“Blessed Trinity’s Altar of Sacrifice is dedicated to St. Isaac Jogues and his companions. (They are commemorated in a single celebration on October 19). It is a longstanding practice to place relics of martyrs and saints in the altar or an altar stone within an altar.” The relics in the Altar of Sacrifice include one of St. Isaac Jogues (Jesuit missionary to New York State martyred in 1644). Relics of two other Jesuit missionaries, St. Charles Garnier and St. Gabriel Lelamant (martyred by the Iroquois in 1649) are contained in our Tabernacle Altar. Rev. Walter Kern’s Guidebook to Blessed Trinity Roman Catholic Church at page 29.
October 13 – October 20, 2019
Weekly Activities
Tuesday, October 15 at 7:00 p.m. ~ Choir rehearsal in St. Charles Hall
Wednesday, October 16 from 12:00 noon – 4:00 p.m. ~ Catholic Central Food Pantry in St. Charles Hall (Food Pantry operates every Wednesday from Noon-4pm)
Wednesday, October 16 at 7:00 p.m. ~ Parish Council Meeting in St. Charles Hall
Thursday, October 17 at 8:00 p.m. ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall.*
Saturday, October 19 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 , October 13 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. -Eternal rest for William Koch (Requested by Mickey Dick and Judy Casassa)
Monday,October 14 ~ St. Callistus I – No Service
Tuesday, October 15 ~ St. Teresa of Jesus ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Deceased Members of the Ryan, Reilly, Reynolds and Pfeiffer Families (Estate of Mary Reilly)
Wednesday, October 16 ~ St. Hedwig; St. Margaret Mary Alacoque ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Eternal Rest for Mary Anne Andrade (Family & Friends)
Thursday, October 17 ~ St. Ignatius of Antioch ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – For the intentions of our parishioners, both living and deceased (Blessed Trinity Parish)
Friday, October 18 ~ St. Luke, Evangelist ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Deceased Members of the Ryan, Reilly, Reynolds and Pfeiffer Families (Estate of Mary Reilly)
Saturday, October 19 ~ Wedding Mass of Greg Gaglione and Theresa Johnson at 1:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 19 ~ St. John de Brebeuf and St. Isaac Jogues & Companions ~ Mass at 4:30 p.m. – Eternal Rest for Mary Anne Andrade (Family & Friends)
Sunday, October 20 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – Bridget Blesnuk – Anniversary Remembrance (Her Parents)
Ministry Schedule for Saturday and Sunday, October 19/20, 2019:
Saturday, 4:30 p.m. Reader: Michael Ogoh; Eucharistic Minister: Lorna Cameron
Sunday, 10:00 a.m. Readers: Fran Cahill, Avery White; Eucharistic Ministers: Dan Korchowsky, Alice Davis, Toni Maus; Choir – Mary Kresse
“St. Helena,” the bell which hung in the former church and school building (visible in background) from 1909 until 2018, is now permanently displayed in front of church. It was blessed and rededicated by Fr. Victor in a ceremony following the 10 a.m. Mass on Sunday, October 6, 2019. Usher Ed Marien, a member of the school’s Class of 1944, rang the bell. Bud Dick, Parish Trustee and member of the Class of 1958 (left), coordinated the School Alumni’s Bell Project, which funded the bell’s removal, restoration and relocation.
News from our Parish Community
Parish Council ~ Our Sunday Liturgy on October 13 will include a blessing of the 2019-20 Parish Council and the introduction of its members and new officers: President Palma Zanghi, Vice President Colleen Schroeder, and Secretary Nik Brodfuehrer. Please support their stewardship with your presence on Sunday and your cooperation during the coming year. The Council’s October meeting will take place on Wednesday, October 16 at 7pm in St. Charles Hall.
World Mission Sunday will be observed on the weekend of October 19/20. On Mission Sunday, everybody remembers, prays, gives … but on EVERY DAY of the year, the Missionary remembers, prays and gives. Please be generous with your financial support, and remember to pray daily for the missions: one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and “St. Francis Xavier, pray for us.” The Propagation of the Faith … all of us committed to the worldwide mission of Jesus.
Blessing of the sick and well-aging will take place after Mass on Sunday, October 20.
Our October 25 Wine Tasting is now less than 2 weeks away. Parishioners have traditionally provided an abundance of hors d’oeuvres and desserts, and guests agree that this is what makes our wine tastings so memorable. We hope you will keep the tradition going by donating a favorite of yours. Please bring your item ready to serve; serving utensils are available. The 21 and over event runs from 7 – 9 p.m. and in addition to wine and food, includes beer and non-alcoholic beverages AND live keyboard music. Tickets are available for a donation of $30/person ($35 at the door) from Bud Dick (716-832-2540) after weekend Masses, or during regular office hours from our secretary, Pat. Proceeds benefit the church’s “Under This Roof Fund.”
Our Second Fall Fundraiser is Sunday evening, November 17: an in-house Italian dinner with homemade pasta and specialty sauces prepared by Cugino’s Restaurant in Williamsville. Please save the date! Tickets go on sale Sunday, October 27.
Journeying Through Danger: In today’s Gospel, Jesus continued on his journey approaching the edge of Samaria and Galilee, considered “dangerous neighborhoods” because the people living there hated each other. The group of lepers included one Samaritan, demonstrating how suffering can unite even the worst enemies. The Second Reading from 2 Timothy celebrates God’s faithfulness to us, no matter our circumstance. Spiritan Father Lucien Deiss, a patristics scholar, liturgical musician, and liturgical music consultant at the Second Vatican Council, set the text of 2 Timothy to music for our Offertory Hymn this week:
Keep in mind that Jesus Christ has died for us and is risen from the dead.
He is our saving Lord, he is joy for all ages.
If we die with the Lord, we shall live with the Lord.
If we endure with the Lord, we shall reign with the Lord.
Keep in mind that Jesus Christ has died for us and is risen from the dead.
He is our saving Lord, he is joy for all ages.
In him all our sorrow, in him all our joy.
In him hope of glory, in him all our love.
Keep in mind that Jesus Christ has died for us and is risen from the dead.
He is our saving Lord, he is joy for all ages.
In him our redemption, in him all our grace.
In him our salvation, in him all our peace.
2 Timothy 2:8-12 – Lucien Deiss
Choir practice continues on Tuesday, October 15, at 7:00 p.m. in St. Charles Hall. All are welcome to attend.
Volunteers Needed for Parish Family Promise Team ~ Our Family Promise team will be preparing dinners for guest families Dinner at Ss.Columba-Brigid on Monday, October 21 and Monday, December 2. Family Promise of Western NY (formerly the Interfaith Hospitality Network) provides emergency shelter, meals and case management to local families who are temporarily homeless. While Ss.Columba-Brigid is a host site, Blessed Trinity is a support parish helping with meals. Additional volunteers willing to help prepare and serve meals will be much appreciated. If interested, please contact Amy Johnson at 716-836-4694 or acjohnson4 [at] verizon [dot] net. Facts: 1 in 9 kindergarten students have already experienced homelessness. Forty per cent of Americans are just one unexpected $400 expense from financial distress. Family Promise offers many volunteer opportunities at fpwny.org.
Know Your Faith: How often should I pray? As often as possible, every time. The scripture encourages us to pray without ceasing. “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. This sentence “Pray without ceasing” calls us to a active life of prayer. It reminds us about the importance of prayer, and encourages us to conscientiously make effort towards building a prayerful life. Prayer is very important in the life of a Christian. Through prayer, we communicate with God which is called petition and God respond to us. Prayer help us to raise up our mind and heart to God, by thinking and adoring God. Prayer can do a lot of things in our lives and can turn things around. For a prayerful Christian is a powerful Christian, and prayer-less Christian is a powerless Christian. So as Christians we are encouraged to pray every day morning, afternoon, and evening.
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!
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.
Alumni of Blessed Trinity School joined parishioners in worship at their annual Alumni Memorial Mass, October 6, 2019.
News from our Vicariate Cluster and the Wider Community
Revive-Refresh-Renew Revival at St. Martin dePorres (555 Northampton Street in Buffalo). Mon. Oct. 14, Tues. Oct. 15 (Youth Night), Wed. Oct. 16 with Rev, Roy Lee, PhD. Call 716-847-2217 for information.
A Musical Portrayal of the Rosary, Thursday October 17 at 7pm, by renowned 30-member troupe “Quiet Waters” at St. Philip the Apostle Church (950 Losson Road in Cheektowaga). A free-will collection will be taken. For more information, call Marilyn Fronczak at 716-668-8472.
Meat & Basket Raffle, Friday October 18 at 7pm (doors open at 6pm). Sponsored by the Home School Association at Cardinal O’Hara High School (39 O’Hara Road in Tonawanda). Admission includes beer, wine, and soda. No outside alcohol permitted. Those attending may bring table snacks and a cooler for winnings. A basket raffle will also take place, along with 50/50 split and grand prize raffles. Proceeds will benefit the students and programs. For tickets, call Renee Orr at 716-695-2600 or email rorr [at] cardinalohara [dot] com.
Anointing of the Sick Healing Mass in honor of St. Peregrine will be held on Monday, October 21 at 7 pm at St. Thomas Aquinas, 450 Abbott Rd., Buffalo. Fr. David Bellittiere and the Friends of St. Peregrine cordially invite those afflicted with cancer or in need special healing to attend this healing Mass and receive the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. For further information, call 716-283-0011 or visit stperry.org.
“Let’s Talk About Hope for the Future: The Voices of Young Priests,” Thursday, October 24 at 7pm, St. Leo the Great Church (885 Sweet Home Road in Amherst). Rev. Peter Santandreu of St. Amelia, Rev. Paul Cygan of St. Gregory the Great, and transitional deacon Rev. Mr. Denning Achidi will speak on their experiences and reasons for hope in the future of the Church. The audience will be invited to join their voices to the conversation as we share how hope is essential for us and for the Church.
Saints in Crisis: Following Christ in Troubled Times, Thursday October 24 at 7pm, with speaker and evangelist, Meg Hunter-Kilmer. St. John Neumann Shrine next to St. John the Baptist Church (1085 Englewood Avenue in Kenmore). Rosary at 7 pm; talk beginning at 7:30 pm. Meg is a nationally known speaker, evangelist, theologian, and “hobo for Christ” with an expertise in the lives of the saints. All are welcome. For more information, email Mary Haseltine at maryhaseltine [at] yahoo [dot] com.
Women’s Retreat, Saturday, October 26, 8:30am – 3pm, at Ss. Columba-Brigid, 75 Hickory St., Buffalo 14202. Why do we pray? To praise, to thank, to complain, to listen, to give God suggestions, to ask for help, to question, to connect with God? All of the above! Presented by Betty Reiter, graduate of Catholic Biblical Studies and Christ the King Seminary. $10 donation includes a light breakfast and lunch. Register by calling 716-575-4030 or emailing: leobettyreiter [at] gmail [dot] com.
Requiem for the Homeless, Friday November 1, 7:30pm at Westminster Presbyterian Church (724 Delaware Avenue in Buffalo). The Choirs of St. Joseph Cathedral, Westminster Presbyterian Church and Calvary Episcopal Church, along with a chamber orchestra directed by Garrett Martin, will present Bob Chilcott’s Requiem in its entirety. There will be a free-will offering with proceeds distributed among local agencies that seek to combat homelessness in Western New York. All are welcome.