Follow us online for news, events, prayer and spiritual resources, plus much more:
Love is in the air! The hearts and sweet messages of love I see seem to affect me in a deeper way this February. I think it’s because my younger sister, Traci, had an emergency open heart surgery after suffering from a heart attack last July while we were camping together. Our family is so grateful that she listened to her body and went to the hospital in time, and that she was seen by wonderful doctors who literally saved her life. Throughout her hospitalization, the doctor kept telling her that she had a “good heart.” Traci continues to remind us with a smile that she has a “good heart.” And, she most certainly does both physically and spiritually.
Several members of our family attended the Go Red for Women Dinner, a fundraiser and awareness event for the American Heart Association. My sister Traci shared her story emphasizing the importance of listening to our bodies, and her cardiologist shared important information on ways to prevent heart attacks and strokes. One of the lessons I learned from that evening was that its important to take the necessary actions to have a “good heart.” I think the same is true about having a good and loving heart!
During my sister’s recovery she worked really hard at healing her body from the trauma of the heart attack and surgery. If I want to have a “good heart” and strengthen my capacity to love more, I, too, must commit to daily habits of love. I’m committing to spending time with God in prayer, saying “I love you” to my husband and family members, seeing people on the peripheries, listening attentively to people’s stories and ideas, and sharing my time and resources with those in need.
During this month of St. Valentine’s Day and American Heart Month, let’s take steps to be more loving to God, ourselves and one another. After all, when asked what is the greatest commandment, Jesus said, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37-39)
-Tammy
Please join us! There will be an information Session for students interested in preparing for Confirmation on Feb. 12 at 11:30 in the lower chapel.
St. Ambrose University extends a special invitation to students, faculty and staff to join us this spring for a 3-day event celebrating 10 years of Pope Francis!
A leader from and for the margins, this humble servant of God has captured the imagination of people across the globe. Attendees will hear from experts from around the world as they examine Pope Francis, including his theology, his ministry, and the future directions he has set for the Church and Christianity. Presentation topics will range from environmental concerns, economics and justice to a church on the margins, world religions, evangelization and inclusion.
We are honored to share that the event's closing mass will be hosted by the Papal Nuncio to the United States, His Excellency Archbishop Christophe Pierre, Titular Archbishop of Gunela.
Students, Faculty, and Staff are invited to attend any of the keynote or concurrent sessions Friday, March 17 and Saturday, March 18 without charge by registering for the conference and using the promo code PAPAL23.
Those who would like to attend the dinner Thursday night and/or the lunches Friday and Saturday, are asked to pay $40 and register using the promo code HUNGRYBEE.
Follow us online for news, events, prayer and spiritual resources, plus much more:
In this Sunday's gospel, Jesus declares “Your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father."
In our culture, we are conditioned to associate the word shine with fame. It’s easy to imagine a social media following, athletic accomplishments, 4.0 gpas, newspaper headlines, and artistic achievement because they represent the predominant narrative of what it means to be successful in our culture. For the record: these are all good things, of course.
But I think it’s worth considering: when does your light really shine the most? When do you truly glorify God with your actions?
I recently heard a story of students that lit a fire in my heart - upon hearing from a friend who suddenly found herself in a dangerous situation, they dropped everything to drive way out of their way in the middle of the night to be there by her side. They sacrificed time in their busy schedules and set aside their own emotions to be a light for her in the darkness of her situation.
I was so impressed by the maturity and willingness to empathize so deeply and make a sacrifice out of love at such a young age. To me, their actions were Christlike because He role modeled the ultimate journey of sacrifice to bring light into our darkness here on earth.
For the record: these are good students, active in a variety of extracurricular activities and on a track to achieve worldly success, but I think it’s that genuine light of Christ shining through their sincerity of intent and genuine caring for others, which will make them stand out in their fields and make a true difference in the the world.
Whatever your field and whatever your level of success in worldly terms: When does your light shine the brightest? When do you glorify God? And most importantly: how can you do it more often?
Through the sincerity of our intent, our genuine caring, and our willingness to serve others - as Ambrosians, we all have the power to shine ever more brightly, no matter how dark things get in the world around us.
Isaiah 58 7-10 "Thus says the LORD: Share your bread with the hungry, shelter the oppressed and the homeless; clothe the naked when you see them, and do not turn your back on your own. Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your wound shall quickly be healed; your vindication shall go before you, and the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer, you shall cry for help, and he will say: Here I am!"
St. Ambrose University extends a special invitation to students, faculty and staff to join us this spring for a 3-day event celebrating 10 years of Pope Francis!
A leader from and for the margins, this humble servant of God has captured the imagination of people across the globe. Attendees will hear from experts from around the world as they examine Pope Francis, including his theology, his ministry, and the future directions he has set for the Church and Christianity. Presentation topics will range from environmental concerns, economics and justice to a church on the margins, world religions, evangelization and inclusion.
We are honored to share that the event's closing mass will be hosted by the Papal Nuncio to the United States, His Excellency Archbishop Christophe Pierre, Titular Archbishop of Gunela.
Students, Faculty, and Staff are invited to attend any of the keynote or concurrent sessions Friday, March 17 and Saturday, March 18 without charge by registering for the conference and using the promo code PAPAL23.
Those who would like to attend the dinner Thursday night and/or the lunches Friday and Saturday, are asked to pay $40 and register using the promo code HUNGRYBEE.
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.
