March 10 – March 17, 2013
- Baldachino and Tabernacle Altar (background) and Altar of Sacrifice (foreground), Blessed Trinity Church. Lenten 2013 altar artwork by Todd Treat, T2 Printing; photo credit: Margaret Dick.
- Lenten Weekday Mass Schedule March 12 – March 27 Tuesday – Friday at 11:00 a.m. in Daily Mass Chapel
- Lenten Program
- Monday, March 11 at 7:00 p.m. ~ Lenten Journey Mass in Church (followed by refreshments in St. Charles Hall)
Wednesday, March 20 at 7:00 p.m. ~ Stations of the Cross in Church (preceded by Simple Supper in St. Charles Hall, 5:30-6:30 p.m.)
Lenten Journey Masses at Central Buffalo Vicariate Parishes Mondays at 7:00 p.m., followed by refreshments
Monday, March 11 at Blessed Trinity, 317 Leroy Avenue
Monday, March 18 at Nativity/Miguel Middle School, St. Augustine Campus, 21 Davidson Street
Monday, March 25 at St. Katharine Drexel, 135 N. Odgen Street – Penance Service (no Mass)
Lenten Penance Services
Tuesday, March 12 at 7:00 p.m., St. Joseph University Church, 3269 Main Street
Monday, March 25 at 7:00 p.m., St. Katharine Drexel, 135 N. Odgen Street
- Weekly Activities
Monday, March 11 at 7:00 p.m. ~ Lenten Journey Mass at Blessed Trinity.
Tuesday, March 12 at 7:00 p.m. ~ Choir Rehearsal in St. Charles Hall.
Thursday, March 14 at 8:00 p.m ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall.
Saturday, March 16 at 8:00 p.m ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall.
We now have: Red, White & Blue; carry over Bonus Ball; and a progressive Share-the-Wealth!
Sunday, March 17 following the 10:00 a.m. Mass ~ Coffee Hour in St. Charles Hall, hosted by the Holy Name Society.
Monday, March 18 at 7:00 p.m. ~ Lenten Journey Mass at Nativity/Miguel Middle School, St. Augustine Campus, 21 Davidson Street
Mass Intentions
Sunday, March 10 ~ Mass at 10 a.m. – Carole Kane (Requested by Family) and Dan Hartinger (Requested by Pat Hartinger and Family)
Monday, March 11 ~ Lenten Journey Mass at 7 p.m.
Tuesday, March 12 ~ Mass at 11 a.m. – James Condon (Estate of Mary Condon)
Wednesday, March 13 ~ Mass at 11 a.m. – Gladys Kibler (Estate)
Thursday, March 14 ~ Mass at 11 a.m. – Catherine M. Maher (Estate)
Friday, March 15 ~ Mass at 11 a.m. – Loretta Saxer (Estate)
Saturday, March 16 ~ Vigil Mass at 4:30 p.m. – Pauline Viola (Joe Viola) and Jimmie Porter – Birthday Remembrance (Family)
Sunday, March 17 ~ Mass at 10 a.m. – Bob Hamsik (Angela Jost) and Philomena M. Vaillancourt (Jim and Gayle Eagan)
News from our Parish Community
Lenten Journey Mass ~ We will be hosting the Mass on Monday evening, March 11, at 7:00 pm. followed by a reception in St. Charles Hall. We encourage all who are able to attend this event and welcome the parishioners from our Central Buffalo Vicariate churches: Ss. Columba-Brigid, St. Lawrence, St. Martin de Porres, St. Katharine Drexel and the Nativity/Miguel School. Please remember to bring your contribution of finger foods for the reception.
Our March Coffee Hour is Sunday, March 17, following the 10 a.m. Mass. It will be hosted by the Holy Name Society.
A Different Kind of “Dinner Out” ~ Ss. Columba-Brigid will be hosting guests of the Family Promise network for the week beginning March 22. If you can assist other volunteers from Blessed Trinity in preparing dinner, please contact Naoma Allen or Amy Johnson or leave a message for them by clicking HERE. Remember to specify “Family Promise” in the Subject line.
Holy Thursday “Supper of Friends” ~ If you plan to attend the Supper of Friends following our Holy Thursday Liturgy, please hand in your RSVP form no later than Palm Sunday, March 24. There is a basket on the railing near the Baptismal Font. Extra forms are available there. You may also call in a reservation to the rectory (833-0301) no later than Friday, March 22. Thank you.
Catholic Charities ~ If you wish to make your contribution to the 2013 Appeal in person rather than by mail, please plan to do so after weekend Masses on March 16/17 or March 23/24. There will be someone available to assist you. Thank you for helping us to meet our parish goal.
Prayer Partners ~ Our cluster parishes of Ss. Columba-Brigid, St. Ann, St. Katharine Drexel, Blessed Trinity, St. Lawrence and St. Martin de Porres will again organize a “Prayer Partner experience” during the Easter Season. It will culminate with a gathering in May at Ss. Columba-Brigid Church where partners can meet. If you would like to participate, please sign the forms on the altar rail near Our Lady’s Shrine by Palm Sunday, March 24.
Three Cheers for Ithrene ~ Now that we’ve had a chance to browse through our new Parish Directory, we can appreciate even more the challenging work done by Ithrene Cameron. Despite a series of delays and unexpected circumstances with the original company responsible for the Directory, Ithrene managed to move forward with the task. Thanks, also, to Gary Kelley who handled the group photography here at B.T. and arranged the layout of those pages.
Docent Training ~ Blessed Trinity is currently recruiting additional docents to assist with its May Sacred Sites Open House, upcoming tours, and promotion of our unique edifice as a cultural tourism destination. The first of two volunteer training sessions will take place on Saturday afternoon, April 13, beginning at 2:30 p.m. in the parish hall located behind the church at 317 Leroy Avenue and concluding by 4 p.m. with a walking tour of the church. The date and time of the follow-up session will be scheduled to accommodate participants. You may register for the April 13 session by calling the church office at 716-833-0301 or leaving your contact information HERE. Please specify “Docent” as the Subject of your message. To read more about the church’s outstanding architectural features, click HERE or view “Our Beautiful House of Worship” video HERE.
A Special Thank You to all who helped with the success of our last two Wednesday evening programs: Amy Johnson who coordinated the Soup Suppers; Vera Andrew, Judy Casassa and Ithrene Cameron who helped with set-up; our Soup Chefs: Ithrene Cameron, Judy Casassa, Angela Jost, Bob Kinmartin, Althea Porter, Dianne Riordan, Helen Roddy-Gray and Sister Liz Savage; our cookie providers: Vera Andrew, Yvonne Andrew, Alice Davis, Pat Gallisdorfer, Mary Kinmartin, Dan Korchowsky and Pauline Rollek; our bread provider: Ithrene Cameron; and Sister Liz Savage who organized and facilitated the two Lenten presentations by Norm McLaughlin.
Thank you for your support for the 2013 Black and Indian Mission Collection. Your monetary assistance will provide opportunities for a solid Catholic education in our Indian and Black mission schools, will allow the purchase of catechetical materials and bibles, and will provide for the formation of lay leadership, to name but a few ways the collection supports evangelization. Your generosity is appreciated.
Charitable Contributions ~ If you need a 2012 Statement of Contributions for income tax purposes, please contact Roy Laciura at the rectory, 716-833-0301.
Catholic Charities U.S.A. ~ Growing up, Wanda was experiencing a brutal life of foster homes and an abusive family situation until Catholic Charities Family Shelter literally came to the rescue. The shelter opened its doors to Wanda and her mother – providing furniture, clothing, and food – and assisted them with finding permanent subsidized housing to stabilize their life. She says, “I came from a harsh childhood. I was homeless… but Catholic Charities gave us a new start and turned things around for us.” In 2011, Catholic Charities agencies provided permanent housing for close to 65,000 individuals and families. Protect. Strengthen. Empower. Please give to the 2013 Catholic Charities Appeal. Find out more at http://www.ccwny.org or call (716) 218-1400.
Extra Word Copies ~ We have extra copies of the Lenten issues of The Word. Please feel free to take copies for family/friends. They are in the ushers’ pew at the middle of the church.
The Helping Hands Food Pantry has been experiencing chronic shortages of cereal (store brands welcome). Their supply of cereal is usually gone by the end of the first week after the monthly food delivery from the Food Bank. They also are in need of any kind of canned vegetables, juice or canned soup, as well as flour or sugar and baking supplies. Many younger people and grandparents are asking for baby supplies, such as diapers and formula. You should also know that the food pantry now has used clothing that is clean and folded according to size for men, women, boys, girls and infants. They are in greatest need of clothing for men and infants. All clothing is donated and must be cleaned upon acceptance.
News from our Vicariate Cluster and the Wider Community
St. Joseph’s Day Table ~ The Sisters of St. Joseph give thanks on Sunday, March 10, from 12 noon – 3 p.m. at Our Lady of Peach Church, 10950 Main St., Clarence, NY. We hope you will share this wonderful tradition with the Sisters. Donations received will go to food pantries at Clarence Presbyterian Church, St. Aloysius Gonzaga Parish, Ss. Columba-Brigid Parish, and Vive.
Buffalo Choral Arts Society (120-voice community chorus) presents “Sacred & Serene,” an eclectic blend of choral works spanning the centuries, setting the tone for an afternoon of reflective music at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 10 at Our Lady Help of Christians Church, 4125 Union Rd (corner Genesee St.), Cheektowaga, NY. For more information call: 812-1541 or visit http://www.BuffaloChoralArts.org.
St. Lawrence Fish Fry ~ March 15, 2013 from 4 – 7 pm. Home made desserts and theme tray Auction! Tickets are $9 and take-outs are available. St. Lawrence is located at 1520 East Delavan Avenue. The venue is handicap accessible. Call 892-2471 for further information.
Catholic Biblical Studies Program ~ Sister Dianne Bergant, CSA, will be the presenter at the Annual Lenten Day of Reflection sponsored by the Catholic Biblical Studies Program on Saturday, March 16, 2013 from 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. at the Millennium Airport Hotel, 2040 Walden Ave., Cheektowaga, NY 14225. Why is there suffering in the world? Where is God in the midst of my confusion and suffering? Do the things we do influence the circumstances of life? These are some of the questions asked by the book of Job. Sr. Dianne Bergant, CSA, will share her insights and invite us to rethink what can sometimes be all too familiar. All are welcome to attend. Contact the Catholic Biblical Studies Program at (716) 871-9180 for registration information.
News from NativityMiguel: Curtain Up! The girls at St Monica’s have been rehearsing and building sets as they prepare to take the stage. St Lawrence Parish’s own Kaylee Wilcox will be playing the lead role of Annie in the girls production of the musical “Annie” on Thursday, March 21 at 3 p.m. Come and support Kaylee and her classmates in their theatrical debut! For more information about “Annie” or NativityMiguel Middle School, please contact Nancy Langer at 716-836-5188. Thank you.
Bible Study – Ss. Columba-Brigid ~ Tuesday night Bible Study has returned at Ss. Columba-Brigid. The weekly readings from Luke’s gospel will take us on the journey to Jerusalem and teach us to walk in his ways. Come out. Bring a friend. Come any week you can and don’t worry about weeks you can’t be with us. We’ll be here and you’ll always be welcome; Tuesdays during Lent, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Morning Prayer will be celebrated in St. Lawrence Church during Lent. We will start at 8:10 a.m. on Ash Wednesday and continue Monday through Friday during Lent. Our weekday Mass follows at 8:30 am. Please consider joining us to experience the Daily Prayer of the Church. Questions? Call Luke Dyer at 308-6302.
Lenten Bible Study ~ The Church in the Modern World is the current topic of a luncheon Bible Study at St. Lawrence Church, each Thursday at 1:00 p.m. Please consider joining us for Lent as we review church teachings and Scripture for lessons in how to live and act in the world today. We gather in the Franciscan Guest House dining room on the St. Lawrence Campus behind the church and school buildings for a simple meal, reading and discussion. Questions? Call Luke Dyer at 308-6302.
Volunteer opportunities are available at a homeless shelter in Buffalo for individuals, couples, or groups to carry out the Corporal Works of Mercy. Little Portion Friary, 1305 Main Street, provides training and has several shifts available: check residents in and out, answer telephone, maintain log, respond to residents’ requests for clothes and personal belongings, help prepare breakfast, help with household chores such as laundry and light housekeeping. Substitute volunteers are also needed. Required: good decision making, organizational skills, at least 18 years old. Contact Ed at 875-9629 or Ann at 863-6694.