vol 22 no 24
March 30, 2014 - Fourth Sunday of Lent
+ 1 Samuel 16: 1b, 6-7, 10-13 + Ephesians 5: 8-14 + John 9: 1-41 +
Masses this Sunday at 10:30am and 6:30pm
Mass Intentions:
| Sunday | 3.30 | 10:30am 6:30pm | For the SAU Community |
| Monday | 3.31 | Noon | +Howard Hannon |
| Tuesday | 4.1 | 4:30pm | +Edward Wilkinson |
| Wednesday | 4.2 | 9:15pm | Student Intentions |
| Thursday | 4.3 | 4:30pm | +Fr. J. Walter McEleney |
| Friday | 4.4 | Noon | +Joseph Cinadr |
This Week's Activities Include:
Monday: Music Ministry 6pm (Chapel); Interfaith Council 6pm (Lower Chapel); Reconciliation Service 7pm (Chapel); Brewed Awakening 8pm (Gathering Space)
Tuesday: "Joy of the Gospel" Discussion 12 noon (Chapel Gathering Space), College Bible Study 7pm; Bridge Bible Fellowship 9pm (Gathering Space)
Wednesday: Midweek Reflection 12pm (Chapel); Ambrosians for Peace and Justice 8pm (Lower Chapel); Sacrament of Reconciliation (confessions) 8:30pm; Mass and More 9:15pm (Chapel)
Thursday: Stations of the Cross 5pm (Chapel); Adoration 7pm (Chapel)
Campus Ministry Offices - Lower Chapel
333-6132 or ministry@sau.edu
Fr. Chuck Adam, Chaplain
Kelly Bush, Director of Service & Justice
Chris Clow, Director of Music and Liturgy
Sheila Deluhery, Director of Faith Formation
TAKING THE HIGHER ROAD
At St. Ambrose we promote justice as the foundation for a lasting peace and throughout our history we have demonstrated how non-violent protest can work to bring about social change. So it is in that spirit that I think it so appropriate to share a news story that was pointed out to me last week. Fred Phelps, the founder of the church in Westboro, Kansas who had led protests at so many funerals of fallen soldiers with signs and hate spewing chants died last week. Not allowing his death to deter them from their protests, 20 of his followers went to Kansas City to protest at a Lorde’s concert with hatred spewed on their placards. But the most attention was not given to the usual signs with hateful words. Instead it was the large banner held up by a handful of counter protesters that caught most people by surprise. It said very simply and compassionately, “Sorry for your Loss.” Now that’s taking the higher road. That’s a powerful way to live the words of Jesus from the Sermon on the Mount: “Love your enemies, pray for those who persecute you.” Martin Luther King, Jr. said it another way: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness. Only Light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate. Only love can do that.” Now that we are passed the halfway point of Lent, this season of conversion and change, we could ask ourselves, “How much light am I offering to dispel darkness? Are my actions dispelling hate?” There is still plenty of time in this Lenten season to respond to God’s love, and in turn, become more loving of others. The Busy Student Retreat begins Sunday night. Consider Monday’s Communal Penance Service. With God’s grace, we can take the higher road. We can begin to offer our dark world a bit more light. ---Fr. Chuck
•Communal Penance Service: A communal celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation will be held at 7:00pm on Monday, March 31 in the Chapel. A short prayer service and examination of conscience is followed by an opportunity for individual confession from one of several priests who will be present to help us celebrate God’s pardon, peace, and reconciliation with the Christian community.
•Brewed Awakening: Join us Monday, March 31 at 8pm in the Gathering Space, (immediately following Communal Penance) as Teresa Dunbar from Catholic Relief Services talks about how we can best help out those in need around the world.
•Busy Student Retreat: Welcome to visiting priests and sister who are serving as spiritual guides for this week’s Busy Student Retreat: Sister Lou Anglin, Vocation Director for Sister of Charity of the BVM in Dubuque, Fr. Francis Bitterman, Vocation Director for the Archdiocese of Chicago. Sister Bobbi Bussen, Vocation Director for the Sister of St. Benedict in Rock Island, Sister Roberta Birch, from the Sisters of the Humility of Mary in Davenport, Fr. Thom Hennen, Vocation Director for the Diocese of Davenport, and Fr. Adam McDonald, Vocation Director the Society of the Divine Word.
•Interfaith Meeting and Sharing of Faith: Interfaith Council will have a faith sharing meeting on Monday, March 31 at 6pm in the Lower Chapel Conference Room. Mr. Hassan Alhethail will share about Islam. Come and learn more about Islam and how Islam is practiced in different parts of the world!
•“The Joy of the Gospel:” There’s still three chapters to go in our discussion of Pope Francis’ “The Joy of the Gospel.” Come, bring your lunch, and join us at 12 noon in the Gathering Space on Tuesdays. Find the whole document online here.
•College Bible Study: Make studying Scripture a part of your Lenten practice, and spend time in discussion with readings for the upcoming Sunday. Come meet with College Bible Study on Tuesdays at 7pm in the Lower Chapel Conference Room. Email ministry@sau.edu to learn more!
•Wednesday Midweek Quiet Reflection: Join us each Wednesday of Lent at 12 noon for a brief, 15 minute prayer service with a Taize song, scripture, and silence - a little silence goes a long way!
•Stations of the Cross: Make the Online Stations a part of your Lenten prayer and reflection! Featuring SAU student reflections and the etchings of the late Fr. Edward Catich: http://saustations.blogspot.com.
•Eucharistic Adoration: Join us once again on Thursday, April 3 for another opportunity for Eucharistic Adoration Holy Hour. Time consists of Scripture, song, and silent reflection before the Blessed Sacrament. Perfect for this Lenten season! Contact Chris Clow at ministry@sau.edu to learn more!
•Service on Saturdays: Volunteer and help out the Quad Cities area! Visit with the residents of the Kahl Home this Saturday, March 29 from 2-4pm, and help out at Winnie’s Wishes Resale Shop next Saturday, April 5 from 10am-1pm, which helps fund a local women’s shelter. Email ministry@sau.edu to sign up!
•CRS Rice Bowl Reflection: Malawi. This week, CRS Rice Bowl invites us to enter into solidarity with the people of Malawi. We are encouraged to reflect on the Catholic social teaching principle, Dignity of Work and Rights of Workers, and reminded that, just as He labored to create the universe, God sanctifies and calls us to work. There are still plenty of rice bowls available in the Gathering Space if you need one! Please continue to donate to CRS through your Rice Bowl. You can make a difference!
•Fast Fest - Week 3: This week in Fast Fest (Mar 30-Apr 5), strive to be more present in the real world in the Social Media Fast. Sign off of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and the like for a week, and work for more authentic conversation and communication with your family and friends!
•Music for Commencement Mass: All SAU students, faculty, and staff are invited to assist with music for the Commencement Mass on Sat, May 10 at 9am in the Chapel. This mass provides a beautiful send-off for our graduates and their families, and is a wonderful SAU tradition. Rehearsals will start on Monday, April 14 at 7pm. Please email Chris Clow at ministry@sau.edu if you would like to help out!
•Certificate in Youth Ministry Studies: Courses offered this summer during June 12-15 and July 10-13. This program is perfect for those who want to work with high school youth, and courses can be taken for Theology credit. Email Chris Clow at ministry@sau.edu to learn more.
•DUBUQUE’S GOT SISTERS! Are you interested in checking out religious life? An opportunity for women age 19 and older to come together with sisters and other women who are asking how to best serve the people of God is being offered. Join us for prayer, conversation and chance to get to know communities of women who have given their life in service to people on the margins: • Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary • Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary • Dubuque Franciscan Sisters • Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters. Meals and an overnight stay will be provided – at no charge. The retreat will begin with dinner and prayer on Friday, April 11th at 5:00 and close with dinner on (to conclude by 6:00 pm)Saturday, April 12th. To register or for more info contact Sister Ginny Heldorfer - email: heldorferv@osfdbq.org/ phone: 952-457-5193.
