Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque
October 16
St. Margaret Mary Alacoque (1647-1690) is depicted on the left in this painting at The Sacred Heart Altar on the right side of our church. “Christ appeared to her in 1673-75 to request efforts to spread devotion to his Sacred Heart to overcome the ‘coldness, neglect, and indifference’ of so many people to God’s message of love revealed in Christ.” (Rev. Walter Kern’s Guidebook to Blessed Trinity Roman Catholic Church, page 28).
October 15 – October 22, 2017
Weekly Activities
Sunday, October 15 following the 10:00 a.m. Mass ~ Coffee Hour in St. Charles Hall, hosted by the Holy Name Society
Monday, October 16 at 7:00 p.m. ~ Bible Study in St. Charles Hall
Tuesday, October 17 at 7:00 p.m. ~ Choir Rehearsal in St. Charles Hall
Wednesday, October 18 at 7:00 p.m. ~ Parish Council Meeting in St. Charles Hall
Thursday, October 19 at 8:00 p.m. ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall*
Saturday, October 21 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. ~ NEW HOURS – SAT. ONLY – Helping Hands Food Pantry in St. Charles Hall
Saturday, October 21 at 8:00 p.m. ~ Bingo will be played 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. 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 15 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. ~ James Eagan (Requested by Bob and Mary Kresse)
Monday, October 16 ~ St. Hedwig; St. Margaret Mary Alocoque ~ No Service
Tuesday, October 17 ~ St. Ignatius of Antioch ~ No Service
Wednesday, October 18 ~ St. Luke, evangelist ~ Communion Service at 11:00 a.m.
Thursday, October 19 ~ Ss. John de Brebeuf and Isaac Jogues & companions ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Catherine M. Maher (Estate)
Friday, October 20 ~ St. Paul of the Cross ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Vincent, Frances and Agnes Manion (Estate)
Saturday, October 21 ~ St Callistus I ~ Vigil Mass at 4:30 p.m. – Vincent, Frances and Agnes Manion (Estate)
Sunday, October 22 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. ~ Bridget Blesnuk (Family)
Ministry Schedule for Saturday and Sunday, October 21 and 22:
Saturday, 4:30 p.m. Reader: Michael Ogoh; Eucharistic Minister: Lucille Venezia
Sunday, 10:00 a.m. Readers: Bob Heicklen, David Iheke; Eucharistic Ministers: Dan Korchowsky, Alice Davis, Jack Curtin, Mary Kresse; Maggie Gatson; Fran Cahill (Choir)
Young people who toured the church on Oct. 13 enjoyed a mini “scavenger hunt” for Christian symbols in the terra cotta represented by animals and fantastical creatures.
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.
Father Victor has arrived safely in his Nigerian homeland for a well-earned vacation and family visit. Please remember that during his absence (October 11 through December 17) there will be a change in the daily Mass schedule. There will be no service on Mondays. On Tuesday and Wednesday, Jack Curtin will offer a Communion Service at 11:00 am. There will be Mass at 11:00 a.m. each Thursday and Friday. There will be NO CHANGE in the weekend Mass times. This Tuesday, October 17 only, there will be no Communion service.
While Father Victor is away, Rev. Peter Drilling, former rector of St. Joseph’s Cathedral, and Rev. Martin Eneh will celebrate Masses and Sacraments each Thursday through Sunday at the times indicated above.
The Wine Tasting committee is counting on you. Our November 3rd Wine Tasting benefiting the church’s “Under This Roof Fund” is now less than three weeks away. Parishioners have traditionally provided the hors d’oeuvres and desserts which make our wine tasting a cut above the rest. We are hoping you’ll be able to help us out by donating a favorite of yours. The event runs from 7 – 9 p.m. and in addition to wine and food includes beer, non-alcoholic beverages, a basket raffle and silent auction. Our last wine tasting in 2014 raised more than $4,000.00, but we need your support to duplicate that success. Tickets are available after weekend Masses for a donation of $25/person ($30 at the door); see Bud Dick or call him at 716-832-2540 to reserve yours.
The next bible study meeting and last one for the year will be held in St Charles Hall on Monday, October 16, at 7 pm. The theme will be “The End of the Beginning.” Please read from the booklet Genesis 1-11: God Makes a Start, pages 74 – 82, and bring your bible and the Agape A Guide for the Study of Sacred Scripture. Call Althea Porter at 716-316-8395 for information.
The Parish Council’s monthly meeting is Wednesday, October 18 at 7pm in St. Charles Hall. Members are reminded to come prepared to discuss committee assignments and preparation for Advent.
World Mission Sunday is October 22. Since “mission” is at the heart of our Christian faith, we ask you to give generously to the second collection on October 21/22.
We pray for all who are ill and have requested our prayers, especially parishioners Fran Cahill, Gerald Gallisdorfer, Barbara Draper, Richard Plunkett, and Anthony Hartmann. Please inform the parish of those who are sick by calling the rectory office so that they can be added to our prayer list and schedule for home visits, as needed.
Praying Twice ~ The Mass setting we are using this month is the Santa Clara Mass. It is not in the Breaking Bread hymnal, but it should be in your heart because you have heard it before. We will continue to use the Glory to God from the Mass of Creation, which is #873 in Breaking Bread. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states the following: “Address . . . one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart….He who sings prays twice.” Whether or not St. Augustine actually wrote these words, your choir believes song is prayer. Prayer in Song continues on Tuesday evenings at 7:00 in St. Charles Hall – join us anytime!
St. Vincent dePaul Society Watch Collection continues through Sunday, October 22. Marianne Pernick reports that in the last two years Blessed Trinity parishioners have donated 164 watches to be repaired and sold. Please deliver your donations (wristbands not required) of unwanted watches to the watch collection box near the St. Joseph Shrine on the left side of the transept. The watches will be repaired and sold in the thrift stores run by the Society.
Rev. Mark Noonan (front left) and part of a group of more than 70 who visited our church on October 13, 2017.
Special Guests ~ We so enjoyed meeting and hosting Rev. Mark Noonan and parishioners from churches in Holley and Hilton, NY who visited our Landmark church on October 13. Thank you Father Mark for celebrating Mass with us. We are also grateful to three of our faithful docents, Eleanor Ash, Judy Casassa and Mickey Dick, who shared their knowledge of parish history and the building’s art and architecture with our visitors as well as Jack Curtin, David Folmar, Ozy Ibhawa, and Bob Heicklen who were on hand to welcome them. After Mass and a church tour at Blessed Trinity, these WNY pilgrims continued on to the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima in Lewiston, NY.
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.
Hurricane Victims ~As we donate money and material gifts for hurricane and earthquake victims, let us also consider offering masses for them. Request Masses for their divine comfort, healing, and strength to endure these traumatic times.
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.
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.
Some of our October 13 “pilgrims” after learning about
medieval iconography on the church facade.
News from our Vicariate Cluster and the Wider Community
The Maryknoll Mission Society is inviting young writers (grades 6-12) to submit an essay on the topic, “Recognizing Violence and Promoting Peace.” November 10 is the contest deadline for submission of your essay, with prizes up to $3000 in scholarship funds. Find out more at Maryknollsociety.org/Essay.
Western New York Caregiver Partnership offers support to caregivers and seeks volunteers. Visit wnyacp.org or call 800-342-9871 to learn more.
Training for Ministers of Holy Communion is being offered on Saturday, October 28, at Immaculate Conception Parish in Ransomville and Saturday, November 4, at Christ the King Seminary in East Aurora. Applications are available at buffalodiocese.org or call Office of Worship at 716-847-2210. Both sessions are from 9:30am-2:00pm.