“When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he tucked in his garment … and jumped into the sea.” Jn. 21:7
Ceramic relief of Peter and Christ over exterior of right (west) door.
Photo Credit: Derek Gee, Buffalo News.
May 5 – May 12, 2019
Weekly Activities
Sunday, May 5 following 10:00 a.m. Mass ~ Ladies Sodality Meeting in St. Charles Hall
Tuesday, May 7 at 7:00 p.m. ~ NO Choir rehearsal this week
Wednesday, May 8 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 9 at 8:00 p.m. ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall.*
Saturday, May 11 at 8:00 p.m. ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall.*
Sunday, May 12 following 10:00 a.m. Mass ~ Mothers Day Breakfast in St. Charles Hall hosted by the Holy Name Society
*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 , May 5 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – Eternal Rest for Edward and Mary Ann Drabczyk (Requested by Mickey Dick) and Terrence Gress (Requested by Angela Jost)
Monday, May 6 ~ No Service
Tuesday, May 7 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Deceased Members of the Ryan, Reilly, Reynolds and Pfeiffer Families (Estate of Mary Reilly)
Wednesday, May 8 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Deceased Members of the Ryan, Reilly, Reynolds and Pfeiffer Families (Estate of Mary Reilly)
Thursday, May 9 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – For the intentions of our parishioners, both living and deceased (Blessed Trinity Parish)
Friday, May 10 ~ St. Damien de Veusler ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Deceased Members of the Ryan, Reilly, Reynolds and Pfeiffer Families (Estate of Mary Reilly)
Saturday, May 11 ~ Mass at 4:30 p.m. – For the intentions of our parishioners, both living and deceased (Blessed Trinity Parish)
Sunday May 12 ~ Mothers Day ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – Terrence Gress (Amy Johnson) and Pawlikowski (Dennis Pawlikowski)
Ministry Schedule for Saturday and Sunday, May 11/12, 2019:
Saturday, 4:30 p.m. Reader: Gary Kelley; Eucharistic Minister: John Curtin
Sunday, 10:00 a.m. Readers: Joseph Nwogu, Miles James; Eucharistic Ministers: Dan Korchowsky, Pat Hartinger, Alice Davis; Choir – Kathleen Marien
The month of May is dedicated to our Mother Mary. This statue of the Virgin, restored in 2011, was a gift to the parish on its founding in 1906.
News from our Parish Community
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.
Mother’s Day Breakfast ~ Our Holy Name Society is inviting all women of the parish to be their guests at next Sunday’s Mother Day Breakfast following the 10 AM Mass. If you wish to attend, please remember to make a reservation this week by calling the rectory office (716-833-0301) during regular business hours, Tuesday-Thursday, 10:30-2:30. Daughters, mothers, sisters, similar in-laws are welcome, but we are not able to host children at this event. A $5 donation for each non-parishioner guest will be collected at the door.
Considerate Parking ~ Our church is fortunate to have ample off-street parking places for everyone attending religious services. In the interest of safety for everyone using the driveway on the east side of church, PLEASE DO NOT PARK on the sidewalk near the garden and wheelchair ramp. Be courteous and leave the designated “handicapped” spaces for those who really need them. This is especially important now that construction equipment is present.
Medieval to Modern ~ On Sunday, May 19, from 12 noon to 3:00 pm, Blessed Trinity Church will participate in the New York Landmarks Conservancy’s Sacred Sites Open House Weekend. The theme of this ninth annual statewide event is “Medieval to Modern: Celebrating New York’s Religious Art and Architecture.” Special emphasis that afternoon will be on the “medieval” (12th Century Romanesque) features of our church and the Italian churches on which our house of worship is modeled. Free docent-led tours will be available. This weekend’s bulletins contain a flyer with information about the event. Please pass this on to a family member or friend and encourage them to visit our unique and beautiful house for a real treat (invite them to attend 10:00 am Mass as well)!
The Best of Agape ~ In addition to enjoying all the culinary treats on our Agape table, Sunday’s guests had the fun of voting for their favorites. After the ballots were all counted, Dan and Jacquie Korchowsky’s chicken & smoked sausage gumbo edged out Joe Nwoga’s Jeloff rice for main course honors. Vera Andrew’s taco salad was the favorite among the appetizers, and Amy Johnson’s fruit bowl was the salad of choice. The “hands-up” favorite dessert was Don Williams’ chocolate cheesecake, and another dessert – Mickey Dick’s lamb cake – was the top vote-getter in the “other” category. Thank you to everyone who contributed and attended.
Easter Remembrances ~ The following people are being remembered in the Masses celebrated at Blessed Trinity during the Easter Season: Robert and Anna Anderson, Mabel Andrew, Michael Andrew, Bridget Blesnuk, deceased member of the Blessed Trinity Choir, Robert and Beverly Brodfuehrer, deceased members of the Cameron Family, John and Rita Curtin, Kevin Davis, Theodore Davis, Leonard and Mary Dinder, Bernadette Dorsheimer, John and Elizabeth Duffy, Kristi Duffy, Michael Duffy, Tom Eldred, Alexis Farrar, Terrence Gress, deceased members of the Grover and Stiffler Families, Christina Hartinger, deceased members of the the Knott and Dick Families, Kazmiersz and Sophia Kresse, Richard and Julie Kresse, Dr. Lawrence and Marg Miano, Shirley Monnin, Mary Nelson, William Parker, Marge Press, Matthew and Anna Rebovich, Elizabeth Shields, Joan Shields, Thomas Simmons, Carl and Evelyn Schmelzer, Carol Schmelzer, and Geraldine Waters. We thank all those whose donations underwrote the cost of our Easter plants in remembrance of their loved ones.
Plenty of Fish ~ This weekend’s readings were filled with all kinds of imagery, all of which lead easily to great musical selections – Joy! Lambs! Fishing! Water! Food! The Communion Hymn, Song of the Body of Christ, by David Haas has always intrigued me because it is based on a traditional Hawaiian melody. The “composer” listed in our Breaking Bread hymnal is No Ke Ano’ Ahi Ahi, which is actually the name of the traditional Hawaiian chant. It is believed to be either a celebration of Lunalilo’s voyage to America or a description of a romance between the prince and a woman named Pua Rose. In 1989, David Haas adapted the melody and created the text we sing during Mass. Somehow it always makes me think of water and beaches – and the text certainly combines many of this week’s liturgical themes.
We come to share our story,
we come to break the bread,
we come to know our rising from the dead.
We come as your people,
we come as your own,
united with each other, love finds a home.
We are called to heal the broken,
to be hope for the poor;
we are called to feed the hungry at our door.
Bread of life and cup of promise,
in this meal we all are one.
In our dying and our rising, may your kingdom come.
You will lead and we shall follow,
you will be the breath of life;
living water, we are thirsting for your light.
We will live and sing your praises,
“Alleluia” is our song.
May we live in love and peace our whole life long.
Choir practice resumes Tuesday, May 21, at 7:00pm in St. Charles Hall. All are welcome….Elizabeth
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.
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.”
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.
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.
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] orgDo 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.
Examples of medieval iconography on church facade.
Photo credit: Steve Mangione
Photo by Steve Mangione
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