St. Bonaventure Catholic Community
September 9, 2021
“Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross,
and follow me.” (Mk 8:34)
and follow me.” (Mk 8:34)
1.
Sunday Reflection
Thoughts from Deacon Peter
Living in California these past few months has made all of us acutely aware of the fragility of our environment. The relentless heat, the widespread drought, and the destruction wrought by wildfires are all symptoms of a broader ecological crisis.
Our faith gives us resources to both understand and respond to this crisis. Since 2015, for example, the Catholic Church--along with many other Christian churches--has celebrated the month of September as the Season of Creation.
(continued here on our website)
(continued here on our website)
2.
Movie Night This Saturday
Join us for movie night for the showing of the movie, "Raya and The Last Dragon", plus a short preliminary 9/11 documentary.
- Free admission
- Free popcorn, candy, water, and soft drinks
- Bring your own seating
- Blankets and warm layers of clothing recommended
Courtesy of the Knights of Columbus and your Social Committee. For more information, check our website.
3.
Alpha Starts September 27
We all have questions about God, faith, and our lives.
Alpha is an opportunity to explore life's questions and the Christian faith in a friendly, open and relaxed atmosphere.
If you enjoy great conversations, if you are seeking the answers to big questions, and connecting with others, Alpha is for you.
You are not required to say anything and there's nothing you can't say. It's an opportunity to hear from others and contribute your own thoughts, and perspective in an honest, non-judgmental environment.
It's a great space to invite friends and family members who too are seeking answers to those big questions.
Whether you are searching for a way to move closer to God, or examining your faith, Alpha is the place to connect, relax and build friendships.
Alpha begins Monday, September 27th.
4.
Sept 11th Memorial Mass: Saturday @ 8:00am
As we mark 20 years since the tragic attacks of September 11th,2001, we invite you to join us for a special Memorial Mass this Saturday, September 11th at 8:00am in the church.
5.
Early Childhood Program
Do you have a Pre-schooler or Kindergartner? We have a wonderful Faith Formation program just for them on Sunday mornings. While you are at the 9:00am Mass, your child will be in the classrooms learning about Jesus’ love and the wonders created by God. Teachers and teenage helpers reflect God’s love to your child. The cost is $100 for September-May classes. Registration is happening now. Classes begin September 12. For more information and registration forms, click here.
6.
5pm Sunday Mass Returns Sept. 12th
We will begin offering the 5:00pm Sunday Mass on September 12th. Liturgical ministers are badly needed to make this Mass time possible. If you are a trained Lector, Eucharistic Minister, and/or Minister of Hospitality, please consider volunteering to assist through Ministry Scheduler Pro.
More news and events:
● Children & Teen Faith Formation Starting this Weekend
Classes for 1st Communion and Teen Confirmation begins this weekend. Registration required. Call us at 925-672-5800. Ask for Eileen (K-5) or Jacob (Middle and High School).
● Respect Life Rosary, Sept 12 - after 9 am Mass
We meet at the Grotto to the Unborn in the church garden behind the church. For more information please contact Jane Walker at (925) 934-2129.
● Links to the Religious Exemption:
English: https://www.stbonaventure.net/documents/2021/8/Religious%20Exception%20Statement_Bishop%20Barber.pdf
● Scripture Study: 1st and 2nd Corinthians Join the St Bonaventure Scripture Study program this September to explore 1st and 2nd Corinthians. Please click HERE for more information on this study and to register.
● CYO Cross Country Registration is now open! Visit www.stbonaventurecyo.com for complete details.
● Drive-Thru Prayer A reminder that we continue to offer Drive-Thru Prayer Tuesday through Friday from 5:30-6:30pm. Drive into the parking lot next to the rectory where volunteers will be eager to pray for your intentions. All are asked to wear face masks, and prayer volunteers will keep distance from your vehicle. All are welcome.
● Calling all Crafters! Classy Crafters meets every Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. to noon in Classroom A-1. Everyone is welcome, no special skills are needed! If you have any questions, please call Donna Trana at (734) 474-7618.
● 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.
● Clean Start: Clean Start offers our homeless brothers and sisters the opportunity to wash their clothes at a local laundromat. We need volunteers to help on Saturday once a month. For more information or to volunteer, email Judi Herman at drjudi@att.net.
● Nourish for Caregivers provides caregivers a faith perspective, as well as practical and emotional supports, useful tools, and shared experience.
Meetings every other Wednesday is now at 7pm on Zoom. For more information, email Helene Billeci at fuzyfrank@aol.com.
Meetings every other Wednesday is now at 7pm 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: Learn to love your spouse more fully on the next Worldwide Marriage Encounter Experience. Both virtual and in-person Experiences are available. Go to www.wwme.org to find the Experience that is just right for you!
● Join the Columbiette On Sunday, September 12 at 6pm, we are holding a meeting to sign up new candidates. If you are interested in becoming a Columbiette and you are a practical Catholic over the age of 18, no matter what parish you belong to, please join us. We will start our meeting at 6pm in the Hall across from our church, on the corner next to the school at: 2390 Grant Street, Concord, CA
Please visit our website at: https://qascolumbiettes.wixsite.com/oursite
We are the women’s Auxiliary to the Knights of Columbus. We support our Churches, our Knights, our Youth, our Families, our Charities and all the events that the Catholic Church supports. We are very religious women who work hard all year, as a sisterhood of support. Some could become a brother Knight, but if you are a woman you could become a sister Columbiette.
ALL ABOARD!!
Bible Camp is Coming
Liturgy & Prayer
We continue to livestream the Sunday 9am (English) Mass. We DO NOT have walk-up Holy Communion. For our full Mass schedule and additional information, please 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
Adoration & Friday Holy Hour:
We offer Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament after 9:00am Mass in the Chapel. Monday through Thursday, Adoration continues for one hour after Mass. Friday Adoration continues until 3:00pm. The Friday Holy Hour beginning at 2:00pm includes the Rosary, the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy and concludes with Benediction at 3:00pm.
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 are available to help. 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 3:30pm.
The office is open for walk-up visits, Monday-Thursday 8:30am-4:30pm (closed for lunch 1-1:30pm), and Friday 8:30am-12:30pm. Staff are also available by appointment. Please call the main office number or call or email the staff person directly.
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Food Pantry
The St. Bonaventure Food Pantry is open Tuesdays from 8:30-10:00am 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 online or through the mail, as well as those who continue to give at the weekend Masses and walk-up Holy Communion.
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.