Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, February 11.
The painting on the wall behind the Altar of the Blessed Virgin to the left of the Sanctuary at Blessed Trinity is of the Virgin Mary “seen fulfilling the prophecy of Genesis (3:15), with the serpent under her feet.” The figure to the left of Mary is “St. Bernadette Soubirous (1844-1879), to whom Our Lady appeared at Lourdes, France in 1858…. The message of Lourdes was really an invitation to trust in the power of prayer regardless of how desperate the situation is, to have great concern for the sick, and to sincerely trust in the concern of Mary for the followers of her son.”
(Rev. Walter Kern’s Guidebook to Blessed Trinity Roman Catholic Church, p. 44).

February 5 – February 12, 2017

Weekly Activities

Sunday, February 5 at 9:30 a.m. ~ Choir Rehearsal in Church

Thursday, February 9 at 8:00 p.m. ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall*

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

Saturday, February 10 from 9:00 a.m. to 12 Noon ~ Helping Hands Food Pantry in St. Charles Hall

Saturday, February 10 at 8:00 p.m. ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall*

Sunday, February 12 at 9:00 a.m. ~ Religious Education Family Meeting in Church

Sunday, February 12 at 9:30 a.m. ~ Choir Rehearsal in Church

*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

Our new daily Mass schedule is now in effect.
Mass on Mondays and Tuesdays will be an 8:00 am;
Mass on Wednesday – Friday will continue at 11:00 am.

Sunday, February 5 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. ~ Pauline Viola (Requested by Joe Viola)

Monday, February 6 ~ St. Paul Miki and CompanionsMass at 8:00 a.m. – Anne Crocker (Family)

Tuesday, February 7 ~ Mass at 8:00 a.m. – Catherine M. Maher (Estate)

Wednesday, February 8 ~ St. Jerome Emiliani; St. Josephine Bakhita ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – All Souls (Queen of Martyrs Parish)

Thursday, February 9 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Ray and Martha Freudenberger (Estate)

Friday, February 10 ~ St. Scholastica ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Deceased Members of Ryan, Reilly, Reynolds and Pfeiffer Families (Estate of Mary Reilly)

Saturday, February 11 ~ Our Lady of Lourdes ~ Vigil Mass at 4:30 p.m. – Anne Crocker (John J. Emerling and Robert J. Fink)

Sunday, February 12 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. ~ Catherine Ball (Bud and Mickey Dick)

Ministry Schedule for Saturday and Sunday, February 11 and 12:

Saturday, 4:30 p.m.  Reader: Michael Ogoh; Eucharistic Minister: Lorna Cameron

Sunday, 10:00 a.m.  Readers: Richard Plunkett and Chris Porter;  Eucharistic Ministers: Dan Korchowsky, Mary Kresse, Sharon Dunnigan; Maggie Gatson (Choir)

The Buffalo Brass Choir, directed by Nick DelBello, live in concert at Blessed Trinity on February 12, 2017 at 3 PM.
Photo Credit: Margaret Dick

 

News from our Parish Community

There will be a Meet-and-Greet for those families who have signed up for religious education instruction at Blessed Trinity on Sunday, February 12 at 9am in the church. Information about our upcoming program will be provided and you will have an opportunity to meet our instructors. If you are interested in participating in this faith formation but have not yet signed up, there is still time to do so! There are sign up sheets available at the side doors of the church, or you can contact Elizabeth Clay at 716-472-0009.

Trinity Series Concert ~ On Sunday, February 12 at 3pm, the church’s ensemble-in-residence, the Buffalo Brass Choir, will present “A Requiem in Our Time.” This liturgically themed program will feature the title piece by Finnish composer Einojuhani Rautavaar, as well as Pablo Casals’ “O Vos Omnes,” Bach’s “Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring,” and works by three living American composers: John Cheetham, Anthony Plog, and Brian Balmage. Please plan to attend this powerful and uplifting program — a perfect prelude to the Lent and Easter seasons. Suggested donation: $10 per person.

Our Bible Study Series will begin on Monday evening, February 20, from 7-8pm in St. Charles Hall. You are invited to join Father Victor for reflections, sharing, and discussion. If this time proves to be acceptable, Bible study will continue on the third Monday of each month. If you are interested in a deeper understanding of the Bible, please make every effort to attend. Please bring your Bible, and  feel free to invite a friend.

Visits to the sick began on Friday, January 27, and will continue on the last Friday of the month. Please help Father Victor prepare for his February 24th visitations by suggesting the names of those you believe need to be visited. There are sign-up sheets for this purpose near the side doors of the church, or you may call the church office, 716-833-0301.

Changes in Music Ministry ~ We hope to be introducing a new Director of Music before the end of the February. In the interim, we offer our sincere thanks to Nancy Erdman who filled in on January 31 and Nick DelBello who returns on February 5 to lead us in song.

Openings for Mass Intentions ~ We ask all of you to consider placing Mass intentions, as we have openings in the coming months. Please contact the church office (716-833-0301) with your request. Office hours are: 10:30am-2:30pm, Tuesday through Thursday. The Mass Stipend is $15.

Stewardship ~ We thank you for your generous donations and ask that you consider increasing your weekly offerings, if at all possible.

Sodality Spring Raffle ~ Please return your raffle tickets as soon as possible so you won’t miss out on a chance to win: a “Basket of Cheer” valued at approximately $250; $50 gift cards for Wegmans Food Markets and Dash’s Market; or a gift bag of Trader Joe’s products valued at $35.00. We are grateful to Wegmans, Dash Markets, and Traders Joe’s for their donations. We also thank Jill Hennig and Bill Warren of Aurora Liquor in East Aurora for assisting us with the Basket of Cheer. Tickets for the raffle have been mailed to parishioners and additional copies are available from the rectory or after weekend services. The raffle will take place at a special coffee hour after Mass on Sunday, February 26.

Last Call for 2017 Sodality Dues ~ Membership in the Ladies Sodality of Blessed Trinity runs with the calendar year, and 2017 dues of $5 became payable last month. If you received a dues notice in the mail and have not yet renewed your membership, please do so as possible so that our Membership Vice President, Mickey Dick, can update the Sodality roster and telephone tree. Checks should be made payable to “Ladies Sodality of Blessed Trinity.”

Prayer Partner Information ~ Lent is almost upon us. Please sign-up for the CCCB Prayer Partner Program. If you haven’t participated yet, we hope you will try this year. During the Lenten season you will be given a name of someone from within the participating parishes to pray for during Lent. Why do we do this? As Jesus told us, “if two or more agree on earth about anything for which they pray, it shall be granted to them by my Father” (Matthew 18:19, 20). Each partner begins to pray for the other’s needs, concerns or special intentions. How do I do it? It can be a simple prayer of remembrance for your prayer partner’s needs or a prayer intention at Mass or when reciting a decade of the rosary. You may wish to introduce yourselves and exchange intentions with one another, but that is not required. It is up to the individual and how the Spirit leads them. Our shut-ins are also welcome to add their name to the sign-up sheet by telling the home visitor or calling the parish office to add their name. So look for the lavender sign-up sheet at your weekend Mass on Saturday or Sunday in February. Direct your questions to Sr. Maureen at 716-897-9948, ext.114 or 716-892-2471.

Vocation View ~ Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time:  As disciples, we are to be the salt of the earth and light of the world. It is for this purpose that we have been given our individual talents to share. How is God calling you to share your talents? 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.buffalovacations.org.

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 Wednesday. 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.

Summary of January 18 Parish Council Meeting: Mr. Dick provided background information not included in the Buffalo News article (1/18/17) about the sale of St. Gerard Church. Although Blessed Trinity will receive $120,000, the parish has had to pay many large bills for St. Gerard, thus reducing significantly the amount to be received. The new boiler is installed [in St. Charles Hall]. Shut-ins were very grateful for Christmas gifts and wishes from parishioners. Work is proceeding on a new aluminum composite sign for the church to be installed on the ramp side. The CCCB (Catholic Churches of Central Buffalo) is planning Lenten experiences. The Nov. 30 parish meeting was encouraging—good attendance and participation. Father Victor thanks everyone who is volunteering and hopes that more will become engaged in parish activities.

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.

The National Black Catholic Congress XII ~ A Diocesan Delegation to The National Black Catholic Congress XII, to be held in Orlando, Florida from July 6—July 9, 2017, is now forming. If you would like to participate or obtain additional information on registration fees and room rates, please contact Althea Porter (716-316-8395) or the Office of Cultural Diversity (716-847-2217). February 15 is the last day to join the delegation and partial payment to cover trip expenses must be received by this date. The last payment should be sent to the Office of Cultural Diversity by May 15, 2017.

A wide range of classes in theology, pastoral studies, scripture and more will be offered through Christ the King Seminary’s spring continuing education program. Several new classes, workshops and retreats are available at your seminary. Join us and deepen your faith. Classes start soon. For more information, visit http://www.cks/edu/course-schedules-forms or call 716-655-7091.

Detail of mural at 72 Jewett Avenue, Buffalo

Detail of mural at 72 Jewett Avenue, Buffalo

Our Landmark church building is featured on a mural created earlier this year by Danial Galas on a the building located at 72 Jewett Avenue at Halbert Street. The building was originally owned by the Culliton Ice Cream Co. Local historian and preservationist, Chuck LaChiusa, has shared some marvelous photos of the mural depicting Blessed Trinity and other historical sites in the neighborhood on his web site. Click HERE to view them.

News from our Vicariate Cluster and the Wider Community

Ready, Set, Parent! EPIC – Every Person Influences Children will provide positive parenting preparation for expectant and new parents. You’ll learn the 3 “Terrific T’s” of parenting: Taking care of yourself as a parent, Tuning into your baby’s needs, Teachable Tips for early brain development. Offered the first Saturday of the month from 1-3pm at Catholic Health System, 144 Genesee St. at NO charge. Must sign up in advance – Please call 716-332-4127 to register or go online www.epicforchildren.org. Free car seat to those in need – must be income eligible, complete course and participate in car seat safety class, offered immediately after Ready, Set, Parent!

Attention Local History Buffs ~ The Erie-Lackawanna Railroad Historical Society (ELHS), which maintains its archives at 100 Lee St. (Heritage DiscoveRY Center) is interested in expanding its information base on the role of African-Americans and Hispanics as workers in the railroad industry. Perhaps this employment history applies to you or a family member or ancestor. If so, and you and/or your family member would like to know more about the project and how you can help, please contact Michael Connor at mjconnor_rr [at] hotmail [dot] com or (330) 691-0026.