Our Annual Alumni Mass will be held at Blessed Trinity Church on Sunday, September 27, 2015 at 10:00 AM. We look forward to welcoming all Alumni, especially those celebrating significant anniversaries. A reception in St Charles Hall following the Mass provides an ideal opportunity to view school photos and memorabilia, reminisce and renew old acquaintances. As in past years, we ask those who are able to bring a food item to share at the reception.
James H. Stengel, ’63
1949-2015
Honoring our Deceased Members
As part of our Annual Mass we pause to remember all deceased alumni and faculty. The names of graduates who have passed away since last year’s Mass will be read. We will be remembering Evelyn M. Rofe, ’32; Paul V. Glauber, ’39; Robert G. Klein, ’40; Patricia Honeychurck Bonfanti, ’46; Ruth O’Connor Beehler and Jean A. Sloan Pritchard, ’49; Robert E. Steinke, ’51; Howard F. Gabriel, ’52 ; Anthony R. Sorgi, ’56; Dennis F. Lesinski, ’61; James H. Stengel, ’63; Dennis M. Long, ’64; Margaret E. (“Peggy”) O’Donnell, ’68; and Michael J. O’Donnell, ’73. May they rest in peace. Please inform the Committee if you become aware of other recent Alumni or faculty deaths.
Alumni Raffle
In conjunction with the September 27, 2015 alumni gathering, we are sponsoring our Sixth BT Alumni Raffle for the purpose of raising funds to help pay for restoration and repairs on our beautiful Church. Since 2009, our raffles have raised $12,145.00, half of which was donated to the Church, with the remaining monies (after Alumni Committee expenses) divided among the winners (2 each year). Over this same period, individual alumni have contributed more than $1,200.00 directly to Blessed Trinity, which is greatly appreciated. We want to continue this tradition and, with your help, we hope to have an equally successful fundraiser. Earlier this year, the parish learned that it had succeeded in obtaining State preservation funding. The grant requires a significant outlay of funds on the part of the church, bringing a new sense of urgency to our goal.
The drawing will take place at the reception following the Alumni Mass. You don’t need to be present to win, but you DO need to return your completed ticket stubs and check payable to “Blessed Trinity Alumni” no later than September 21, 2015. Tickets are $5.00 each or six (6) for $25.00. Last year our two winners, Marilyn Schimek and Julia Alessi, each received $575.00. This year it could be you! A sheet of six tickets will be enclosed with your alumni newsletter, which you should receive by the end of August. If you would like more for yourself, friends, family or other alumni, feel free to make copies of your sheet or contact Jerry Powers at 716-656-8657 or powersj2004 [at] aol [dot] com. Please help us promote this fundraiser as you have done in the past. Winners will be notified by mail and listed on the “School Alumni News and Photos”page at www.blessedtrinity.org and on the Blessed Trinity School Alumni Facebook page.
Members of the Class of 1964 celebrate their 50th.
All-Class Reception
The Alumni Committee continues to provide a time and place for you to reunite with former classmates and neighbors each year. No RSVP is required for the reception, so we can’t tell you who’s coming. Bobbe (Schmelzer) Lukasik maintains our database and will be happy to provide whatever information we have for your classmates and friends, enabling you to reach out and organize your own personal “reunion within the reunion.” Contact her at bertababe2 [at] yahoo [dot] com. In 2014, the Fiftieth Anniversary class of ’64 brought an anniversary cake and put together a display of class memorabilia. Our committee stands ready to assist the Class of ’65 (or ’45 or ’55 or ’75) with their own special touches.
Tour of the Church
Docent Tom Brodfuehrer, ’75, interprets iconography
Since 2011, the parish has made a concerted effort to promote Blessed Trinity as a destination site for tourists. A dedicated team of volunteer docents (including several alumni) help visitors appreciate the architectural features and religious symbolism displayed in our Landmark church building. If there is sufficient interest expressed by school alumni, we will be happy to conduct a 30 minute tour prior to Mass on September 27 as we did two years ago. Click HERE to indicate your interest, using “Church Tour” as the subject.
Wondering Why You Haven’t Heard from Us?
Every year we lose contact with some of our base because our mailing comes back marked: “Moved. Forwarding Expired.” If this year’s newsletter is forwarded to you from a previous address, you’ll be among the missing in 2016. To update or add your contact information, send the following information to bertababe2 [at] yahoo [dot] com: your name (including maiden name), year of graduation, mailing and email addresses, and a preferred phone number. We promise not to share your information except for purposes of class reunions.
In addition to this web page, the alumni have a Facebook page, “Blessed Trinity School Alumni,” which has allowed alumni to make personal connections and carry on “conversations.” Both sites provide class news and the latest information on scheduled events and activities. We encourage you to “like” us on Facebook and share your memories or class photos. (Graduates from the 1960s have been asking for the latter). If you have difficulty posting to the Facebook page or would like to add something to the web site, Click HERE and leave a message for the BT Web Diva, Margaret Stiffler Dick (’59).
We hope you will plan to join us on Sunday, September 27, 2015. If you have any questions or comments or would like to become an active member of the Alumni Committee, Click HERE and leave a message, using “Alumni” as the subject. For information about upcoming events at Blessed Trinity Church, including the 2015-16 Trinity Concert Series, Click HERE.
Class photos on display at the Alumni Sunday reception.