CONFIRMATION UPDATES!

Our first Confirmation session for 2nd year candidates will be held Sunday, Sept 17th at 10:00 AM in the library of the school.  If you were unable to attend our parent candidates session on Sept 10th, please attend this session. You can email ibounds@sta-cathedral.org or call the parish office for information on registration forms, schedules, or to receive a Confirmation packet.

From the Pastor’s Desk:

Over the weekend I had a number of people comment on my homily.  They all mentioned that the way I put historical background into much of my homilies helps people to understand the scriptures better.  Perhaps that is the 17 years of teacher in me.  The scriptures are not the easiest “read”, and I am not claiming to be any great scholar.  I do believe if you have the historical understanding of the time in which the scripture was written, it helps to understand the lesson better.  The books of the Bible are as much as 3,000 years old and many of the lessons contain words and phrases that do not translate well into today’s English.  And when they do translate they sometimes make no sense.  For example in last Sunday’s gospel, where it sounded like Jesus was calling a woman a dog.

As I was taught in my scripture courses, to understand the books of the Bible: 1) you needed to know when it was written, 2) who wrote the book, 3) why was it written and 3) to whom was it written.  It is also helpful to know what language it might have been originally written in.

The Catholic Church gave the world 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.

Within the New Testament there are found 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 compiled 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) The gospel needed to have widespread acceptance and usage in the early Christian communities, 3) The gospel needed to be known for its orthodoxy, fitting with other books, not having strange ideas, and 4) The gospel needed to be used in liturgy in different communities.

GOLD Cards, a fundraiser for the school system, will be available after all masses this weekend!

RCIA CLASSES

We will be having RCIA classes beginning on Sunday August 27th at 9:30 am in the cafeteria.  If you know anyone who is interested in joining the Catholic Church, please ask them to call the parish office at 417-831-3565 to sign up for the classes.

YOUTH ACTIVITIES

PSR Resumes

PSR classes for students in K-8 have resumed & will be held on Sunday mornings from 10-11 AM in our Cathedral School. All are welcome! We also have a special needs class for students. Even if you missed our registration, we invite you to join us. You may also call the parish office 831-3565 or email Iris at ibounds@sta-cathedral.org.

Children’s Liturgy of the Word (CLOW) resumes Sunday Aug 27th at the 11:30 AM Mass. Children of preschool age through early elementary school are invited. Children hear the word of God at an age appropriate level. No need to sign up. All are welcome! Visitors are always welcome too!

If your child has not received First Reconciliation or Eucharist & is in 2nd grade & above, we ask families to attend a session to be held on Sunday, Sept 17th at 10:15 in the dining room of the school. Young people should currently be enrolled in a catholic school or in our Parish School of Religion program. Parents who home school need to sign up with our office too. Baptismal information should be brought to the session. Any questions contact Iris at parish office or email ibounds@sta-cathedral.org

From the Diocese of Honolulu:

Bishop Larry Silva, Bishop of Honolulu is requesting prayers and financial support for “those affected by the devastating wildfires that have ravaged the island of Maui.” In 2008 the Hawaii Catholic Community Foundation (HCCF) was established as a 501©(3) nonprofit. A dedicated webpage has been created so donations can go directly to HCCF to support relief efforts of those affected by the Maui wildfires. You can make a tax-deductible contribution by visiting the following link: https://tinyurl.com/MauiCatholic

Every donation, no matter the amount, will play a crucial role in helping to rebuild lives and restore hope. Bishop Silva ends his request: “May God bless you all abundantly, and may our efforts bring comfort and hope to those in need. Maria Lanakila (Our Lady of Victory), pray for us! 

From the Pastor’s Desk:

It seems like only yesterday that school was letting out for the summer, and now we have begun the 2023-2024 school

year this past Thursday. The date itself is scary. Where does the time go? I am now in my 42th year of priesthood. That

in itself does not seem real. As I get older it seems to go even faster.

As the school year begins, I want to remind parents that each grade level comes with its own challenges not only for

parents, but also for students, and teachers. The Second grade is the year of preparation and reception of the

sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist. Here in our Diocese the Sacrament of Confirmation is celebrated normally in

the eighth grade year. Thus these two class levels are extremely important years of our young people’s faith growth.

I urge parents to not forget their children’s spiritual life–the most important part of educating a child. All outside activities

need to be balanced. The best way to keep our families together and our young people strong is to keep God in the

picture always. Do not wait until a crisis comes into your family’s life; come to church regularly on Sunday, and pray

together as a family. Work your spiritual life and language into everyday conversation. School also brings new

opportunities for parents to teach their young people respect, service, and to take responsibility for their actions.

Parents who always come running to straighten situations out for their children are missing good teachable moments.

Don’t pass up an opportunity to give your young people practice in figuring things out for themselves while they are still

young. Many times it is tempting, in our fast-paced world, to do things that kids should do for themselves. It’s quicker and

we are pressed for time. No parent wants to see their child in trouble, but children need to learn that poor choices bring

consequences that sometimes are not pleasant. There are many ordinary opportunities to explain to young people that

just because their friends are allowed to do something, doesn’t mean that they should also. The sooner parents become

parents, rather than their child’s best friend, the more respect their child will have for them. They have best friends; they

need parents who will teach, guide, set limits, and provide discipline. All of this will help them deal with peer pressure

today, say no to different types of additive behaviors, hard-to-deal-with bosses in the future, and to be able to follow

rules and laws.

Next weekend will also begin RCIA classes for those seeking to come into the church at Easter, as well as those who would

like to study our Catholic Faith. Our Catholic Faith has a richness and depth that so often we do not remember or have

never understood. All are welcome to attend the classes on Sunday morning in the band room beginning at 9:45 until

10:45.

St. Agnes Cathedral PCCW Budget Meeting

St. Agnes Cathedral PCCW Budget Meeting

August 8, 2023

The PCCW budget meeting was attended by Pat Rues, Iris

Bounds, Jan McEvoy, Mary Seibert, Judy Hauschildt, Yvonne

Heath, Janet McBride, Mary Doshier, Cheryl Wagstaff and Sr.

Elizabeth Ann.

As of this date the PCCW has $7,758.10 in our parish account.

The most recent deposit was from the garage sale in the

amount of $5,336.95. The trust with the diocese has a total

balance of $10,830.29.

A discussion of the upcoming year’s budget includes the

following items:

· Dues for Regional, Diocese, and National

· PCCW functions

· Charitable giving

· Gifts (particularly at Christmas)

· Emergency fund

It was decided that $5,250 will be put into the Parish Building

Fund, with $2,500 kept in the parish PCCW fund for the

above items.

As a side discussion it was mentioned that dates for PCCW

activities will need to be decided soon and placed on the

parish calendar.

Respectfully submitted: Janet McBride

Coffee and donuts will resume Sunday, Aug. 20th after the

8:00 AM Mass. Meet in the cafeteria for coffee, donuts and

socialization. All are welcome!

Children's Liturgy of the Word (CLOW

Children's Liturgy of the Word (CLOW) will resume

Sunday, Aug. 27th during the 11:30 AM Mass. CLOW is

open to children preschool through early

elementary. This is an opportunity for children to hear

the word of God in a manner that they can more fully

understand. There is no signup required. All children

are welcome. Visitors are always welcome as well. If

you have any questions about CLOW, please call the

parish office at 831-3565 ext 107 and ask for Iris.

PSR BEGINS NEXT WEEK!

SUNDAY AUGUST 27TH AT

10 AM

IF YOU MISSED

REGISTRATION, COME

FIND IRIS ON THE SECOND

FLOOR OF THE

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

From the Pastor’s Desk::

This Tuesday we celebrate the Assumption of Mary, a Holy Day of Obligation.  As most Christians believe that death is a consequence of the first sin, and since the Catholic Church believes that Mary was conceived without original sin through the grace of God, theologians down through the centuries have wondered if Mary died or simply was assumed into heaven without dying.  The Catechism of the Catholic Church does not answer the question as an absolute, but says, “The Most Blessed Virgin Mary, when the course of her earthly life was completed, was taken up body and soul into the glory of heaven…” (#974; see also #966).

Holy Scripture tells us nothing of the Assumption of Mary into Heaven.  However, in 1950, Pope Pius XII, after having consulted all bishops, proclaimed the Assumption of Mary to be a dogma of the faith. This took place on November 1, 1950, the feast of All Saints. Faithful to the Pope and to his teaching, we thus firmly believe this truth to be a dogma of our faith: Mary was taken up into Heaven, both body and soul.  But Mary was not the first; Elijah was taken up into the heavens in a fiery chariot. (2 Kings: 2:1-12).

Catholic Christians from the earliest days of the Church have thought and believed that Mary was taken up into Heaven, not only her soul, but her body as well. So, wouldn't the unanimous belief of the Christian people be a testimony of Scripture itself, insofar as this testimony, like Scripture, goes all the way back to the Apostles themselves? Let us be sure of this: it is the Holy Spirit who guides both the Church and her Head, the Pope, who is truly the guarantor of this truth which, from now on, is proposed for our belief and teaches us that Mary was taken up into Heaven, both her body and her soul.

Through her body, Mary said "Yes!" to God.  Mary showed faith in the Angel who spoke in the name of God: "Blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord!" Through her body, Mary was elevated to a place so high that no creature would ever be able to displace her: she thus became the Mother of God and the Mother of Christ, the incarnate Word.  Mary became united to God through the Holy Spirit, becoming one with him in Christ. Lastly, Mary became the favored daughter of the Father, who had seen her in himself, in his Son, and in his Spirit for all eternity! Long before time began, the Father had loved Mary and had given her the Glory which she now possesses forever, in her body and her soul.

Mary is in Heaven. However, she is also still among us, singing the praises of God with us... Could a mother forget her children? Mary is the Mother of God, the Mother of Jesus, but she is also the Mother of us all! Let us remember that Jesus gave her to us: "When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing near, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!" (Jn. 19:26) Mary is still with us, because we are the Body of Christ, a Mystical Body, and a Body of Glory! In this communion of the Saints, all of us, with Mary, make up the one Body of Christ.  We look to Mary for the complete expression of total faith in God.  As we celebrate her feast of the Assumption on this Tuesday, August 15, we look forward to that day when we to can be in the eternal Kingdom in our glorified bodies.

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 September 14, 2023, 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. 

To pre-register, call Diane at (417) 859-0175 or cell (870) 688-8829 , Barb at (417) 827-3641, or Donna at 417-529-1085

CLOW

Children's Liturgy of the Word (CLOW) will resume Sunday, Aug. 27th during the 11:30 AM Mass.  CLOW is open to children preschool through early elementary.  This is an opportunity for children to hear the word of God in a manner that they can more fully understand.  There is no signup required.  All children are welcome.  Visitors  are always welcome as well.  If you have any questions about CLOW, please call the parish office at 831-3565 ext 107 and ask for Iris.

SAVE THE DATE!

Catholic Women's Conference

Saturday, October 14, 2023

Doors open at 8 am and the conference begins promptly at 9 am

Conference fee of $25 includes lunch,

 t-shirt, and bag.

Use this link to register NOW to ensure your spot:

https://form.jotform.com/222586941597976

More details will come soon...

From the Pastor’s Desk:

This week beginning on August 3rd, many of the Vietnamese throughout the United State have come to Carthage Missouri to celebrate Marian Days at the Congregation of The Mother of The Redeemer.  As our Diocese became the welcoming Diocese for the Vietnamese people as they fled Vietnam following the Communist takeover of the country, St Agnes became the welcoming parish here in Springfield and our Vietnamese community has become a vibrant part of St. Agnes Cathedral. 

Roman Catholicism was brought to Vietnam by Father Diego Aduart, a Dominican from Spain who established a mission in Dinh Cat. The mission did not grow until an Italian Jesuit who was fluent in Vietnamese came a few years later.  Many people began to convert to Catholicism including an aunt to the reigning king.  By the year 1593, thirty seven parishes had been established around Dinh Cat.

About 30 years later Fr. Alexander de Rhodes a French Jesuit arrived and initiated the Vietnamese alphabets that are still in use today.  For more than 40 years Catholicism was tolerated due to the opened trade relations with Spain, France and Portugal.  As the Nguyen dynasty reunited the north and south regions into what is now Vietnam, the Nguyen Dynasty decreed Catholicism as a foreign religious sect leading a working class revolt against the dynasty.  In 1798 what followed was direct attacks upon the thirty seven parishes seeking to exterminate all Catholics.  More than 100,000 Vietnamese Catholics died as martyrs.

Many Christians fled to the jungle near Quang Tri, a village in central Vietnam.  Many died from the bitter cold weather, wild beasts, jungle sickness and starvation.   At night they many times gathered in small groups to pray the rosary.  Unexpectedly one night they were visited by an apparition of Our Bless Mother in a long cape, holding a child in her arms, with two angels at her sides.  She comforted them and told them to boil the leaves from the surrounding trees to use as medicine.  She also told them that from that day on, all those who came to this place to pray, would have their prayers heard and answered.

Despite its isolated location in the high mountains, her name spread and groups of people continued to find a way through the jungle to pray to the Lady of La Vang.  When the persecution ended in 1886, the small chapel that had been built was replaced with 3 chapels.  In 1901 a church was built, followed by a larger church in 1924.  In 1961 the church of La Vang was recognized as a national Marian Centre.  At the same time Pope John XXIII elevated the church to the Basilica of La Vang.  It was destroyed in 1972 during the Vietnam War.  After the War, the Lavang complex was enlarged to include a retreat center, a hospitality center, an outdoor amphitheater and a beautiful statue of Mary commemorating her apparitions.

We celebrate with the Vietnamese people who have traveled across our country, as they come together to remember and give thanks to the Blessed Mother under the name of Our Lady La Vang.

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 September 14, 2023, 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. 

To pre-register, call Diane at (417) 859-0175 or cell (870) 688-8829 , Barb at (417) 827-3641, or Donna at 417-529-1085

Little Parish Library:

Little Parish Library:  St. Agnes Cathedral offers a variety of free books.  The "Little Parish Library"  is located in the vestibule of the Cathedral next to the water fountain.  Please feel free to browse the books and pamphlets and take what you like for your spiritual reading.  You can bring the book back when finished or better yet, pass it on to someone whom you feel might benefit from the book.

Garage Sale Thank You Brunch!

A huge thank you goes out to all the workers who helped to make our parish garage sale a success!  As a special thank you, we invite you to a brunch to be held Tues, Aug 8th at 9:30 AM in the dining room. If you worked an hour or 10 hours, we hope you will join us! No need to bring anything. We do ask you to RSVP by calling the parish office at 831-3565! Hope to see you there! Thanks again for your help!

From the Pastor’s Desk:

From the Pastor’s Desk::

Continuing from last week, we move from the Liturgy of the Word to the Liturgy of the Eucharist as the offering of the people (bread,

wine & money) is brought to the altar. The money is important, needed to pay the bills, but it is to be placed off to the side as what

is about to take place at the altar is the center of our Catholic Worship.

The altar is prepared with the bread and wine and the Preface is prayed or chanted by the priest. It is the pre prayer before the

Eucharistic Prayer. The words of consecration with the proclamation of faith follows. As I was taught in graduate studies, the mass is

a living memorial as we join the saints and angels in prayer at the altar and the Eucharist Prayer concludes with the Great Amen.

The three prayers surrounding the Eucharistic Prayer: The Holy, Holy, Holy, the Our Father, and the Lamb of God all come from

scripture as we celebrate our living God through Salvation History. The receiving of the Body and Blood of Christ places us at the

Eucharistic Table of the Last Supper.

The Mass closes with the final prayer, blessing and procession forth to live what we have just celebrated. The Gospel Book is not

carried out in procession, because we carry forth the word of God and live it in our daily lives as an example for all.

Our mass today is much like the mass of the early church. It is a mass celebrated by the priest surrounded by the faithful responding

in their common everyday language. I pray that our church does not go back to the day when the mass was the prayer of the clergy

and people mere spectators. That was not the mass of the early church.

The Mass allows each parish to take on some of the traditions of the people of that community. Over time, some of the parish

traditions changed or dropped by the side as new pastors and lay leaders come forth into leadership. However, the Mass structure,

prayers and readings are always the same, coming from the Roman Missal and the Lectionary.

If you are interested in helping with one of our liturgical ministries as a eucharistic minister or a Lector, please contact me at 417-831-

3565 ext 102 or lhejna@sta-cathedral.org

Garage Sale Thank You Brunch!

A huge thank you goes out to all the workers who helped to

make our parish garage sale a success! As a special thank you,

we invite you to a brunch to be held Tues, Aug 8th at 9:30 AM

in the dining room. If you worked an hour or 10 hours, we hope

you will join us! No need to bring anything. We do ask you to

RSVP by calling the parish office at 831-3565! Hope to see

you there! Thanks again for your help!

WOMEN OF FAITH

Ladies of the parish are invited Wednesday August 9 to

attend the 8:30 am Mass in the chapel. Please bring a

breakfast/brunch food to share in the dining room after

Mass.