St. Bonaventure
July 15
St. Bonaventure (1221-1274) is depicted on the right in this mural at Blessed Trinity’s right side altar devoted to the Sacred Heart. The saint is associated with devotion to the Sacred Heart, which “arose out of reverence for the Pierced Side of Christ and medieval devotion to the Five Wounds and the Heart of Jesus.” (Rev. Walter Kern’s Guidebook to Blessed Trinity R. C. Church, page 28).
Photo credit: Margaret Dick
July 14 – July 21, 2019
Weekly Activities
Sunday, July 14 following 10:00 a.m. Mass ~ Meeting of Religious Education Teachers & Assistants
Wednesday, July 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, July 18 at 8:00 p.m. ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall.*
Saturday, July 20 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 , July 14 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – Birthday Remembrance for Bridget Blesnuk (Requested by Family)
Sunday, July 14 at 10:00 a.m. Mass – Blessing and Commissioning of new Eucharistic Ministers: Fidelia Ejimadu, Antoinette Maus and Palma Zanghi
Monday, July 15 ~ St. Bonaventure ~ No Service
Tuesday, July 16 ~ Our Lady of Mount Carmel ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – For the intentions of our parishioners, both living and deceased (Blessed Trinity Parish)
Wednesday, July 17 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Deceased Members of the Ryan, Reilly, Reynolds and Pfeiffer Families (Estate of Mary Reilly)
Thursday, July 18 ~ St. Camillus de Lellis ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Deceased Members of the Ryan, Reilly, Reynolds and Pfeiffer Families (Estate of Mary Reilly)
Friday, July 19 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Deceased Members of the Ryan, Reilly, Reynolds and Pfeiffer Families (Estate of Mary Reilly)
Saturday, July 20 ~ St. Apollinaris ~ Mass at 4:30 p.m. – For the intentions of our parishioners, both living and deceased (Blessed Trinity Parish)
Sunday, July 21 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – Deceased Members of the Ryan, Reilly, Reynolds and Pfeiffer Families (Estate of Mary Reilly)
Ministry Schedule for Saturday and Sunday, July 20/21, 2019:
Saturday, 4:30 p.m. Reader: Gary Kelley; Eucharistic Minister: John Curtin
Sunday, 10:00 a.m. Readers: Joe Nwogu, Bernice Bradley; Eucharistic Ministers: Fran Cahill, Pat Hartinger, Toni Maus
Saint Kateri Tekakwitha
Woodcarving, gift of the Southtowns Woodcarvers of WNY
Right (West) Transept Wall
On October 21, 2012, Blessed Kateri became the first Native American to be canonized. The daughter of a Mohawk warrior and Catholic Algonquin woman, Kateri was born in a Mohawk fortress near Auriesville, New York. Photo credit: Margaret Dick
News from our Parish Community
Religious education teachers and assistants will meet with Father Victor following Mass on Sunday, July 14.
Peter’s Pence ~ The annual collection known as Peter’s Pence will take place at Masses on July 13/14. Your generosity helps the Holy Father: continue his pastoral care for the Church, share the gospel message throughout the world, and assist victims of disasters. Please use the special envelope in your July – Sept. packet and help Pope Francis “profess faith, bestow love, and impart hope.” Thank you.
Commissioning Ceremony ~ On Sunday, July 14, parishioners Fidelia Ejimadu, Antoinette Maus, and Palma Zanghi will receive a special blessing and be commissioned as Eucharistic Ministers to serve our congregation. Please join in thanking and congratulating the women who have successfully completed the diocesan training requirements to become Eucharistic Ministers.
Sing On ~ How Can I Keep From Singing? (also known by My Life Flows On in Endless Song) is a Christian hymn with music written by American Baptist minister Robert Wadsworth Lowry. The song is frequently, though erroneously, cited as a traditional Quaker or Shaker hymn.The original composition has now entered into the public domain, and appears in several hymnals and song collections, both in its original form and with a revised text. Though it is not, in fact, a Quaker hymn, twentieth-century Quakers adopted it as their own and use it widely today.
My life flows on in endless song;
Above earth’s lamentation, I hear the real, tho’ far-off hymn that hails a new creation;
Thro’ all the tumult and the strife I hear the music ringing;
It finds an echo in my soul — How can I keep from singing?
What tho’ my joys and comforts die?
The Lord my Saviour liveth;
What tho’ the darkness gather round?
Songs in the night he giveth.
No storm can shake my inmost calm while to that refuge clinging;
Since Christ is Lord of heaven and earth, how can I keep from singing?
I lift my eyes; the cloud grows thin;
I see the blue above it;
And day by day this pathway smooths, since first I learned to love it,
The peace of Christ makes fresh my heart, a fountain ever springing;
All things are mine since I am his — How can I keep from singing?
Below are the lyrics as published by Robert Lowry in the 1869 song book, Bright Jewels for the Sunday School. Here Lowry claimed credit for the music but gave no indication as to who wrote the words. These words were also published in a British periodical in 1869, The Christian Pioneer, but no author is indicated. In 1888, Henry S. Burrage listed this hymn as one of those for which Lowry had written the music, but not the lyrics.
When tyrants tremble, sick with fear, and hear their death-knell ringing,
When friends rejoice both far and near, how can I keep from singing?
In prison cell and dungeon vile, our thoughts to them go winging;
When friends by shame are undefiled, how can I keep from singing?
Choir practice will resume in September and all are welcome to participate; no musical experience necessary. … Elizabeth
Your Parish Council has just concluded its formal meetings until the fall, but several committees will be working through the summer. Chief among them is the nominating committee, chaired by Vice President Kathy Press. Starting in August, she and her committee consisting of Nik Brodfuehrer, Darvan Draper and Vera Andrew will be actively searching out parishioners interested in serving a term on the Council. If you would like to know more about what might be involved, please take time to talk with any of them or Father Victor.
Anointing of the sick and well-aging will take place following Mass on Sunday, July 21.
Celebrating St. Mary Magdala ~ At 4pm on Sunday, July 21, the SJUP Social Justice Committee of St. Joseph University Church (3269 Main Street, Buffalo) will host a Vigil Service for the feast of St. Mary of Magdala, “the apostle to the apostles.” This service honors the first witness to the Resurrection and offers an opportunity to reflect on the role of women in the church—past, present, and future. Scholar (and Blessed Trinity docent, Eleanor Ash, will deliver the homily.
Friends of Family Promise Day is Sunday July 28. This fundraiser, from 2-4pm, will take place at Ss. Columba-Brigid Catholic Church (75 Hickory Street in Buffalo) and features live music, taco bar, bounce house, jugglers, face painting, and unveiling of the Family Promise Founder Wall. Blessed Trinity is a support congregation for the Family Promise site at Ss. Columba-Brigid. For more information, contact the volunteer coordinator at 716-771-3007 or email grace [at] fpwny [dot] org.
Father Victor will be away from July 29 – August 29. We wish him safe travels and a restful vacation.
Save the Date! Tuesday August 6th ~ National Night Out for CCCB parishes to celebrate together, 5–8pm at Blessed Trinity Parish grounds. This is an opportunity to get to know one another at a fun event. Nice music, good food and children’s games will be available. Bring your own chair! Hot dogs from the grill will be provided. Please sign up on the yellow sheets by the church entrances to bring a dish to share. Also…Help will be needed with setting up at 4pm and taking down tables / cleaning up at the end. Please let Dan Korchowsky or Bob Heicklen know if you are able to assist. Thank you, and looking forward to seeting you there.
Father George Reger is now undergoing rehabilitation at the McAuley Residence, 1503 Military Road, Kenmore, NY 14217. We are sure he would appreciate your prayers, cards and notes of encouragement as he works to regain his strength.
Congratulations are in order as Blessed Trinity Parish has reached its Catholic Charities goal. Thank you to everyone who contributed so generously to the 2019 appeal.
Good news about staying connected ~ Have you visited www.blessedtrinitybuffalo.org lately? It’s been a decade since our parish launched its web site, and seven years since its first makeover. Since that time, mobile devices have become the dominant way to access websites. In fact, when parish council member Nik Brodfuehrer reviewed our usage stats, he found that 50% of our present users access the site from a cell phone or tablet. Unfortunately, sites like ours with their older design did not “flex” to fit small screens, necessitating a second upgrade. Our revamped site debuted right before Easter, and we encourage you to take a look. Whether you check in with your cellphone, tablet or desktop computer, we hope you like our new look. Mass times, office and food pantry hours, bingo schedules, and an easy-to-use contact form are visible at first glance. Looking for the type of information normally found in the bulletin? Just click on the post with the current week’s date; e.g., “Week of June 30, 2019 ~ 13th Sunday of Ordinary Time.” In addition to scheduled activities, coming events, and Mass intentions, you’ll also find examples of church symbolism and artwork relating to the week’s readings or feast days. While you are away on vacation this summer, stay in touch with your parish family by visiting www.blessedtrinitybuffalo.org.
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.
“For in him were created all things in heaven and on earth, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers….” Col 1:16
There are 27 full-length angels appearing in Joseph Mazur’s painting in the great dome of our church. “They represent the ‘Nine Choirs of Heavenly Beings or Angels’ who worship and serve God.” (Rev. Walter Kern’s “Guidebook to Blessed Trinity R. C. Church,” page 33).
Photo credit: Gary Kelley
News from our Vicariate Cluster and the Wider Community
The Ignatian Volunteer Corps (“IVC”) of Buffalo seeks new members this Fall. Ignatian volunteers are men and women (age 50+) who spend a few hours each week in service to those in need. IVC volunteers share their expertise, life skills, and their hope — while learning to pray and reflect in the Ignatian tradition. If you wish to explore this further, please contact the Volunteer Director, Minnie Wyse, at 716-854-6726, email mwyse [at] ivcusa [dot] org or visit ivcusa.org.
Queen of Heaven Carnival 2019 ~ Sunday July 14 at 4220 Seneca Street & Mill Road in West Seneca Find out more at rectory [at] qofhchurch [dot] org or QofHcarnival.com.