St. Bonaventure Catholic Community
June 10, 2021
“This is how it is with the kingdom of God;
it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land
and would sleep and rise night and day
and through it all the seed would sprout and grow.”
(Mk. 4:26-27)
1.
Our 2020 Financial Report
We have a practice of providing a full financial report each year on the operations and finances of our parish. Though the 2020 report is late, we wanted to share how we came together as a strong Catholic community, always committed to being Church to each other and all those coming to seek Christ.
We started the year strong and unaware of what was to come. On March 15, 2020, the reality of Covid-19 closed the physical doors of our parish. Please follow the link HERE to read the full 2020 Financial Report. If you have any questions, please contact our Parish Operations Director, Christa Fairfield at cfairfield@stbonaventure.net
2.
Family Fun Night
Are you looking for opportunities to have fun with your children? Are you looking for community? Do you just want to talk to another adult not in your bubble?
St. Bonaventure's Faith Formation program invites you to an evening of family fun and ice cream on Monday, June 28, 6:00-7:30 pm on the grass area by the classrooms. Come when you can and stay the whole time or whatever fits in your schedule. Bring a picnic dinner, a blanket and/or chairs.
We will have some games and craft opportunities for the kids. And of course there will be ICE CREAM for everyone. If you can help (or have teens who want to help) with the games and overseeing the crafts, please contact Eileen Limberg at elimberg@stbonaventure.net
3.
Scripture Study
This September the St Bonaventure Scripture Study program will begin work on 1st and 2nd Corinthians. These are two of the most beautiful and heart-wrenching epistles Paul ever wrote. They reveal that Paul’s life, just as the life of every Christian, is never easy. Paul shows us how he never stopped fighting for unity and charity.
The Scripture Class meets on Thursdays September through May at 10:00 am, and again at 7:00 pm. Participants can attend either class since they both follow the same schedule. The plan is to meet on campus at the parish, depending on COVID-19 restrictions.
Please click HERE for more information on this study. The cost for this Scripture Study for the year is $50.00. This price will go up after July 16, 2021. Contact Greg Gamache Bonaventurebible@astound.net for more payment information and any questions.
4.
Mothers Survey
Being a mother can be amazing. Then terrifying. Joyful, and overwhelming. Just when we think we might have it all together, the next challenge comes along. The good news is that we don't have to do it alone. God is always with us. And there are so many ways we can support each other in our community here at St. Bonaventure.
What do you need? Where might you be interested in helping create the next chapter of moms' support at St. Bonaventure?
We’re inviting all mothers of young children to share interest for restarting our Mothers Group, creating a childcare co-op during 9am Mass, and any other ideas you may have. Please click HERE for the brief online survey. For more information please contact Gina Cattalini at gcattalini@stbonaventure.net.
5.
Knights of Columbus
Food Drive
The Knights of Columbus are restarting their Food for Families program. At the weekend Masses on June 12 & 13 we will be at a table in the plaza area by the main entrance to the Church to receive donations of canned goods, pasta and cereal. We are starting once a month for May and June so we can get back in the habit. Our motto is “A can a day is all we ask." Click HERE for a shopping list of desired items. We will take any and all donations. The donations we receive will be given to the St. Bonaventure Food Pantry and the St. Vincent de Paul Friday Foods Program.
6.
Volunteer Opportunities
Serving is a great way to grow in your relationship with God, show God’s love to others, and to demonstrate the attitude Jesus modeled when he walked on earth. God created each of us with unique talents and gifts. We want to invite you to share those gifts in our parish. In giving of yourself you will receive beyond your imagination. "For we are His handiwork, created in Jesus Christ for the good works that God has prepared in advance, that, we should live in them." (Ephesians 2.10) And it’s a great way to meet new people, make new friends, and make a difference.
Please see our most recent invitations HERE. If these don’t call to you, please reach out to Christa Fairfield to discuss your interests and the parish’s other needs at cfairfield@stbonaventure.net.
7.
JustFaith:
Faith & Racial Healing
DID YOU KNOW?….that over 20 parishioners are studying racial equity and healing using a JustFaith Ministries program here at St. Bonaventure? Two groups have been meeting on Zoom since April to discuss videos and readings. We are learning ways in which to recognize racism, social injustice and discrimination in our everyday lives. We have been surprised at what we have learned and what we didn’t know about our history or current racial equity issues.
Did you know that both the Catholic Bishops of California and the Oakland Diocese under Bishop Barber have task forces for racial justice? The Just Faith - Faith and Racial Healing groups from St. Bonaventure, St. Agnes and St. John Vianney met to hear firsthand from members of the Oakland Diocese's Task Force for Racial Justice.
(click HERE to continue article on our webpage)
More news and events:
● Immaculate Heart of Mary Mass: This Saturday, June 12th, we will have a special 8 am Mass in the church as we celebrate the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
● St. Vincent de Paul Webinar: Join the leadership and staff of St. Vincent de Paul of Contra Costa County to learn more about the services and spirituality of SVdP. This is a great opportunity to learn about how you can get involved in this vital work for our community. Click HERE for more information and to register.
● Respect Life Ministry: Please join us for the monthly Respect Life Rosary on Sunday, June 13. We meet after 9 am Mass on the second Sunday of the month at the Grotto to the Unborn in the church garden behind the church. For more information please contact Jane Walker at (925) 934-2129.
● FORMED: Enjoy St. Bonaventure's subscription to FORMED, a premier online platform filled with over 4,000 Catholic studies, movies, audio dramas, talks, e-books, and even cartoons for our children. Click HERE for more information.
● Project Rachel Retreat July 24: Project Rachel offers hope and healing after abortion. Click HERE for information about upcoming retreats.
● Nourish for Caregivers provides caregivers a faith perspective, as well as practical and emotional supports, useful tools, and shared experience.
Meetings every other Tuesday from 2-3pm on Zoom. For more information, email Helene Billeci at fuzyfrank@aol.com.
Meetings every other Tuesday from 2-3pm on Zoom. For more information, email Helene Billeci at fuzyfrank@aol.com.
Nourish offers meetings in Spanish too! For more information, please contact Biviane Ochoa at itsbiviane@gmail.com or (650) 278-6462.
● Marriage Encounter: Bring your marriage to its fullest by participating in a virtual Worldwide Marriage Encounter. Go to wwme.org to find the next virtual Worldwide Marriage Encounter Experience that works for your schedule from the comfort of your own home!
● Retrouvaille is a marriage program that helps couples in struggling marriages restore and rebuild a healthy and loving marriage. The Oakland Retrouvaille Program will be hosting a VIRTUAL Weekend Program Thursday, June 24 - Sunday, June 27, 2021. For more information or to register, visit www.HelpOurMarriage.org or leave a message at (510) 709-6063.
Resources for Coping During the Pandemic
As many aspects of our community are re-opening, the effects of the pandemic continue. Feeling overwhelmed? You're not alone. Click HERE for spiritual, parenting, emotional, and mental health resources for coping during the pandemic.
As many aspects of our community are re-opening, the effects of the pandemic continue. Feeling overwhelmed? You're not alone. Click HERE for spiritual, parenting, emotional, and mental health resources for coping during the pandemic.
ALL ABOARD!!
Bible Camp is Coming
Liturgy & Prayer
Please visit our website at www.stbonaventure.net for the most up-to-date liturgy information.
All of our liturgies have returned inside unless otherwise indicated. Saturday Vigil (5:00 pm) and Sunday indoor Masses require advance registration on our website or by calling the parish office at (925) 672-5800 weekdays between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm (Fridays before 12:30 pm). There is no registration required for daily Masses or the 11am Sunday outdoor Mass. (Registration will open Mondays at 10:00 am, Tuesdays if Monday is a holiday.)
We continue to livestream the Sunday 9 am (English) Mass and offer walk-up Holy Communion from 10:15-10:45 am. For our full Mass schedule, please click HERE
Sunday worship aid: Click HERE
If you need help with watching a liturgy or other event live-streamed on Facebook, please click here.
Health Reminders
Please join us for our liturgies through Facebook if you have tested positive for COVID in the past 14 days, if you have a fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, if you were exposed to COVID in the past 14 days, or if you feel actively sick. We encourage all parishioners to receive the COVID vaccine as soon as they are eligible. Thank you for helping us keep St. Bonaventure a safe, welcoming place for all.
Prayer, Spirituality and Formation:
Prayers for Those Who Have Died: Please join us in praying for members of our community who have died. You may find their names on our website. May they rest in peace.
Daily Mass Readings: Click here
St. Bonaventure Domestic Church tips and links: Click here
Friday Adoration & Holy Hour:
We offer Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament after 9:00 am Mass. Monday through Thursday, Adoration is in the Chapel for one hour after Mass. Friday Adoration is in the Church until 3:00 pm. The Friday Holy Hour beginning at 2:00 pm includes the Rosary, the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy and concludes with Benediction at 3:00 pm.
Online Spiritual Communion Service: Details here
Christian Centering Prayer Group: Details here
Word on Fire Videos on Flocknote: Details here
(Take advantage of Bishop Barron's great videos! Remember, you must have a Flocknote account with a password to access these videos.)
STAYING CONNECTED
Sacraments, Pastoral Counseling, and Staff Support
We're here for you! Our clergy and pastoral staff continue to be available to you during this pandemic. We can offer pastoral counseling by appointment, over the phone or by videocall, and the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is available in person when needed. Please call the parish office at (925) 672-5800 to make an appointment. We offer the Sacrament of Reconciliation in the church on Saturdays at 3:30 pm.
The office has reopened for walk-up visits, Monday-Thursday 8:30 am-1:00 pm, and Friday 8:30 am-12:30 pm. Staff are also available by appointment. Please call the main office number or call or email the staff person directly. As our staff are working from both the office and home, it is often easier to reach people by email. However, we are monitoring phones and voice mail, and will return messages as soon as possible.
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Parish Connections Thank you to everyone in our parish community who is working to reach out and keep in touch. If you need assistance, or would like to volunteer to help others by running errands, picking up groceries, etc., please email info@stbonaventure.net. The St. Bonaventure Food Pantry is open Tuesdays from 8:30-10:00 am in the parish parking lot. See our website for more information. (Note: The Food Pantry thanks you for your continuing donations of food and other items, but is no longer requesting bags -- they have a sufficient supply.)
Thank you for the many ways you continue to support our community!
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Your Gifts Are Keeping Us Open
We want to say THANK YOU to our parishioners and those who are not members yet but have sent us their donations to help in this unprecedented time.
We are so grateful to many who are now sending their donations through mail, online and collection box methods. Your efforts and generosity are greatly appreciated and are helping us continue to live our mission as a community of faith.
To learn more about online giving or other options, please click here. If you attend weekend Mass or walk-up Holy Communion, you may drop off your gift personally.
May God bless all of you and reward you abundantly for your support of your parish.
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May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen.