vol 23 no 22
March 15, 2015 - Fourth Sunday of Lent
+ 2 Chronicles 36:14-16, 19-23 + Ephesians 2:4-10 + John 3:14-21 +
Mass this Sunday at 10:30 am and 6:30 pm
Mass Intentions:
| Sunday | 3.15 | 6:30 pm | For the SAU Community |
| Monday | 3.16 | Noon | + James Gibbs, '68 |
| Tuesday | 3.17 | 4:30 pm | + Bernard, O'Brien, '72 |
| Wednesday | 3.18 | 9:15 pm | For student intentions |
| Thursday | 3.19 | 4:30pm | + Donald Denten, '61 |
| Friday | 3.20 | Noon | + Derrek Drexler, '10 |
This Week's Activities Include:
Sunday: RCIA 7:30pm (Lower Chapel)
Monday: Music Ministry 6pm (Chapel); Brewed Awakening 8pm (Gathering Space); Late Night Adoration 9pm (Chapel)
Tuesday: "Church of Mercy" Brown Bag noon (Gathering Space); Nurses Christian Fellowship 4pm (Gathering Space); Bridge Bible Fellowship 8:40pm (Chapel)
Wednesday: Ecumenical Reflection noon (Chapel); Ambrosians for Peace and Justice 8pm (Lower Chapel); Sacrament of Reconciliation 8:30pm (Chapel); Mass and More 9:15pm (Chapel)
Thursday: Women & Faith 8pm (Gathering Space)
Campus Ministry Offices - Lower Chapel
333-6132 or ministry@sau.edu
Fr. Chuck Adam, Chaplain
Chris Clow, Director of Music and Liturgy
Kaitlin Depuydt, Director of Service and Social Justice
Tammy Norcross-Reitzler, Director of Faith Formation
Tom Prior, Grad Assistant
More Than Corned Beef, Cabbage, and Green Beer
St. Patrick’s Day will be on the mind of many Ambrosians as we return from Spring Break. It seems only natural that a university founded by an Irish born bishop named McMullen would honor the patron saint of Ireland. The manner in which we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day can sometimes seem a bit inappropriate for the penitential season of Lent. But if we look beyond the green beer and the corned beef and cabbage, we discover in St. Patrick a man who is an excellent model for our Lenten journey. For example, many people don't realize that Patrick was not born in Ireland, but in Britain. At the age of 16 he was kidnapped and taken to Ireland where he was sold as a slave and forced to work for six years on his master’s farm. Rather than allowing this captivity to make him a bitter man, he turned to God and developed a faith in God’s Providence during those most difficult times. In fact, he became a witness of faith, inspiring even those who meant him harm. After finally escaping, he returned home to Britain, but eventually heard God calling him to forgive his captors and to return to the people of Ireland. He sought priesthood and was eventually ordained a bishop. He returned to Ireland as a missionary and his preaching and his example of a holy life converted the whole of Ireland to Christianity. You can draw your own personal lessons from the life of St. Patrick. For me, it's the importance of rising above anger toward those speak ill of us or who do us great harm. It’s about finding hope amidst adversity and allowing God to help us find good even in the worst of situations. And it’s about an openness to God’s Spirit, leading us to those people and places where like Patrick we can be messengers of God’s peace. But there is of course much more to tell so plan to join Fr. Conn OMaoldomhnaigh, Presidential Fellow from Carlow College, on Monday evening at 8pm in the Gathering Space. He will be leading the Brewed Awakening discussion that evening. And regardless of how you celebrate, have a very happy St. Paddy’s Day! ---Fr. Chuck
•Fast FestThis week’s fast is from Social Media. . . fast from Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, etc.Strive to use your time better all week and be truly present to people. Email ministry@sau.edu to get reminders and encouragement during the weeks of FastFest.
•CRS Rice Bowl App AvailableDownload at: http://www.crs.org/ricebowl-app/. This week the Rice Bowl reflections focus on the Syrian refugees in Lebanon. We are challenged to reach out to those forced to flee their homes and who are seeking shelter in a land of peace. Your sacrifices this Lent can make a difference in the world - Rice Bowls are still available in the Gathering Space.
•Brewed Awakening
Interested in learning about St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland? On March 16, from 8-9 pm Brewed Awakening in the Chapel Gathering Space will feature Fr. Conn and SAU students Rachel Hohneke and Rachel Flaherty, who have both traveled to Ireland. All are invited to enjoy free coffee and speciality drinks!
•Late Night Adoration
Spend some time in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament every Monday during Lent at 9pm in the Chapel. Enjoy a time of song, scripture, and silence to end your day.
•Spiritual Community Housing
Applications due March 17! The Spiritual Community provides a living and learning environment in which students deepen their spiritual lives and learn from the spiritualities of others. Find out more at the Residence Life website or contact ministry@sau.edu.
•A Church of Mercy
Bring your lunch to the Gathering Space and come and discuss Pope Francis’ “A Church of Mercy” at noon on Tuesdays. This week’s discussion will be over Parts 5 & 6.
•Wednesday Ecumenical Reflection
Join in every Wednesday at 12 noon for a time of quiet prayer: 15 minutes of song, Scripture, and silence. Perfect for the middle of a busy week. All are welcome!
•Wilber Peace and Justice Symposium
Margaret Pfeil, PhD, associate professional specialist of theology at University of Notre Dame, will present "Charismatic Women: Witnesses of Peace,” at 7 p.m., Thursday, March 19, in the Rogalski Center Ballroom. Pfeil will talk about women who have used their charisms to bear witness to Christ’s peace in the world, particularly Dorothy Day, Helen Prejean, and the four U.S. churchwomen murdered in El Salvador. The symposium is free and open to the public. Contact: Fr. Brian Miclot, ext. 6129.
•Women & Faith
Gather weekly on Thursday evenings from 8-9 pm in the gathering space with other young women to pray, reflect on God’s Word and share faith.
•Ambrosian Reflections
Follow along online with the readings for Lent and reflections from SAU faculty and staff. Find them on the main SAU webpage, or go to http://saulent.blogspot.com/. New reflections every weekday during Lent!
•Online Stations of the Cross
Be sure to view the Online Stations of the Cross, with SAU student reflections and the beautiful etchings of the late Fr. Edward Catich. Visit: http://saustations.blogspot.com/
•Service on Saturday
Looking to do some service next weekend? On Saturday March 21st, we’ll go to Humility of Mary Housing. They support women and families in transitional housing, and we’ll work to sort clothing and donations for their warehouse. Email ministry@sau.edu to join in.
•L’Arche Day on campus
L'Arche in Clinton, IA is a Christian community of people with developmental disabilities and those who share life with them. Members of Ambrosians for Peace & Justice visit the L’Arche community in Clinton throughout the year, and on Sunday March 22nd, our friends will be coming to campus to visit us. We’ll share music and an art project as well as attend Mass and have lunch. Interested in helping and making new friends? Email ministry@sau.edu to volunteer between 10am - 3pm that day.
•Armenian Genocide Remembrance Service
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. An interfaith prayer service will be held on Tuesday, March 24 to mark the occasion. The Very Reverend Aren Jebejian from the Armenian Church will join us to lead the service, and the Most Reverend Bishop Martin Amos of Davenport will offer a reflection. There will be Armenian food offered beginning at 6pm in the Gathering Space, and the prayer service begins at 7pm. All are welcome to attend.
•Gospel Fest
The St. Ambrose Multicultural Affairs Community Action student group (MACA) will host the sixth annual Gospel Fest on Thursday, March 26 at 7pm in Christ the King Chapel. Featuring local choirs and gospel artist Drew Chambers. Admission is free, and all are welcome!
•River Bend Foodbank Mobile Pantry
Do you have some free time on a Thursday morning? RiverBend Foodbank has a Mobile Food Pantry on Thursday, March 26 at New Hope Presbyterian Church in Davenport. Volunteer hours are 8:00am to 11:30am. The Mobile Food Pantry distribution will provide about 10,000 meals and feeds hundreds of families in just a few hours! If you are interested, email ministry@sau.edu. We can arrange a carpool from campus.
•Dubuque’s Got Sisters Retreat:
Are you interested in checking out religious life? This retreat provides an opportunity to pray with and learn about four religious communities in Dubuque. The retreat begins with dinner and prayer on Friday, April 10th at 5 pm and closes with dinner on Saturday, April 11th (to conclude by 6pm). For more information contact Sister Rita Cameron, PBVM vocations@dubuquepresentations.org.
•“Living in the Light” Summit for Young Adults
Tim O’Malley from the Notre Dame Theology Department will be the keynote at the summit for young adults Saturday, April 18th at the Newman Center in Iowa City. The day is focused on inspiring young adults to live with passion, purpose, meaning and to discover where God might be leading. The summit is from 9:30am-4 pm and is free for SAU students. To register contact the campus ministry office or email ministry@sau.edu.
•Just Advocacy Week (JAW) is a five-day leadership experience for college students interested in the intersection of faith and politics. Come join us in Washington, D.C. to learn about leadership, community organizing, and advocacy strategies centered on Catholic Social Tradition. From June 14-19, participants will experience what it's like to lobby an elected official, how to be a social justice leader in their community, and gain issue knowledge on economic inequality.This program is designed for those who recently completed their freshman year in college but haven't started their senior year yet. College credit is available. Learn more and apply here: http://network-education.org/justadvocacyweek
