vol 22 no 21
March 2, 2014 - Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
+ Isaiah 49: 14-15 + 1 Corinthians 4: 1-5 + Matthew 6: 24-34 +
Masses this Sunday at 10:30am and 6:30pm
No Masses will be offered during Spring Break - March 9-15
6:30pm Mass ONLY will be offered on Sunday, March 16.
Mass Intentions:
| Sunday | 3.2 | 10:30am | +Larry Weldon |
| 6:30pm | |||
| Monday | 3.3 | Noon | +Fr. M. Joe Rogers |
| Tuesday | 3.4 | 4:30pm | +Fr. Bill Dawson |
| Ash Wednesday | 3.5 | Noon 4:30pm 9:15pm | +Mary Lou Moe +Norma Longhini Student Intentions |
| Thursday | 3.6 | 4:30pm | For Vocations to Service |
| Friday | 3.7 | Noon | For Safe Spring Break Travels |
This Week's Activities Include:
Monday: Music Ministry 7pm (Chapel); Brewed Awakening 8pm (Gathering Space)
Tuesday: College Bible Study 7pm; Bridge Bible Fellowship 9pm (Gathering Space)
Wednesday: Ash Wednesday Masses 12 noon, 4:30pm, 9:15pm (Chapel); Ambrosians for Peace and Justice 8pm (Lower Chapel)
The Sacrament of Reconciliation (confession) is celebrated Wednesday from 8:30-9pm in the Reconciliation Room in the Chapel and by appointment.
A WELCOME SPRINGTIME!
This Wednesday is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. The word “Lent” is derived from an old Anglo-Saxon word meaning “Spring.” If ever there was a year when people in our part of the world were ready to welcome Spring, this is the year. To know that the record snowfall and polar vortex cold will soon yield to the warmth of the sun’s rays is a happy thought. But it can likewise be a happy thought to believe that the season of Lent can allow our hearts to be opened toward others and our souls thawed to receive the grace of the Son. Lent really should be seen, not as a time for gloom and depravity, but as a gift to us from God. The following is a Lenten reminder to fast and feast in a way that puts it into perspective for me:
FAST from judging others; FEAST on the goodness within them.
FAST from harsh words; FEAST on words that build up others.
FAST from discontent; FEAST on gratitude.
FAST from anger; FEAST on patience.
FAST from pessimism; FEAST on optimism.
FAST from worry; FEAST on God’s care.
FAST from complaining; FEAST on appreciation.
FAST from bitterness; FEAST on forgiveness.
FAST from self-concern; FEAST on compassion for others.
FAST from facts that depress; FEAST on facts that uplift.
FAST from suspicion; FEAST on truth.
FAST from thoughts that weaken; FEAST on promises that inspire.
FAST from idle gossip; FEAST on silence with a purpose.
Happy Lent! May it be for all of us at St. Ambrose, a season of grace and of growth. ----Fr. Chuck •Ash Wednesday Mass Schedule for Distribution of Ashes - March 5
Ash Wednesday masses with the distribution of ashes will be offered at 12 noon, 4:30pm and 9:15pm in Christ the King Chapel. Christian churches of many denominations offer the distribution of ashes in the same manner as Catholics do, symbolizing our desire to use the season of Lent to renew our lives of faith. As such, all Christians are welcome to receive ashes at these masses.
•Understanding the Lenten Fast and Abstinence
FASTING: Catholics between the ages of 18 and 59 are obliged to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Fasting as explained by the U.S. bishops means partaking of only one full meal. Two otehr meatless food (not equaling another full meal) is permitted as is drinking of liquids.
ABSTINENCE: Catholics 14 years old and older must abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and all the Fridays of Lent. Abstinence forbids the use of meat, but not of eggs, milk products or condiments made of animal fat. We are reminded each year that the obligation to do penance on these days is a serious one, but no one should be scrupulous in this regard and if health reasons or the ability to do one’s work is seriously affected, these regulations do not apply. But as Bishop Amos reminds us in his lenten letter, to disregard the law of fast and abstinence completely is a serious matter.
•LENT at SAU: Consider these regular activities a part of your Lenten routine:
→Daily Mass: Mon/Fri at 12 noon; Tues/Thur at 4:30 pm; Wed at 9:15 pm.
→Sacrament of Reconciliation: Wed. 8:30 - 9:00 pm. Communal Reconciliation Service: 7pm Mar. 31.
→Stations of the Cross: Join in prayerfully recalling the passion of our Lord through the Stations of the Cross. We will begin at 5pm on Thursdays, directly following 4:30pm daily mass.
→Operation Rice Bowl: Let your Lent make a difference in the lives of others, and support Catholic Relief Services through the Rice Bowl. It’s simple - 1) pick up a Rice Bowl at Sunday or Ash Wednesday mass, take it to your room, floor, or home, 2) donate money from your Lenten sacrifices all season long, and 3) bring the Rice Bowl back to the Chapel during Holy Week (April 14-17). Visit crsricebowl.org to learn more.
→Lenten Booklets: Booklets for a reflection, activity, and prayer for each day of Lent are made available in Christ the King Chapel as well as by the mailroom on campus, provided to you by Campus Ministry. Feel free to take one and enjoy each day’s story and meditation in “LENT little by little” by Fr. Thomas Connery.
→Read and Discuss Pope Francis’ Evangelii Gaudium, “The Joy of the Gospel:” Especially geared for faculty and staff, but all are welcome to a Tuesday, “brownbag” noon discussion in the Gathering Space. Contact Fr. Chuck at adamcharlesa@sau.edu if you’d like to be part of this 5 part discussion which begins March 18.
→Wednesday Noon Time Quiet Reflection: Join us for 15 minutes of eccumenical prayer: a Taize song, scripture, and quiet reflection each Wednesday of Lent at noon.
•Rite of Election: Please remember those who are preparing for the Sacraments of Initiation during the Lenten Season. On Sunday, we introduce those individuals from the St. Ambrose University community at the 10:30 am mass. On Sunday, March 9, they will be presented to Bishop Amos who receives them as the “elect” to be baptized and/or brought to full communion at Easter at a 3:00 pm in a ceremony at Sacred Heart Cathedral. Please keep these Ambrosians in your prayers.
•Online Stations of the Cross: Be sure to view the Online Stations of the Cross, with new SAU student reflections (posted on Ash Wednesday) and the beautiful etchings of the late Fr. Edward Catich. Make them a part of your Lenten reflection! Visit: http://saustations.blogspot.com/
•Brewed Awakening: Join us on Mon, March 3 as Deb Bowen, the founder of the “A Book by Me” series which pairs grade school children with Holocaust survivors to share their stories, shares her experiences with 3 Holocaust survivors and discusses how to “bridge the faiths” in your own lives. Join us for good coffee and great discussion! Meet in the Chapel Gathering Space at 8:00pm.
•Fast Fest: Come back from Spring Break and take part in a different fast every week of Lent!
Laziness Fast (March 17-21) - Make an effort to use your time better.
Sweets Fast (March 24-28) - Go without sweets, sugar, and pop, and eat healthier things.
Social Media Fast (March 31-April 4) - Fast from Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, etc,
Complaining and Gossip Fast (April 7-11) - Refrain from negative words; promote positive speech.
Meal Fast (April 14-15) - Fast from Monday night to Tuesday after mass, and donate a meal.
•Service on Saturdays: Join fellow students Saturday, Mar. 8th from 11:30 to 3:30 to volunteer with Kids Against Hunger! Volunteers will be helping to set up, organize, and take down the food packaging event. Please email Kaitlyn Koniuszy at ministry@sau.edu to learn more or sign up!!
