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

Sign, pavilion projects at St. Bonaventure expected to be completed this summer

May 03, 2021

Pavilion and fire pitSign and patioWork continues on two significant projects on the grounds of St. Bonaventure University.

A sign and patio will replace the bushes that spelled out St. Bonaventure in front of the Doyle Chapel, and a pavilion is being built on the lawn in front of Devereux Hall (north side). Both projects are expected to be completed before classes begin for the fall semester.

The family of Ryan Marchiori, ’08, ’09, established the Ryan Marchiori Memorial Fund (www.sbu.edu/ryan) after Ryan passed away in 2019.

A donation to the Warming House was made from the family’s initial donation, with the remaining funds and subsequent funds raised used to build the pavilion as a permanent legacy to Ryan. The senior class gifts from the classes of 2020 and 2021 are also earmarked for the project.

The pavilion will be built for nearly year-round use and will feature two natural gas-fueled fire pits, ample seating and a place for students to congregate and events to be held.

“The pavilion will really create a great gathering space for our students and the campus community during the school year, and for alumni and community events during the summer,” said Tom Missel, chief communications officer.

The Bonaventure bushes were removed two years ago. They had become unsightly because of blight and hungry deer and were becoming increasingly difficult to maintain.

Dr. Dennis DePerro, SBU’s president who passed away from COVID-19 complications March 1, was integral in the planning for the new sign and patio.

“Dr. DePerro really wanted something that the Bonaventure community would not only be proud of, but could use. That’s how the idea came about of adding a patio behind it that could act as a gathering space,” Missel said.

The project, which features a walkway between the sign and the patio, will become a popular place for taking photos. The sign will also be illuminated at night.

Other projects in progress or that will begin shortly after Commencement are:

  • The Reilly Center Arena will be offline for most of the summer. The roof, HVAC, lighting, electric and sound system are all being upgraded. The Reilly Center was not an option for Commencement because the air-handling system didn’t meet requirements for gatherings during the pandemic.
  • Air conditioning will be installed to the basketball court side of the Richter Center.
  • Renovations will be made to Loughlen Hall and the Garden Apartments.
  • The elevator addition and Admissions Suite upgrade to the Administration Building are expected to be finished in June.
  • Exterior work on Francis Hall to complete the School of Health Professions project will begin after Commencement and is expected to be completed this summer.

The new Fairway View Pavilion restaurant and bar at the SBU Golf Course opened to the public on April 19.

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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 2020, St. Bonaventure was named the #2 regional university value in New York and #3 in the North by U.S. News and World Report.