This Sunday’s Gospel (Lk 11:1-13) focuses on prayer, including an account of Christ teaching his disciples “The Lord’s Prayer.” The importance of this particular prayer is reflected in its symbolic depiction over the main door to our church between the Greek letters alpha and omega. It begins on the left with the all-seeing eye of our Father in heaven and ends with a serpent and bridge, symbolizing “deliver us from evil.”
Photo credit: Gary Kelley

July 28 – August 4, 2019

Weekly Activities

Wednesday, July 31 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, August 1 at 8:00 p.m. ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall.*

Saturday, August 3 at 8:00 p.m. ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall.*

Tuesday, August 6 from 5-8:00 p.m. ~ National Night Out celebration at Blessed Trinity

*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 28 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – Peace and Harmony for Maxine Chapman and Family (Requested by Seta Chapman)

Monday, July 29 ~ St. Martha ~ No Service

Tuesday, July 30 ~ St. Peter Chrysologus ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – For the intentions of our parishioners, both living and deceased (Blessed Trinity Parish)

Wednesday, July 31 ~St. Ignatius of Loyola ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Deceased Members of the Ryan, Reilly, Reynolds and Pfeiffer Families (Estate of Mary Reilly)

Thursday, August 1 ~ St. Alphonsus Liguori ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Deceased Members of the Ryan, Reilly, Reynolds and Pfeiffer Families (Estate of Mary Reilly)

Friday, August 2 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – St. Eusebius of Vercelli; St. Peter Julian Eymard ~ Deceased Members of the Ryan, Reilly, Reynolds and Pfeiffer Families (Estate of Mary Reilly)

Saturday, August 3 ~ Mass at 4:30 p.m. – For the intentions of our parishioners, both living and deceased (Blessed Trinity Parish)

Sunday, August 4 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – Thanksgiving for the Life of Sister Agnes Clare Hatch, SSJ (Seta Chapman)

Ministry Schedule for Saturday and Sunday, August 3/4, 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

“I will give thanks to you, O Lord, with all my heart, … in the presence of the angels I will sing your praise.” Ps 138:1
Angels in Vincent Mundo’s murals on either side of the Sanctuary express attitudes one should have toward the Eucharist, including praise, thanksgiving, and petition.
Photo credit: Duane Held

 

News from our Parish Community

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.

Father Victor will be away from July 29 – August 29. We wish him safe travels and a restful vacation.

Seek Ye First ~ Today’s Gospel Reading from Luke was all about prayer.  Jesus taught his disciples how to prayer and encouraged them to be persistent and keep knocking on the door.  “For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds.” Today’s hymn for the Presentation and Preparation of Gifts was Karen Lafferty’s Seek Ye First.  Karen Lafferty (born February 29, 1948) is an American Contemporary Christian musician from Alamogordo, New Mexico.  With a simple melody and text, she managed to capture the necessity of having a daily relationship with God.  

Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness,
And all these things shall be added unto you.

Ask and it shall be given unto you; seek, and ye shall find;
Knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

You do not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. Allelu, Alleluia.

Choir practice resumes in September.  All are invited to participate. … Elizabeth

CCCB “National Night Out” Celebration is Tuesday evening, August 6 at BT ~ Blessed Trinity is hosting this year’s National Night Out festivities — a chance for CCCB parishes to celebrate together. Please join us from 5–8pm on the parish grounds. This is an opportunity to get to know one another at a fun event. There will be DJ music, good food, and games for the children. Bring your own chair! Hot dogs from the grill will be provided. Volunteer help is essential for the “heavy lifting,” beginning with table and tent set up at 4pm and continuing through clean 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.

Extensive concrete replacement work has been completed.
Photo credit: Bud Dick

Construction Report No. 1 ~ In May and June we watched masons working behind the fence to restore the front steps to the church. There are only a couple extra “touches” to be done and we can again welcome lots of guests to tour the fascinating façade of the church with us! Last week we noticed signs posted on all the doors of the church. They are required by law to alert the public to removal of asbestos and other hazardous materials. The asbestos is contained in the original tar paper underlying the clay tiles at the top of our roof. There is no need for parishioners to have health concerns about the asbestos abatement work. The contractor is taking careful containment procedures, as required by law, and the work is occurring outside on the roof, far from where people are passing. The asbestos being abated is also non-friable (i.e., solid) which is much less dangerous than fibrous or powder material. There is no danger to persons in the church, or entering/exiting at any time. The abatement contractor plans to start removal this coming week. Once that process is completed, workers skilled in replacing historic roof tiles will start their task of replacing lost or damaged old tiles, flashing, gutters, etc. to eliminate the risk from existing/potential leaks. We in WNY are most privileged to have in our area Boston Valley Terra Cotta, who have been “cooking” new replacement tiles (in multiple colors) for us for several months. As soon as we know the start date for full roofing process, we will let you know.

Reminder: Funding for this project comes from a large grant from the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, with a local match from hundreds of donations to Blessed Trinity’s Under This Roof Fund. Thank you for your support!!!

Our second collection on the weekend of August 3/4 is for the Retired Diocesan Priests Medical Benefits Fund. Please give generously.

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.

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.

Catholic Charities 2019 Appeal ~ 9.3 million dollars of the 11 million dollar goal has been raised – 39 Parishes achieved their fundraising goals, including Blessed Trinity!

Travel AND stay connected ~ Even when you are away on vacation, you can keep in touch with your parish family by visiting www.blessedtrinitybuffalo.org. It is optimized for use with mobile devices, so whether you check in with a cellphone, tablet or desktop computer, there is all kinds of information at your finger tips. Just click on the post with the current week’s date; e.g., “Week of July 28, 2019 ~ 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time,” to find scheduled activities, coming events, and Mass intentions, not to mention examples of church symbolism and artwork relating to the week’s readings or feast days.

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.

“If God can cloth in such splendor the [flowers] of the field…, will he not provide much more for you, O weak in faith!” Mt 6:30
Photo credit: Margaret Dick

News from our Vicariate Cluster and the Wider Community

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.

Celebration at St. Lawrence Church ~ Parishioners of St. Lawrence (1520 Delavan Avenue, Buffalo) will celebrate the feast day of their patron saint on Saturday, August 10. You are invited to join them at 4:30pm Mass, which will be followed by an evening of fun with honored guests, Fr. Ron Sajdak and Fr. Daniel Ogbeifun. A chicken dinner and raffles (win $1000) are included. Call 892-2471 for information.

Employment Opportunity ~ Full time Customer Service / Account Collections position available immediately.  Please send resume by August 12, 2019 to: Office manager, Catholic Cemeteries, 4000 Elmwood Avenue, Kenmore, NY 14217.