Campus Ministry: Activities, Testimonials, Impact


11/27/2014

Students shared their experiences with various aspects of St. Ambrose campus ministry.

ANTIOCH RETREAT

‘Something to Create as My Own'

Luke StaudtAntioch Retreats are held each semester, taking as many as 50 students of all faiths away from campus for a weekend spent in quiet prayer, reflection and discussion about faith and values. Senior Luke Staudt was a co-leader of the most recent retreat this fall.

"Growing up, my faith life was pretty much contained to going to church on Sunday with the folks and to CCD classes during the week. When it came to college, I needed to find a way to make my faith my own. And Antioch was my way of doing that.

"It is a pretty limited time. You get there Friday night and you're gone by lunchtime Sunday, but it is fairly intensive for those 36 hours you are there. It's fellowship, if I have to sum it up-sharing our thoughts and experiences to grow deeper in the faith we choose.

"For me, there is a sense of independence with my faith, something I create as my own. It was my choice that I went on the retreat my second semester here. College is a time of finding your own identity and your own niche. I realized my faith was going to be important as I moved forward at St. Ambrose."

BREWED AWAKENING

‘That Concept of Community'

Luke GreeneBrewed Awakening is a weekly gathering where students discuss pertinent topics with guest experts over coffee. Luke Greene '14 was student director from January 2013 through last May.

"Brewed Awakening is one of the reasons I loved St. Ambrose so much when I was visiting. I liked that concept of community. For me, it was a way to participate in personal and intellectual growth.

"In one memorable discussion, I was pushed into recognizing the spirituality of Mary. Sometimes, I think the Church takes Mary a little too seriously, but when I saw people's emotions toward Mary and learned why they devote so much of their prayer life to Mary, I got a deeper sense of why that spirituality exists.

"Brewed Awakening has attendees of all faiths. In one, we had a speaker who was Catholic and converted to Islam. That was powerful because it pushed us as Christians to consider why people turn away, as well as learning similarities between the two faiths."


CANDLELIGHT MASS

‘This is Why We Came Here'

Makr BrauweilerStudents, faculty and staff annually gather for Candlelight Mass on the Tuesday of first semester finals week. Mark Brauweiler '12, who is scheduled to earn his DPT degree in the spring, will attend his sixth Candlelight Mass in December.

"It gets crazy here that time of year, and the only reminder you get of Christmas is if some of the dorm windows have Christmas lights. Outside of that, you're so caught up with papers, projects, presentations, tests. It just sneaks up on you. Candlelight Mass is a really nice way to take a step back from all that craziness.

"You show up in your sweat pants, your hoodies, whatever it is you're wearing, and you share the Eucharist with everybody, from freshmen to grad students. You take a step back and remember this is why we came here."


INTERFAITH COUNCIL

‘You Find Peace and You Worship'

Xidan Cindy XiaoThe Interfaith Council fulfills a crucial aspect of the Catholicity core value, "openness to other faiths." Xidan "Cindy" Xiao '14 MFIN is a practicing Buddhist and Taoist from China who found an opportunity to grow in faith at St. Ambrose.

"People there respected my faith. Even though I am not Catholic, they invited me to the Antioch Retreat and that was a great experience.

"In the Interfaith Council, you meet a lot of people. They are Muslim. They are Hindu. Some are Christians. It doesn't matter the religion if you have the feeling you are with God. You find peace and you worship."


MASS IN THE GROTTO

‘The Power of Continual Prayer'

Mitchell GodfreyAs the weather allows, outdoor mass is celebrated in the Grotto behind Ambrose Hall. Senior Mitchell Godfrey is among 50 to 60 students who regularly take advantage of this midweek spiritual break, and he participated in a Prayer Vigil for Syria that was held on Sept. 11, 2013, following Mass in the Grotto.

"I love whenever I can go to Mass in the Grotto. It's a good place to get out of the norm. It is a bit of a break from the routine of church, too. A new place brings more to the front of your mind what it is you're doing through Mass. It's just beautiful to be outside and have Mass.

"The prayer vigil for Syria obviously didn't bring peace, but it just comes down to your belief in the power of continual prayer. Each and every day, people need our prayers around the world."


MUSIC MINISTRY

‘Another Form of Prayer'

Christine MatternSenior Christine Mattern majors in biology not music, but under the leadership of Chris Clow, director of music ministry and liturgy, she has grown her faith through song.

"I would say music is another form of prayer. It speaks to others more strongly than words or meditation. I really enjoy singing and that's my favorite way to share my faith with others.

"As a freshman I was nervous to sing in front of others. I still get nervous, but it is a good nervous. It's a way to share a gift that God has given me."


PEACE AND JUSTICE

‘Something That Marks Us'

Senior and first-year DPT student Kristin Upah said St. Ambrose's long history of peace and social justice activism continues to inspire members of the Ambrosians for Peace and Justice group she is serving this year as president.

Kristin Upah"I'm aware of the role St. Ambrose played in the Civil Rights Movement and the Labor Movement. That is something that means a lot to me about our school. That sets a high standard we have to continue to try and meet. I like that as something that marks us as a school.

"We do service activities to meet short-term needs, working at the Café on Vine and with the L'arche Community in Clinton, Iowa, and by being part of Bee the Difference Day.

"The justice component is trying to cause long-term change. Last year, we tried to get a law passed saying Iowa prisons shouldn't be able to handcuff female prisoners even as they are giving birth. We did not have success, but Quad Cities Interfaith will pick it up again."

SPRING SERVICE TRIPS

‘An Eye-Opening Experience'

Rachel PaskerService is among the most essential learning activities Campus Ministry organizes. Fall, winter and spring break service trips to impoverished urban and rural settings are staple offerings. Senior Rachel Pasker is involved in service and has joined multiple service trips.

"When I was a sophomore, I went to East St. Louis, Ill., where we worked in an after-school program. We cleaned out different schools. Toured the city. It made me thankful for what we have and more conscious of people in poverty.

"In 2014, we went to Detroit and that was the same. We worked in a soup kitchen and ate there with the clients. I listened to stories of people who were struggling, to those who had dreams and who believed homelessness was just temporary. It was definitely an eye-opening experience.

"I want to teach English and I would be OK going back to East St. Louis and teaching there, because those kids need so much help. They just want hope and encouragement, and I feel like I can give that to them."

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