New Faces

It’s an exciting time at Saint Bonaventure as there are a few new faces in the office. Meet Friar Bryan, Grace, and Jodi at the Feast of Saint Bonaventure picnic on July 15, or stop in for a visit.

Friar Bryan has arrived from Texas! Our new Pastor, Friar Bryan Hajovsky, is a Conventual Franciscan Friar and Roman Catholic priest Thank You within the Province of Our Lady of Consolation, USA. I felt overwhelmed at the farewell celebrations by your kind During his free time, he enjoys words, affirmation and generosity. Your support, prayer and hiking, camping, jogging and spending responsiveness have been heartwarming and a tremendous time with his family and the friars. blessing not only recently but throughout my time here. You An installation Mass and welcome continually show me how much the Spirit is alive and active party are in the works. in your hearts. I leave here with overflowing gratitude in my heart for having been able to serve you and serve with you Grace Schaefer, our Youth these past nine years. I pray that we might recognize and Minister, started June 17. Grace is respond to God’s blessings as we travel into the future. a recent graduate from the Catholic Studies program at the University Peace and all good, of St. Thomas. She is originally from Rockford, IL and is now living in St. Paul. In her spare time, she loves to jam out on the guitar, read lots of books, and spend time with friends. Newsletter Updates

Jodi Ketter started on May 13 as The Spirit of Saint Bonaventure is YOUR parish newsletter. our Communications & Stewardship This newsletter is a place to share your stories, how people Coordinator. Jodi comes to us from can help or be involved, and celebrate successes! Let me know Minnesota Farm Bureau and has what you’d like to see and what’s happening in our community worked for a number of years in and your ministries. marketing and communications. You also may have noticed a new look and style. My door is Jodi and her husband, Kevin, live always open. Please let me know your thoughts as we grow in the neighborhood with their cat, together. You can reach me at [email protected] or Georgie, and enjoy bonfires, visiting by phone at 952-297-8417. Thank you! breweries, and trying new foods.

Saint Bonaventure Catholic Community July—August 2019

Top 10 Joys of Being a Catechist Gary Russell When I was younger I had many reasons why I didn’t think I could be a catechist: “I’m too young,” “I don’t know enough about my faith,” “I don’t have the time,” “I’m afraid I won’t be able to control the class.” It took me a few years to realize that these excuses were just that, excuses, and not valid reasons that prevented me from being a catechist. When I realized this, I took the next step of calling the church and said I would teach a faith formation class. I was scarcely 19 years old and nervous, but I knew God would not let me fail. 901 East 90th Street Bloomington, MN 55420 Looking back, I see my faith started to take root in serving my first year as a catechist.

Phone: 952 - 854 - 4733 Up to this point, I was a spectator in my faith. I went to church regularly but figured I Email: [email protected] had little to offer the church outside of warming the pew on Sunday mornings. It was by Website: www.saintbonaventure.org volunteering to be a catechist that I had committed myself to do something that would

Office Hours: require more than I realized I had within me. I’m guessing you may have your own set of Monday — Thursday 8 am - 4:30 pm excuses why you can’t be a catechist so I thought I’d share my top 10 reasons why you Friday 8 am - 3 pm should consider being a catechist.

Pastor Fr. Bryan Hajovsky 10 - Being a catechist can deepen your faith. [email protected] For those who feel you don’t know enough about your faith, as you serve in this ministry, you will grow in love and understanding of what it means to be Catholic. Deacon Jon DeLuney 9 - Experience the joy of sharing. [email protected] Have you ever listened to a song or read a book and were so deeply moved that Deacon & Executive Director you wanted to share it with others? That same joy will fill your heart as you learn Mickey Redfearn [email protected] about and share your faith with those in your classroom.

Parish Secretary 8 - It commits you to your faith. Joan DeLuney No one wants to go into an assignment unprepared. As a catechist, you will [email protected] prepare your lessons, and in doing so, grow your own faith.

Bulletin Editor Sharon Menden 7 - It connects you to your faith community. [email protected] Serving in this ministry, you will get to know other catechists, staff members, students and their families. There is no better way to learn how great our Communications & Stewardship Jodi Ketter community is, than to serve in it. [email protected] 6 - You will be inspired. Faith Formation You will witness people who live their faith with integrity and joy. [email protected] Gary Russell [email protected] 5 - You get to inspire others. Parents plant the seeds of faith. As a catechist, you nourish them and get Administrative Assistant to watch them grow. Your service will inspire others to do great things. Tricia Kawakami [email protected] 4 - Serving as a catechist calls you to be the best version of yourself.

Health & Wellness We all get caught up in our own challenges. In serving others, Becky Running our trials are put in perspective, helping us find balance. [email protected] 3 - It can calm your spirit. Maintenance Custodian Jo Segura Garcia There is a sense of peace that comes from doing the Lord’s work. [email protected] You will feel that serving as a catechist.

Custodian 2 - It instills hope. Elena Perez Oftentimes we hear dismal comments about the future of our Church. Director of Music & Liturgy As a catechist, you will see first-hand the remarkable families and youth Karen Thompson in our parish and be reinvigorated by them. [email protected]

Organist & Accompanist 1 - You will shape the future of our Church. David Padden We live in a world filled with conflict and confusion. As a catechist, you get to share the Word of God, our Catholic faith, and your personal story Youth Minister Grace Schaefer to help those in your care joyfully follow our faith. [email protected] In the weeks ahead, spend a few moments in prayer each day. Ask God to guide you to a Friars in Residence Fr. Ed Goldbach deeper faith and greater love and allow yourself to be open to the idea of becoming a Fr. Matthew Malek catechist. Have a safe and blessed summer. I look forward to your call and working with Fr. Camillus Gott Fr. Richard Kaley you in this ministry as we begin anew in September.

The Spirit of Saint Bonaventure July—August 2019 2

Respect Life Ministry “Supporting Life from Womb to Tomb” Will Herrmann On Mother’s Day weekend, a young woman arrived at an abortion clinic where a number of people, including someone from Saint Bonaventure, were calmly praying outside. One of the volunteer sidewalk counselors told her the Robbinsdale Women’s Center, a pregnancy center for mothers and fathers in need, was right across the street and could help her. The clinic escorts brought her inside, but after about ten minutes, she came back out and decided that she couldn’t go through with an abortion. She decided to keep her baby and received information from the sidewalk counselors about the Robbinsdale Women’s Center. At the Center, she can get all the prenatal care she needs along with diapers, infant supplies, and other aid once the baby is born.

It is because of your prayers and generosity that this woman will have a place to go. The Robbinsdale Women’s Center is kept open in part by Saint Bonaventure’s baby bottle fundraiser campaign. Thanks to your generous donations, we raised nearly $8,500 this year! But our care doesn’t stop at birth. During our Mother’s Day diaper drive, we collected 2,634 diapers and 2,568 wipes, which were donated to the St. Vincent De Paul food shelf!

Sadly, many women in crisis will be raising their children without fathers. And so we prayed especially for the fathers in prison. As a part of our Adopt a Felon Sunday, parishioners selected 250 prisoners to pray for all the way through Pentecost. And we continue to visit and care for the grandparents and other elderly who are residents of Martin Luther Manor.

Our Catholic faith deeply values all life, from conception to natural death. The Respect Life committee would like to thank everyone at St. Bonaventure for your generosity and prayers as we commit to living out this teaching. God has given us many gifts. We are very thankful He has enabled us to make use of them to serve the most vulnerable in our local communities.

Ed Pidde Scholarship

Winners of the $1,000 Ed Pidde Scholarship were announced to the parish on May 19.

Anne Marie Bittner will be attending the University of St. Thomas to pursue Computer Engineering and Catholic Studies.

Samantha Arndorfer will be attending Normandale Community College to pursue general studies and exploring career options. Good Neighbors at

Saint Bonaventure

They say many hands make light work. Our community is blessed by many individuals who give their time and talents to help others. Recently two individuals from our community were recognized publicly as WCCO Radio Good Neighbors.

“When it comes to an all-around, efficient helping hand, Art Brieitbarth comes to the “top” of the list. As a faithful, long-time member of St. Bonaventure in Bloomington, he is the one in charge of the Fall Festival and the fish dinners. Being an especially talented handyman, Art is the one to call whenever and wherever there’s a need—truly a unique and willing good neighbor!” Check out the podcast featuring Art online at: http://bit.ly/GoodNeighborArt

As a member of the Social Justice Committee, Susan Weberg has taken on the role of chairmanship for many years—helping the needy, deprived and imprisoned people throughout the year. Sue is truly a role model for living the gospel message of feeding the hungry, clothing the needy and visiting the imprisoned—truly our own Bloomington WCCO Good Neighbor!” Hear the podcasts featuring Susan online at: http://bit.ly/GoodNeighborSusan and http://bit.ly/GoodNeighborSusanW www.saintbonaventure.org July—August 2019 3

Capital Updates

Safety and security concerns are everywhere. In our Parish Vision Plan, we declare our intention that anyone on Saint Bonaventure property should always feel safe. It is a blessing that our community invested in two Captial Campaigns making our Gathering Space, Youth Room, canopy for the south entrance and upgrades to Ambrose Hall a reality.

These spaces are welcoming. You can truly feel the spirit of our community as people gather in those spaces to celebrate, learn, and build relationships. With a grateful spirit, we share that the financial part of the project is complete.

The blessings continue as does the work! In June, our sidewalks and parking lots were refurbished.

God has a plan for everyone and everything. That includes you, and it includes Saint Bonaventure. Thank you for your generosity, financially and prayerfully. Together we make a difference in our community.

Gift Card Scams

Be aware that gift cards have become more than the perfect present recently. Gift cards are as accessible and untraceable as cash and have become popular currency for scam artists. Sadly, these scams have even targeted parishes in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, including St. Bonaventure.

Here’s how they work:

1. Scam artists contact their targets pretending to be Father Richard, an IRS agent, tech-support or even the attorney for a grandchild who’s supposedly in jail. 2. The scam artists then pressure their targets to buy gift cards for iTunes, Google Play, Best Buy, and other popular retailers. 3. Once the cards are purchased, those targets are ordered to provide the access code numbers or PINs. Those numbers make the gift cards transferable and untraceable cash. Specifically, the criminals may ask their targets for a copy of the back of the gift card or to read the numbers on the gift card over the phone.

It is important to understand that no one on our staff would ask you through a text or an email to purchase a gift card. If you receive a request that seems “not quite right” do NOT engage. Hang up the phone or don’t reply to the email or text and contact one of us directly using the contact information you have.

Get to Know Our Ministries: Vanguard

Vanguard's mission is to encourage, equip, and energize the young men of Saint Bonaventure as brothers in Christ by cultivating discipleship, servant leadership, and obedience through a personal relationship with Our Lord Jesus Christ.

In addition to building fellowship with each other, we have also helped mentor the teen boys at Saint Bonaventure to provide role models as adult men of faith.

Vanguard meets every 1st, 3rd, and 5th Mondays of the month in the Saint Bonaventure Youth Room from 6:30 - 8 pm. Young men in their 20s and 30s are welcome to show up! Contact Joe Segura at [email protected] with any questions.

Back row, from left, Jo Segura, Jordan Van Sickle, Langa Oriho and Nicholas Lambrecht. Front Row, from left, Michael Balko, Jordan Knowlton-Key, Eric Soland and Will Herrmann.

The Spirit of Saint Bonaventure July—August 2019 4

What is the story this time? Ready for real-life/theatrical coincidence?

The Sisters are still taking their show on the road; this time they’re invited to what they thought was the famous Hollywood Bowl but turns out to be the not-so-famous “Hollywood Bowl-A-Rama!” Undaunted, the sisters bring their talents to Hollywood where just up the street a movie company is holding auditions for a movie about the true life of Dolores Hart.

Dolores is a movie star known for making 10 films in just 5 years, notably “Loving You” with . Dolores left Hollywood to become a real-life Benedictine , today What, When, Where? known as Mother Dolores Hart. Quoting from her order’s website, the : On July 12-14, our Heaven Help Us Players theatre company In 1986, in collaboration with her dear friend the late is going to be offering the final episode of the Nunsense series , Mother Dolores founded an open-air by Dan Goggin: “Nunset Boulevard.” Friday & Saturday shows theater at the Abbey which gives performances each year. start at 7 pm and the Sunday matinee at 2 pm in Ambrose Hall. She says, “It wasn’t until we started a theater on the Abbey land that I really could see how I could help young Why return to the Nunsense shows? people find their vocation in Christ through the medium of We had great results with the four Nunsense shows over the theater.” the past decade, but we branched out for some large cast Coincidence? I think not! We, too, find a real calling to help productions like “Godspell” and “Francesco.” We also tackled our parishioners find joy and humor in their appreciation of productions we basically created ourselves like our ‘50s show, the love of what draws us together as a Catholic Community. “Strollin’ Through the ‘50s” and the ‘40s production, “Takin’ A Sentimental Journey.” Returning to the Nunsense series gives Invitation us a chance to showcase the great number of fabulous women in our company. I hope you will follow my invitation to come and see this amazing theatrical piece! Tickets go on sale June 22/23. Why does Nunsense work? Questions? Leave a message at 952-851-0930 or email [email protected]. Despite perception by a few folks that Nunsense “makes fun of ,” the opposite is the truth: the composer/author grew Karen A. Thompson up with many amazing nuns, as did many of the rest of us. The Director of Music and Liturgy, St. Bonaventure

kind of nuns he chose to portray are not just women of faith, hope and love, but they also have humor, talent, and creativity.

Didn’t any of the nuns you grew up with have those charisms? Where I went to college at what is now Clarke University, the Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary, happily called the “BVMs,” were not just great teachers, but every single one of the sisters at Clarke was dynamic and gifted. It felt like most of them had a genius IQ! We had Sister Kenneth Keller, the first woman in the USA to attain her doctorate in Computer Science. The concept, “the Little Sisters of Hoboken” works because Dan Heaven Help Us Players is a collaboration of Nativity of Mary Goggin’s characters have a highly advanced sense of humor and and Saint Bonaventure Parishioners of Bloomington, MN desire to entertain. We are the ones who reap the rewards of their joy. Bloomington-Richfield Grief Coalition Summer Series Summer 2019 July 11-August 29 “The Greatest of These is Love: “Is It Grief or Something Else?” St. Stephen Lutheran Church Cherishing What Remains” Dr. Mary Harlow 8400 France Ave. So. Bloomington, MN Nancy Jo Sullivan August 15, 4:30-6 p.m. July 25, 4:30-6 p.m. 952-831-4746 “Dealing with Being Grief-Stuck”

“Understanding Grief” “Grief: Past, Present, and Future” Dale Swan Mary Marcoux Julie Ditzler August 22, 4:30-6 p.m. August 1, 4:30-6 p.m. July 11, 4:30-6 p.m. “Energy Therapy For Grief”

“Will I Always Feel This Way?” “The Teeter Totter of Karen Morey Nancy Jo Sullivan Grief & Hope” August 29, 4:30-6 p.m. July 18, 4:30-6 p.m. Ted Bowman August 8, 4:30-6 p.m. www.saintbonaventure.org July—August 2019 5

Would you like to help?

Isn’t it nice to be asked? Sometimes the right question at the right time makes all the difference. Our Saint Bonaventure community has a lot going on from the weekly events to the excitement of the Fall Festival. Many hands, feet, and hearts work together to make our community flourish. So, we ask:

Do you have an interest, talent, or knack Greetings Youth Ministry! you’d like to share with your community?

My name is Grace Schaefer – your new Youth Minister!! Are you curious about who plans events, I grew up in Rockford, IL near Chicago where I spent many a prepares food or decorates our spaces? year dreaming I would grow up to be a ninja-princess-popstar. We ask as some projects could use a little help. Now, seeing as I could neither hurt a fly nor find any real Maybe that’s you? If these aren’t a good fit but you princes around, I decided to go into youth ministry. want to get involved in something else reach out! I am ultra-pumped to be a part of St. Bonaventure and to Feast of Saint Bonaventure Picnic adventure towards Christ with you all! I chose the above Every year we celebrate the Feast of Saint Bonaventure Scripture passage as a way to prayerfully enter into this with a picnic. We share a simple meal and fellowship. It is a low- time of change – for both you and me! We are a people key, family-friendly open house style gathering. This picnic is made by and for God, who provides all good things to us, a chance for folks to enjoy our community and beautiful but I will be the first to say that new changes in following Him grounds. Would you be interested in helping organize can be intimidating. However, I am confident that the coming the picnic and prepare the food? year will bring abundant grace (and definitely a Grace) to this program, and I am very grateful to embark on this journey with Please call Gini Bergstrom at 952-956-4319 you. I have been praying for you all and can’t wait to meet you! or email [email protected]. And who knows, maybe along the way you’ll help me achieve my dream of becoming a popstar. Senior Christmas Luncheon The first Saturday in December there is a party in Ambrose Hall Please stay tuned in the coming weeks as I will be posting for our senior citizens. There is entertainment, food, and FUN! information about upcoming events, old and new! I’ll be Would you be interested in coordinating this event? seeing you soon! Please call Sue Weberg at 952-884-2266 Peace, or email [email protected]. Grace Schaefer Brothers in Christ Men’s Group

Larry Leif is offering a summer reflection for 8 weeks, “Learning How to Pray”. Set to begin Wednesday, July 10, 7-8:30 p.m. at Saint Bonaventure in the St Francis meeting room. You are not required to attend all meetings and all are welcome. Please email Larry at [email protected] to register.

Please bring the 2nd edition Catechism and a bible if you have them. We may have some copies available and can share what we have.

It is an opportunity to raise the prayer bar in your faith life as Larry leads us through this interesting and prayerful series.

Thank You, Deacon Jon DeLuney

The Spirit of Saint Bonaventure July—August 2019 6

Farewell Father Richard Our community came together to celebrate with Father Richard and gave him a fond, and FUN, farewell into retirement on June 1-2. Oh What a Priest! Saturday evening we gathered in Ambrose Hall after Mass. There were smiles, (“Sweet Caroline”) laughter, great food, and a lovely program! There was a “Sound of Music” Here it began, back in the nineteen forties, inspired send-off from the Lelemsis family, a sincere gift and reflection from the This little boy would grow up strong, Parish Council, and a slideshow presentation reviewing our time together as a When he was young community. Father Richard was showered with memories and maybe even He left for seminary, roasted just a little bit. After he finally had the chance to speak, we all chimed And he was gone so very long! in to an adjusted version of Sweet Caroline with CODA Duo and danced the night away. Please enjoy the lyrics on the right. Many have requested we share Words, inspiring words the slideshow that was presented, stay tuned—we are still working on that. Preaching out, touching me, touching you

Sunday after morning Mass, we gathered in Ambrose Hall again for a reception Oh what a priest! with a receiving line so that folks could have the opportunity to visit with Father Sermons never seemed so good Richard. The love, friendship and genuine care in our community were so clear. I’d be inclined To believe they never would Thank you Father Richard—we’ll miss you! But – now - we

Think of his words, and of his bald head scratching Acting confused to get a nod. And when we hurt Wisdom was in his guidance Turning us always back to God.

Calls, action calls Preaching out, touching me, touching you

Oh what a priest! Sermons never seemed so good I’d be inclined To believe they never would And - now - we’ll

Miss his humor, and all the three point stories Flailing his arms as if to go Head up and down That still means yes we get it And side to side that still means no.

Prayers, loving prayers Preaching out, touching me, touching you

Oh what a priest! Sermons never seemed so good I’d be inclined To believe they never would And - so - we

Say our good-byes, sending him off with blessings Knowing he’ll be back here again. And when he’s gone We’ll still think of his lessons Grateful for nine years but not ten.

Christ, knowing Christ, Preaching out, touching me, touching you,

Oh what a priest! Sermons never seemed so good. I’d feel inclined To believe they never would

Oh what a priest! www.saintbonaventure.org July—August 2019 7 Saint Bonaventure Conventual Franciscan Catholic Community 901 East 90th Street Bloomington, MN 55420 [email protected] www.saintbonaventure.org 952-854-4733

July—August 2019 Newsletter

Electronic Service Requested

July 12-13, 7 p.m. Nunset Boulevard Feast of Saint Bonaventure July 14, 2 p.m. Nunset Boulevard Every year we celebrate the Feast of Saint Bonaventure July 15, 5:30 - 8 p.m. Feast of Saint Bonaventure Picnic with a picnic. A simple meal and fellowship, it is a low-key,

September 6 Fall Festival family-friendly open house style gathering. This picnic is a chance for folks to enjoy our community and beautiful Chicken Dinner, 4:30 - 7 p,m. grounds. In case of inclement weather the picnic will be

held in Ambrose Hall. September 7 Fall Festival Kickoff Parade 10 a.m. "Just as you see that a ray of light entering through a stained glass window Food, games, car show is colored in different ways according to the different colors of the various parts, Raffle 6:30 p.m. so the divine rays shine forth in every creature in different ways and in different Mass 7 p.m. properties." - Saint Bonaventure