“…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.” The prophet Isaiah speaks a powerful message for us as we celebrate Super Bowl Weekend and our own SOUPER BOWL of CARING. We are called to be a light to the nations and spread the light of Christ to others. Often it comes in the way we care for the hungry and those most in need. Please take a few minutes to read again this scripture passage. May it guide our efforts this weekend to provide over 4,000 meals throughout the year through our monthly Community Meal Program. As we give and share with others, it is the Lord who will be our rear guard – our protector, provider and guide.
…Special thanks to all of our junior high and high school students who have been working so hard to encourage and inspire all of us to do our part to care for those in need across our region. You can simply drop your donation in the collection POTS at the doors of the Church. You can also wander over to Hilkert Hall and find great snacks and treats that you can enjoy during the Super Bowl on Sunday night. We are blessed with so many teens (and parents) who care greatly for those in need.
…This coming Saturday, I am asking as many parents as possible to come together to discuss our efforts for our junior high students. We do many things well through the Junior High PSR program and our Junior High Youth Ministry. At our PPC visioning day last week, we discussed how we want to continue to expand our efforts to support our junior high students and their parents. Please join us on Saturday at 9:30 am in LC John. If you are unable to attend and would like more information and/or to share in the discussion, please contact JMajka@StAmbrose.us.
…This weekend is also Scout Sunday and the annual Boy Scout Pancake Breakfast. We are so blessed as a parish community with an amazing Scout program. I met with some of our leaders and Eagle Scout candidates last weekend. They are constantly working to strengthen the Scouting experience. They are also very supportive of our parish community. Scouting reinforces the family values and character of our community. Please support our Scouts and offer special thanks to the Scout Leaders. I am very grateful for their great work and efforts for our young people.
…This coming Tuesday, we are hosting and helping to facilitate the development of a plan to address the Heroin epidemic that has a terrible grip on our region and our local community in particular. A few weeks ago we all read that Brunswick is very impacted by this terrible addiction. Many regional leaders will be coming for the conversation. If you would like to get involved, please let me know (FrBob@StAmbrose.us). You are most welcome to join us on Tuesday. You can also go to www.greaterthanheroin.com for additional information.
…Saint Ambrose School and Littlest Angels Preschool had a GREAT open house last Sunday. We are now accepting applications for the upcoming school year. For more information, please contact Breanne Logue at BLogue@StASchool.us. Last week Saint Ambrose School was named as one of the three finalists for the Catholic Identity Innovation Award by the National Catholic Education Association. Check out the article at www.catholicteacher.com.
…This coming Tuesday, Mrs. Cinadr and Mrs. Mitchell, along with our School Advisory Board, will present the annual State of the Schools Address. It will outline the efforts being put in place for the upcoming school year. Come and learn about the amazing things happening at SAS and LAPS. Everything for every student, every day.
…Our Littlest Angels Preschool students will be joining us next Sunday for Mass followed by a Sweetheart Dance. Mrs. Mitchell and her team do a great job forming the minds and hearts of our youngest ones by strengthening and reinforcing family values. All our little angels are most welcome.
…Please join our Vets next Sunday for the Four Chaplains Prayer Service at 2:00 pm in the Church. It’s a rich part of our heritage and reminds us of the blessing of those who serve to protect us. In a world marked by fragile peace, this prayer service is one more way to pray for peace and those who stand in harm’s way for our country – for each of us.
…Speaking of family values, next weekend we celebrate World Marriage Day. We will have a special marriage blessing at all weekend Masses. We also have a special Mass and Dinner/Dance on Saturday evening. Call Helen Sheridan for more details. We would love to have you join us.
…The media, and social media, were all over the place this past week on some of the recent developments on the issue of immigration. We have posted a thoughtful reflection by Cardinal Cupich from Chicago on our website. It’s there for your reflection and prayerful consideration.
…As we celebrate the Feast of St. Blaise, we continue our SA tradition by offering the Blessing of Throats after all the weekend Masses. May each of us enjoy the blessing of God’s health and strength so we can use our lives to share the Light and Love of the Lord.
…This week we will be hosting some conversations about the development of Senior Housing next to our parish campus. The private developer that is working on this project very much wants to hear your needs and consider what would be best for you. Watch for more details. While this project is NOT being done by Saint Ambrose, the developer wants to be a good neighbor and supportive of the programs and ministries that take place in our parish community. Imagine taking a golf cart to Mass???
…Mark your calendars for Sunday, March 5 for our Annual Healthy Breakfast and Health and Wellness Fair. Rumor is that our good friends from Marc’s are bringing all the healthy breakfast items, including HEALTHY pancakes and sausage!!!
…Many thanks for all you do to help our parish share the LIGHT of the Lord. A special thanks for all you do so we can feed the hungry and shelter those who are in need. All of us need to continue to prayerfully reflect on ways we can LET OUR LIGHT SHINE.
