The Counter-Intuitive Nature of Self-Gift In the readings for this Sunday we are given two striking examples of self-gift. In the story of Elijah’s encounter the widow of Zarephath (1 Kgs 17:10-16), the widow offers what little she has to feed the Lord’s prophet. Miraculously, the jar of flour does not go empty and the jug of oil does not run dry. And in the Gospel (Mk 12:38-44), Jesus observes yet another poor widow putting two small coins into the temple treasury, exclaiming that she has given more than all the rest, “for they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has given all she had.” At first, this seems like shameless exploitation of the poor. My instinct would be to tell them to keep what little they had. Even with my own giving, my tendency is to be conservative, to play it safe. But these examples in the readings are really less about money and more about faith and gift that each of us is called to make of ourselves. When we give generously of ourselves to God and for others, not out of compulsion or guilt, but “from our poverty” and of our own free will, then amazing things can happen. It may seem counter-intuitive, but in the end such self-gift is the only way for us to thrive as human beings and disciples of Jesus Christ. Fr. Thom
Applications are now live for our 2019 Service Trips!
Winter Break applications are due Monday, December 3. Spring Break applications due Wednesday, January 30.
All trips are $150, except the Local Mystery Trip which is only $100.
This year is the 100th anniversary of the end of WWI. Join us as we commemorate this occasion this Monday with a special service after the noon Mass. All are welcome.
Month of All Souls
November is the month of All Souls, a time for us to remember all of our deceased loved ones. You will find cards in the pews this weekend which you can use to write out the names of deceased loved ones you want to remember. These cards can be placed in front of the altar, and we will pray for all of them at every mass in November.
Scripture Sharing Sundays following 6:30pm Mass
Join with the Peer Campus Ministers on Sunday evenings after 6:30pm mass to reflect on the Sunday readings. Stick around in the Gathering Space right after mass for 30-45 minutes.
Giving Tree for Project Renewal
Before you head home for break, be sure to pick up a tag off of the Giving Tree. Each tag will have a child's name from Project Renewal, along with the items to get for them. Bring them back to the tree unwrapped after break, and help brighten Christmas for the kids at Project Renewal this year!
Intro to Catholic Studies CATH 201 Spring 2019 - M/W/F - 11:00 am Taught by Chris Clow
Learn about the history, key figures, and cultural impact of Catholicism on the world! Can help fulfill your Gen Ed requirements. Talk with your advisor, or contact Chris Clow to learn more!
QUICK BUZZ
Interested in learning more about joining the Catholic Church or receiving a Sacrament of Initiation? Contact Tammy 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.
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:
Loving God and Neighbor In the Gospel this Sunday Jesus reminds us of the great twofold commandment of love of God and love of neighbor. Too often we think of these loves as a “zero sum game,” as though loving God more will inevitably mean less time and energy to love our neighbor and vice versa. Perhaps this is especially a temptation in family life. As families get busier and it seems that children are involved in more and more activities, things like Sunday Mass, family prayer and conversation about the faith in the home become a luxury when time allows. But we know that these two loves do not in fact take away from each other. When we love God as we should we also love everyone who God loves better, starting with our own families, radiating outwardly to our friends, neighbors, communities, and even extending to our enemies. And one of the principal ways that we demonstrate our love for God is precisely through our love of neighbor, beginning with our families. So, far from being antithetical to each other, love of God and love of neighbor are actually reciprocal and mutually reinforcing. No wonder Jesus affirms them both in the same breath, effectively combining them. We welcome the families of our students on this “Family Weekend” and ask for the grace this week to love both God and neighbor as we called. Fr. Thom
Doughnut Sunday for Family Weekend
We will have free doughnuts available after the 10:30am Mass this Sunday for Family Weekend. Hang around after mass, or grab a doughnut on your way!
Month of All Souls
November is the month of All Souls, a time for us to remember all of our deceased loved ones. You will find cards in the pews this weekend which you can use to write out the names of deceased loved ones you want to remember. These cards can be placed in front of the altar, and we will pray for all of them at every mass in November.
Scripture Sharing Sundays following 6:30pm Mass
Join with the Peer Campus Ministers on Sunday evenings after 6:30pm mass to reflect on the Sunday readings. Stick around in the Gathering Space right after mass for 30-45 minutes.
Busy Student Retreat November 11-15
Find yourself too busy? Need to take a break, but can't find the time? Join in our Busy Student Retreat! Commit to four days of just two 1/2 hour periods per day, one spent in prayer, and one in discussion with a spiritual guide, built around your schedule. A simple, yet powerful retreat experience. Click here to sign up.
Help shape the future of the Diocese of Davenport. Bishop Zinkula is wanting feedback on future formation for the diocese of Davenport. Join us for a listening session with a diocesan rep who wants to hear your ideas. Contact Fr. Thom to learn more!
Music for Feast of St. Ambrose Rehearsals Begin November 12
All musically-inclined SAU students, faculty, and staff are invited to join with Music Ministry to help provide music for the Feast of St. Ambrose Mass on Sunday, December 2. Rehearsals begin the week before Thanksgiving. Contact Chris Clow to learn more!
Clothes Out Hunger Sale
WE WANT YOUR USED CLOTHING! Clear out your closets and drawers for gently used clothing you don't wear anymore. Your unwanted clothes can help feed the hungry in the Quad Cities! Donate them to APJ by bringing them to the Lower Chapel by November 7!
ANNOUNCING!!! Service Trip Applications Are LIVE!
Looking for a great way to give back over your Winter or Spring Break? Take part in a Campus Ministry Service Trip! Applications are now LIVE for each of trips, so click here and be sure to check them out! More info next week!
Intro to Catholic Studies CATH 201 Spring 2019 - M/W/F - 11:00 am Taught by Chris Clow
Learn about the history, key figures, and cultural impact of Catholicism on the world! Can help fulfill your Gen Ed requirements. Talk with your advisor, or contact Chris Clow to learn more!
QUICK BUZZ
Interested in learning more about joining the Catholic Church or receiving a Sacrament of Initiation? Contact Tammy 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.
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:
In the readings for this Sunday we are given two striking examples of self-gift. In the story of Elijah’s encounter the widow of Zarephath (1 Kgs 17:10-16), the widow offers what little she has to feed the Lord’s prophet. Miraculously, the jar of flour does not go empty and the jug of oil does not run dry. And in the Gospel (Mk 12:38-44), Jesus observes yet another poor widow putting two small coins into the temple treasury, exclaiming that she has given more than all the rest, “for they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has given all she had.” At first, this seems like shameless exploitation of the poor. My instinct would be to tell them to keep what little they had. Even with my own giving, my tendency is to be conservative, to play it safe. But these examples in the readings are really less about money and more about faith and gift that each of us is called to make of ourselves. When we give generously of ourselves to God and for others, not out of compulsion or guilt, but “from our poverty” and of our own free will, then amazing things can happen. It may seem counter-intuitive, but in the end such self-gift is the only way for us to thrive as human beings and disciples of Jesus Christ. Fr. Thom
