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.

The McGinley-Carney Center for Franciscan Ministries building

As 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.

We are accepting Mass intentions for the fall 2023 semester, when Masses resume.

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 Yvonne Peace or call her at (716) 375-2662.

Order Mass cards online

St. Peter's Square in Rome, Italy
Photo by Kristin Marsicovetere, '10, '13

Franciscan Leadership Pilgrimage

Each December, students may participate in a Franciscan Leadership Pilgrimage to Rome and Assisi through the Franciscan Pilgrimage Program. Participation is open to students of all faith traditions.

The pilgrimage brings together leaders of various faith traditions form Franciscan colleges and universities across the U.S. to reflect on and learn form the vision and values of saints Francis and Clare of Assisi. It includes time for reflection, study, conversation, leisure, relaxation and visits to sacred Franciscan locations in Assisi and Rome.

Pilgrims are not tourists. Pilgrims are people who are on a journey designed to take them outside their ordinary, familiar lives and into an unfamiliar environment where they have the opportunity to search beyond the ordinary in order to come to know God.

To participate in the pilgrimage a student must:

be a full-time undergraduate student in good academic standing
be in good health and capable of long and strenuous walks
demonstrate a history of service
commit to sharing the pilgrimage experience with the university community
be open to new insights and discoveries
become familiar with the lives of saints Francis and Clare
participate in prepilgrimage gatherings to get to know other participants and for updates on travel, the itinerary, costs and other matters
participate in post-pilgrimage gathers to process personal insights and discoveries

On their return, pilgrims are expected to share their experiences with the university community, their families and faith communities; to translate their pilgrimage experience into action by infusing Franciscan values into the university system and helping others clarify the vision and values that shape the mission of St. Bonaventure University.

To apply, submit:

a cover sheet that includes your name, email address, phone number and home address or SBU mailbox number
a letter of recommendation from a faculty member, staff person or administrator
a written summary of your community service activities
a written description of how you believe this pilgrimage will benefit you
a written description of how you envision yourself sharing your pilgrimage
experience with the university community, your family, your peers and the faith community

Return your completed application to the Franciscan Center for Social Concern, McGinley-Carney Center for Franciscan Ministry at SBU. For information call (716) 375-2398 or (716) 375-7813.

Applicants should inquire about their eligibility for a St. Bonaventure scholarship for the Franciscan Leadership Pilgrimage.

SBU’s Warming House to resume indoor meal service beginning Tuesday, July 13

Jul 09, 2021

The Warming House, the student-run soup kitchen in Olean, will resume indoor meal service beginning Tuesday, July 13.

Run by St. Bonaventure University’s Franciscan Center for Social Concern, the Warming House had been providing only takeout service since the COVID-19 pandemic began last spring.

“We saw a tremendous uptick in meal service during the pandemic so we were grateful we were able to provide such a vital community service during a challenging time for so many people,” said Alice Miller Nation, director of the FCSC. “But we’re thrilled to be able to welcome people back inside for not only a meal, but to allow our students to engage and bond with our guests.”

Beginning Tuesday, guests are welcome six days a week, any time after 2:30 p.m., with meals served at 4 p.m. The Warming House, located at 164 N. Union St., is closed Saturdays.

Takeout meals will still be available from 4 to 4:45 p.m. for anyone who might not yet be comfortable eating inside the Warming House.

Patrons who are unvaccinated will be required to wear a mask until seated. Masks are optional for vaccinated patrons.

The Warming House will be sanitized three times during each dinner shift: before patrons arrive, mid-shift (high-touch points only), and after patrons have left.

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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.

Alice Miller Nation

Director of University Ministries

(716) 3757813

Send an email

McGinley-Carney Center 113

Fr. Steven Kuehn, O.F.M.

University Chaplain

(716) 375-7841

Send an email

McGinley-Carney Center for Franciscan Ministries 111

Yvonne Peace

Executive Assistant to the VP for Mission Integration and University Ministries

(716) 375-2662

Send an email

St. Bonaventure University

University Ministries

Franciscan Center for Social Concern

Mt. Irenaeus

Faith formation, worship & ministry

Mass Card Requests

Franciscan Leadership Pilgrimage

SBU’s Warming House to resume indoor meal service beginning Tuesday, July 13

Mass Schedule

Confession Schedule