The first full week of Lent is upon us and it is very possible that some people have already broken their promise to not eat sweets. Those cookies in the cafeteria just looked so good and Valentine’s Day candy was 50 percent off!
In case you have already broken your Lenten promise, or you are looking to do service this year, there are many activities available for students who want to get involved. Whether they want to give up something for all or part of the season, or they want to lend a helping hand, Campus Ministry and Ambrosians for Peace and Justice (APJ) have many opportunities.
APJ is sponsoring many types of fasts prior to spring break. The Social Media Fast goes from Feb. 17 – 23 and asks students to give up Facebook, Twitter and other forms of social media. The Flavored Beverage Fast will take place from Feb. 24 through March 2 and asks students to drink water instead of other beverages. The Fast from Violence is a fast from gossiping, violent videos and all kinds of violence from March 3-9. The Meal Fast is returning again this year after 9:15 p.m. Mass on March 27 and ends after 4:30 p.m. Mass on March 28. Students can donate the meals that they won’t be using during this time to benefit the Humility of Mary food pantry. Each of these fasts is in honor of those who go without food, clean drinking water, or are affected by violence.
There are service trip opportunities over spring break to East St. Louis or Detroit to help in schools affected by poverty, serve in soup kitchens, and help in the communities wherever it is needed. The students traveling to East St. Louis will be working in the Thea Bowman school and with the Hubbard House ministries while those in Detroit will be working with the Cass Community. The trips will leave after 10:30 Mass on March 10Â and will return on March 16.
There are also one-day service opportunities such as Café on Vine this Saturday, Feb. 23 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. where students can help to serve meals. That afternoon, there will also be a service trip to the Kahl Home for the Aged from 3 to 5 p.m. where participants can visit with the residents.
For students who find that they are too busy for any type of service opportunities, Campus Ministry is also distributing rice bowls. These bowls are used to collect spare change or donations with the proceeds going towards the Catholic Relief Service.
In addition to all of these events sponosored by St. Ambrose, there are many opportunities available outside of the campus–all you have to do is look. The local Humane Society is always welcoming new volunteers to play with their animals and Genesis Hospital will love having volunteers to help in the gift shop and throughout the facility.
For more information on any of these opportunities, St. Ambrose students can e-mail ministry@sau.edu or stop by the Lower Level of the Chapel and talk to one of many of the welcoming faculty members. These are simple and fun ways for students to get involved in their faith during the Lenten season, so take advantage of them!
*Photo courtesy of www.catholicundergroundla.com