Youth Activities

Our parish was blessed with 3 Baptisms on Sunday, June 4th:  Peter Michael Duda was baptized at the 11:30 AM Mass .  Peter is the son of Martin and Paige Duda of our parish.  Fr. Lewis Hejna officiated at the Baptism.  

Immediately following the 11:30 AM Mass Scarlett and Lydia Vernoy were baptized by Father Timothy Tran.  Scarlett and Lydia are the daughters of Christopher & Desiree Vernoy of our parish.

Please keep these children and their families in your prayers as they continue their faith journeys.

From the Pastor’s Desk:

On Tuesday evening here at St. Agnes Cathedral, our eighth grade class walked through the doors of the Cathedral, for their last trip down the aisle as a St. Agnes Cathedral eighth grade class. In the fall they will begin a new life, a high school student. Most will continue their education at Springfield Catholic High School. They will meet new friends, while continuing old friendships, new teachers, new freedoms which come with added responsibilities. They will be studying new subjects while building upon old ones. It will be an exciting time and a scary time, all the while struggling to figure out who they are and what life really is all about.

Graduation is NOT the end of something as much as it is the beginning of something. Being in education as a teacher for 17 years, director of the theater for 14 years and once again a chaplain for years at both Notre Dame High School as well as Springfield Catholic High; young people are not really completing something as much as setting the table for themselves to accomplish something great in their lives, whether from Middle School or High School graduation. I believe it can be summed up in 3 words: unselfishness, servanthood and love All three are found in the life of Jesus Christ who is our brother, friend, example and God.

UNSELFISHNESS – is the key to real success. So often people think only of themselves and at the cost of hurting others or neglecting others, actually in the long-term find themselves empty and always wanting more because they were selfish. Christ is our example.

SERVANTHOOD – is the 2nd key to real success. Serving others is what enables a person to experience gratitude, appreciation and a sense of community. Christ is our example.

LOVE – is the 3rd key to real success. Listen, you don’t have to like everybody. For that matter you can like just a few people. But we’re commanded to love everyone. Regardless of color, ethnicity, language, etc. Each of us is made in the image and likeness of our God, each of us have been given the opportunity to be loved and it begins by us loving ourselves, others and Christ.

These are why we have Catholic Schools, to put Jesus Christ as the reason for all we do, and the example to follow. The Holy Eucharist we receive in Holy Communion at Mass fills us with God’s strength and love. United about the altar we truly are members of God’s family. Congratulations to all of our young people in a job well done.

DDF

To date our parish has $43,034.65 toward our $123,717 goal. Thank you! If you have not yet made your pledge, please add your gift, whatever the amount, in unity with those who have already given by returning a pledge card.

The diocese and Church in southern Missouri needs your participation.

SPRING AND SUMMER PROJECT

Our food pantry THE WELL OF LIFE-- near the corner of Elm and Kimbrough-- would appreciate hygiene items for women and men including toothbrushes, toothpaste, bar soap, shampoo etc. All 8 churches-- FIRST BAPTIST, FIRST AND CALVARY PRESBYTERIAN, SACRED HEART, WESLEY UNITED METHODIST, CHRIST EPISCOPAL, SOUTH STREET CHRISTIAN WESTMINISTER PRESBYTERIAN, AND St AGNES-- which sponsor the food pantry will be supporting this project. If you find a bargain on any of these, you may bring it to the parish office and I will see that it is delivered.

Thank you. Sister Elizabeth Ann, ASC

Diocesan Director of Youth and

From the Pastor’s Desk::

Once in a while a person will ask me if there is anything the Church offers to help plan their funeral.  It is usually followed by, “I’m not planning on dying just yet, but do not want my family to have to do it.”  Planning our funeral is not a morbid or “strange” thing to do.  Death is a part of our lives and as we plan for parties, weddings, or a new school year, we should also plan for our death and how we want it to be celebrated.  Planning our own funeral is also a great help to our loved ones who would be tasked with planning it during a sad time for them. A Catholic funeral tis to be a celebration of one’s life.

The liturgy for a Catholic Christian burial is divided into three parts.  Each part is in a different place and time, and each has a particular purpose.  The first place is usually in a funeral home where the body has been placed.  It can also be in the church.  This first part is called a wake.  A prayer service is usually prayed.  It is at this time that relatives and friends gather to greet and console each other.  Conversations focus on the earthly life of the deceased and memories are shared.  This can be an emotional time and is a valid and, I believe, a necessary part of the grieving process.  This is the time for the eulogy, not at the funeral Mass.  It is a time of tears, memories, sorrow, laughter, and consolation.  The eulogy, if used, focuses on a person’s earthly life, whereas the funeral liturgy focuses on the spiritual life.

The second place, is the church where the funeral Mass will be celebrated.  We bring the body into the church where we will recall the life of faith that began the day we were baptized.  The body is blessed with holy water in remembrance of our baptism and the white pall is placed on the coffin in remembrance of our white baptismal garment which we wore on the day of our baptism.

The funeral Mass is celebrated for the deceased person who began a journey of faith on the day of baptism and now, through the grace of God, has entered into the fullness of eternal life.  The entire liturgy looks forward to this destiny as it draws us into the mystery of redemption.  That is why a eulogy is out of place in a Catholic funeral Mass.

The final place, is where the body will be buried.  Here we return the body to the earth and place the soul in the hands of God.  Saying a final good-bye is a long and many times difficult process.  Often it is a time of mixed emotions.  Our Catholic funeral liturgy offers hope and a promise which our world cannot do.  Planning for our funeral is simply planning another aspect of our lives. 

Since the 1980’s, cremation has been accepted in the Catholic Church, and so everything I have just written pertains to a funeral with a body.  The only stipulation is that the ashes be interred in either a columbarium or in the ground.

Volunteers Needed at Catholic Charities!

Please join our garden team on Thursday, April 27, from 9:00-11:00 am at Catholic Charities, 424 E. Monastery St.

We need your help in the vegetable gardens that help feed the mothers and babies at LifeHouse and maintain the beautiful flowers planted by the Carmelite Sisters when they inhabited St. Ann’s. Your help is appreciated,  whether your thumb is green or brown! Call or email Jill Guise, 417-720-4213,

 jguise@ccsomo.org, with questions.

St. Agnes Summer Jam:

St. Agnes Summer Jam:

Saturday May, 20. (21+)

St. Agnes school is having their signature fundraiser of the year Saturday, May 20--the annual Summer Jam Music Festival.

Starting around 6 pm on the St. Agnes field, we'll have Live outdoor Music, Food, Drinks and Fellowship. Better Late than Never will kick off the night and a local favorite 90s cover band The Mixtapes will be headlining! Please note, This is a 21 and over event and food and drink will be available for purchase. Food vendors include Whole Hog, walking tacos with a variety of adult beverages.

All funds raised will go toward supporting safety upgrades, inclusive playground structures and support for our students at St. Agnes Cathedral school.

Tickets are just $20 and can be purchased online: bidpal.net/summerjam23 

Find us on Facebook at St Agnes Summer Jam, or email us at summerjam@scspk12.org.

Hope to see you all there!

Youth Activities

Congratulations to Gavin and Suzanne (Annie) Williams who received their First Eucharist on Sunday. April 16th at the 11:30 Mass.  Annie and Gavin have been preparing all year for the reception of the Eucharist.  They are the children of Helen and Lance Williams and the grandchildren of Deacon Mark Wand. Please keep these children in your prayers.

Save the Date for Vacation Bible School which will be held June 11th-15th at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton.  Times will be 6-8:30 PM.  St. Agnes Cathedral works with SEAS parish to make this program possible for children who will be entering Kindergarten through 6th grade.  Lots of activities including music, Bible stories, outdoor games, Imagination Station, snacks and much more.  Registration forms will soon be available.  We are also looking for youth volunteers and adult volunteers to help with this adventure.  This is a great way to keep the knowledge of Jesus flowing in the summer when kids are not in school or PSR.  If you would like more information or would like to volunteer, please call the parish office at 831-3565 or email Iris at ibounds@sta-cathedral.org

From the Pastor’s Desk::

We now find ourselves in the Easter Season, a time in which the apostles prepared themselves for something, something they were not sure.  When Pentecost came it would burst upon them in wind and tongues of fire. What are we preparing for this Easter Season?  We find ourselves being reminded by the Church to look to the importance of the Eucharist.  Sunday Mass is not just a nice time to come together to worship God.  It is a time to be fed by our Eucharistic Lord, as He offers His Body and Blood.

The liturgy of the Mass coming from the Second Vatican Council made so many of the prayers prayed at the altar public, not silently said by the priest in Latin.  The Roman Missal which was revised and printed about 12 years ago is the official prayer book of the Church.

Some of the prayers are hard to pray.  Therefore, the Missal encourages the priest to chant the prayers of the Mass.  By chanting the Eucharistic Prayer, the priest must slow down, attending to each of the words in the text.  Chanting is an elevated form of speech, drawing our attention to what we are saying to God.

As we were taught in liturgy class, the bodily posture of the priest should also be one of prayer.  In our class in 1980 we were video taped and the professor pointed out things like, you are not sitting still during the readings, or do not sway at the altar, stay focused because you are leading the people in worship.

It is not just the priest, the servers and other ministers who are involved in praying the Mass.  The congregation are also to pray by word and posture.  Whether standing, sitting or kneeling all should be with strength not laziness as I tell the actors on the stage.  Coming to Holy Communion hands need to be folded and whether you receive on the tongue or in the hands do it properly.  Your dominant hand underneath, to be able to then place the host in your mouth, if on the tongue should be held straight not down in front of your chin.  As we are going to be presenting the chalice once again, both hands are to be used, one under the chalice and one to take the chalice.  Each of us need to remind ourselves we are receiving the Jesus Christ the Son of God.

THANK YOU!!!

A HUGE thank you to all who helped with the Easter Egg hunt! Whether you donated eggs or candy, stuffed eggs, helped on Easter morning or    Helped in any way, you are appreciated! We also thank God for the beautiful morning too! What a beautiful & fun filled morning!--

Annual Parish Garage Sale

Mark Your Calendars:  Our annual parish garage sale will be June 8th-10th in our gym.  Start saving all your treasures for the sale!  Please watch the bulletin ,our parish website and Facebook page with information about drop off times and dates.  We do ask you not to bring clothing, used computers or monitors, televisions or used tires.  We will accept shoes, purses and hats.  We will be asking for many volunteers to help with the setup and sale.  More information to come!!!

First Holy Eucharist

Young people who will be making their First Holy Eucharist will need to plan to attend a Mini Retreat on Sat, April 22nd from 10:00 AM-12:00 PM.  The morning will consist of rehearsal, banner making and other preparations for this special day.  A family member should plan to attend the morning with the child who will be receiving the sacrament.  First Eucharist will be Sunday May 7th at a special 2:30 PM Mass.

From the Pastor's Desk

We find ourselves in the glow of the Easter Candle for the 50 days after Easter. Lent has ended, perhaps before some even knew it had begun. Our secular society is rushing after whatever will sell next in the stores, but the Catholic Church continues to celebrate the Resurrection of our savior. Christ walked the earth following His resurrection, appearing and strengthening the apostles and disciples for their mission ahead. Within the liturgy of the Catholic Church we relive those events of Jesus’ life. As we celebrated the liturgies of the Triduum, each of those liturgies were a reliving of those most special events of Jesus’ life. Those liturgies use all of our senses to help us experience those events. From the washing of feet, to processions, to incense, music, candles, extra readings, darkness, fire; all the senses were engaged. Some may ask what is the importance of redoing these liturgies each year? Easter is Easter, lets’ go to Church, out to eat and get on with the next thing. We as adults are no different than children. Repetition is an important role in imprinting both our brains and our spirits. The liturgical year is built around the preparation for the birth of Christ, His birth, His life and ministry, including His teachings and miracles, His Passion, Death and Resurrection. All of this is followed by a period of strengthening the early church in the days following the Resurrection, until we return to Ordinary Time when we continue walking with Christ in His ministry period. When we experience a stimulus over and over, the memories become a subconscious part of who we are. Our Catholic Liturgical year is to help us to become fully immersed in Christ’s life and the life of the early church. Symbols and signs connect us to the universal church, through generations and across the world. Our Easter Candle is an essential part of our worship, as it proclaims Christ alive, shining in a world of darkness and sin. The Easter Candle is lite during the Easter Season, during each baptism, and the celebration of a funeral liturgy. During the Easter Season I try to keep fresh flowers in the sanctuary as another symbol of life. I want to thank everyone who helped in the purchasing of our Easter flowers and also for all your Easter Cards.

HELP WANTED

The St Vincent de Paul organization of this parish needs more members with fresh ideas and a willingness to help the needy with guidance and practical assistance. It can be more important to change a light bulb in the ceiling than giving them food. Actually visiting the homebound and others who need help is an objective that was dropped because of Covid; with new volunteers –who would visit in pairs—we could restart this. But right now 50 percent of our active members are over 80 years old, and the money you give for this purpose is spent mostly for food assistance, utilities, gas vouchers and bus passes. If you are interested in joining this group as active members, contact Ron Enos at 417-619-9827 or Sister Elizabeth Ann at the parish office 417-831-3565.

K of C Parish Breakfast

The monthly breakfast, sponsored by your Knights of Columbus, will be held the Sunday after Easter (April 16th). We serve a hot breakfast after the 8:00 AM Mass. This month will include French toast, eggs, and sausage. Come join us!

WOMEN OF FAITH

Women of the parish are invited to join the Women of Faith group for Mass at Campus Ministry, 847 S. Holland at 12:15 pm on Wednesday, April 12. After Mass we will go to lunch at Hong Kong Inn at 1632 E. Sunshine

From the Pastor’s Desk:

This weekend, 25 Candidates received the Sacrament of Confirmation from Bishop Rice here at St. Agnes Cathedral. They began their preparation in August and it was one of choice, commitment, witness, and ministry. The candidates were asked over the months to take a good hard look at their practice of their faith life, to participate in the sacramental classes, perform apostolic works and make their own decision to ask for the sacrament. After meeting with each candidate for 15-20 minutes I happily recommended these candidates to our bishop. I celebrate and congratulate all those young people who took the time of preparation prayerfully and seriously. The size of the parish depends how often the bishop may come to celebrate the sacrament of Confirmation. It may be every three years, thus Confirmation in the past was given at all different ages. I personally received the sacrament when I was in the eighth grade. Our Bishop along with our Presbyteral Council recommend that the age of celebrating the Sacrament of Confirmation be lower from Sophomore to Senior to no younger than 7th grade and before their Sophomore year. The exact years would depend upon how offer the bishop comes to the parish for Confirmation. The Diocese had begun this discussion years about 12 years ago when I was a member of the Presbyteral Council. Our candidates came from the eighth grade classes 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 fullness of the gifts of the Holy Spirit help to form the Christian more fully in the image of Jesus Christ. We may 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 god parents 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 Gods’ Kingdom by asking for the fullness of the Holy Spirit in ones’ life.

Parish Breakfast

Your Knights of Columbus will be hosting their monthly breakfast for the parish next Sunday, March 19th after the 8:00 AM Mass. Please join your fellow parishioners for a filling meal of biscuits & gravy, eggs, and sausage. Coffee, juice, milk, and fruit cups are also on the menu. See you there!

AREA LENTEN PENANCE SERVICES

Tuesday March 14th @11-11:45 am, 1-2:15 pm, 6-7 pm, 8-9 pm Holy Trinity Wednesday March 15 @7 pm St Joseph Monday March 19 @3:00 pm Our Lady of the Lake, Branson Monday March 20 @7 pm Immaculate Conception Thursday March 23 @7 pm St Francis of Assisi, Nixa Monday March 27 @7 pm St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Wednesday March 29 @7 pm Sacred Heart

Easter Eggs & Wrapped Candy Needed!

Hard to believe, but it is time to plan for our annual Easter Egg Hunt. We are asking you to bring in wrapped candy and plastic eggs to the parish office. We will also take those eggs that may be left over from previous years. Of course, we would love it if you want to fill the eggs and then bring them. Please bring all the eggs and candy into the parish office. More details on the Easter Egg Hunt to come