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St. Augustine of Hippo (354-439), whose feastday we celebrate on August 28, appears in the dome of our church in a painting by Buffalo-born artist Joseph Mazur. He is depicted standing at the far right in this photo and is part of a group of 14 figures identified as “Confessors, Bishops, and Missionaries.” (Rev. Walter Kern’s “Guidebook to Blessed Trinity R. C. Church,” p. 39). Photo credit: Duane Held.
August 25 – September 1, 2013
Thursday, August 29 at 8:00 p.m ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall.
Saturday, August 31 at 8:00 p.m ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall.
We now have: Red, White & Blue; carry over Bonus Ball; and a progressive Share-the-Wealth! To check the carry over amounts and progressive numbers for this week, click HERE and visit our Facebook page.
Mass Intentions
Sunday, August 25 ~ Mass at 10 a.m. – Elizabeth Dick – Birthday Remembrance (Requested by Family)
Monday, August 26 ~ Communion Service at 11 a.m.
Tuesday, August 27 ~ St. Monica ~ Mass at 11 a.m. – Deceased Members of St. Gerard Parish (Blessed Trinity Community)
Wednesday, August 28 ~ St. Augustine ~ Mass at 11 a.m. – William Condon (Estate of Mary Condon)
Thursday, August 29 ~ The Passion of St. John the Baptist ~ Cleveland Witherspoon (Family)
Friday, August 30 ~ Mass at 11 a.m. – Anthony and Teresa Hafner (Estate)
Saturday, August 31 ~ Vigil Mass at 4:30 p.m. – Emily Resinger (Beverly Howard)
Sunday, September 1 ~ Mass at 10 a.m. – Agnes and Cleveland Witherspoon (Family)
St. Augustine (354-430)
Bishop of Hippo (present day Algeria)
Prayer Attributed to St. Augustine
Watch with those, O Lord,
who wake, or watch, or weep tonight,
and give your angels charge over those who sleep.
Tend you sick ones, O Lord Christ.
Rest your weary ones,
Bless your dying ones.
Soothe your suffering ones,
Pity your afflicted ones,
Shield your joyous ones
and all for your love’s sake. Amen.
News from our Parish Community
Parish Council Elections ~ It’s time for Parish Council elections. There are four vacancies this year. You will find copies of a questionnaire in every pew, asking you to suggest someone in the parish that you feel might be a good candidate. Members of the nominating committee will take your suggestions seriously and contact the individuals you have selected to see if they would consider running for election to a three-year term on our Parish Council.
Important Sacramental Information for Parents ~ Arrangements have been made for our children to participate in St. Joseph University Church programs to prepare to receive First Reconciliation (Confession) or First Communion. We are grateful for the warm welcome extended to us by Ms. Dianne Brennan, Director of Lifelong Faith Formation, and all the staff of St. Joseph Parish. Requirements are as follows: For First Reconciliation Program – Child must have received the Sacrament of Baptism and currently be in Grade 2 and up. For First Communion Program – Child must have received the Sacraments of Baptism and First Reconciliation and currently be in Grade 3 and up. The First Reconciliation Program will begin November 7. 2013, and the First Communion Program will begin February 6, 2014.. If your child meets these requirements, please call Sister Barbara at 833-0301 no later than September 1 to register. Thank you.
Project Homeless Connect ~ A Message from Sister Claire Edwards:
“My Dear Fellow Parishioners,
You are so generous! Our deodorant collection drive went ‘over the top.’ We were hoping for 700 and you donated 749! Thank you so very much on behalf of the Project Connect, WNY Coalition for the Homeless and our neighbors who are without a home.”
An Invitation from Bishop Malone ~ To all couples who celebrate their 50th, 60th or 70th Anniversaries of Marriage in 2013 – You are invited to a special Mass in St. Joseph Cathedral on Sunday, October 27, 2013 at 3:00 p.m. On this day the entire Diocese of Buffalo will join those celebrating in their joy and gratitude to God, who has set them among us as a sign of His constant and faithful love. During the Mass, couples will renew their marriage vows. A reception will follow at the Adam’s Mark Hotel. In early fall we will be receiving registration information for this event.
“God Bless You – Bog Zaplac” from The Catholic League ~ In appreciation for your prayers and contribution, may the revered Black Madonna of Poland, Our Lady of Czestochowa, intercede before her Son for all your personal petitions. If anyone has not contributed and still cares to do so, simply mark a plain envelope “CATHOLIC LEAGUE” and place it in the Sunday collection. Thank you all contributors! The seminary students in Rome will remember you in prayer.
Knowledge is Power, and now is the time to start thinking about your future. Catholic Charities Education and Workforce Department helps to provide High School Equivalency test preparation and job readiness services to Erie County adults ages 16 and older. As of January 2014, changes by New York State to the High School Equivalency exam process, will make it more difficult and harder to obtain, so it is important to be prepared and take the exam before the end of this year. At Catholic Charities, after receiving an educational/career assessment, students attend classes and a counselor works with each student on job readiness skills, leadership training and potential college placement. For more information, call (716) 893-3500 or visit our website, http://www.ccwny.org/. We’re also on Facebook at facebook.com/ccbuffalo and Twitter at twitter.com/ccbuffalo.
Summer in the City was a fine success. The weather was great – the music games and food (especially the desserts) were enjoyed by all. We are most grateful for the work done by Amy Johnson and Dan Korchowsky who attended all the planning meetings and coordinated our B.T. volunteers. Dan wishes to thank Elsieta Chapman, Angela Jost, Althea Porter, Sister Liz Savage, SSJ, Sister Claire Edwards, DC, Judy Casassa, Vontrese Draper, Martha Bobo and Jackie Korchowsky who helped with a variety of activities/jobs. And a word from Amy Johnson: “A BIG THANK YOU to our bakers and tent staffers. We were able to provide a tasty assortment of home baked desserts – 150 servings and all sold! I express special thanks to my team of Elseita Chapman, Althea Porter and Lucille Venezia who met last Sunday morning to cut, box and transport the baked goods to SS. Columba-Brigid. Our dessert tent was staffed by Sister Claire Edwards, Helen Roddy-Gray, Vontrese Draper and Judy Casassa who welcomed those of you who stopped by to lend a hand and socialize.” For more photos from Summer in the City, click HERE.
News from our Vicariate Cluster and the Wider Community
Our Lady of Black Rock School Enrollment ~ Summer is flying by, but there’s still time to enroll your child for Pre-K (age 4) through Grade 8 in Our Lady of Black Rock School (O.L.B.R.). We are a diverse school community where great minds grow. We have dedicated teachers, small class sizes, a technology supported curriculum, and strong Catholic values. The school is located at 16 Peter Street, off of Amherst Street, in the City of Buffalo. Contact us today at (716) 873-7497 or visit our website at www.olbrschool.com to learn more.
- Congrega Society of Buffalo’s Biannual Mass in honor of the Crowned Virgin is scheduled for Saturday, September 7, at 9:00 a.m. at St. Lawrence Church, Buffalo. A meeting and breakfast will follow in the parish hall and includes a short DVD presentation and discussion entitled What Every Catholic Needs to Know about Mary: Marian Apparitions. If you are not a regular member and would like to attend, please call Mary J. D. Steinhauser at 716-656-7195 to be added to the breakfast count.
The Brothers of Mercy Campus Foundation will host the annual Oktoberfest and 5K Run/Walk on Friday, September 13 behind the Brothers of Mercy Sacred Heart Adult Home, 4520 Ransom Road, Clarence. The Oktoberfest will begin at 5:30 and the run will start at 6:30 p.m. At the Oktoberfest enjoy great German food; domestic, imported and craft beer; music by the Auslanders; raffles; a Chinese auction; and fun with KISS Radio’s Nicholas Picholas. The first 400 run registrants will receive a long-sleeve runners t-shirt, admission to the Oktoberfest, beverages, a food item, and more! ChampionChip timing on a USTAF certified course. Visit BrothersOfMercy.org or call 716-759-7808 for Oktoberfest run information. To register for the run on-line, visit RunningGuru.com/Event/brothersofmercy5k.- Meals on Wheels for Western New York needs more volunteers to help feed the growing number of homebound elderly and disabled individuals in Erie County. It’s easy to volunteer and takes just 60 minutes a day. Individuals 16 years of age or older can volunteer once a month, once a week or even everyday. Meals on Wheels needs both servers and drivers. To learn more about volunteering, call 716-822-2002, ext. 21.
- Compeer for Senior Citizens ~ Become a caring friend to a senior. Compeer volunteers demonstrate that friendly encouragement and caring support can truly enrich a lonely life. So often many seniors lose many of their longstanding relationships that they have counted on for years. Family moves, friends pass away, neighbors change. Struggling with loneliness and isolation they often lack the supportive friendships that so many of us take for granted. Currently over 80 volunteers are making a huge difference, but there are also 65 seniors throughout Erie County waiting for a friend. Contact 716-883-3331 or email staff [at] compeerbuffalo [dot] org.