Photo Credit: Bridget Blesnuk

Photo Credit: Bridget Blesnuk

February 15 – February 22, 2015

Weekly Activities

Sunday, February 15  ~ Due to the extreme weather conditions, the Sodality’s coffee hour and raffle have been postponed until NEXT Sunday, February 22. Both will take place in St. Charles Hall, following the 10:00 a.m. Mass.

Tuesday, February 17 ~ NO Choir rehearsal this week; rehearsals resume on Tuesday, Feb. 24 at 7:00 p.m. in St. Charles Hall.

Thursday, February 19 at 8:00 p.m. ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall.

Saturday, February 21  from 9:30 a.m. to 12 Noon ~ Helping Hands Food Pantry in St. Charles Hall.

Saturday, February 21  at 8:00 p.m. ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall.

Sunday, February 22 following 10:00 a.m. Mass ~ Sodality Coffee Hour and Raffle in St. Charles Hall (rescheduled from February 15).

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.

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Mass Intentions

Sunday, February 15 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – Mary Hilliker (Requested by Angela Jost)

Monday, February 16 ~ Communion Service at 11:00 a.m.

Tuesday, February 17 ~ The 7 Holy Founders of Servite Order ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Deceased Members of Blessed Trinity Parish (Blessed Trinity Parish)

Wednesday, February 18 ~ Ash Wednesday
Mass at 12:00 Noon – George McNamara (Effie and Casey McNamara)
Mass at 6:00 p.m. – Anna Snyder (Estate)

Thursday, February 19 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. Mass – Winifred Enright (Estate)

Friday, February 20 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Anthony and Teresa Hafner (Estate)

Saturday, February 21 ~ St. Peter Damian ~ Vigil Mass at 4:30 p.m. –  John and Esther Horan (Family)

Sunday, February 15 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – Intentions of Dan Kelly (Gary Weber)

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News from our Parish Community

Wednesday, February 18, is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the holy season of Lent. There will be two opportunities to attend Mass and receive Ashes: 12 Noon and 6 p.m.

Lenten Reflection Materials ~ Copies of The Word Among Us containing all the scripture readings for the Masses of Lent and Daily Reflections for Lent by Jay Cormier were distributed on February 14 and 15. We have sufficient copies of both for each parishioner to receive them. If you were unable to attend Mass this weekend, look for your copy in the ushers’ pew. We encourage you to use them daily as a means to “deepen your experience of this solemn season of prayer and penance and prepare you to participate more fully in the joy of the great Easter mystery.”

A t-shirt created by Buffalo Mass Mob for Blessed Trinity, with proceeds going to our parish.

A t-shirt created by Buffalo Mass Mob for Blessed Trinity, with proceeds going to our parish.

Buffalo Mass Mob Comes to Blessed Trinity ~ We are happy to announce that we have been chosen as the site for Buffalo Mass Mob IX on Sunday, March 22. The group has even created a souvenir t-shirt to commemorate its visit to our Landmark church, with proceeds benefiting our parish. To purchase a shirt — they are $20 — click HERE. If you’re not quite sure what a “Mass Mob” is, view our “Upcoming Events” post. Additional details about what to expect on March 22 and how you can help will be provided as they become available.

Mardi Gras Raffle ~ Due to the extreme weather conditions on Sunday, Feb. 15, the Sodality’s coffee hour and raffle have been postponed until Sunday, February 22Winning tickets for the first prize Basket of Cheer and second prize gift cards for Wegman’s and Dash’s Markets will be drawn at the Sodality’s coffee hour following the 10 a.m. Mass on February 22. Additional chances are available at the rectory, on the table near the ushers’ pew, or at coffee hour prior to the drawing. Please do not deposit raffle returns in the collection on the day of the raffle, but bring them to St. Charles Hall or ask someone who is attending coffee hour to do it for you. This is the Sodality’s only scheduled 2015 fundraiser, so please support their efforts. The parish — and maybe you — will be the winner. Tickets are only $1 each or six for $5.

Sodality Dues Reminder ~ Membership in the Ladies Sodality runs with the calendar year. Please remember to pay your dues by February 22 so that our membership chair may update the roster and email group/telephone tree. To learn more about our women’s group, Click HERE.

Lenten Journey Masses ~ The 2015 schedule of Monday Lenten Journey Masses sponsored by the Catholic Churches of Central Buffalo (“CCCB”) is as follows: February 23 at Ss. Columba-Brigid Church
March 2 at Nativity Miguel School (former St. James School)
March 9 at St. Martin de Porres Church
March 15 at St. Katharine Drexel Church
March 23 at Blessed Trinity Church
Each Mass will begin at 6:30 p.m. and is followed by a social with light refreshments. It is hoped that members from all the CCCB parishes will take part in this Lenten Journey and attend as many of the Monday evening Masses as possible.

Simple Soup Supper March 11 in St. Charles Hall Photo Credit: Phyllis Lobbins

Simple Soup Supper
March 11 in St. Charles Hall
Photo Credit: Phyllis Lobbins

Simple Soup Supper ~ This year we are planning one Simple Soup Supper on Wednesday, March 11. We will need volunteer soup makers and cookie bakers. Beginning February 21, we will have a sign-up board on a table near the piano. It will help us with our planning if you would sign up as soon as possible. Thank you for your help. Following the supper we will have a special Way of the Cross at 7:00 p.m. in church. We hope you can plan to join us for this service.

Black History Quiz ~ Here’s a little trivia question to test your knowledge of Black Composers. Match the composer, Chevalier de Saint George or Samuel Coleridge Taylor, with his composition: 1. Haitian Dance Suite or 2. Symphonie Concertante in G for Two Violins. Then be sure to attend our next concert in the Trinity Series on Sunday, March 29, and hear the Camerata di Sant’ Antonio perform both pieces.

Scholarship Money Available for Catholic School Education ~ The BISON Children’s Scholarship Fund, a privately funded tuition assistance program for children in grades K-8, has scholarships available for the 2015-16 school year. Financially eligible families can fill out an eligibility form on the BISON website. The eligibility form deadline is February 28. With a maximum award of $1,500.00, this is a great opportunity for families who desire a Catholic education for their children but may be unable to afford it. For more information, visit http://www.bisonfund.com or call 1-888-216-8380.

Canisius High School Honors – The following students achieved honors during their second marking period: Marquis Draper – 12th Grade – Third Honors; Jonathan Sands – 10th Grade – First Honors; and Robert Sands – 12th Grade – Second Honors. Congratulations to you and your families!

Thank you for your generous contributions to the Collection for the Church in Central and Eastern Europe. Your gift is an expression of solidarity with the suffering people of this region. Through joining in the work of this collection, you are helping to restore the Church and build the future. Please visit www.usccb.org (search “Church in Central and Eastern Europe”) to learn more about what your donations have accomplished.

Catholic Charities 2015 Goal ~ Find Good Within. Share God’s Goodness. Last year, through the generous support of donors throughout Western New York, Catholic Charities was able to positively impact the lives of children, families and seniors in our community with basic needs like food, clothing and shelter, to mental health counseling and educational services. Bishop Richard Malone has announced our goal of $10.9 million and patron saint of the 2015 Appeal. St. Francis of Assisi was a man of action whose simplicity of life extended to ideas and deeds. When you support the Appeal, you are “finding good within” and offering comfort and relief to people in need. Find out more at our newly redesigned website, http://www.ccwny.org or call 716-218-1400.

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News from our Vicariate Cluster and the Wider Community

Free Tax Help ~ VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance), a program of the University at Buffalo’s Beta Alpha Psi Accounting and Finance students is offering FREE TAX HELP for those with annual incomes under $ 53,000 on Wednesday, February 25, 2015 from 2:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Our Lady of Black Rock School (OLBR), 16 Peter Street, behind Assumption Church. (VITA will stop accepting clients at 6:00 p.m.) Call OLBR at 873-7497 or visit www.OLBRSchool.com. For married couples filing jointly, both spouses must be present. For VITA you must bring the following:

  • All W-2 and 1099 forms;
  • Information about other incomes;
  • Information for all deductions/credits;
  • A copy of last year’s tax return;
  • Proof of bank account for direct deposit of refund (check or bank account/routing number);
  • Social Security cards for you AND your dependents;
  • Proof of identification for you and your spouse (State license or passport);
  • Total paid to daycare provider and provider’s tax ID number;
  • Birth dates for you, spouse and/or dependents on the return;
  • Proof of foreign status if applying for ITV;
  • Forms 1095-A, B, or C (Affordable Health Care Statements).

Respite for Women Caregivers ~ If you are a woman providing care for an adult and would like a few hours to restore yourself in a quiet setting, we invite you to join the Women’s Respite Program on March 7. The $25 fee includes lunch; scholarships are available. This will take place on the campus of Stella Niagara, 4421 Lower River Road, Stella Niagara, NY 14144. Meet others who are caregivers, learn stress-reduction techniques, and enjoy a good meal with good conversation. For information or to make a reservation, call (716) 893-0931.