vol 26 no 27
April 29, 2018 - Fifth Sunday of Easter
+ Acts 9:26-31 + 1 John 3:18-24 + John 15:1-8 +
Masses this Sunday at 10:30 am and 6:30 pm
Mass Intentions:
| Sunday | 4.29 | 10:30 am 6:30 pm | For the SAU Community |
| Monday | 4.30 | Noon | + John McGrory, '43 |
| Tuesday | 5.01 | 4:30 pm | + Warren Johnson, '50 |
| Wednesday | 5.02 | 9:15 pm | For Student Intentions |
| Thursday | 5.03 | 4:30 pm | + Greg Losasso, '87 |
| Friday | 5.04 | Noon | + Donald Berg, '51 |
This Week's Activities Include:
Sunday: Eucharistic Adoration 7:30 pm (Chapel)
Tuesday: Bridge Bible Fellowship 8:30 pm (Chapel)
Wednesday: Ambrosians for Peace and Justice 7:30 pm (Lower Chapel); Mass & More 9:15 pm (Chapel/Gathering Space)
Thursday: Music Ministry Rehearsal 7 pm (Chapel); Mother Teresa Small Group 8 pm (Gathering Space)
Sacrament of Reconciliation Offered Before Every Daily Mass
Monday/Friday - 11:15 am
Tuesday/Thursday - 3:45 pm
Wednesday - 8:30 pm
Campus Ministry Offices - Lower Chapel
333-6132 or ministry@sau.edu
Twitter: @SAUCampusMin
Fr. Thom Hennen, Chaplain
Chris Clow, Director of Music and Liturgy
Kaitlin Depuydt, Director of Service and Social Justice
Tammy Norcross-Reitzler, Director of Faith Formation
Paul Burd, Grad Assistant
Prayer Ministry - send intentions to BeesKnees@sau.edu.
Sign Up for Campus Ministry Events any time during the year! Go to: www.tinyurl.com/campusmin2017.
Vine and Branches
Jesus frequently uses agrarian images in his preaching: sheep and shepherds, sowers and seed, vine and branches. This last symbol is particularly worthy of some deeper consideration, as this is the image that Jesus chooses to describe our relationship to him. It is a vital image, in the truest sense of the word. That is, it is related to vita, to life. A branch that has been cut off from the vine will soon wither and die. In the same way, for Christians - by virtue of our baptism - our very life is now bound up with Christ, the Vine. In the Gospel this Sunday, Jesus doesn’t say, “Without me you can do quite a lot, but I’m a nice guy and everyone needs a little spirituality in their life.” Rather, he says, “Without me you can do nothing.” Christ is our life. This is an especially important reminder for us during this hectic time of the year, as the academic year winds to a close. What, then, does it take to cultivate this good relationship between Jesus and us, between the vine and the branches? First of all, it may take some careful pruning, as Jesus himself suggests. Perhaps there are less than fruitful aspects of our lives, our study or our work that drain us of vital energy that could better be applied elsewhere, and so need to be cut out. This can also be a good time, as we reflect on the past academic year and look to the future, to more carefully examine our consciences and to take advantage of the Sacrament of Reconciliation (offered in our chapel before daily Mass). This “pruning” is not to harm us, though it can seem painful at first, but precisely so that we can bear more fruit. Another, truly vital way for us to cultivate our relationship with Christ is through prayer. Jesus says, “Remain in me.” What better way to begin to remain in him than by first remaining with him in prayer? These next two Sundays we have a unique opportunity to do this following the 6:30 Mass, as we once again have an hour of Eucharistic adoration. In this busy time of year, it may seem like we don’t have an hour (or even a few minutes) to spare, but my experience has been that God has an amazing way of manipulating time, such that what time we spend in prayer is measured back out to us in peace, in clarity of purpose, in confidence, energy and joy. As we enter these last two weeks of the school year, let us remain in Christ, the Vine, our Life, without whom we can do nothing. ---Fr. Thom
•End of Year Chapel Schedule
This coming week (April 29 - May 5) is the last week of regular masses in the Chapel for the academic year. Sunday, May 6 is the last regular Sunday of the year with masses at 10:30am and 6:30pm. Monday, May 7 is the last regular daily mass at 12 noon, while on Tuesday, May 8 we will have one last mass for the students at 9pm. After Tuesday, there will be no more daily masses in the Chapel until the fall semester. There will be a Sunday 10:30 am mass only on Sunday the 13th.
•Last Wednesday Night Mass and More & Blessing of Pencils
Join us this Wednesday, May 2 at 9:15pm for the final Mass & More of the 2017-2018 year! We will honor the two seniors who are receiving this year’s Faith Learning Justice awards for their outstanding commitment to Campus Ministry and the values of St. Ambrose University. We will also have a blessing of pencils (and more importantly, the students that use them!) at the end of mass before finals week. Come pick up a Campus Ministry pencil or bring your own. Finally, stick around for the last More of the semester as we have Whitey’s Ice Cream in the Chapel Gathering Space after mass. Bring your friends, bring your team, or bring your floor to this last Mass & More!
•Music for Commencement Mass
All SAU students, faculty, and staff are invited to assist with the music for the Commencement Mass on Saturday, May 12 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 begin this Thursday, May 3 at 7pm in the Chapel. People of all skill levels are welcome! Email Chris Clow at ministry@sau.edu to sign up.
•Service Opportunity with Madison Elementary
Volunteers are needed to help at a May Carnival for the kids at Madison Elementary on Friday May 4th from 4:15-6:30pm. The event is free to all Madison families and around 400 people are expected to attend. Volunteers work with teachers and parents to run games and supervise the inflatable obstacle course. Madison Elementary is located at the corner of Locust and Brady Sts, so this would be an easy walk to the school with friends! If you would like to sign up, please contact Dr. Rachael Suddarth at suddarthrachaelm@sau.edu.
•SAU Community Service Hours - Due Monday, May 7
We are asking the entire SAU campus community to help us tabulate all of the hours of service that have been given during the 2017-2018 academic year by our students, faculty, and staff. Last year, the SAU campus completed an amazing 156,720 hours of service! In order to document our commitment to service, we need an accurate count of what student groups, classes, and individuals are doing. Go to https://sau.wufoo.com/forms/log-your-service-hours/ by Monday, May 7 and log hours of service from your class, with a student club, or individual service you did on your own. Email Kaitlin at ministry@sau.edu with any questions. Thank you SAU!
•Tuesday, May 8 - Last Weekday Mass at 9 pm and Midnight Breakfast at 10 pm
Bring your friends, bring your floor, or bring your team! All are welcome at the last daily Mass of the semester on Tuesday, May 8 at 9pm in the Grotto (rain location: Chapel). A blessing will be offered for all who will be graduating. We will conclude in plenty of time for getting in line for Midnight Breakfast in the Cosgrove Cafeteria which begins at 10pm.
•Commencement Mass May 12
Graduates and their families are invited to begin Commencement Day by celebrating Mass at Christ the King Chapel at 9am on Saturday, May 12. The Most Reverend Bishop Thomas Zinkula of Davenport will be the celebrant for the liturgy, and mass will feature a combined choir of SAU students, faculty, and staff. The Mass will conclude in time for families to enjoy the Brunch in Rogalski Center. People of all faiths are welcome at this service of thanksgiving and blessing. Learn more about everything happening for Spring Commencement on the SAU webpage.
•Move Out Collection
STUDENTS! As you pack up to move out for the summer, do you have clothes, shoes, furniture, or food that you aren’t taking with you? DON’T THROW IT OUT! The Peer Campus Ministers are collecting items that are clean and in good condition to donate to families with local community organizations. They are also collecting non-perishable food as well. Simply look for donation spots in your Residence Hall and drop off items there until Saturday, May 12. Email ministry@sau.edu if you have any questions about donatable items. Thank you from your Peer Campus Ministers, Campus Ministry, and Residence Life!
•Adoration is Back!
Following the 6:30 Mass for the last 2 Sundays of the semester (April 29 and May 6) we will have exposition and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament from 7:30-8:30 in the Chapel. Please consider staying after Mass or coming for a short time of quiet prayer in this busy time of the year. Even if you can only come for 15 or 30 minutes, this is a great way to “reset” and keep your eyes fixed on Jesus as the academic year winds to a close.
