Student volunteers pause for a photo at the Empty Bowls & Baskets Dinner and Auction.

St. Bonaventure University

University Ministries


University Ministries welcomes students of all religious affiliations to participate in a variety of opportunities for spiritual growth, service learning, social action and community building.

Pictured_The McGinley-Carney CenterAs the nation's first Franciscan university, St. Bonaventure affirms the unique dignity of every person and invites everyone into a community of  acceptance and understanding. All are welcome here.

University Ministries is the focal point for forging these loving bonds of belonging, and for extending this sense of community beyond our campus borders. We strive to share God's unconditional love, particularly with marginalized populations — the needy, ignored and excluded.

We're located in the McGinley-Carney Center for Franciscan Ministry (pictured), located in the center of campus. Opened in 2017, the center houses offices, an interdenominational prayer tower, a great room for student gatherings, and kitchen facilities.

We are committed to transforming the lives of our students inside and outside of the classroom, inspiring in them a lifelong commitment to service and citizenship.

Our liturgical life, centered around Sunday Eucharist, invites all members of the Bonaventure community to join in various liturgical ministries and many prayer opportunities.

Franciscan Center for Social Concern


Your hub for service-learning, whether it's feeding the hungry, befriending a child, or visiting with a senior citizen. Be a leader in service to others.

The FCSC

Mt. Irenaeus


The resident friars of this Franciscan community near campus welcome all to relax, hike, garden, sit and talk, or share a home-cooked meal. A special ministry, a special place.

Mt. Irenaeus

Faith formation, worship & ministry


We invite all into the life of the Catholic Church, with liturgical programs, sacraments, worship experiences and opportunities for spiritual growth.

Faith, worship & ministry

Mass Card Requests


Mass intentions to honor the living and remember the deceased may be ordered online.

A donation to the Franciscan Friars of $15 is suggested for each Mass intention requested. We can accept up to two intentions for each Mass.

During the academic year, the Franciscan friars offer daily Mass at 12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday in the Great Room of the McGinley-Carney Center for Franciscan Ministries. Sunday Masses are offered in the University Chapel at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.

You may choose from a selection of cards and make your donation online. (Card #1 is the Mass card for deceased; Cards # 2 and 3 are Mass cards for the living). We will send you a confirmation with the date that the Mass will be offered, and, if you desire, we will inform people in the university community.

We welcome your Mass requests.

For questions or more information, please email Brian Negron or call him at (716) 375-2662.

Order Mass cards online


News-Publications-Research- Banner

SBU professor, organizations spark drive to aid Chinese medical personnel

Feb 21, 2020

A biology professor and two St. Bonaventure-based organizations are spearheading a campaign to raise money to protect medical personnel in the Chinese city devastated by the coronavirus outbreak.

Wuhan, located in the province of Hubei, is coping with more than 60% of the more than 75,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus reported around the world, said Dr. Xiaoning Zhang, a biology professor at SBU.

“The medical staff in Wuhan has been hammered by this overwhelming demand in care,” Zhang said. “Due to a shortage of proper protection gear, more than 1,000 medical staffers have been infected and, sadly, some have passed away.

“If the situation can’t be controlled soon,” she said, “the ripple effect of this outbreak will affect many more with other medical conditions due to the lack of medical facilities, staff and supplies.”

The fundraising effort is in collaboration with BonaResponds, an SBU-based disaster relief club that started in 2005 in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, and Positiveripples, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with ties to several SBU-based clubs and initiatives, including BonaResponds, Haiti Scholarships, BonaSIMM and Enactus.

Chinese and American citizens in the Olean area are also assisting in the campaign.

Funds raised will be given to the American Chinese Culture & Education Foundation to purchase, transport and deliver medical supplies — hazmat suits, goggles, medical masks, gloves, breathing machines, etc. — directly to Wuhan hospitals, Zhang said.

“Any support will be deeply appreciated,” Zhang said. “We need to unite as global citizens to help the helpers, the medical personnel, in this fight.”

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About the University: The nation’s first Franciscan university, St. Bonaventure University is a community committed to transforming the lives of our students inside and outside the classroom, inspiring in them a lifelong commitment to service and citizenship. In 2019, St. Bonaventure was named the #1 regional university value in New York and #2 in the North by U.S. News and World Report.