Week of July 2, 2023 – 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Jul 1, 2023 | This Week

St. Thomas, Apostle
July 3
St. Thomas is represented by the arrow–or lance–and staff, shown here (second from right) in one of the 45 decorated roofline corbels on the church façade.
Photo credit: Gary Kelley

July 2 – July 9, 2023

Live-streaming of 10AM Sunday Mass has resumed. Click HERE.

This website also includes a “Bulletins” page where visitors may view an exact copy of the weekly bulletin and inserts in PDF format, as well as a calendar for our Family of Parishes.

News from our Parish Community

Women of our parish family enjoyed a friendship luncheon at Blessed Trinity on June 25.
Photo credit: Pat Dyer

Independence Day ~ There is no change in our Mass schedule for Tuesday, July 4th. Mass will be at 11AM.

On Sunday, June 25, more than 20 women representing our parish family attended a luncheon hosted by the Ladies Sodality of Blessed Trinity. Table talk was lively and harmonious, and we are already exploring several opportunities for joint programs in the fall. Stay tuned.

Souls for the Soil ~  Not every potential parish gardener was happy with the suggested “dirt bags” moniker, but the polls are open. You can not only select a week (Sunday-Saturday) to water parish gardens, you can also suggest another name! Dirt Devils? Leroy Larkspurs? Trinity Trolls? You get the picture…. now grab that nozzle and commit to watering for one week between now and Sept 24. Gardening calendars will be available this weekend; see Mickey Dick or Pat Dyer. And no sign-up or supervisor is required to weed. Just stop by with your gardening tools at your convenience.

Summer Solstice ~ Our Bible Study class is taking a break for the summer. We will be welcoming you back in the fall and look forward to expanding participation in our Tuesday afternoon ZOOM sessions.

Thanks to Madonna Hartzell who brought her friends from the Presbyterian Village to tour our church on June 23.

Residents of the Presbyterian Village senior living apartments in Williamsville visited the church on Friday, June 23, for a tour conducted by Jack Curtin and Mickey Dick. The group of nineteen also remained for daily Mass before finishing their excursion with lunch at Chef’s Restaurant. One gentleman, a non-Catholic, was impressed by the fact that ours was the first church they had visited that provided an opportunity to participate in a worship service.

Pastor Emeritus, Rev. George L. Reger ~ The Mass of Christian Burial for Father Reger was celebrated at Blessed Trinity on Friday, May 26. Click HERE to view a recorded version of the Mass.

Food Pantry Returns to Shopper’s Choice ~ The Catholic Central Helping Hands Food Pantry, which operates from our St. Charles Hall at 350 Dewey Avenue, is now operating EVERY Wednesday from 9:30am – 1:30pm. Residents of 14214 & 14215 are welcome to help themselves, according to household size, to portions of carbohydrates, grains, proteins and canned vegetables. Bread and sweets generally available. Baby needs in stock also. Call (716) 800-1075 or email ccfp14215 [at] gmail [dot] com for information.

FAMILY PROMISE OF WNY: Feed the Hungry, Shelter the Homeless. Family Promise offers us the opportunity to perform these acts of charity in a very direct and personal manner. As a support congregation, Blessed Trinity parishioners purchase and deliver groceries to the Family Promise shelter at Ss. Brigid-Columba Parish. With a few more volunteers we could continue this corporal work of mercy at least one day a month. Working in pairs, you could anticipate your turn to occur every third month. We hope you will join us. If you want more background information go to the web site, www.fpwny.org, or contact Amy Johnson (716-836-4694).

• Family Promise is certified by NYS and can house up to six families.
• It is one of only two emergency shelters in Erie County that allow fathers and teenage sons to stay with their family.
• Families are referred by the Dept. of Social Services and receive case management in finding employment and permanent housing, security deposit assistance, day care, school transport, and follow up support upon leaving the shelter.
• In 2020, the Homeless Alliance of WNY rated Family Promise with the best success rate for moving families into permanent homes.

Is it time to update your contact information? During the pandemic when COVID-19 Protocols prevented many from attending church services, the ability to keep in touch by telephone, mail or email took on increased importance. Because not everyone has computer access, really important information is sent in a letter. Even though you are now able to attend Mass in person, 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 receive the bulletin electronically via email, register as a parishioner, or request envelopes. You can also submit the requested information by phoning our secretary at 716-833-0301 any Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday 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.

Enjoy a virtual tour of our Landmark house of worship, courtesy of Buffalo Rising and Explore Buffalo. By Clicking HERE, you will be treated to both exterior and interior photos and more than a little history.

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

Week of June 25, 2023 – 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Jun 24, 2023 | This Week

Ss. Peter & Paul, Apostles
June 29
Ss. Peter & Paul are depicted in Joseph Mazur’s dome painting of evangelists and apostles. In this photo, Peter appears on the right (with keys); St. Paul is second from the left, directly behind St. Bartholomew’s sword.
Photo credit: Gary Kelley

June 25 – July 2, 2023

Live-streaming of 10AM Sunday Mass has resumed. Click HERE.

This website also includes a “Bulletins” page where visitors may view an exact copy of the weekly bulletin and inserts in PDF format, as well as a calendar for our Family of Parishes.

News from our Parish Community

On June 14, 2023, students from St. John the Baptist Church in Alden, NY enjoyed a field trip to Blessed Trinity.

On Sunday, June 25, our Ladies Sodality will be hosting a luncheon for women from our family of parishes. We hope you take advantage of this opportunity to learn about each other and the unique mission and goals of each of the women’s groups.

“One is nearer God’s heart in a garden than anywhere else on earth.”  Now that our gardens are planted, they are in need of continuing TLC in order to look their best for the East Side Garden Walk on July 23/24. Are you willing to experience that  “near[ness] to God’s heart” in our parish gardens? If you can commit to watering them for one week (Sun-Sat) this summer, please contact Mickey Dick and select a week. You are always welcome to stop by and weed at your convenience–day or evening.

Our Bible Study class is taking a break for the summer. We will be welcoming you back in the fall and look forward to expanding participation in our Tuesday afternoon ZOOM sessions.

Residents of the Presbyterian Village senior living apartments in Williamsville visited the church on Friday, June 23, for a tour conducted by Jack Curtin and Mickey Dick. The group of nineteen also remained for daily Mass before finishing their excursion with lunch at Chef’s Restaurant. One gentleman, a non-Catholic, was impressed by the fact that ours was the first church they had visited that provided an opportunity to participate in a worship service.

Students from St. John the Baptist School in Alden, NY, visited with us on Flag Day, Wednesday, June 14. They were welcomed by members of our building heritage team: Eleanor Ash, Mickey Dick, Don Williams and Nancy Yager. The third, fourth and fifth graders and their teachers spent an hour examining the iconography on the church façade and some of the 2,000 symbols found in the nave and sanctuary of our church, with an emphasis on those that reflected what they had learned in religion class this past year. Father Bob invited their participation in the 11 o’clock Mass, with students serving as cross bearer, altar server and readers. Here are some of the things they remembered from their tour:

The outside images that showed the Our Father, the Hail Mary, and Apostles’ Creed,
The lions on the door handles representing courage/strength,
The outside images that showed the Ten Commandments,
The pictures on the terra cotta columns, like the bat,
The outside images showing the Apostles,
The zodiac symbols [in the floor tiles] that showed the passage of time, and
The window that was a ‘clock’ with Mary and the 3 children from Fatima.

We hope they enjoyed their visit as much as the docents enjoyed welcoming them.

Pastor Emeritus, Rev. George L. Reger ~ The Mass of Christian Burial for Father Reger was celebrated at Blessed Trinity on Friday, May 26. Click HERE to view a recorded version of the Mass.

Food Pantry Returns to Shopper’s Choice ~ The Catholic Central Helping Hands Food Pantry, which operates from our St. Charles Hall at 350 Dewey Avenue, is now operating EVERY Wednesday from 9:30am – 1:30pm. Residents of 14214 & 14215 are welcome to help themselves, according to household size, to portions of carbohydrates, grains, proteins and canned vegetables. Bread and sweets generally available. Baby needs in stock also. Call (716) 800-1075 or email ccfp14215 [at] gmail [dot] com for information.

FAMILY PROMISE OF WNY: Feed the Hungry, Shelter the Homeless. Family Promise offers us the opportunity to perform these acts of charity in a very direct and personal manner. As a support congregation, Blessed Trinity parishioners purchase and deliver groceries to the Family Promise shelter at Ss. Brigid-Columba Parish. With a few more volunteers we could continue this corporal work of mercy at least one day a month. Working in pairs, you could anticipate your turn to occur every third month. We hope you will join us. If you want more background information go to the web site, www.fpwny.org, or contact Amy Johnson (716-836-4694).

• Family Promise is certified by NYS and can house up to six families.
• It is one of only two emergency shelters in Erie County that allow fathers and teenage sons to stay with their family.
• Families are referred by the Dept. of Social Services and receive case management in finding employment and permanent housing, security deposit assistance, day care, school transport, and follow up support upon leaving the shelter.
• In 2020, the Homeless Alliance of WNY rated Family Promise with the best success rate for moving families into permanent homes.

Is it time to update your contact information? During the pandemic when COVID-19 Protocols prevented many from attending church services, the ability to keep in touch by telephone, mail or email took on increased importance. Because not everyone has computer access, really important information is sent in a letter. Even though you are now able to attend Mass in person, 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 receive the bulletin electronically via email, register as a parishioner, or request envelopes. You can also submit the requested information by phoning our secretary at 716-833-0301 any Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday 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.

Enjoy a virtual tour of our Landmark house of worship, courtesy of Buffalo Rising and Explore Buffalo. By Clicking HERE, you will be treated to both exterior and interior photos and more than a little history.

St. Irenaeus
On June 28, the Church celebrates the feast of St. Irenaeus, a second century bishop of Lyons, France who was martyred. Our Altar of Sacrifice contains a relic of St. Irenaeus.
Photo credit: Margaret Dick

Week of June 18, 2023 – 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Jun 17, 2023 | This Week

St. Aloysius Gonzaga
June 21
An artist’s impression of St. Aloysius Gonzaga appears in stained glass in the Shrine Area in the church’s right (west) transept.
Photo credit: Derek Gee, Buffalo News

June 18 – June 25, 2023

Live-streaming of 10AM Sunday Mass has resumed. Click HERE.

This website also includes a “Bulletins” page where visitors may view an exact copy of the weekly bulletin and inserts in PDF format, as well as a calendar for our Family of Parishes.

News from our Parish Community

Chickens on the grill at our June 10 Chicken BBQ. Thanks to all who worked so hard to make this a success.
Photo credit: Vera Andrew

On Sunday, June 25, our Ladies Sodality will be hosting a luncheon for women from our family of parishes. This is an opportunity to learn about the unique mission and goals of each of the women’s group and how we might assist each other. Reservations are due by Wednesday, June 21. Sign-up sheets are located at each door of the church.

Students from St. John the Baptist School in Alden, NY, visited with us on Flag Day, Wednesday, June 14. They were welcomed by members of our building heritage team: Eleanor Ash, Mickey Dick, Don Williams and Nancy Yager. The third, fourth and fifth graders and their teachers spent an hour examining the iconography on the church façade and some of the 2,000 symbols found in the nave and sanctuary of our church, with an emphasis on those that reflected what they had learned in religion class this past year. Father Bob invited their participation in the 11 o’clock Mass, with students serving as cross bearer, altar server and readers. Here are some of the things they remembered from their tour:

The outside images that showed the Our Father, the Hail Mary, and Apostles’ Creed,
The lions on the door handles representing courage/strength,
The outside images that showed the Ten Commandments,
The pictures on the terra cotta columns, like the bat,
The outside images showing the Apostles,
The zodiac symbols [in the floor tiles] that showed the passage of time, and
The window that was a ‘clock’ with Mary and the 3 children from Fatima.

We hope they enjoyed their visit as much as the docents enjoyed welcoming them.

“One is nearer God’s heart in a garden than anywhere else on earth.”  We will be looking for volunteers to experience this closeness on Monday and Tuesday evening, June 19 and 20, beginning at 6pm. Bring your favorite gardening tools and help plant our parish gardens. The weeds are waiting to make way for the plants that Father Bob has acquired. Our flowers need to claim their places in the sun before the East Side Garden Walk, which is only a month away on July 23/24. Even if you can only spare an hour, please spend it “nearer to God’s heart” in our parish garden.

Prayerful thanks for the people who worked to make Saturday’s chicken dinner a success, especially the women who spent days preparing the sides and dessert!

Our Bible Study class is taking a break for the summer. We will be welcoming you back in the fall and look forward to expanding participation in our Tuesday afternoon ZOOM sessions.

Pastor Emeritus, Rev. George L. Reger ~ The Mass of Christian Burial for Father Reger was celebrated at Blessed Trinity on Friday, May 26. Click HERE to view a recorded version of the Mass.

Food Pantry Returns to Shopper’s Choice ~ The Catholic Central Helping Hands Food Pantry, which operates from our St. Charles Hall at 350 Dewey Avenue, is now operating EVERY Wednesday from 9:30am – 1:30pm. Residents of 14214 & 14215 are welcome to help themselves, according to household size, to portions of carbohydrates, grains, proteins and canned vegetables. Bread and sweets generally available. Baby needs in stock also. Call (716) 800-1075 or email ccfp14215 [at] gmail [dot] com for information.

FAMILY PROMISE OF WNY: Feed the Hungry, Shelter the Homeless. Family Promise offers us the opportunity to perform these acts of charity in a very direct and personal manner. As a support congregation, Blessed Trinity parishioners purchase and deliver groceries to the Family Promise shelter at Ss. Brigid-Columba Parish. With a few more volunteers we could continue this corporal work of mercy at least one day a month. Working in pairs, you could anticipate your turn to occur every third month. We hope you will join us. If you want more background information go to the web site, www.fpwny.org, or contact Amy Johnson (716-836-4694).

• Family Promise is certified by NYS and can house up to six families.
• It is one of only two emergency shelters in Erie County that allow fathers and teenage sons to stay with their family.
• Families are referred by the Dept. of Social Services and receive case management in finding employment and permanent housing, security deposit assistance, day care, school transport, and follow up support upon leaving the shelter.
• In 2020, the Homeless Alliance of WNY rated Family Promise with the best success rate for moving families into permanent homes.

Is it time to update your contact information? During the pandemic when COVID-19 Protocols prevented many from attending church services, the ability to keep in touch by telephone, mail or email took on increased importance. Because not everyone has computer access, really important information is sent in a letter. Even though you are now able to attend Mass in person, 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 receive the bulletin electronically via email, register as a parishioner, or request envelopes. You can also submit the requested information by phoning our secretary at 716-833-0301 any Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday 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.

Enjoy a virtual tour of our Landmark house of worship, courtesy of Buffalo Rising and Explore Buffalo. By Clicking HERE, you will be treated to both exterior and interior photos and more than a little history.

The Nativity of St. John the Baptist
June 24
One of six large terra cotta oval reliefs in the church narthex representing Luke’s account of Mary’s visit to help her cousin, Elizabeth,
prepare for the birth of John the Baptist (Lk. 1:39-56)
Photo credit: Margaret Dick

Week of June 11, 2023 – Corpus Christi

Jun 15, 2023 | This Week

Our altar rail includes Latin words from the Sequence written for the Mass of Corpus Christi, “Lauda, Sion, Salvetorem” by St. Thomas Aquinas. The words on the left side, “Ecce panis angelorum factus cibus viatorum” mean “Behold, the Bread of Angels is made into food for pilgrims.”
Photo credit: Margaret Dick

June 11 – June 18, 2023

Live-streaming of 10AM Sunday Mass has resumed. Click HERE.

This website also includes a “Bulletins” page where visitors may view an exact copy of the weekly bulletin and inserts in PDF format, as well as a calendar for our Family of Parishes.

News from our Parish Community

Chickens on the grill at our June 10 Chicken BBQ. Thanks to all who worked so hard to make this a success.
Photo credit: Vera Andrew

Prayerful thanks for the people who worked to make Saturday’s chicken dinner a success, especially the women who spent days preparing the sides and dessert!

Bible Study this Tuesday, June 13, at 4pm via ZOOM. Join us one last time before our summer break for a discussion of Matthew’s Gospel. Use this LINK.

Women of the Parish: Please remember to make your reservation for the June 25th women’s luncheon on June 25. There are sign up sheets at each entrance to the church.

Pastor Emeritus, Rev. George L. Reger ~ The Mass of Christian Burial for Father Reger was celebrated at Blessed Trinity on Friday, May 26. Click HERE to view a recorded version of the Mass.

East Side Garden Walk ~ Blessed Trinity and Ss. Columba-Brigid are two East Buffalo churches participating in the East Side Garden Walk on July 22 & 23, 2023. We hope you will find time in June to help prepare our gardens for their debut in the Garden Walk weekend set aside for the east side. Expect to hear more as soon as the plants are ready.

Food Pantry Returns to Shopper’s Choice ~ The Catholic Central Helping Hands Food Pantry, which operates from our St. Charles Hall at 350 Dewey Avenue, is now operating EVERY Wednesday from 9:30am – 1:30pm. Residents of 14214 & 14215 are welcome to help themselves, according to household size, to portions of carbohydrates, grains, proteins and canned vegetables. Bread and sweets generally available. Baby needs in stock also. Call (716) 800-1075 or email ccfp14215 [at] gmail [dot] com for information.

FAMILY PROMISE OF WNY: Feed the Hungry, Shelter the Homeless. Family Promise offers us the opportunity to perform these acts of charity in a very direct and personal manner. As a support congregation, Blessed Trinity parishioners purchase and deliver groceries to the Family Promise shelter at Ss. Brigid-Columba Parish. With a few more volunteers we could continue this corporal work of mercy at least one day a month. Working in pairs, you could anticipate your turn to occur every third month. We hope you will join us. If you want more background information go to the web site, www.fpwny.org, or contact Amy Johnson (716-836-4694).

• Family Promise is certified by NYS and can house up to six families.
• It is one of only two emergency shelters in Erie County that allow fathers and teenage sons to stay with their family.
• Families are referred by the Dept. of Social Services and receive case management in finding employment and permanent housing, security deposit assistance, day care, school transport, and follow up support upon leaving the shelter.
• In 2020, the Homeless Alliance of WNY rated Family Promise with the best success rate for moving families into permanent homes.

Is it time to update your contact information? During the pandemic when COVID-19 Protocols prevented many from attending church services, the ability to keep in touch by telephone, mail or email took on increased importance. Because not everyone has computer access, really important information is sent in a letter. Even though you are now able to attend Mass in person, 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 receive the bulletin electronically via email, register as a parishioner, or request envelopes. You can also submit the requested information by phoning our secretary at 716-833-0301 any Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday 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.

Enjoy a virtual tour of our Landmark house of worship, courtesy of Buffalo Rising and Explore Buffalo. By Clicking HERE, you will be treated to both exterior and interior photos and more than a little history.

Detail of P. Kuhnle’s ceramic relief of the Last Supper
over the doorway in the right (west) transept.
Photo credit: Steve Mangione