Work continues on the Mary Shrine on the west side of the church.
July 9 – July 16, 2017
Weekly Activities
Thursday, July 13 at 8:00 p.m. ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall*
Saturday, July 15 from 12 Noon – 4:00 p.m. ~ NEW HOURS – SAT. ONLY – Helping Hands Food Pantry in St. Charles Hall
Saturday, July 15 at 8:00 p.m. ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall*
Sunday, July 16 following 10:00 a.m. Mass ~ Anointing of the sick and well-aging in church
Monday, July 17 at 7:00 p.m. ~ Bible Study in St. Charles Hall
*In response to requests from our players, we have instituted age restrictions for admission to Bingo. As of October 15, 2015, we no longer admit children under 8 years of age. 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.
Lilies from Easters past re-bloom in church’s east side garden
Our Summer Mass Schedule is now in effect.
Please note that there is NO Mass on Mondays, and the Tuesday Mass time has changed to 11am. Masses on Wednesday through Friday will continue at 11am.
Mass Intentions
Sunday, July 9 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. ~ Bridget Blesnuk (Requested by Family) and Kevin Brown (Requested by Bud and Mickey Dick)
Monday, July 10 ~ No Service
Tuesday, July 11 ~ St. Benedict, abbot ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Bridget Blesnuk – Birthday Remembrance (Requested by Family)
Wednesday, July 12 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Deceased Members of Ryan, Reilly, Reynolds and Pfeiffer Families (Estate of Mary Reilly)
Thursday, July 13 ~ St. Henry ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Deceased Members of Ryan, Reilly, Reynolds and Pfeiffer Families (Estate of Mary Reilly)
Friday, July 14 ~ St. Kateri Tekakwitha ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Catherine M. Maher (Estate)
Saturday, July 15 ~ St. Bonaventure ~ Vigil Mass at 4:30 p.m. – Catherine M. Maher (Estate)
Sunday, July 16 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. ~ The Family of Fidelia Ejimadu (Fidelia Ejimadu) and Virginia Tapley (Yvonne Andrew)
Ministry Schedule for Saturday and Sunday, July 15 and 16:
Saturday, 4:30 p.m. Reader: Michael Ogoh; Eucharistic Minister: Jack Curtin
Sunday, 10:00 a.m. Readers: Mary Kresse, Bob Heicklen; Eucharistic Ministers: Dan Korchowsky, Alice Davis, Luis Clay
A splendid re-blooming of last year’s orchid in a planter on the church’s west side.
News from our Parish Community
River Cruise Reservations ~ Don’t miss out on a chance to join fellow parishioners and guests on board the “River Queen” on Sunday evening, July 30, from 4:30 to 6:00. You’ll enjoy a 1-1/2 hour narrated tour and see all that’s new on the Buffalo River. Pre-paid reservations are due by Sunday, July 16. The cost is $20 per person. Contact Bob Heicklen at 716-881-3793 or Bud Dick at 716-832-2540 to reserve your place.
The next bible study meeting will be Monday evening, July 17, at 7pm in St Charles Hall. In preparation, please read pages 50 – 61 (on the topic of East of Eden) from the book Genesis 1-11, God Makes a Start. Contact Fr. Victor to obtain a copy of the book. Make sure to bring your bible and the Agape monograph, A Guide for the Study of Sacred Scripture. For additional information please contact Althea Porter at 716-316-8395.
A Request from the Parish Council ~ August is traditionally the month when a slate of candidates for election to the Parish Council is announced. The Council Bylaws provide for the election of four (4) new members each year on the second Sunday of September (9/10/17), with new members being welcomed at the September Council meeting (9/20/17). A nominating committee consisting of Father Victor, Vice President Mickey Dick (chair), Darvan Draper, Dan Korchowsky and Palma Zanghi was appointed at the June 21 Council meeting. They have begun contacting parishioners in an attempt to assemble a slate of candidates. You may also place your own name in nomination or nominate another. If you wish to nominate someone else, please check first to be sure the person is willing to serve. Any registered member of the parish who is at least 18 years of age is eligible. It is very important that all candidates take time to learn what is expected of council members. To nominate yourself or another, or to obtain more information about serving on the parish council: click HERE and leave your contact information for the committee; contact any of the committee members listed above; or call the church office (716-833-0301) and request that someone contact you. A form for nominations will be available in church through August 13.
Elizabeth Clay appointed music director.
Lofty Announcement ~ We are pleased to announce that Elizabeth Clay has been appointed as they parish music director on a permanent basis. Elizabeth has been serving in the position on an interim basis since February, and this appointment recognizes not only her musical abilities, but also her dedication to the choir and our music ministry at Blessed Trinity. Please join in congratulating and encouraging Elizabeth.
Helping Hands Food Pantry ~ Luis Clay has announced a new operating schedule for the Helping Hands Food Pantry, effective immediately. It will now be open on Saturdays only from Noon to 4pm. Luis is also seeking additional volunteers. Please contact the church office at 716-833-0301 if you or someone you know might be interested in this opportunity.
Vocation View ~ Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Our Lord calls us to take His yoke upon our shoulders. How do you hear this call for you specifically? If God is calling you to a Church vocation, call Fr. Andrew Lauricella at 716-847-5535. You can also check out the “Priest of the Month” stories on our website www.buffalovocations.org.
Marian Shrine: a work in progress ~ The grotto area surrounding the statue of Mary in front of the church rectory was built in 1949. Originally designed as a shrine to Our Lady of Fatima, it once included kneeling concrete statues of the children of Fatima which deteriorated and broke over the years and were eventually removed. Then, in 2009, the original concrete statue of Mary was replaced with a marble statue of the Immaculate Conception from the merged congregation of St. Gerard. The garden and landscaping surrounding the statue have suffered from neglect but now, in this one hundredth Anniversary year of Mary’s apparitions at Fatima, a donation from the Ladies Sodality of Blessed Trinity is funding a beautification project of our Marian shrine. Work began in May 2017 when a gardening volunteer from the meet-up group, Buffalo Underground, spent several hours removing vegetation that had taken over the grotto garden. In June, dead and dying trees surrounding the statue were removed, and this month the garden had been weeded and replanted by parishioners. Additional landscaping is under consideration for the fall. Click HERE to view photos of the work in progress.
Congratulations to all our graduates! As you move to the next chapter of your journey — from grade school, high school, college — we wish you continued success along with experiences and challenges that will enrich you and prepare you for the future.
Care for Creation Corner ~ As Pope Francis reminds us, “Nature cannot be regarded as something separate from ourselves or as a mere setting in which we live. We are part of nature, included in it and thus in constant interaction with it.” The Earth is in crisis. We need to embrace behaviors that reflect our concern, such as…during the summer months, close your curtains to block heat from the sun. This simple step can significantly reduce the need for air conditioning.
St. Paul reminds us in his letter to the Romans of many comforting words. During times of loss, loneliness and grief, we may not feel or recognize God’s presence in our lives. Though we can’t imagine all the thoughts and feelings you are experiencing right now, we do understand a bit about grieving and that, first of all, it is a process. Request a free bereavement packet of materials designed to provide support, especially during the initial stages of grief. For a bereavement packet, call 716-847-2210 or email familylife [at] buffalodicese [dot] org.
Are you or is someone you know an out of work job seeker? Facing the challenge of being unemployed and working through this tough economy is hard enough. Request a free packet containing practical resources, prayers, scripture support, and programs designed to support you on your journey. Just call us at 716-847-2210 or email familylife [at] buffalodiocese [dot] org.
Spiritual Booster Shot ~ Feeling sad, down, discouraged, “blue?” Looking for healthy, wholesome alternatives to cope? Reach out now. Inner healing and hope are a phone call or email away. For your free packet of practical easy to use resources to provide you with tried and true antidotes or for more information, contact the Office of Family Life Ministries at 847-2210 or email familylife [at] buffalodiocese [dot] org.
Openings for Mass Intentions ~ Thank you to all who have recently placed Mass intentions. Please contact the church office (716-833-0301) with your requests. Office hours are: 10:30am-2:30pm, Tuesday through Thursday. The Mass Stipend is $15.
We thank you for all your generous donations and ask that you consider increasing your weekly offerings, if at all possible.
Important Deadlines to Remember ~ Our bulletin is printed on Thursdays, so please remember to submit your announcements to our secretary, Pat Pendleton, no later than Noon on the Wednesday prior to the weekend you wish it to appear. Announcements to be read at weekend Masses are due on Thursday. You may contact Pat at blessedtrinitychurch@gmail or 716-833-0301 any Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday between 10:30am and 2:30pm.
Parish Record Keeping ~ If you need to update your contact information or would like to register as a parishioner, please call the church office (716-833-0301) on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday during office hours: 10:30am-2:30pm, email your contact information to blessedtrinitychurch [at] gmail [dot] com, or use the CONTACT feature of this web site.
Take time to smell the lilies in the church’s west side planters.
News from our Vicariate Cluster and the Wider Community
Summer Retreat Opportunities at Christ the King Seminary begin in July. Seminar Retreat (July 9−14) with Rev. James Vacco, OFM, is open to priests, deacons, religious, lay ecclesial ministers, CKS students, alumni and others wishing to enter more deeply into the meaning of the baptismal call to serve in the name and the spirit of Christ Jesus. Directed Silent Retreat (July 9-12 or July 9-14) is open to for anyone wishing to come to the seminary’s peaceful setting for a special encounter with the Lord. Pray & Paint – En Plein Air Retreat (August 10-11) will be facilitated by Gina Marie Cutrona. Encounter art, pray and create during this retreat. For further information and registration for any of the retreats, contact Mr. Doug George, Director of Lay Formation, at 716-655-7091 or dgeorge [at] cks [dot] edu.
36th Annual Mission Retreat at St. Gregory the Great Parish, July 16 – 22 (200 St. Gregory Court, Williamsville). Mission consists of 7 nights of inspiring talks and liturgies, fellowship, food, and fun! Mission begins on Sunday at 6pm. Each weeknight will begin at 7pm and the closing day on Saturday will begin at 3pm. Each night builds on the preceding, so please plan on attending all 7 nights. Reservations are necessary. To reserve a spot, call Jo Pierino in the parish office at 688-5678. For more information, contact Jerry Hodson at 863-4800.
St. Mary’s High School presents the Lancer Leadership Academy, July 24-28. This is open to students in grades 5-8. The academy focuses on mixing math and science with some awesome arts and crafts, experiments, and projects to really bring these subjects to life! Contact Andrea Drabik at 716-583-4824 (ext. 211) or email adrabik [at] smhlanders [dot] org.
Father Baker Day is Sunday, July 30. Join others in celebration at 12 noon for Mass at Our Lady of Victory Basilica (767 Ridge Road in Lackawanna) and reception immediately following to commemorate the 81st anniversary of Father Nelson Baker’s passing. To reserve your space at the reception, contact our Special Events office at 716-828-9289.