Feast of the Annunciation of the Lord, March 25.
Large ceramic relief in the church narthex depicting the Annunciation. The artist, P. Kuhnle, pictures the Virgin Mary being invited by the Angel Gabriel to be the mother of the Savior. (Luke 1:26-38). Photo credit: Margaret Dick.

March 24 – March 31, 2019

Weekly Activities

Sunday, March 24 following 10:00 a. m. Mass – Sunday Movie Matinee, “The Way,” showing in St. Charles Hall

Tuesday, March 26 at 7:00 p.m. ~ Choir Rehearsal in St. Charles Hall

Wednesday, March 27 from 12:00 noon – 4:00 p.m. ~ Catholic Central Food Pantry in St. Charles Hall – NEW HOURS

Wednesday, March 27 from 5:30-6:30 p.m.  ~ Soup Supper in St. Charles Hall

Wednesday, March 27 at 7:00 p.m.  ~ Movie Night – Part 2 of “The Way,” showing in St. Charles Hall

Thursday, March 28 at 8:00 p.m. ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall*

Friday, March 29 at 6:00 p.m. ~ Stations of the Cross in Church

Saturday, March 30 at 8:00 p.m. ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall*

Sunday, March 31 following 10:00 a. m. Mass – “Bring a Friend to Church” luncheon 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.

Click HERE for a complete listing of our Lenten services and programs.

Click HERE for a schedule of 2019 Holy Week Services.

 

Mass Intentions

Sunday, March 24 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – Sara Dick (Requested by Family) and 14-year anniversary for Evelyn Schmelzer (Requested by Mary Karlis)

Monday, March 25 ~ The Annunciation of the Lord ~ No Service

Tuesday, March 26 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Deceased Members of the Ryan, Reilly, Reynolds and Pfeiffer Families (Estate of Mary Reilly)

Wednesday, March 27 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – For the intentions of our parishioners, both living and deceased (Blessed Trinity Parish)

Thursday, March 28 ~ Mass at 11:00 a. m. – Deceased Members of the Ryan, Reilly, Reynolds and Pfeiffer Families (Estate of Mary Reilly)

Friday, March 29 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – For the intentions of our parishioners, both living and deceased (Blessed Trinity Parish)

Saturday, March 30 ~ Vigil Mass at 4:30 p.m. – God’s Protection for Feyisara Arimoro (Victoria E. Abitogun)

Sunday, March 31 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – Birthday Remembrance for Sr. Ann Helene Koenig (Requested by Colleen Schroeder) and Eternal Rest for Barbara Draper (Requested by Nancy DeBoy)

Ministry Schedule for Saturday and Sunday, March 30/31, 2019:

Saturday, 4:30 p.m.  Reader: Michael Ogoh; Eucharistic Minister: Lorna Cameron

Sunday, 10:00 a.m.  Readers: Mary Kresse, Avery White; Eucharistic Ministers: Dan Korchowsky,  Pat Hartinger, Maggie Gatson; Choir – Sharon Dunnigan

Stations of the Cross will be prayed in the church
at 6PM every Friday through April 12.

News from our Parish Community

March Birthday Blessing ~ Join us after Mass on Sunday, March 24, for the monthly Birthday Prayer offered for all those born during the month of March.

Sunday Movie Matinee ~ Our 2019 Lenten programming includes a PG-13 rated movie, The Way, rated PG-13, which will be shown in two parts beginning on Sunday, March 24, following 10am Mass. Directed and written by Emilio Estevez, the movie stars Martin Sheen as an American father who travels to France to retrieve the body of his estranged son, who died while attempting the pilgrimage to Spain’s Santiago de Compostela (burial site of St. James the Apostle). He decides to take the journey himself, in an effort to understand both himself and his son. Pastry & beverages will be served; bring a “brown bag” lunch if you prefer. The second half of the movie will be shown at 7pm on Wednesday, March 27, following our Lenten Soup Supper and will conclude with a group discussion.

Liturgical Music During Lent ~ As we approach the midpoint of our Lenten journey, you may be wondering about the changes that have happened during the liturgy. There are three major differences the music ministers must understand while planning the music during Lent:

  1. The singing and reciting of the Gloria is omitted (except on the Solemnity of St. Joseph and the Annunciation).
  1. We do not sing “Alleluias” for the Gospel Acclamation, instead using “Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.”
  1. There should be a change in sensory perception when at Mass – the vestments change, the liturgical colors change, and the choice of music changes.

Lenten music does not have to be sad or slow all of the time. This season is the cornerstone of Liturgical music, as is evidenced by the beauty of the melodies and texts. At Blessed Trinity, we have changed the Mass setting to “The Mass of Spirit and Grace.” We are turning to spirituals for the Communion meditations, as this music captures faith in Jesus and triumph over suffering.  What better way to prepare our hearts for the Triduum?

The Son of God most holy,
In whom He found delight
Stood radiant on the mountain
Transfigured by His light.
Beloved of the Father
And brother of our race,
O touch our hearts and heal them,
Transform us by your grace.

“Lenten Prayer” by S. Delores Duffner, O.S.B., Copyright 1982, 1983 by Sisters of the Order of St. Benedict, St. Joseph, MN 56374. Choir practice resumes Tuesday, March 26th at 7:00 in St. Charles Hall.  All are welcome! … Elizabeth

Lenten Soup Supper
Wed., March 27.
Photo Credit: Phyllis Lobbins

Lenten Soup Supper ~ Our Lenten Soup Supper is this Wednesday, March 27. Supper will be served from 5:30-6:30pm, allowing for a quick clean-up before viewing the conclusion of our two-part movie, The Way, at 7pm. Everything takes place in St. Charles Hall.

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 have been mailed in a letter to all parishioners.

Catholic Charities Annual Appeal is now underway. 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 needed 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.

Support for Christians in the Holy Land ~ On the weekend of March 30/31, representatives of the Three Kings Bethlehem olive wood group will be present at our church with a display of their sacred wood-carved objects for purchase. These items are made by 25 families from the Holy Land who struggle to make a living due to the detrimental effect that ongoing conflicts in that area have had on tourism. Please take time to visit with them and support their livelihood.

Note of Appreciation from Haven House ~ Mary Cornwell, Chief Development Officer with Child  & Family Services, has written a letter to our parish expressing thanks on behalf of Haven House for our January donation of $723 raised through the 2018 Giving Tree. She reminds us that this generosity helps support their 30 programs vital to children and families in the community and extends her appreciation to all of you.

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 ceramic tympanum over the church’s main door depicts the Blessed Trinity. The symbols below represent The Our Father. They were sculpted by P. Kuhnle who worked for O. W. Ketchem Co. in its Crum Lynne, PA terra cotta factory.
Photo Credit: Gary Kelley

News from our Vicariate Cluster and the Wider Community

Friday March 29 at 7pm at St. Leo the Great (885 Sweet Home Road in Amherst) ~ Let’s Talk About…KEEPING THE FAITH in Crisis and Suffering. When crisis hits, how do you hold on? What role does faith play when suffering? Three Catholics will speak about the experience of faith and suffering in crisis, followed by a Q&A. Panelists include recently exonerated Fr. Roy Herberger; Jaqueline Joy, LCSW, Victim Assistance Coordinator; and Jean O’Brien, cancer victim and Catholic mother of 8. Msgr. Robert Zapfel will moderate the panel discussion; followed by light refreshments. Event is free with free childcare upon request by March 22. For more information, visit stleothegreatamherst.com or call 716-835-8905.

Saturday March 30, 10:30am – 3:30pm is a Lenten Retreat: Praying for our Country at Fourteen Holy Helpers (Msgr. Ebner Hall, 1345 Indian Church Road in West Seneca). Registration starts at 10 am. There will be presentations, group activities, and lunch. No cost. To RSVP, call the rectory at 716-674-2374.

Saturday April 6 at 3pm ~ “Mark Twain Live!” with Mike Randall at Presbyterian Village / North Church (214 Village Park Dr.ive in Williamsville). RSVP to Lisa at 716-631-3430.

Saturday April 6 at 7:30 ~ Buffalo Choral Arts Society presents “My Spirit Sang All Day” – a concert of Sacred Lenten and Reflective Choral Music to soothe the soul and lift the spirit at St. Michael Church (651 Washington Street in Buffalo). Call 716-775-7664 or visit  BuffaloChoralArts.org.