Mary of Magdala
July 22
Mary of Magdala, in spite of the undeservedly tarnished reputation she held for fifteen centuries, is arguably the second most important woman in the New Testament. She is mentioned a total of fourteen times in all four accounts of the Gospel – more than most of the apostles — and modern scripture scholarship has now redeemed her reputation, embracing the earlier view of Saint Augustine who was the first to call her “the Apostle to the Apostles.” Mary is depicted in both painting and woodcarving in our church. Here, in a grouping of “Virgins and Widows” in the great dome, she appears as the first kneeling figure on the left. Photo credit: Gary Kelley.
July 19 – July 26, 2015
Weekly Activities
Wednesday, July 22 from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. ~ Mobile Farmer’s Market in the driveway next to FLARE
Thursday, July 23 at 8:00 p.m. ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall
Saturday, July 25 from 9:30 a.m. to 12 Noon ~ Helping Hands Food Pantry in St. Charles Hall
Saturday, July 25 at 8:00 p.m. ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall
We now have a Bingo camera with TV monitors and electronic verification!
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 19 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – For the Intentions of the Ejimadu Family (Requested by Fidelia and Family) and August and Clara Marien (Requested by Ed Marien)
Monday, July 20 ~ St. Apollinaris ~ NO SERVICE
Tuesday, July 21 ~ St. Lawrence of Brindisi ~ NO SERVICE
Wednesday, July 22 ~ St. Mary Magdalene ~ NO SERVICE
Thursday, July 23 ~ St. Bridget ~ NO SERVICE
Friday, July 24 ~ St. Sharbel Makhluf ~ NO SERVICE
Saturday, July 25 ~ St. James, Apostle ~ Vigil Mass at 4:30 p.m. – Deceased Members of the Ryan, Reilly, Reynolds and Pfeiffer Families (Estate of Mary Reilly)
Sunday, July 26 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – In honor of Effie McNamara (Family)
“The Trades” are highlighted in six small carvings on the ushers’ office in the rear of our church. Agricultural workers are represented by the farmer’s sickle.
Readings for the Week of July 19
Sunday: Jer 23:1-6; Eph 2:13-18; Mk 6:30-34
Monday: Ex 14:5-18; Mt 12:38-42
Tuesday: Ex 14:21-15:1; Mt 12:46-50
Wednesday: Ex 16:1-5, 9-15; Jn 20:1-2, 11-18
Thursday: Ex 19:1-2, 9-11, 16-20b; Mt 13:10-17
Friday: Ex 20:1-17; Mt 13:18-23
Saturday: 2 Cor 4:7-15; Mt 20:20-28
Sunday, July 26: 2 Kgs 4:42-44; Eph 4:1-6; Jn 6:1-15
News from our Parish Community
Photo credit: Gary Kelley
Preservation Project Update ~ Earlier this year, Blessed Trinity Catholic Church received word from the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation that our application for funding to repair and restore major sections of our landmark church had been approved. With God’s help, we have begun the process of making these improvements happen in accordance with State and Federal standards. Firms wishing to submit proposals for architectural design services in connection with restoring our roof, nave windows and front entrance steps were required to demonstrate education, experience and expertise in historic preservation and the development of Sectarian Budgets as well as assurances of significant (30%) contracting opportunities for minority-and woman-owned business enterprises. Members of our building heritage committee and their advisers evaluated the proposals submitted in response and will be meeting with representatives of several firms this week. Each member of our team takes his/her responsibilities very seriously, and they request that you continue to pray that their decisions will be inspired ones.
Restoration of Church Doors ~ Although it is not part of our grant project, it has become necessary to undertake restoration work on the doors of the church. Deterioration was especially noticeable following the harsh winter of 2014-15. They are currently undergoing restoration by Bryans Brothers Painting.
An Evening Farmer’s Market Comes to Leroy Avenue ~ Every Wednesday evening, from 4-6 p.m., now through October 22nd, the Massachusetts Avenue Project’s Mobile Market will be coming to the FLARE! Rain or shine, you’ll find “a farmers market on wheels” in the driveway next to FLARE. On Thursday evenings, from 4-6 p.m., it will be at nearby Elim Christian Fellowship, 70 Chalmers Avenue. Take advantage of this twice a week opportunity to shop for fresh produce from local growers right in your neighborhood! For more information, Click HERE.
Care for Creation ~ Pope Francis began his encyclical, Praise be to you, my Lord: On Care for our Common Home, with the reminder that “St. Francis of Assisi reminds us that our common home is like a sister with who we share our life and a beautiful mother who opens her arms to embrace us.” (1) “St. Francis was a mystic and a pilgrim who lived in simplicity and in wonderful harmony with God, with others, with nature and with himself. He shows us just how inseparable the bond is between concern for nature, justice for the poor, commitment to society, and interior peace.” (10) Action: take time during this summer to enjoy nature and learn God’s creativity and love from this wondrous gift God has given us. To learn more, go to http://www.franciscanaction.org.
Catholic Biblical Studies Program ~ For those who’ve been part of it, this opportunity is often credited with being a “life changer,” sometimes bringing people back to a meaningful experience of faith, sometimes carrying them through difficult challenges and personal crises and always opening the door to meeting remarkable women and men. It has quietly but steadily continued for nearly three decades and now is taking a slightly altered form, adapted to the needs of busy people. An introductory Bible study, “Israel Becomes God’s People,” will start in September. This is to be the first of three seven-week sessions planned for the school year 2015-2016. The locations will be:
- John Vianney Parish, 2950 Southwestern Blvd., Orchard Park on Wednesday mornings from 10:00 a.m. to 12 noon;
- Vincent de Paul Parish, 6441 Seneca St., Springbrook on Wednesday evenings from 7:00pm to 9:00pm.
- The Newman Center (UB North), 495 Skinnersville Rd., Amherst on Thursday afternoons from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Registration information with details about specific class dates and cost is available on the website www.cbstudies.org and by phone at (716) 871-9180. You can also learn about other upcoming events sponsored by the Catholic Biblical Studies Program involving nationally known speakers and teachers. (Our parishioner, Elsieta Chapman, has been participating in this program. She would be happy to share her experience and answer any questions you may have. See her after Sunday Mass or call 892-1204).
News from our Vicariate Cluster and the Wider Community
Celebrate St. Mary of Magdala ~ Celebrate the lives of Mary of Magdala and Sr. Mary Thompson at a prayer service on the feast day of “arguably the second most important woman in the New Testament.” Wednesday, July 22, from 7 – 8 p.m. at the Sisters of St. Mary of Namur Chapel, 241 Lafayette Ave. near Grant St., Buffalo 14213. Mary of Magdala is mentioned a total of fourteen times in all four accounts of the Gospel – more than most of the apostles—and modern scripture scholarship has now redeemed her reputation, embracing the earlier view of Saint Augustine who was the first to call her “the Apostle to the Apostles.” Sr. Mary Thompson, a local nun who devoted her life to education and research, died unexpectedly in early July. The service will include excerpts from Sr. Thompson’s book, Mary of Magdala, given in the context of prayer, as well as empowering prayers and music written by other women. Light refreshments will be served following the service but will conclude in time to allow people to drive home before dark. The chapel is wheelchair accessible.
Dinner Lecture Series at Christ the King Seminary ~ “Praying with Masterpieces of Art” presented by Jan Sheridan on Wednesday, August 5. Reservations are required. Dinner is at 5:45 p.m.; lectures are from 6:45-8:30 p.m. in the main dining room of Christ the King Seminary, 711 Knox Road, East Aurora. To register, call Gayle Angelli at 716-805-1438.
St. Andrew Weekend Extravaganza ~ St. Andrew Church, 34 Francis Avenue, Sloan will have a Weekend Extravaganza on July 25-26. The weekend activities include a meat raffle and mini-basket raffle on Saturday. The doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the drawing starts at 7 p.m. Pizza, pop, beer and wine will be served. On Sunday, there will be a Polka Mass at 11 a.m. with music by Special Delivery, followed by Krolick’s Chicken Barbeque. For tickets and more information, call 716-892-0425.
Third Annual Peaceprints Hike for Hope and 5K Wellness Walk will be held Saturday, August 29 on the Ring Road in Delaware Park. You are invited to join in leaving Peaceprints! Call 856-6131 for further information.
Support for Separated and Divorced Catholics ~ If you are living through the aftermath of being separated or divorced, consider joining a DivorceLINK Level program for support. The Levels program is an 8 week structured program for men and women, separated/divorced, in the process of rebuilding their lives as a single person. Level I: Catholic Charities Building, 3982 Main Street, Eggertsville. Orientation on Thursday, September 24 from 7-9 p.m.; last day to join is Thursday, October 1. For more information, call the Office of Family Life Ministries at 716-847-2210.