Saint Agnes 8/13/21 Saint Agnes 8/13/21

Youth Activities

Registration for Parish School of Religion will be held on Sun-day, Aug 22nd at 10:30 in the dining room of the cafeteria. Parish School of Religion is open to students in K-8th grade. We will offer in person classes on Sunday mornings from 10:00 -11:00 AM in St. Agnes School. The classes are open to all students whether they attend Catholic, public or are home schooled. We also offer a special needs class for students taught by a certified special needs instructor. We take special precautions to offset the spread of Covid 19 and will work with families who choose to keep their children home during this unusual time. We have specialized curriculum for students who may be behind i

Children's Liturgy of the Word will return and will be held during the Sunday 11:30 AM liturgy. The first day of CLOW will be Sunday, Sept 12th. Children preschool age through 2nd grade are welcome to join us as children experience the Sunday readings in words they can understand. No need to preregister. All children are welcome whether they are parishioners or visitors.

St. Agnes would like to expand our youth program to include 6th & 7th grade. We would like to know if families would be interested in expanding our program. We would like your in-put! We also need your help in securing snacks and serving as chaperones for events. Please contact the parish office at 831-3565 or email Iris at ibounds@sta-cathedral.org

Saint Agnes 8/13/21 Saint Agnes 8/13/21

ANNUAL WEDDING ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS & MASSES

The Office of Family Life is excited to announce the annual Diocesan Wedding Anniversary Celebrations! In the words of Pope Francis, "Marriage is the most beautiful thing that God has created." The event includes a Mass with Bishop Edward M. Rice, followed by a reception. All married couples are cordially invited to attend with their family and friends. These occasions enable all of us to celebrate and affirm the great gift of married love within our families and communities. Please make plans to attend!

*Sun., Oct. 3, 2021, at 2:30 p.m., in St. Mary Cathedral, Cape Girardeau

*Sun., Oct. 17, 2021, at 2:30 p.m., in St. Agnes Cathedral, Springfield

All married couples celebrating a wedding anniversary, please pre-register for one of these two events

*Sun., Oct. 3, 2021, at 2:30 p.m., in St. Mary Cathedral, Cape Girardeau

*Sun., Oct. 17, 2021, at 2:30 p.m., in St. Agnes Cathedral, Springfield

All married couples celebrating a wedding anniversary, please pre-register for one of these two events and receive a Marriage Certificate from Bishop Rice. Those celebrating their 25th or 50th, will also receive an Episcopal Blessing and a special gift.

For us to properly prepare, we ask that couples RSVP by Sept. 24, 2021. You may register here or fill out the attached form and mail it to Kim Brayman, in the Office of Family Life, 601 S. Jefferson, Springfield MO 65806-3143, or Email the information to kbrayman@dioscg.org. The registration form can also be found on the Family Life page of the diocesan Website at dioscg.org.

Saint Agnes 8/13/21 Saint Agnes 8/13/21

Knights Of Columbus Meeting:

St. Agnes Knights of Columbus will hold their monthly meeting this Tuesday, August 17th. The meeting will be at 7:00 PM in the school cafeteria in order to social distance as necessary. There will be news from the District Deputy meeting and other plans to make. Please join us.

Saint Agnes 8/4/21 Saint Agnes 8/4/21

From the Pastor’s Desk:

Driving to Springfield Catholic High School last week for auditions I came to a stop at the junction of Sunshine and National. There on the corner were protesters with all types of signs and flags, protesting Mercy Hospitals requiring all workers to receive the vaccine for COVID-19. In the next few days were articles in the newspaper interviewing and quoting various protesters. It is their right to protest, but many of their reasons to be against the vaccine were totally false, for example, “thousands have died from the vaccine”. Another sign read, “We would rather have nuns than tyrants”.

I would not waste my column on this topic except I want to build my answer around Christianity. Yes I understand that there is terrible political divide in our country and it started years ago and that tremendously plays into the vaccine decisions for many. But I am not a political person, I don’t care for the politics of either party, but I am a follower of Jesus Christ and His teachings.

In the New Testament when Jesus is asked, “What is the greatest Commandment?” His response was, “Love the Lord your God and the second is like it, love your neighbor as yourself, upon these rest the other commandments and the law.” St. Paul in his letter to the Philippians continues Jesus’s command or answer, “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” To me here lies the problem of our nation and it is not a new problem, but the pandemic has only brought it to the top of the list, “Me, Myself and I”, I will do what I want and I do not care about others.

As soon as the COVID-19 vaccine was available for priests, Fr. Alan and myself went that afternoon for three reasons: 1) to protect ourselves, 2) so that we hopefully would not get sick and need to close the Cathedral for weeks and 3) to not catch the virus and perhaps be asymptomatic and unknowingly pass it on to others and perhaps be the reason for someone to die. I would have a hard time living with that knowledge.

Today wearing a mask at this time is a choice, but if we bring it back into the Catholic Schools as has been announced for the Springfield Public Schools, it is for 2 reasons, protect yourself protect young people and protect your friends. You may not care about yourself, but do you also not care about your friends?

Being a follower of Christ, we should not lie, steal, commit adultery or kill, unfortunately sin is rampant in our society, are we/myself a part of the tidal wave of not caring about others.

Saint Agnes 8/4/21 Saint Agnes 8/4/21

RCIA

Are you curious about the Catholic Faith? Do you have questions you would like to have answered as you consider joining our RCIA classes and becoming Catholic? Join us for Introductory Sessions to help you make your decision about beginning classes for the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults. Classes begin late August. Any questions email akirchner@sta-cathedral,org

Saint Agnes 8/4/21 Saint Agnes 8/4/21

WELL OF LIFE

The Well of Life food pantry will be open on Tuesdays and Fridays (not Mon and Wed as before) from 10-2 pm. They will be in need of volunteers to staff , as several who had volunteered have discontinued due to COVID. . Please consider volunteering. You may choose to work only in the morning or the afternoon. If you are interested let me know: 831-3565, ext 103.

Sr. Elizabeth Ann

Saint Agnes 8/4/21 Saint Agnes 8/4/21

SENIOR LUNCHEON

There will be a luncheon for St. Agnes Seniors on Thursday August 12th at 11:30 am in the dining room. It will be a meal of lasagna and salad. A $5 donation will be accepted to use for the parish center we so desperately need. Please sign up at the front office so that enough food can be ordered from the caterer. Because of the increase in Covid cases, I am still requesting that you only come if vaccinated for Covid. Looking forward to seeing you. ~Sr, Elizabeth Ann

Saint Agnes 7/28/21 Saint Agnes 7/28/21

From the Pastor’s Desk:

In last Sunday’s Gospel from John, the feeding of the 5,000 is the only miracle story told in all 4 of the Gospels. It is an important story for all those who follow Christ. Perhaps it is of the importance that God wants us to know so that its lessons can be repeated in our own generation in our parish and in our world. God is still here with His love, smile and His ability to provide abundance out of what seems only to be scarcity.

The Convoy of Hope was begun by one family in 1994. It is a faith-based nonprofit organization who mission is to feed the hungry of the world through children’s feeding plans, community outreach and disaster response. Since it began 677,000 volunteers have served 163.7 million people. (1.3 billion worth of food and supplies have been given away) It came from one family’s vision following the death of their father. Of all the peoples of the world, the American people are the most generous, giving $309.666 billion in donations in 2019.

In the Gospel accounts it is Christ Himself who sees the need to provide the people with food to eat. The Apostle Andrew brings a boy to Jesus with 5 barley loaves and 2 fish. What good are they for 5,000 people? As Jesus gave thanks to His heavenly Father, He gave to the people to eat and they all had their fill. God has given our great nation the ability to feed not only the American people but hundreds of millions. Today an American farmer feeds approximately 155 people.

I want to thank everyone who gives to support our parish. Your donations in 2019 here at St. Agnes and the DDF are counted in that $309 Billion in 2019. Together we have done much meeting the needs of our parish, helping meet the needs of our Diocese, through our St. Vincent DePaul, Grace Methodist meals and the Well of Life helping meet the needs of the poor. I want to thank each of you.

As we begin to look to the needs of our parish and school now and in the future, the biggest need is for space. Space to meet, space to socialize, space to teach. We are more than maxed out. We need a Parish Center. In the weeks and months ahead I will be reaching out to many of you to serve on committees as we look to those needs.

It will take all of us to make a Parish Center a reality. We are standing on the shoulders of our grandparents who built the churches that are great houses of worship we worship in today across this nation. Together we can move forward as a parish meeting the needs of our parish today.

Saint Agnes 7/28/21 Saint Agnes 7/28/21

Youth Activities

Registration for Parish School of Religion will be held on Sunday, Aug 22nd at 10:30 in the dining room of the cafeteria. Parish School of Religion is open to students in K-8th grade. We will offer in person classes on Sunday mornings from 10:00 -11:00 AM in St. Agnes School. The classes are open to all students whether they attend Catholic, public or are home schooled. We also offer a special needs class for students taught by a certified special needs instructor. We take special precautions to offset the spread of Covid 19 and will work with families who choose to keep their children home during this unusual time. We have specialized curriculum for students who may be behind in the reception of the sacraments. If you have specific questions or circumstances, please call the parish office or email Iris at ibounds@sta-cathedral.org. All are welcome! Registration forms are also available on the parish website.

THANK YOU!!

This year, along with the help of our volunteers we were able to make over $5500 profit on our garage sale,. As a thank you, we would like to invite our volunteers that worked on the garage sale to a luncheon on Friday, Aug 6th at 11:30 AM in the dining room. Please join us if you helped for an hour, for two hours or for 20 hours. This is a parish project we could not do without your help. Please call the parish office to let us know that you are coming. THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR HELP!!!

St. Agnes is considering expanding activities for a junior high youth program. We would like to know if families may be interested in the development of this program. This would be open to 6th & 7th graders. Please call the parish office if you are interested or contact Iris at Ibounds@sta-cathedral.org.

Saint Agnes 7/28/21 Saint Agnes 7/28/21

THANK YOU!!

Saint Agnes 7/28/21 Saint Agnes 7/28/21

SENIOR LUNCHEON

Saint Agnes 7/14/21 Saint Agnes 7/14/21

From the Pastor’s Desk:

The richness of our Catholic Liturgies especially the Mass comes from the ancient church. The Mass didn’t start with the Latin Mass of the Council of Trent. It did not start in the Middle Ages, nor did it start at the collapse of the Roman Empire during the fifth century. It began at the Last Supper with Christ and the twelve apostles.

I want to go back to the ancient Church as far back as possible and to writings describing the Mass and other Sacraments.

I want to go back to the ancient Church as far back as possible and to writings describing the Mass and other Sacraments. St. Ignatius of Antioch was bishop of Antioch in Syria. He was condemned to die in Rome in 110 AD. His importance I believe comes from his seven letters he wrote as he traveled from Antioch to Rome where he was martyred. The Eucharist is the heart and soul of his teachings. Much of the language he used seemed to come from or be in accordance with the Didache. He wrote of the Church as the place of sacrifice. He also wrote of the bishop who presided over the sacrifice, and that it is at the altar that the Church received its unity in Christ. He wrote and I quote, “For there is one flesh of our Lord Jesus Christ, and one cup to show for the unity of his blood; one altar, as there is one bishop.” As the Didache states, so do Ignatius’ letters point to the bishop as the ordinary minister of the Eucharist. Ignatius is the first to use the order of presbyter (priest). The term Priest was not used until later in the Church, so as not to confuse the order with the Jewish priests who offered animal sacrifice at the Temple in Jerusalem.

The pagan governor of part of Turkey in the early part of the 2nd century was Pliny the Younger. He wrote a detailed account of Christian worship to Emperor Trajan. “Christians meet on a certain fixed day before it is light. They sing in alternate verses a hymn to Christ and bind themselves by a solemn oath.” Scholars do debate about Pliny’s use of the term, oath. Pliny’s reporting could reflect the Church’s very early use of the term “sacrament” to describe the mysteries of faith. Also, according to Pliny, the Church’s Sunday worship consisted of two meetings. The first meeting was with a hymn and readings and the second was to partake of food. With the Second Vatican Council, the Church once more went back to the “Liturgy of the Word” and the “Liturgy of the Eucharist”.

St. Justin Martyr is the next person I want to explore. Justin gives the most complete description of the early Church’s Mass as it was celebrated in the Western part of the Roman Empire. He wrote about it for Emperor Antoninus Pius around the year 155. Justin began his life as a pagan and studied in several philosophical schools. Once he discovered Christianity, he used his philosophical knowledge to write a rational defense of Christian faith and life. Justin’s Apologies are divided into the First and Second Apology. His detailed descriptions of two Roman liturgies are a Mass that includes a baptism, and a regular Sunday Mass. The parts of the Mass have remained essentially the same through the centuries. Our Mass today is much like what Justin described as the Mass since the Church Fathers used Justin’s written account to reform the Roman Rite at the Second Vatican Council. What the Second Vatican Council did in reforming the Liturgy of the Mass, was go back to the earliest accounts and remove much of the repetitiveness of the Tridentine Mass of the 1500s. (to be continued)

Saint Agnes 7/14/21 Saint Agnes 7/14/21

STEUBENVILLE

Please keep the following youth in your prayers this weekend as they attend the Steubenville Youth Conference held on the MSU campus: Rebekah Bodine, Alex Byram, Addison Cronkhite, Carmen DeVan, Alicya DeVan, Ben DelVecchio, Trey East, Emery Everhart, Riley Krueger, Rose Le, Phien Le, Tam Le, Autumn Le, Sunshine Le, Grace Lowrance, Khanh Nguyen, Angel Nguyen, Truong Ngu-yen,Joseph Nguyen, Peggy Nwodo, Emily Phan, Maddison Szura, Peter Vilkens, Mark Vilkins, Emily Wieberg & Mar-guerite Wilkinson. A special thank you to our chaperones who will attending as well: Ronnie Bohrer, Iris Bounds, Bobby Cornelison, Troy Cronkhite, Sr. Emeline Phan, Dale-na Phan, Emma Thomas and Rebecca Weiberg.

Saint Agnes 7/14/21 Saint Agnes 7/14/21

PARISH BAZAAR WILL BE BACK IN THE FALL! VENDORS NEEDED!!!

We will be holding our annual parish bazaar again this fall, Nov. 6-7. It will be in the gym instead of the cafeteria to provide more space and social distancing. We would like to invite anyone who has crafts to sell or businesses to share to join us that weekend

Please contact Judy Hauschildt at, 1-(641) 751-6632 or judyhauschildt@gmail.com

Saint Agnes 7/14/21 Saint Agnes 7/14/21

Beginning Experience

Beginning Experience of Springfield is offering a ten-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 August 12, 2021 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.

For more information call Diane at (417) 859-0175 or cell (870) 688-8829 or Donna at 417-529-1085

Saint Agnes 7/8/21 Saint Agnes 7/8/21

From the Pastor’s Desk:

I apologize because I had forgotten that last week was our Nation’s Birthday and needed to write on it. SO I am now continuing on the History of the Mass from several weeks ago. Probably the oldest Christian text which survives from the early Church other than the Gospels is that of the Didache. The full translation of the Greek word Didache is, The Teaching of the Lord through the Twelve Apostles to the Gentiles.

The Didache is the earliest known of Church orders and laws. It offers guidance in moral, legal, ascetical and liturgical matters. Later Church documents such as the Apostolic Constitutions, incorporate whole sections of the Didache. The chapters 9, 10, and 14 all deal specifically with the liturgy. They tell the people how to prepare and conduct themselves during the liturgy, along with prescribing different prayers for the presider (priest). Different scholars debate on the time of the writing of the Didache; however, one part of the Didache considers itself to be part of Judaism, still within the Temple setting and the synagogues. By the time the Council of Jerusalem is called somewhere from 48—50 A.D. the Christians are no longer seen as a part of Judaism. Thus the two Eucharistic prayers which are found within the Didache were written before 50 A.D.

With this knowledge of the dating of the Didache, it might be correct to say that it is older than all the books of the New Testament. Found also within these chapters, is the teaching that Holy Communion is reserved for those who are baptized, a full member of the Church and free of any grave sin. Repentance within the church is found in Chapter 14, normally involving “Confession”. In Chapter 15, the two orders of clergy are described; bishops and deacons. In the early Church of the first century, bishops were the normal presiders at Sunday Mass, with the assistance of deacons. The deacons distributed Holy Communion to those present and sometimes led the people in prayer. They also took Holy Communion to the sick who were unable to come to the communal celebration. The post Communion prayer which is prayed in masses without music, were “edited” Jewish prayers, adapted for Christian liturgy with the good news of Jesus Christ.

During the Dark Ages and through the Middle Ages, the Didache was referred to many times, but as a complete text, it disappeared. In 1875, a complete 11th century Greek manuscript was discovered in Constantinople, Istanbul today. The Didache invokes the authority of the apostles and Jesus. It could also represent an early record of Christianity compiled in Antioch, the city where the followers of Jesus were first called Christians.

In Chapter 9, is found the first written “Eucharist” prayer. “We thank you, our Father, for the holy vine of David your servant, which you made known to us through Jesus your servant; to you be the glory forever.” Following is the breaking of the bread, “We thank you our Father, for the life and knowledge which you made known to us through Jesus your servant; to you be the glory forever. Even as this broken bread was scattered over the hills, and was gathered together from the ends of the earth into your kingdom; for yours is the glory and the power through Jesus Christ forever.” The words from the Gospels “take and eat, take and drink” are arguably thought to have been said silently by the presider.

Saint Agnes 7/8/21 Saint Agnes 7/8/21

July Work Day at Catholic Charities/LifeHouse

Gardeners from area parishes will continue maintaining the grounds and raised vegetable beds at Catholic Charities/Lifehouse on Thursday, July 22, from 8:30 - 10:30. We have plenty of work to go around, and we would love for you to join us! Your favorite garden gloves and tools will be needed. We also need volunteers to help harvest produce on Mondays and Thursdays, beginning at 8:15 to about 9:30. Contact Jana Hukriede at 417-840-4109 or janahukriede@gmail.com for more information or to volunteer. Our August group workday will be Thursday, August 26, from 8:30 - 10:30.

Saint Agnes 7/8/21 Saint Agnes 7/8/21

PARISH HEALTH MINISTRY

The Westside Clinic with the Springfield-Greene County Health Dept. is offering COVID-19 vaccinations every Wednesday from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm at 660 S. Scenic. Pfizer(approved for ages 12-17 with parental consent), Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines will be available. Walk-ins are welcome. You can pre-register at www.covidvaccine.mo.gov.

Go to www.cosmo.maps.arcgis.com to access a map of locations for COVID vaccines. Click on a symbol on the map of Springfield to find out when, where, what vaccines are available at that location. Many sites accept walk-ins.

Saint Agnes 7/8/21 Saint Agnes 7/8/21

SENIOR LUNCH

There will be a luncheon for St. Agnes Seniors on July 14th at 11:30 am in the dining room of St. Agnes. The meal will include pecan chicken with roasted potato trio, salad, rolls and tea. A $5 donation will be requested to be used for the fund to build the parish center which we so desperately need. Because of the increase in Covid cases, I am still requesting that you only come if vaccinated for Covid. Looking forward to seeing you.

~Sr. Elizabeth Ann

Saint Agnes 7/1/21 Saint Agnes 7/1/21

From the Pastor’s Desk:

This weekend we celebrate our country’s birthday. It’s a country built upon the freedom to worship God as we believe, or to choose not to worship. Our country’s freedoms have been paid for in the blood of countless numbers of men, women and children. The freedoms to live “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” is a reality that the majority of the people of the world can only dream about.

My grandparents came from a small village outside of the capital, Prague. They came to the US for a variety of reasons; first and foremost to be able to marry. They fled before WWI and most of my uncles, as well as my father, fought in WWII. My grandparents lived to see their homeland fall behind the iron curtain and under the dictates of communism. In 1948, after the Communist regime seized power, all property owned by the churches (Catholic and non-Catholic) was confiscated. Bishops, priests, monks, and sisters were arrested and many were imprisoned. Churches were only allowed to function under the state’s strict control and supervision. Priest and minister salaries were paid by the state, and they could only preach what the government allowed them to preach. The Soviet plan was to create one of the most atheist states as an example coming from one of the most Catholic of countries. Stalin became the “god” of the Soviet Union, he was always right and his word was law.

Today the Czech Republic is basically non-Christian; there are high divorce rates, and both legalized prostitution and pornography are big business. The great majority of the Czech people (69%) see no need for churches. That is the legacy left from Stalin and the Soviet plan to form the atheist state.

So, as we celebrate this 4th of July this weekend, let us thank God for all the freedoms we enjoy. Thank God that we live in a land that can feed itself and provide jobs for her people. The food may not always be what we like, but it’s always better than what two thirds of the people of the world could even dream about. There are jobs here, even if some of those jobs are not what people would like to do or for the salary they want. On an average we spend more money on entertainment (movies, cable, internet, sports, and vacations) during the year than the great majority of people in the world even make.

Take time this weekend to THANK GOD for all that you/we have been given. So many people of the world are giving everything they have to be able to come to this country, WHY? They are looking for a place to work in safety from the fear of gangs, to work for a wage that will allow them to raise their families, for a right to education for their sons and DAUGHTERS, for the right to worship God. Those were many of the same reasons my grandparents came to this country over a hundred years ago. Those freedoms were what my Uncle Lewis died fighting for in WWII so that this country would be free and a place where immigrants like us would be welcomed. Immigrants are the workers in our produce fields, building trades, medical field, our military, the meat packing plants. Our immigrants of the past and today are what helps to make our country strong.