st. bonaventure's "BonFire"
 What is BonFire? BonFire is a short course in Christian Living derived from the "Cursillo" movement. It is a retreat that has been especially tailored to fit the St. Bonaventure Community's needs and talents.
How is the weekend structured? BonFire is an interesting and fun but also a very intense two-day weekend experience. It begins with dinner Friday night and concludes following the 6:00 p.m. Mass Sunday evening. It consists of a series of talks --- mostly presented by lay team members plus several presented by our St. Bonaventure religious staff. Music and an abundance of good food provided by the team are a tradition of BonFire.
Who can attend? All adult parishioners are welcome to attend BonFire. Spouses, partners, and other family members of parishioners who are not Catholic are also very welcome. The weekend is not threatening or "pushy" and will be an enjoyable and enlightening experience of community.
How much does the weekend cost? The weekend costs St. Bonaventure parish approximately $80 per person. Attendees and team members are encouraged to donate what they can to defray this cost. No one is turned away for financial reasons.
What will the weekend do for my faith journey? If you haven't met our Lord Jesus in your life experience up to now, you will certainly get acquainted on this weekend. If you already consider Jesus a friend, you will enjoy a new and deeper relationship with Him as well.
When is the next BonFire? January 2009.
View and/or print the BonFire brochure
View and/or print the BonFire Registration form
Who can I contact for further information?
e-mail the or call Duane Currey at 925-680-4724 or Julie Furrer at 925-787-5602
Is the BonFire community online?
Yes, visit the BonFire News group on Yahoo!
Thoughts from Fr. Richard, August 27, 2006
SIGN-UP FOR NEXT BONFIRE
I can’t tell you how many lives have changed for the better by those who have experienced a BonFire. For anyone who wants to enter the door of a fulfilling and more meaningful life, BonFire is a door. There is more to life than working hard, making money, paying bills, volunteering and being busy with distracting, enjoyable activities.
If you are ready to let your defenses and guard down by letting God in, the BonFire will help you to do that without even knowing it. Very gentle, very simple.
What I have to do? Reserve the weekend and make a commitment for Friday evening and all day Saturday and Sunday.
Where is it held? Right on the campus of St. Bonaventure Church. The BonFire takes over the whole campus for the weekend.
Where do I sleep? At a bed and breakfast. Parishioners who have experienced a BonFire or a CURSILLO hosts each candidate who signs up for a BONFIRE. You will be sleeping overnight. All BonFire activities happen at the Church.
How does it work? On the mechanical level, there are talks on the full living of the Catholic Christian life, discussion and sharing, and meals provided by a wonderful kitchen crew of parishioners. Outside of that, there is lots of love and pampering, all of it is to be enjoyed thoroughly. The magic is left to God.
What will I get out of it? More than you ever thought. Exactly what God wants you to get out of it. What you have been waiting for. Exactly what you need.
So why would you not do this? I don’t have the time. I don’t think that it is for me. Maybe someday, but not now. I am happy the way that I am. I don’t want to become a holy-roller. A little bit of religion is okay, but not too much. I would rather have my faith just between God and myself. I’m not too much on this community thing. I don’t like touchy-feely things. Maybe, I am just a little bit afraid of what might happen.
And where did this come from anyway? It is an adaptation of a 60 year old parish renewal tool that was developed in Spain. It came to the United States in the early nineteen sixties. Normally, a four-day experience, it has been adapted to a weekend. Over the years, several hundred parishioners have experience the Cursillo.
The Spanish word, CURSILLO, means “a little course”. The full name of the movement is “Cursillo de Cristianidad”, a short course in Christian Faith.
Only those who have “made” a Bonfire or a Cursillo can “work” on one or help to put one on.
Originally, it was created by a Spanish priest to encourage Catholic men to experience conversion to Jesus Christ and return to the practice of their Christian faith. The men had to go first to such a weekend, and then the women had their weekend. Men were considered harder “nuts” to crack. They still are the particular experience of Spain and many countries in that women and children go to Mass; men go to the coffee bar.
Thoughts from Fr. Richard, January 30, 2005
So who goes to a BONFIRE? You will never really know until you experience one. People just like yourself who may not want to go, may have all kinds of questions, may fear that they will have to do something that they do not want to do. Everyone who comes on Friday evening is on guard somewhat, feels a bit awkward, inside is a bit fearful of meeting new folks. Does that sound like you?
Something very mysterious happens over the course of the weekend. The invisible Holy Spirit touches people, speaks to people, convinces people, changes people. No one escapes the touch. At the very end of the weekend before the 6:00 p.m. Sunday Mass that closes the weekend, a time of sharing from the candidates reveals all kinds of healing and new insights.
I was struck by one candidate who admitted his infidelity publicly, changed parish affiliations and wanted to be welcomed here at St. Bonaventure’s. He experienced a new start once again both for his personal and church life. Another couple spoke about how they have gone to Mass for many years in different parishes of the area, without really registering or becoming involved. The weekend revealed something new to them about what they really need to do.
A parish staff member who experienced the weekend for the first time shared her feelings about not going to the Bonfire because she did not think that she really needed to go. However, something was said by a speaker publicizing the Bonfire and by the group of people preparing the Bonfire. The particular song, “Here I am Lord,” touched her so deeply that she went for which now, she is very grateful. “My faith has never been stronger than it is right now,” she said. Another young mother confessed about realizing how broken she was and in need of healing. She, too, thought that she did not need it.
There was another woman who finally told her story of personal tragedies and the recent death of her husband. She was struck by the other woman at her discussion table who just listened and affirmed her. She could feel their love.
Someone else shared about the entire weekend, about how it felt like it was Christmas. She received one gift after another. She shared also about the death of her mother and how she could not cry until Sunday morning when the beautiful gift of tears came to her. One after another, the 37 candidates spoke about the weekend and what it meant to them—beyond what they were looking for and really indescribable until you make the weekend. Each person had a story of awakening and healing to tell.
Thoughts from Fr. Richard, July 10, 2005
WHEN WILL “YOUR TIME” MEET “IN HIS TIME”
There is a favorite song and phrase used by many Catholics when they are concerned over a spiritual issue-problem, over one of their children or even their spouse—“In his time.” How wonderful is the year when that time comes. And sometimes it takes many years.
I listen very carefully at the end of every Bonfire because “that time” comes for each person who came. And I can understand when someone says that “I came uneasy with so many distractions and issues pressing on my mind. I leave giving them all to God. I don’t know how the future will turn out, but I am confident that God will be there to help.”
“I have finally come around,” another said, “ I have been in and out of the church over the years. This was a heart-altering weekend.”
“I did not think that I needed a Bonfire. I did not want to come, not even after I got here. It was an awesome weekend. The whole experience was a total joy. I can’t explain how I feel.”
“I was frightened to come because I would have to speak English. I have elephants in my stomach. I had so many excuses. My daughter packed for me and urged me to go. I now know that God is with me.”
“I didn’t want to come after a busy and stressful week. Friday, I wanted to open a bottle of wine. I need to do something instead of harping on what is always wrong. Wow!”
“When I lost my husband four and a half years ago, I put God on the back burners. I needed something to fire up my spirituality and life. I’m ready now to move forward and make the world a better place.”
“I wanted my husband to come. I have been on retreats many times, but the Bonfire is not just another retreat. Something has happened to me. Something has been lighted within me. I’m not sure how God will continue to work in me, but I want to light the fire now.”
“I admit that I erected big brick walls around myself. It feels good not to feel alone. It is amazing to realize that God has this unconditional love for me. I felt the inspiration of my mother to come. She came to the last one. Unfortunately, a week after, she had a stroke and died eventually. The Bonfire was a sign to me that my mother did not want me to grieve anymore.”
“This weekend has been the defining moment of my life.”
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