Mary of Magdala
July 22
Mary of Magdala is arguably the second most important woman in the New Testament. She is mentioned a total of fourteen times in all four accounts of the Gospel – more than most of the apostles. Saint Augustine was the first to call her “the Apostle to the Apostles.” Mary is depicted in both painting and woodcarving in our church. Here, in a grouping of “Virgins and Widows” in the great dome, she appears as the first kneeling figure on the left. Photo credit: Gary Kelley.
July 21 – July 28, 2019
Weekly Activities
Wednesday, July 24 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 25 at 8:00 p.m. ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall.*
Saturday, July 27 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 21 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – Deceased Members of the Ryan, Reilly, Reynolds and Pfeiffer Families (Requested by Estate of Mary Reilly)
Monday, July 22 ~ St. Mary Magdalene ~ No Service
Tuesday, July 23 ~ St. Bridget ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – For the intentions of our parishioners, both living and deceased (Blessed Trinity Parish)
Wednesday, July 24 ~St. Sharbel Makhluf ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Deceased Members of the Ryan, Reilly, Reynolds and Pfeiffer Families (Estate of Mary Reilly)
Thursday, July 25 ~ St. James, Apostle ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Deceased Members of the Ryan, Reilly, Reynolds and Pfeiffer Families (Estate of Mary Reilly)
Friday, July 26 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Ss. Joachim and Anne ~ Deceased Members of the Ryan, Reilly, Reynolds and Pfeiffer Families (Estate of Mary Reilly)
Saturday, July 27 ~ Mass at 4:30 p.m. – For the intentions of our parishioners, both living and deceased (Blessed Trinity Parish)
Sunday, July 28 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – Peace and Harmony for Maxine Chapman and Family (Seta Chapman)
Ministry Schedule for Saturday and Sunday, July 27/28, 2019:
Saturday, 4:30 p.m. Reader: Michael Ogoh; Eucharistic Minister: Lucille Venezia
Sunday, 10:00 a.m. Readers: Bob Heicklen, Judy Casassa; Eucharistic Ministers: Dan Korchowsky, Maggie Gatson, Pam Zanghi
St. James, Apostle
July 25
St. James, known as the Greater in order to distinguish him from the other Apostle St. James, was St. John’s brother. With Peter and John he was one of the witnesses of the Transfiguration, and later, of the agony in the garden. There are two symbols on the church façade representing St. James, one of which is this shell (third from left) on one of the 45 decorated roofline corbels.
Photo credit: Gary Kelley
News from our Parish Community
“Peaceful Dove” at Blessed Trinity, July 21, 2019
Welcome, “Peaceful Dove” ~ This Sunday, the contemporary music group, Peaceful Dove, from St. Anthony’s Church in Lackawanna came to enhance our Sunday worship service with their enthusiastic and delightful musical abilities. A quick visit to the church’s website (stanthonylackawanna.com) will reveal they are a parish much like ours, caring and active in meeting the unique needs of their community. From singing for the residents at Autumnview Healthcare Facility, to participating in weekly liturgies, to visiting and enhancing worship at parishes throughout the diocese, this folk group represents the essence of parish music ministry. Thank you, St. Anthony’s, for sharing your wonderful musicians with the people of Blessed Trinity! Choir practice will resume in September and everyone is welcome to participate – no musical experience necessary. … Elizabeth
Anointing of the sick and well-aging will take place following Mass on Sunday, July 21.
Cement is poured for bell foundation.
The Bell Project – Phase 2. Yes, there is a new “ground disturbance” near the flagpole on our Leroy Avenue lawn, but it’s all part of a plan. On Tuesday, July 16, Highland Masonry poured a foundation and created a platform for the original church bell, which was removed from the bell tower of the former church/school building last October. After some finishing work on the new structure, the bell will be placed on permanent display. We hope to have “St. Helena” (every church bell has a name) installed and ready to ring by September.
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.
Blessings on Your July Birthday ~ The monthly birthday blessing will take place at the end of Mass on Sunday, July 28, for all who celebrate their birthday during the month of July.
Planning Underway for “National Night Out” Celebration on Tuesday evening, August 6 — a chance 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 to everyone who has volunteered to bring a dish to share. Yellow sign-up sheets may be found on the right side of the communion rail.
Your Parish Council has 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.
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.
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 July 21, 2019 ~ 16th 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.
On July 26 the Church honors St. Anne and St. Joachim, parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This depiction of St. Anne and the Child Mary appears in a stained glass window in the shrine area near the left (east) side entrance of the church.
Photo credit: Margaret Dick
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.