April 14 – April 21, 2019
Weekly Activities
Sunday, April 14 following 10:00 a. m. Mass – Liturgy committee meeting in St. Charles Hall
Tuesday, April 16 at 7:00 p.m. ~ Choir Rehearsal in the loft
Wednesday, April 17 from 12:00 noon – 4:00 p.m. ~ Catholic Central Food Pantry in St. Charles Hall (Food Pantry operates every Wednesday from Noon-4pm)
Thursday, April 18 at 8:00 p.m. ~ Bingo cancelled
Friday, April 19 at 12 Noon ~ Stations of the Cross in Church
Saturday, April 20 at 8:00 p.m. ~ Bingo cancelled
*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.
Click HERE for a schedule of 2019 Holy Week Services.
Stations of the Cross will be prayed in the church on Good Friday at 12 Noon, followed by the Solemn Good Friday Service at 3PM.
Mass Intentions
Sunday, April 14 ~ Palm Sunday – Blessing of Palms and Holy Mass at 10:00 a.m. – 20th Anniversary Memorial for Carl Schmelzer (Requested by Mary Karlis) and Terrance Gress (Requested by Peggy Mergenhagen)
Monday, April 15 ~ No Service
Tuesday, April 16 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Deceased Members of the Ryan, Reilly, Reynolds and Pfeiffer Families (Estate of Mary Reilly)
Wednesday, April 17 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – For the intentions of our parishioners, both living and deceased (Blessed Trinity Parish)
Holy Thursday, April 18 ~ Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 7:00 p. m. – Deceased Members of the Ryan, Reilly, Reynolds and Pfeiffer Families (Estate of Mary Reilly)
Good Friday, April 19 ~ Solemn Service at 3:00 p.m. – For the intentions of our parishioners, both living and deceased (Blessed Trinity Parish)
Holy Saturday, April 20 ~ Easter Vigil Mass at 8:00 p.m. – Mary Nelson (John E. Curtin)
Easter Sunday, April 21 ~ Easter Sunday Mass at 10:00 a.m. – Comfort and Healing for Richard Plunkett and Greg McLean (Requested by Bud and Mickey Dick)
News from our Parish Community
Know Your Faith: What is Palm Sunday and why do we celebrate it? Palm Sunday is the Sunday before Easter that begins the Holy Week. It is the day that we remember and celebrate Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem as Savior and King. As Jesus rode a donkey into the town of Jerusalem, a large crowd gathered and laid palm branches and their cloaks across the road, giving Jesus royal treatment. The hundreds of people shouted: “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven! We commemorate this day and, by our participation in the reading of the Gospel account of His Passion, remind ourselves of all Jesus went through for us in order to redeem us and win for us salvation.
The Journey Concludes ~ Now that the palms have been waved and Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem has been celebrated, we turn our attention to the Triduum and the pilgrimage to the Resurrection. Last year was the first time the Blessed Trinity congregation joined in singing the closing hymn on Palm Sunday unaccompanied by the organ. The unity and dedication within our Parish as we journey together to the cross was so evident that this was repeated this year. Near the Cross was first a melody written in 1869 by William Howard Doane and then given to Frances Jane (Franny) Crosby to provide the text.
Fanny J. Crosby (1820-1915) was the author of over 8,500 gospel songs. Though blind at 6 weeks of age, Crosby began composing texts at age 6. She later became a teacher at the New York School for the Blind, where she was a student. A friend of several presidents, Crosby became one of the most important advocates for the cause of the blind in the United States.
Her text beautifully and vividly describes a Christian’s desire to maintain the image of the cross throughout life to become closer to the divine. May we keep her words in our heart as we move through Holy Week together.
Jesus, keep me near the cross,
There a precious fountain
Free to all, a healing stream
Flows from Calvary’s mountain.
In the cross, in the cross,
Be my glory ever;
Till my raptured soul shall find
Rest beyond the river.
Choir practice and preparation for Holy Week resumes Tuesday, 16, at 7:00pm in the choir loft of the church. All are welcome. … Elizabeth
Parish Council Meeting Rescheduled ~ Because the third Wednesday of the month falls during Holy Week, the April Parish Council meeting has been rescheduled for the Wednesday after Easter, April 24.
Third Annual Parish Agape Feast is April 28 ~ You are cordially invited to our parish family’s Agape or Love Feast on Sunday, April 28, beginning at 4pm in St. Charles Hall. Recalling the meals Jesus shared with disciples during his ministry, we hope ours will prove to be an expression of community, sharing, and fellowship for all ages. In the Agape tradition, we are asking everyone who is able to contribute something to the feast. In previous years we enjoyed a bountiful array of salads, pasta, meat and vegetable dishes, pizza, desserts, and more. We trust that this year’s feast will be even better. Beverages will be provided. Please join in celebrating the Easter season and the family of Christ at Blessed Trinity on April 28. Because of the Agape meal, there will be NO coffee hour on that Sunday.
Congratulations! ~ Our parish has reached the half-way point in our goal to raise $15,000 for the Catholic Charities Appeal. If you have not yet sent in your pledge or contribution, please do so during this Lenten season. Donations may be mailed directly to Catholic Charities or you may place your Catholic Charities envelope in the collection basket. 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. Thank you in advance for your generosity.
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).
Your local Victim Assistance Coordinator is available to help you or anyone who has been abused or victimized by someone representing the Catholic Church. We will listen and make a formal compliant. Report Hotline: 716 895-3010 Diocese of Buffalo Victim Assistance Coordinator: jacqueline [dot] joy [at] ccwny [dot] org
Thank you to the Franciscan Sisters of the Neumann Community, located in Williamsville, for their recent generous donation of altar candles to be used at Blessed Trinity throughout the coming year. Please keep the Sisters in your prayers.
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.
Presentation of Offertory Gifts ~ For those who have requested a Mass and would like to present the Offertory gifts, please see Head Usher, Ed Marien, prior to Mass. This also applies to those whose family members are being remembered during the Liturgy.
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!
Is it time to update your contact information? We know that not everyone can attend church every weekend, so when there is important information to be shared, we often mail it. If you have not received some of our recent mailings, please make sure that we have your correct contact information by completing this form. This is also a chance to let us know if you: wish to be included in our online email list, register as a parishioner, or request envelopes. You can also submit the requested information by phoning our secretary at 716-833-0301 any Tuesday-Thursday between 10:30am and 2:30pm; sending an email to blessedtrinitychurch [at] gmail [dot] com; or Clicking HERE to use the contact feature of our web site to submit the information. If you choose either of the last two, please use “Contact Update” 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.
News from our Vicariate Cluster and the Wider Community
Estate Planning Services available on Wednesdays from 3-5pm at Dr. Blackman School of Excellence (2358 Main Street @ Leroy Ave. in Buffalo). Estate Planning Services (Wills, Power of Attorney, Health Care Proxy) offered by Volunteer Lawyers Project and Say Yes Legal Clinic. Pre-registration required to determine income eligibility. Contact Marci Wiseman at 716-847-0662, ext. 300 or mwiseman [at] ecbavlp [dot] com
Richard Danielpour’s The Passion of Yeshua will be performed on Saturday, April 13 at 8pm and Sunday, April 14 at 2:30pm by the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and members of the UCLA Chorus, conducted by JoAnn Falletta. Visit bpo.org or call 716-885-5000 for ticket information.
Fundraiser for St. Mary’s School for the Deaf ~ Saturday, May 4, from 10am to 4pm. Craft and Vendor Show, Food Trucks, and ZUMBATHON (11am-1pm)…Fundraiser for St. Mary’s School for the Deaf S.T.E.A.M (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts , Math) Program participants to help with costs for upcoming trip to Boston. The trip is designed to offer the students opportunities to apply what they are learning in the real world. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at door. For information email carolc [at] smsdk12 [dot] org.
Congrega Society of Buffalo Biannual Mass & Breakfast in honor of the Crowned Virgin is Saturday, May 11, at St. Lawrence Church (1520 E. Delavan Ave.). The 9am Mass will be celebrated by Rev. Chris Okoli; members of the the St. Lawrence Chamber Choir will provide the music. Please contact Mary J. D. Steinhauser at 716-656-7195 to be added to the breakfast count.
Pilgrimage to the Holy Land, October 21-30, 2019, hosted by Pastor David Glassmire from Ascension Parish in Batavia. Walk where Jesus walked…cruise the Sea of Glilee…visit Nazareth, climb the Mount of Olives, and view the old city of Jerusalem. Tour cost includes airfare from Toronto, first-class hotels, breakfast and dinner, and much more. Call 585-343-1796 or email pastor [at] ascensioncc [dot] com.