Saint Agnes 11/6/19 Saint Agnes 11/6/19

From The Pastor’s Desk

For those of us who remember Time Magazine, about 50 years ago the magazine asked in a major headline, “IS GOD DEAD?” It caught everyone’s attention. The magazine article wondered whether religion was relevant to modern life in the post-atomic age when communism was spreading and science was explaining more about our natural world than ever before. For those religions which interpret the Bible literally, it was extremely upsetting.

Today many are asking the same question. But the response is not limited to a simple answer. Much of our population born after that article was printed may respond today with another question, “GOD WHO?” In Western Europe and North America, it is estimated that 11% of Americans born after 1970 were raised in secular homes.

Today it is easy to go on line to the internet and find atheist and agnostic discussion groups. In many of our larger cities you may find secular Sunday Assembly, or meetings for humanists, atheists, agnostics or skeptics. Here in the United States many of the major non Catholic as well as Catholic Churches are seeing a drop in Sunday attendance. It is true here in Springfield.

There were predictions in the 1970s that religion would fade from the societies as the world modernizes, but all the recent surveys are finding that it is happening startlingly fast. France will have a majority secular population soon, followed by the Netherlands and New Zealand. The United Kingdom and Australia will soon lose Christian majorities. Religion is rapidly becoming less important than it has ever been. In comparison, in the Middle East, parts of Africa, areas where communism has collapsed, even in communist China, religion is on the rise.

Here in the United States as the secular millennials grow up and raise their children the only Sunday traditions they may being passing down are where are we going for brunch and what time is your sports practice or what game are we going to watch today.

Saint Agnes 11/6/19 Saint Agnes 11/6/19

FAITH FORMATION

Our PSR classes will be studying saints in the month of November. We are inviting PSR students, families and all parishioners to our "SAINTACULAR" event on Sunday, Nov. 17th held in the dining room of the cafeteria from 10:00-11:00am. Come check out our PSR projects on the saints; play a game of saint bingo, go on a saint scavenger hunt and learn more about the importance of our saints!

Faith Family!

Confirmation Updates

Our next Confirmation session will be held Sunday, Nov. 10th form 3:00-4:45 in the Cafeteria. If a candidate has not been baptized at St. Agnes Cathedral, we will need a copy of the candidates' Baptismal certificate. Mark your calendar: our Confirmation retreat will be held Nov.23rd & 24th at Carthage. More details will be given at our next session. The retreat is mandatory for all candidates.

Saint Agnes 11/6/19 Saint Agnes 11/6/19

HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME

Springfield Catholic High School presents their fall musical, Hunchback of Notre Dame on November 14, 15, & 16 at 7:00pm, November 17 at 2:00pm. Tickets are available at Springfield Catholic High School, 887-8817, and St Agnes parish office, 831-3565. Order soon – they’re going fast!

Saint Agnes 11/6/19 Saint Agnes 11/6/19

St. Ann's Meeting:

St. Ann's Group is a sub-group of PCCW for moms raising their children in the Catholic faith. The group is open to all St. Agnes parishioners. St. Ann's will have their first meeting of the year on Wednesday, November 13th from 6-7pm in the St. Agnes School Library. We will discuss parenting tips from Franciscan University and then work on planning details for the 2nd Grade Reconciliation Reception and Breakfast With Santa.

Saint Agnes 10/29/19 Saint Agnes 10/29/19

From The Pastor’s Desk

The leaves are changing colors. Autumn is a time of transition. We have gone from the heat of summer to the cool of autumn, and a few snowflakes are possible this Thursday as I write my letter this Monday morning. All nature enters winter’s sleep while the earth prepares for a new birth. This weekend we even changed our clocks back one hour, so that so many of us are not getting up in the dark.

During the month of November our liturgical year draws to a close. During the final weeks of Ordinary Time, the lectionary readings remind us of dying, death, and the earthly limits of life. The Gospels are full of parables calling the listener to justice, mercy and love. All Saints Day will was celebrated on November 1st and November 2nd, All Souls Day being the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed.

Let us not forget the celebration of Thanksgiving which fall on November 28th this year. It many times tends to get lost in our rush from Halloween to Christmas. Even though it is not a Church feast day, it is a day set aside to give thanks to God for all the freedoms, for everything we have and are able to do. Whether here in Springfield, or going to visit relatives or friends, take time that day to thank God. Then whether we are ready for it or not, it begins the countdown to Christmas, although the stores have had Christmas trees for sale for months.

The celebration of Jesus Christ King of the Universe, is the last Sunday of the liturgical year and it falls this year on November 24th. The reason for this celebration is to acknowledge Jesus Christ as the “King of all kings” and it was originally intended as a way to bring God back into a secular world. The first Sunday of Advent is December 1st. Where have the fall months gone?

Saint Agnes 10/29/19 Saint Agnes 10/29/19

Youth Activities

Sunday November 10th from 6-8 pm

in the cafeteria. Youth in grades 8-12 are invited to join us for a night of fun. First on the agenda will be pizza; followed by a Game Show night playing "Faithful Feud" and then we will join together for brief adoration

Mark your calendar: Sunday November 10th from 6-8 pm in the cafeteria.

Youth in grades 8-12 are invited to join us for a night of fun. First on the agenda will be pizza; followed by a Game Show night playing "Faithful Feud" and then we will join together for brief adoration. Bring a friend! No cost. We will also begin taking sign-ups for Steubenville, 2020.

Faith Family!

Our PSR classes will be studying saints in the month of November. We are inviting PSR students, families and all parishioners to our "SAINTACULAR" event on Sunday, Nov. 17th held in the dining room of the cafeteria from 10:00- 11:00am. Come check out our PSR projects on the saints; play a game of saint bingo, go on a saint scavenger hunt and learn more about the importance of our saints! Remember all are welcome whether you are in preschool or if you are 80, whether you attend public school or Catholic school. Hope to see you on Sunday, Nov. 17th!!!

Confirmation Updates

Saint Agnes 10/29/19 Saint Agnes 10/29/19

ST. ANN'S MEETING:

Saint Agnes 10/29/19 Saint Agnes 10/29/19

ST. AGNES PARISH 5 YEAR PLAN KICK OFF EVENT

We hope you can join us for a night of hospitality and love Monday, November 4th featuring guest speaker Sister Richard Mary Burke. We will meet from 7-8:30pm in the school cafeteria. Dessert & coffee will be provided.

Saint Agnes 10/24/19 Saint Agnes 10/24/19

From The Pastor’s Desk

Remembering saints and martyrs and dedicating a specific day to them each year has been a Christian tradition since the 4th century. In 609, Pope Boniface IV decided to remember all martyrs and originally May 13th was designated as the Feast of All Holy Martyrs. We know that Pope Gregory IV in 835 moved the commemoration of martyrs from May 13th to November 1st. He extended the celebration to include all the saints, changing to the Feast of All Saints. The night before became known as All Hallows Eve, or “holy evening” and eventually it became Halloween.

Whether Pope Gregory was trying to assimilate pagan peoples of Ireland and England into the church will always be up for debate. There are no medieval writings which tell that the pagan peoples of these lands gathered and celebrated a major Celtic festival on the eve of winter. In contrast, New Year was a huge pagan celebration. 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 the practice of “trick or treating” with them to America. The rest is the great United States use of advertising and commercialism. Next to Christmas, Halloween is the largest money-making “holiday” for businesses. Unfortunately, our society has turned a night of prayer and celebration into one of haunted houses, witches and ghosts.

On November the second we celebrate All Souls Day. November has been/is the month in which we remember our beloved dead in prayer in a special way. Traditionally it is in the offering of a Mass in their name. Our teaching or tradition of praying for the dead is found in the Old Testament in the twelfth chapter of 2nd Maccabees. In Maccabees is found the necessity of purgation after death, thus the name Purgatory. “A holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead that they might be loosed from their sins.” If when a person dies they either go to Heaven or Hell, the offering of sacrifice in the temple for the dead would not make sense, because those in Heaven have no need of prayer and those in Hell are there for eternity. Similar passages regarding purgation, thus pointing to a place or state in which the purgation of the soul must take place can also be found in the New Testament. Both St. Peter and St. Paul speak of a “cleansing Fire.” Please remember your beloved dead this November.

Saint Agnes 10/24/19 Saint Agnes 10/24/19

HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME MUSICAL

Springfield Catholic High School presents their fall musical,

Hunchback of Notre Dame on November 14, 15, & 16 at 7:00pm, November 17 at 2:00pm. Tickets are available at Springfield Catholic High School, 887-8817, and St Agnes parish office, 831-3565. Order soon – they’re going fast!

Springfield Catholic High School presents their fall musical,

Saint Agnes 10/24/19 Saint Agnes 10/24/19

CALLING ALL BAKERS!

On Nov. 2nd and 3rd the parish will be holding our annual Fall Bazaar. The Seniors Unlimited group always have the best bake sale table because of all the help they receive from their fellow parishioners. Please consider contributing to this event by donating your delicious baked goods. Your goodies may be brought to the parish office on Friday or directly to the bazaar anytime on Saturday. Please label your goods so we know exactly what it is and whether it contains nuts.

We so appreciate all the efforts to make this a successful weekend. See you at the bazaar!

Saint Agnes 10/24/19 Saint Agnes 10/24/19

ST. AGNES PARISH 5 YEAR PLAN KICK OFF EVENT

Saint Agnes 10/16/19 Saint Agnes 10/16/19

From The Pastor’s Desk

It always surprises people when they say, “What do you mean, I am not a member of the parish? I have gone to church here for 3 years, etc.” My response, “You are not listed. Did you ever register?” Well…no, but you know me. That may be true, that I know a person; but if they have not registered, they could just be attending mass here because it is convenient. Belonging to a parish at the very least, means being registered and attending mass on a regular basis, (Christmas and Easter liturgies is not a regular basis).

Our Children learn from example. Many adults believe that children do not understand many things; but as a former teacher and being around young people constantly, believe me they understand.

Our Children learn from example. Many adults believe that children do not understand many things; but as a former teacher and being around young people constantly, believe me they understand. They are always watching the adults that surround them, especially parents, teachers, coaches and priests. Whether we believe it or not, our actions speak and teach young people, perhaps even more than textbooks. Textbooks teach knowledge, actions teach how to use that knowledge. When parents skip Mass on Sundays they are teaching their sons and daughters that Mass and God is not that important. I have heard directly from young people that their parents say, “ it is the only day they get to sleep in, we do not need to go to Mass you already went to mass twice this week.” If we push God aside on Sunday, then lying, stealing, being disrespectful, cheating; all of these can be pushed aside as well. These are God’s laws and when we make God second or third place in our lives, morality begins to crumble. It is no wonder drugs, gangs, killing, and robberies are on the rise across this country and even in our city.

I ask every adult to become more involved in our parish. Don’t just come to Mass to get an obligation out of the way, come to praise, worship, and give thanks to our God. Coming to Mass, is not coming to be entertained by the priest or the choir. The celebrant and the choir are only leading in worship. Celebrating the Eucharist means being involved in the prayers and in the music and living our faith by our actions.

Being involved in your parish means being involved in more than just Sunday liturgy. We are so fortunate here at St. Agnes with all the many adult and youth activities as well as our grade school. Our different opportunities to study scripture, our women’s groups and their activities, the Knights of Columbus and their activities, adults teaching their faith to students who attend public schools, the parish council, Bingo Workers, I Love My Parish committee, prayer group of 33 days, adult formation classes, the many adults in our bell choir and traditional choir, being an Extraordinary Eucharistic Minister, being a Lector, being a greeter at Mass. There are so many ways for a person to be involved with our faith community. When I talk with other pastors, or classmates about what is happening here at St. Agnes, they simply say, “Stop, just listening to you makes me tired!” In short I challenge everyone to get involved and make our parish a

stronger, more faith filled parish.

Saint Agnes 10/16/19 Saint Agnes 10/16/19

SCHS Theatre production of Hunchback of Notre Dame

Saint Agnes 10/16/19 Saint Agnes 10/16/19

ST. AGNES PARISH 5 YEAR PLAN KICK OFF EVENT

Saint Agnes 10/16/19 Saint Agnes 10/16/19

ST. AGNES FALL BAZAAR...A PARISH EVENT

Coming the weekend of Nov. 2/3 we will hold our annual parish bazaar. There will be several booths for you to come and browse and, hopefully, find something for yourself or a Christmas gift or stocking stuffer. If we support our vendors they will continue to come each year and support our causes! We can always use volunteers to help for an hour or two each day:

♦ Friday - setting up for the event

♦ Saturday & Sunday - staffing the parish booths in shifts from 9am-3:00pm on Sat., 8am-1Pm on Sun

♦ Sunday - returning the cafeteria to its original state, 1-2:30pm

♦ Many bakers needed for the Senior’s Bake Sale table

Please contact Karen (417-761-9616) if you are able to volunteer. We truly appreciate our volunteers!

Saint Agnes 10/8/19 Saint Agnes 10/8/19

From The Pastor’s Desk

For the past two years I have been presenting an adult class on Sunday mornings. One set of classes covered St. Paul the Man, another set of classes covered Church history, another set looked at the New Testament. This fall I began a set of classes which I have titled, The Beginning of the Church. I chose this topic because many people do not have a good knowledge of early church teachings and doctrine, how and why they developed.

The Catholic Church gave the world the Bible, the Church didn’t come from the Bible. The Bible is not a historical record of events, but it is a book of FAITH. The New Testament is the most reliable of ancient texts. The earliest copies date to the early 200’s. The originals of the Gospels Matthew, Mark, Luke and John have not survived, but their copies have survived. Copies written from texts less than a hundred years old. If the four Gospels were written from 50-110 AD as most scholars and theologians believe, then the copies of the manuscripts that exist today are very close to their sources. How reliable are they since they are copies, we may ask? The ancient Christians were copying the New Testament, seeing and believing it to have been inspired by God, they also used the books for study and in worship.

Were they really sloppy and careless? I do not believe so. They understood it to be a sacred task, not something to be taken lightly. The New Testament contains four Gospels, but more were written. How were the four Gospels chosen, if there were more? The early Church Fathers referenced and talked about the other gospels when they complied the New Testament, but they used a fourfold criteria to choose which gospels they placed in the New Testament. 1) The gospel needed to be rooted in an Apostle, or a follower of an Apostle, thus Apostolic tradition, 2) it needed to have wide spread acceptance and usage in the early Christian communities, 3) known for its orthodoxy, fitting with other books, not having strange ideas, and 4) used in liturgy in the different communities.

If we look to early Church Fathers we can see Justin Martyr (150 AD) writing about three gospels; Matthew, Mark and Luke. St. Irenaeus (170 AD) writes about the harmony of four gospels; Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. It is the writings of Origen (182 AD) who designated as the “New Testament” the collection of Christian scriptures that we would recognize as the New Testament Canon. His list was shorter than what is found in the New Testament today, but he acknowledged as scripture the Four Gospels, and the Acts of the Apostles, the fourteen letters of Paul, 1 Peter, 1 John and the Revelation of John. St. Athanasius, the bishop of Alexandria in his thirty ninth festal letter in 367 AD, listed the twenty seven books that we know as the New Testament. The process of selection of which books were included in the New Testament grew out of the life of the early Christian community, as that community used those books and found someof them more valuable than others. They were not imposed or forced upon the people.

I invite anyone to join us for our Sunday morning 10:00 am class on the Beginning of the Church.

Saint Agnes 10/8/19 Saint Agnes 10/8/19

CONFIRMATION NEWS

The next Confirmation session will be held Sunday, Oct 13th beginning at 3:00 pm in the cafeteria. All candidates should plan on attending. Remember if you were not baptized at St Agnes, a copy of your Baptismal certificate is required. Contact Iris Bounds at ibounds@stacathedral. org with any questions.

Saint Agnes 10/8/19 Saint Agnes 10/8/19

LADIES OF THE PARISH!!!

All are invited to our upcoming PCCW activity; "Wreath Making Party!" The event will take place Tuesday, Oct 22nd from 6:30-8:30 in the dining room. We will have all the supplies necessary to make a fall wreath or a Christmas wreath. We will have wreath bases, pine cones and every kind of ribbon to create your own festive wreath. More importantly, you can spend time with other ladies of our parish. What a great way to create community among our ladies! Bring a friend, bring your mother, daughter, sister; all are welcome! There will be no charge, but donations will be accepted to help offset cost of supplies. Of course, we will have food and drink. We do ask that you call either the parish office at 831-3565 or Regina at 417-988-9662 to sign up so we have enough food and supplies. Please register by Friday, Oct 18th. Hope to see many of you there!!!

Saint Agnes 10/8/19 Saint Agnes 10/8/19

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS

Next weekend is October’s breakfast sponsored by your St. Agnes Knights group after the 7:00 & 8:30 Masses. This month is French toast, eggs, sausage and/or bacon. Please come join your fellow parishioners for good food and fellowship.