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

St. Bonaventure’s Move Out Sale is back, opening to the public at 6:30 p.m. May 17

May 07, 2021


After a one-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the Franciscan Center for Social Concern will once again host a multi-day sale at St. Bonaventure University to raise funds in support of direct service programming.

The Move Out Sale will be held from May 17-19 in Butler Gym. The university will re-open to visitors for the summer, beginning May 17.

The sale will be open to the public from 6:30-8:30 p.m. May 17, from 9 a.m. to noon and 12:30-4 p.m. May 18, and from 9 a.m. to noon on May 19.

The Franciscan Center for Social Concern is SBU’s home for direct service, social justice, and advocacy programming.

Each year, the FCSC holds a massive garage sale with items students donate when they leave for the summer. Student volunteers will collect, organize, and sell donated goods, while also making sure the sale follows proper COVID-19 safety guidelines.

The Move Out Sale is coordinated by the FCSC with the primary goal of raising funds for its various service and outreach programs, such as Bona Buddies, the Warming House, Silver Wolves, SBU@SPCA, the SBU Food Pantry, and many others.

“Finding a new home for these goods aligns with Catholic social teaching and the Franciscan value of care for creation,” said sophomore Valentina Cossio, the student coordinator for this year’s Move Out Sale. “We are so happy to find new homes for the items that our students are not able to take home at the end of the school year.”

Because of the pandemic, there will be some changes to the sale this year:

  • Face coverings are to be worn at all times while inside Butler Gym.
  • A virtual shopper option will be available for those unable to go into Butler Gym. Guests wishing to use the virtual shopper will be paired with a volunteer who will connect on a video call and walk through the sale to offer shopping and purchases of items.
  • Hand sanitizing stations will be located at several locations at the sale.
  • No more than 50 guests will be permitted in Butler Gym at one time. Guests waiting to enter the gym will need to socially distance in a well-marked queue.
  • At the end of each day and at noon on Tuesday, May 18, all guests will exit Butler Gym so that the building can be sanitized.

For more information, contact Alice Miller Nation, director of the FCSC, at anation@sbu.edu.

______________

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.