St. Bonaventure Catholic Community
September 23, 2021
"The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart."
1.
An Invitation and a Gift for You
From Fr. Lawrence:
In recent weeks we’ve been sharing information about Alpha with you. Alpha begins this Monday, September 27th at 7:00pm in classrooms so now is the time to sign up! Alpha is a 10-week series of wonderful video presentations and table discussions. Alpha offers answers to the big questions that every human person ponders. Why am I here? Does my life matter? Is there more to life than this? How do I get more out of my life? Alpha is for people of faith of people or people of no faith. If you have a friend you care about and who struggles in life, bring them to Alpha! Almost 30 million people have experience Alpha, and for all those I know who’ve done it, they were very happy they did. For more information and to register click here.
This weekend we have a small, very special gift for all who attend Mass. It is beautiful little memento of the Miraculous Medal of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This little memento available in English and Spanish contains the story of the Miraculous Medal with an actual Miraculous Medal attached. Our Blessed Mother has worked miracles through people’s prayers with the Miraculous Medal. These blessed medals will be a source of comfort to you and your family, and a reminder to us that we have the mother of Jesus interceding for us in our time of need. Each Mass attendee is welcome to take one. I invite you to keep it in your purse or at your bedside or on your desk as a constant reminder of Our Mother’s love for us. “O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.”
2.
Join us for 40 Days for Life
Please join us as we pray to change the hearts and minds of those choosing death over life! The 40 Days for Life Campaign will begin on Sept 22 through Nov 1 at both the Walnut Creek and Concord locations of Planned Parenthood. The Vigils will be held at: 1357 Oakland Blvd., Walnut Creek and 2185 Pacheco St., Concord. These are both Planned Parenthood locations. We meet outside and pray the Rosary, Chaplet of Divine Mercy, pass out relevant information, carry signs. We are peaceful and prayerful - praying that mothers and fathers will turn away from the evil of killing children and remember that God creates each human being unique and unrepeatable. Please sign up for prayer times and join us! Click here for more information.
3.
Adult Confirmation
Is God calling you to receive the grace of the Holy Spirit in Confirmation? Adult Confirmation preparation sessions begin this October for Confirmation in January or February, for adults who have already received the Sacraments of Baptism and Eucharist.
English classes will meet on Wednesday evenings from 7-8:30 pm beginning October 6. Spanish classes will meet on Sunday mornings evenings from 11 am to 12:30 pm beginning October 3. Please click here for more information and the registration form. Please register for either class at least one week in advance, with the registration form and a copy of your baptismal certificate.
Please contact Eileen Limberg for more information about the English Confirmation classes at (925) 672-5800 x2204 or elimberg@stbonaventure.net. For the Spanish program, please contact Fr. Arturo in our Hispanic Ministry Office at (925) 672-5800 x2225 or acardenas@stbonaventure.net.
4.
Starting to think about Christmas yet?
It’s never too early and help is on the way! The Classy Crafters will be hosting a craft sale after Saturday evening and Sunday morning masses on November 6 and 7. It’ll be a perfect time to shop for one of a kind and unique items. Proceeds will be donated to the “Winter Nights” program St. Bonaventure will be hosting early next year. In past years, we have received many donated hand crafted items to help boost our sale, and we’ve heard some of you have been crafting during our “Covid downtime”! If you plan to donate items this year, please contact Donna Trana at rtgoblue@gmail.com or 734-474-7618. Please keep in mind items should be handmade (we won’t be having a raffle or Silent Auction), items should be dropped off at the Small Hall on Friday, November 5 between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., and we cannot accept any food items this year. Thanks in advance!
5.
Unplanned
6.
October First Friday 24-Hour Adoration
The First Friday 24 Hours of Eucharistic Adoration in October will begin on Friday, October 1. We ask that you please sign up so spend some time with our Lord as the Blessed Sacrament cannot be left alone. Please sign up for an hour or more here: https://signup.com/go/LxckTqX
7.
Blessing of the Animals: Saturday, October 2
@ 10:00am
St. Francis of Assisi is known for his affinity with animals. As we approach his feast day, we will be holding our annual Blessing of the Animals on Saturday, October 2nd at 10:00am in the Ministry Center Courtyard. All of your animal friends are welcome, whether they have four legs, fins, wings, or no legs. We ask that animals be either caged or leashed. Thank you.
More news and events:
● Links to the Religious Exemption:
English: https://www.stbonaventure.net/documents/2021/8/Religious%20Exception%20Statement_Bishop%20Barber.pdf
● CYO Cross Country Registration is now open! Visit www.stbonaventurecyo.com for complete details.
● 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 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.
● Healing the Heart The Grief Support Program at St Bonaventure’s will have a one-evening program in early December and more six-week programs next year. If you would like more information or be notified as soon as we have definite dates, send an email to: fuzyfrank@aol.com. Dates will also be on the parish website.
● 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!
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.
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
(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.