Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, February 11.
The painting on the wall behind the Altar of the Blessed Virgin to the left of the Sanctuary at Blessed Trinity is of the Virgin Mary “seen fulfilling the prophecy of Genesis (3:15), with the serpent under her feet.” The figure to the left of Mary is “St. Bernadette Soubirous (1844-1879), to whom Our Lady appeared at Lourdes, France in 1858…. The message of Lourdes was really an invitation to trust in the power of prayer regardless of how desperate the situation is, to have great concern for the sick, and to sincerely trust in the concern of Mary for the followers of her son.”
(Rev. Walter Kern’s Guidebook to Blessed Trinity Roman Catholic Church, p. 44).
February 8 – February 15, 2015
Weekly Activities
Tuesday, February 10 at 7:30 p.m. ~ Choir rehearsal in St. Charles Hall.
Wednesday, February 11 at 7:00 p.m. ~ Parish Council Meeting in St. Charles Hall.
Thursday, February 12 at 8:00 p.m. ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall.
Saturday, February 14 from 9:30 a.m. to 12 Noon ~ Helping Hands Food Pantry in St. Charles Hall.
Saturday, February 14 at 8:00 p.m. ~ Bingo cancelled due to extreme weather conditions.
Sunday, February 15 ~ Due to the extreme weather conditions expected on Sunday, Feb. 15, the Sodality’s coffee hour and raffle have been postponed until NEXT Sunday, February 22. Both will take place in St. Charles Hall, following the 10:00 a.m. Mass.
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, February 8 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – Frederick Reger (Requested by Pauline Rollek)
Monday, February 9 ~ Communion Service at 11:00 a.m.
Tuesday, February 10 ~ St. Scholastica ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Anthony and Teresa Hafner (Estate)
Wednesday, February 11 ~ Our Lady of Lourdes ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Catherine M. Maher (Estate)
Thursday, February 12 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. Mass – Anna Snyder (Estate)
Friday, February 13 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Winifred Enright (Estate)
Saturday, February 14 ~ Ss. Cyril & Methodius ~ Vigil Mass at 4:30 p.m. – Rita E. Curtin (Family)
Sunday, February 15 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – Mary Hilliker (Angela Jost)
Basket of Cheer Raffle
Sunday, February 22 at Coffee Hour
News from our Parish Community
The Parish Council will meet this Wednesday, February 11, at 7:00 p.m. in St. Charles Hall.
Mardi Gras Raffle ~ Due to the extreme weather conditions expected on Sunday, Feb. 15, the Sodality’s coffee hour and raffle have been postponed until NEXT Sunday, February 22. Winning tickets for the first prize Basket of Cheer and second prize gift cards for Wegman’s and Dash’s Markets will be drawn at the Sodality’s coffee hour following the 10 a.m. Mass on February 22. Additional chances are available at the rectory, on the table near the ushers’ pew, or at coffee hour prior to the drawing. Please do not deposit raffle returns in the collection on the day of the raffle, but bring them to St. Charles Hall or ask someone who is attending coffee hour to do it for you. This is the Sodality’s only scheduled 2015 fundraiser, so please support their efforts. The parish — and maybe you — will be the winner. Tickets are only $1 each or six for $5.
A t-shirt created by Buffalo Mass Mob for Blessed Trinity, with proceeds going to our parish.
Buffalo Mass Mob Comes to Blessed Trinity ~ We are happy to announce that we have been chosen as the site for Buffalo Mass Mob IX on Sunday, March 22. The group has even created a souvenir t-shirt to commemorate its visit to our Landmark church, with proceeds benefiting our parish. To purchase a shirt — they are $20 — click HERE. If you’re not quite sure what a “Mass Mob” is, view our “Upcoming Events” post. Additional details about what to expect on March 22 and how you can help will be provided as they become available.
Prayer Partner Information ~ If you signed-up for the annual Lenten Prayer Partner program, you should be receiving the name of a parishioner from one of the Catholic Churches of Central Buffalo (CCCB) or St. Michael’s, and asked to pray for that person and their intentions during Lent. In return, that person will be praying for you. Why do we do this? It’s rather simple. Jesus told us that “if two or more agree on earth about anything for which they pray, it shall be granted to them by my Father.” (Mt. 18:19,20). This helps us see the importance of praying with and for one another. If you neglected to sign up but still wish to participate, call Sister Maureen Harris at 897-9948, ext. 114 or 892-2471 and ask to be added as a prayer partner. Once you receive the name of your partner, you can include them in a daily prayer of remembrance, at Mass, or during your own individual time of prayer. If they give their phone number, you can make a personal contact to introduce yourself and exchange intentions, but this is not required.
Sodality Dues Reminder ~ Membership in the Ladies Sodality runs with the calendar year. Please remember to pay your dues by February 22 so that our membership chair may update the roster and email group/telephone tree. To learn more about our women’s group, Click HERE.
Scholarship Money Available for Catholic School Education ~ The BISON Children’s Scholarship Fund, a privately funded tuition assistance program for children in grades K-8, has scholarships available for the 2015-16 school year. Financially eligible families can fill out an eligibility form on the BISON website. The eligibility form deadline is February 28. With a maximum award of $1,500.00, this is a great opportunity for families who desire a Catholic education for their children but may be unable to afford it. For more information, visit http://www.bisonfund.com or call 1-888-216-8380.
Pope Francis’ World Day of Peace message on January 1 was entitled “No Longer Slaves, But Brothers and Sisters,” which reminds all followers of Jesus that human trafficking is a crime against humanity and that we, who are brothers and sisters to all, need to care for our brothers and sisters who are kept in slavery throughout our world. To learn more about the Catholic Church’s response to this issue, go to www.usccb.org/anti-trafficking. The Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace and the International Union of Superiors General has designated February 8 as the international day of prayer and awareness against human trafficking. “That the dignity of all of God’s children will be protected, we pray to the Lord.”
Catholic Charities 2015 Goal ~ Find Good Within. Share God’s Goodness. Last year, through the generous support of donors throughout Western New York, Catholic Charities was able to positively impact the lives of children, families and seniors in our community with basic needs like food, clothing and shelter, to mental health counseling and educational services. Bishop Richard Malone has announced our goal of $10.9 million and patron saint of the 2015 Appeal. St. Francis of Assisi was a man of action whose simplicity of life extended to ideas and deeds. When you support the Appeal, you are “finding good within” and offering comfort and relief to people in need. Find out more at our newly redesigned website, http://www.ccwny.org or call 716-218-1400.
News from our Vicariate Cluster and the Wider Community
Free Tax Help ~ VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance), a program of the University at Buffalo’s Beta Alpha Psi Accounting and Finance students is offering FREE TAX HELP for those with annual incomes under $ 53,000 on Wednesday, February 25, 2015 from 2:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Our Lady of Black Rock School (OLBR), 16 Peter Street, behind Assumption Church. (VITA will stop accepting clients at 6:00 p.m.) Call OLBR at 873-7497 or visit www.OLBRSchool.com. For married couples filing jointly, both spouses must be present. For VITA you must bring the following:
- All W-2 and 1099 forms;
- Information about other incomes;
- Information for all deductions/credits;
- A copy of last year’s tax return;
- Proof of bank account for direct deposit of refund (check or bank account/routing number);
- Social Security cards for you AND your dependents;
- Proof of identification for you and your spouse (State license or passport);
- Total paid to daycare provider and provider’s tax ID number;
- Birth dates for you, spouse and/or dependents on the return;
- Proof of foreign status if applying for ITV;
- Forms 1095-A, B, or C (Affordable Health Care Statements).
Respite for Women Caregivers ~ If you are a woman providing care for an adult and would like a few hours to restore yourself in a quiet setting, we invite you to join the Women’s Respite Program on March 7. The $25 fee includes lunch; scholarships are available. This will take place on the campus of Stella Niagara, 4421 Lower River Road, Stella Niagara, NY 14144. Meet others who are caregivers, learn stress-reduction techniques, and enjoy a good meal with good conversation. For information or to make a reservation, call (716) 893-0931.