St. Bonaventure Catholic Community
January 19, 2023
The Men’s Ministry is about to be “teed up” for a new start. We will have a new format with monthly meetings, beginning Saturday, January 28, 2023, from 8:00-9:30am in Classroom A1. Join us for men supporting each other in our walk with Jesus.
2.
UPDATED: Walk for Life - January 21
Please join Bishop Michael Barber and the East Bay Catholic Faithful for a Respect Life Mass at 9 am Sat Jan 21, 2023 at the Cathedral of Christ the Light - followed by the 19th Annual Wall for Life in SF. We encourage traveling as a Parish Community and carpooling to the Cathedral, where there is parking available. For more info visit: https://www.oakdiocese.org/respect-life-mass and www.walkforlife.com
3.
Healing the Heart Workshop
If you or someone you know is grieving the death of a loved one, we’d like to invite you to attend the Healing the Heart workshop. The loss may have been a recent one or a long time ago. The grief workshop is a six-week program with trust in prayer, open sharing and spirituality. It is a Christ-centered program, you do not have to be a member of St. Bonaventure’s parish or a Catholic to attend. The next grief workshop begins Tuesday evening January 24 at 7:30pm at St. Bonaventure Church Ministry Center. The workshop is FREE but registration is required. Please call Gloria Leigh at (925) 471-5389 or Pam Mattock at (925) 889- 9218 for more information and to register.
4.
Super Bowl Fund Raiser 2023 -
February 4
The Knights of Columbus will be hosting their Super Bowl Fund Raiser (aka Crab Feed) on February 4, 2023. The menu will be Crab, Pasta with Bolognese Sauce, and Caesar Salad. The Event will include a no host beer and wine bar, raffle prizes, a dessert raffle and a Live Auction. The décor will be “Super Bowl”. Wear your favorite team colors. As we did last year, we are going to have BOTH an in-person event for a maximum of 200 people AND a take-out opportunity for those who would rather sponsor their own small gathering in their home. The price, same as last year, is $70 per person with a discounted price of $65 for groups of 8 or more.
We continue to perform our Faith in Action programs benefitting the St. Bonaventure community, as well as our surrounding neighbors in need. To fund these charitable programs, we need your continued support. Please come for the fun and fellowship and at the same time help us with our charitable activities.
Tickets for In-Person and Take Out will go on sale starting January 7 and 8, 2023 and will continue all the weekends in January 2023 until we are sold out. See us after Mass at our table in the main lobby of the Church.
5.
WCF Mary Consecration
If you want to grow in your relationship with Jesus and His Blessed Mother, please join us for a 33-Day Consecration to Jesus through Mary. Father Lawrence and Women’s Christian Fellowship will facilitate five consecutive consecration gatherings on Saturday mornings at 8:30am, from Feb 18 through March 18, and will culminate on the sixth Saturday with a Mass of Consecration on March 25th at 8:30am. Every session will offer a video by Fr. Michael Gaitley followed by refreshments and discussion.
Please register at the parish office or email Andrea Teodorini amht4330@gmail.com. You can obtain the book, 33 Days to Morning Glory by Fr. Michael Gaitley at the parish office beginning next week for $18. You can also purchase the book yourself from several sources.
All are welcome to join us to grow in faith and community.
6.
Is the Holy Spirit whispering in your ear?
- Do you desire a deeper relationship with Christ?
- Are you ready to strengthen your bond with the Church?
- Are you prepared to grow in the Spiritual Gifts of the Holy Spirit?
Adult Confirmation classes in English will be offered twice daily. Beginning Wednesday, January 25th mornings from 10:00am to 11:30am or evenings from 7:00pm to 8:30pm. The Spanish program begins Sunday, January 22nd, from 11:00am to 12:45pm.
To register for the Adult Confirmation program please visit our website www.stbonaventure.net/sacraments or for more information, email ccravanas@stbonaventure.net
7.
Laundry Help for Those in Need
Our Clean Start Ministry volunteers come together once a month to do the laundry for those in need: those needing shelter, families who have fled their countries, day laborers and others living on the edge. Like many other expenses, the cost do laundry increases every week. You may be shocked to learn that a wash load is now $8-10 per larger load and nearly $5 for a small washer. There is also the cost of the laundry soap, dryer sheets and bleach. You can help keep this ministry going and help it to grow beyond just one Saturday a month. We would love to add additional Saturdays. Please drop your donation in an envelope marked “Clean Start” in our Sunday collection basket.
8.
There is still time to join!
It is not too late to start the Bible in a Year Podcast presented by Father Mike Schmitz.
Walk through the entire Bible in 365 episodes as Fr. Mike provides commentary, reflection and pray along the way.
Listen to the podcast in your car, while enjoying your coffee, or walking the dog. Be sure to invite your spouse, your neighbors, family, or friends to join with you.
Then join Father Ramon and Deacon Peter twice monthly to discuss the readings.
Register with Ascension Press https://ascensionpress.com/pages/biy-registration
Then email St. Bonaventure at ccravanas@stbonaventure.net so that we can provide you with updates and information.
9.
Novena for Life
The Knights of Columbus are sponsoring a 9-day Novena for Life from January 19 to January 27, 2023. We know prayer strengthens and sustains our efforts to defend the sanctity of life. The Novena for Life is a multi-faceted approach offered for the respect and protection of every human life. Each day, a different intention is accompanied by a short reflection, suggested actions, and related information. Sign-up to receive the daily emails by sending your name and email address with the message “Sign me up for the Novena for Life” to gb3mjb@att.net.
10.
Winter Nights Shelter - Needs Your Help
St Bonaventure is helping with Winter Nights this year from March 6 through March 20. Concord Methodist Church (CMC) located on West Street is hosting. We need four or five groups to provide and serve meals. If you are interested in cooking for Winter Nights, get a group of your friends together and let us know. You will take your already prepared food to CMC ‘s kitchen, serve the families and clean up afterwards. Groups providing food will also help clients prepare lunches for the following day.
Additionally, we need people to:
- help unload the Winter Nights truck with client’s belongings on March 6 and load the truck again March 20.
- do clients laundry (towels) during their stay at the Church.
- watch children when parents come in for the day, if the parents need it e.g., read to the children.
Any monetary donations are greatly appreciated and needed.
If you would like to help, please email, or phone the church office and leave your phone number and email address and I will get back to you as soon as possible.
If you would like to help, please email, or phone the church office and leave your phone number and email address and I will get back to you as soon as possible.
Thank you for your help. Blessings, Anne Sparks tosparks-40@astound.net
11.
Blood Drive - February 18
The Knights of Columbus are hosting a Community Blood Drive for the American Red Cross on Saturday, February 18, 2023, in the Large Hall from 10am to 4pm. More information will follow later this month. If you are able to donate blood, please note this event on your calendar.
Comunidad Hispana
1.
Ministerio de Hombres
El Ministerio de Hombres está a punto de ser "preparado" para un nuevo comienzo. Tendremos un nuevo formato con reuniones mensuales, comenzando el sábado 28 de enero de 2023, de 8:00 a 9:30 a.m. en el aula A1. Únase a nosotros para los hombres que se apoyan mutuamente en nuestro caminar con Jesús.
2.
Ayuda de lavandería para los necesitados
Nuestros voluntarios del Ministerio Comienzo Limpio se reúnen una vez al mes para lavar la ropa para los necesitados: aquellos que necesitan refugio, familias que han huido de sus países, jornaleros y otros que viven al límite. Al igual que muchos otros gastos, el costo de lavar la ropa aumenta cada semana. Es posible que se sorprenda al saber que una carga de lavado ahora cuesta $ 8-10 por carga más grande y casi $ 5 por una lavadora pequeña. También está el costo del jabón para lavar la ropa, las sábanas de la secadora y la lejía. Usted puede ayudar a mantener este ministerio en marcha y ayudarlo a crecer más allá de solo un sábado al mes. Nos encantaría agregar sábados adicionales. Por favor, deje su donación en un sobre marcado "Clean Start" en nuestra canasta de recolección dominical.
3.
Campaña de donación de sangre - 18 de febrero
Caballeros de Colón está organizando una Campaña Comunitaria de Donación de Sangre para la Cruz Roja Americana el sábado 18 de febrero de 2023 en el Salón Grande de 10am a 4pm. Más información seguirá a finales de este mes. Si puede donar sangre, tenga en cuenta este evento en su calendario.
Ministry Notes
More news and events:
● Saint Francis of Assisi School: TK/Kindergarten--Sneak Peek
THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 2023
PRESENTATION: 7:00-8:00PM
SFA GYMNASIUM
CHECK-IN STARTS AT 6:30PM
Our Principal, TK/K teachers, specialty educators, and parents are looking forward
to sharing our many school programs and answering your questions.
Complimentary beverages and hors d’oeuvres will be served.
This is an adults-only event.
925-682-5414
FOR MORE INFO
sfaconcord.org
● Staying connected - St Vincent de Paul: SVdP is here to help with temporary financial assistance to our parishioners in need. Please call the church at 925-672-5800 and ask or put in ext. 2234. Please leave your name, phone number and a brief message and one of our dedicated Vincentians will call you within 24 hours.
● Is God Calling You to Full Membership in the Catholic Church? It begins with an awareness…or stirring in one's heart for something more. It could be a curiosity or sense of longing for fulfillment. The process for adults becoming Catholic is formally called the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA).
- This process is for unbaptized adults
- Those baptized in another Christian tradition
- OR baptized Catholic adults who want to prepare to receive Confirmation and First Holy Communion
Have you been thinking about becoming a Catholic for some time but never got around to doing anything about it?
Come and see where God is calling you!
There is still time to join this session of inquirers to the Catholic Faith.
If you have questions or you'd like to learn more about the RCIA process, please contact Carla Cravanas at ccravanas@stbonaventure.net or by calling 925-672-5800 extension 2217. Or visit our website at www.stbonaventure.net/rcia for more information.
● FORMED: Check out what’s being offered on FORMED this week by clicking here. 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.
● 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!
● Help Give a 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 Norene Mason at: teammason@comcast.net.
● Nourish for Caregivers: Provides caregivers a faith perspective, as well as practical and emotional supports, useful tools, and shared experience. 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.
● Nourish ENRIQUECIMIENTO PARA CUIDADORES:
Te invitamos a conectarte y tener una conversación para alimentarte emocional y espiritualmente a todos aquellos que ofrecen cuidado para otros durante este tiempo de incertidumbre y ansiedad.
Nuestras reuniones son cada 2do y 4to viernes del mes a las 7:00pm a través de ZOOM
Nuestras reuniones son cada 2do y 4to viernes del mes a las 7:00pm a través de ZOOM
TE ESPERAMOS
Para más información, contacta a Biviane Ochoa al (650) 278-6462 o email itsbiviane@gmail.com
Ongoing
Schedule & Activities
Liturgy & Prayer
We continue to livestream the Sunday 9am (English) Mass. 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.
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.
Adoración al Santisimo
Todos los martes de 6:00 a 7:00 pm en la Iglesia
6:00 – Santo Rosario y Reconciliación
6:30 – Santa Misa
Unción de los enfermos el primer martes de cada mes
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.
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.