vol 24 no 13
November 29, 2015 - First Sunday of Advent
+ Jeremiah 33:14-16 + 1 Thessalonians 3:12-4:2 + Luke 21:25-28, 34-36 +
Mass this Sunday at 6:30 pm ONLY
Mass Intentions:
| Sunday | 11.29 | NO 10:30 am 6:30 pm | For the SAU Community |
| Monday | 11.30 | Noon | + Fr. Richard Bevenour, '53 |
| Tuesday | 12.1 | 4:30 pm | + Peter Bushma, '50 |
| Wednesday | 12.2 | 9:15 pm | For Student Intentions |
| Thursday | 12.3 | 4:30pm | + Judith Dusenberry, '89 |
| Friday | 12.4 | Noon | + Dean Dye |
This Week's Activities Include:
Monday: Music Ministry Rehearsal 6 pm (Chapel); Men's Faith Group 7 pm (Gathering Space Side Room); Brewed Awakening 8 pm (Gathering Space)
Tuesday: Bridge Bible Fellowship 9 pm (Chapel)
Wednesday: Ambrosians for Peace and Justice 8 pm (Lower Chapel); Sacrament of Reconciliation 8:30 pm (Chapel); Mass and More 9:15 pm (Chapel)
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
Prayer Ministry - send intentions to BeesKnees@sau.edu.
Prepare the Way for Hope
This Sunday, as students return to campus from Thanksgiving break, we enter the season of Advent. Advent is a time of preparation for Christmas, but more importantly it's a time to be attentive for the coming of God into our world. It can be a bit of a challenge to heed the Advent call us to “stay awake” and “be prepared.” It is a busy time and the mere thought of all that is left to be done in the few remaining days of this semester can leave us exhausted. We can also become fatigued by reading the daily news and the horrible tragedies and acts of terror that have occurred in recent weeks. But Advent is above all else, a season of hope. Advent assures us that God will fulfill his promises. And we desperately need that assurance. There are many ways to make the most of Advent. Some of the opportunities are listed in this campus ministry bulletin. The fact is, each one of us have a role to play in creating the more just and peaceful world for which we long. Need a shot of energy? Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke of an elderly woman whom he described as the most dedicated participant in the bus boycott in Montgomery, Alabama. Walking miles every day rather than ride on segregated buses, he quoted her as saying, “My feet are tired, but my soul is rested." Advent can do that for us. Despite all the hectic activity of the next few weeks, try to find time for prayerful renewal. Be assured that we have no reason to give-in to fear. And take time for some action that brings hope to others. Preparing the way might make our bodies tired, but by doing what is right and just, our souls can rested and ready to welcome the Lord. ---Fr. Chuck
•Join Us for 6:30pm Mass on Sunday
As you come back to campus from Thanksgiving break, join us for mass on Sunday, November 29 at 6:30pm in the Chapel. There will be no 10:30am mass this Sunday. The daily mass schedule resumes with 12 noon mass on Monday, November 30.
•Project Renewal Giving Tree
Students from a themed house on campus focused on service to Project Renewal invite you to take an ornament from the Giving tree in the Gathering Space the weekend of December 6th. Each ornament has the name, age and interests of a child at Project Renewal. We ask you to buy a new backpack for that child and return it by December 13th. The service house guys will deliver them during finals week. Thank you!
•Advent Season Events
Advent begins Sunday, November 29th. Advent is a season of preparation for Christmas and a reminder to be constantly vigilant “waiting in joyful hope” for the Lord’s coming. Here are some ways you can celebrate Advent right here at SAU:
→Pick up a copy of A Season of Mercy by David M. Knight. These Advent reflections will help us to begin the Year of Mercy proclaimed by Pope Francis. The booklets are available in the Chapel gathering space, at the Rogalski Center Post Office, and in the Health Science Building.
→Participate in Daily Mass at Christ the King Chapel. Monday and Fridays at 12:00 pm. Tuesdays and Thursdays at 4:30pm, and Wednesday at 9:15pm.
→Enjoy a special Lessons and Carols service Friday, December 4 at 7:00pm in the Chapel. The evening consists of scriptures for the season and music featuring the University Chorale and Chamber Singers.
→Celebrate the Feast of St. Ambrose with us on Sunday, December 6. The Most Rev. Martin Amos, Bishop of Davenport, will be the presider and homilist for a special liturgy at 10:30am as we celebrate our patron saint. This mass will feature music led by a combined choir of SAU Chamber Singers and Music Ministry, as well as the presentation of the McMullen Awards to Msgr. John Hyland, ‘64 and Karen and Jim Collins, ‘69. Reception to follow in the Gathering Space.
→Attend the Advent Communal Reconciliation, Monday, December 7 at 7:00pm in Christ the King Chapel. A short prayer service is followed by the opportunity for individual confession to one of the priests present.
→Commemorate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Tuesday, December 8, by celebrating mass at 12 noon or 4:30pm on the holy day of obligation.
→Take time out for a quiet evening of Advent Reflections at the Stable led by IlaMae Hanisch, ‘89 at 8 pm Thursday, December 10th in the Gathering Space. Refreshments will be provided by Women & Faith.
→Plan to take part in the Student Candlelight Mass preceding Midnight Breakfast on Tuesday Dec. 17 at 9:00pm. In the chapel, filled with light from candles held by students, we celebrate the mystery, the joy, and the hope Christ’s birth has brought to our world. All are welcome to each of these events.
•Music for the Feast of St. Ambrose Mass
There are two remaining rehearsals for the Feast of St. Ambrose Mass - Monday, November 30 at 7pm, and right before the mass Sunday, December 6 at 9am, both in the Chapel. All SAU students, faculty, and staff are invited to take part in the music for this mass. If you are interested email ministry@sau.edu to find out more.
•Brewed Awakening
Join us for the last Brewed Awakening discussion of the semester! On Monday, November 30 at 8pm in the Gathering Space, SAU GREENLife will lead a discussion about local and global climate change, to coincide with the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris. Bring your friends, enjoy free specialty coffee drinks, and stick around for a great discussion on an important topic.
•Service on Saturday
Join us for the Kids Against Hunger meal packaging on Dec. 5 to package meals that will feed Syrian refugees in refugee camps in Greece. It will be held at the Waterfront Convention Center in Bettendorf; we will be helping in the 2-3pm shift. You can sign up at ministry@sau.edu. Reserve your spot today!
•Ambrose of Milan Lecture
Fr. David Voprada, Ph.D. of Charles University in Prague, is presenting the annual Saint Ambrose of Milan lecture on Dec. 6th at 4:30 in Christ the King Chapel at St. Ambrose University entitled, "St. Ambrose and Growth in the Christian Life." Fr. Voprada says of his theme that "The bishop of Milan encouraged his Church to go always further, never to stop in our journey of getting to know and love God. Is there in his teaching something that would help even Christians of our time to proceed on their journey to God?”
•Bless the Pencils
Are you worried about your finals and feel like you need all the help you can get? Bring a pencil to the chapel at 7:30 pm, Sunday December 13th and get it blessed before finals begin! Grab a cookie and some hot chocolate too.
•Service Trip Applications are Now Available
Applications for our Winter break service trip are due on December 9th - join us as we go to the Port Ministries in the Back of the Yards neighborhood in Chicago. From January 12-16, we’ll be working with kids in the after-school program, helping in the free clinic, serving meals from the bread truck, and witnessing peace-making circles with a restorative justice program. Can’t go in January? Take part in one of the Campus Ministry service trips to East St. Louis, Cleveland, Northern Mississippi, or Eastern Kentucky over Spring break. Applications are available now in the gathering space and lower chapel. Any questions? Contact Kaitlin in Campus Ministry at ministry@sau.edu.
•Year of Mercy
Pope Francis has announced an extraordinary jubilee, a Holy Year of Mercy, beginning on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, December 8. The Diocese of Davenport will be celebrating this jubilee all year long, beginning on Sunday, December 13 at Sacred Heart Cathedral with the opening of the Holy Year Door at 9:00am, and a Communal Penance Liturgy at 3:00pm. All are welcome at both, and be sure to follow along for events all throughout the Holy Year.
