|
|
Believing Thomas
 My parents never really told me which St. Thomas (if any) I was named after, and there are many good ones to choose from (Becket, More, Aquinas). But because the feast of Thomas the Apostle is the day before my birthday I have always taken him as my personal patron. I always felt that Thomas got a bad rap for being “doubting Thomas.” The fact is, in terms of his faith, he was in exactly the same situation as the other apostles only a short while before. I have often wondered how difficult it must have been for Thomas to see his friends so filled with joy at the resurrection of Jesus, all the while wanting desperately to believe as they did, and yet unable to bring himself to do so. If nothing else, Thomas is intellectually honest. But when Jesus does appear again after the resurrection, and this time Thomas is with them, we have one of the most beautiful exchanges in all of scripture. Jesus invites Thomas to put his finger into the nail marks and his hand into his pierced side, at which Thomas exclaims in deepest faith, “My Lord and my God!” Incidentally, this is probably the highest and most unveiled Christological title bestowed on Jesus by anyone in all four Gospels. We are all beneficiaries of this exchange, as Jesus says, “Have you come to believe because you have seen? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” That’s us. In a sense we can say, “O happy doubt! That made it possible for us to understand that we need not see to believe!” As we hear this beautiful Gospel proclaimed again on this Second Sunday of Easter, we can thank Thomas, not for his doubt in itself, but for his honesty that opened the door to faith for so many who would come after him. Fr. Thom. |
|
Service on SaturdayApril 27 10:00 am - 12:30 pm Join us at Camp Hand-in-Hand for mulching and painting projects. Hand-in-Hand is a center for children of all abilities. To learn more about this service opportunity, contact Abby.
|
|
|
 |
Sacraments of Initiation
Please continue to pray for our candidates preparing to celebrate the Sacraments of Initiation this Sunday, April 28 at the 10:30 am Mass.
Reception into the Catholic Church, Confirmation, & First Communion
Chris Boer, Alex Goeller, and Catie Steck
Confirmation & First Communion
Adriana Costa and Amber Voss
Confirmation
Sandra Blom, Charlotte Flynn, Jessica Hemm, Eva Latz, and Haley Rawles
The candidates met together throughout the past year to explore the Sunday Scriptures and experience the Catholic way of life. We congratulate them and welcome them with great joy!
If you'd like to learn more about becoming Catholic or preparing for the Sacraments in the future, contact Tammy to learn more! |
|
 |
In Loving Memory
John Hennen
John Hennen, father of Fr. Thom Hennen, passed away on Friday, April 19. A funeral mass will be held at 10 am on Monday, April 29 at St. Mary of the Visitation in Ottumwa, Iowa. Remembrances and condolences may be expressed online here.
Please keep Fr. Hennen and his family in your prayers. |
|
 |
ADORE - Praise and Eucharistic AdorationMonday, April 29 8:30 - 10:00 pm Join us for a night of Eucharistic Adoration with praise and worship music here in the Chapel. Take a break for some prayer, some song, and some quiet as we get to the end of the semester. Contact us to learn more!
|
|
Music for Commencement MassAll SAU students, faculty, and staff are invited to assist with music for the Commencement Mass on Saturday, May 11 at 9am in the Chapel. Help make a beautiful send-off for our graduates! Rehearsals start May 2. Contact Chris to learn more.
|
|
|
BRING BACK YOUR RICE BOWLS!!!There's still time to bring back your filled Rice Bowl - simply drop it off in the basket in the Gathering Space, or click here to donate online!
|
|
|
 |
2018-2019 Service Hours
Help us tally all the hours of service that our students, faculty, and staff have done in the past academic year! This is a great way for us to recognize our university's commitment to the Catholic values of service and justice. Last year, SAU completed 180,271 hours of service! Can't wait to see what this year brought. Click here to log your service hours! |
|
 |
Going Away Party for Chris Clow
Sunday, May 5
Following the 10:30 am Mass
Chris, our Director of Music and Liturgy, will be leaving St. Ambrose University this May after 8 years of service. Please join us after the 10:30 am mass on May 5 for a reception in the Gathering Space as we celebrate Chris and wish him and his family well on their next adventures! |
|
Finals Week Chapel Schedule
Please make note of the changes to the Chapel schedule as we near the end of the semester:
- Sunday, May 5, is the last regular Sunday of the year with Masses at 10:30 am and 6:30 pm.
- The noon Mass on Monday, May 6 is the last regular daily Mass until August. There are no regular daily masses during the summer.
- The last student Mass is Tuesday, May 7 at 9 pm in the Grotto, followed by Midnight Breakfast.
- All graduates, family members and friends are invited to the Commencement Mass on Saturday, May 11 at 9 am in the Chapel. Bishop Zinkula will be the celebrant for this liturgy as we send off our graduates with a beautiful Mass. Followed by the Graduation Breakfast and Commencement Activities later that afternoon.
- There will be a 10:30 am Mass on Sunday, May 13, but no 6:30 pm.
|
|
QUICK BUZZ
- Know that the Sacrament of Reconciliation is always available for our students. Offered before every daily mass at: 11:15 am Monday/Friday; 3:45 pm Tuesday/Thursday; & 8:30 pm Wednesday. Also available by appointment. Contact Fr. Thom to learn more.
- BeesKnees is our prayer chain for the needs of our St. Ambrose community. Email BeesKnees@sau.edu Have a prayer request, or want to join.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
