The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, August 15
This solemnity celebrates the bodily taking up of the Blessed Virgin Mary into heaven at the end of her earthly life. Dogmatically defined in 1950 by Pope Pius XII, accounts of the assumption of Mary into heaven survive in apocryphal narratives from the third and fourth centuries, and the feast was celebrated as early as the fifth century.
Painting of Mary’s Assumption by Joseph Mazur on left side of church transept.
Photo credit: Steve Mangione

August 13 – August 20, 2017

Weekly Activities

Thursday, August 17 at 8:00 p.m. ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall*

Saturday, August 19 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. ~ NEW HOURS – SAT. ONLY – Helping Hands Food Pantry in St. Charles Hall

Saturday, August 19 at 8:00 p.m. ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall*

Sunday, August 20 following 10:100 a.m. Mass ~ Anointing of the Sick and Well Aging in church

Monday, August 21 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.

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, August 13 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. ~ James F. Eagan (Requested by Judy Casassa) and Henry Heubusch (Requested by Kathleen, Karen and Bruce Marien)

Monday, August 14 ~ St. Maximillian Kolbe ~ No Service

Tuesday, August 15 ~ The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary ~ Outdoor Mass at 7:00 p.m., preceded by Offering of Prayers and Petitions at 6:00 p.m. – Deceased Members of the Ryan, Reilly, Reynolds and Pfeiffer Families (Estate of Mary Reilly)

Wednesday, August 16 ~ St. Stephen of Hungary ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Donald C. Nuwer (Family)

Thursday, August 17 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Deceased Members of the Ryan, Reilly, Reynolds and Pfeiffer Families (Estate of Mary Reilly)

Friday, August 18 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Catherine M. Maher (Estate)

Saturday, August 19 ~ St. John Eudes ~ Vigil Mass at 4:30 p.m. – Donald C. Nuwer (Family)

Sunday, August 20 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. ~ Donald C. Nuwer (Family)

Ministry Schedule for Saturday and Sunday, August 19 and 20:

Saturday, 4:30 p.m.  Reader: Michael Ogoh; Eucharistic Minister: Lucille Venezia

Sunday, 10:00 a.m.  Readers: Helen Roddy Gray, Sharon Dunnigan;  Eucharistic Ministers: Fran Cahill, Alice Davis, Mary Kresse

“Bring flowers of the fairest, bring flowers of the rarest, from garden and valley and hillside and dale….”

News from our Parish Community

Feast of Assumption  ~ This Tuesday, August 15, the Church celebrates the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This solemnity, which is a Holy Day of Obligation, commemorates the bodily taking up of the Blessed Virgin Mary into heaven at the end of her earthly life. We will observe the feast with outdoor evening services near the Blessed Mother statue and shrine, beginning at 6:00pm with an Offering of Prayers and Petitions, followed by the presentation of individual flowers to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Mass will begin at 7:00pm. It is an opportunity to thank God for the many blessings we have received and pray for continuous blessings and protections. Please bring a flower to present and a folding chair to sit on. We pray for favorable weather.

Stewardship calls us to realize that each of us is called to give as God has given to us. We no longer base our giving on what others are giving. We no longer excuse ourselves from giving because we do not see others giving. Rather we give in proportion to all that God has given to us.

Guest Musician ~ We are grateful to Cory Gallagher who enhanced our liturgy with his musical talents this Sunday. Mr. Gallagher, who served as cantor and pianist, was filling in for our music director, Elizabeth Clay. Elizabeth is away on vacation and will return on August 20.

Parish Council Elections are scheduled to take place on the weekend of September 9/10. The nominating committee is grateful to those parishioners who have agreed to stand for election. We will be announcing the slate of candidates at the end of August.

August Mission Appeal ~ We join Rev. Ivan R. Trujillo in thanking you for your generosity directly benefiting the Guadalupe-Bolivian Mission in South America.  Last week’s second collection in support this annual mission appeal was $394.

Helping Hands Food Pantry ~ The Helping Hands Food Pantry not operates on Saturdays only from 10am to 2pm. Its director, Luis Clay, 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.

Ordination Anniversary ~ Father Victor Ibhawa asks that we remember him in our prayers as he prepares to celebrate his seventh year as a priest on August 28.

Sr. Maureen Harris & friends

Party for Sister Maureen Harris ~ Save the dateSeptember 17 (12:30-2:30pm) at Ss. Columba-Brigid’s parish hall. Everyone from the CCCB parishes is invited to attend a Bon Voyage Tea Party for Sr. Maureen Harris on that day. If you haven’t already heard, Sr. Maureen has volunteered to travel to our Sister Communities in Tanzania, Africa. She leaves for six months at the end of September—first to Rome—and then on to the mission territory, where she will travel and walk with our Sisters and the people in their missions. Sr. Maureen spent three months there in 2008 teaching English as a second language. This time she will follow up with the Sisters, assist with their record keeping, and offer an encouraging presence as the Sisters cultivate leadership within their own communities. We would like Sister Maureen to have many happy memories to sustain her during her six months abroad, and you can be one of them by attending on September 17.

Honoring Father Roy Herberger ~ A very special part of the central city vicariate, Rev. Roy Herberger,  is retiring at the end of this month after 49-years of active ministry. However, our friends at Ss. Columba-Brigid wanted to do something equally special to honor him on the occasion of his fiftieth anniversary, so they have planned a dinner for May 25, 2018, and they want all of us to be a part of their tribute. Please save the date. Having served in ten parishes and three correctional facilities, Father Roy looks forward to the celebration next Spring as a chance to reminisce and share stories with those he has been blessed to know. His final Masses and celebration with his parishioners at Ss. Columba-Brigid are Saturday and Sunday, August 26 and 27, 2017. Anyone who wishes to send Fr. Roy Herberger a note, please address them to him at 75 Hickory Street, Buffalo, NY 14204.

Wedding Anniversary Mass ~ Any couple celebrating a 50th, 60th or 70th Wedding Anniversary during 2017 is invited to participate in a special Mass to be celebrated on Sunday, October 15, 2017 by Bishop Richard J. Malone, at 3pm at St. Joseph Cathedral located in downtown Buffalo. Following the Mass, an informal reception will be held at the Adam’s Mark Hotel. Family members are also encouraged to attend. A special certificate will be signed by Bishop Malone to honor the occasion, even for those who are unable to come out to attend the ceremony. For further information, please contact Catherine Kwiatkowski at 716-847-2210 or email ckwiatkowski [at] buffalodiocese [dot] org. Seating is limited. You may also place your name on the list by calling the our parish secretary, Pat Pendleton, at the church office as soon as possible..

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.

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.

News from our Vicariate Cluster and the Wider Community

Catholic Charities’ Chemical Dependency Treatment Program has immediate openings. The New York State licensed outpatient program aims to treat addiction with a combination of therapy and medicine. Visit ccwny.org/services/outpatient-clinic for more information and call central Intake at 716-895-1033 to begin referral process.

Annual St. Lawrence Feast Day Celebration is Sunday, August 13 at St. Lawrence Parish (1520 East Delavan Ave., Buffalo). The celebration begins with a 12 noon Mass and continues with food and fun. Chiavetta’s chicken dinners, hamburgers, hot dogs, salads, and beverages will be available for purchase. This event is one of two major annual fund-raising events. Tickets for a cash raffle are available upon request from the church ($2 each or 3 for $5). All proceeds go to pay for the new church roof. For more information, call the rectory at 716-892-2471.

Music and Dance Under the Stars Sunday August 20 (7-9pm, $10 admisssion) at St. Joseph University Church (3269 Main in Buffalo) with Big Band Concert featuring the Jim Tudini Band with Bobby Militello.

Tenth Annual Summer Arts & Crafts Show at Unitarian Universalist Church of Buffalo (695 Elmwood) is Saturday (10am – 6pm) and Sunday (11am – 5pm) August 26-27. This is also an opportunity to explore the English Country Gothic historic church from the early twentieth Century Arts and Crafts aesthetic.

Walking with Grief monthly lecture series and support group at St. Christopher Parish is the second Wednesday of every month from 6:30-8:30pm at St. Edmund Campus (Fr. Smiroldo Center – 530 Ellicott Creek Road, Tonawanda). These evenings are provided to assist any person 18 years of age or older in their journey of grief. Each month a guest speaker offers knowledge and insight into the grief journey. Time for Q&A is provided. After the 20-30 minute presentation, attendees have the option to participate in small groups according to their loss. There is no charge for attendance and all are welcome. Call St. Christopher Parish Office at 716-692-2660 with any questions.

The NativityMiguel Middle School of Buffalo congratulates our newest graduates, the Class of 2017. We look forward to continuing our journey with them as they move on to high school next month. We are proud of their acceptances to such great schools as Buffalo Seminary, Mount Mercy Academy​, St. Mary’s High School, Buffalo Academy of the Sacred Heart, Health Sciences Charter School, St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute​, Canisius High School​, Bishop Timon – St. Jude High School​, Western New York Maritime Charter School, and Tapestry High School​. Thank you to everyone who provided our students with their help and support!

“Welcoming the Stranger” Prayer Services will take place in September. Hosted by the WNY Leadership Conference of Religious Women, come learn about refugee advocacy opportunities. Prayer services will be held on September 15 at 7pm (St. Mary Center, 241 Lafayette Ave., Buffalo); September 17 at 2pm (St. Mary of the Angels, 201 Reist St., Williamsville and at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse, 115 E. Main St., Allegany); September 24 at 2pm (Immaculate Conception Convent, 5229 South Park Ave., Hamburg and at the Sacred Heart Center, 22 Meadowbrook Pkwy., Cheektowaga); and September 24 at 4:30pm (Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent, 600 Doat St., Buffalo). Personal hygiene items may be donated at any of these services to refugees in Jericho Road’s Vive program.