Rev. George Reger Eighth Pastor of Blessed Trinity 1991-2016

Rev. George Reger
Eighth Pastor of Blessed Trinity
1991-2016

Sr. Barbara Horan Pastoral Associate 1999-2016

Sr. Barbara Horan
Pastoral Associate
1999-2016

We are grateful to our parish priest, Rev. George L. Reger,
and our pastoral associate, Sr. Barbara Horan,
for their years of dedication and offer congratulations and best wishes
on the occasion of their retirements.

October 23 – October 30, 2016

Weekly Activities

Sunday, October 23 at 9:30 a.m. ~ Choir Rehearsal in church

Tuesday, October 25 at 7:30 p.m. ~ Choir Rehearsal in St. Charles Hall

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

Friday, October 28 from 9:00 a.m. to 12 Noon ~ Helping Hands Food Pantry in St. Charles Hall

Saturday, October 29 from 9:00 a.m. to 12 Noon ~ Helping Hands Food Pantry in St. Charles Hall

Saturday, October 29 at 8:00 p.m. ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall*

Sunday, October 30 following 3:00 p.m. Mass ~ Reception honoring Fr. George and Sr. Barbara 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.

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, October 23 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. ~ James McNamara (Requested by Colleen Schroeder) and Bridget Blesnuk (Requested by Family)

Monday, October 24 ~ St. Anthony Mary Claret ~ No Service

Tuesday, October 25 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – William and Helen Roach (Dorothy Prystawski)

Wednesday, October 26 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Deceased Members of Ryan, Reilly, Reynolds and Pfeiffer Families (Estate of Mary Reilly)

Thursday, October 27 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Milon Brown (Estate)

Friday, October 28 ~ St. Simon and St. Jude, Apostles ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Catherine Maher (Estate)

Saturday, October 29 ~ NO MASS SCHEDULED

Sunday, October 30 ~ Mass at 3:00 p.m. ~ Concelebrated Mass on the Retirements of Reverend George Reger and Sister Barbaras Horan

Intentions of Mgbenka Family (Fidelia Ejimadu) and Gregory DeLong (Angela Jost)

Assisting on the Altar – Ministry Schedule for Sunday, October 30:

Sunday, 10:00 a.m.   Readers: Maggie Gatson and Richard Plunkett; Eucharistic Ministers: Alice Davis, Pat Hartinger, Maggie Gatson, Jack Curtin; Dan Korchowsky (Loft)

Readings for the Week of October 23

Sunday: Sir 35:12-14, 16-18; Ps 34:2-3, 17-19, 23; 2 Tim 4:6-8, 16-18; Lk 18:9-14
Monday: Eph 4:32–5:8; Ps 1:1-4, 6; Lk 13:10-17
Tuesday: Eph 5:21-33 or 5:2a, 25-32; Ps 128:1-5; Lk 13:18-21
Wednesday: Eph 6:1-9; Ps 145:10-14; Lk 13:22-30
Thursday: Eph 6:10-20; Ps 144:1-2, 9-10; Lk 13:31-35
Friday: Eph 2:19-22; Ps 19:2-5; Lk 6:12-16
Saturday: Phil 1:18b-26; Ps 42:2-3, 5; Lk 14:1, 7-11
Sunday, Oct. 30: Rv 7:2-4, 9-14; Ps 24:1-6; 1 Jn 3:1-3; Mt 5:1-12

News from our Parish Community

Fr. Reger joins members of Deacon Jimmie Boyd's family in front of the plaque which now bears the deacon's name. From lf. to rt.: Jimmie's daughter, Kim Harris; grandson Aaron, sister Juliette Graves; Mrs. Carrie Boyd, and granddaughter Porsha.

Fr. Reger joins members of Deacon Jimmie Boyd’s family in front of the plaque which now bears the deacon’s name. From lf. to rt.: Jimmie’s daughter, Kim Harris; grandson Aaron, sister Juliette Graves;
Mrs. Carrie Boyd, and granddaughter Porsha.

Deacon Jimmie Boyd ~ On Sunday, October 16, the parish honored the memory of Deacon Jimmie Boyd with the placing of his name on our memorial plaque. The plaque was presented to the parish in the early 1990s by our Holy Name Society and lists the names and tenure of all pastors and associates who have served our parish. Members of the Boyd family attended both the liturgy and the social which followed the service. Click HERE for additional photos.

October 23 is World Mission Sunday. In announcing his decision to declare a Holy Year of Mercy, Pope Francis said, “Dear brothers and sisters, I have often thought about how the Church might make clear its mission of being a witness to mercy.” Supporting the young churches throughout the world with your prayers and generous gifts is indeed a merciful witness of this mission. The collection today will help missionaries offer the poor of these areas practical help as they share the mercy of God. It will ensure the development of local dioceses, and support the work of priests, religious and lay leaders who serve those on the margins and in most need. Extend your merciful witness to the whole world through your gift in the special collection for the Society for the Propagation of the Faith.

The Ladies Sodality will hold its annual Service of Remembrance for deceased members, including Catherine Floyd and Catherine Dial, on Sunday, November 6, immediately following Mass. The service will be preceded by a brief business meeting.

Our Annual Watch for Watches Campaign to assist the St. Vincent de Paul Society began on October 1 and will continue through the month of October. Your watch doesn’t have to have a strap or be in working order. Watches are repaired and sold to further the work of the Society which is to help the poor. Last year we collected 104 watches. The Watch for Watches box will be near the statue of St. Joseph. Thanks to all who have contributed thus far. For further information see Marianne Pernick.

Prisoner Gift Project 2016 ~ Blessed Trinity will again participate in this work of mercy and forgiveness begun by Sr. Karen Klimczak, SSJ, and now continued by the Peaceprints Prison Ministries. We are asked to donate instant hot cocoa packets to fill 2,100 gift bags for inmates at the Albion and Wende Correctional Facilities. You can participate and honor Sr. Karen’s memory when you:

  • Donate instant hot chocolate packets – Our goal is 4,200 packets by December 4!
  • Make a monetary donation – Cash or checks (make out to “Peaceprints of WNY”) in an envelope marked “Prisoner Gifts” and dropped into the weekend collection basket.
  • Decorate Gift Bags – Artistic talent isn’t necessary. Draw, trace, or just write season greetings or lines from carols and hymns to personalize the gift bags. For bags contact Amy Johnson HERE.
  • Help assemble the gifts on Friday, December 9 here at Blessed Trinity.
Ralph Overton

Ralph Overton

Please welcome Ralph Overton, who assumed the position of parish custodian on Monday, October 3rd. We are happy to have him on board and hope that you will make him feel at home here at Blessed Trinity.

Solemn Vespers (Evening Prayer) ~ Closing Celebration of the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy on Sunday, November 6 at 4pm at St. Joseph Cathedral. All are invited to join Bishop Malone in thanking God for the ways in which his mercy has been demonstrated to us throughout the year.

The Diocese of Buffalo wants your feedback. A survey has been created to understand perceptions about how deacons are currently ministering within our community, as well as direct future needs so that our ordained deacons are able to effectively minister to all people within the diocese. Please visit http://bit.ly/dcnsurvey to take this short survey.

Albert Lenhard Family Scholarship ~ The Albert Lenhard Family Scholarship Fund was established in 1985 through a bequest of the estate of Albert M. Lenhard. The Scholarship was developed to assist applicants who want to continue their formal education beyond high school at the undergraduate and graduate levels. To be eligible for the Scholarship the candidate will have to be residing in the geographic boundaries of the Catholic Churches of Central Buffalo, i.e.: Blessed Trinity, SS Columba Brigid, St. Ann, St. Katharine Drexel, St. Lawrence and St. Martin de Porres. The Lenhard Scholarship fund is administered by the pastor of St. Martin de Porres in collaboration with the African American Commission of the Diocese of Buffalo and the director of the Office of Cultural Diversity. This Scholarship is awarded annually. The completed application and the Personal Statement Essay should be sent to the Office of Cultural Diversity, 795 Main St, Buffalo, NY 14203 to the attention of Milagros Ramos by December 1, 2016. An email confirmation will be sent to verify receipt of your application. The recipient of the award will be invited to receive the award in person at the annual Martin Luther King Jr. celebration, which will take place on Sunday, January 15, 2017, at 10 am at Holy Cross Church in Buffalo. Applications are available at the rectory office. Please call our secretary, Barbara Sercu, at 716-833-0301 if you are interested in applying. (Rectory office hours are: Tuesday-Thursday from 10:30am – 2:30pm).

Rectory office hours are Tuesday-Thursday from 10:30am – 2:30pm. Please call our secretary, Barbara Sercu, at 716-833-0301 if you have information for the bulletin, changes to your phone number or mailing address, or would like to register as a parishioner.

"I am the true vine and you are the branches...." Communion Antiphon Fifth Sunday of Easter

“I am the true vine and you are the branches….”

News from our Vicariate Cluster and the Wider Community

The Canisius College Chorale, under the direction of Frank Scinta, will inaugurate its 2016-17 Sacred Spaces concert series with a program on Sunday, October 23 at 7:30pm in Nativity of Our Lord Church, South Buffalo St and Thorn Ave, Orchard Park. The concert will feature works by Faure, Ticheli, Vivaldi, Whitacre, Dawson and others. Admission is free.

Harmonia Chamber Singers open their 11th season with Voices of Autumn – an eclectic program of a cappella choral treasures on Friday, October 21 at 7:30pm, St. Bernadette’s Church, 5930 S. Abbott Rd., Orchard Park and again on Sunday, October 23 at 4pm, St. Louis Church, 35 Edward Street at Main in Buffalo. $15 donation. Harmonia, one of Western New York’s finest vocal ensembles, will present a cappella works of all subjects, from the seasons to the wonder of nature to the working man. You will hear works such as Simple Gifts, Voices of Autumn, I Have Had Singing, Cindy, Shall We Gather at the River, and Wade in the Water. Gorgeous music in two beautiful spaces. Join us as we kick off an exciting year.

October 28/29 Retreat: “Sharing the Mercy of God” ~ The African Commission is sponsoring a retreat from 6-9pm on Friday, Oct. 28 and Sat. Oct 29 at Holy Cross Parish, 345 Seventh St, Buffalo. Reverend Anthony Mario Ozele will conduct the retreat and serve as homilist at the Africa Thanksgiving Bazaar Mass, to be celebrated by Most Reverend Bishop Richard J. Malone at 10am on Sun., Oct. 30.. A bazaar following the Mass will include a Taste of Africa, auction and basket raffle. All are welcome to participate.

Concert at SS. Columba-Brigid Church, 75 Hickory Street, Buffalo on Sunday, November 6 at 6pm. This special concert will combine the choirs of St. Joseph’s Church in Fredonia and the one from SS. Columba-Brigid. Some favorite local musicians will also be a part of this evening of inspiring music. A social will follow the concert and there is no charge for the event. The building is handicapped accessible.

Living Mercy Beyond the Year of Mercy presented by Deacon Bill Hynes on Monday, November 14 from 7-8pm at Our Lady of Pompeii Church, 158 Lavarack Avenue, Lancaster. The close of the Year of Mercy is quickly approaching! Here is an opportunity to reflect on mercy and to learn ways to make mercy part of our everyday lives. ALL are welcome. Refreshments following presentation. Free will offering accepted.