St. Bonaventure Catholic Community
April 16, 2026
"Let there be peace on earth"
“Enough of War!”
As wars rage in many places around the world, especially in the Middle East, Pope Leo has been a voice for peace. As the Holy Father noted in his message for Easter Sunday, “we are growing accustomed to violence, resigning ourselves to it, and becoming indifferent.”
Last weekend, Pope Leo led a prayer vigil for peace at St. Peter’s in Rome. In addition to the hundreds seated in the basilica, thousands gathered out front. In his address to those gathered, the Holy Father emphasized the importance of prayer in such times:
Prayer teaches us how to act. In prayer, our limited human possibilities are joined to the infinite possibilities of God. Thoughts, words and deeds then break
the demonic cycle of evil and are placed at the service of the Kingdom of God. A Kingdom in which there is no sword, no
Last weekend, Pope Leo led a prayer vigil for peace at St. Peter’s in Rome. In addition to the hundreds seated in the basilica, thousands gathered out front. In his address to those gathered, the Holy Father emphasized the importance of prayer in such times:
Prayer teaches us how to act. In prayer, our limited human possibilities are joined to the infinite possibilities of God. Thoughts, words and deeds then break
the demonic cycle of evil and are placed at the service of the Kingdom of God. A Kingdom in which there is no sword, no
drone, no vengeance, no trivialization of evil, no unjust profit, but only dignity, understanding and forgiveness…
Even the holy Name of God, the God of life, is being dragged into discourses of death. A world of brothers and sisters with one heavenly Father vanishes, as in a nightmare, giving way to a reality populated by enemies. We are met by threats, rather than the invitation to listen and to come together. Brothers and sisters, those who pray are aware of their own limitations; they do not kill or threaten with death. Instead, death enslaves those who have turned their backs on the living God, turning themselves and their own power into a mute, blind and deaf idol (cf. Ps 115:4–8), to which they sacrifice every value, demanding that the whole world bend its knee. Enough of the idolatry of self and money! Enough of the display of power! Enough of war!
We should not think these words do not apply to us. Our own nation and our own leaders are certainly among the many that the Holy Father is addressing. In the words of Pope Leo, “we must form ourselves and get personally involved, each following our own calling. Everyone has a place in the mosaic of peace!”
- Deacon Peter Nixon
Even the holy Name of God, the God of life, is being dragged into discourses of death. A world of brothers and sisters with one heavenly Father vanishes, as in a nightmare, giving way to a reality populated by enemies. We are met by threats, rather than the invitation to listen and to come together. Brothers and sisters, those who pray are aware of their own limitations; they do not kill or threaten with death. Instead, death enslaves those who have turned their backs on the living God, turning themselves and their own power into a mute, blind and deaf idol (cf. Ps 115:4–8), to which they sacrifice every value, demanding that the whole world bend its knee. Enough of the idolatry of self and money! Enough of the display of power! Enough of war!
We should not think these words do not apply to us. Our own nation and our own leaders are certainly among the many that the Holy Father is addressing. In the words of Pope Leo, “we must form ourselves and get personally involved, each following our own calling. Everyone has a place in the mosaic of peace!”
- Deacon Peter Nixon
1.
Knights of Columbus Wheelchair Sunday -
April 18&19
This coming weekend is “WHEELCHAIR SUNDAY”. Please join the Knights of Columbus, and The American Wheelchair Mission in helping someone in need receive a free wheelchair. $16,500 will deliver a container of 110 brand new wheelchairs to any of over 150 countries in the world. Your tax-deductible donation of $150 goes towards the purchase and delivery of one of these life-altering chairs. Please help us in our efforts to reach our goal of one full container of wheelchairs. Visit our table in the foyer to learn more and to make a donation.
2.
Bingo Night—Saturday, May 2
Bingo Night is back! Please join us for a fun evening of food, games and prizes on Saturday, May 2, 2026, in the Large Hall. Doors open at 6:00pm for dinner followed by Bingo games, called by Fr. Ramon. Pre-sale tickets will be sold after all the masses on April 18-19 and April 25–26.The ticket price of $30 includes dinner and ten games of Bingo. Kids meal tickets are also available for $5. Babysitting will be available for free in the Small Hall. Proceeds of this event benefit our St. Bonaventure Youth Ministry and St. Bonaventure Columbiette initiatives.
3.
SAVE THE DATE: WCF Annual May Dinner – May 21
The Women's Christian Fellowship Annual May Dinner in honor of Our Blessed Mother will be held Thursday, May 21st, 6:30-9:00pm in the Large Hall. Guest Speaker will be Fr. Neal Clemens, pastor of Queen of All Saints Parish in Concord. Prior to Father's inspiring talk on Our Lady, a delicious catered dinner, with desserts, will be served. You may now register online by clicking HERE.
4.
2026 Bishop's Ministries Appeal
5.
Visits of the Relics of Saint Faustina
6.
Families in Faith - Marriage Enrichment Series
Parents - Looking for a way to enrich your marriage and family life? Well, come join us as we continue our enrichment series just for you! Our short programs are designed to provide you an opportunity to focus on just the two of you so that you can rekindle your relationship and be that special 'beacon of love' for your children to witness. We meet the first Tuesday of each month at 6:00pm in classroom A3. Our Marriage Enrichment gatherings will last approximately 90 minutes and children’s activities will be provided in classroom A4. Our next "iMarriage" Enrichment is on Tuesday, May 5. Prior attendance although beneficial is not required. Registration is required so that we can arrange for children’s activities @ Families in Faith Registration Form-iMarriage Monthly Enrichment – Fill out form. Please contact Joe & Sue Talarico for more information. joe.sue.talarico@wwme.org
7.
Welcome our New Coordinator of Evangelization and CFF!
We welcome our newest addition to the Evangelization and Faith Formation Team, Dylan Bautista! He joins us after working at Holy Spirit Church in Fremont as the Assistant Youth Minister. He has experience working in a parish, leading events, and vacation bible camps, and has a people-centric and kerygmatic approach to ministry. As a recent graduate of Divine Mercy University, with a MA in Psychology, and experience in parish life, he is excited to bring his ministry abilities and talents to our community. He will be working directly with Jerome to evangelize our faith formation families.
We welcome Dylan and are excited to have him as a part of our staff at St. Bonaventure!
- Jerome Baybayan, MA
Director, Evangelization and Faith Formation
We welcome Dylan and are excited to have him as a part of our staff at St. Bonaventure!
- Jerome Baybayan, MA
Director, Evangelization and Faith Formation
8.
ParishSoft Transition Update
As of March 16, 2026, Faith Direct will no longer be able to be accessed by our donors. With the transition to ParishSoft Giving completed, all relevant data is now in ParishSoft Giving. If there are any questions or concerns, please contact Donor Support at 866-930-4774, Option 6; or email donorsupport@parishsoft.com
Thank you for your continuing support of St. Bonaventure Parish and its ministries.
Thank you for your continuing support of St. Bonaventure Parish and its ministries.
9.
This Week on FORMED
Comunidad Hispana
“¡Basta ya de guerra!”
Mientras las guerras se recrudecen en muchos lugares del mundo, especialmente en Oriente Medio, el papa León ha sido una voz en favor de la paz. Como señaló el Santo Padre en su mensaje para el Domingo de Pascua, “nos estamos acostumbrando a la violencia, nos resignamos a ella y nos volvemos indiferentes.”
El fin de semana pasado, el Papa León dirigió una vigilia de oración por la paz en San Pedro, en Roma. Además de los cientos de personas sentadas en la basílica, miles se reunieron en la explanada. En su discurso a los allí reunidos, el Santo Padre enfatizó la importancia de la oración en tiempos como estos:
La oración nos enseña cómo actuar. En la oración, nuestras limitadas posibilidades humanas se unen a las infinitas posibilidades de Dios. Los pensamientos, las palabras y las acciones rompen entonces el ciclo demoníaco del mal y se ponen al servicio del Reino de Dios. Un Reino en
El fin de semana pasado, el Papa León dirigió una vigilia de oración por la paz en San Pedro, en Roma. Además de los cientos de personas sentadas en la basílica, miles se reunieron en la explanada. En su discurso a los allí reunidos, el Santo Padre enfatizó la importancia de la oración en tiempos como estos:
La oración nos enseña cómo actuar. En la oración, nuestras limitadas posibilidades humanas se unen a las infinitas posibilidades de Dios. Los pensamientos, las palabras y las acciones rompen entonces el ciclo demoníaco del mal y se ponen al servicio del Reino de Dios. Un Reino en
el que no hay espadas, ni drones, ni venganza, ni trivialización del mal, ni ganancias injustas, sino solo dignidad, comprensión y perdón…
Incluso el santo Nombre de Dios, el Dios de la vida, está siendo arrastrado a discursos de muerte. Un mundo de hermanos y hermanas con un solo Padre celestial se desvanece, como en una pesadilla, dando paso a una realidad poblada de enemigos. Nos enfrentamos a amenazas, en lugar de a una invitación a escuchar y a unirnos. Hermanos y hermanas, quienes rezan son conscientes de sus propias limitaciones; no matan ni amenazan de muerte. En cambio, la muerte esclaviza a quienes le han dado la espalda al Dios vivo, convirtiéndose a sí mismos y a su propio poder en un ídolo mudo, ciego y sordo (cf. Sal 115, 4-8), al que sacrifican todo valor, exigiendo que el mundo entero se doble ante él. ¡Basta ya de la idolatría del yo y del dinero! ¡Basta ya de la exhibición de poder! ¡Basta ya de la guerra!
No debemos pensar que estas palabras no se aplican a nosotros. Nuestra propia nación y nuestros propios líderes se encuentran ciertamente entre los muchos a quienes se dirige el Santo Padre. En palabras del papa León:
"Debemos formarnos y comprometernos personalmente, cada uno siguiendo su propia vocación. ¡Todos tienen un lugar en el mosaico de la paz!."
- Diácono Peter Nixon
Incluso el santo Nombre de Dios, el Dios de la vida, está siendo arrastrado a discursos de muerte. Un mundo de hermanos y hermanas con un solo Padre celestial se desvanece, como en una pesadilla, dando paso a una realidad poblada de enemigos. Nos enfrentamos a amenazas, en lugar de a una invitación a escuchar y a unirnos. Hermanos y hermanas, quienes rezan son conscientes de sus propias limitaciones; no matan ni amenazan de muerte. En cambio, la muerte esclaviza a quienes le han dado la espalda al Dios vivo, convirtiéndose a sí mismos y a su propio poder en un ídolo mudo, ciego y sordo (cf. Sal 115, 4-8), al que sacrifican todo valor, exigiendo que el mundo entero se doble ante él. ¡Basta ya de la idolatría del yo y del dinero! ¡Basta ya de la exhibición de poder! ¡Basta ya de la guerra!
No debemos pensar que estas palabras no se aplican a nosotros. Nuestra propia nación y nuestros propios líderes se encuentran ciertamente entre los muchos a quienes se dirige el Santo Padre. En palabras del papa León:
"Debemos formarnos y comprometernos personalmente, cada uno siguiendo su propia vocación. ¡Todos tienen un lugar en el mosaico de la paz!."
- Diácono Peter Nixon
1.
Rosario de San Judas Tadeo - 28 de abril
2.
Noche de Bingo, sábado 2 de mayo
¡Vuelve la Noche de Bingo! Les invitamos a acompañarnos en una divertida velada con comida, juegos y premios el sábado 2 de mayo de 2026 en el Gran Salón. Las puertas se abrirán a las 6:00 p. m. para la cena, seguida de las partidas de bingo, que dirigirá el Padre Ramón. Las entradas anticipadas se venderán después de todas las misas del 18 al 19 de abril y del 25 al 26 de abril. El precio de la entrada es de 30 dólares e incluye la cena y diez partidas de bingo. También hay disponibles boletos de comida para niños por 5 dólares. Habrá servicio de guardería gratuito en el salón pequeño. Las ganancias de este evento se destinarán a nuestro Ministerio Juvenil de San Buenaventura y a las iniciativas de las Columbietas de San Buenaventura.
3.
Actualización de la transición a ParishSoft
A partir del 16 de marzo de 2026, nuestros donantes ya no podrán acceder a Faith Direct. Una vez completada la transición a ParishSoft Giving, todos los datos relevantes se encuentran ahora en ParishSoft Giving. Si tiene alguna pregunta o duda, póngase en contacto con el servicio de atención al donante en el 866-930-4774, opción 6, o envíe un correo electrónico a donorsupport@parishsoft.com. Gracias por su continuo apoyo a la parroquia de San Buenaventura y sus ministerios.
Ministry Notes
More news and events:
● Laundry Help for Those in Need: We have a ministry that volunteers at a laundromat once a month. They do the laundry for those in need: those needing shelter, families who have fled their countries, day laborers and others living on the edge. We need more volunteers so we can help more people. We provide the quarters and the laundry soap, dryer sheets and bleach. But hands are needed.
If you want to support this ministry, you can make a monetary donation to St. Bonaventure Church with memo: Clean Start.
We volunteer on the fourth Saturday of the month. The laundromat is in Concord. We arrive at 8am and our last load goes in at 10am. To volunteer or ask any questions, please contact Norene Mason teammason@comcast.net.
● 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.
● 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!
May 2026
May 2-3, 2026
“Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, …” Let the Lord into your marriage to do His works. Learn how your Sacrament can be a light to the world by attending the next Worldwide Marriage Encounter Experience on July 10-12, 2026 in Danville CA, August 21-23, 2026 in Modesto.CA or September 18-20, 2026 in San Juan Bautista, CA. Go to wwme.org to find the Experience that is just right for you!
May 9-10, 2026
Happy Mother’s Day! Husbands, give the mother of your children a weekend away with you. Grow more in love than ever on the next Worldwide Marriage Encounter Experience on July 10-12, 2026 in Danville CA, August 21-23, 2026 in Modesto.CA or September 18-20, 2026 in San Juan Bautista, CA. Go to wwme.org to find the Experience that is just right for you!
May 16-17, 2026
“And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age." Trust in the Lord that He is in your marriage. Attend the next Worldwide Marriage Encounter Experience on July 10-12, 2026 in Danville CA, August 21-23, 2026 in Modesto.CA or September 18-20, 2026 in San Juan Bautista, CA. Go to wwme.org to find the Experience that is just right for you!
May 23-24, 2026
And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.’” Let the Holy Spirit infuse your marriage with increased trust and intimacy by participating in a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Experience on July 10-12, 2026 in Danville CA, August 21-23, 2026 in Modesto.CA or September 18-20, 2026 in San Juan Bautista, CA. Go to wwme.org to find the Experience that is just right for you!
May 30-31, 2026
“And behold, I am with you always, even to the consummation of the age.” Learn how to strengthen and celebrate your wedding vows by participating in a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Experience on July 10-12, 2026 in Danville CA, August 21-23, 2026 in Modesto.CA or September 18-20, 2026 in San Juan Bautista, CA. Go to wwme.org to find the Experience that is just right for you!
Ongoing
Schedule & Activities
Please visit our website at www.stbonaventure.net for the most up-to-date liturgy information.
For our full Mass schedule and additional information, please click HERE
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
Mass Intentions, Online Prayer Vine & Drive-thru Prayer Information
Details here
Details 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 8:00pm. The Friday Holy Hour beginning at 2:00pm includes the Rosary and the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy. Benediction takes place at 8:00pm.
Adoración al Santisimo
Todos los martes de 6:00 a 7:00 pm en la Iglesia
6:00 – Santa Misa
6:30 – Adoración y Reconciliación
Unción de los enfermos el primer martes de cada mes
Online Spiritual Communion Service Details here
Christian Centering Prayer Group Details here
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 Fridays at 8:00am and 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.
Thank you for the many ways you continue to support our community!
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Your Gifts Allow Us to Serve
THANK YOU. We are so grateful to all who share their financial gifts with our parish.
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.