St. Benedict, Abbot (c. 480-547)
July 11
St. Benedict, whose feastday the Church celebrates this week, is depicted as the kneeling figure at the far right in a group of twelve figures identified as “Monks, Hermits, and Religious” in this dome painting by Buffalo-born artist Joseph Mazur.
Photo credit: Gary Kelley
July 5 – July 12, 2015
Weekly Activities
Wednesday, July 8 from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. ~ Mobile Farmer’s Market in the driveway next to FLARE
Thursday, July 9 at 8:00 p.m. ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall
Saturday, July 11 from 9:30 a.m. to 12 Noon ~ Helping Hands Food Pantry in St. Charles Hall
Saturday, July 11 at 8:00 p.m. ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall
We now have a Bingo camera with TV monitors and electronic verification!
To check the Red, White & Blue and progressive Share-the-Wealth carry over amounts
and progressive numbers for this week, click HERE and visit our Facebook page.
Mass Intentions
Sunday, July 5 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – Mary Sakura Koessler (Requested by Mary and Bob Kresse)
Monday, July 6 ~ St. Maria Goretti ~ NO SERVICE
Tuesday, July 7 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Winifred Enright (Estate)
Wednesday, July 8 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Deceased Members of Blessed Trinity Parish (Blessed Trinity Parish)
Thursday, July 9 ~ St. Augustine Zharo Rong & Companions ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Deceased Members of the Ryan, Reilly, Reynolds and Pfeiffer Families (Estate of Mary Reilly)
Friday, July 10 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Catherine M. Maher (Estate)
Saturday, July 11 ~ St. Benedict, Abbot ~ Vigil Mass at 4:30 p.m. – Anna Snyder (Estate)
Sunday, July 12 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – Margaret F. Schirmann (Mary Stoddard) and Thomas Eldred (Gary Weber)
Heavenly Father, on this holiday weekend we give thanks to you for the gift and blessing of the freedom we enjoy in our great nation. We praise you, Lord, for inspiring and guiding our founding fathers as they struggled to build our country and create a new way of living with the goal of freedom and justice for all.
We thank you, Lord, for the courageous self-sacrifice and generous spirit of countless people who have given their life’s blood in the defense of freedom and for the pursuit of justice. Keep us faithful to the tradition and example we have inherited. May we leave for the next generation a better world, prepared for the dawning of the Kingdom of your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, on God, forever and ever. Amen.
Archbishop Allan Vigneron
News from our Parish Community
A Valued Partnership ~ On Saturday, June 27, delegates to the five-day National Jesuit Student Leadership Conference taking place in Buffalo included community service at Blessed Trinity in their busy agenda. We are grateful to the eleven young men and women who spent their morning cleaning the sacristy, choir loft, pews, and church floor. Our prayerful thanks go out to Daniel Ortega from Canisius College; Conor Gaffney, Marty Kyler, and Stefan Peterson from Creighton University; Gonzaga University’s Carolyn Cartwright; Sarah Graupman, Libbie Engels, and Danielle Jow from Marquette University; and Mary Mikko, Karic Jones, and Artona’ Millhouse from the University of Detroit Mercy. Before their return to Canisius, the group enjoyed a mini-tour of the church. While in Western New York, participants representing 28 Jesuit universities in the United States and St. John’s College in Belize also participated in leadership sessions, networking activities, small group discussions and social events, and visited attractions in downtown Buffalo and Niagara Falls. On behalf of the parish, we express our appreciation to Joe Van Volkenberg and his Canisius Campus Ministry Program for always thinking of us, and we continue to value our partnership with the local college.
Delegates to the National Jesuit Student Leadership Conference in Buffalo who donated their time and energy on June 27.
A Message of Gratitude from Catholic Charities ~ On behalf of our Appeal leadership team, volunteers, donors and those we serve, thank you for helping us achieve our 2015 Appeal goal! The overwhelming generosity we continue to experience from the Western New York community is the definition of ‘find good within’ and what it means to help others in need. We would not be able to impact the lives of more than 142,000 without your support. As we celebrate the independence of our country, the approximate 600 refugees Catholic Charities resettles each year are celebrating freedom from regimes or insurgents that seek to torture, imprison or kill them. Our diocese offers a safe haven to refugees through the Catholic Charities Immigration and Refugee Assistance Program. Here they find shelter, food, clothing, and a second chance for a new life. For more information on how you might help welcome a stranger, call 716-842-0270. Find Catholic Charities at http://www.ccwny.org, facebook.com/ccbuffalo and twitter.com/ccbuffalo.
Hardware from each door has been removed and refinished.
Restoration of Church Doors ~ Although it is not part of our grant project, it has become necessary to undertake restoration work on the doors of the church. Deterioration was especially noticeable following the harsh winter of 2014-15. They are currently undergoing restoration by Bryans Brothers Painting.
Preservation Project Proceeds ~ Earlier this year, Blessed Trinity Catholic Church received word from the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation that our application for funding to repair and restore major sections of our landmark church had been approved. With God’s help, we have begun the process of making these improvements happen in accordance with State and Federal standards. For several weeks, Blessed Trinity has been accepting proposals for architectural design services in connection with restoring our roof, nave windows and front entrance steps. Architects wishing to submit proposals were required to demonstrate education, experience and expertise in historic preservation and the development of Sectarian Budgets and also be able to include assurance of significant (30%) contracting opportunities for minority-and woman-owned business enterprises. Please pray for the members of our building heritage committee and their advisers who are currently evaluating the proposals submitted in response.
Visitors from Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in Orchard Park.
Prayerful thanks go out to Rev. Adolph Kowalczyk and forty parishioners and friends from Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church in Orchard Park, NY, who visited Blessed Trinity on June 25 and made a generous donation to the Under This Roof Fund. Father Reger and docent Mickey Dick joined forces in highlighting the art and architecture of our Landmark building for our Southtowns visitors. Father Adolph also took time to bestow a special blessing on one couple celebrating their forty-ninth wedding anniversary. Click HERE for additional photos from their tour.
Mission Co–op Collection ~ On the weekend of July 13-14, Rev. Patrice Kasonga will be here to share with us information about the missionary work in the Diocese of Mbujimayi, Congo. They work with about 22,500 Albinos who are marginalized because of the color of their skin, rejected by their families, threatened and isolated. Their Diocese has established educational and training centers to restore and promote their human dignity by helping them learn something about the origin of their skin color and teach them skills needed to serve their communities. Our Diocesan Mission Co-op Collection is an opportunity for us to provide some support for this much needed work in Congo.
Summer Respite For Single Moms ~ Thursday, July 30 to Saturday, August 1 at the Center of Renewal on Stella Niagara Campus, Lewiston, NY. See flyer at church entrances. Application forms are available through Sister Barbara. More information: 716-893-0931 or www.womensrespite.wordpress.com. Application deadline is July 15.
An Evening Farmer’s Market Comes to Leroy Avenue ~ Every Wednesday evening, from 4-6 p.m., now through October 22nd, the Massachusetts Avenue Project’s Mobile Market will be coming to the FLARE! Rain or shine, you’ll find “a farmers market on wheels” in the driveway next to FLARE. On Thursday evenings, from 4-6 p.m., it will be at nearby Elim Christian Fellowship, 70 Chalmers Avenue. Take advantage of this twice a week opportunity to shop for fresh produce from local growers right in your neighborhood! For more information, Click HERE.
News from our Vicariate Cluster and the Wider Community
Saint Mary of the Lake in Hamburg Hosts ‘Powerful Tools for Caregivers’ Classes ~ Do you help a relative or friend in need? Perhaps you can benefit from Powerful Tools for Caregivers Classes to be held Tuesday evenings, July 7 through August 11, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at St. Mary of the Lake Parish Center, 4737 Lake Shore Rd., Hamburg, NY 14075. This six week educational program is designed to provide you with the tools needed to take care of yourself! Balance your life and learn to reduce stress, increase self confidence, express yourself and increase your ability to calmly make difficult decisions. Helpful resources will be discussed. Pre-registration is required. Cost is $25 and includes a copy of The Caregiver Handbook. Full course cost is covered for Independent Health and Blue Cross Blue Shield of WNY members. For more information or to register contact Erie County Department of Senior Services at 716-858-2177; caregiver [at] erie [dot] gov or visit: www2.erie.gov/seniorservices.
St. Vincent de Paul Summer Camp ~ It is not too late for St. Vincent de Paul Summer Camp on Lake Erie in Angola this year. Registrations are being accepted for the 2015 season. Children, ages 8-13, enjoy a camping experience in a pleasant, safe and stress-free Christian environment. Six weekly sessions begin July 12. Financial assistance is available to those who qualify. For more information, go to http://www.svdpwny.org and click on “Summer Camp.” Information is also available at 716-882-3360, ext. 7, or 716-549-0986.
Change the life of a child ~ Catholic Charities invites you to learn more about the adoption process or becoming a foster parent through an introductory information session set for July 14 from 10-11:30 a.m. or 6-7:30 p.m. at their 525 Washington Street, Buffalo office. Work with Catholic Charities to make a positive impact on the lives of children and teens. For more information or to register please call 716-856-4494 ext. 360 or email foster [dot] adopt [at] ccwny [dot] org. For more information about foster care or adoption, visit http://www.ccwny.org.
Camp Turner ~ Campfires and horseback riding, hiking and crafts, archery, wood shop, and so much more. Camp Turner is still accepting registrations for weekly camping sessions this summer. (The deadline is the week before each arrival day.) The program is operated by the Catholic Diocese and open to all boys and girls age 7-16. Financial assistance is available. Please visit http://www.campturner.com to sign up, or call 716-354-4555.
Dinner Lecture Series at Christ the King Seminary ~ Wednesday, July 15 – “Living a Eucharistic Life!” presented by Rev. Joseph Gatto. Wednesday, July 29 – “The Church at Fifty” presented by Rev. John Mack. Reservations are required. Dinner is at 5:45 p.m.; lectures are from 6:45-8:30 p.m. in the main dining room of Christ the King Seminary, 711 Knox Road, East Aurora. To register, call Gayle Angelli at 716-805-1438.
Third Annual Peaceprints Hike for Hope and 5K Wellness Walk will be held Saturday, August 29 on the Ring Road in Delaware Park. You are invited to join in leaving Peaceprints! Call 856-6131 for further information.