Thursday, August 30, 2018

09.02.18

Celebrate Work by Not Working!
It always seems odd to me that just a couple of weeks into the new school year we immediately get a break with the Labor Day holiday.  As a country we celebrate the “social and economic achievements of American workers” by giving them a day off.  As a Church we celebrate not only this, but the rights of workers and the dignity of work itself.  Work comes with its own dignity “built in.”  Work is a good that not only allows for people to supply valuable services and to provide for their families, but at a deeper level to participate in the act of creation.  It is one of those human abilities - along with our reason, our will, and our capacity to love - that demonstrates that we are made in the image and likeness of the Creator.  It is telling that the first “social encyclical” of the Church (that is, a letter from a pope specifically addressing an area of social concern) was Pope Leo XIII’s Rerum Novarum (literally “New Things”) on the rights and duties of capital and labor.  Work is something so fundamental to the human experience and so integral to society, and yet something we often take for granted.  We should not be blind to the many issues that still face laborers in this country and throughout the world.  Perhaps a reading of Rerum Novarum would be worthwhile this Labor Day.  Of course, rest is also important!  I read a book this summer that said when we rest or take a “sabbath” it is a statement of implicit trust in God - that everything will be fine, that the world won’t come crashing down just because I took some time off.  Something to think about as you (hopefully) step away from your work and spend time with family and friends.  Fr. Thom.
Bee Connected Retreat
OPEN TO ALL NEW SAU STUDENTS!

Friday, September 14 - Saturday, September 15

Wanna get away?  Join us for an overnight retreat, just for new students to SAU!  Take some time away from campus, have some fun, make some new friends, get tips from older students, and grow a bit in faith.  Only costs $15, meals and transportation included.  Click the picture to sign up!
WOMEN'S DISCERNMENT GROUP
Information Session
Thursday, September 6 @ 8pm
Chapel Gathering Space


Female SAU students are invited to a discussion group to discover how and what God is calling you to.  The group will be facilitated by Sr. Lynn Mousel, CHM and Sr. Stefanie MacDonald, OSB.  Join us for an informational session on Thursday,
or click here to find out more!
SERVICE ON SATURDAYS
Service projects every Saturday
Contact us to sign up!

September 1 - Crow Creek Lake
8-11 am

Show care for creation and help clean up Crow Creek Lake.

September 8 - Juan Diez Rancheros
9:30am - noon

Help landscape at this ranch for kids in therapy programs.
SPECIAL SERVICE PROJECT
Thursday, September 6
3:15 - 5:45 pm


Help care for baby oak trees at the Living Lands & Waters tree nursery!  Living Lands & Waters (founded by QC native Chad Pregracke) works to clean up our rivers and protect our environment. Click here to learn more!
CHRIST OUR LIFE CONFERENCE
September 29

The diocese of Des Moines is
sponsoring the Christ Our Life
Conference. Fr. Thom is willing to
lead a group there for the Saturday
program. Click the picture to learn
more, or click here to sign up!
                   QUICK BUZZ                   
  • BeesKnees is a prayer ministry for the needs of our campus community.  Email us if you have a prayer request or want to join in.
  • Looking to become Catholic, or prepare for First Communion or Confirmation?  Contact Tammy to find out more.
Have a question about a program or event going on in Campus Ministry?
Got an idea for something you'd like to see happen?
EMAIL US at ministry@sau.edu.

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Friday, August 24, 2018

08.26.18

A Great Start
We were once again very pleased to have a big crowd for our first Mass & More of the year, as over 130 students packed the Grotto on Wednesday night!  The weather was perfect and the ice cream sundaes afterwards didn’t hurt either.  As exciting as it was to see such a nice group for Mass & More, we are more excited to see the sustained involvement of our students throughout the year.  We know how busy our students can get between classes, sports, clubs, jobs, etc., and yet we feel that some involvement in what campus ministry has to offer -- even if it’s just coming to Mass on Sunday, taking on a liturgical ministry, or volunteering for the occasional Service on Saturday -- is an important part of the Ambrosian experience.  Given the choice, I would rather have fifty people each doing one thing in campus ministry than five people doing ten things. If you want to get more involved, click the banner below for our Interest Survey. Of course, in ministry we know that numbers don’t even tell half the story.  I am convinced that so much of what we do in ministry bears only that hidden fruit in the depths of human hearts or may only bear visible fruit in years or decades to come.  In the Gospel this Sunday, people walk away from Jesus because they cannot accept his teaching -- hardly the picture of “successful ministry.”  And yet, Jesus is true to himself and true to his message, and the “proof is in the pudding,” as here we are some two-thousand years later.  Fr. Thom.
MASS AND MORE
Wednesdays at 9:15 pm


Join us for a great SAU tradition with Mass & More.  We'll meet in the Grotto by Ambrose Hall (rain location: Chapel) at 9:15 pm for mass.  Our MORE this week is root beer floats!
NEW STUDENT RETREAT
September 14 - 15


First year and transfer students are invited to the Bee Connected Retreat!  A great chance to make friends, receive tips from older students, and to grow a bit in faith.  Register online here.
Peer Campus Ministers live in their respective Residence Hall and help to promote community and faith formation on our SAU campus!  Find your PCM and say hi!
SERVICE ON SATURDAYS
Different service projects in the Quad Cities every Saturday
Contact us to sign up!

August 25 - Days for Girls
9 am - noon

Help package feminine hygiene kits for girls around the world.

September 1 - Crow Lake Creek
8-11 am

Show care for creation and help clean up Crow Lake Creek.
AMBROSIANS FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE
Wednesdays at 8:00pm


Ambrosians for Peace and Justice (APJ) is a group of students who are interested in peace and justice, learn about Catholic Social Teaching, and perform service together.  All are welcome to join!  First meeting is August 29.  Email us to learn more!
CHRIST OUR LIFE CONFERENCE
September 29

The diocese of Des Moines is sponsoring the Christ Our Life Conference. Fr. Thom is willing to lead a group there for the Saturdayprogram.  Click the picture to learn more, or click here to sign up!
                   QUICK BUZZ                   
  • BeesKnees is a prayer ministry for the needs of our campus community.  Email us if you have a prayer request or want to join in.
  • Looking to become Catholic, or prepare for First Communion or Confirmation?  Contact Tammy to find out more.
  • Come see a complete set of the Tanakh scrolls ("Old Testament") at Christ Anglican Church in Moline on Friday, Sept 7 (1717 8th Ave.)  Go to www.christchurchmoline.net to learn more.
Have a question about a program or event going on in Campus Ministry?
Got an idea for something you'd like to see happen?
EMAIL US at ministry@sau.edu.

Follow us online for news, events, prayer and spiritual resources, plus much more:
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