The Presentation of the Lord February 2 The Presentation, depectic in terra cotta oval relief in the church narthex

The Presentation of the Lord
February 2
The Presentation, depicted in terra cotta oval relief in the church narthex

January 31 – February 7, 2016

Weekly Activities

Thursday, February 4 at 8:00 p.m. ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall*

Saturday, February 6 from 9:30 a.m. to 12 Noon ~ Helping Hands Food Pantry in St. Charles Hall

Saturday, February 6 at 8:00 p.m. ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall*

Sunday, February 7 following 10:00 a.m. Mass ~ Coffee Hour Sodality Raffle in St. Charles Hall, hosted by our Ladies Sodality

*In response to requests from our players, we have instituted age restrictions for admission to Bingo. As of  Thursday, October 15, we no longer admit children under 8 years of age.

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, January 31 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – Norm Shoeing (Requested by Ed Marien) and Robert, Celia and Emmanuel Marien (Requested by Kathleen Marien)

Monday, February 1 ~ Communion Service at 11:00 a.m. in Daily Mass Chapel

Tuesday, February 2 ~ Presentation of the Lord ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Deceased Members of Blessed Trinity Parish (Blessed Trinity Parish)

Wednesday, February 3 ~ St. Blaise, St. Ansgar ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. Deceased Members of the Ryan, Reilly, Reynolds, and Pfeiffer Families (Estate of Mary Reilly)

Thursday, February 4 ~  Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Anna Snyder (Estate)

Friday, February 5 ~ St. Agatha ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. Catherine M. Maher (Estate)

Saturday, February 6 ~ St. Paul Miki and Companions ~ Vigil Mass at 4:30 p.m. – Anne and Bud O’Connor (Family)

Sunday, February 7 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – James Hartzell (Bud and Mickey Dick) and Catherine Floyd (Blessed Trinity Ladies Sodality)

Readings for the Week of January 31

Sunday: Jer 1:4-5, 17-19; Ps 71:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 15, 17; 1 Cor 12:31-13:13 or 13:4-13; Lk 4:21-30
Monday: 2 Sm 15:13-14, 30; 16:5-13; Ps 3:2-7; Mk 5:1-20
Tuesday: Mal 3:1-4; Ps 24:7-10; Heb 2:14-18; Lk 2:22-40 or 2:22-32
Wednesday: 2 Sm 24:2, 9-17; Ps 32:1-2, 5-7; Mk 6:1-6
Thursday: 1 Kgs 2:1-4, 10-12; 1 Chr 29:10-12; Mk 6:7-13
Friday: Sir 47:2-11; Ps 18:31, 47, 50-51; Mk 6:14-29
Saturday: 1 Kgs 3:4-13; Ps 119:9-14; Mk 6:30-34
Sunday, February 7: Is 6:1-2a, 3-8; Ps 138:1-3, 4-5, 7-8; 1 Cor 15:1-11 or 15:3:3-8; Lk 5:1-11

News from our Parish Community

Basket.of.Cheer.2015

Sodality Raffle and Coffee Hour ~ Sunday, February 7, is (a) the last Sunday before Lent; (b) Super Bowl Sunday; or (c) the Ladies Sodality’s annual spring raffle? You guessed it – it’s all three! Be with us in St. Charles Hall to celebrate the occasions. In addition to the first prize Basket of Cheer courtesy of Bill Warren and Hertel Parker Liquor, there will be two second prize $50.00 gift cards: one each for Wegmans and Dash’s. If you haven’t already returned your chances, please be sure to bring them with you next weekend and stop by the Sodality’s special coffee hour after Sunday Mass to find out who wins. If you need additional chances, they’ll be available before the drawing.

Robert Zimmerman, Amy Grable and in concert on Feb. 14 at 3 PM. Photo credit: Margaret Dick

Robert Zimmerman, Amy Grable and Lori Abbott in concert on Feb. 14 at 3 PM.
Photo credit: Margaret Dick

The Trinity Series of “beautiful music in a beautiful space…” continues with a Celebration of Love, Sunday February 14, at 3:00 p.m. Be with us on Valentine’s Day as Tenor Robert Zimmerman and Soprano Amy Grable, accompanied by pianist Dr. Lori Abbott, perform some of musical theater’s most cherished loved songs. Following this sweet treat for your heart and soul, you’ll be able to satisfy your sweet tooth AND meet our musical guests at a post-concert reception. A free-will offering will be taken, with a $10 suggested donation.

The Parish Council invites your participation in our 2016 Lenten Program, which begins on Wednesday evening, February 17, and continues each Wednesday through March 9. We will begin with our traditional Soup Supper on Feb. 17 and conclude with a Simple Supper on Mar. 9, followed by The Way of the Cross in church. The first three Wednesday evenings will be devoted to prayer, meditation and discussion of Dr. Hugh Brady’s book, A Spirituality of Being Human, led by his widow, Evelyn Brady. For additional information about the 4-week program, Click HERE. Please note the later start time on Feb. 24 and Mar. 2. Rest assured that you can join the discussion without having read the book. As in the past, we are looking for soup makers (Feb. 17 only ) and cookie bakers, so please indicate your willingness to contribute on the  sign-up boards near the rectory-side door of the church.

Prayer Partners for Lent ~ Lent is just around the corner, with Ash Wednesday falling on February 10 this year. Praying for another in need is one of the spiritual works of mercy. If you haven’t experienced being a prayer partner yet, we hope you will try this Jubilee Year of Mercy. During the Lenten season you will be given a name of someone from within the participating parishes to pray for during Lent and Easter. How do you do it? It can be a simple prayer of remembrance for your prayer partner’s needs. You can include their intentions in a decade of the rosary, at Mass time, or use the special prayer we will provide this year. If they give their phone number, you can make a personal contact to introduce yourself and exchange intentions with one another, but it is not required. It is up to the individual and how the Spirit leads them. Please sign-up by January 31, using the convenient sheet on the altar rail. Homebound persons can sign-up by calling Sr. Maureen at 897-9948 x 114 or 882-3129.

Reminder to Sodality MembersFebruary 7 is the deadline for receipt of your $5.00 dues in order to be sure you are included in the new member directory and updated telephone tree. Membership is open to all women of the parish. If you would like more information, please leave your inquiry for Membership VP Mickey Dick  by Clicking HERE. The next general meeting is March 6, following Sunday Mass.

The Choir is now on its winter break. They’ll be individually backing up our sung praise for another week. We thank Music Director Nick DelBello and all the choir members for their dedication over the past months and look forward to their return on the First Sunday of Lent, February 14.

The Catholic Relief Services Collection will take place in our parish on the weekend of January 30 & 31. “Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me” (Mt 25:40). Today, we are reminded that Jesus identified himself with our poorest brothers and sisters. The Catholic Relief Services Collection serves Jesus in the victims of human trafficking, those who suffer from unjust laws, and those who need pastoral care and humanitarian assistance across the globe. Through supporting today’s collection, you help Jesus in disguise. Please be generous.

Find Good Within. Open hearts follow Jesus’ lead. During the typical chaos of separation and divorce, it’s important to remember that this impacts children. Parents can learn how to develop a “professional” relationship with their co-parent for the benefit of the children – and oneself. Catholic Charities’ Our Kids: Parent Education and Awareness programs, offered in the eight counties of the Diocese, are designed for any parents who have experienced conflict regarding custody and/or visitation issues. For details, call you local Catholic Charities office or 716-896-6390. Please give to the 2016 Catholic Charities Appeal. Find out more at www.ccwny.org or call 716-218-1400.

Sunday TV Mass ~ Do you know someone who misses going to Mass because of an illness or injury? The Diocese provides a televised Mass from the Our Lady Chapel at St. Joseph Cathedral each Sunday at 7:30 AM on the WUTV-Fox Channel.

Blessed Trinity 2016 Calendars are still available in the Ushers’ Pew. Share one with a friend.

Robert Zimmerman and Amy Grable in concert at Blessed Trinity on February 14, 2016

Robert Zimmerman and Amy Grable in concert
at Blessed Trinity on February 14, 2016

News from our Vicariate Cluster and the Wider Community

Mardi Gras Party and Wine Tasting & Pairing at Assumption Church, 425 Amherst St., Buffalo, on Friday, February 5, from 6-9 PM. Wines crafted by O-Neh-Da and Eagle Crest Vineyards. Refreshments available and also Games of Chance. Call 716-875-7626 for tickets and more information.

Ash Wed. Fish Fry ~ St. Katharine Drexel Parish invites you to “the best Ash Wednesday fish fry,”  February 10, 4-7 PM in the parish hall. Dinners are $10 pre-sale and $11 at the door. Mac & Cheese is available for $4. The church is located at 135 N. Ogden Street, Buffalo 14206.

BISON Children’s Scholarship Fund ~ This fund believes that all children, whether rich or poor, should have access to the widest array of educational opportunities as possible. By offering partial scholarship assistance to economically disadvantaged families, BISON is empowering parents, often for the first time, with the ability to choose the school which best meets their child’s needs. Visit the website at www.bisonfund.com and complete an electronic Scholarship Pre-Application for the 2016-17 school year. Please note the scholarship amounts very depending on the family’s income, household size and the school’s tuition cost. The highest scholarship amount for 2016-17 will be $1,800. Families will be expected to contribute partial tuition towards their child’s education. Time of the essence! Our first deadline is February 29, 2016. All pre-applications will be entered into a lottery drawing in early March. If your name is drawn in the lottery, you will received notification with instructions on how to proceed with the application. If you have questions or need further information, call the BISON Fund office at 716-854-0869.

Respite Weekend for Women with Cancer ~ March 4–6, 2016 at Stella Niagara. Application deadline is Thursday, February 18. If you know someone, applications are available by calling Sr. Maureen at 897-9948, x114.