Week of February 9, 2020 – 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time

February 9 – February 16, 2020

Weekly Activities

Wednesday, February 12 from 12:00 noon – 2:00 p.m. ~ NEW HOURS ~ Catholic Central Food Pantry in St. Charles Hall (Food Pantry operates every Wednesday from Noon-2pm)

Wednesday, February 12 at 7:00 p.m. ~ Choir Rehearsal in St. Charles Hall

Thursday, February 13 at 8:00 p.m. ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall.*

Saturday, February 15 at 8:00 p.m. ~  Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall.*

Sunday, February 16 following 10:00 a.m. Mass in church ~ Anointing of the sick and well-aging

*To check the Bonus Ball and Progressive Share-the-Wealth carry over amounts and Progressive numbers for this week, click HERE and visit our Facebook page.

Mass Intentions

Sunday, February 9 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. –  Blessings for Gerald Cahill (Requested by Judy Casassa)

Monday, February 10 ~ St. Scholastica ~ No Service

Tuesday, February 11 ~ Our Lady of Lourdes ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Blessings for Greg Senn (The Partyka Family)

Wednesday, February 12 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – For the intentions of our parishioners, both living and deceased (Blessed Trinity Parish)

Thursday, February 13 ~ St. Benignus ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Deceased Members of the Ryan, Reilly, Reynolds and Pfeiffer Families (Estate of Mary Reilly)

Friday, February 14 ~ Ss. Cyril and Methodius ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Blessings for Marian and Jim Skindell (The Partyka Family)

Saturday, February 15 ~ Mass at 4:30 p.m.- Blessings for Rita Curtin (John E. Curtin)

Sunday, February 16 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. –  Blessings for Ella and Joe Loibl (Bob and Mary Kresse)

Ministry Schedule for Saturday and Sunday, February 15 & 16, 2020:

Saturday, 4:30 p.m.  Reader: John Curtin; Eucharistic Minister: Lorna Cameron

Sunday, 10:00 a.m.  Readers: Bob Heicklen, Maggie Gatson; Eucharistic Ministers: Dann Korchowsky, Alice Davis, Toni Maus; Choir – Sharon Dunnigan

News from our Parish Community

Anointing of the Sick and Well-Aging will take place immediately following Mass next Sunday, February 16.

Music Helps ~ Did you notice that this week’s readings were a continuation of the Sermon on the Mount, yet we did not hear the first part of those readings last week. Sometimes, the church musician is challenged to help put the readings into proper context for better understanding. Our communion hymn, David Haas’ Blest Are They, was a good way to provide the “back story” for today’s Gospel.

Blest are they, the poor in spirit, theirs is the kingdom of God. Blest are they, full of sorrow, they shall be consoled.
REFRAIN: Rejoice and be glad! Blessed are you, holy are you! Rejoice and be glad! Yours is the kingdom of God!
Blest are they, the lowly ones, they shall inherit the earth. Blest are they who hunger and thirst, they shall have their fill. (REFRAIN)
Blest are they who show mercy, mercy shall be theirs. Blest are they, the pure of heart, they shall see God! (REFRAIN)
Blest are they who seek peace; they are the children of God. Blest are they who suffer in faith, the glory of God is theirs. (REFRAIN)
Blest are you who suffer hate, all because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, yours is the kingdom; shine for all to see. (REFRAIN)

Did you know Blessed Trinity Church has a congregation that supports Musical Ministry in Western New York?  Join us up in the loft to help enhance our Liturgies – and feel the love.  Choir practice continues on Wednesday February 12, 7:00 in St. Charles Hall. All are welcome to attend. … Elizabeth

Sodality’s March Program, “Celebrating Women Witnesses,” will examine the lives and martyrdom of Saints Perpetua and Felicity who died in Carthage in 203 AD at the hands of the Romans. If you would like to participate in the discussion and prayer service following Mass on Sunday, March 1, be sure to pick up a copy of “Perpetua and Felicity, Courageous unto Death.” The handouts will be available in church beginning next weekend, February 15 and 16.

Faith Formation and Pastoral Associate Corner: a message from Pat Dyer:

Adult Confirmation ~ There will be a  meeting at 9:30 AM in the church on February 16 for all adults (out of high school) who have been baptized and have made First Communion [and are interested in being confirmed]. Confirmation is planned for the Easter Vigil if we are able to work out some meeting times. If not baptized at Blessed Trinity, please bring your baptismal certificate. If you do not have one, please find out where you were baptized so that we can obtain one for you. Contact Pat Dyer at 716-256-2598 if you have any questions.

A general meeting (for all) will be held on February 22 at 3:45 PM and February 23 following the 10 AM Mass to discuss Faith Formation Plans. All are welcome. Come to hear the plans in the works and let us know what you’d like to see here at Blessed Trinity for youth as well as adults. Pat Dyer will have activities for the kids during this time to keep them busy.

Handouts and activities for children will be available in church beginning February 2. They can be found on the table at the (wheelchair ramp) side entrance. Please call Pat Dyer (716-256-2598) if you see that she has not left enough copies for everyone who would like to have one. Themes for the month of February are: The Mass, Helping Others, Commandments, and Lent.

Prayer Partner Information ~ Lent is just around the corner. February 26 is Ash Wednesday. That means it is sign-up time for prayer partners. We hope you will participate this year. Praying for another in need is one of the Spiritual Works of Mercy. If you haven’t experienced being a prayer partner yet, we hope you will this year. During the Lenten season you will be given a name of someone from one of the participating parishes to pray for during Lent and Easter and they will have your name. Signup sheets are located on the tables near the church doors. You may also submit your request for a Prayer Partner using the contact form below. Please be sure to mention “Prayer Partner” in your message.

Know Your Faith: Why did Jesus say: No one knows the day or hour when the Son of Man will come?

This question is an interesting one that reminds us about the two natures of Jesus: The nature of God and the nature of man (the Divine nature and the human nature). And during his entire life while on earth, Jesus displayed those natures. Expressions of his human nature are seen, for example, when he turned over the tables of the money changers at the temple (Matthew 21:12), when he cursed the fig tree (Mark 11:12-25), when Jesus wept (John 11:35), when he said “behold thy mother” (John 19:26), and also one of his final words: “I thirst” (John 19:28). All these words and actions can be seen as an expression of the human nature of Jesus with spiritual undertones.

At the garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-46) the two natures came into play when he said, “Take this cup away from me….” and later, “If this is your will, let it be done.”

As Jesus expresses his divine power through his miracles, he also expresses his divine nature by knowing the thoughts of others. Jesus affirms his divine nature at different instances throughout his ministry, “The Father and I are one” (John 10:30).

As Jesus answers the question about his second coming at the end of time, he expresses his human nature by saying, “No one knows when the son of God will come.” referring to the second coming. As God, Jesus knows everything; he tells us that before Abraham, he was.

So why did Jesus not tell us the exact time of his second coming? Jesus sees that preparing for the coming is more important than knowing the exact time. That is why he invites us to be ready at all times. To be ready entails making efforts to live a better life every day. The practice of living a better life helps not only us, but [also help] others and our society to be a better place. So we are invited to make efforts every day, because preparation for the coming of God’s kingdom should be continuous. 

Lord, help us to always cooperate with your grace daily to prepare for your coming.

Personal Prayer Requests ~ We are continuing the practice started during the Christmas season of remembering your personal prayer requests at daily Masses. Just write them out and place your prayer petitions in the basket on the communion rail in front of the baptismal font. There is no need to provide your name. Your intentions will be remembered at Masses throughout the week.

The Diocese of Buffalo has joined other faith communities and civic organizations in partnering with the Census Bureau to help encourage all people in our community to participate in the 2020 Census. The census is a once-in-a-decade chance to inform how billions of dollars in funding are allocated for critical public services. Census statistics are used to determine the number of seats each state receives in the U.S. House of Representatives, and will also have an impact on planning and funding for health clinics and highways, fire departments and disaster response, education programs such as Head Start and college tuition assistance, and so much more. You can inspire others. Tell everyone – your friends and family, your neighbors and co-workers – that you will complete the census, and tell them why it’s important that they respond too. For more information, contact 2020census.gov.

Please notify the Rectory Office with your current email address if you wish to receive a PDF version of the weekly church bulletin. You easiest way to do that is by using the contact feature at the bottom of this page.

Anyone interested in coordinating a prayer group, such as Pious Society, Sacred Heart, St. Jude, Altar Rosary, etc., please see Fr. Victor or email the church office at blessedtrinitychurch [at] gmail [dot] com.

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 home bound parishioners who may wish to receive a visit and the Eucharist on the last Friday of each month.

News from our Vicariate Cluster and the Wider Community

“The Venerable Nelson Baker—The True Story Behind the Life and Legacy of Father Baker,” on Monday, February 10, 7-8pm at Our Lady of Pompeii Parish (129 Laverack Avenue in Lancaster). Msgr. David LiPuma, pastor and rector of Our Lady of Victory Basilica will present this Faith Enrichment topic. All are welcome! Refreshments to follow program.

Lenten Parish Mission: “The Healing Effects of the Psalms” ~ Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday March 2, 3 & 4 (12:30pm and 7pm) at St. Gregory the Great Parish (200 St. Gregory the Great Court in Williamsville) with international conference speaker, Dr. John Bergsma, a former Protestant Pastor; he has authored many books and is currently a professor of Theology at Franciscan University in Steubenville, OH.  No cost – all are welcome. For more information, contact Brian Ruh at 716-688-5678

Chesterton Academy of Buffalo  (125 Mansion Avenue in Cheektowaga) Presents: “A Taste of Chesterton,” Saturday, March 7, 6-10pm. The Reds, Whites & Brews Auction and Gala is a casual fundraising event that includes local Buffalo cuisine, beer & wine tastings, raffles, silent and live auctions, and a lot of fun! Ticket prices are $40 pre-sale up to February 29. Phone: (716) 674-8101. Chesterton Academy of Buffalo is a private, co-educational, Catholic secondary school in West Seneca, New York.

Seeking Volunteer Opportunity?  The Station of the Cross Catholic Radio (6325 Sheridan Road in Williamsville) has a need for call-screeners for the Mother Miriam Live program that airs 10am-11am, and also volunteers for administrative duties (labeling, sorting/stuffing envelopes, addressing envelopes, etc.). Call Dana Mielke at 716-839-6114, ext. 105. Find out more at thestationofthecross.com.