“He brought us out of Egypt with his strong hand and outstretched arm, … and bringing us into this country, he gave us this land flowing with milk and honey. Therefore, I have now brought you the first fruits of the products of the soil
which you, O LORD, have given me.” Dt 26:6-10. (First reading on the First Sunday of Lent).
Woodcarving in rear of church symbolizing offering of first fruits and tithes (wheat and grapes) to the Lord.
Photo credit: Margaret Dick
March 10 – March 17, 2019
Weekly Activities
Sunday, March 10 following 10:00 a. m. Mass – Liturgy Committee Meeting in Sacristy
Tuesday, March 12 at 7:00 p.m. ~ Choir Rehearsal in St. Charles Hall
Wednesday, March 13 from 12:00 noon – 4:00 p.m. ~ Catholic Central Food Pantry in St. Charles Hall – NEW HOURS
Wednesday, March 13 from 5:30 – 8:00 p.m. ~ Lenten Program in St. Charles Hall (5:30-6:30, simple supper; 7-8, scripture study & group discussion)
Thursday, March 14 at 8:00 p.m. ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall* Friday, March 15 at 6:00 p.m.
Friday, March 15 at 6:00 p.m. ~ Stations of the Cross in Church
Saturday, March 16 at 8:00 p.m. ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall*
Sunday, March 17 following 10:00 a. m. Mass – Anointing of the sick and well-aging in church
*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, March 10 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – Judith Kettleman (Requested by Judy Casassa) and Barbara Draper (Requested by Nancy DeBoy)
Monday, March 11 ~ Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. – Terrence “Terry” Gress
Tuesday, March 12 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Deceased Members of the Ryan, Reilly, Reynolds and Pfeiffer Families (Estate of Mary Reilly)
Wednesday, March 13 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – For the intentions of our parishioners, both living and deceased (Blessed Trinity Parish)
Thursday, March 14 ~ Mass at 11:00 a. m. – Deceased Members of the Ryan, Reilly, Reynolds and Pfeiffer Families (Estate of Mary Reilly)
Friday, March 15 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – For the intentions of our parishioners, both living and deceased (Blessed Trinity Parish)
Saturday, March 16 ~ Vigil Mass at 4:30 p.m. – Deceased Members of the Ryan, Reilly, Reynolds and Pfeiffer Families (Estate of Mary Reilly)
Sunday, March 17 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – William Stiffler (Family) and Terrence Gress (John E. Curtin)
Ministry Schedule for Saturday and Sunday, March 16/17, 2019:
Saturday, 4:30 p.m. Reader: Lorna Cameron; Eucharistic Minister: Michael Ogoh
Sunday, 10:00 a.m. Readers: Joseph Nwogu, Maggie Gatson; Eucharistic Ministers: Dan Korchowsky, Mary Kresse, Alice Davis; Choir – Sharon Dunnigan
Stations of the Cross will be prayed in the church on Friday, March 15
(and every Friday through April 12) at 6pm.
News from our Parish Community
Liturgy Committee meeting is Sunday, March 10, in the sacristy immediately following Mass.
Wednesday, March 13, marks the beginning of our Lenten programming. Please plan to join us in St. Charles Hall for a simple supper served from 5:30 – 6:30pm, followed by scripture study and faith sharing. Opening with the Gospel for the Second Sunday of Lent, Luke’s account of the Transfiguration (Lk. 9:28b-36), we’ll move from recognizing God’s glory displayed on a mountain to encountering it at street level with Venerable Nelson Baker. Dr. Althea Porter will lead our discussion, based on reflections and testimony from Merciful Like My Father, a scripture study guide published in 2016 by the African American Commission of our Diocese and featuring contributions from members of our own congregation. Copies will be provided. Click HERE for a complete listing of our Lenten services and programs.
New Season, New Mass Setting ~ Liturgy is meant to be dynamic, and that means the music during the Mass changes from time to time.
This weekend, we began singing the Mass of Spirit and Grace, composed by Reverend Ricky Manalo. Known as “The Singing Priest,” he is a Paulist and a liturgical composer, currently teaching at Santa Clara University. He also serves as the main facilitator of the Cultural Orientation Program for International Ministers/Priests (COPIM) of Loyola Marymount University. He studied composition and piano at the Manhattan School of Music, theology at the Washington Theological Union, and liturgy, culture, and sociology at the Graduate Theological Union (GTU), Berkeley, CA. More recently he became the recipient of the 2018 Pastoral Musician of the Year Award by the National Association of Pastoral Musicians.
Fr. Manalo’s music is published chiefly by Oregon Catholic Press. Some of his best known hymns include: Beyond the Days, In These Days of Lenten Journey, Pange Lingua, Spirit and Grace, With One Voice, and Worthy Is the Lamb. For the first time, we will be using the Lenten Gospel Acclamation (#923 in Breaking Bread) from this Mass setting. The choir is learning the Glory to God, which will debut at the Easter Vigil Mass, complete with bells. Until then, we will allow Fr. Manalo’s music to prepare our hearts during this Lenten season.
Choir practice resumes Tuesday, March 12 at 7:00 in St. Charles Hall. Add your voice! … Elizabeth
Black and Native Missions ~ The second collection on March 9/10 is for the Black and Native American Missions in our own country. Please be generous.
Catholic Charities Annual Appeal starts March 10. Donations to the Appeal in 2018 helped to impact the lives of over 152,000 people throughout Western New York with programs ranging from counseling and substance abuse services, education and job training, to specialized services for the elderly. You are now able to choose from three options and direct how your Appeal gift is used: give to the Appeal as in previous years, benefiting Catholic Charities and the Fund for the Faith (which supports ministries and programs of the Diocese); to Catholic Charities only; or to the Fund for the Faith only. For more information about the Fund for the Faith, please visit www.ccwny.org/appeal-programs.Your help is need to continue this important work. “Help your neighbor FIND HOPE.” If you did not receive a pledge card in the mail, extras are available on the tables by the church entrances. Our chairman, Bob Heicklen, will be happy to accept your pledge or check. Please give generously.
Confirmed Catholics interested in becoming a Eucharistic Minister? There will be a training session on Saturday March 16, 9am – 2:30pm at Catholic Academy of West Buffalo. Please see Fr. Victor for an application if you wish to attend.
Parish Council ~ The March meeting of our Parish Council is Wednesday, March 20 at 7pm in St. Charles Hall. There will be no Lenten program that evening.
Invite a Friend ~ Sunday, March 31 is our annual Bring your friend, neighbor, or family member to church Sunday. An expanded coffee hour will follow our services. Details will be mailed in a letter to all parishioners.
A Gentle Reminder that membership in the Ladies Sodality runs with the calendar year. If you have not yet paid your $5 dues for 2019 and submitted your preferred method of contact (phone or email), please do so as soon as possible. Membership Vice Pres. Mickey Dick will be revising the organization’s telephone tree based on your updated information. She can be reached at 716-832-2540. If you are not a member but would like to know more about the Sodality, please contact Mickey or President Vera Andrew (716-704-2944).
Attention Parents ~ Blessed Trinity is pleased to announce the renewal of our Religious Education Program for your children. Please sign up on the pink sheets located on the tables by the church entrances or call the church office, Office hours are: 10:30am -2:30pm, Tuesday – Thursday.
Blessed Trinity Needs Your Help! We’re not asking for money, but for something 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.
The Ladies Sodality would like to thank everyone who contributed to the success of our March 3 Mardi Gras Raffle. Sister Ann Koenig was doubly blessed, winning both the Basket of Cheer AND the Wegman’s gift card. The Dash’s gift card was won by Ms. Teri Muth. Proceeds of the raffle have now topped $950.00, for which we are truly thankful!
News from our Vicariate Cluster and the Wider Community
“Fry-Day” Fish Fry (except Good Friday) at St. Gregory the Great School (250 St. Gregory Court in Williamsville) on March 15, 22, 29 and April 5 & 12 from 4-7 pm. Fried fish, breaded shrimp or fresh baked fish provided by Krolick’s; pizza by LaPorta. All entrees come with sides, drink, and dessert. Eat-in or take-out. For more information, call 716-688-5678. Tickets pre-sale or at the door.
Lenten Homemade Pierogi & Placek Sale at St. John Kanty (101 Swinburne Street in Buffalo) on weekends during Lent, March 9 to April 14; Saturdays from 3-5 pm and Sundays from 9:30 am-12 pm. We feature farmers cheese pierogi and sauerkraut pierogi. Serving lunch on Palm Sunday, and also our basket raffle. For further information, call 716-893-0412 weekdays between 9 am-12 pm or visit saintjohnkanty.com.
Buffalo Urban League Scholarship deadline is March 15. You could receive up to $4000 toward a college education. Please pick up information and application at tables by the church entrances.
Celebrate the Feast of St. Joseph with “La Feast Di San Giuseppe,” Sunday March 17 at 11am. St. Anthony of Padua Church (160 Court Street, behind Buffalo City Hall), followed by a traditional St. Joseph Day Table in the Parish Center Hall. Free parking. Seating is limited. Call the rectory at 716-854-2563 between 9am-1pm for tickets and information.
Friday March 22, 4-7pm ~ Lenten Fish Fry at St. Margaret Rectory (1395 Hertel Avenue in Buffalo). Ticket includes haddock, two side dishes, roll, butter, dessert, and a beverage. Dine-in or carry-out available. Two seatings: first is 4-5:30 pm, second is 6-7:30 pm. Also, 50-50 and theme basket raffles. For tickets, contact Diane at 716-876-5318.
Saturday March 23, 9am-3:30pm ~ Renewing Our Energy: Fostering Faith and Hope, a Lenten Day of Prayer offered by the Grey Nuns and Friends at Madonna Hall on the D’Youville College campus (320 Porter Avenue in Buffalo). Free parking. Bring your own lunch (cold drinks provided). Free will offering. Call Arlene to register at 716-440-9260 or email arlpez [at] yahoo [dot] com.