St. Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556) and St. Alphonsus Liguori (1695-1787), whose feast days we celebrate this week, are both depicted in a in a group of twelve figures identified as “Monks, Hermits, and Religious” in the dome of our church. St. Ignatius, fourth from the left (standing), was on his way to military fame before a debilitating war injury. His conversion experience began during his convalescence, and his writings during that time culminated in his greatest work, the Spiritual Exercises. Founder of the Jesuits, his feastday is July 31. St. Alphonsus, the first standing figure on the left, is pictured with a pen and book. Although he acquired fame as a writer, the founder of the Redemptorist Congregation is also remembered for his preaching and pastoral reforms. His feast is celebrated on August 1. The dome painting is by Buffalo-born artist Joseph Mazur; the photo by Gary Kelley.
July 26 – August 2, 2020
Weekly Activities
The Celebration of 10 A. M. Mass on Sunday has resumed.
Sunday services resumed on June 21, 2020; daily and Saturday Masses, meetings and activities are cancelled until further notice, with the exception of the Food Pantry.
Wednesday, August 5, from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. ~ EXTENDED HOURS ~ Catholic Central Food Pantry in St. Charles Hall
Now operating every other Wednesday (August 5, August 19, Sept 2, etc.) but with extended hours. Volunteers will distribute pre-prepared bags of groceries.
Monday, August 10 at 6:30 p.m.
Mass Intentions
Sunday, July 26 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – Eternal Joy for Richard Plunkett (Requested by Amy Johnson)
The celebration of Daily Mass for the public has not yet resumed at Blessed Trinity. Daily Mass readings for the week of July 26 are available on the website of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops by Clicking HERE. Select the desired day on their Roman Liturgical Calendar, and the text of the readings for that day will appear.
Sunday, August 2 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – Intentions of Blessed Trinity Parishioners (Requested by the Parish)
Lector Schedule ~ July 26: Judy Casassa; August 2: Don Williams
News from our Parish Community
Reflection on Sunday’s Gospel by Sr. Regina Murphy, SSMN: Matthew 13:44-52
This Sunday’s gospel is a continuation of Jesus’ parables about the kingdom of heaven. The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, or like a merchant searching for fine pearls. The one who finds either will sell all that he has to obtain that which he values above all else. Two more parables are used to illustrate that the kingdom of heaven is for those who are good and righteous. We learn that the kingdom of heaven is something of great value, something we search for, long for; something we will pay dearly for. But, do we know what the kingdom of heaven is?
Contemporary parables play out right in front of us every day. The other night on the television news there was the story of a woman whose husband had early-onset Alzheimer’s and was in a nursing home. She never wanted him to be alone and so visited him daily – until Covid-!9 made that impossible. And so, when the nursing home advertised for a dishwasher, she applied for the job so that she could continue to see her husband daily. Her love found a way. Perhaps the kingdom of heaven is a world infused with that kind of love.
Pre-Covid, an elderly priest was in the hospital, on a ventilator for a lung ailment. The pandemic reached critical proportions while he was in the hospital and there was a shortage of ventilators. When a younger man, a husband and father, was brought in with Covid-19, there were no more ventilators. The priest gave up his own ventilator, saving the stranger’s life while losing his own.
Several years ago, a young man walked into an Amish school house and shot and killed many of the Amish children before killing himself. The mothers of those Amish children embraced the parents of the shooter to show their forgiveness for their son.
Never-ending love, complete selflessness, unlimited forgiveness. Perhaps, like Solomon, we need to pray for an understanding heart to know what is right, and to be “conformed to the image of God’s Son,” as St Paul says is our predestination. The kingdom of heaven is not some nebulous other world. It is as real as we wish to make it.
“Vacation Bible School in a Bag” ~ This is the last Sunday (July 26) to pick up your “Vacation Bible School in a Bag” for all children up to grade 7 (Fall 2020). Pick them up from Please see Pat Dyer after Mass of yours. Our Faith Formation Page has so many more resources for children, and information about programs for adult parishioners as well. Click HERE to see what you’ve been missing..
Birthday Blessings on all our parishioners who celebrated a birthday during the month of July.
Second Collection on August 2 is for the Retired Diocesan Priests Medical Benefits Fund. Please be generous..
Our Friends at Family Promise of WNY have just completed renovations to their facility on Hickory Street. When they are able to resume intakes in the coming weeks, they will do so with double the capacity as “a safer, more private and more comfortable shelter” for temporarily homeless families. Their anticipation is heightened as they brace for the housing crisis that they know is coming when the current NYS eviction moratorium is lifted. Blessed Trinity is a support congregation for Family Promise. To learn more about this community asset, Click HERE or call Amy Johnson to see how you can help our parish Family Promise team.
Gardening Angels ~ We extend prayerful thanks for Judy Casassa who has devoted many hours to maintaining the garden on the east (ramp) side of the church, and to Bud and Mickey Dick for their work on the planters in front of church and the “Mary grotto” garden.
Sunday Mass Under Re-Opening Guidelines ~ Our church resumed Sunday services on June 21. We hope those of you who have been able to return are satisfied with our efforts to welcome both parishioners and visitors while keeping everyone safe. If you will be joining us for worship for the first time since March, please know that we are observing guidelines as required by the Diocese of Buffalo and/or the State of New York. When inside the church, everyone over the age of 2 is required to wear a mask. (You are expected to bring your own mask or face covering. If you forget, an usher will supply one). Hand sanitizer is available at each of the church entrances.To maintain social distancing, some pews are “off limits.” Families and couples may sit together; unrelated individuals must sit 6 ft. away from each other. Copies of Breaking Bread have been removed, and there can be no music sheets or bulletins. Congregational singing is discouraged (except in our hearts). Please follow the lead of our ushers when it is time for Communion and dismissal at the end of Mass. We appreciate the fact that you are all anxious to see each other, but to protect everyone’s health please refrain from shaking hands or hugging. If you wish to visit (from an acceptable distance), please wait until you are outside and do not congregate in the vestibules.The church will be sanitized before we gather again each Sunday. We hope that everyone joins in worshiping as community this Sunday, but please remember that — for now — there is no obligation to do so. If you are not feeling well or are just uncomfortable being in a group setting, please remain at home. Those of us who are lucky enough to attend will continue to pray for everyone who cannot be physically present.
Have your responded to the 2020 Census? It is a once-in-a-decade chance to inform how billions of dollars in federal funding are allocated for critical public services. The current corona virus pandemic should certainly enforce in our minds how crucial such funding can be. 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. The Diocese of Buffalo has joined other faith communities and civic organizations in encouraging all people in our community to participate. If you have not yet returned the census form mailed to you in March, you may receive a home visit from a census worker who will be carrying official identification and census forms. Please cooperate as he/she is there to help make sure you and your family are counted. If you have internet access, go to 2020census.gov and complete the census online. If you do not have a computer, you can go to any branch of the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library and ask for assistance with the online census form.
The 2020 Catholic Charities Appeal concluded on June 30, falling $1.6 million short of its $10 mill goal. Deacon Steve Schumer, president and chief executive officer of the agency however, chose to see the positive aspects of having reached 84% of the goal “given everything going on….” Although Catholic Charities is a separate non-profit, human services agency, its fund raising was impacted by reaction to the diocesan bankruptcy filing and the coronavirus pandemic which shut down parish life and church services during the height of the annual appeal effort. In an article published in The Buffalo News on July 9, Deacon Schumer admitted that Catholic Charities “was facing a ‘perfect storm’ in that the need for its services grew because of the pandemic, while revenues to fund those services were hampered by the pandemic and a continued erosion of the agency’s tradition donor base, Mass-going parishioners.” In the early days of the pandemic before federal government made additional food stamps available, the News reported that the “agency’s food pantries were inundated.” Now it is “trying to handle an uptick in requests for counseling and mental health services, and Deacon Schumer admits the agency “will have to ‘make some difficult decisions’ to address shortfalls….” It is never too late to make a contribution to Catholic Charities. You may mail a donation to their office, 741 Delaware Ave., Buffalo, NY 14209, Attn: Appeal Department, or make an online donation at:https://www.ccwny.org/donation. Bob Heicklen, the appeal chair for our parish, will be happy to accept a contribution in any amount. If your pledged during the early days of the drive, please remember to honor your pledge.
Regular Office Hours ~ We are happy to report that the parish has been able to resume regular office hours. Our secretary, Pat Pendleton, will be in the office every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10:30am-2:30pm.
Rosary Video for All Ages ~ Our pastoral associate and director of religious education, Pat Dyer, would like to share her YouTube video on The Rosary. The opening portion of her video was made with the children in mind, so be sure they join in.
Diocesan Guidelines for Resumption of Worship Services ~ On May 20, The Diocese of Buffalo issued guidelines for the reopening of our churches. Click HERE to read the 10-page document.
An Assist for the Finance Council ~ Our Parish Finance Council seeks a parishioner with accounting skills to join their committee. Could that be you? Please see Father Victor if you believe you are able to serve in this capacity.
Do you miss being at church? Of course long-time parishioners can probably close their eyes and picture the view from a favorite pew. But if you are not yet able to be physically present, it is possible to make a virtual visit. Buffalo Rising and Explore Buffalo teamed up to give their online followers a “tour” of Blessed Trinity. You can join them, by Clicking HERE. You will be treated to both exterior and interior photos and more than a little history. Take the “tour” and test your knowledge about your house of worship.
The miracle of the loaves and fishes is depicted in ceramic relief by P. Kuhnle over the main door in the church’s nave.
Photo credit: Margaret Dick
Is it time to update your contact information? During the past 4 months when the COVID-19 Protocols prevented us from attending church services, the ability to keep in touch by telephone or email took on increased importance. Even though we are now able to resume Mass attendance, this may be a good time to ask yourself: Does the church office have my correct mailing address and phone number? Have I shared my email address? Make sure that we have been notified of any changes in your 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, Wednesday, or Thursday between 10:30am and 2:30pm; sending an email to blessedtrinitychurch [at] gmail [dot] com; or using the contact feature below 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 ~ Because of the COVID-19 protocols, Father Victor has had to discontinue his “last Friday” visits to homebound parishioners. However, if someone is ill and in need of Last Rites, please call him at the rectory.
News from our Vicariate Cluster and the Wider Community
Help for Victims of Domestic Violence ~ Because of COVID-19, the Family Justice Center (“FJC”) is not accepting walk-in appointments or in-person meetings. In case of emergency, call 911. For help with safety planning or other services you may need during this time, call or text the FJC Safeline, 716-558-SAFE (7233).
Food Assistance for Seniors ~ The County of Erie advises anyone over the age of 60 who is in need of food assistance to call 716-858-8526.