Feast of St. Peter Claver ~ September 9
St. Peter Claver (1581-1654) was a servant and missionary to the newly-arrived African slaves in South America. In addition to the Four Evangelists, Blessed Trinity places Peter Claver and other missionaries in a prominent position in the church to emphasize the importance of preaching the Good News.
Photo Credit: Gary Kelley

September 3 – September 10, 2017

Weekly Activities

Tuesday, September 5 at 7:00 p.m. ~ Choir Rehearsal in St. Charles Hall

Thursday, September 7 at 6:00 p.m. ~ Sodality Board Meeting in St. Charles Hall.

Thursday, September 7 at 8:00 p.m. ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall*

Saturday, September 9 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. ~ NEW HOURS – SAT. ONLY – Helping Hands Food Pantry in St. Charles Hall

Saturday, September 9 at 8:00 p.m. ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall*

Sunday, September 10 following 10:00 a.m. Mass ~ Meeting of Lectors and Eucharistic Ministers in Church

*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. 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.

Our Summer Mass Schedule is now in effect.

Please note that there is NO Mass on Mondays, and the Tuesday Mass time has changed to 11am. Masses on Wednesday through Friday will continue at 11am.

Mass Intentions

Sunday, September 3 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. ~ Rosanne and Randy Burgio (Requested by Bud and Mickey Dick) and Sylvia Heicklen (Requested by Son, Robert)

Monday, September 4 ~ Labor Day Holiday ~ No Service

Tuesday, September 5 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Vincent, Frances and Agnes Manion (Estate)

Wednesday, September 6 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Catherine M. Maher (Estate)

Thursday, September 7 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Deceased Members of the Ryan, Reilly, Reynolds and Pfeiffer Families (Estate of Mary Reilly)

Friday, September 8 ~ Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Catherine M. Maher (Estate)

Saturday, September 9 ~ St. Peter Claver ~ Vigil Mass at 4:30 p.m. – Vincent, Frances and Agnes Manion (Estate)

Sunday, September 10 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. ~ John and Rita Curtin (Family) and Paul Robel (Bob and Mary Kresse)

Ministry Schedule for Saturday and Sunday, September 9 and 10:

Saturday, 4:30 p.m.  Reader: Gary Kelley; Eucharistic Minister: Lucille Venezia

Sunday, 10:00 a.m.  Readers: Mary Kresse, Simon Kresse;  Eucharistic Ministers: Fran Cahill, Bernice Bradley, Sharon Dunnigan, Maggie Gatson, Alice Davis; Dan Korchowsky (loft)

Parishioners and friends celebrate with Father Victor at Aug. 27 reception

    

News from our Parish Community

Stewardship is transformative. Once we embrace the stewardship message it changes the way we look at every decision we make. Stewardship becomes a total way of life.

Ladies Sodality officers and directors will hold a board meeting on Thursday evening, September 7 at 6pm in St. Charles Hall. Regular membership meetings are scheduled to resume in October.

Parish Council Elections will take place at Masses next weekend, September 9 & 10. Pursuant to the Council’s Constitution and Bylaws, we will be electing four (4) individuals, each of whom will serve a three-year term. (Council officers are chosen by the council members at their September meeting). We thank the following parishioners who have agreed to stand for election: Nik Brodfuehrer, Lorna Cameron, Tom Dinder, Dorothy Manuppelli, Joseph Nwoglo, Michael Ogoh, Kathy Press, Bonnie Williams and Don Williams. Unfortunately, Kathleen Marien has found it necessary to withdraw her name from nomination. Photos of the candidates are posted at each of the church entrances.

On Sunday, September 10, we welcome a guest choir. The folk choir from St. Anthony’s Church in Lackawanna will sing at our 10am Mass.

Readers, Lectors, and Eucharistic Ministers will meet in the church after Mass on Sunday, Septmber 10.

Do you have a song in your heart? The Blessed Trinity Choir is looking for a few good men and women to enhance our liturgy through the gift of music. The only requirement is a love of The Lord – no audition necessary. We meet on Tuesday evenings beginning September 5 from 7 to 8:30pm in St. Charles Hall.  If you have an interest in serving your Church through our music ministry, please join us. Contact Elizabeth at 716-472-0009 with any questions. We look forward to hearing from you!

Sr. Maureen Harris and friends

Party for Sister Maureen Harris ~ The “Bon Voyage to Tanzania Tea Party” for Sr. Maureen is Sunday, September 17 from 12:30 to 2:30 PM at Ss. Columba-Brigid .  If you are coming and are able to bring some finger food, please sign-up on the sheets located at the side doors.  If you haven’t already heard, Sr. Maureen has volunteered to travel to our Sister Communities in Tanzania, Africa. She leaves for six months at the end of September—first to Rome—and then on to the mission territory, where she will travel and walk with our Sisters and the people in their missions. Sr. Maureen spent three months there in 2008 teaching English as a second language. This time she will follow up with the Sisters, assist with their record keeping, and offer an encouraging presence as the Sisters cultivate leadership within their own communities. We would like Sister Maureen to have many happy memories to sustain her during her six months abroad, and you can be one of them by attending on September 17.

Bible Study resumes Monday, September 18, at 7pm. Contact Althea Porter at 716-316-8395 for information.

Father Victor wishes to thank all who attended the reception last week to mark his seventh year as a priest. “May God continue to bless and reward you all abundantly through Christ our Lord, Amen.”

Parish General Meeting is planned for Monday evening, October 2, at 7pm. Parishioners are invited to gather for a “Meet and Greet” in St. Charles Hall. Father Victor would like us to discuss, listen, and ask questions. Suggestions, comments, and observations are welcome.

We are in need of additional lectors and Eucharistic ministers. We will be including young readers in this helping ministry. Those who are interested, please contact the office at 716-833-0301.

Helping Hands Food Pantry ~ The Helping Hands Food Pantry not operates on Saturdays only from 10am to 2pm. Its director, Luis Clay, is also seeking additional volunteers. Please contact the church office at 716-833-0301 if you or someone you know might be interested in this opportunity.

Wedding Anniversary Mass ~ Any couple celebrating a 50th, 60th or 70th Wedding Anniversary during 2017 is invited to participate in a special Mass to be celebrated on Sunday, October 15, 2017 by Bishop Richard J. Malone, at 3pm at St. Joseph Cathedral located in downtown Buffalo. Following the Mass, an informal reception will be held at the Adam’s Mark Hotel. Family members are also encouraged to attend. A special certificate will be signed by Bishop Malone to honor the occasion, even for those who are unable to come out to attend the ceremony. For further information, please contact Catherine Kwiatkowski at 716-847-2210 or email ckwiatkowski [at] buffalodiocese [dot] org. Seating is limited. You may also place your name on the list by calling the our parish secretary, Pat Pendleton, at the church office as soon as possible.

Honoring Father Roy Herberger ~ A very special part of the central city vicariate, Rev. Roy Herberger,  is retiring at the end of this month after 49-years of active ministry. His final Masses and celebration with his parishioners at Ss. Columba-Brigid are Saturday and Sunday, August 26 and 27, 2017. Anyone who wishes to send Fr. Roy Herberger a note, please address them to him at 75 Hickory Street, Buffalo, NY 14204.

Openings for Mass Intentions ~ Thank you to all who have recently placed Mass intentions. Please contact the church office (716-833-0301) with your requests. Office hours are: 10:30am-2:30pm, Tuesday through Thursday. The Mass Stipend is $15.

Important Deadlines to Remember ~ As we think ahead to 2018, please remember to contact our secretary, Pat Pendleton, with dates (even tentative ones) that should appear on the parish calendar. Our bulletin is printed on Thursdays, so please remember to submit your announcements to no later than Noon on the Wednesday prior to the weekend you wish it to appear. Announcements to be read at weekend Masses are due on Thursday. You may contact Pat at blessedtrinitychurch@gmail or 716-833-0301 any Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday between 10:30am and 2:30pm.

Parish Record Keeping ~ Several parishioners have inquired about the possibility of group email notification of time-sensitive information; e.g., a mid-week funeral service. If you would be interested in receiving such messages, please make sure that the church office has your email address. If you need to update your contact information or would like to register as a parishioner, please call the church office (716-833-0301) on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday during office hours: 10:30am-2:30pm, email your contact information to blessedtrinitychurch [at] gmail [dot] com, or use the CONTACT feature of this web site.

 

News from our Vicariate Cluster and the Wider Community

Annual Convocation and Mass of the Holy Spirit at SUNY Buffalo State College is Sunday, September 10 at 10am in the Social Hall at the Mildred Campbell Student Union. Join the faith community of the Newman Center in celebration of the Eightieth Anniversary of its founding and invoke God’s blessing on the new academic year.

Fundamentals of the Catholic Faith survey course begins on Tuesday evenings at Christ the King Seminary starting September 12 through November 28. Register at CKS.EDU.

Walking with Grief monthly lecture series and support group at St. Christopher Parish is the second Wednesday of every month from 6:30-8:30pm at St. Edmund Campus (Fr. Smiroldo Center – 530 Ellicott Creek Road, Tonawanda). These evenings are provided to assist any person 18 years of age or older in their journey of grief. Each month a guest speaker offers knowledge and insight into the grief journey. Time for Q&A is provided. After the 20-30 minute presentation, attendees have the option to participate in small groups according to their loss. There is no charge for attendance and all are welcome. Call St. Christopher Parish Office at 716-692-2660 with any questions.

The Role of Faith Communities in Ending the HIV/AIDS Epidemic ~ A Faith Forum, Tuesday September 19 (9:30am – 3:30pm) at Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School in Rochester. All are welcome. Pre-register by 9/12/17. Call 800-692-8528 or email elizabeth [dot] greenwood [at] health [dot] ny [dot] gov.

“Welcoming the Stranger” Prayer Services will take place in September. Hosted by the WNY Leadership Conference of Religious Women, come learn about refugee advocacy opportunities. Prayer services will be held on September 15 at 7pm (St. Mary Center, 241 Lafayette Ave., Buffalo); September 17 at 2pm (St. Mary of the Angels, 201 Reist St., Williamsville and at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse, 115 E. Main St., Allegany); September 24 at 2pm (Immaculate Conception Convent, 5229 South Park Ave., Hamburg and at the Sacred Heart Center, 22 Meadowbrook Pkwy., Cheektowaga); and September 24 at 4:30pm (Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent, 600 Doat St., Buffalo). Personal hygiene items may be donated at any of these services to refugees in Jericho Road’s Vive program.

Religious Emblem Program for Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts wishing to earn Catholic Religious Emblem badge. Adults interested in working with older scouts in the Religious Emblem Program, please join a training session on September 23. Contact Sue Vermeulen at 716-778-8887 or sue1221 [at] aol [dot] com.

“The Beginning Experience” ~ Turn the pain of loss into an experience of positive growth during a weekend program for those who have worked through the initial stage of grief after a death or divorce of one’s spouse. The Beginning Experience weekend at Camp Stella Maris on Conesus Lake will take place in October (date to be determined). For information or registration, call the Diocese of Rochester at 585-987-1750.