Jul 23, 2017 | Alumni News & Photos
Class photos on display at the Alumni Sunday reception.
Our Eleventh Annual Alumni Sunday event will be held at Blessed Trinity Church on Sunday, September 24, 2017, beginning with an Alumni Memorial Mass at 10:00 a.m. We look forward to welcoming all alumni of the former parish grammar school, especially members of the Class of 1967 who are celebrating their Fiftieth Anniversary. A reception in St. Charles Hall following the Mass provides an ideal opportunity to view or display school photos and memorabilia, reminisce and renew old acquaintances. Please plan on joining us for the Memorial Mass and all-class reception. Additional details will be posted as they become available. You can also visit the Alumni’s Facebook page.
Sep 20, 2016 | Alumni News & Photos
And the winners are … Nik Brodfuehrer (center) and Denise Moll Lanz, shown here with raffle chair Jerry Powers.
Our tenth annual Alumni Sunday is “in the books,” and we hope everyone who attended enjoyed the day. We know that Nik Brodfuehrer and Denise Moll Lanz, ’71, did! As winners of the split club raffle, they each received $750 in prize money. A matching amount of $1,500 will be donated to Blessed Trinity’s Under This Roof Fund, which supports preservation and restoration of the Landmark church. Many thanks to Jerry Powers, ’51, for organizing the raffle.
More than 25 people showed up early and were treated to a mini-tour of the church led by Blessed Trinity docents and BTS graduates, Mickey Stiffler Dick, ’59, and Tom Brodfuehrer, ’75.
Alumni joined parishioners at the 10 o’clock Mass, where prayer intentions included recently deceased alumni and faculty: Clayton A. Steinwachs, ’30; Dorothy B. Moll Sheehan, ’38; Sister Patricia Reen, ’45; James R. Hartzell, ’46; Joan M. Dengler Linde, ’48; Francis “Fritzi” Nicklas, ’60; Jeanne O’Connor Lupke, ’64; Anne Marie Gampp LaPorta, ’64, Stephen R. Besch, ’65; Michael s. Faraci, ’66; Mary F. Gampp, ’66; Maureen M. Sheehan Cook, ’74; and Sister Thomas Aquinas Lennon, SSJ, a member of the faculty from 1951-1960.
Alumni attending from out of state included Arlene Horn McCarville, ’48 (Florida); Dick Powers, ’55 (California); and Lou Stegmeier, ’65 (Ohio). Click HERE to view more photos from the Mass, tour and reception.
Aug 18, 2016 | Alumni News & Photos
Alumni Sunday 2016
Our Annual Alumni Sunday event will be held at Blessed Trinity Church on Sunday, September 18, 2016, beginning with Mass at 10:00 a.m. We look forward to welcoming all alumni, especially those celebrating significant anniversaries. A reception in St Charles Hall following the Mass provides an ideal opportunity to view or display school photos and memorabilia, reminisce and renew old acquaintances. As in past years, we ask those who are able to bring a food item to share at the reception.
Clate Steinwachs, ’30
Honoring Our Deceased Members
As part of our Annual Mass we pause to remember all deceased alumni and faculty. The names of graduates who have passed away since last year’s Mass will be read. We will be remembering Clayton Arthur “Clate” Steinwachs, ’30 – who until his death on January 1, 2016, at the age of 99 was our oldest living alumni – as well as Dorothy B. Moll Sheehan, ’38; Sister Patricia Reen, ’45; James R. Hartzell, ’46; Joan M. Dengler Linde, ’48; Francis “Fritzi” Nicklas, ’60; Jeanne O’Connor Lupke, ’64; Anne Marie Gampp LaPorta, ’64; Stephen R. Besch, ’65; Michael S. Faraci,’66; Mary F. Gampp, ’66; Maureen M. Sheehan Cook, ’74; and Sister Thomas Aquinas Lennon, a faculty member from 1951-60. May they rest in peace. Please inform the Committee if you are aware of other recent Alumni or faculty deaths so that we may include them as well.
Alumni Raffle
2013 terra cotta repair
In conjunction with the September 18 gathering, we are sponsoring our Seventh BT Alumni Raffle for the purpose of raising funds to help pay for restoration and maintenance of Blessed Trinity’s Landmark Church. In addition to an annual contribution to the church, half of the raffle’s net proceeds are returned as prize money, divided between two winners. Last year was our most successful effort yet, resulting in the largest donation to the Church and the largest money prizes: $650.00 each to winners Jane Feldman and Amy Vasco.
Since 2009, Alumni fundraising efforts have resulted in contributions totaling $10,900.00 to the church’s “Under This Roof Fund.” On October 13, 2015, the church’s pastor, Rev. George L. Reger, wrote: “Our Parish Community remains very appreciative of your dedication and the Committee’s fundraising activities on its behalf …. Please convey our thankfulness for the generosity of the school alumni to your membership as a whole, and know that each of you will be remembered in the prayers sung and recited in this church.” We add our thanks for your past participation and your individual contributions to the church, and we ask that you again help us to promote this fundraiser.
Class photos on display at the Alumni Sunday reception.
The drawing will take place at the reception following the Alumni Mass. You don’t need to be present to win, but you DO need to return your completed ticket stubs and check payable to “Blessed Trinity Alumni” no later than September 12, 2016. Tickets are $5.00 each or six (6) for $25.00. To obtain raffle tickets, contact Jerry Powers at 716-656-8657 or powersj2004 [at] aol [dot] com. Winners will be notified by mail and identified on this web page and on the Blessed Trinity School Alumni Facebook page.
Church Tour Opportunity
Docent Tom Brodfuehrer, ’75, interprets iconography
Since 2011, Blessed Trinity has made a concerted effort to promote its Landmark church as a destination site for tourists. A dedicated team of volunteer docents (including several alumni) help visitors appreciate the architectural features and religious symbolism displayed in our Landmark building. There will be a special 30 minute tour for alumni and friends beginning at 9:30 AM on September 18. Please assemble in front of the church. (In the event of inclement weather, wait in the front vestibule).
Keeping in Touch: The All-Class Reception
The Alumni Committee continues to provide a time and place for you to reunite with former classmates and neighbors each year. No RSVP is required for the reception, so we can’t tell you who’s coming. Bobbe Schmelzer Lukasik maintains our database and will be happy to provide whatever information we have for your classmates and friends, enabling you to reach out and organize your own personal “reunion within the reunion.” In 2014, the members of the class of ’64 brought an anniversary cake and put together a display of class memorabilia. Our committee stands ready to assist any of the anniversary classes who have their own ideas for personalizing the occasion.
The Alumni Committee maintains this School Alumni page on the Church web site, www.blessedtrinitybuffalo.org, as well as our Facebook page, “Blessed Trinity School Alumni.” Both provide class news (if you submit it) and information on scheduled events and activities. We encourage you to “like” us on Facebook and share your memories or class photos. (Thanks to Facebook, Ray Gabner, ’62, Teri Cook Harris, ’69, Michael Massey, Debbie Dayton Gonzalez and Dave Maloney, all Class of ’71; and Robin Zeisz Hochulski and Susan Loftus of the Class of ’75 have found us). If you have difficulty posting to the Facebook page or would like to add something to the web site, contact the BT Web Diva, Margaret Stiffler Dick (’59), at 716-832-2540.
Every year we lose contact with some of our members when their post office forwarding notifications expire. Please notify Bobbe Lukasik of address changes or use the contact feature of the web site as Lynn Maurer, ’67 and Dolly Huffnagle, ’71 did. The same goes for email addresses. Unlike the post office, your provider won’t forward our emails.
We hope you will plan to join us on Sunday, September 18, 2016. If you have any questions or comments, contact: Bud Dick at 716-832-2540 or mnbdick [at] roadrunner [dot] com or Bobbe (Schmelzer) Lukasik at 716-863-6923 or bertababe2 [at] yahoo [dot] com.
Oct 11, 2015 | Alumni News & Photos
Marilyn Gesl Arcara, ’45, prepared a display showing the history of 5 generations of the Gesl Family at Blessed Trinity.
The display included her First Communion photo and the dress she wore.
Excerpt from Sep 27, 2015 Alumni Memorial Mass Program
On Sunday, September 27, 2015, members of the Alumni gathered for their ninth annual Memorial Mass and all-class reception at Blessed Trinity. Attendees included graduates from as far back as 1930 through the Fortieth Anniversary and final graduating class of 1975. Parish docent and 1959 graduate of the school, Mickey Dick, provided early arrivals with a guided tour of the Landmark Church. Alumnae Madonna Hartzell, ’55; Marianne Pernick, ’56; and Kathleen Marien acted as greeters; Roberta Schmelzer Lukasik and Thomas Brodfuehrer, representing the Sixtieth and Fourtieth anniversary classes, respectively, and Edward Marien of the Class of 1944 presented the Offertory gifts. The Prayer of the Faithful included special intercessory prayers for alumni, with fourteen recently deceased alumni remembered by name.
Following the Mass, alumni, friends and family members were able to renew acquaintances and view school memorabilia at an all class reception in St. Charles Hall. Several in attendance merit special recognition. Marilyn Gesl Arcara, ’45, prepared an exhibit tracing five generations of the Gesl family at Blessed Trinity. James Foley requested contact information for surviving classmates of the Class of 1941, and contacted each of them prior to the gathering. Tom Brodfuehrer from the Class of 1975 was the youngest graduate in attendance, and 99-year-old Clayton Steinwachs, Class of 1930, was the eldest.
The highlight of the reception was a split club raffle, with two lucky winners and the church’s Under This Roof fund sharing in the proceeds. Jane Feldman of Seattle, WA and Amy Vasko of San Diego, CA split a $1,300 prize, with the church’s Under This Roof Fund receiving the $1,300 match. In addition to this gift from the Alumni Association, our mailing also raised $740.00 in individual alumni contributions for the dedicated fund.
Click HERE to view additional photos from the event on the Blessed Trinity School Alumni Facebook page.
Sep 13, 2015 | Alumni News & Photos
Clate Steinwachs celebrates his 99th birthday with daughter, Ann, and sons (l. to r.) David, Tom & Joe.
Congratulatory birthday wishes go out to Clayton Steinwachs who turned 99 years young on September 3. A member of the Class of 1930, Mr. Steinwachs is believed to be the School’s oldest living alumni. He received the well wishes of family and friends at a party in the home of his son, Joe. The Steinwachs children created an alumni reunion all by themselves. Joe is a member of the Class of 1969. His brother, Rev. David Steinwachs who traveled from Florida, is a member of the Class of 1961, as is his sister, Ann Steinwachs Manganello, who traveled from California. Brother Tom, also from California, graduated in 1963; their brother Carl, who was unable to attend, is a member of the Class of 1964. Clate is looking forward to greeting younger graduates of our school on September 27. Please don’t disappoint him.
Aug 20, 2015 | Alumni News & Photos
Our Annual Alumni Mass will be held at Blessed Trinity Church on Sunday, September 27, 2015 at 10:00 AM. We look forward to welcoming all Alumni, especially those celebrating significant anniversaries. A reception in St Charles Hall following the Mass provides an ideal opportunity to view school photos and memorabilia, reminisce and renew old acquaintances. As in past years, we ask those who are able to bring a food item to share at the reception.
James H. Stengel, ’63
1949-2015
Honoring our Deceased Members
As part of our Annual Mass we pause to remember all deceased alumni and faculty. The names of graduates who have passed away since last year’s Mass will be read. We will be remembering Evelyn M. Rofe, ’32; Paul V. Glauber, ’39; Robert G. Klein, ’40; Patricia Honeychurck Bonfanti, ’46; Ruth O’Connor Beehler and Jean A. Sloan Pritchard, ’49; Robert E. Steinke, ’51; Howard F. Gabriel, ’52 ; Anthony R. Sorgi, ’56; Dennis F. Lesinski, ’61; James H. Stengel, ’63; Dennis M. Long, ’64; Margaret E. (“Peggy”) O’Donnell, ’68; and Michael J. O’Donnell, ’73. May they rest in peace. Please inform the Committee if you become aware of other recent Alumni or faculty deaths.
Alumni Raffle
In conjunction with the September 27, 2015 alumni gathering, we are sponsoring our Sixth BT Alumni Raffle for the purpose of raising funds to help pay for restoration and repairs on our beautiful Church. Since 2009, our raffles have raised $12,145.00, half of which was donated to the Church, with the remaining monies (after Alumni Committee expenses) divided among the winners (2 each year). Over this same period, individual alumni have contributed more than $1,200.00 directly to Blessed Trinity, which is greatly appreciated. We want to continue this tradition and, with your help, we hope to have an equally successful fundraiser. Earlier this year, the parish learned that it had succeeded in obtaining State preservation funding. The grant requires a significant outlay of funds on the part of the church, bringing a new sense of urgency to our goal.
The drawing will take place at the reception following the Alumni Mass. You don’t need to be present to win, but you DO need to return your completed ticket stubs and check payable to “Blessed Trinity Alumni” no later than September 21, 2015. Tickets are $5.00 each or six (6) for $25.00. Last year our two winners, Marilyn Schimek and Julia Alessi, each received $575.00. This year it could be you! A sheet of six tickets will be enclosed with your alumni newsletter, which you should receive by the end of August. If you would like more for yourself, friends, family or other alumni, feel free to make copies of your sheet or contact Jerry Powers at 716-656-8657 or powersj2004 [at] aol [dot] com. Please help us promote this fundraiser as you have done in the past. Winners will be notified by mail and listed on the “School Alumni News and Photos”page at www.blessedtrinity.org and on the Blessed Trinity School Alumni Facebook page.
Members of the Class of 1964 celebrate their 50th.
All-Class Reception
The Alumni Committee continues to provide a time and place for you to reunite with former classmates and neighbors each year. No RSVP is required for the reception, so we can’t tell you who’s coming. Bobbe (Schmelzer) Lukasik maintains our database and will be happy to provide whatever information we have for your classmates and friends, enabling you to reach out and organize your own personal “reunion within the reunion.” Contact her at bertababe2 [at] yahoo [dot] com. In 2014, the Fiftieth Anniversary class of ’64 brought an anniversary cake and put together a display of class memorabilia. Our committee stands ready to assist the Class of ’65 (or ’45 or ’55 or ’75) with their own special touches.
Tour of the Church
Docent Tom Brodfuehrer, ’75, interprets iconography
Since 2011, the parish has made a concerted effort to promote Blessed Trinity as a destination site for tourists. A dedicated team of volunteer docents (including several alumni) help visitors appreciate the architectural features and religious symbolism displayed in our Landmark church building. If there is sufficient interest expressed by school alumni, we will be happy to conduct a 30 minute tour prior to Mass on September 27 as we did two years ago. Click HERE to indicate your interest, using “Church Tour” as the subject.
Wondering Why You Haven’t Heard from Us?
Every year we lose contact with some of our base because our mailing comes back marked: “Moved. Forwarding Expired.” If this year’s newsletter is forwarded to you from a previous address, you’ll be among the missing in 2016. To update or add your contact information, send the following information to bertababe2 [at] yahoo [dot] com: your name (including maiden name), year of graduation, mailing and email addresses, and a preferred phone number. We promise not to share your information except for purposes of class reunions.
In addition to this web page, the alumni have a Facebook page, “Blessed Trinity School Alumni,” which has allowed alumni to make personal connections and carry on “conversations.” Both sites provide class news and the latest information on scheduled events and activities. We encourage you to “like” us on Facebook and share your memories or class photos. (Graduates from the 1960s have been asking for the latter). If you have difficulty posting to the Facebook page or would like to add something to the web site, Click HERE and leave a message for the BT Web Diva, Margaret Stiffler Dick (’59).
We hope you will plan to join us on Sunday, September 27, 2015. If you have any questions or comments or would like to become an active member of the Alumni Committee, Click HERE and leave a message, using “Alumni” as the subject. For information about upcoming events at Blessed Trinity Church, including the 2015-16 Trinity Concert Series, Click HERE.
Class photos on display at the Alumni Sunday reception.
