Symbols of the Eight Beatitudes (Mt. 5:3-11; Lk. 6:20-23) can be found in the church’s Corinthian Capitals.
The “pure in heart” are represented by the lily.
Photo credit: Derek Gee, “Buffalo News.”

February 17 – February 24, 2019

Weekly Activities

February 17 following 10:00 a.m. Mass ~ Anointing of the Sick and Well-Aging in Church

Tuesday, February 19 at 7:00 p.m. ~ Choir Rehearsal in St. Charles Hall

Wednesday, February 20 from 12:00 noon – 4:00 p.m. ~ Catholic Central Food Pantry in St. Charles Hall – NEW HOURS

Thursday, February 21 at 8:00 p.m. ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall*

Friday, February 22 at 7:00 p.m. ~ Parish Council Meeting in St. Charles Hall

Saturday, February 23 at 8:00 p.m. ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall*

Sunday, February 24 following 10:00 a.m. Mass ~ Coffee Hour in St. Charles Hall

*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, February 17 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – Rev. John Kuhlman (Requested by John E. Curtin) and Franklin Edward Jost (Requested by Angela Jost)

Monday, February 18 ~ No Service

Tuesday, February 19 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Rita Curtin (Family)

Wednesday, February 20 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – For the intentions of our parishioners, both living and deceased (Blessed Trinity Parish)

Thursday, February 21 ~ St. Peter Damian ~ Mass at 11:00 a. m. – Deceased Members of the Ryan, Reilly, Reynolds and Pfeiffer Families (Estate of Mary Reilly)

Friday, February 22 ~ Chair of St. Peter the Apostle ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – For the intentions of our parishioners, both living and deceased (Blessed Trinity Parish)

Saturday, February 23 ~ St. Polycarp ~ Vigil Mass at 4:30 p.m. – Ann Skea (John E. Curtin)

Sunday, February 24 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – Morris Heicklen (Son, Robert) and Barbara Draper (Judy Casassa)

Ministry Schedule for Saturday and Sunday, February 23/24, 2019:

Saturday, 4:30 p.m.  Reader: Gary Kelley; Eucharistic Minister: John Curtin

Sunday, 10:00 a.m.  Readers: Bob Heicklen, Grace Iheki; Eucharistic Ministers: Dan Korchowsky, Alice Davis, Maggie Gatson; Choir – Fran Cahill

The Feast of the Chair of St. Peter, celebrated on February 22, commemorates Christ’s choosing Peter to sit in His place as the servant-authority of the whole Church. This depiction of St. Peter (holding keys) , appears in Joseph Mazur’s painting of “Evangelists and Apostles” in the church’s great dome.
Photo credit: Gary Kelley

News from our Parish Community

Grant Us Peace ~ In 2006, the Cheektowaga Central School District’s Music Boosters commissioned a choral work to celebrate the district’s 50th anniversary and looked to local composer, music educator and radio personality Martin J. Wimmer. The texts combine a Chinese proverb as well as a traditional Latin prayer. The Blessed Trinity Choir was privileged to sing this work, which reflects the universal desire for peace in our world, as this Sunday’s meditation.

Peace 

If there is light in the soul,
there will be beauty in the person.
If there is beauty in the person,
there will be harmony in the house.
If there is harmony in the house,
there will be order in the nation.
If there is order in the nation,
there will be peace in the world.

Peace, peace, grant us peace.
Dona nobis pacem.

Choir practice continues February 19 at 7:00pm in St. Charles Hall. All are welcome … Elizabeth

Rescheduled Council Meeting ~ The Parish Council will meet on FRIDAY, February 22, at 7pm in St. Charles Hall. We appreciate our members’ willingness to accommodate this schedule change. Please make every effort to attend, as we will be finalizing plans for Lent.

February Coffee Hour Includes Discussion ~ During our monthly after-Mass coffee hour in St. Charles Hall on February 24, there will be a meeting for all parishioners who wish to ask any questions or clarify items that were part of our annual financial report.

March 3 Mardi Gras Raffle ~ The Ladies Sodality thanks those who have already made their raffle returns in support of our 2019 fundraiser – the first in two years. The first-prize Basket of Cheer is valued at $225; second and third prizes are gift cards from Wegmans ($50) and Dash’s ($25). If you did not receive tickets in the mail or need more, extras are on the tables near each entrance. You may also obtain tickets from Sodality board members or by calling the rectory office (716-833-0301). Tickets are only $1 each or 6 for $5, and returns may be made to Sodality treasurer, Amy Johnson, with checks payable to “Ladies Sodality.” The raffle is only 2 weeks away! Plan to join us after Mass on March 3, “Fat Sunday,” for a special pre-Lenten coffee hour and prize giveaway. We are thankful for the generosity of Bill and Gwen Warren, and local supermarkets Wegmans (Amherst St.) and Dash’s (Hertel Ave.).

Lenten Prayer Partners ~ We are about to begin sign-up for the CCCB Prayer Partner Program. If you haven’t experienced this yet, we hope you will try this year. During the Lenten season you will be given a name of someone from another participating parish to pray for during Lent. Praying in Jesus name seems so important in our world today. Why do we do this?  It’s rather simple. Jesus told us: “that if two or more agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my Father” (Matthew 18: 19, 20). This helps us see the importance of praying with and for one another. 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; you can include them in a decade of the rosary, at mass time, or during your own individual time of prayer. If they give their phone number, you can make a personal contact to introduce yourself and exchange intentions with one another but it 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. Look for the yellow sign-up paper on the tables by the entrances at weekend masses during February. The Prayer Partner Committee invites you to join us. Call, Sr. Maureen at 716-897-9948 x 114 with your questions.

Blessed Trinity Needs Your Help! We’re not asking for money, but for some-thing maybe even more valuable: a little bit of your TIME. Just a bit. ONE or TWO nights a month that will really help your parish. Our last financial report (included in a recent bulletin) shows the importance of BINGO. Clearly, this fundraiser is essential for our parish’s financial health. Just as clearly, it needs broad parish support in the way of MORE workers. We have Bingo every Thursday and Saturday night. Can you PLEASE commit to one or two nights a month? You can start simply by helping to sell things and — as you learn the routine — cross-train for other essential tasks. Our friendly team of workers stands ready to help you. Please contact Kathy Press at 716-445-8160 for more information. Your Parish Bingo Team thanks you!

Do you know that Mass is the highest and greatest form of prayer? The Catechism of the Catholic Church reveals that “from the very earliest days of the Christian religion, [the Church] has honored with great respect the memory of the dead.” In its reference to the Second Vatican Council’s conclusion that “it is a wholly and a wholesome thought to pray for the dead that they may be loosed from their sins,” the Catechism adds: “Our prayer for them is capable of not only helping them, but also of making their intercession for us effective.” Consider contacting the church office (716-833-0301) to request a Mass for yourself, your deceased loved ones, or  for any intention. The stipend is $15.

Has your contact information changed? Our parish secretary is finding that our parish records contain a growing number of not-in-service phone numbers, and the recent parish mailing resulted in several letters returned for “expired forwarding.” If your contact information has changed, you can notify the rectory office in one of several ways: use the form on the back of the bulletin; phone our secretary at 716-833-0301 any Tuesday-Thursday between 10:30am and 2:30pm; send an email to blessedtrinitychurch [at] gmail [dot] com; or Click HERE to use the contact feature of our web site to submit the information. If you choose either of the last two, please use “New Contact” as the subject of the email or message.

Home Visits ~ Please notify the church office if you know of aged, sick, or homebound parishioners who may wish to receive a visit and the Eucharist on the last Friday of each month.

A cherubic angel tops a column in the choir loft. Partially visible below it is the top of a “poor man’s staff,” symbolizing the Beatitude, “Blessed are the poor in spirit….”
Photo credit: Derek Gee, Buffalo News

News from our Vicariate Cluster and the Wider Community

8-part Study on Mary, Queen of Heaven: Mary’s Battle for YOU! begins on Wednesday, February 20, in the Notre Dame Academy conference room (1125 Abbott Road in Buffalo). Join us February 20-April 17 as we embark on a journey into a deeper encounter and understanding of our Blessed Mother. While Catholics know of her and honor her, the Queen of Heaven study will introduce you to her in a fuller and more intimate way. For more information or to register, email diacono [at] stmartinbuffalo [dot] com, call 716-823-7077, or visit stmartinbuffalo.com.

Camerata di ‘Sant Antonio performs Sunday, February 24,  7:00 pm at St. Anthony’s Church behind Buffalo City Hall. We’re celebrating “Carnevaldi” with the Women of Vivaldi in a performance of Vivaldi’s Gloria as it was heard by the master himself, sung by an all-female choir including female Tenors and female Basses!  Also on the program, the WNY premiere of his overture to the opera Arsilda, and a solo aria from his recently re-discovered opera Farnace, sung by a female baritone. Other works from or about Venice include Pedrollo’s Concertino for Oboe and Strings, and Paganini’s variations Il Carnevale di Venezia! Stay afterward for the reception where we’re serving Bellini and Venetian hors d’oeuvres and sweets.  Masks optional, but encouraged! Tickets ($20) available at the door or by subscription. Free admission for ages 17 and under (accompanied by an adult). www.cameratabflo.com