One of my all-time favorite poems (and one that I have had committed to memory since high school - thank you, Mrs. Parsons) is “O sweet spontaneous” by E.E. Cummings. This short poem is well worth a read, blocked out in Cummings’ distinctive style that almost tells you, visually, how to read it with the intended cadence. (You can read the whole thing here.) The gist of it, at least from my admittedly layman’s understanding, is that for all of our striving to understand the earth, nature, life, they remain so much a mystery to us. The only response we seem to get in answer to all our “pinching, poking, prodding, squeezing and buffeting,” Cummings concludes, is spring. The last line of the poem thus reads, “but true to the incomparable couch of death thy rhythmic lover thou answerest them only with spring.” Still faced as we are with this global pandemic, I have been thinking a lot about this poem, especially with the odd juxtaposition of the emergence of spring and the coming of Easter. This is a time of new life, of hope and of carefreeness, and yet we feel surrounded by death, despair and worry. If I may gently twist Cummings’ original meaning of this poem (as it was written in reference to the physical earth), and think of it for a moment in reference to God, I think God answers all of our present consternation with spring. And not just physical spring, but spiritual spring. Precisely in the midst of all our sorrow and anxiety, we see signs of hope and life: green tufts of grass, trees budding out, bright-breasted robins hopping about foraging for food. (If anything, we have all been more attentive in these past few weeks to the beauty of nature around us). We see an even greater appreciation for our common humanity and for life itself. We see examples of truly heroic love and a renewed desire among people to connect with one another and with God. We see, at least in some places, the “curve” beginning to bend, fewer instead of more cases being reported day to day, and the cautious reopening of places where this virus first began. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying we are “out of the woods” yet, especially here in Iowa (a couple of weeks, at least, it seems removed from the “waves” on both coasts). There may still be much more Calvary to endure before there is resurrection, but there is resurrection, and that is the point. To all who read this, know of my sincerest prayers for you and your loved ones in this time. As always, I think first and foremost of our students. And let us all be reminded, despite everything, that we are an “Easter people” and “Alleluia!” is our song. --Fr. Thom
Did you know Fr. Thom has a podcast? Fr. Thom and Megan Grady have started a podcast to discuss pop culture as well as topics regarding faith.
This Holy Week will certainly be different than any we've ever experienced; still we are invited to lean ever closer to the Lord. Take this week as an opportunity to unite the suffering of the world with the suffering of the Cross.
For a list of parishes in the Diocese of Davenport that will be live streaming Triduum Masses, clickhere.
Fr. Thom will be celebrating the Triduum and Easter Masses at St. Andrew's Church in Blue Grass. Those Mass times are listedhere.
An Easter message from Bishop Zinkula
Tune in to KALA on 88.5FM or click here at 12:00 noon on Sunday, April 12th to hear Fr. Thom celebrate the Easter Mass!
Give Us This Day:Give Us This Day has made available at no charge a digital file of their periodical, which includes daily Mass texts. Visit GUTD.net and select "Digital" in the upper right of the screen.
The Diocese of Davenport: The Diocese has been posting updates about how COVID-19 has affected the Diocese as well as spiritual care resources.
Be Not Afraid Conference: Sign up for daily inspiration and hope-filled emails from Catholic speakers.
The USCCB: The USCCB has responded to the COVID-19 pandemic and suggested several online resources, live-streamed Masses, and prayers, especially seeking the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
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:
Each day it seems there are new and harrowing statistics, new factors to consider with this virus and its impact on the globe, and new directives and measures being put into place as our country braces itself for the peak of this pandemic. We have all experienced an incredible amount of change in an incredibly short amount of time. It has been one change upon another, and can be downright disorienting and discouraging. Tossed about as we are in these turbulent seas, all the more do we need an anchor in our faith. This image of being tossed about by the waves featured prominently last Friday in Pope Francis’ message and blessing to the world. He reflected on the short passage from the fourth chapter of Mark’s Gospel (4:35-41) describing the episode in which the disciples were caught in a violent storm on the sea, all while Jesus was asleep in the stern of the boat. They woke him and he rebuked the wind and the sea, then asked his disciples, “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?” Anyone keeping up on what our world is facing right now might reasonably be terrified, and yet we are called to have faith - faith in the one “whom even the wind and sea obey.” In Pope Francis’ address, he also had some beautiful statements about what this experience is already teaching us. He described this as a time not of God’s judgment, but of ours, “a time to choose what matters and what passes away, a time to separate what is necessary from what is not. It is a time to get our lives back on track with regard to the [the Lord] and to others.” How true. Think of all the things that even a month ago may have seemed “important,” which now seem silly, from our particular food preferences to celebrity gossip to sports scores (though I have to say, I am missing my English Premier League soccer and the start of the baseball season). Yes, in a way that perhaps nothing else could, this has given us the gift of perspective. I hope and pray that on the other side of this we will not have missed the opportunity to become more the people we are called by God to be, sharing this common home called earth. As if there weren’t already enough change, I have to announce a change in regard to my own assignment. Beginning July 1, while remaining as chaplain for the university, I will become the vicar general for the Diocese of Davenport, working more closely with Bishop Zinkula in the affairs of the diocese. Much like my first year here as chaplain, when I was also vocations director for the diocese, this will require me to split my time some and will require some creative restructuring within Campus Ministry. Still, I’m very happy to be able to continue in my ministry here and am honored and humbled (though, a little terrified myself) by this new appointment. Your prayers are appreciated! --Fr. Thom
Did you know Fr. Thom has a podcast? Fr. Thom and Megan Grady have started a podcast to discuss pop culture as well as topics regarding faith.
Give Us This Day:Give Us This Day has made available at no charge a digital file of their periodical, which includes daily Mass texts. Visit GUTD.net and select "Digital" in the upper right of the screen.
The Diocese of Davenport: The Diocese has been posting updates about how COVID-19 has affected the Diocese as well as spiritual care resources.
Be Not Afraid Conference: Sign up for daily inspiration and hope-filled emails from Catholic speakers.
The USCCB: The USCCB has responded to the COVID-19 pandemic and suggested several online resources, live-streamed Masses, and prayers, especially seeking the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Understanding the Lenten Fast and Abstinence FASTING: Catholics age 18-59 are obliged to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday - only partaking in one full meal. Two other smaller meals (not equaling a full meal) and liquids are permitted. ABSTINENCE: Catholics over 14 years old must abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and all other Fridays of Lent. Abstinence forbids the use of meat, but not eggs, milk, or condiments made from animal fat. We are reminded each year that the obligation to do this penance is a serious one, but no one should be scrupulous in this regard; if health reasons or the ability to do one's work is seriously affected, these regulations do not apply.
Fast Fest will continue on Instagram! Follow @saucampusmin for updates and learn how you can fast from convenience, even during a pandemic!
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:
Many things that just two weeks ago seemed peripheral or even “gimmicky” to me in regard to our campus ministry here at St. Ambrose have suddenly become central. I had always been comfortable as something of a luddite (one who is resistant to technological change) when it came to social media and the like. I was always more about “ministry of presence,” and “real contact” in this increasingly high-tech, low-touch, connected-yet-disconnected world. Now, it seems we have little choice, and I am so grateful for the ways available to us to continue to communicate with each other. I guess this is what it took to drag me into in the 21st century. Just last evening we had an online gathering to try to simulate what we would typically do after our Wednesday night “Mass & More” (now live-streamed), when we would all hang out and visit with each other in the gathering space of the chapel. We had almost twenty students on for our first attempt at this. I will admit it was a little chaotic with people talking over each other, background noise, etc., not to mention the “Brady Bunch meets the Duggars” panel of faces. Still, it was truly wonderful to see everyone, to smile, to laugh, and to remember that we are all still here, even if physically distanced. As our campus ministry strives to offer meaningful student ministry in these days of social isolation, let us keep each other and our world in prayer, remembering especially the sick and the dying. I would offer the following “Prayer for a Pandemic” that I came across. Perhaps you have seen it already, but it certainly hits home. God bless and take care. --Fr. Thom
“Prayer for a Pandemic”
May we who are merely inconvenienced remember those whose lives are at stake.
May we who have no risk factors remember those most vulnerable.
May we who have the luxury of working from home remember those who must choose between preserving their health or making their rent.
May we who have the flexibility to care for our children when their schools close remember those who have no options.
May we who have to cancel our trips remember those who have no place to go.
May we who are losing our margin money in the tumult of the economic market remember those who have no margin at all.
May we who settle in for a quarantine at home remember those who have no home.
During this time when we cannot physically wrap our arms around each other, let us yet find ways to be the loving embrace of God to our neighbors. Amen.
Did you know Fr. Thom has a podcast? Fr. Thom and Megan Grady have started a podcast to discuss pop culture as well as topics regarding faith.
Follow us on Instagram (@saucampusmin) and Facebook (St. Ambrose University Campus Ministry) to join us in these events!
Urbi et Orbi Blessing
On Friday, March 27th, 2020, Pope Francis will be giving an extraordinary Urbi et Orbi ("To the City [of Rome] and to the World") blessing at 6:00 pm in Rome (12:00 noon Central Time Zone).
We will post links to tune into the special blessing on Instagram and Facebook.
Congratulations to next year's Peer Campus Ministry Team!
Digital Prayer Resources
Give Us This Day:Give Us This Day has made available at no charge a digital file of their periodical, which includes daily Mass texts. Visit GUTD.net and select "Digital" in the upper right of the screen.
The Diocese of Davenport: The Diocese has been posting updates about how COVID-19 has affected the Diocese as well as spiritual care resources.
Be Not Afraid Conference: Sign up for daily inspiration and hope-filled emails from Catholic speakers.
The USCCB: The USCCB has responded to the COVID-19 pandemic and suggested several online resources, live-streamed Masses, and prayers, especially seeking the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Understanding the Lenten Fast and Abstinence FASTING: Catholics age 18-59 are obliged to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday - only partaking in one full meal. Two other smaller meals (not equaling a full meal) and liquids are permitted. ABSTINENCE: Catholics over 14 years old must abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and all other Fridays of Lent. Abstinence forbids the use of meat, but not eggs, milk, or condiments made from animal fat. We are reminded each year that the obligation to do this penance is a serious one, but no one should be scrupulous in this regard; if health reasons or the ability to do one's work is seriously affected, these regulations do not apply.
Fast Fest will continue on Instagram! Follow @saucampusmin for updates and learn how you can fast from convenience, even during a pandemic!
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:
One of my all-time favorite poems (and one that I have had committed to memory since high school - thank you, Mrs. Parsons) is “O sweet spontaneous” by E.E. Cummings. This short poem is well worth a read, blocked out in Cummings’ distinctive style that almost tells you, visually, how to read it with the intended cadence. (You can read the whole thing 
