which Christ had died had been hidden (tradition said) by the Jewish authorities somewhere in the area.

According to tradition, first mentioned by Saint Cyril of Jerusalem in 348, Saint Helena, the mother of Constantine the Great, nearing the end of her life, decided under divine inspiration to travel to Jerusalem in 326 to search for the Holy Sepulchre and attempt to locate the True Cross. A Jew by the name of Judas, aware of the tradition concerning the hiding of the Holy Sepulchre and the Cross, led those excavating the Holy Sepulchre and to the area where the cross might be hidden.

Three crosses were found on the spot. According to common tradition, the inscription was missing from the cross.  Saint Helena and Saint Macarius, the bishop of Jerusalem, assuming that one was the True Cross and the other two belonged to the thieves crucified alongside Christ, devised an experiment to determine which of the three crosses was the True Cross.

The three crosses were taken to a woman who was near death; when she touched the True Cross, she was healed. In another, the body of a dead man was brought to the place where the three crosses were found, and laid upon each cross. The True Cross restored the dead man to life.

In celebration of the discovery of the Holy Cross, Constantine ordered the construction of churches at the site of the Holy Sepulchre and on Mount Calvary. Those churches were dedicated on September 13 and 14, 335, and shortly thereafter the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross began to be celebrated on the latter date. The feast slowly spread from Jerusalem to other churches, until, by the year 720, the celebration was universal.

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS BREAKFAST

The Knights of Columbus invite you to join them for breakfast on September 18th from

 8-10am in the cafeteria.

Parent Meeting

First Reconciliation/First Eucharist

Children usually receive both of these sacraments while in second grade.  Guidelines require that the child be enrolled in a Catholic School or PSR program the year prior to receiving the sacrament.  Children in Catholic schools, the PSR program & those who are homeschooled will use a special curriculum and have special activities throughout the year to assist in the preparation process.  We do ask that families complete a registration for the sacraments.  If a child is older than in second grade, we have a special program available to get the children caught up and prepared for the reception of the sacraments. A special parent meeting will be held. Sunday, Sept 18th, to share more details.  You may also contact the parish office for more details. Proof of Baptism is required.

PARISH HEALTH MINISTRY

Is There a Beast Stalking You?

This may seem like a rude and ugly question to have someone ask you.  However, it is important to realize that high blood pressure is like a beast or predator stalking you. You never see the beast until it strikes and devours its prey. High blood pressure is often called the “silent killer” for the same reason. Many people do not know they have it or because they “feel good” with no big symptoms, they ignore it or do not take their medicine. Just because you do not see or feel the small changes in your body does not mean they are not happening. When enough small changes happen, the BIGGIE happens. This includes heart attack, stroke, kidneys not working or blindness.  Remember to check your blood pressure, take your medicine, DO NOT SMOKE, and see your doctor.  Other things that you can do to help keep your blood pressure good are exercise like walking, keeping a healthy weight and if you have diabetes keeping a normal blood sugar.

 Parish Healthcare Ministry will be providing free blood pressure screening on the third Sunday of each month from Sept. 2022 – May, 2023 in the dining room of the school from 9:30 am – 10:00 am.

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 find their way to our grocery store shelves. The products we purchase in our stores come from all over the world. We drive to work in our air-conditioned cars, and we press a button to raise the heat in our homes during winter months. We turn a lever or press a button and fresh drinking water comes out of a faucet.  Americans spend more money on entertainment throughout the year than most people make in a year. We celebrate all people who work—both in the past and today—who have contributed to making our country the great nation it is.

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 find a better life for themselves and their children.  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 for people 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 has 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. We 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 safe and enjoyable Labor Day Weekend.

ST ANNE’S GROUP

Young Women of the Parish, please join St. Anne's group as we resume monthly get togethers. 

St. Anne's group will meet on Sunday, Sept 11th at 10:15 in the school library.  All are welcome as activities of the year are discussed and planned.  Come join us.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS—YOUTH EVENT:

Youth are invited to attend "Adoration Under the Stars Sunday, Sept 11th from 6-8 PM.  The evening will include a cookout, games, root beer floats and end with Adoration.  All are welcome!  Families are welcome too.  More details to follow!