St. Thomas, Apostle
July 3
The feast day of St. Thomas, the apostle, is celebrated on July 3. He appears in Joseph Mazur’s depiction of the evangelists and apostles in our church’s great dome. Thomas is pictured here, the fourth figure from the right, holding a carpenter’s square. It is a symbol of his profession, that of a builder.
Photo credit: Gary Kelley
June 30 – July 7, 2019
Weekly Activities
Sunday, June 30 following 10:00 a.m. Mass ~ Coffee Hour hosted by the Choir
Wednesday, July 3 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 4 ~ Independence Day Holiday ~ NO BINGO
Saturday, July 6 at 8:00 p.m. ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall.*
Sunday, July 7 following Mass ~ Liturgy committee meeting
*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 , June 30 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – Thanksgiving for Edward Wilbert (Requested by “Sam”) and God’s Blessings for the Anniversary of Jimmie and Mildred Porter (Requested by the Family)
Monday, July 1 ~ St. Junipero Serra ~ No Service
Tuesday, July 2 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Deceased Members of the Ryan, Reilly, Reynolds and Pfeiffer Families (Estate of Mary Reilly)
Wednesday, July 3 ~ St. Thomas, Apostle ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Deceased Members of the Ryan, Reilly, Reynolds and Pfeiffer Families (Estate of Mary Reilly)
Thursday, July 4 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – In Memory of Alice Rose Schroeder (Colleen Schroeder)
Friday, July 5 ~ First Friday Adoration, Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction from 8:00 – 11:00 a.m. in the Daily Mass Chapel
Friday, July 5 ~ St. Anthony Zaccaria, St. Elizabeth of Portugal ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – For the intentions of our parishioners, both living and deceased (Blessed Trinity Parish)
Saturday, July 6 ~ St. Maria Goretti ~ Mass at 4:30 p.m. – Blessings for the Duncan Family (St. Nicholas, RCC)
Sunday July 7 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – For the intentions of our parishioners, both living and deceased (Blessed Trinity Parish)
Ministry Schedule for Saturday and Sunday, June 29/30, 2019:
Saturday, 4:30 p.m. Reader: John Curtin; Eucharistic Minister: Lucille Venezia
Sunday, 10:00 a.m. Readers: Sr. Liz Savage, Pam Zanghi; Eucharistic Ministers: Fran Cahill, Pat Hartinger
St. Thomas the Apostle, is also represented by the lance and staff, shown here (second from right) in one of the 45 decorated roofline corbels on the church facade.
Photo credit: Gary Kelley
News from our Parish Community
The Annual Mission Cooperative Plan Sunday is June 30. We welcome Sr. Gaudiosa Fidelis who will speak on behalf of the Sisters of St. Bernadette and their work in Africa. Please give generously to support their mission and be part of it. We will take up collections for the Mission Cooperative this weekend and on July 6/7.
Birthday Blessing for all those born during the month of June will take place at Mass on Sunday, June 30.
Monthly Anointing of the sick and well-aging will take place after Mass on Sunday, June 30, followed by Coffee Hour being hosted by the Choir. (This will be our last monthly coffee hour until September).
Anything but Ordinary ~ We are back to Ordinary Time in the liturgical calendar, but our music at Blessed Trinity is anything but routine! We have switched our Mass Setting back to the Mass of Creation, which begins with #871 in our Breaking Bread hymnal. You may have noticed there is a vertical number on our hymn board in the Sanctuary. That number represents the Mass Setting, which is the music we sing for the Gloria, Holy Holy, Mystery of Faith, Great Amen and Lamb of God. This music changes with the seasons, and we try to use Mass Settings that are included in our hymnals to encourage congregational singing.
The choir is taking a well-deserved break over the summer, but there is always room in the loft for people who want to contribute to our Liturgy through a music ministry. If you are curious as to how the ministry works or are thinking about contributing your talents to our parish, you are welcome to climb the stairs into the loft and check it out. We are always looking for ways to make our Liturgy even more meaningful, and whether you have a favorite hymn you would like sung at Mass or would like to join the choir, your presence and input are welcome.
Choir practice will resume in September and everyone is welcome to participate – no musical experience necessary! Please join the choir after Sunday Mass this week for the coffee hour in St. Charles Hall as we celebrate their commitment to our church. Thank you! … Elizabeth
On Thursday, July 4, the Rectory Office will be closed in observance of Independence Day. Please submit Bulletin announcements for July 6/7 by the morning of Tuesday, July 2.
Friday, July 5 is First Friday. Join in Exposition and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in the Daily Mass Chapel from 8:00 – 10:45 a.m., followed by Benediction and daily Mass.
The Liturgy Committee will meet following Mass on Sunday, July 7.
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.
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.
The Ibhawa Family thanks everyone who came out to support them during the wedding celebration of Osaze and Bethany last Saturday, June 22, and all who attended the live music and luncheon after Sunday Mass. May God bless you abundantly.
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.
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.
Symbols representing phrases from the Litany of the Most Sacred Heart appear above the side altar dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Top, left-right: throne (Infinite Majesty), temple (Sacred Temple of God), tabernacle (tent) in the desert (Tabernacle of the Most High); Bottom, l-r: open gates (House of God and Gate of Heaven), flaming furnace (Furnace of Charity)
Photo credit: Char Szabo-Perricelli
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.
St. Mary’s High School Summer Camps (142 Laverack Avenue in Lancaster) ~ Register now for boys and girls age 5+ at bheist [at] smhlancers [dot] org.
Clarence Summer Art & Plein Air Festival ~ Saturday July 13, 10am-5pm. Painters, vendors, food trucks, and music in Clarence Town Park (10405 Main Street, Clarence), along with tours of the Clarence History Museum and Club House tours. Contact clarencearts [at] gmail [dot] com for information.
Queen of Heaven Carnival 2019 ~ Friday-Sunday July 12, 13, 14 at 4220 Seneca Street & Mill Road in West Seneca with Super Cruz Night on Thursday, July 11, 4-10pm. Find out more at rectory [at] qofhchurch [dot] org or QofHcarnival.com.