OUR MISSION STATEMENT

Mater Misericordiæ (Mother of Mercy) Mission glorifies God, uniting its members in faith, hope and charity through confession of the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Faith and through participation in the Sacraments and Traditional Rites of the Missale Romanum of 1962, under the governance of the Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix and the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter.

St. Matthias—February 24 St. Clement of Alexandria assures us, from tradition, that this saint was one of the seventy-two disciples, which is confirmed by Eusebius and St.

Jerome; and we learn from the Acts of the apostles, that he was a constant attendant on our Lord, from the time of his baptism by St. John to his as-cension. St. Peter having, in a general assembly of the faithful held soon after, declared from Holy Scripture, the necessity of choosing a twelfth apostle, in the room of Judas; two were unanimously pitched upon by the assembly, as most worthy of the dignity Joseph, called Barsabas, and, on account of his extraordinary piety, surnamed the Just, and Matthias. After devout prayer to God, that he would direct them in their choice, they pro-ceeded in it by way of lot, which falling by divine direction on Matthias, he was accordingly associated with the eleven, and ranked among the apostles. When in deliberations each side appears equally good, or each candidate of equally approved merit, lots may be sometimes lawfully used; otherwise, to commit a thing of importance to such a chance, or to expect a miraculous

direction of divine providence in it, would be a criminal superstition and a tempting of God, except he himself, by an evident revelation or inspiration, should appoint such a means for the manifestation of his will, promising his supernatural interposition in it, which was the case on this extraordinary occasion. The miraculous dreams or lots, which we read of in the prophets, must no ways authorize any rash superstitious use of such means in others who have not the like authority. We justly admire the virtue of this holy assembly of saints. Here were no solicitations or intrigues. No one presented himself to the dignity. Ambition can find no place in a virtuous or hum-ble heart. He who seeks a dignity either knows himself unqualified, and is on this account guilty of the most fla-grant injustice with regard to the public, by desiring a charge to which he is no ways equal; or he thinks himself

qualified for it, and this self-conceit and confidence in his own abilities renders him the most unworthy of all others. Such a disposition deprives a soul of the divine assistance, without which we can do nothing; for God withdraws his grace and refuses his blessing where self-sufficiency and pride have found any footing. It is something of a secret confidence in ourselves, and a presumption that we deserve the divine succour, which banishes him from us. This is true even in temporal undertakings; but much more so in the charge of souls, in which all success is more particu-larly the special work of the Holy Ghost, not the fruit of human industry. These two holy candidates were most wor-thy of the apostleship, because perfectly humble, and because they looked upon that dignity with trembling, though they considered its labours, dangers, and persecutions with holy joy, and with a burning zeal, for the glory of God. No regard was had to worldly talents, none to flesh and blood. God was consulted by prayer, because no one is to be assumed to his ministry who is not called by him, and who does not enter it by the door, and with the un-doubted marks of his vocation. Judas’s misfortune filled Saint Matthias with the greater humility and fervour, lest he also should fall. We Gentiles are called upon the disinherison of the Jews, and are ingrafted on their stock. We

ought therefore to learn to stand always in watchfulness and fear, or we shall be also cut off ourselves, to give place to others whom God will call in our room, and even compel to enter, rather than spare us. The number of his elect depends not on us. His infinite mercy has invited us without any merit on our side; but if we are ungrateful, he can complete his heavenly city without us, and will certainly make our reprobation the most dreadful example of his justice, to all eternity. The greater the excess of his goodness and clemency has been towards us, the more dreadful will be the effects of his vengeance. Many shall come from the east and the west, and shall sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of God; but the sons of the kingdom shall he cast forth. St. Matthias received the Holy Ghost with the rest soon after his election; and after the dispersion of the disciples, applied himself with zeal to the functions of his apostleship, in converting nations to the faith. He is recorded by St. Clement of Alexandria, to have been remarkable for inculcating the necessity of the mortification of the flesh with regard to all its sensual and irregular desires, an important lesson he had received from Christ, and which he prac-

tised assiduously on his own flesh. The tradition of the Greeks in their menologies tells us that St. Matthias planted the faith about Cappadocia and on the coasts of the Caspian sea, residing chiefly near the port Issus. He must have undergone great hardships and labours amidst so savage a people. The same authors add that he received the crown of martyrdom in Colchis, which they call Æthiopia. The Latins keep his festival on the 24th of February. Some portions of his relics are shown in the abbatical church of Triers, and in that of St. Mary Major in Rome, unless these latter belong to another Matthias, who was one of the first bishops of Jerusalem. -From Butler’s Lives of the Saints

Pastor: Rev. Fr. Joseph Terra, FSSP Associate: Rev. Fr. Kenneth Walker, FSSP Office: 602-253-6090 Cell: 480-231-0573 (for urgent messages) Fax: 602-253-8013

Church: 1537 W. Monroe St. Phoenix, AZ 85007 Mail: same as church address Email: contact@phoenixlatinmass.org Website: www.phoenixlatinmass.org

Notitiæ February 24, 2013

Sunday Masses

Propers: Readings:

Second Sunday of Lent, Class I, Violet I Thessalonians 4:1-7; Matthew 17:1-9

Intentions:

9:00 am Low Mass; 11:00 am High Mass at Mater Misericordiae Mission, Phoenix 9:00 am: Pro Populo; 11:00 am: Carrie Haney

Intention:

9:00 am Low Mass at Saint Cecilia’s Mission, Clarkdale 9:00 am: Pro Populo

Weekday Masses

At Mater Misericordiae Mission, Monroe St. Church Monday-Friday: 6:30 am and 6:30 pm, Saturday: 6:30 am and 8:00 am

Monday, February 25 Thursday, February 28

Propers: Readings: Intentions:

Feria of Lent Class III, Violet Daniel 9:15-19 John 8:21-29 6:30am: Nieves Quispe Janco+ 6:30pm: Rodney Beaver

Propers: Readings: Intentions:

Feria of Lent Class III, Violet Jeremiah 17:5-10 Luke 16:19-31 6:30am: John Garcher+ 6:30pm: Jim Dahl and Family

Tuesday, February 26 Friday, March 1

Propers: Readings: Intentions:

Feria of Lent Class III, Violet III Kings 17:8-16 Matthew 23:1-12 6:30am: Edward Girsch+ 6:30pm: Hannah Mundattuchundayil

Propers: Readings: Intentions:

Votive Mass of the Sacred Heart for First Friday, Class III, White Ephesians 3:3-12, 14-19 John 19:31-37 6:30am: Jim Dahl and Family 6:30pm: Jim Dahl and Family

Wednesday, February 27 Saturday, March 2

Propers: Readings: Intentions:

Feria of Lent Class III, Violet Esther 13:8-11, 15-17 Matthew 20:17-28 6:30am: Jim Dahl and Family 6:30pm: Jim Dahl and Family

Propers: Readings: Intentions:

Votive Mass of the Immaculate Heart of Mary for First Saturday, Class III, White Ecclesiasticus 24:23-31 John 19:25-27 6:30am: Kevin Dyer 8:00am: Brian Dyer and Family

Confessions

At MMM Monroe St. Church: Mon-Sat: 15 minutes before each Mass. Saturdays: 3:30-4:30 pm. Sundays: 8am, before the 9am Mass, between the 9am and 11am Masses, and after the 11am Mass.

At St. Cecilia’s: Saturdays: 3-4 pm. Sundays: Before the 9am Mass. Other times by arrangement.

PARISH ANNOUNCEMENTS

Pope Benedict is resigning

this week. Please pray for him and also the conclave to elect the next pope.

The Parish Hike is this Saturday

March 2. It will be at Shaw Butte in the Phoenix Mountains. The length of the the hike will be about 4 miles, and this may be lengthened or shortened according to need. Please bring water and a pack lunch, though we will provide food in the church hall afterward for those interested. We will depart from the church at 11am, with church cleaning beforehand. Please come early to help if you can.

Stations of the Cross will be following the Friday

evening Mass during Lent.

FSSP PRAYER REQUESTS

February 24: Fr. Damonn Sypher February 25: Fr. Antony Sumich February 26: Fr. Gregory Bartholomew February 27: Fr. Eric Flood February 28: Fr. Charles Ryan

March 1: (Formerly) Pope Benedict XVI March 2: Deacon Massimo Botta

Commentary of Cornelius a Lapide on To-day’s Gospel

Why Christ was transfigured? I answer: 1. That

by means of this glory and brightness, and by the testi-

mony of Elias and Moses He might prove His Divinity to His Apostles. 2. That he might forewarn His disciples not

to lose confidence, when they should behold Him nailed to the cross. 3. That He might indicate that He shall

come after this manner with great power and majesty to judge the world. So S. Ephrem, Cyril, and Damascene,

S. Basil (in Psalm 45), and others. Wherefore also Elias appeared, who will be the precursor of Christ when He

comes to judgment. 4. That He might animate the faith

and hope and courage and zeal of the Apostles and the rest of the faithful bravely to undergo all crosses for the

sake of the Gospel through the hope of obtaining the like glory at the resurrection.

In a spiritual sense, prayer is the transfiguration of the soul. 1. Because in it the soul receives light from

God, that she may know Him and herself and all things

more clearly. 2. By it the soul seeks and obtains grace to blot out the stains and vices by which she is de-

formed. In it she receives consolation for desolation; out of weakness she is made strong; from slothful she be-

comes fervent; for perplexity, she hath understanding, for sadness, gladness; and for cowardice, courage.

3. She is raised above herself, and is lifted up to God in heaven, where she learns and sees that all the things of

earth are fragile and worthless, so that from her lofty

height she looks down upon them as fit only for children. She perceives that the true riches, honours and pleas-

ures are nowhere but in heaven. 4. In prayer she unites herself to God. Hence S. Francis, when he prayed, was

lifted up on high, and could speak, think of and love nothing else save God. “My God and all,” he was wont to

say, “Grant me, O Lord, to die for love of Thy love, Thou

who didst deign to die for love of my love!”

SUNDAY COLLECT.

O God, Who seest that we are wholly destitute of

strength, keep us within and without: that we may be defended in body from all adversity: and cleansed in mind from evil thoughts. Through our Lord...

SUNDAY EPISTLE: I Thessalonians 4:1-7

Brethren: We pray and beseech you in the Lord Je-sus that, as you have received from us, how you ought to walk and to please God, so also you would walk, that you may abound the more. For you know what precepts I have given to you by the Lord Je-sus. For this is the will of God, your sanctification: That you should abstain from fornication: That

every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour, Not in the pas-sion of lust, like the Gentiles that know not God: And that no man overreach nor circumvent his brother in business: because the Lord is the aven-ger of all these things, as we have told you before and have testified. For God hath not called us unto

uncleanness, but unto sanctification, in Christ Jesus our Lord.

SUNDAY GOSPEL: Matthew 17:1-9

At that time, Jesus took Peter and James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into a high mountain apart: And he was transfigured before

them. And his face did shine as the sun: and his garments became white as snow. And behold there appeared to them Moses and Elias talking with him. And Peter answering, said to Jesus: Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles, one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. And as he was yet speaking, be-

hold a bright cloud overshadowed them. And lo a voice out of the cloud, saying: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased: hear ye him. And the disciples hearing fell upon their face, and were very much afraid. And Jesus came and touched them: and said to them: Arise, and fear not. And they lifting up their eyes, saw no one, but only Je-

sus. And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying: Tell the vision to no man, till the Son of man be risen from the dead.

Pope Benedict’s Resignation Speech Monday, February 11, 2013

"Dear Brothers, "I have convoked you to this Consistory, not only for the three canonisations, but also to communicate to you a decision of great importance for the life of the Church. After having repeatedly examined my con-science before God, I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry. I am well aware that this ministry, due to its essential spiritual nature, must be carried out not only with words and deeds, but no less with prayer and suffering. However, in today's world, subject to so many rapid changes and shaken by questions of deep relevance for the life of faith, in order to govern the bark of Saint Peter and proclaim the Gospel, both strength of mind and body are necessary, strength which in the last few months, has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognise my incapacity to adequately fulfil the ministry entrusted to me.

For this reason, and well aware of the seriousness of this act, with full freedom I declare that I renounce the ministry of Bishop of Rome, Successor of Saint Peter, entrusted to me by the Cardinals on 19 April 2005, in such a way, that as from 28 February 2013, at 20:00 hours, the See of Rome, the See of Saint Peter, will be vacant and a Conclave to elect the new Supreme Pontiff will have to be convoked by those whose competence it is. Dear Brothers, I thank you most sincerely for all the love and work with which you have supported me in my ministry and I ask pardon for all my defects. And now, let us entrust the Holy Church to the care of

Our Supreme Pastor, Our Lord Jesus Christ, and implore his holy Mother Mary, so that she may assist the Cardinal Fathers with her maternal solicitude, in electing a new Supreme Pontiff. With regard to myself, I wish to also devotedly serve the Holy Church of God in the future through a life dedicated to prayer."