Week of September 8, 2019 – 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

September 1 – 8, 2019

Weekly Activities

Sat/Sun, September 7 & 8 ~ Election of parish council members at Mass

Tuesday, September 10 at 7:00 p.m. ~ Choir rehearsals resume in St. Charles Hall

Wednesday, September 11 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, September 12 at 8:00 p.m. ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall.*

Saturday, September 14 at 8:00 p.m. ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall.*

Sunday, September 15 following 10:00 a.m. Mass ~ Anointing of the sick and well-aging

*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 , September 8 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – Thanksgiving for the life of Jane Frances Tierney, S.S.J. (Requested by Seta Chapman)

Monday, September 9 ~ St. Peter Claver ~ Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. – Edward F. Schroeder

Tuesday, September 10 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Praying for John and Rita Curtin (Family)

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

Thursday, September 12  ~ The Most Holy Name of Mary ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Birthday Remembrance for William Stiffler (Mickey Dick)

Friday, September 13 ~ St. John Chrysostom ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – For the intentions of our parishioners, both living and deceased (Blessed Trinity Parish)

Saturday, September 14 ~ The Exaltation of the Holy Cross ~ Mass at 4:30 p.m. – Praying for Ralph and Geraldine Stroh (Richard Stroh)

Sunday, September 15 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – Terry Gress (Dennis and Paula Hunt)

Ministry Schedule for Saturday and Sunday, September 14/15, 2019:

Saturday, 4:30 p.m.  Reader: Michael Ogoh; Eucharistic Minister: John Curtin

Sunday, 10:00 a.m.  Readers: Joseph Nwogu, Bernice Bradley; Eucharistic Ministers: Dan Korchowsky, Fidelia Ejimadu, Pat Hartinger; Choir – Maggie Gatson

News from our Parish Community

Parish Council elections will be held at weekend Masses on September 7 and 8. We are fortunate to have 5 candidates for 4 available three-year terms: Luis Clay, Cathy Cummings, David Folmar, Annette “Toni” Maus and Joseph Nwogu. Successful candidates will take office at the September 18 Parish Council Meeting.

Ladies Sodality Announces 2019-20 Schedule ~ The Sodality Board of Directors met on August 22 to exchange ideas about programs for the coming year. A brief summary of our 2019-20 events and programs follows, with much more information as it becomes available. Unless otherwise indicated, all meetings will take place following Sunday Mass on the date indicated:

• Saturday, November 2 – Sunday December 8: Drop off period for Christmas gift items for homebound parishioners and those in senior care facilities.
• Sunday, November 3: Service of Remembrance for deceased members
• Wednesday, December 4: Christmas Dinner Party at The Family Tree
• Sunday, March 1: “Celebrating Women Witnesses,” a discussion of the lives and martyrdom of Saints Perpetua and Felicity
• Sunday, May 3: “Women as Mothers and Leaders,” with story telling by several parishioners about mothers who adapted to unique life experiences and inspired others
• June date TBA: A daytime field trip (think spring flowers and inspirational religious setting)

We encourage all our members to support the upcoming fall fundraisers discussed elsewhere in this post by contributing materials, financial support, and – most importantly – your time and effort.

Becoming Wise ~ It seems appropriate that this week’s lectionary was all about education. “Wisdom” in the Bible is practical wisdom: the insight into things that allows us to make the right decision that is still in accord with God’s will.The readings today offered three aspects of practical wisdom, and hymns were selected to reinforce this theme. If “We Sing the Mighty Power of God that made the mountains rise,” He will certainly “Open Our Eyes” and help us to see His face. When God Summons us, he asks us to allow ourselves to become His instrument. When we Lift High the Cross, we praise God for His victory in overcoming the grave for all of us. As this school year begins, may we all become wiser in our faith, trusting God’s plan as it unfolds before us. Choir practice resumes on Tuesday, September 10th at 7:00 in St. Charles Hall and the choir will return to the loft next week. All are welcome! … Elizabeth

Anointing of the Sick and Well-Aging will take place in church on Sunday, September 15, following the 10am Mass.

Our first every “White Elephant Sale” will take place on Saturday, September 28 from 10am – 4pm. The event is a fundraiser for our parish, and will take place on the lower level of St. Charles Hall. Help will be needed during drop-off days — Sunday, Sept. 22, 11:15am-1pm; Wednesday, Sept. 25, 12 Noon-3pm; and Friday, Sept. 27, 12Noon-3pm — and on the day of the sale. Please indicate your willingness to help on the pink sign-up sheets found on the tables near the church entrances. The following items will be acceptable for sale: books, lamps, toys, luggage, knick-knacks, bathroom accessories, clothing and material, pictures and art work, towels, linens, tablecloths, drapes, small tools (not power), pots, pans dishes, and kitchen items. No electronics please! All donated items are to be clean and ready for sale without price tags. Pricing will be done by volunteers prior to the sale. All proceeds will go to Blessed Trinity Parish, and items that do not sell will be donated to St. Vincent dePaul.

SAVE THE DATES! Friday evening, October 25 and Sunday evening, November 17. Planning is underway for two fall “FUNdraisers.” October 25 marks the return of the Fall Wine Tasting featuring a variety of wines to sample and savor, accompanied by a dizzying array of hors d’oeuvres and desserts. This is a “21 and over” event, but you can bring the whole family to an Italian Dinner on November 17. With pasta and specialty sauces prepared by Cugino’s Restaurant (Main St., Williamsville), this will be no ordinary spaghetti dinner. We will fill you in on the details as they become available, but mark your calendar now!

Welcome Home St. Helena ~ The first building constructed by Blessed Trinity parish was a combination church/school building completed in 1907 at 307 Leroy Avenue. Two years later, a bell manufactured by the McShane Bell Company in Baltimore, Maryland was installed in its steeple. It was customary for a church bell to be given a saint’s name, and Blessed Trinity’s bell – a gift of parishioner Helena Eckard — was named “St. Helena” after her patron saint. The 2017 sale of the former church/school building necessitated removal of the bell. This challenging task took place in October 2018 with the help of the building’s new owner, John Cozzarelli. Repair and restoration of the bell was entrusted to the Verdin Bell Company at its Cincinnati, Ohio facility, and on August 27, 2019 the refurbished bell was installed on a newly-built concrete pedestal located on the church lawn. The parish is grateful to alumni of Blessed Trinity School and two benefactors whose contributions preserved this important part of parish history, and to Mr. Cozzarelli who provided equipment and workers each time the 1,200 pound bell was moved. With decorative work on the pedestal now completed, the century-old bell is restored and ready to peal once more. Hidden from public view for 110 years, “St. Helena” is now available for all to see and a new Leroy Avenue destination, Please stop for a visit and photo-op.

Congratulations and prayerful best wishes to Father Victor Ibhawa on the occasion of his ninth anniversary of ordination, August 28.

Young Readers Update ~ It is with gratitude and well wishes that the Blessed Trinity parish family congratulates Miles James, the first candidate in “young readers” program. Having graduated from Nichols High School in June, Miles has started his first year at Alfred University where he will study electrical engineering technology. He is the son of Cathy Cummings and the grandson of Richard and Joanne Cummings of our parish. And with the example of Miles and our other Young Readers of the Liturgy (David Iheke, Grace Iheke, Avery White and Simon Kresse) we encourage any other eighth through twelfth grader to participate. If interested, please call Mary Kresse at 716-885-6449.

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.

News from our Vicariate Cluster and the Wider Community

 The Buffalo Chapter of Magnificat hosts on Saturday, September 14 (9:45am – 12:10pm) at Millenium Hotel, 2040 Walden Avenue in Cheektowaga. Guest speaker, Susan Pivarunas. Call 716-683-2290 for info.

Free Monthly Faith Enrichment Series presented by Deacon Greg Feary. Monday September 23 at 7pm: FOREGIVEn: Jesus’ teaching on forgiveness as a key to healthy spiritual life. Our Lady of Pompeii Ministry Center (129 Laverack Avenue in Lancaster). Call 716-663-6522 for information.

Help For Your Marriage ~ Do you feel alone? Are you frustrated or angry with each other? Retrouvaille helps couples through difficult times. For more information call 716-474-9371 or visit HelpOurMarriage.org. The next weekend is September 27-29. All calls are confidential and pre-registration is required.

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.

Diocesan Information ~ News and information from the Diocese of Buffalo can be found at buffalodiocese.org, wnycatholic.org, on on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.