December 11, 2016 Saint Agnes Cathedral 533 S. Jefferson Avenue, Springfield, MO

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1 December 11, 2016 Saint Agnes Cathedral 533 S. Jefferson Avenue, Springfield, MO Today is Gaudete Sunday, which means "rejoice." For three weeks now we have been preparing for Christmas and, one hopes, enjoying some peace to pray and anticipate the coming of the Lord, not just as a baby two thousand years ago, but also in the end-times, the parousia, when the Lord will come again in glory. This is the Sunday when the rejoicing begins. Advent, unlike Lent, is not a penitential time, but a time of waiting and anticipation for the fulfillment of God's promises. "[We] will see the glory of the LORD, / the splendor of our God" (Isaiah 35:2). So, "Be patient, brothers and sisters, until the coming of the Lord... Make your hearts firm, because the coming of the Lord is at hand" (James 5:7, 8). Copyright (c) J. S. Paluch Co., Inc.

2 Third Sunday of Advent St. Agnes Cathedral 533 S. Jefferson Avenue, Springfield, MO St. Agnes Cathedral Parish, a sacramental community, is sent forth with compassion to witness to God s word and loving presence. We recognize our responsibilities to Catholic education. We embrace our diversity and place in the Springfield community to provide service, especially to poor and vulnerable persons. WEEKEND MASS SCHEDULE Saturday 5:00 PM Sunday 7:00-8:30-10:00 AM (Vietnamese) 11:30 AM - 5:00 PM WEEKDAY MASS SCHEDULE 8:30 AM Monday through Friday 8:30 AM Saturday 5:30 PM Monday through Friday RECONCILIATION SCHEDULE 5:00-5:20 PM Wednesday and Friday 3:30-4:30 PM, 7:00-7:30 PM Saturday In Chapel Reconciliation Room (or ask Father for an appointment) Reverend Lewis E. Hejna, Rector Voic 102 lhejna@saintagnescathedral.org Reverend Gregory M. Vi Tran, CMC, Associate Pastor Chaplain to Vietnamese Parishioners Voic 106 fr.gregorycmc@gmail.com Sister Elizabeth Ann Weiler, ASC, Coordinator of Care Ministry -care of homebound, funerals, Seniors Voic 103 eaweiler@saintagnescathedral.org Sabrina Schmidt, Director of Faith Formation -PSR coordinator, Baptismal Prep, RCIA Voic 105 sschmidt@saintagnescathedral.org Judy Rippee, Development & Properties Voic 107 jrippee@saintagnescathedral.org Connie McNabb, Office of Accounting Voic 110 cmcnabb@saintagnescathedral.org Helen Rapp, Office Manager Voic 101 hrapp@saintagnescathedral.org Kevin Otradovec, Cathedral Music Director Voic 108 Andy Sun, Director of Bell Choir and Youth Choir Voic asun@saintagnescathedral.org Lindsay Paulsell, School Principal: Voic lpaulsell@scspk12.org Parish Office: FAX: Well of Life (Pantry) 418 S. Kimbrough, ADORATION: The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed in the Chapel on Mondays from 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM (Rosary at 5:00 PM, followed by Daily Mass at 5:30) and 6:00-8:30 PM with Rosary and Benediction to close. WELCOME! We extend our hands and our hearts in Christian fellowship to you here, whether longtime residents or newly arrived in the parish. If you are not registered, please fill out the form below and place it in the collection basket or mail it to the Parish Office. NAME ADDRESS CITY ZIP PHONE New Parishioner New Address New Phone INFANT BAPTISM PREPARATION: When you plan to have your child baptized, please call Fr. Lewis at the parish office to make preparations. You may contact us before the birth of your child if you wish. There is a pre-baptismal class monthly for infant Baptisms. MARRIAGE PREPARATION: In our diocese the regulations for marriage require that the parish be notified usually six months in advance of the date planned for the wedding. The importance of this sacrament requires sufficient preparation in a pre-marriage program. Please contact Fr. Lewis at the Parish Office, SACRAMENT OF THE SICK: When facing serious illness, please call Sr. Elizabeth Ann at the Parish Office, FUNERALS: For funeral arrangements, including condolence meals, please call Sr. Elizabeth Ann at the Parish Office, CATHOLIC CEMETERIES OF SPRINGFIELD: For information, please call Paul Wunderlich at Moving, please remove from parish census Visit us on the web at Springfield Catholic Schools at

3 From the Pastor s Desk, December 11, 2016 Our lives today are not inconvenienced by darkness or the winter cold as in the early days of the Christianity. We, with our modern technology, find winter a mere inconvenience. The darknesses are no less real in our day and time, and are perhaps even more terrible than that of our ancestors in faith. For all of us there is a communal darkness of a time of war and terrorism. Our culture s expectation of Christmas contrasts with the experience of longing for the coming of Christ. Our consumer driven society and selfishness leads to many forms of injustice. For many the Advent days are frantic and hurried as they keep step with our culture s Christmas demands. For most of us, Christmas touches some memory of childhood wonder and reminds us of those special times that will never be recaptured. Into all of these emotions comes the Advent proclamation of the Lord s coming as the Son of Man. I continue with more of our traditions surrounding Christmas, traditions with meanings long forgotten. In our politically correct society that we find ourselves in here in the United States, Merry Christmas has become happy holidays. English-speakers have been wishing one another a merry Christmas for nearly 400 years. Here is how you would say Merry Christmas in Czech - Vesele Vianoce, Chinese - Kung His Hsin Nien Bing Chu Shen Tan, French - Joyeux Noel, German - Froehliche Weihnachten, Italian - Buon Natale, Polish - Boze Narodzenie, Spanish - Feliz Navidad, Vietnamese - Mung Giang Sinh and Pilipino - Maligayang Pasko. Bah! Humbug!, is one of the most well-known literary exclamations. It was uttered by Ebenezer Scrooge, the main character in Charles Dickens s classic Christmas tale, A Christmas Carol. When Scrooge s cheerful nephew wishes him A Merry Christmas, uncle! God save you! the old man replies, Bah! Humbug! This is Scrooge s way of saying phooey Christmas is a fraud. Scrooge however changes his tune after a series of disturbing visions showing Christmases past, present and future. In the Catholic Church, white and gold signify purity and light and are the true liturgical colors of Christmas. Red stands for honor and charity. Green comes from an Old English word grene, meaning to grow. Green has always been associated with hope, youth and new growth. Here in the United States we have mixed all the colors together: white, gold, red and green as our Christmas colors. With all the traditions that I have shown over the last 3 years, the United States truly is a melting pot of people and customs. I believe it is important to remember and understand the history behind what we do and where it came from. Nancy Banasik - sister of Anne Greykowski, and mother of Chris Oelschaeger, parishioners Area Advent Penance Services: December 11 Immaculate Conception Springfield 3 pm Sacred Heart Bolivar 4:30 pm December 12 St Francis of Assisi Nixa 7 pm December 13 Holy Trinity Springfield 7 pm December 15 Our Lady of the Cove Kimberling City 7 pm December 18 St Joseph Springfield 7 pm December 19 St Elizabeth Ann Seton Springfield 7 pm God loves each one of us as if there were only one of us. --St. Augustine JESSE TREE The Jesse Tree, in the vestibule, gives us an opportunity to remember our shut-ins and especially the older members of our parish during Advent. Please take one of the ornaments off the tree and take them a small gift such as homemade cookies, a box of candy, a warm throw, a Christmas decoration, a plant, etc. (Think of something your older parents or grandparents might like to receive.) Remember, your visit to another parishioner may be more important than the gift. You may take this gift any time during Advent. Call me if you have questions: , ext Sr. Elizabeth Ann

4 Third Sunday of Advent THIS WEEK IN THE PARISH SUN Dec 11 Anointing after All Masses 8:30am CLOW/RCIA dismissal - Chapel 9:30am Breakfast with Santa - C 10:15am PSR & Adult Formation - DR & C 11:15am Vietnamese PSR - CL & C MON Dec 12 Our Lady of Guadalupe 6:15pm Rosary - Cathedral 7:00pm Bishop Rice Mass - Cathedral Refreshments after - C TUE Dec 13 WED Dec 14 6:00pm Bell Choir practice - Cathedral THU Dec 15 6:00pm PCCW Christmas party - DR 6:00pm Adult Choir Practice - Cathedral FRI Dec 16 SAT Dec 17 9:00am Military Support Group - C 6:00pm Blood Pressure Screening-Chapel SUN Dec 18 8:00am-10:00am Blood Pressure - BR 8:30am CLOW/RCIA dismissal - Chapel 10:15am PSR & Adult Formation - DR & C 11:30am Vietnamese Reconciliation 12:15 Vietnamese Christmas Party - C 6:00pm Blood Pressure Screening- Chapel SAT Dec 10 SUN Dec 11 MON Dec 12 TUE Dec 13 EUCHARISTIC CELEBRATIONS SUNDAY LITURGIES 5:00pm Open Intention 7:00am Parish 8:30am Bethany Jacobson 10:00am Vietnamese Community 11:30am Marjorie Veith 5:00pm Thomas O Day Smith 8:30am Open Intention 8:30am Open Intention WED Dec 14 8:30am Jerome Dougherty THU Dec 15 8:30am Darlene Wilbanks 5:30pm Souls of Paul Nguyen & Ngoc Thanh FRI Dec 16 8:30am Open Intention SAT Dec 17 8:30am Joseph Dang Nguyen SAT Dec 17 SUN Dec 18 SUNDAY LITURGIES 5:00pm Open Intention 7:00am Open Intention 8:30am Parish 10:00am Vietnamese Community 11:30am Knights of Columbus - St. Agnes 5:00pm Mary Ann Saber KEY TO ABBREVIATIONS UPR: Upstairs Conference Room C: Cafeteria CLOW: Children s Liturgy of the Word DR: Dining Room PSR: Parish School of Religion BR: Band Room KCB: Knights of Columbus Bingo Emporium LH: Loretto House CL - Classrooms Please turn off cell phones when you come into the Church for Mass. Thank you. Lectors 5:00 PM Ben Francka, Ron Dunaway 7:00am Judy Smith, Linda Stander 8:30 AM Cheryl Hall, Tim Havens 11:30 AM Pat Mithelavage, Volunteer 5:00 PM Gary Momphard, Volunteer Servers 5:00 PM Ethan Patrick Barber, Jeremy Cronkhite 7:00 AM 3 Volunteers 8:30 AM Alex Byram, Ralph Hall, George Hall 11:30 AM Isabella Gomez, Nicholas Gomez, Volunteer 5:00 PM 2 volunteers Ushers 5:00 PM Don & Jean Coleman, 2 Volunteers 7:00 AM Jack Holtmann, 3 Volunteers 8:30 AM David Hiett, Chris Kollmeyer, Daniel Pham, Volunteer 11:30 AM John Kubicek, 3 Volunteers 5:00 PM David Eiken, Gretchen Gambon, 2 Volunteers Extraordinary Ministers of Communion 5:00 PM Paul & Teresa Gray, Drew Martin, Ginny & John Smithberg, Judith Wheeler, Ron Dunaway, volunteer 7:00 AM Mary Doshier, Rose Marie Fellin, Sally Keene, Allen Rues, Cholet Sison-Switala, Curtis Harper 8:30 AM Ronnie Bell, Jamie Davis, Fred Eck, Chris Farabee, George Johnson, Mary Keller, Kent Laney, Jan McEvoy, Ashley Rolewicz 11:30 AM Cheryl & Michael Flynn, Edie & Ron Enos, Iris Bounds, Tish Burlingame, Marjory Ray, Dianna Lobdell, Jessie Hiett 5:00 PM Arthur Hoogstraet, Megan Kennedy, Kris Watt, Jonna Mahy, Allison Halter, 2 Volunteers Deadline for Bulletin announcements: Noon Monday Please include contact name and phone number. Priority is given to parish activities. Please send to: stagnesfrontdesk@gmail.com

5 December 11, 2016 WE ARE CALLED We re really going to miss Andrew Williams. He s our seminarian from the East side of the diocese, who has been working with Father Lewis experiencing the life of a parish priest. We ve seen him working with the RCIA candidates, the school children, attending parish functions, and even sharing with us his journey toward his decision to become a priest. What a gift you have given to us, Andrew! He has helped us, as Father Lewis does, nearly every Wednesday at the Emporium. The players love him, we volunteers love him, and we will all miss him. He will be returning to his studies with our prayers, our gratitude, and our hope that he may return someday to St. Agnes. When you do come, Andrew, bring Deacon Joseph with you. God bless you always. -Ginny Smithberg CHRISTMAS MEMORIALS If you would like to remember someone in a special way by providing a donation for Christmas flowers and decorations in the cathedral, please enclose your offering in an envelope marked FLOWERS with your name and the person you wish to remember. A list will be printed in a later bulletin. A child is loved because he is one s child: not because he is beautiful, or because he is like this or like that Not because he thinks as I do, or embodies my dreams. A child is a child: a life generated by us but intended for Him, for His good, for the good of the family, of society, of mankind as a whole. --Pope Francis, General Audience, Feb. 11, PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR SICK Karen Gray, Agnes Wagstaff, Mary Fruge, Kyhl McDevitt, Rose Harris, David Glenn, John Van Slyke, Catherine Ingraham, Terry Wilkinson, Troy Cronkhite, Don Rippee., Thomas McGuiness, Bill Nichols, Jim Lavern, Teresa Smith, Mary Gott SENIORS UNLIMITED On December 13th we will gather at the café in the Mansion at Elfindale at 10:30 for brunch. This café can be reached from Elfindale Street which runs between Kansas Expressway and Fort. The driveway to the parking lot is just west of Cornerstone Church. You will know you are in the right place when you see the long red wooden ramp that leads up into the mansion. The brunch including taxes and gratuity is $ The chef has asked that I collect the money from you at the café so that we do not tie up the servers too much by paying separately. Please sign up in the office so there will be enough places prepared for us. Sr. Elizabeth Ann ALL WOMEN OF THE PARISH YOU ARE INVITED TO PARTY!!!! CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE Saturday, December 24 - Christmas Eve, 5:00pm Children s Mass 11:00pm Midnight Mass (Carols at 10:30) Sunday, December 25 - Christmas Day 8:30am 11:30am (Christmas Dinner - cafeteria after Mass) 5:00pm Vietnamese Community Mass NEW YEAR S MASS SCHEDULE Saturday, December 31 5:00pm Sunday, January 1 7:00am, 8:30am, 11:30am 10:00am Vietnamese Mass 5:00pm St. Agnes PCCW CHRISTMAS PARTY Thursday December 15, 6:00-9:00pm in the dining room. Let's get together for a night of FUN, FOOD & FELLOWSHIP!!!! QUESTIONS OF THE WEEK Third Sunday of Advent Theme: God s kingdom is close - it is Jesus. Reading I : Isaiah 35:1-6a, 10 Reading II : James 5:7-10 Gospel : Matthew 11:2-11 Question for Children: Why is Christmas such a time of happiness for people? Question for Youth: God speaks to you every day: Isaiah tells us our ears and eyes will be opened in Christ to hear God s voice. What do you hear God saying to you? Question for Adults: What is there in this promise from the Prophet Isaiah that gives you hope? How have you seen this promise fulfilled in Christ?

6 Third Sunday of Advent SPRINGFIELD CATHOLIC SCHOOLS Discovery Night at Springfield Catholic High School Join us January 11, 2017 for Junior High/New Student Discovery Night at Springfield Catholic High School. Presentation and discussion will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the auditorium followed by Open House. Parents and students are welcome to see the campus, meet our student leadership, experience the community, and learn about the many academic achievements we are celebrating! No RSVP is required. For questions, please contact our Academic Office at Employment Opportunities ALL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND APPLICATIONS are available on the Springfield Catholic School s website at For more details on these positions, please visit click on the About tab at the top and scroll down to Employment Opportunities. Bus Drivers Needed for school-related activities during the current school year. Licensing expenses related to meeting the necessary requirements will be paid for by the system. For additional information contact Sam Wutke at (417) Ext 12 or swutke@scspk12.org. Please refer to above Employment Opportunities in order to complete an application. Welcome to the Springfield Catholic School System! Our system is made up of three (3) elementary schools (preschool thru 8 th grade) and one (1) high school. For a tour, enrollment information or to check availability at various grade levels, please contact the school(s) in which you are interested: Immaculate Conception: (417) ; St. Agnes: (417) ; St. Elizabeth Ann Seton: (417) ; and Springfield Catholic High School: (417) We have a strong Tradition of Faith, Service and Academic Excellence! March For Life January 2017 The 44th Annual March for Life will take place January 25-27, 2017 in Washington, DC. Come join the diocese on a pro-life pilgrimage to Washington, DC. Cost is $250 per person which includes travel and three meals. Registration due date is December 15, VIRTUS training is required for all adult pilgrims 18 years of age and older. You will need a sleeping bag and warm clothing. To reserve your spot or if you have questions, contact Kathleen Keesee at or kkeesee@charter.net. ANNUAL MORNING OF RECOLLECTION All women of the parish (and friends) are invited to attend our annual Morning of Recollection which will take place this year on Saturday, January 14, Bishop Emeritus Leibrecht will be our guest speaker. The morning will begin with Mass in the chapel at 8:30 and end with lunch in the Dining Room at 11:30. Please call the parish office if you plan to attend so that we will be prepared with enough food for lunch. HOPE TO SEE EVERYONE THERE! CRISTMAS DINNER Don t forget Dinner on Christmas Day in the cafeteria after the11:30am Mass. Everyone is welcome. Invite a friend who will be alone that day. Bring a side dish or desert to share if possible, but please come and enjoy the fellowship! Volunteers are needed for December 24 & 25 to set up, serve and clean up. Call the Parish Office, , to help. If you are unable to come, but want to donate food, you may bring it Christmas Eve 9am-1pm to the cafeteria. Sunday, October 23, - Owen Francis & Henry James Brown, sons of Anthony and Jennifer Sunday, December 4 - Rae Marguerite Boyer, daughter of Miles and Kate A Note from Bishop Rice - The Society of St. Pius X is advertising a "Roman Catholic Latin Mass" at Queen of All Saints Chapel, at 1505 West Atlantic, near Kansas Expressway. This is not affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church. For those who desire, the Traditional Latin Mass is offered at 12:30pm on Sundays at St. Joseph the Worker Parish, 1796 State Hwy NN, Ozark. CHRISTMAS BASKETS St. Agnes will be helping about 30 households with Christmas baskets and a gift. Generally our parish serves people who live in Center City, parishioners and people recommended by parishioners. The names of all the people who apply here will be cleared with Crosslines so that as many people in the city as possible can be helped without anyone getting help from several different places. If anyone wants to make a donation for buying gifts for families, or help with shopping, please let me know. Christmas baskets bill be filled in the dining room on Friday, December 16th, starting at 1:15pm. Weather permitting we plan to deliver the baskets from 9am-12pm on the 17th. I will need volunteers for each day. Please call me if you are willing to help out. Sr. Elizabeth A. Weiler, , ext 103

7 December 11, 2016 STEWARDSHIP of TREASURE December Income Report Dec. Income Weekly Envelopes Week 1 Dec. Budget Still Needed 11, , , Plate , , ADDITIONAL DECEMBER DONATIONS Lay Retirement Catholic Charities Catholic Cemeteries Tuition Assistance Seminary St. Vincent de Paul/Pantry Total $3, Maintenance 2, , , Utilities , , November Deficit = $10, This Week s Stewardship Message Each of us has his or her own role to play in the coming of the Kingdom of God. John the Baptist was called to be the herald of the Messiah, preparing the way of the Lord. To what is the Lord calling me? BINGO UPDATE The last few weeks have been exciting, but we ll have to get our running shoes on for sure this week (December. 7 th ). If you weren t there, you may have missed a really big night. However, if the $7,500 didn t go on December 7th, you might have one last chance on December 14 th to win $7750. That is a LOT of money! Also, on the 14 th, we will be drawing for several nice attendance prizes. Four players will win $25 gift certificates to Price Cutters, four other players will win a free 27-face machine, one player will win a bunch of kitchen tools and everyone will receive a free three pack. December 7 th was Andrew s last bingo night. He helped us every Wednesday night during the summer and we will all miss him. Thanks to you, nice future priest! Ginny Smithberg Join us every Wednesday at the K of C Bingo Emporium 2340 W. Grand, 2nd parking lot Horse Races and Bingo Sales begin at 4:30 PM Bingo begins at 6:30 PM Like us on Facebook! Bingo Springfield Missouri Wednesday St. Agnes Sunday, January 29, :30pm-Diamond Room at Knights of Columbus Hall 2340 W. Grand Tickets available at St. Agnes Parish Office, GIFT/PURCHASE CARDS St. Agnes Cathedral has gift/purchase cards (SCRIP) available in the parish office during business hours Monday through Friday and after the 8:30 Mass on Sundays in the cafeteria. These cards are full value and good up to two years or longer. Proceeds go toward our tuition assistance program for deserving children in Catholic grade or high school. There is no extra cost when you purchase a card. We have cards for several restaurants, businesses, and some hotels. Buy them for gifts or purchase for your own use. Cards we don t have in our inventory must be ordered by Mondays at 8:30am to receive that same week. Contact our front desk volunteers with any questions. YOUTH OPPORTUNITY St. Agnes would like to send a group of high school students to the Diocesan Youth Conference held March 24-26th, 2017 in West Plains. This conference is open to all high school students who attend Springfield Catholic, our public schools or those who are home schooled. The conference is an opportunity to spend time with over 300 high school students from across the diocese. The conference will feature Jesse Manibusan as the keynote speaker. The bishop will be in attendance along with priests, deacons and seminarians of our diocese. If you would like more information on the conference or would like to sign up, please contact Iris Bounds at ibounds@saintagnescathedral.org or call