Detail of stained glass skylight
Photo credit: Char Szabo-Perricelli

February 12 – February 19, 2017

Weekly Activities

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

Tuesday, February 14 at 7:30 p.m. ~ Choir Rehearsal in St. Charles Hall

Wednesday, February 15 at 7:00 p.m. ~ Parish Council Meeting in St. Charles Hall

Thursday, February 16 at 8:00 p.m. ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall*

Friday, February 17 from 9:00 a.m. to 12 Noon ~ Helping Hands Food Pantry in St. Charles Hall

Saturday, February 18 from 9:00 a.m. to 12 Noon ~ Helping Hands Food Pantry in St. Charles Hall

Saturday, February 19 at 8:00 p.m. ~ Bingo will be played 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

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 12 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. ~ Catherine Ball (Requested by Bud and Mickey Dick)

Monday, February 13 ~ Mass at 8:00 a.m. – Deceased Members of Ryan, Reilly, Reynolds and Pfeiffer Families (Estate of Mary Reilly)

Tuesday, February 14 ~ St. Cyril, St. Methodius ~ Mass at 8:00 a.m. – Philip Garcia (The Garcia Family)

Wednesday, February 15 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Anne Crocker (John J. Emerling and Robert J. Fink)

Thursday, February 16 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Catherine M. Maher (Estate)

Friday, February 17 ~ Seven Holy Founders of the Servite Order ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – All Souls (Queen of Martyrs Parish)

Saturday, February 18 ~ Vigil Mass at 4:30 p.m. – Rita Curtin (Family)

Sunday, February 19 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. ~ Gregory DeLong (Nancy Mariani)

Ministry Schedule for Saturday and Sunday, February 18 and 19:

Saturday, 4:30 p.m.  Reader: Gary Kelly; Eucharistic Minister: Jack Curtin

Sunday, 10:00 a.m.  Readers: Fran Cahill and Bernice Bradley;  Eucharistic Ministers: Alice Davis, Pat Hartinger, Dan Korchowsky; Fran Cahill (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, please 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.

The Parish Council will meet on Wednesday, February 15 at 7pm in St. Charles Hall.

Elizabeth Clay

Lofty Moves ~ This Sunday, February 12, we are delighted to welcome our own Elizabeth Bailey-Sands Clay as Interim Music Director. Although many of you have heard Elizabeth sing as a soloist and member of the choir, she actually began her musical career as a church organist. Despite her many responsibilities, including that of our new Religious Education Coordinator, Elizabeth has agreed to abandon her comfortable seat on the alto bench for the “hot seat” of the organ bench. Please join us in thanking her for sharing yet another of her talents with her Blessed Trinity family.

Bible Study ~ In response to a suggestion made at our November parish meeting, a Bible Study program 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 there is continuing interest, Bible study will continue on the third Monday of each month. Please make every effort to attend and increase your understanding of the Bible. Participants are asked to bring a Bible and a friend.

Visits to the sick will continue on the last Friday of the month, February 24Please help Father Victor prepare for his February 24 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.

Openings for Mass Intentions ~ Thank you to all who have recently placed Mass intentions. We continue to 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.

Sodality’s February 26 Raffle ~ Please return your raffle tickets as soon as possible for 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 are only $1.00 each or 6 for $5.00. If you did not receive any in the mail or need more, you will find them on the table near the ushers’ pew. Tickets are also available at the rectory. 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.”

National Black Catholic Congress XII Registration Deadline is this Wednesday ~ 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.

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 ~ Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time: God has given us His commandments so that our joy may be complete. God also calls some of us to be shepherds, and to help His follows know and appreciate the purpose and promise of His commandments. Is God calling you to leadership? 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.

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.

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

“Praying with Religious Art,” a Presentation by Deacon Greg Feary, will take place at Our Lady of Pompeii Church, 158 Laverack Avenue in Lancaster on Monday, February 13, at 7pm. Explore the deep meaning and beauty of religious art and icons in this multimedia adventure. All are welcome. Refreshments to follow. 716-683-6522.

Marriage Preparation (Pre-Cana) is an important part of the journey into love and marriage. a Pre-Cana program is scheduled at St. Christopher Roman Catholic Church, 2660 Niagara Falls Blvd., Tonawanda on Saturday, March 11 from 9am to 3pm in the school cafeteria. All couples planning to marry in 2017 are invited to participate in this small group preparation program. The schedule for the day includes presentations and activities with sponsor couples from our Marriage Ministry as well as time for questions and answers. Contact St. Christopher’s rectory office at 716-692-2660 to register.