Friends,

By now the news about my resignation and ensuing departure has circulated - and rightfully so. Though a multitude of thoughts and sentiments arise within myself, a particular piece from Scripture resounds from Ephesians 4:11,12, " Christ himself gave some as apostles, some as prophets, some as evangelists, and some as pastors, and some as teachers to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up...." 

This piece of Scripture resonates within me for two solid reasons: (1) it points to the fact that not every Catholic priest is called to be a pastor, and (2) that the reality of the goodness of Saint Bonaventure Catholic Community is that many hearts, hands and feet come together to make this parish a living church, the Body of Christ! 

Saint Francis of Assisi certainly understood how the Spirit operates within persons, both individually and collectively. Francis was well aware that each person was blessed with particular gifts (as well as a few quirks!), yet nobody was blessed with ALL the giftedness of God. As such, for the fuller manifestation of Christ as sanctifier, prophet, teacher, companion, healer, and redeemer, we as God's people must be in legitimate community / communion with God and with one another so as to bring forth the Body of Christ to full stature. The reality of how the Spirit blesses and flows through the people of this parish to make it the living Presence of God is evident, and I invite us to take a moment and recognize how genuine and incarnational this is.

As for me, I have had the sheer joy of seeing this unfold before my very eyes within the parish: the wise Trustees, the
dynamic Staff, the multitude of engaging Ministers and Volunteers, and the beloved Parishioners: all of y'all come forth
together and offer not only fellowship, encouragement and Minnesota charm, but y'all genuinely come forth together as a Body that breathes life into the mission of the Church and readily provide healing, nourishment and companionship for numerous and varied souls as we journey through this world and toward the salvation that our Lord offers to us. Being a witness of this goodness has certainly touched my heart - and while I certainly do place my faith in God, seeing how readily y'all gather together and become the Body of Christ certainly aligns me and others to also place faith in humanity. Thank you for that!

Friends, I will miss y'all, and I do thank y'all for this encounter. While we may not know completely what the future may hold, we do know Who holds our tomorrows. Thank you for the many ways you nourish this community, and thank you for the many ways you have nourished this particular friar. May y'all ever be people of peace and goodwill. Saint
Bonaventure, pray for us!

Your brother,
Friar Bryan Hajovsky, OFM Conv 

Friends, 

The Solemnity of the Lord's Ascension points us to a clear reality: our true home is not this earthly kingdom; rather, our true home is the heavenly kingdom. For some, this may sound pleasantly reassuring; yet for others, this may sound nauseatingly pious and beyond comprehension. So what does it mean we are destined for something beyond this earthly 
kingdom?

A few years back, one of my Junior students was irritated with the theology course [which entailed much classical philosophical thought within it]. At first, I assumed he was experiencing teenage burnout and was merely irritated with schoolwork altogether or simply irritated with me as his teacher. This did not prove to be the case, for he was legitimately lacking in his interest in learning more about the powers of the soul and pursuing God / Highest Goodness. Initially I was calm and empathetic towards the student, but then I admit that my frustration and disappointment grew when he told me point-blank that this Catholic school is just supposed to be a college preparatory school so that he can get into a good college and then get a high-paying job, and he does not appreciate how this school makes all the students endure four years of theology. To that I tried to plainly tell him that we as a school do care about him learning and mastering certain skills so as to become a productive, responsible and competent member of society, yet our overall hope and goal is that we form our students to be good, moral and conscientious persons that are living their lives for the sake of the Kingdom of God.

While that student did eventually come around to understand and appreciate the soul-filled care that the faculty and staff expressed within the Catholic school, that particular student did bluntly express a mindset that many persons ascribe to: the purpose of this life is to be successful and obtain as much fulfillment in this earthly life, for that is all that truly exists. 
The full reality is that this is incorrect, for there is MORE beyond this present earthly life, namely the Kingdom of Heaven.

It is true that much of our Catholic morality and incarnational theology guide us as to how we are to live lives of peace, community, righteousness, growth and faith; however, that is because we each have one everlasting soul that remains active even after our bodily death. It is quite fine to have earthly goals in this life and to celebrate those achievements; however, that is not the end-all-be-all to our everlasting life. The reality is that there is more beyond this earthly life, and we ought to be aware of this. While there is time and space in this earthly life, we are to nourish our everlasting souls and orient them for what is beyond our bodily death. That is why we look to our Lord as the way, the truth and the life, for He manifests to us how we are to traverse this earthly life so that bodily death has no grip on us, for we are destined for a heavenly home. 

The Solemnity of the Lord's Ascension affords us time to reflect upon how much we ourselves orient our everlasting life: is it oriented to this earthly life as the end-all-be-all, or is it oriented to understanding that this earthly life is given to us as a means to enter more fully the reality of the Kingdom of God here on earth so that we may enter the Kingdom of God in heaven? It's a great reality to consider, and it is one that was consistently expressed by our Lord and Brother Jesus Christ. 

Happy Ascension everyone!
Friar Bryan Hajovsky, OFM Conv 

In the Collect for today’s Mass and in the first reading we are reminded that we are living in days of joy. This weekend marks the ninth Sunday that we are not celebrating Mass together in Church. Many people have not been able to receive communion during these nine weeks. There have been deaths, illness, job loss, and the inability to visit loved ones. Is this joyful? We have been working from home, learning to unmute ourselves in Zoom meetings, and all the while being in a houseful of others attempting to work from home and completing school work. And yet, we are still in the Easter season. It is still a time of joy. We are still joyful that Christ has risen from the dead!
 
In the first reading today, Philip announces the good news to the people in Samaria. He prays that they might receive the Holy Spirit. This is why we are joyful. We have heard the good news and have received sacraments. When we receive sacraments we receive Christ. At our Baptism we received the Holy Spirit. At our Confirmation we received a fuller outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Even while we are experiencing the COVID-19 pandemic the Holy Spirit is with us. 
 
In today’s Gospel reading Jesus promises that he “will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always, the Spirit of Truth…” The Holy Spirit is our Advocate who IS with us always, no matter what we are encountering today. He will be with us no matter the situation.
 
An important part of being “Church” is that we are a community who worships together. We long to have you worship in Church together again, hopefully soon. We are working on a plan so that we can return to church safely. We will rely on the Holy Spirit to guide us just as the Holy Spirit led the early church.

We wish all mothers and those who mother in a special way to others, a blessed and Happy Mother’s Day. We especially wish those who are expecting a child who will become new mothers a blessed Mother’s Day. We dedicate this month of May to the Blessed Mother who intercedes for us and who is our protectress during this time of the coronavirus in this nation.
 
I requested to preach this Sunday because the first reading from the Acts of the Apostles addresses the beginning of the Permanent Deacon in the Catholic Church. Seven men of spirit and wisdom were entrusted with the duty of taking care of widows and orphans who were being neglected by the apostles and the community they had formed after Jesus enlightened them with the gift of the Holy Spirit. The apostles laid hands on the new deacons, and the seven began serving the marginalized in their growing faith community. Over the past 2,000 years, this ministry of Permanent Diaconate, which is the third tier of ordinations (bishop, priest, and deacon), has grown to over 46,000 deacons worldwide and about 200 deacons in our local diocese of St. Paul/Minneapolis. Catholic priests are named Transitional Deacons six months prior to ordination to the priesthood. A permanent deacon is a life-long ordination commitment reserved for both married and single men.
 
In the Gospel from John, Jesus is telling the disciples, “Do not let your hearts be troubled and where I am going, you know the way.” These words made me think of how our lives have been transformed by an unseen virus. When Thomas answered, “Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way,” it reminded me of how none of us, even the scientists, know where this virus is taking us or how changed our world will be after it’s gone. Our economic future is threatened; many have suffered loss from employment to their very health and lives, and to an extent, surrendered constitutional rights, albeit to avoid the spread of the virus. We continue to grieve the loss of receiving Holy Communion, hugging family and friends, and simply going into work to be with co-workers. These are all losses we are enduring that will come to an end when this virus is defeated. We will continue to pray for those who have lost loved ones to the virus and those who are suffering from its effects.
 
I hope you will have an opportunity to read the back page article of the April 25 issue of the Catholic Spirit, featuring a piece entitled, “When This is Over” by Laura Kelly Fanucci. It addresses the idea of never taking for granted all that we experience in our daily lives. Yes, we are struggling with this prolonged shutdown and stay at home edict from the Governor and wonder when the economy will be opened to prevent an economic collapse. We wonder where God is in all of this. In the dialogue between Jesus and Philip, he is asking Jesus to show them a sign. “All” Jesus had to do was show the disciples the face of God. They still didn’t realize that after three years, they were in the midst of God, who was in the human form of Jesus. We struggle with faith issues and where God is during this virus. We are called to continue an intimate relationship with Jesus and to establish that relationship if we don’t already have it. We aren’t able to “see” God either, but through our deep faith, we “feel” God in our hearts and souls as if He were sitting next to us, which He IS. Please don’t give up hope. Wherever this virus takes us, we still have our beloved faith and trust that God will watch over us wherever it takes us.
 
May God continue to bless you and keep you healthy. 
Deacon Jon

The Catholic Church expresses Herself through the celebration of the Sacraments. As such, it has been a difficult and confusing time for many as the Church has grappled with the realities of this seemingly invisible, yet serious virus. Centuries ago during outbreaks of illness, people would continue to gather in churches – not realizing that gathering in these sacred spaces, often with poor ventilation and with many common touch-points – actually caused the churches to be vectors for spreading these illnesses. In our day and age, the Church responds to outbreaks differently; hence, the reason for the suspension from public celebration of the Sacraments and embracing social-distancing measures. 
 
SPREADING GOD’S MESSAGE – WHILE NOT SPREADING THE VIRUS
Local churches, whether these be certain [arch]dioceses or particular parishes, have sought ways to be pastorally present while taking social-distancing measures into consideration. God’s message is being broadcast via radio, television, Internet and within literature. Also, for those things necessitating pastoral action, people safely meet to speak with a pastoral care provider either by phone or in-person. Furthermore, if church doors do remain open for personal prayer, then a regular sanitation procedure must be in-place, and social-distancing norms must be monitored. Saint Bonaventure Catholic Community has embraced and continues to implement all of these measures. 
 
CLARIFICATIONS ON THE SACRAMENTS
Saint Bonaventure Catholic Community will abide by the Sacramental guidelines provided by the Archdiocese. 

• Eucharist: Some pastors misinterpreted a guideline given by the Archdiocese. Some pastors thought they HAD to give the Eucharist during the Easter season. This is not true. Upon hearing of parishes coordinating for their parishioners to receive the Eucharist, the Archdiocese sent a clarification citing to not do this during the pandemic.
• Reconciliation & Anointing of the Sick: Some pastors have been utilizing the telephone or other media to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation or to recite the prayers for Anointing of the Sick while a non-priest administers the sacred oils onto a person. Neither of these is permissible. 
• Baptism & Confirmation: Unless a non-baptized person is in grave danger of immediate death, baptisms are to be suspended. Baptisms and Confirmations will resume when guidelines are provided by the archdiocese. 
• Matrimony & Funerals: These rites may be permitted insofar as all social-distancing measures are respected—currently, only 10 persons total. Many of these have been postponed until a future date. 
• Holy Orders: To my knowledge, I believe all ordinations have been suspended at this time. 

 
Friends, it is strange and disheartening to not be celebrating the sacred Sacraments of our Faith together during this time. The reality is that celebrating the Sacraments is largely communal and involves close-proximity and/or personal touch, for Sacramental Theology is highly incarnational! It is with great care in-mind that the Sacramental practices have been suspended, yet Sacramental dispensations have been enacted by the Church. As a Franciscan priest, I greatly look forward to celebrating the Faith with y’all again, yet it seems we may need to bless this time with our patience.
 
With great pastoral affection,
Friar Bryan Hajovsky, OFM Conv

Hello, my name is Katie Kelly, and I am the Youth Minister here at Saint Bonaventure. Matthew 18:20 says, “wherever two or three are gathered in my name, there I am with them.” But what can we do when we are not able to gather? How can we find authentic Christian community during the COVID-19 pandemic?
 
My faith and understanding of God has always been deeply rooted in community. My favorite memories growing up involve my Church in some capacity, and my best friends to this day are from that community. My favorite memories include Saturday night Mass, running into friends and going out to dinner together, only to be reunited again at Youth Group on Sunday night.
 
Community is essential to the Church. Jesus called together a community for his ministry. Then Jesus instilled those in his community to be the ones to spread the Gospel to the rest of the world. The Church started in people’s homes; breaking bread and sharing Jesus’ message. Throughout history, Churches became center points of towns, places where communities would gather, pray, and build relationships with each other. For many people, that is still what the Church is; a gathering place, a second home, a place where God comes down to earth in the people you share pews with on Sundays. The Church is where we receive the Sacrament of the Eucharist, but it is also where we build community.
 
But what does community look like during a pandemic? What can we do when the doors to our Churches are closed, Mass is suspended, and are unable to meet in person?

1. Attend Mass together virtually. I am so grateful that the Mass is being offered virtually and that we are still able to celebrate it. But I deeply miss the communal aspect of Mass. I miss seeing friends and connecting afterwards in the gathering space. I miss discussing the homily and catching up on life over coffee and doughnuts. And just because we are streaming our Masses from our living rooms, rather than in the pews does not mean that we need to lose that aspect of Mass. Set a time with your community to stream Mass together and after Mass, connect over FaceTime, Skype, Zoom, Google Hangout, or the countless other video chat platforms. Have those post-Mass conversations with your community. Use this as a time to connect with those you may not regularly be able to attend Mass with, such as your out of state family.
2. Devote time to phone calls to friends near and far. If there can be one positive thing to come out of this time, it has been my ability to reconnect with people I had lost touch with. Most of us are at home, with extra time on our hands that we previously did not have. This is a great opportunity to call those who are special to you, check in, and reconnect. A phone call means a lot to everyone.
3. Visit loved ones from a safe distance. If you are healthy and physically able, try to visit your loved ones from a safe distance. Volunteer to purchase and drop off groceries for someone who is unable to shop for themselves. Have conversations through windows or across driveways. Just seeing the face of someone you love can make all the difference.
4. Set a time to pray together virtually. Set a time together as family or friends near and far to pray together. It can create a sense of community knowing the people you love are also praying the Angelus at noon or a rosary at three. When we pray together, even if physically distant, God is present here too.

I cannot wait until we can meet together again. I miss you all, and I pray you and your family are staying safe during these uncertain times. Know that we are all praying for you. And until we can meet again, I hope these tips can help you connect with your community in new and unique ways. When this is over and we can meet again, I hope we never take for granted a Sunday morning conversation, a hug from a friend, or the ability to receive the Eucharist.
 
May God bless you all and keep you safe!
Katie

Friends,

The narrative of the Journey to Emmaus is a sacred one, filled with multifaceted realities of our own spiritual journeys. One of the comical – and mysterious – pieces of this narrative is bluntly stated by the evangelist: the Risen Lord was with these people the whole time, and once they recognized Him, He seems to vanish! This dynamic is lived within our own lives numerous times.

A couple years ago I was the chaplain for a family retreat. Essentially, I spent the entire weekend in a rocking chair as a constant stream of grandparents, parents and teens came to either confess sins or to engage in pastoral counseling. One of the parents was a deacon who was grieving the death of his 20-something year old son. This deacon is a very righteous and prayerful man and loyal husband and father; however, it goes without saying that he had a range of affections coming to terms with the reality of his son’s life, death and concern about his everlasting soul – and what role does he as a dad have in regards to all of these things. Obviously this was a very tender conversation.

The good deacon said he knows God is love and mercy, but he also struggled with the reality that God is just. As such, he wondered where his son measured on this spectrum of love, mercy and justice. As the good deacon continued in expressing his prayerful reflections about how his son was a good person, yet how his son did, indeed, deviate from certain central attributes of the Christian moral life. Also, the deacon continued to expand how he certainly tried his best to keep his son lovingly on the straight and narrow; however, he is haunted by the notion that sometimes his actions actually pushed his son further away from the embrace of the Church.

Finally, this conversation turned toward the good deacon expressing that he encountered a couple of seemingly definite assurances that his son’s soul was, indeed, safe and that his son was at peace in the everlasting reign of God…and that somehow his wife and sister also received such signs of an assurance, yet were initially afraid to express such to anyone else. They each individually sensed this grace of our Risen Lord’s assurance, yet they each individually began to wonder if that sensation of grace was in fact a response to all their prayers – or if their sensation of grace was just a fleeting moment of oddity. 

Upon hearing this, I asked the good deacon to recall aloud the story of the Journey to Emmaus, and I asked him if he could place himself within this story. Obviously, he did – with great tears of gladness.

Friends, does our Risen Lord journey with us through our moments of doubt or wandering?  Yes. Does he manifest himself within the Sacred Scriptures, within the breaking of the Blessed Bread? Yes. Does he bring consolation and fire within our hearts? Yes. Do we receive clear sensations of grace within our lives and, yet, still wonder if that was a God-moment or just a fluke oddity? Absolutely. All of these things happen within our lives – and this is precisely what this sacred story blatantly communicates to us. As such, may we believe this story, and may we be assured that our Lord does operate in this way within our lives! The Risen Lord is with us and making himself known to us – this, my friends, is the Gospel Truth!

Happy Easter,
Friar Bryan

Peace be with you! The words Jesus said to his disciples who were shut in behind locked doors for fear of the Jews. Sounds familiar in our current world as we are quarantined in our homes, voluntarily or by necessity, for fear of the coronavirus. What have we learned since we began living our lives in this new coronavirus world?

Despite our hearts being torn asunder by the losses we have experienced, such as our loss of Mass attendance and receiving Holy Communion, our confinement, loss of physical contact with family, friends, co-workers and our very livelihoods, we are blessed with new ways to live in this temporary world health crisis. We have learned to slow down, spend time with and appreciate our families, to reach out in kindness and to listen to where the Spirit is guiding us.

Through technology, we are afforded the ability to view Mass on a computer or TV screen, albeit with less than ten people in attendance, and receive spiritual communion. Many people receive personal messages via texting, emails or phone calls that help relieve the strain of loneliness. Many employees are able to work from home through the blessings of technology.

Volunteers who have been calling retired Saint Bonaventure parishioners, some who have no access to computers, report how grateful they are to hear from another parishioner. Some who are self-isolating also have grocery needs and those needs are being met by volunteers. What a wonderful expression of love, compassion and support!

We might begin to allow ourselves to be defeated by this unforgiving virus but for the mercy of God. We could allow ourselves to be the doubting Thomas who see no way out of this healthcare crisis, but with God’s Divine Mercy, there is hope. Hope is openly displayed in the innovative ways we are fighting this virus. Our healthcare professionals are seeking ways to define, treat and overcome this virus in a variety of ways.

No one could have imagined three months ago what we are enduring today in our local and world societies. Our trust in God’s mercy has brought us together. We don’t want to live like this indefinitely but our continued trust in God’s loving mercy is giving us the hope and strength to persevere. Joan and I will miss celebrating the annual Divine Mercy service that began in 2007 with you. We encourage you all to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet at 3 p.m. today and every day for a resolution to this corona virus. May God bless you and may you remain healthy during this time of testing.

Peace be with you! 
Deacon Jon