Lent Activities
During the 40 days of Lent, our parish community joins together in prayer, fasting, and almsgiving to prepare our hearts for Christ's Passion, Death, and Resurrection. We invite you to participate in these Lenten Activities offered at our parish.
During the 40 days of Lent, our parish community joins together in prayer, fasting, and almsgiving to prepare our hearts for Christ's Passion, Death, and Resurrection. We invite you to participate in these Lenten Activities offered at our parish.
Stations of the Cross:
Fridays February 24 – March 31: Following 8:45 a.m. Mass in the Church
The tradition of praying the Stations of the Cross is a devotion that walks through the story of Christ's Way of the Cross. From His anguished prayers in the Garden of Gethsemane to His burial in the tomb, praying through these 14 moments in Christ's final hours is a spiritual pilgrimage that opens our eyes to the depth of God's love in the face of unimaginable suffering. You can also pray this devotion at home! Stations of the Cross can be prayed on your own or together as a family. Here are some online options:
Home Blessing:
“Be their shelter when they are at home, their companion when they are away, and their welcome guest when they return.” A home blessing provides a special opportunity to thank God for the gift of your home. If you want to have your home blessed by Fr. James, please call the Parish Office, 952-854-4733. If you have had your home blessed in the last year, we ask you to reserve this opportunity for those who have not yet had their homes blessed.
Living Joy: 9 Rules to Help You Rediscover and Live Joy Every Day
"Living Joy" equips you with the wisdom you need to experience joy to the fullest. With evidence, experience, and common sense, Chris Stefanick presents nine rules that will empower you to overcome the obstacles that are keeping you from unspeakable joy. Join us in reading this book and pick up a free copy in the Gathering Space. If you'd like more resources for Lent, visit our Parish Library on the church's second floor on the south side.
Events:
Prayer Opportunities:
Fasting:
Almsgiving Opportunities:
Fridays February 24 – March 31: Following 8:45 a.m. Mass in the Church
The tradition of praying the Stations of the Cross is a devotion that walks through the story of Christ's Way of the Cross. From His anguished prayers in the Garden of Gethsemane to His burial in the tomb, praying through these 14 moments in Christ's final hours is a spiritual pilgrimage that opens our eyes to the depth of God's love in the face of unimaginable suffering. You can also pray this devotion at home! Stations of the Cross can be prayed on your own or together as a family. Here are some online options:
- The Stations of the Cross |Bishop Barron
- Stations of the Cross - For Kids | Catholic Kids Media
Home Blessing:
“Be their shelter when they are at home, their companion when they are away, and their welcome guest when they return.” A home blessing provides a special opportunity to thank God for the gift of your home. If you want to have your home blessed by Fr. James, please call the Parish Office, 952-854-4733. If you have had your home blessed in the last year, we ask you to reserve this opportunity for those who have not yet had their homes blessed.
Living Joy: 9 Rules to Help You Rediscover and Live Joy Every Day
"Living Joy" equips you with the wisdom you need to experience joy to the fullest. With evidence, experience, and common sense, Chris Stefanick presents nine rules that will empower you to overcome the obstacles that are keeping you from unspeakable joy. Join us in reading this book and pick up a free copy in the Gathering Space. If you'd like more resources for Lent, visit our Parish Library on the church's second floor on the south side.
Events:
- Fish Dinners: This Catholic tradition brings our community together for great food and fellowship! Learn more on our Fish Dinners page.
- Friday, March 3, 4:30-7 p.m. and Friday, March 31, 4:30 - 7 p.m.
- Teen Nights are open to any and all middle and high school students. Learn more on our Youth Ministry page.
- Grill the Priest - Sunday, March 5 and All About Holy Week - Sunday, April 2
- Spring Craft Boutique: With "Hands for crafting. Hearts for God,” our craft group creates items that can become treasured keepsakes. Learn more on our Craft Boutique page.
- Saturday, March 18 from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. and Sunday, March 19 from 8 a.m. - noon
- Alive! Events extend social outreach through events open to everyone to expand the joy of our community.
- Ham Bingo: Saturday, March 25 and Easter Egg Hunt: Saturday, April 1
Prayer Opportunities:
- Pray the Rosary: The Rosary is a Scripture-based prayer. It begins with the Apostles' Creed, which summarizes the great mysteries of our faith. The Our Father is from the Gospels and introduces each mystery. The first part of the Hail Mary is the angel's words announcing Christ's birth and Elizabeth's greeting to Mary. The Mysteries of the Rosary center on the events of Christ's life. If you would like to pray with others in our community, we have a Marian prayer group that meets on Wednesdays following 8:45 a.m. Mass in the St. Francis Room. You can pray the Rosary anywhere and at any time. The Rosary can be prayed on your own or together as a family.
- Pray with Us: The Holy Rosary | Ascension Presents
- Confirmation Prayer Scrolls: Help us lift the 18 Confirmation candidates from our community up in prayer. If you would like to pray for individual candidates, please find their prayer scrolls in our Fireplace Area in church.
- Intercessory Prayer Group: Join us in intercessory prayer for Saint Bonaventure on Wednesday mornings after 8:45 a.m. Mass in the Youth Room. Led by our Intentional Discipleship Ministry, we gather weekly to lift the needs and concerns of our community in prayer. From the Synod to staff openings and all parish needs, we welcome the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Everyone is welcome—it's about all of us!
Fasting:
- Lenten Regulations for Fasting and Abstinence: The Lenten Regulations for Fasting and Abstinence: Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of fasting and abstinence for Catholics. In addition, Fridays during Lent are obligatory days of abstinence. Learn more from the Archdiocese of St. Paul & Minneapolis.
- St. Patrick's Day Dispensation: A general dispensation has been granted by Archbishop Hebda from the obligation of abstinence from meat on Friday, March 17, 2023, the Memorial of Saint Patrick. Those taking advantage of the dispensation, however, are exhorted to undertake a work of charity, an exercise of piety, or an act of comparable penance on some other occasion during the Third Week of Lent. Read Archbishop’s decree.
Almsgiving Opportunities:
- MinisTREE: MinisTREE is an excellent opportunity to come together and help out with needed tasks and funding items outside of our regular budget. Find MinisTREE cards with requests from our ministries on the grids in our Gathering Space or on our MinisTREE page.
- MinisTREE is made possible by Catholic United Financial. We are especially grateful for the support of the Saints Ann & Wendelinus Catholic United Financial Council #46, who will donate $5 per completed MinisTREE card up to $500 to Saint Bonaventure. Their chapter representative is Bill McMullen, bmcmullen@catholicunited.org.
- CRS Rice Bowl: Through Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Rice Bowl, we journey with members of our human family worldwide and commit our Lenten prayers, fasting, and almsgiving to deepening our faith and serving those in need. To participate, take a Rice Bowl home from our Gathering Space and return it before April 16. Learn more at crsricebowl.org.
Lent and Easter Liturgy Schedule
“Even now, says the Lord, return to me with your whole heart.” We welcome you and your family to join us for the season of Lent, a time when individually and as a community, we draw our hearts back to Christ in preparation for his Passion, Death, and Resurrection.
“Even now, says the Lord, return to me with your whole heart.” We welcome you and your family to join us for the season of Lent, a time when individually and as a community, we draw our hearts back to Christ in preparation for his Passion, Death, and Resurrection.
Ash Wednesday: February 22
Mass: 8:45 a.m. | 6:30 p.m. (livestream)
We begin the season of Lent by being reminded of our mortality as we receive ashes in the sign of a cross: “Repent, and believe in Gospel.” Participating in Ash Wednesday Mass is a powerful way to start the 40 days of Lent.
Lenten Penance Service: Sunday, March 26, 4 p.m.
Following the service, priests will be available to hear individual confessions.
Are you feeling bogged down by life, struggling with regret or shame over past mistakes, or feeling like something is holding you back from peace and joy? God is awaiting you with open arms. Join us for our Reconciliation Service or our regular Reconciliation (Confession) times: Wednesday and Friday: 8-8:30 a.m. and Saturday: 3:15-4 p.m.
Palm Sunday: April 2
Mass: Saturday 4:30 p.m. (livestream) | Sunday 8 a.m. and 10 a.m.
Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday and offers some of the most unique liturgies of our church year filled with many opportunities to dive deep into prayer and prepare your heart for Easter. During Palm Sunday Mass, talented members of our community will proclaim the Passion.
Holy Week Schedule:
Divine Mercy Service: Sunday, April 16, 2:30 p.m.
"O Lord, Our God, We place our trust in You, because you are mercy itself." Please join us to pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, have Veneration of the Divine Mercy Image, reflect on Saint Faustina's writings, and conclude with Exposition and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.
Livestream:
We welcome you to join us in person. If you are not able to join us in person, please join us via our livestream or our YouTube channel.
Mass: 8:45 a.m. | 6:30 p.m. (livestream)
We begin the season of Lent by being reminded of our mortality as we receive ashes in the sign of a cross: “Repent, and believe in Gospel.” Participating in Ash Wednesday Mass is a powerful way to start the 40 days of Lent.
Lenten Penance Service: Sunday, March 26, 4 p.m.
Following the service, priests will be available to hear individual confessions.
Are you feeling bogged down by life, struggling with regret or shame over past mistakes, or feeling like something is holding you back from peace and joy? God is awaiting you with open arms. Join us for our Reconciliation Service or our regular Reconciliation (Confession) times: Wednesday and Friday: 8-8:30 a.m. and Saturday: 3:15-4 p.m.
Palm Sunday: April 2
Mass: Saturday 4:30 p.m. (livestream) | Sunday 8 a.m. and 10 a.m.
Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday and offers some of the most unique liturgies of our church year filled with many opportunities to dive deep into prayer and prepare your heart for Easter. During Palm Sunday Mass, talented members of our community will proclaim the Passion.
Holy Week Schedule:
- Holy Thursday Mass: April 6, 7 p.m. with Adoration until 12 a.m. (livestream)
- Good Friday Service: April 7, 3 p.m. (livestream)
- Easter Vigil Mass: April 8, 8 p.m.
- Easter Sunday Mass: April 9, 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. (livestream)
Divine Mercy Service: Sunday, April 16, 2:30 p.m.
"O Lord, Our God, We place our trust in You, because you are mercy itself." Please join us to pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, have Veneration of the Divine Mercy Image, reflect on Saint Faustina's writings, and conclude with Exposition and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.
Livestream:
We welcome you to join us in person. If you are not able to join us in person, please join us via our livestream or our YouTube channel.