15th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Week of July 15, 2018

July 15 – July 22, 2018

Weekly Activities

Sunday, July 15 following 10:00 a.m. Mass – Anointing of the sick and well-aging in church.

Thursday, July 19 at 8:00 p.m. ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall*

Saturday, July 21 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. ~ Catholic Central Food Pantry in St. Charles Hall

Saturday, July 21 at 8:00 p.m. ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall*

*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, July 15 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – The Chapman Family (Requested by Seta Chapman) and Thomas Eldred (Requested by Gary Weber)

Monday, July 16 ~ Our Lady of Mt. Carmel ~ No Service

Tuesday, July 17 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – For the intentions of our parishioners, both living and deceased (Blessed Trinity Parish)

Wednesday, July 18 ~ St. Camillus de Lellis ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. –  Deceased Members of the Ryan, Reilly, Reynolds and Pfeiffer Families (Estate of Mary Reilly)

Thursday, July 19 ~ Mass at 11:00 a. m. – For the intentions of our parishioners, both living and deceased (Blessed Trinity Parish)

Friday, July 20 ~ St. Apolinaris~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Kathy Mallery (Family)

Saturday, July 21 ~ St. Lawrence of Brindisi ~ Vigil Mass at 4:30 p.m. – Deceased Members of the Then and Ferella Families (Family)

Sunday, July 22 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – Kathy Mallery (Family)

Ministry Schedule for Saturday and Sunday, July 21 & 22:

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

Sunday, 10:00 a.m.  Readers: Palma Zanghi, Joseph Nwogu;  Eucharistic Ministers: Fran Cahill, Judy Casassa, Kathleen Marien

News from our Parish Community

Third Sunday Anointing ~ Anointing of the sick and well-aging will take place in church following Mass on Sunday, July 15.

Join the BT Family Promise Team ~ Our volunteer team, led by Amy Johnson, assists temporarily homeless families housed at Ss. Colomba-Brigid Parish under the Family Promise program. They will be preparing and serving a Monday evening dinner on July 23. If you are able to help with this ministry by preparing part of the meal, please contact Amy Johnson at 716-836-4694.

The Peter’s Pence Collection will take place in our parish on July 21 and 22. Pope Francis has called each of us to be a witness of charity. He encourages us to “open our eyes and see the misery of the world, the wounds of our brothers and sisters who are denied their dignity, and let us recognize that we are compelled to heed their cry for help!” The Peter’s Pence Collection provides the Holy Father with the financial means to respond to those who are suffering as a result of war, oppression, natural disaster, and disease, and  unites us in solidarity to the Holy See and its works of charity to those in need. Your church envelopes include one for this collection. Please consider how blessed you are and be as generous as possible.

Buffalo Central City Parish Meetings ~ Father Victor and the Parish Council invite every parishioner to attend the “town hall” meeting in St. Charles Hall on Tuesday evening, August 7, at 7pm. A three-year arrangement under which the CCCB parishes of St. Lawrence and St. Martin de Porres have been linked with the suburban parish of Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary will be coming to an end. Rev. Ronald P. Sadjak, who previously served all three parishes, will remain as pastor at Nativity. Bishop Richard Malone is asking the central city parishes of St. Martin de Porres and St. Lawrence to join with Blessed Trinity and Ss. Columba-Brigid “to enact a ministry plan that will lead to their successful growth in ministry and continued witness to faith and justice on Buffalo’s East Side.” The Bishop remains committed to keeping all four of our parishes open and in active ministry. Sr. Maureen, our CCCB Pastoral Care Minister, has been invited to join the newly created Central City Task Force together with Rev. Joseph Rogliano (our Vicar) and Deacon Ron Thaler. The task force has been charged with the responsibility of setting up “town hall” meetings in each of the four parishes to review the accomplishments of parish ministries, discuss parish vitality, determine the desires of each parish for its own future, and suggest possibilities for future cooperation to ensure the health of our central city parish life. Each parish will host the task force and its own parish family to pray, discuss, and discern. Our town hall is August 7. In the interim, Bishop Malone asks us to “please join me as we pray for the creative energy of God’s Holy Spirit to continue to move, work, and inspire new venues of ministry for Buffalo’s Central City.”

Positive Change for Church and Community. Bernadette Farrell (born March 26, 1957) is a British hymnographer and composer of beautiful contemporary liturgical music that is well-loved by Christians around the world. Among her compositions are “Christ, Be Our Light,” “O God, You Search Me,” and today’s Communion hymn, “Bread for the World.”

Farrell has served on the Roman Catholic Bishops’ Liturgical Commission for many years and has helped build the Catholic music tradition we love. Her work in adult education has encouraged the formation of lay liturgical ministries. One of the founding organizers of London Citizens, she authored a report on immigration that was adopted by the government, leading campaigns on safety, sanctuary, housing, wages and health.

Writing in a variety of styles, Farrell draws inspiration from the English choral tradition as well as the melodic roots of British folk songs. Her texts are based either on Scripture, her own compositions, or the words of lyricists like her husband, Owen Alstott. Do you agree the words she wrote in 1990 are pertinent today?

Bread for the world: a world of hunger.
Wine for all peoples: people who thirst.
May we who eat be bread for others.
May we who drink pour out our love.

Bernadette Farrell is an example of a woman who has made a significant difference in our world through her music as well as her missions. How’s that for positive change?   … Elizabeth

Joining Your Parish Council ~ August is traditionally the month when a slate of candidates for election to the Parish Council is announced. The Council Bylaws provide for the election of 4 new members each year on the second Sunday of September (9/09/18), with new members being welcomed at the September Council meeting (9/19/18).

The Council exists to more effectively promote and perform “the mission of Christ in our parish community and in the greater community,” through “study, … mutual works and assistance….” (Preamble to the Constitution and By-laws).

“Any active parishioner 18 years of age and over who is a registered member of [the parish] may become an elected member of the Council.” (Art. 3, Sect. 2, Constitution and By-laws).

A nominating committee was appointed and charged with assembling a slate of candidates over the summer. They will be contacting parishioners. You may also place your own name in nomination or nominate another parishioner. If you wish to nominate another, please check first to be sure the person is willing to serve.

We hope you will consider being a Parish Council candidate and be involved in the continuing success of Blessed Trinity Church. It is very important that all candidates take time to learn what is expected of council members. To learn more, you may contact a member of the nominating committee which includes: Father Victor – 833-0301; Kathy Press (Chair) – 445-8160; Tom Brodfuehrer – 876-6425; Lorna Cameron – 432-8541; or Don Williams – 572-9603. If you prefer, use the form included in your July 15, 2018 bulletin or found at the church doors and a committee member will contact you. This same form may be used to nominate yourself or others. You may also submit your contact information using this LINK. Just be sure to use “Parish Council” as the subject.

Could you be the face of Christ to another? Our Catholic Churches of Central Buffalo are offering Compassion Ministry Training to any parishioner who is interested in learning more about visiting the sick of our parish who are homebound or hospitalized, or those living in senior care facilities.  The six-session program begins Monday, September 10, at St. Lawrence Parish. For details, call  Sr. Maureen Harris, OSF at 716-897-9948 (x114) or Pat Dyer at 716-256-2598.

We thank Father Roldan Zerna of The Mission Society of the Philippines for celebrating Mass with us last weekend and familiarizing us with the mission work of the Society.

Do you know that Mass is the highest and greatest form of prayer? The Catechism of the Catholic Church reveals that “from the very earliest days of the Christian religion, [the Church] has honored with great respect the memory of the dead.” In its reference to the Second Vatican Council’s conclusion that “it is a wholly and a wholesome thought to pray for the dead that they may be loosed from their sins,” the Catechism adds: “Our prayer for them is capable of not only helping them, but also of making their intercession for us effective.” Consider contacting the church office (716-833-0301) to request a Mass for yourself, your deceased loved ones, or  for any intention. The stipend is $15.

Religious Ed Volunteers ~ We are in need of volunteers to help with the Religious Education of our parish children. Anyone interested in helping, please sign up on the orange sheets at the church entrances or call Father Victor (716-833-0301) during rectory office hours. You are also asked to call Father Victor if you are interested in enrolling a child or young adult preparing for Confirmation.

Has your contact information changed? Our parish secretary is finding that our parish records contain a growing number of not-in-service phone numbers, and the recent parish mailing resulted in several letters returned for “expired forwarding.” If your contact information has changed, you can notify the rectory office in one of several ways: use the form on the back of the bulletin; phone our secretary at 716-833-0301 any Tuesday-Thursday between 10:30am and 2:30pm; send an email to blessedtrinitychurch [at] gmail [dot] com; or Click HERE to use the contact feature of our web site to submit the information. If you choose either of the last two, please use “New Contact” as the subject of the email or message.

De-cluttering? Donate your gently used clothing items to St. Vincent de Paul. There is a blue bin located in the back parking lot to the right of St. Charles Hall. They ask that no loose items be left there. Please pack your donations in plastic bags. This bin is for clothing only. If you have appliances of other household goods, schedule a pick up by calling 716-882-3360.

Home Visits ~ Please notify the church office if you know of aged, sick, or homebound parishioners who may wish to receive a visit and the Eucharist on the last Friday of each month.

Our food pantry has a new name. The former Helping Hands Food Pantry is now known as the Catholic Central Food Pantry. The pantry’s hours, services and qualifications for assistance remain unchanged.

News from our Vicariate Cluster and the Wider Community

Driver Education Classes at Cardinal O’Hara High School, July 16 to August 6. Participants may choose from several class times. Drivers who complete the course will receive a DMV Certificate of Completion and will be eligible for insurance reduction certificate. A student’s permit or license is due prior to the start of class. For more information or to receive a registration form, visit cardinalohara.com.

Dinner Lecture Series continues at Christ the King Seminary (711 Knox Road in East Aurora). There are 2 remaining Wednesday evening events, each beginning with dinner at 5:45pm in the main dining room and a lecture at 6:45-8:45pm. Our summer dinner lecture series is a relaxing way to recharge your faith! Enjoy a meal and learn about a topic from one of our faculty members. Each evening is $35 for dinner and talk ($25 for talk only). Register at cks.edu or call 716-655-7099. July 18: The Lost Art of Letter Writing: Dorothy Day, Flannery O’Connor, Thomas Merton; July 25 : Thomas Merton Part II: Theological & Spiritual Influences.

Friday July 27 at 7pm is O’Harafest ~ Alumni, current students, incoming students and their families are all invited. Event takes place in the school’s backyard sports complex. Live music from The Jim Levinthal Band will be featured, along with food and beverages. For reservations or further information, call the school at 716-695-2600, ext. 312 or 311.

Pilgrim Statue Comes to WNY ~ The National Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Our Lady of Fatima will be at Our Lady of Pompeii church for Veneration on Tuesday, August 14 from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. At 6:30 p.m. a vigil mass for the feast of the Assumption will be celebrated followed by the Rosary and presentation by Mr. Bill Sockey, who is the custodian of the Pilgrim Virgin Statue and travels with the Statue throughout the United States. Stockey will present the Message of Our Lady of Fatima, that will include the five reasons for reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and the promise by Our Lady of Fatima that was confided to Sr. Lucia, one of the three children, who witnessed the Marian apparitions at Fatima.