“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” Rv. 22:13-14
The first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, the Alpha and Omega, appear in the tympanum over the church’s main door – an acknowledgement of God as the origin and goal of all life.
Photo credit: Gary Kelley
June 2 – June 9, 2019
Weekly Activities
Tuesday, June 4 at 7:00 p.m. ~ Choir rehearsal in St. Charles Hall
Wednesday, June 5 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, June 6 at 8:00 p.m. ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall.*
Saturday, June 8 at 12:30 p.m. ~ Ladies Sodality Luncheon in St. Charles Hall
Saturday, June 8 at 8:00 p.m. ~ Bingo will be played 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 , June 2 ~ Blessings for Sr. Flavia Dampf on the occasion of her 75th Anniversary (Requested by a grateful parish)
Monday, June 3 ~ St. Charles Lwango & Companions ~ No Service
Tuesday, June 4 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Susan Downs (John E. Curtin)
Wednesday, June 5 ~ St. Boniface ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – For the intentions of our parishioners, both living and deceased (Blessed Trinity Parish)
Thursday, June 6 ~ St. Norbert ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Deceased Members of the Ryan, Reilly, Reynolds and Pfeiffer Families (Estate of Mary Reilly)
Friday, June 7 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Deceased Members of the Ryan, Reilly, Reynolds and Pfeiffer Families (Estate of Mary Reilly)
Saturday, June 8 ~ Mass at 4:30 p.m. – For the intentions of our parishioners, both living and deceased (Blessed Trinity Parish)
Sunday June 9 ~ Deceased Members of the Ryan, Reilly, Reynolds and Pfeiffer Families (Estate of Mary Reilly)
Ministry Schedule for Saturday and Sunday, June 8/9, 2019:
Saturday, 4:30 p.m. Reader: John Curtin; Eucharistic Minister: Michael Ogoh
Sunday, 10:00 a.m. Readers: Joseph Nwogu, Bernice Bradley; Eucharistic Ministers: Dan Korchowsky, Maggie Gatson, Pat Hartinger; Choir – Sharon Dunnigan
Members of the Blessed Trinity Choir participated in the Church Musicians’ Guild of Buffalo’s (“CMG”) season-ending festival Mass on Thursday, May 23, at St. Andrew’s Church in Kenmore. The Mass provides an opportunity for church music directors, musicians, cantors, and choir members to come together in praise and thanksgiving at the end of the Easter season.
News from our Parish Community
Sister Flavia Dampf
Sister Flavia Dampf celebrates 75th Jubilee ~ Many Blessed Trinity parishioners remember with affection Sr. Flavia Dampf, who worked in several capacities in our parish for more than 30 years. Since her retirement, she’s been living in the Sisters of St. Joseph residence in Clarence. On Sunday, June 2, she will celebrate her 75th Anniversary as a Sister of Social Service at a special afternoon Mass at the Clarence residence. No doubt she would be delighted to hear from her friends at BT on this auspicious occasion. Her address is 4975 Strickler Rd., Clarence, NY 14031. For more information, see Judy Casassa.
We thank Rev. James Hassett for celebrating Mass on Sunday, June 2, while Fr. Victor attends the Ordination Thanksgiving Mass of Rev. Moses O. Ikuelogbonat at St. Martin de Porres Church. Father Moses was ordained on Saturday by the Buffalo Diocese.
Sodality Tour Reminder ~ If you have made a reservation for the June 8 Forest Lawn Cemetery Tour and Sodality luncheon and are interested in carpooling from the church parking lot, you must call Mickey Dick (716-832-2540) or Amy Johnson (716-836-4694) no later than this Wednesday, June 5. The trolley tour, “Famous Women of Forest Lawn,” leaves from the cemetery’s Visitor Center on Main St. (opposite Jefferson Ave) at 10am on Saturday, June 8, and returns at Noon. We will return to St. Charles Hall for lunch.
A Buffalo Connection ~ Today’s Meditation, Peace I Leave With You, was composed by Buffalo native William Wirges. William Wirges was a pianist, bandleader, and composer who was a member of the legendary Cliquot Club Eskimos and a mainstay in the early days of radio. After Wirges served in World War I, he went on the road, working as piano accompanist on the so-called “Chautauqua circuit,” backing up singers and vaudeville acts. Ultimately he would graduate to accompanying famous performers such as Belle Baker and Al Jolson. Wirges was a prolific composer, writing popular songs, sacred material, and commercial jingles. One of the jingles became Wirges’ best-known number, the song “Chiquita Banana” written with lyricists Garth Montgomery and Len Mackenzie. Wirges also composed at least one extended, semi-classical choral work, “Mississippi Lament.”
As we approach Pentecost, let’s keep in mind today’s Entrance Antiphon: O Lord, hear my voice, for I have called to you; of you my heart has spoken: Seek his face; hide not your face from me, alleluia. God has given each of us unique talents to glorify Him – let’s enjoy our journey guided by the Holy Spirit!
Choir practice continues June 4 at 7pm in St. Charles Hall. All are welcome to add your voices…Elizabeth
Catholic Communication Collection ~ Please be generous in your support of The Catholic Communication Campaign, a special collection on the weekend of June 8/9. It’s “how the Good News gets around.”
Wedding Bells ~ Osaze (Ozy) Ibhawa and Bethany Anderson will be married at Blessed Trinity Church on Saturday, June 22, Many parishioners know Fr. Victor’s younger brother who once resided in the rectory and has served as both an usher and bingo worker. He and Bethany are inviting members of the parish to add to the joy of the occasion and celebrate with their family and friends by attending the 1pm ceremony.
Eucharistic Minister Training ~ If you are interested in serving as an Eucharistic Minister, please talk to Father Victor so that you can be included in the training session which is scheduled to take place in the near future.
Docent Tom Brodfuehrer (2d from right) takes a breather with one of the many visitor groups he escorted around the church perimeter while describing architectural details.
Thank you to the docents, greeters, salespeople, and other volunteers who helped with the Sacred Sites Open House on Sunday, May 19. Despite the fencing out front, we welcomed more than 70 people to our unique “medieval” edifice, a record number for a one-day Open House! Everyone seemed to have a good time. There were lots of recollections and positive comments about the church and the people in it. Kudos to our great team: Vera Andrews, Eleanor Ash, Tom Brodfuehrer, Judy Casassa, Mickey Dick, Tom Dinder, Susan Duval, Mary Karlis, Toni Maus, Marianne Pernick, Sr. Liz Savage, and Nancy Yager.
Blessed Trinity featured on Channel 2 ~ WGRZ-TV’s Kevin O’Neill and Channel 2 photographer, Charles, visited Blessed Trinity very early Thursday morning April 25, for a live “Daybreak” feature. They also did a much lengthier Facebook Live session with members of our docent team. [Click HERE to view their video].
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 most recent financial report 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!
Our Kids Parent Education and Awareness Program (OKPEAP) is a Catholic Charities program available to families who are experiencing conflict related to custody issues. Visit ccwny.org/okpeap.
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.
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.
Nothing says spring like this fantastic rhododendron in bloom in the garden on the west side of the church.
News from our Vicariate Cluster and the Wider Community
Rummage Sale Fundraiser, Friday, June 7 – Sunday, June 9 at Our Lady of Fatima Shrine (Fatima Hall, 1023 Swann Road, off Route 18, in Lewiston). Friday and Saturday from 9 am-5 pm, and on Sunday from 10 am-5 pm.
Garden Party & Flower Show Fundraiser, Saturday June 15 (3-7:30 pm) at Our Lady of Fatima Shrine (1023 Swann Road, off Rt. 18, in Lewiston). The evening will feature fresh fried dough, appetizers served from 4-5 pm, gourmet buffet served at 6 pm, floral basket raffle and sale, Hat Contest, and a cash wine and beer tent. Proceeds benefit the Shrine’s Beautification Fund. Tickets limited to 200. For information, call 716-754-7489.