Fifth Sunday of Lent – Week of March 18, 2018

March 18 – March 25, 2018

Weekly Activities

Sunday, March 18 following the 10:00 Mass ~ Anointing of the sick and well-aging in church; Liturgy Committee Meeting in St. Charles Hall

Tuesday, March 20 at 7:00 p.m. ~ Choir Rehearsal in St. Charles Hall

Wednesday, March 21 at 7:00 p.m. ~ Parish Council Meeting in St. Charles Hall

Thursday, March 22 at 8:00 p.m. ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall*

Saturday, March 24 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. ~ Catholic Central Food Pantry in St. Charles Hall

Saturday, March 24 at 8:00 p.m. ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall*

Sunday, March 25 following the 10:00 a.m. Mass – Coffee Hour 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.

There will be NO BINGO on Holy Thursday, March 29, or Holy Saturday, March 31.

Mass Intentions

Sunday, March 18 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – 18 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – James M. Cavarello (Requested by Bob and Mary Kresse) and William Stiffler (Requested by Family)

Monday, March 19  ~ St. Joseph ~No Service

Tuesday, March 20 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m.  – Rosalind Autry (Victor Ibhawa)

Wednesday, March 21 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. –  Catherine M. Maher (Estate)

Thursday, March 22 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Deceased Members of the Ryan, Reilly, Reynolds, and Pfeiffer Families (Estate of Mary Reilly)

Friday, March 23 ~ St. Turibius of Mogrovejo ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Deceased Members of the Ryan, Reilly, Reynolds, and Pfeiffer Families (Estate of Mary Reilly)

Friday, March 23 ~ Stations of the Cross at 6:00 p.m.

Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord

Saturday, March 24 ~ Vigil Mass at 4:30 p.m. – Marcy C. Nelson (Family)

Sunday, March 25 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – Robert Santo Venti (Patty and Jerry Gallisdorfer) and Sylvia Griffin (Bud and Mickey Dick)

Ministry Schedule for Saturday and Sunday, March 24 and 25:

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

Sunday, 10:00 a.m.  Readers: Chris Porter, Miles James;  Eucharistic Ministers: Fran Cahill; Dan Korchowsky, Choir

Click HERE to view our Schedule of Holy Week Services.

 

News from our Parish Community

Stewardship: time, talent, treasure

The liturgy committee will meet following Mass on Sunday, March 18, in St. Charles Hall, in preparation for Holy Week.

Lenten Journey Mass ~ This Monday, March 19, Mass will be celebrated at 6:30pm at  St. Lawrence, 1520 E. Delavan Ave. March 19 is also the feast of St. Joseph, and the parishioners of St. Lawrence invite you to their 5pm St. Joseph’s Table, which will replace the social after 6:30 Mass. The Reconciliation Service scheduled for March 26 will take place at Ss. Columba-Brigid, 75 Hickory St. near Clinton.

The parish council will meet on Wednesday, March 21, at 7pm in St. Charles Hall.

Psalm 51 ~ Did you know that *you* are a lector every week at Mass?  The assembly is given its turn to proclaim the Scripture at the responsorial psalm, as it is the communal response to the first reading. From a liturgical perspective, the music for the psalm should not be longer than the first reading, nor should it overshadow it. The great penitential psalm, Psalm 51, appears nine time within our three-year lectionary cycle because it is so important. It’s difficult to make sure this incredibly powerful text does not surpass the integral reading from Jeremiah 31 describing God’s covenant with the house of Israel. What rich passages are ours during this lean time of fasting, prayer and alms giving – yet another indication of the bounteous love of our God and the glory to come. Our Savior is creating a clean heart and renewing a steadfast spirit within us! Choir practice continues Tuesday at 7pm in St. Charles Hall. All are welcome. ~ Elizabeth

Stations of the Cross will be prayed in church at 6pm each Friday of Lent.

Our Award Recipient ~ Every year the diocese acknowledges parishioners who have made significant contributions on the parish level with the Lay Award of  St. Joseph the Worker. This year, Amy Johnson was chosen for this honor in recognition of her stewardship at Blessed Trinity Parish. The award was conferred on Amy and other diocesan recipients at a special 12pm Mass on Sunday, March 11, at St. Joseph’s Cathedral. We congratulate Amy and thank all who supported her by their attendance at the ceremony. You are invited to celebrate with Amy at a Palm Sunday coffee hour following the 10am Mass on March 25. The March coffee hour will be hosted by the parish council.

Parish adds Human Resource team. Blessed Trinity Parish now has a Human Resource team. We thank  Kathleen Marien, Darvan Draper, and Bob Heicklen for agreeing to be a part of this effort. The group will be headed by Bob Heicklen.

On Sunday, March 25, there will be a display of hand made olive wood items, such as crosses, Rosaries, sculptures of the Last Supper, and Holy Family from Jerusalem and Bethlehem, a fundraiser to support Catholics of the Holy Land.

Holy Week Office Hours ~ There will be a change in office hours at the rectory during Holy Week. Our secretary, Pat Pendleton, will be present on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 10:30am to 2:30 pm, but the office will be closed on Holy Thursday. Holy Week is especially busy for both staff and parish volunteers so, if you have any announcements to be included in the bulletin, please get to Pat on Monday, March 26. She can be reached at 716-833-0301 or blessedtrinitychurch [at] gmail [dot] com.

Lenten Series ~ Attendees at our March 7 Soup Supper were treated to a variety of delicious soups prepared by chefs David Folmer, Judy Casassa, Sister Liz Savage, and Angela Jost. We thank them and also those who donated fresh bakery breads and cookies.  Maggie Gatson and Vera Andrew arrived early to help with set-up and continued through to clean-up.  Much thanks to them and the “on the spot” volunteers who pitched in to help. We then sat to receive Fr. Peter Drilling’s talk, Who is Jesus? in which he revealed and explained the different views of Jesus as found in the four gospels. Thoughtful food for Lent.

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.

Bible Study will resume at 7pm on Monday April 16 (not March 19 as posted earlier) in St. Charles Hall. This will be a two-hour meeting to determine future plans. The first assigned reading is from the booklet, Genesis 12-23  Abraham and Sarah’s Journey, by Kevin and Louise Perrotta (Loyola Press, 2002), pages 4-23. Please contact Althea Porter at 716-316-8395 to obtain the booklet and participate in this group.

Family Promise of WNY is one of only three local agencies that keeps homeless families together in emergency shelter. Ss. Columba-Brigid Parish is a host congregation and shelters families for a week, several times during the year. As a support parish, we at Blessed Trinity provide one dinner during the hosting weeks. Special thanks to Judy Casassa, Vontrese Draper, Amy Johnson and Palma Zanghi for preparing dinner for the guests at Ss. Columba-Brigid on March 3. If you are able to donate a food dish for a dinner on April 21, please contact Amy Johnson at 716-836-4694.

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.

Statement of Contributions ~ If you need a record of your 2017 contributions for tax purposes and have not yet received it, please call Pat at the rectory during office hours: Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday between 10:30am and 2:30pm.

Catholic Charities ~ “Love your neighbor.” Gal. 5:14. Appeal Week 2018 kicks off this weekend. Please help us reach our goal of $11 million by contributing or pledging today. Your donation helps educate, counsel and train parents and guardians in your communities. Your donation provides food, clothing and shelter to individuals and families alike, mental health and chemical dependency treatment and affordable counseling for all ages. The 2018 Appeal is an opportunity to love your neighbor in Western New York by ensuring they can receive the assistance they need. Please support our Appeal by calling 716-218-1400 or visiting ccwny.org/donation.

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

Openings for Mass Intentions ~ Do you know that Mass is the highest and greatest form of prayer? Contact the church office (716-833-0301) to request a Mass for your loved ones for any intention. Office hours are: 10:30am-2:30pm, Tuesday through Thursday. The Mass Stipend is $15.

New parking spaces have been added to the wheelchair ramp side of the church to compensate for losing ten spaces behind the old school building (FLARE) with the sale of the building. The new owner plans to rehab the structure into twenty apartments, a project that will certainly benefit the neighborhood.

Important Deadlines to Remember ~ As we begin the new year, 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 announcements should be submitted 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 ~ We have created a parish group email to be used for 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

Journey Through Grief…Mind, Body, Heart and Spirit on Monday, March 19 at 4pm at St. Aloysius Gonzaga Church (157 Cleveland Drive in Cheektowaga). No two circumstances are the same and no two people grieve in the same way. Grief affects the mind. One may be confused, mentally exhausted, depressed or suffer from grief, anxiety, sadness, guilt and anger. Catholic Health Faith Community Parish Nurse, Yvonne Askew, will address these elements that affect the mind during grief and offer new paths that can assist in the healing process. Open to the community; no charge. For more information or to reserve a spot, call Marianne Hubert, Director of Grief Support, at 716-873-6500.

Create In Me a New Heart, a Lenten Reconciliation Service for the first day of Spring, on Tuesday, March 20 at 7pm at St. Michael’s Jesuit Downtown Church (651 Washington Street in Buffalo). Sister Mary Johnice, CSSF will offer a guided reflection. Music of the Harp by Susan Siuta of Peaceful Dove. Confession available. Parking in Ellicott Street lot (handicap accessible). For more information, call 716-854-6726 or visit stmichaelbuffalo.org.

Stations of the Cross Meatless Soup Suppers at St. Lawrence Church (1520 East Delavan Avenue in Buffalo) will conclude on Friday, March 23 at 4pm. Bring a meatless soup (preferably in a crockpot) to share. In an effort to minimize dish washing, guests are asked to bring along their own place setting and cup. Bread, butter, crackers, and drinks will be provided.

Catholic Health hosts an Osteoporosis Support Group the third Wednesday of every month in the Beechwood Residence Auditorium (2235 Millersport Highway in Getzville) 10-11:30am. This month’s meeting is March 21. New members and walk-ins welcome. Call 716-447-6205 for more information.

Eucharistic Adoration & Holy Hour for Mercy on Thursday, March 22, 6-8pm at St. Andrew Church (1525 Sheridan Drive in Kenmore) with Deacon Mike Ficorilli presiding. All welcome. After Holy Hour, we will pray the rosary.

May 20 is a celebration for Fr. Roy Herberger’s fiftieth anniversary of priesthood. There will be a 3pm Mass at Ss. Peter and Paul (5480 Main Street in Williamsville), followed by a 6:30pm dinner at the Grapevine Banquet Facility (333 Dick Road in Depew – the former Hearthstone Manor). If you wish to attend, please mail your name and address to Fr. Roy (15 Greenwish Drive, #2, Amherst, NY 14228) by March 25.

Annual Lenten Homemade Pierogi & Placek Sale from February 17-March 25 at St. John Kanty Parish (101 Swineburne Street in Buffalo). Kanty’s Kitchen is open Saturdays 3-5pm and Sundays 9:30am-12pm. Farmers cheese or sauerkraut pierogis; sold frozen and 6/package. Lunch available on March 25 (Palm Sunday) and large basket raffle. For further information, call 716-893-0412 or visit saintjohnkanty.com.

Lenten Day of Reflection, Saturday, March 24, from 8:30 am – 3:00 pm Sister Dianne Bergant, CSA, will direct our 26th Lenten Day of Reflection at Kloc’s Grove, 1245 Seneca Creek Road in West Seneca. Register with The Catholic Biblical Studies. Call 716-871-9180, email info [at] cbstudies [dot] org, or visit cbstudies.org.

St. Mary’s High School will hold a practice exam for all seventh graders planning to take the Catholic High School Admissions Exam this fall. The practice exam will take place Saturday, April 21, 8-11am, 142 Laverack Avenue in Lancaster. Reserve a spot for $20 at smhlancers.org.