The Archangels Gabriel, Michael and Raphael – whose feast day we celebrate on September 29 – are depicted in the stained glass windows of the skylight over the altar, on either side of the ten foot long central panel of Christ the King. In this photo, Gabriel is the partial figure at the far left, holding a palm branch. St. Michael appears in the third panel from the left holding a sword, and St. Raphael is the partial figure seen in the panel on the far right. Installed in 1953, the skylight windows contain 20,000 pieces of glass set in approximately one half mile of lead strips. Together, the 15 panels weigh about 1,000 pounds. (Rev. Walter Kern’s Guidebook to Blessed Trinity Roman Catholic Church at page 44). Photo credit: Jeannette Pikturna

The Archangels Gabriel, Michael and Raphael – whose feast day we celebrate on September 29 – are depicted in the stained glass windows of the skylight over the altar, on either side of the ten foot long central panel of Christ the King. In this photo, Gabriel is the partial figure at the far left, holding a palm branch. St. Michael appears in the third panel from the left holding a sword, and St. Raphael is the partial figure seen in the panel on the far right. Installed in 1953, the skylight windows contain 20,000 pieces of glass set in approximately one half mile of lead strips.
Together, the 15 panels weigh about 1,000 pounds. (Rev. Walter Kern’s Guidebook to Blessed Trinity Roman Catholic Church at page 44).
Photo credit: Jeannette Pikturna

September 27 – October 4, 2015

Weekly Activities

Sunday, September 27 at 9:30-10:00 a.m. ~ Church Tour for BT School Alumni

Sunday, September 27 following 10:00 a.m. Mass ~ Blessed Trinity School Alumni All-Class Reception in St. Charles Hall

Thursday, October 1 at 8:00 p.m. ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall

Saturday, October 3 from 9:30 a.m. to 12 Noon ~ Helping Hands Food Pantry in St. Charles Hall

There will be NO BINGO on SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3.
Due to building damage, we have no heat.

Sunday, October 4 at 9:00 a.m. ~ Choir Rehearsal in the Loft

Sunday, October 4 following 10:00 a.m. Mass ~ Ladies Sodality Meeting 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, September 27 ~ Deceased Faculty and Alumni of Blessed Trinity School (Requested by School Alumni) and Max Link (Requested by Casey McNamara and Stephen Viscusi)

Monday, September 28 ~  St. Wenceslaus, St. Lawrence Ruiz & Companions ~ Communion Service at 11:00 a.m.

Tuesday, September 29 ~ Ss. Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, Archangels ~ Catherine M. Maher (Estate)

Wednesday, September 30 ~ St. Jerome ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Anna Snyder (Estate)

Thursday, October 1 ~ St. Therese of the Child Jesus ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Winfred Enright (Estate)

Friday, October 2 ~ The Holy Guardian Angels ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Deceased Members of Blessed Trinity Parish (Blessed Trinity Parish)

Saturday, October 3 ~ Vigil Mass at 4:30 p.m. – Frances Pernick (Children)

Sunday, October 4 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – Margaret F. Schirmann (Mary C. Stoddard) and Ithrene Cameron (Blessed Trinity Ladies Sodality)

Readings for the Week of September 27

Sunday: Nm 11:25-29; Jas 5:1-6; Mk 9:38-43, 45, 47-48
Monday: Zec 8:1-8; Lk 9:46-50
Tuesday: Dn 7:9-10, 13-14 or Rv 12:7-12ab; Jn 1:47-51
Wednesday: Neh 2:1-8; Lk 9:57-62
Thursday: Neh 8:1-4a, 5-6, 7b-12; Lk 10:1-12
Friday: Bar 1:15-22; Mt 18:1-5, 10
Saturday: Bar 4:5-12, 27-29; Lk 10:17-24
Sunday, October 4: Gn 2:18-24; Heb 2:9-11; Mk 10:2-16 or 10:2-12

St. Thérèse of Lisieux, France (St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus) is honored by the Church on October 1. She was canonized in 1925 – while our church was being built – and remains “one of the most popular saints of modern times because of her ‘Little Way’ of seeking holiness through the everyday things in the ordinary circumstances of life. The beautiful ceramic decorations around the shrine niche [in the right transept] are some of the most beautiful in the church.” (Rev. Walter Kern’s Guidebook to Blessed Trinity R.C. Church, page 27.) Photo credit: Margaret Dick.

St. Thérèse of Lisieux, France (St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus) is honored by the Church on October 1. She was canonized in 1925 – while our church was being built – and remains “one of the most popular saints of modern times because of her ‘Little Way’ of seeking holiness through the everyday things in the ordinary circumstances of life. The beautiful ceramic decorations around the shrine niche [in the right transept] are some of the most beautiful in the church.” (Rev. Walter Kern’s Guidebook to Blessed Trinity R.C. Church, page 27.)
Photo credit: Margaret Dick.

News from our Parish Community

Rev. Charles Kraehn and a contingent of BTS "Patrol Boys" in the 1950s.

Rev. Charles Kraehn and a contingent of
BTS “Patrol Boys” in the 1950s.

Welcome Blessed Trinity School Alumni ~ This Sunday, September 27, we extend a warm welcome to alumni of our parish grammar school as they honor their deceased classmates and teachers at an annual Memorial Mass. Graduates from as long ago as 1930 through the last class of 1975 are expected to attend. We hope that you will find peace and renewal within our worship community and joy in re-connecting with former friends at your reception following the Mass. We also invite you to return throughout the year for parish liturgies, concerts, tours, volunteer opportunities, or other events.

Our Ladies Sodality will meet in St. Charles Hall following the 10 o’clock Mass next Sunday, October 4, for a brief but important business meeting. The agenda will include committee reports, and a discussion of board positions and programs scheduled during the fall and winter months. Please be prepared to make a $2 donation to defray the cost of light refreshments. All women of the parish are invited to attend. We thank our October hostess, Amy Johnson.

Watch for Watches ~ Beginning on Saturday, October 3 and continuing through Sunday, November 8, the Ladies Sodality will be collecting old watches – with our without wristbands — for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. The watches do not have to be in working order. They will be repaired or used for parts and sold in the Society’s thrift stores with proceeds used to further the organization’s charitable work. Here is a wonderful opportunity to “de-clutter” a dresser drawer, provide someone with a valued timepiece, and help the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in the process. Please place your donation in the “No More Mister Nice Watch” container near the statue of St. Joseph.

Fall Gardening at BT ~ Saturday, September 26, marked the return of Melanie Chimento and those wonderful folks from Buffalo Underground who did such an amazing landscaping job for us in June. A number of them “dug in” Saturday morning and helped to beautify our Leroy side landscaping and Dewey side planters for the fall season. We also extend our thanks to the parishioners who worked along with them: Drew Brodfuehrer, Tom Brodfuehrer, Judy Casassa, Bud and Mickey Dick, Dan Korchowsky, and Sister Liz Savage.

Updating Our Records ~ We are requesting your cooperation in updating our parish records and contact information. If you moved recently and forgot to notify the rectory office, this is your reminder to do so. If you have an email address, we would like to include you in our parish group email. This is a way of providing you with time-sensitive information; e.g., the death of a parishioner or the unexpected cancellation of some event due to weather or illness. Please help smooth the way for our new office staff by providing the following information: your name and preferred phone number; your email address; and, if applicable, your new mailing address. Please email the information to blessedtrinitychurch [at] gmail [dot] com specifying “Contact Information” in the subject line, or Click HERE and use our handy template. Just remember to reference “Contact Information.”

The Vocalis Chamber Choir

The Vocalis Chamber Choir

The Vocális Chamber Choir opens our 2015-16 Trinity Concert Series on Sunday, October 18 at 4 PM with texts in tribute to music – its beauty, power, meaning, and emotion. The ensemble of dedicated professionals, under the direction of James Burritt, will perform To Music, featuring the works of Vaughan Williams, Britten, Billings, Purcell, Haydn, Schubert – and other surprises. Please plan to be with us on October 18 as we celebrate the greatest of all art forms with the Vocális Chamber Choir. This is a ticketed event. Tickets are available at the door: $15 per person – $10 student.  Click HERE for additional information about the Trinity Series.

Catholic High Schools ~ We are receiving information for current 8th Graders regarding their schedules for Fall Open House, Preparation Classes for Entrance Exams, and Entrance Exam dates, as well as other fall events. You will find this information on the table in the front vestibule.

Ministry to the Sick and Homebound ~ New York State law prohibits hospitals and nursing homes/rehab facilities from notifying a church when a member of its congregation is admitted. If such a situation arises with your loved one or family member, please contact the rectory to request visitation and administration of the sacraments. This also applies to someone receiving care in a home setting.

Give a Child a Safe Home. Catholic Charities works closely with birth families to provide a safe place for children, especially sibling groups, to stay and receive care when they cannot receive it at their own home. Interested in learning more about their Foster Care program? Call (716) 856-4494 ext. 360 or send an email to foster [dot] adapt [at] ccwny [dot] org.

Buffalo Underground volunteers join our parish "grounds crew."

Buffalo Underground volunteers
join our parish “grounds crew.”

News from our Vicariate Cluster and the Wider Community

Oktoberfest ~ On Sunday, September 27, from 5 – 9:30 PM, the Sisters of St. Joseph are sponsoring an Oktoberfest at St. Aloysius Gonzaga Church, 157 Cleveland Dr. (corner of Century Dr.), Cheektowaga, NY, featuring the music of The Auslanders. German food, including Knockwurst, Bratwurst, Limburger cheese sandwiches and German Potato Salad will be served. Dancing, singing and raffles will be part of the event. Entrance fee is $5 ($6 at the door).

You Have Chosen to be Cremated. Now What? Hear from cemetery professionals about the trends and options with cremation on Tuesday, October 6, from 6:30-8 PM at Mount Calvary Cemetery, Pine Lawn Chapel, 2951 Harlem Rd., Cheektowaga. Father Fabian Maryanski will discuss the Catholic teaching on cremation, a question and answer format, with an optional tour of the crematory. Please RSVP by October 6 to 892-6600.

St. Joseph University Parish/Pax Christi WNY Retreat ~ A time to invigorate and restore our spirits on our individual spiritual journeys of confusion, grace and trial, by finding God and hope in ourselves and others. Saturday, October 17, 2015, 8:30 – 3:30. The retreat will use the book, A Spirituality of Being Human by Hugh Brady, D. Min. (Reading the book is not a prerequisite for participation). For information or registration, contact Tom Casey at caseytpc [at] aol [dot] com or 716-491-9172.