“I believe in … the Communion of Saints….and life everlating. Amen.” The Feast of All Saints on November 1 and the Commemoration of All Souls on November 2 remind us of these tenants of our Faith, expressed in The Apostles Creed and depicted in symbols on the right side of the main doors to our church. In the words of Pope Paul VI: “We believe in the communion of all the faithful of Christ, those who are pilgrims on earth, the dead who are being purified and the blessed in heaven, all together forming one Church; and we believe that in this communion, the merciful love of God and his saints is always [attentive] to our prayers.”

“I believe in … the Communion of Saints….and life everlating. Amen.”

The Feast of All Saints on November 1 and the Commemoration of All Souls on November 2 remind us of these tenants of our Faith, expressed in The Apostles Creed and depicted in symbols on the right side of the main doors to our church. In the words of Pope Paul VI: “We believe in the communion of all the faithful of Christ, those who are pilgrims on earth, the dead who are being purified and the blessed in heaven, all together forming one Church; and we believe that in this communion, the merciful love of God and his saints is always [attentive] to our prayers.”

On November 2, 2o16, we welcome Rev. Victor Ibhawa, who has been
appointed by Bishop Malone to serve Blessed Trinity
as our parish priest and temporary administrator.
Father Victor comes to us from St. Vincent dePaul parish in Niagara Falls, New York

where he has served as parochial vicar since January of this year.

 

Rev. George Reger Eighth Pastor of Blessed Trinity 1991-2016

Rev. George Reger
Eighth Pastor of Blessed Trinity
1991-2016

We are grateful to our former pastor, Rev. George L. Reger,
and pastoral associate, Sr. Barbara Horan,
for their years (25 and 17, respectively) of dedication and
offer congratulations and best wishes
on the occasion of their retirements.
Sr. Barbara Horan Pastoral Associate 1999-2016

Sr. Barbara Horan
Pastoral Associate
1999-2016

October 30 – November 6, 2016

Weekly Activities

Sunday, October 30 following 3:00 p.m. Mass ~ Reception honoring Fr. George and Sr. Barbara in St. Charles Hall

Tuesday, November 1 at 7:30 p.m. ~ Choir Rehearsal in St. Charles Hall

Thursday, November 3 at 8:00 p.m. ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall*

Friday, November 4 from 9:00 a.m. to 12 Noon ~ Helping Hands Food Pantry in St. Charles Hall

Saturday, November 5 from 9:00 a.m. to 12 Noon ~ Helping Hands Food Pantry in St. Charles Hall

Saturday, November 5 at 8:00 p.m. ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall*

Sunday, October 6 following 10:00 a.m. Mass ~ Ladies Sodality Meeting & Service of Remembrance in St. Charles Hall

*In response to requests from our players, we have instituted age restrictions for admission to Bingo.  As of  October 15, 2015, we no longer admit children under 8 years of age.

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, October 30 ~ Mass at 3:00 p.m. ~ Concelebrated Mass on the Retirements of Reverend George Reger and Sister Barbara Horan

Intentions of Mgbenka Family (Fidelia Ejimadu) and Gregory DeLong (Angela Jost)

Monday, October 31 ~ No Service

Tuesday, November 1 ~ The Feast of All Saints ~ Mass at 6:00 p.m. – Catherine Maher (Estate)

Wednesday, November 2 ~ The Feast of All Souls ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Deceased Members of Ryan, Reilly, Reynolds and Pfeiffer Families (Estate of Mary Reilly)

Thursday, November 3 ~ St. Martin de Porres ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Ray and Martha Freudenberger (Estate)

Friday, November 4 ~ St. Charles Borromeo ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Francis Pietrzykowski (Estate)

Saturday, November 5 ~ St. Josephat ~ Mass at 4:30 p.m. ~ Milon Brown (Estate)

Sunday, November 6~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. ~ Bridget Dick Blesnuk (Bob and Mary Kresse)

Assisting on the Altar – Ministry Schedule for Saturday and Sunday, November 5 and 6:

Saturday, 4:30 p.m.  Reader: Lorna Cameron; Eucharistic Minister: John Curtin

Sunday, 10:00 a.m.   Readers: Angela Jost and Bob Heicklen;  Eucharistic Ministers: Fran Cahill, Pat Hartinger, Mary Kresse; Maggie Gatson (Loft)

Readings for the Week of October 30

Sunday: Rv 7:2-4, 9-14; Ps 24:1-6; 1 Jn 3:1-3; Mt 5:1-12
Monday: Phil 2:1-4; Ps 131:1-3; Lk 14:12-14
Tuesday: Rv 7:2-4, 9-14; Ps 24:1-6; 1 Jn 3:1-3; Mt 5:1-12a
Wednesday: Wis 3:1-9; Ps 23:1-6; Rom 5:5-11 or Rom 6:3- 9; Jn 6:37-40
Thursday: Phil 3:3-8a; Ps 105:2-7; Lk 15:1-10
Friday: Phil 3:17-4:1; Ps 122:1-5; Lk 16:1-8
Saturday: Phil 4:10-19; Ps 112:1-2, 5-6, 8-9; Lk 16:9-15
Sunday, Nov. 6: 2 Mc 7:1-2, 9-14; Ps 17:1, 5-6, 8, 15; 2 Thes 2:16-3:5; Lk 20:27-38 or 20:27, 34-38

News from our Parish Community

Feast of All Saints ~ Tuesday, November 1, is a Holy Day of Obligation. Please join us the the celebration of Mass at 6:00pm. Holy and Whole people are those who allow God’s light to shine through them and include the admired and famous saints – the canonized. It also includes people in our everyday lives, people who encourage us, are kind to us and give us guidance; people who just seem to radiate. The person at the checkout counter. Your next door neighbor. A friend you meet in the hustle and bustle of the mall.

The Ladies Sodality will hold its annual Service of Remembrance for deceased members, including Catherine Floyd and Catherine Dial, on Sunday, November 6, immediately following Mass. The service will be preceded by a brief business meeting and continental breakfast.

Prisoner Gift Project 2016 ~ Blessed Trinity will again participate in this work of mercy and forgiveness begun by Sr. Karen Klimczak, SSJ, and now continued by the Peaceprints Prison Ministries. We are asked to donate instant hot cocoa packets to fill 2,100 gift bags for inmates at the Albion and Wende Correctional Facilities. You can participate and honor Sr. Karen’s memory when you:

  • Donate instant hot chocolate packets – Our goal is 4,200 packets by December 4!
  • Make a monetary donation – Cash or checks (make out to “Peaceprints of WNY”) in an envelope marked “Prisoner Gifts” and dropped into the weekend collection basket.
  • Decorate Gift Bags – Artistic talent isn’t necessary. Draw, trace, or just write season greetings or lines from carols and hymns to personalize the gift bags. For bags contact Amy Johnson HERE.
  • Help assemble the gifts on Friday, December 9 here at Blessed Trinity.

World Mission Sunday ~ Thank you for your generous response to the Society for the Propagation of the Faith last weekend on World Mission Sunday. While some go to serve in other countries to develop the Church and serve its people, all of us are called to pray and support the Missions from right where we live. To continue answering this call, download the Mission App which makes it possible for you to meet and support religious Sisters and Brothers, priests and dedicated lay leaders who provide help and hope in some of the world’s poorest places. These missionaries provide essential education and health care, social outreach and advocacy, and pastoral service. They address basic human needs, while in every moment offering spiritual comfort and support to the suffering and the marginalized. Join them in mission every day as you joined them this past World Mission Sunday!

Solemn Vespers (Evening Prayer) ~ Closing Celebration of the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy on Sunday, November 6 at 4pm at St. Joseph Cathedral. All are invited to join Bishop Malone in thanking God for the ways in which his mercy has been demonstrated to us throughout the year.

The Diocese of Buffalo wants your feedback. A survey has been created to understand perceptions about how deacons are currently ministering within our community, as well as direct future needs so that our ordained deacons are able to effectively minister to all people within the diocese. Please visit http://bit.ly/dcnsurvey to take this short survey.

Attendees at CMG cantor workshop join in song.

Attendees at CMG cantor workshop join in song.

Former Music Director Remembered ~ On Saturday, October 22, The Church Musicians’ Guild of Buffalo remembered Bridget Blesnuk, their former board member and Blessed Trinity’s music director from 1991-2010. Almost 50 individuals involved in music ministry from parishes across Western New York attended the Bridget Blesnuk Memorial Cantor Workshop held at Our Lady Help of Christians. The workshop presenter, Mary Lynn Pleczykowski, reviewed the goals and role of a cantor and coached attendees as they practiced singing various psalm settings. Ms. Pleczykowski, who traveled from Pittsburgh, is a Master Cantor Trainer affiliated with the National association of Pastoral Musicians. Click HERE to see additional photos from this event.

Please welcome Ralph Overton, who assumed the position of parish custodian on Monday, October 3rd. We are happy to have him on board and hope that you will make him feel at home here at Blessed Trinity.

Albert Lenhard Family Scholarship ~ The Albert Lenhard Family Scholarship Fund was established in 1985 through a bequest of the estate of Albert M. Lenhard. The Scholarship was developed to assist applicants who want to continue their formal education beyond high school at the undergraduate and graduate levels. To be eligible for the Scholarship the candidate will have to be residing in the geographic boundaries of the Catholic Churches of Central Buffalo, i.e.: Blessed Trinity, SS Columba Brigid, St. Ann, St. Katharine Drexel, St. Lawrence and St. Martin de Porres. The Lenhard Scholarship fund is administered by the pastor of St. Martin de Porres in collaboration with the African American Commission of the Diocese of Buffalo and the director of the Office of Cultural Diversity. This Scholarship is awarded annually. The completed application and the Personal Statement Essay should be sent to the Office of Cultural Diversity, 795 Main St, Buffalo, NY 14203 to the attention of Milagros Ramos by December 1, 2016. An email confirmation will be sent to verify receipt of your application. The recipient of the award will be invited to receive the award in person at the annual Martin Luther King Jr. celebration, which will take place on Sunday, January 15, 2017, at 10 am at Holy Cross Church in Buffalo. Applications are available at the rectory office. Please call our secretary, Barbara Sercu, at 716-833-0301 if you are interested in applying. (Rectory office hours are: Tuesday-Thursday from 10:30am – 2:30pm).

Rectory office hours are Tuesday-Thursday from 10:30am – 2:30pm. Please call our secretary, Barbara Sercu, at 716-833-0301 if you have information for the bulletin, changes to your phone number or mailing address, or would like to register as a parishioner.

Deacon Jimmie Boyd ~ On Sunday, October 16, the parish honored the memory of Deacon Jimmie Boyd with the placing of his name on our memorial plaque. The plaque was presented to the parish in the early 1990s by our Holy Name Society and lists the names and tenure of all pastors and associates who have served our parish. Members of the Boyd family attended both the liturgy and the social which followed the service. Click HERE for additional photos.

Fr. Reger joins members of Deacon Jimmie Boyd's family in front of the plaque which now bears the deacon's name. From lf. to rt.: Jimmie's daughter, Kim Harris; grandson Aaron, sister Juliette Graves; Mrs. Carrie Boyd, and granddaughter Porsha.

Fr. Reger joins members of Deacon Jimmie Boyd’s family in front of the plaque which now bears the deacon’s name. From lf. to rt.: Jimmie’s daughter, Kim Harris; grandson Aaron, sister Juliette Graves;
Mrs. Carrie Boyd, and granddaughter Porsha.

News from our Vicariate Cluster and the Wider Community

Concert at SS. Columba-Brigid Church, 75 Hickory Street, Buffalo on Sunday, November 6 at 6pm. This special concert will combine the choirs of St. Joseph’s Church in Fredonia and the one from SS. Columba-Brigid. Some favorite local musicians will also be a part of this evening of inspiring music. A social will follow the concert and there is no charge for the event. The building is handicapped accessible.

Concert for the Angels ~ A weekend of remembrance, a musical-poetic journey of healing with tenor vocalist Cory James Gallagher and writer/poet Amy Gallagher on Friday, Nov 11 @ 7pm at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 4263 St. Francis Drive, Hamburg and Saturday, Nov 12 at St. Michael Church, 651 Washington St, Buffalo. Join Cory and Amy as they lead you on a musical and poetic journey of the heart to reconnect with our loved ones that have gone before us. Events by donation.

National Donor Sabbath is observed annually Friday through Sunday two weekends before Thanksgiving (November 11-13, 2016). During this 3-day observance, faith leaders, donor families, transplant recipients, and donation and transplantation professionals join forces to increase awareness of the need for lifesaving organ, tissue and eye donation. In New York State, we have tremendous need for these acts as there are currently over 10,500 New Yorkers waiting for lifesaving organ transplants. Show compassion and love to your brothers and sisters by joining the New York State Organ, Tissue and Eye Registry. You can find out more information about the lifesaving gifts passed to others through organ, tissue and eye donation by visiting http://alliancefordonation.org.

Living Mercy Beyond the Year of Mercy presented by Deacon Bill Hynes on Monday, November 14 from 7-8pm at Our Lady of Pompeii Church, 158 Lavarack Avenue, Lancaster. The close of the Year of Mercy is quickly approaching! Here is an opportunity to reflect on mercy and to learn ways to make mercy part of our everyday lives. ALL are welcome. Refreshments following presentation. Free will offering accepted.

News from the NativityMiguel Middle School of Buffalo ~ Recently, NativityMiguel hosted a variety of different volunteer groups at the St. Monica Campus including the Junior League, The Buffalo Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, M&T Bank tutors, and members of the junior class from Mount Mercy Academy. We appreciate all the community involvement and the wonderful work they do for our students and school. For enrollment information, please call Nancy Langer at 716-984-5146 or 716-852-6854.

New programs offered by Buffalo Public Schools ~ Information, brochures and flyers are available on table display in front vestibule.

Buffalo City Ballet ~ The finest training in classical ballet. Offering: Ballet, Contemporary Modern, Pointe Works for young girls, Tiny Tots pre-movement and Boys Ballet. Two classes per week for ages 3 to 18 years. This is not a hip hop or recital-based dance program. Buffalo City Ballet is a designed training program for young dancers who are serious about obtaining a dance career or entering a professional dance college. For more information contact Buffalo City Ballet @ 716-833-1243 or Marvin Askew @ 716-864-4167 weekdays between 10am-4pm. Also visit us at www.buffalocityballet.org. Slingers available on the table in front vestibule of church.