April 28 – May 5, 2019
Weekly Activities
Sunday, April 28 at 4:00 p.m. ~ Agape Feast in St. Charles Hall
Tuesday, April 30 at 7:00 p.m. ~ Choir rehearsal in St. Charles Hall
Wednesday, May 1 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, May 2 at 8:00 p.m. ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall.*
Saturday, May 4 at 8:00 p.m. ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall.*
Sunday, May 5 following 10:00 a.m. Mass ~ Ladies Sodality Meeting 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 of Divine Mercy, April 28 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – Terrance Gress (Requested by Donna Juenker) and Edward Jost Sr. (Requested by The Jost Family)
Monday, April 29 ~ St. Catherine of Siena ~ No Service
Tuesday, April 30 ~ St. Pius V ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Alice Alfano (The Jost Family)
Wednesday, May 1 ~ St. Joseph the Worker ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Deceased Members of the Ryan, Reilly, Reynolds and Pfeiffer Families (Estate of Mary Reilly)
Thursday, May 2 ~ St. Athanasius ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – For the intentions of our parishioners, both living and deceased (Blessed Trinity Parish)
Friday, May 3 from 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. ~ First Friday Adoration and Benediction
Friday, May 3 ~ St. Philip and St. James, Apostles ~Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Deceased Members of the Ryan, Reilly, Reynolds and Pfeiffer Families (Estate of Mary Reilly)
Saturday, May 4 ~ Mass at 4:30 p.m. – For the intentions of our parishioners, both living and deceased (Blessed Trinity Parish)
Sunday May 5 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – Terrance Gress (Donna Juenker) and Edward Jost Sr. (The Jost Family)
Ministry Schedule for Saturday and Sunday, May 4/5, 2019:
Saturday, 4:30 p.m. Reader: Michael Ogoh; Eucharistic Minister: Lucille Venezia
Sunday, 10:00 a.m. Readers: Chris Porter, Bernice Bradley; Eucharistic Ministers: Fran Cahill, Mary Kresse, Maggie Gatson; Choir – Sharon Dunnigan
Father Victor Ibhawa
News from our Parish Community
Please don’t forget our Third Annual Parish Agape Feast, Sunday afternoon (April 28) beginning at 4pm in St. Charles Hall. Remember to bring your dish plated and ready to serve. Beverages will be provided, and ballots will be available to choose your favorites in several categories. Don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy this expression of community, sharing, and fellowship for all ages. Feel free to bring a friend.
First Friday Adoration and Benediction ~ Please join us in the Daily Mass Chapel on Friday, May 3, for First Friday Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction. Adoration begins at 8:00 a.m. The daily 11:00 a.m. Mass will follow immediately after Benediction.
Inspired by Our Mothers ~ The Ladies Sodality’s meeting is Sunday, May 5, following the 10am Mass. It includes a program in celebration of our mothers, both living and deceased. We invite all women of the parish to join in sharing the remarkable histories of mothers, grandmothers, or other women who have inspired your lives. We would love it if you would also bring a youthful photo of her and your own childhood photo. Please plan to join us immediately after Mass in St. Charles Hall on May 5.
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]. We invite you to gain a greater understanding of the inspiration and meaning behind our church’s art and architecture on Sunday, May 19, from 12 Noon-3pm, when we will be participating in the NY Landmarks Conservancy’s state-wide Sacred Sites Open House Weekend. In fact, we are — without a doubt — the “medieval” in their 2019 theme, “Medieval to Modern: Celebrating New York Religious Art and Architecture.” Parishioners will be on hand to greet you, and members of our docent team will share even more information than we were able to give our friends from Channel 2. You don’t have to travel to Europe to see amazing church architecture, and you can start your tour right in your home parish. Tours are free and open to the public, so please invite your friends and neighbors.
The Lord is Risen – Alleluia! While the Easter Triduum officially ended last Sunday evening at Vespers, Eastertide continues until Pentecost in June. Luckily, we have a rich musical heritage in the Catholic Church that continues to grow. Let’s explore as many jubilant hymns as possible during this celebration, remembering old favorites and finding new ones.
We sang a brand new hymn this week, God of Might and God of Mercy, composed in 2015 by a Blessed Trinity favorite, Fr. Michael Joncas. He writes the following reflection on this piece:“God of Might and God of Mercy” began as a commission from my friend, Fr. Bill Graham, as a present to his parish, St. Michael’s, in Duluth, MN. The original version offers the assembly a way of reflecting on how they encounter God in the various elements of Eucharistic worship: in the gathering of the baptized, in the Liturgy of the Word, in the Liturgy of the Lord’s Table, in the world outside of the Eucharistic liturgy and in their commission to evangelize and serve that world.
About the same time as the hymn was created, Pope Francis issued his encyclical Laudato si’ on the care of the earth and its people. Many of us church composers were powerfully affected by that encyclical and sought to make its ideas available for worshiping assemblies in their sung prayer. Bob Hurd invited us to contribute to a project he envisioned incorporating compositions from a variety of composers in a variety of styles, all of which would further awareness and the message of Laudato si’. I felt that God of Might and God of Mercy would fit into such a project, especially with the fourth stanza’s concern for “the cry of the poor and the cry of the earth,” as Pope Francis taught. At Bob’s invitation I wrote an alternative fourth stanza that makes the themes of Laudato si even clearer.”
This hymn seemed to be a perfect opening hymn for Divine Mercy Sunday, especially since we just celebrated Earth Day this past week. Since the text is so beautiful, I decided to envelope the Liturgy and utilize the same hymn for the closing so we get to sing all six verses. Hope this new process wasn’t too confusing — and that this new hymn filled your heart with Easter peace.
Choir practice resumes Tuesday, April 30, at 7:00pm in St. Charles Hall. All are welcome….Elizabeth
Catholic Charities ~ Our parish has surpassed 50% of its goal for the 2019 appeal, but there is still a way to go. It is not too late to contribute. You may mail your contribution/pledge card or place it in the weekend collection in a separate envelope marked “Catholic Charities.”
Catholic Home Mission Appeal ~ The second collection on April 27/28 is for the Catholic Home Missions. Your contribution will help to strengthen the Church at Home by supporting another Catholic faith community in the home missions. Please give generously.
Thank you to all who helped prepare for our Easter celebration—our sacristans and the Liturgy Committee, Parish Council, Eucharistic Ministers and Readers, Music Ministers, Ushers, those who decorated, our parish secretary, and our maintenance man.
A Warning from Father Victor ~ In recent weeks, at least two parishioners have received text messages from someone claiming to be “Reverend Victor.” The message is a scam that requests purchase of a gift card (Google Play Card) for a cancer patient he is going to see. These messages are not coming from Father Victor and he asks that you please ignore them. Other similar scams claim to be sent from the IRS or law enforcement agencies. Protect yourself and your money by NEVER responding to this type of request to purchase gift cards.
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
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.
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
The Nativity of Miguel Middle School of Buffalo Spring Appeal ~ Access to and the ability to use technology to enhance learning will help prepare students for the rigors of high school. Your donation today will give these students the needed skills to be successful. Mail donations to Nativity Miguel Buffalo, 21 Davidson Avenue, Buffalo NY 14215 or visit nativitymiguelbuffalo.org.
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
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.