St. Bartholomew August 24 This ceramic medallion of St. Bartholomew originally hung in St. Bartholomew R. C. Church on Grider Street in Buffalo. It was brought to this church by parishioners of St. Bartholomew’s in February 1993 and carried in the procession preceding the Liturgy celebrating the merger of the two parishes. It is now mounted on the wall of the transept outside the priest’s sacristy on the right (west) side of the church.

St. Bartholomew
August 24
This ceramic medallion of St. Bartholomew originally hung in St. Bartholomew R. C. Church on Grider Street in Buffalo. It was brought to this church by parishioners of St. Bartholomew’s in February 1993 and carried in the procession preceding the Liturgy celebrating the merger of the two parishes. It is now mounted on the wall of the transept outside the priest’s sacristy on the right (west) side of the church. Photo credit: Margaret Dick

August 23 – August 30, 2015

Weekly Activities

Monday, August 24 from 5:30 – 8:oo p.m. ~ Summer Fest in church parking lot

Thursday, August 27 at 8:00 p.m. ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall

Saturday, August 29 from 9:30 a.m. to 12 Noon ~ Helping Hands Food Pantry in St. Charles Hall

Saturday, August 29 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, August 23 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – Our Anniversary (Requested by Bob and Mary Kinmartin)

Monday, August 24 ~  St. Bartholomew, Apostle ~ Communion Service at 11:00 a.m.

Tuesday, August 25 ~ St. Louis; St. Joseph Calasanz ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Deceased Members of the Ryan, Reilly, Reynolds & Pfeiffer Families (Estate of Mary Reilly)

Wednesday, August 26 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Catherine M. Maher (Estate)

Thursday, August 27 ~ St. Monica ~  Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Anna Snyder (Estate)

Friday, August 28 ~  St. Augustine – Winifred Enright (Estate)

Saturday, August 29  ~ Passion of St. John the Baptist ~ Vigil Mass at 4:30 p.m. – Cleveland Witherspoon (Family)

Sunday, August 30 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – Richard and Elizabeth Stabler (Ed Marien)

Readings for the Week of August 23

Sunday: Jos 24:1-2a, 15-17, 18b; Eph 5:21-32 or 5:2a, 25-32; Jn 6:60-69
Monday: Rv 21:9b-14; Jn 1:45-51
Tuesday: 1 Thes 2:1-8; Mt 23:23-26
Wednesday: 1 Thes 2:9-13; Mt 23:27-32
Thursday: 1 Thes 3:7-13; Mt 24:42-51
Friday: 1 Thes 4:1-8; Mt 25:1-13
Saturday: 1 Thes 4:9-11; Mk 6:17-29
Sunday, August 30: Dt 4:1-2, 6-8; Jas 1:17-18, 21b-22, 27; Mk 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

Live reggae music by Neville Francis and the Riddim Posse at B.T. Summer Fest, August 24.

Live reggae music by Neville Francis and the Riddim Posse at B.T. Summer Fest, August 24.

2015.SumrFest (Small)

News from our Parish Community

B. T. Summer Fest ~ This Monday, August 24, from 5:30-8:00 p.m. is our very own salute to the summer season: B. T. Summer Fest. Listen for the beat of Reggae music performed live by Neville Francis and the Riddim Posse and join the fun on the side lawn and in the church parking lot. Friends and neighbors are welcome. Summer Fest will also feature a food truck from R&R BBQ, door prizes and face painting. Menu includes BBQ (chicken, beef, or pork) for $5; sumptuous sides (potato salad, pasta salad, Cole slaw, or baked beans) for $3; drinks for $1.50 and free cookies and brownies. DO bring a “decorated lawn chair”; there’s a prize for the best!

Diocesan Celebration for couples marking their 50th, 60th or 70th wedding anniversaries this year is Sunday, October 18, 2015, at St. Joseph Cathedral. More information will be coming regarding the special event. We need to submit information about parish couples who have reached or will be reaching these milestones during 2015. If this includes you, please call Sister Barbara Horan at 833-0301 by Sunday, August 23. Even if you are unable to participate in the October celebration, the diocese wishes to include your names and prepare a “scroll” for all celebrating couples. Call Sister Barbara Thank you!

Henriette Delille (1813-1862)

Henriette Delille (1813-1862)


The Ladies Sodality
will hold their first 2015-16 meeting Sunday, September 13, following the 10 AM Mass. There will be a brief business meeting, light refreshments, and a program entitled “Celebrating Women Witnesses” aimed at rediscovering women leaders in the Catholic Church. Dr. Althea Porter will lead our discussion of the life of Venerable Henriette Delille (1813-1862), an early “womanist,” servant of slaves, and founder of an order of nuns in New Orleans composed of free women of color. All women of the parish are invited to attend. Copies of an essay about Henriette Delille will be available at Masses next weekend and on Sept. 5/6. Please take one home, read about this amazing woman witness, and then join the discussion on Sunday, Sept. 13. For more info, call Mickey Dick, 832-2540.

Project Homeless Connect is a one day event where those experiencing homelessness can come and connect with community based resources, dental and medical services, get a free haircut and so much more. It will take place on September 22 at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center. For several years, our parish supported the work of Sister Claire Edwards by collecting deodorant for this project. Now Catholic Charities is seeking donations of additional personal care products for Sept. 22. They are attempting to find individuals who will donate travel size personal care items or do a collection for these items within their offices or through their place of worship. Desired items include soap, shampoo, conditioner (including unopened hotel samples), disposable razors, band aids, dental floss, deodorant, hair brushes, toothpaste, and sanitary napkins. If you or someone you know would like to help or has items they would like to donate, please contact Renee Siepierski of Catholic Charities at 716-856-4494. It would be a wonderful tribute to our former parishioner, Sister Claire.

More About Our Preservation Project ~ 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 are currently in the process of selecting an architectural firm that will head up the restoration project over the next 18-24 months. 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.

Catholic Charities’ Immigration & Refugee Assistance Program is looking for such furniture items as chairs, dining room and kitchen sets, basic personal household items, school supplies, gift cards and volunteers to set up apartments and drive the delivery truck. Want to repurpose old furniture? Like to furnish homes? Consider helping the Immigration & Refugee Assistance Program. For more information, please call 716-842-0270 or visit www.ccwny.org.

The R&R BBQ food truck is coming to B.T. Summer Fest on August 24!

The R&R BBQ food truck is coming to B.T. Summer Fest on August 24!

News from our Vicariate Cluster and the Wider Community

Infant of Prague Lawn Fete. Come join the fun at the Infant of Prague Lawn Fete, 921 Cleveland Drive, Cheektowaga on August 28-29. Rides and games, carnival food, games of chance, beer garden, entertainment, basket extravaganza, and much more. On Saturday there will be Party Animals Petting Zoo and from 4-7 p.m. (or until sold out) Krolick’s BBQ dinner. Fun for the whole family. See you there.

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.

Nineteenth Annual Irish Famine Memorial Mass, Sunday, August 30 at 11:00 a.m. at Erie Basin Marina. Celebrant: Bishop Richard J. Malone; music by Kindred. Bring a lawn chair to this beautiful outside waterfront Mass. Non-perishable food and/or monetary donation to support St. Vincent DePaul Society philanthropic famine relief. Rain or Shine.

Summer Celebration Features Big Band Dance Under The Stars! Sunday, August 30, from 7 – 9:30 p.m., St. Joseph University Church , 3269 Main Street, Buffalo, will host an outdoor Big Band Concert and Dance featuring the Jim Tudini Band with Bobby Militello. Join us for a great summer evening of music and dance under the stars! The band specializes in traditional big band music as well as songs from the 70s through the 90s. St. Joseph University Church is located at 3269 Main Street next to the UB South Campus. Donation for the dance is $10 per person at the door. Beverages and light snacks will be available for purchase. For information contact (716) 833-0298.

Griefshare: A Supportive Group, When You Have Lost Someone Dear ~ 2 Wednesdays per month, starting Wednesday, September 23, 2015, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Our Lady of Pompeii Parish Ministry Center, 129 Laverack Avenue, Lancaster, NY 14086. Go to www.olpparish.com for details or call Sister Joyce at 716-683-6522.