Palm Sunday – Week of March 25, 2018

Mar 25, 2018 | This Week

March 25 – April 1, 2018

Weekly Activities

Sunday, March 25 following the 10:00 a.m. Mass – Coffee Hour in St. Charles Hall

Monday, March 26 at 7:00 p.m. ~ Choir Rehearsal in St. Charles Hall

Tuesday, March 27 at 7:00 p.m. ~ Choir Rehearsal in church

Thursday, March 29 ~ NO Bingo in observance of Holy Week

Friday, March 30 at 6:30 p.m. ~ Decorating the church for Easter

Saturday, March 30 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. ~ Catholic Central Food Pantry in St. Charles Hall

Saturday, March 30 ~ NO Bingo in observance of Holy Week

*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.

Holy Week 2018
Blessed Trinity Church

Passion Sunday/Palm Sunday – March 25

Blessing of Palms and Holy Mass
4:30 p.m. – Saturday, March 24
10:00 a.m. – Sunday, March 25

Weekday Masses

March 27 and March 28
Tuesday at 11:00 a.m.
Wednesday at 11:00 a.m.
Daily Mass Chapel

Reconciliation Service

Wednesday, March 28, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Opportunity for private confession

Holy Thursday – March 29

7:00 p.m. – Mass of the Lord’s Supper
followed by Private Prayer at the Repository

Our church will be open until 10:00 p.m.
for Private Prayer at the Repository.
Reflection material will be available.

Good Friday – March 30

2:00 p.m. – Stations of the Cross
3:00 p.m. – Solemn Service

St. John’s Passion
Veneration of the Cross
Holy Communion

Easter Vigil – March 31

7:00 p.m. – Easter Eve Mass with Choir

Fire and Light
Scripture
Renewal of Baptismal Vows

Easter Sunday – April 1

10:00 a.m. – Easter Sunday Mass with Choir

Mass Intentions

Sunday, March 25 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – Robert Santo Venti (Requested by Patty and Jerry Gallisdorfer) and Sylvia Griffin (Requested by Bud and Mickey Dick)

Monday, March 26  ~ No Service

Tuesday, March 27 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m.  – Catherine M. Maher (Estate)

Wednesday, March 28 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. –  Catherine M. Maher (Estate)

Holy Thursday, March 29 ~ Mass at 7:00 p. m. – Blessed Trinity Parish Community

Good Friday, March 30 ~ Stations of the Cross at 2:00 p.m. ~ Solemn Good Friday Service at 3:00 p.m.

Holy Saturday, March 31 ~ Easter Vigil at 7:00 p.m. – Antoinette Allen (Nancy DeBoy)

Easter Sunday, April 1 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – Deceased Members of the Ryan, Reilly, Reynolds and Pfeiffer Families (Estate of Mary Reilly)

News from our Parish Community

Amy Johnson

Good Friday at 6:30pm, parish volunteers will begin decorating the church for Easter. There are tasks for all skill levels, so please join us. Enter the church through the side door near the wheelchair ramp.

Palm Sunday Coffee Hour ~ There is a coffee hour, this Sunday, March 25, following the 10 o’clock Mass. The parish council invites you to join them in honoring Amy Johnson, our 2018 recipient of the Lay Award of St. Joseph the Worker.

On Sunday, March 25, there will be a display of olive wood items, a fundraiser to support Catholics of the Holy Land. The hand crafted crosses, Rosaries, sculptures of the Last Supper and Holy Family and other religious items hand crafted in Jerusalem and Bethlehem may be viewed in the church vestibule.

Tradition ~ As pastoral musicians, we are more than just people who love music. We love serving our Lord and our community by augmenting the liturgy. Musical selection, and then its implementation, is particularly difficult during Lent and the Triduum. Palm Sunday is exceptionally demanding because we go from joyful Hosannas as our Savior enters Jerusalem to the reading of the Passion just minutes later. You may have noticed “Ours Were the Griefs He Bore,” the Communion meditation, was very different from “Ride On, King Jesus.” Both are so appropriate for this weekend, yet send completely different messages.  Pastoral musicians have to be sensitive not only to “what” we sing at mass, but “when” we sing it.  Music Ministry can become quite complicated, especially this time of year! As we travel the road to the Cross and Resurrection, we hope you will notice respect for the 70+ year tradition of choral music at Blessed Trinity while we explore new favorite ways of praising our Lord.  Our goal is always to engage your hearts as we celebrate the liturgy. Let’s link arms and raise our voices as we journey together. Choir practice continues Monday at 7pm in St. Charles Hall and Tuesday at 7pm in the loft.  All are welcome. Elizabeth

Lenten Reconciliation Service  ~ The final service in our CCCB Lenten Journey is this Monday, March 26. Please prepare for Holy Week by attending the Reconciliation Service scheduled for 6:30pm at Ss. Columba-Brigid, 75 Hickory St. near Clinton. There will be another opportunity for private confessions at our church on Wednesday, March 28, from 6-8pm.

The Ladies Sodality’s meeting, normally held on the first Sunday of the month, has been rescheduled for Sunday, April 15, following the 10am Mass.

Parish Agape Feast is April 8 ~ You are cordially invited to our parish family’s Agape or Love Feast on Sunday, April 8, beginning at 4pm in St. Charles Hall. Recalling the meals Jesus shared with disciples during his ministry, we hope ours will prove to be an expression of community, sharing, and fellowship for all ages. In the Agape tradition, we are asking everyone who is able to contribute something to the feast. Our 2017 Agape produced a bountiful array of salads, pasta, meat and vegetable dishes, pizza, desserts, and more. We trust that this year’s feast will be even better. Beverages will be provided. Please join in celebrating the Easter season and the family of Christ at Blessed Trinity on April 8.

Parish adds Human Resource team. Blessed Trinity Parish now has a Human Resource team. We thank  Kathleen Marien, Darvan Draper, and Bob Heicklen for agreeing to be a part of this effort. The group will be headed by Bob Heicklen.

Holy Week Office Hours ~ There will be a change in office hours at the rectory during Holy Week. Our secretary, Pat Pendleton, will be present on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 10:30am to 2:30 pm, but the office will be closed on Holy Thursday. Holy Week is especially busy for both staff and parish volunteers so, if you have any announcements to be included in the bulletin, please get them to Pat on Monday, March 26. She can be reached at 716-833-0301 or blessedtrinitychurch [at] gmail [dot] com.

Lenten Series ~ Our Wednesday evening Lenten programs concluded on March 14 with “Connections: Reflection on Passover and the Lord’s Supper.” Parishioner Bob Heicklen narrated a ceremonial Seder meal, explaining its symbolism and similarities to our Eucharistic celebration. Assisted by Dan and Jacquie Korchowsky and David Folmer, we were also treated to a supper of matzo ball soup, matzo, and symbolic foods which are an integral element of the Passover festival. We are especially grateful to each of them for creating such a prayerful and memorable evening.

Religious Ed Volunteers ~ We are in need of volunteers to help with the Religious Education of our parish children. Anyone interested in helping, please sign up on the orange sheets at the church entrances or call Father Victor (716-833-0301) during rectory office hours. You are also asked to call Father Victor if you are interested in enrolling a child or young adult preparing for Confirmation.

Bible Study will resume at 7pm on Monday April 16 (not March 19 as posted earlier) in St. Charles Hall. This will be a two-hour meeting to determine future plans. The first assigned reading is from the booklet, Genesis 12-23  Abraham and Sarah’s Journey, by Kevin and Louise Perrotta (Loyola Press, 2002), pages 4-23. Please contact Althea Porter at 716-316-8395 to obtain the booklet and participate in this group.

Family Promise of WNY is one of only three local agencies that keeps homeless families together in emergency shelter. Ss. Columba-Brigid Parish is a host congregation and shelters families for a week, several times during the year. As a support parish, we at Blessed Trinity provide one dinner during the hosting weeks. Special thanks to Judy Casassa, Vontrese Draper, Amy Johnson and Palma Zanghi for preparing dinner for the guests at Ss. Columba-Brigid on March 3. If you are able to donate a food dish for a dinner on April 21, please contact Amy Johnson at 716-836-4694.

Our food pantry has a new name. The former Helping Hands Food Pantry is now known as the Catholic Central Food Pantry. The pantry’s hours, services and qualifications for assistance remain unchanged.

News from our Vicariate Cluster and the Wider Community

May 20 is a celebration for Fr. Roy Herberger’s fiftieth anniversary of priesthood. There will be a 3pm Mass at Ss. Peter and Paul (5480 Main Street in Williamsville), followed by a 6:30pm dinner at the Grapevine Banquet Facility (333 Dick Road in Depew – the former Hearthstone Manor). If you wish to attend, please mail your name and address to Fr. Roy (15 Greenwish Drive, #2, Amherst, NY 14228) by March 25.

St. Mary’s High School will hold a practice exam for all seventh graders planning to take the Catholic High School Admissions Exam this fall. The practice exam will take place Saturday, April 21, 8-11am, 142 Laverack Avenue in Lancaster. Reserve a spot for $20 at smhlancers.org.

Fifth Sunday of Lent – Week of March 18, 2018

Mar 18, 2018 | This Week

Feast of St. Joseph
March 19

March 18 – March 25, 2018

Weekly Activities

Sunday, March 18 following the 10:00 Mass ~ Anointing of the sick and well-aging in church; Liturgy Committee Meeting in St. Charles Hall

Tuesday, March 20 at 7:00 p.m. ~ Choir Rehearsal in St. Charles Hall

Wednesday, March 21 at 7:00 p.m. ~ Parish Council Meeting in St. Charles Hall

Thursday, March 22 at 8:00 p.m. ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall*

Saturday, March 24 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. ~ Catholic Central Food Pantry in St. Charles Hall

Saturday, March 24 at 8:00 p.m. ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall*

Sunday, March 25 following the 10:00 a.m. Mass – Coffee Hour 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.

There will be NO BINGO on Holy Thursday, March 29, or Holy Saturday, March 31.

Mass Intentions

Sunday, March 18 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – 18 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – James M. Cavarello (Requested by Bob and Mary Kresse) and William Stiffler (Requested by Family)

Monday, March 19  ~ St. Joseph ~No Service

Tuesday, March 20 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m.  – Rosalind Autry (Victor Ibhawa)

Wednesday, March 21 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. –  Catherine M. Maher (Estate)

Thursday, March 22 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Deceased Members of the Ryan, Reilly, Reynolds, and Pfeiffer Families (Estate of Mary Reilly)

Friday, March 23 ~ St. Turibius of Mogrovejo ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Deceased Members of the Ryan, Reilly, Reynolds, and Pfeiffer Families (Estate of Mary Reilly)

Friday, March 23 ~ Stations of the Cross at 6:00 p.m.

Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord

Saturday, March 24 ~ Vigil Mass at 4:30 p.m. – Marcy C. Nelson (Family)

Sunday, March 25 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – Robert Santo Venti (Patty and Jerry Gallisdorfer) and Sylvia Griffin (Bud and Mickey Dick)

Ministry Schedule for Saturday and Sunday, March 24 and 25:

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

Sunday, 10:00 a.m.  Readers: Chris Porter, Miles James;  Eucharistic Ministers: Fran Cahill; Dan Korchowsky, Choir

Click HERE to view our Schedule of Holy Week Services.

Stations of the Cross
Friday, Mar 23, at 6 PM

News from our Parish Community

Stewardship: time, talent, treasure

The liturgy committee will meet following Mass on Sunday, March 18, in St. Charles Hall, in preparation for Holy Week.

Lenten Journey Mass ~ This Monday, March 19, Mass will be celebrated at 6:30pm at  St. Lawrence, 1520 E. Delavan Ave. March 19 is also the feast of St. Joseph, and the parishioners of St. Lawrence invite you to their 5pm St. Joseph’s Table, which will replace the social after 6:30 Mass. The Reconciliation Service scheduled for March 26 will take place at Ss. Columba-Brigid, 75 Hickory St. near Clinton.

The parish council will meet on Wednesday, March 21, at 7pm in St. Charles Hall.

Psalm 51 ~ Did you know that *you* are a lector every week at Mass?  The assembly is given its turn to proclaim the Scripture at the responsorial psalm, as it is the communal response to the first reading. From a liturgical perspective, the music for the psalm should not be longer than the first reading, nor should it overshadow it. The great penitential psalm, Psalm 51, appears nine time within our three-year lectionary cycle because it is so important. It’s difficult to make sure this incredibly powerful text does not surpass the integral reading from Jeremiah 31 describing God’s covenant with the house of Israel. What rich passages are ours during this lean time of fasting, prayer and alms giving – yet another indication of the bounteous love of our God and the glory to come. Our Savior is creating a clean heart and renewing a steadfast spirit within us! Choir practice continues Tuesday at 7pm in St. Charles Hall. All are welcome. ~ Elizabeth

Stations of the Cross will be prayed in church at 6pm each Friday of Lent.

Amy Johnson

Our Award Recipient ~ Every year the diocese acknowledges parishioners who have made significant contributions on the parish level with the Lay Award of  St. Joseph the Worker. This year, Amy Johnson was chosen for this honor in recognition of her stewardship at Blessed Trinity Parish. The award was conferred on Amy and other diocesan recipients at a special 12pm Mass on Sunday, March 11, at St. Joseph’s Cathedral. We congratulate Amy and thank all who supported her by their attendance at the ceremony. You are invited to celebrate with Amy at a Palm Sunday coffee hour following the 10am Mass on March 25. The March coffee hour will be hosted by the parish council.

Parish adds Human Resource team. Blessed Trinity Parish now has a Human Resource team. We thank  Kathleen Marien, Darvan Draper, and Bob Heicklen for agreeing to be a part of this effort. The group will be headed by Bob Heicklen.

On Sunday, March 25, there will be a display of hand made olive wood items, such as crosses, Rosaries, sculptures of the Last Supper, and Holy Family from Jerusalem and Bethlehem, a fundraiser to support Catholics of the Holy Land.

Holy Week Office Hours ~ There will be a change in office hours at the rectory during Holy Week. Our secretary, Pat Pendleton, will be present on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 10:30am to 2:30 pm, but the office will be closed on Holy Thursday. Holy Week is especially busy for both staff and parish volunteers so, if you have any announcements to be included in the bulletin, please get to Pat on Monday, March 26. She can be reached at 716-833-0301 or blessedtrinitychurch [at] gmail [dot] com.

Photo Credit: Phyllis Lobbins

Lenten Series ~ Attendees at our March 7 Soup Supper were treated to a variety of delicious soups prepared by chefs David Folmer, Judy Casassa, Sister Liz Savage, and Angela Jost. We thank them and also those who donated fresh bakery breads and cookies.  Maggie Gatson and Vera Andrew arrived early to help with set-up and continued through to clean-up.  Much thanks to them and the “on the spot” volunteers who pitched in to help. We then sat to receive Fr. Peter Drilling’s talk, Who is Jesus? in which he revealed and explained the different views of Jesus as found in the four gospels. Thoughtful food for Lent.

Religious Ed Volunteers ~ We are in need of volunteers to help with the Religious Education of our parish children. Anyone interested in helping, please sign up on the orange sheets at the church entrances or call Father Victor (716-833-0301) during rectory office hours. You are also asked to call Father Victor if you are interested in enrolling a child or young adult preparing for Confirmation.

Bible Study will resume at 7pm on Monday April 16 (not March 19 as posted earlier) in St. Charles Hall. This will be a two-hour meeting to determine future plans. The first assigned reading is from the booklet, Genesis 12-23  Abraham and Sarah’s Journey, by Kevin and Louise Perrotta (Loyola Press, 2002), pages 4-23. Please contact Althea Porter at 716-316-8395 to obtain the booklet and participate in this group.

Family Promise of WNY is one of only three local agencies that keeps homeless families together in emergency shelter. Ss. Columba-Brigid Parish is a host congregation and shelters families for a week, several times during the year. As a support parish, we at Blessed Trinity provide one dinner during the hosting weeks. Special thanks to Judy Casassa, Vontrese Draper, Amy Johnson and Palma Zanghi for preparing dinner for the guests at Ss. Columba-Brigid on March 3. If you are able to donate a food dish for a dinner on April 21, please contact Amy Johnson at 716-836-4694.

Our food pantry has a new name. The former Helping Hands Food Pantry is now known as the Catholic Central Food Pantry. The pantry’s hours, services and qualifications for assistance remain unchanged.

Statement of Contributions ~ If you need a record of your 2017 contributions for tax purposes and have not yet received it, please call Pat at the rectory during office hours: Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday between 10:30am and 2:30pm.

Catholic Charities ~ “Love your neighbor.” Gal. 5:14. Appeal Week 2018 kicks off this weekend. Please help us reach our goal of $11 million by contributing or pledging today. Your donation helps educate, counsel and train parents and guardians in your communities. Your donation provides food, clothing and shelter to individuals and families alike, mental health and chemical dependency treatment and affordable counseling for all ages. The 2018 Appeal is an opportunity to love your neighbor in Western New York by ensuring they can receive the assistance they need. Please support our Appeal by calling 716-218-1400 or visiting ccwny.org/donation.

Home Visits ~ Please notify the church office if you know of aged, sick, or homebound parishioners who may wish to receive a visit from Father Victor on the last Friday of each month.

Openings for Mass Intentions ~ Do you know that Mass is the highest and greatest form of prayer? Contact the church office (716-833-0301) to request a Mass for your loved ones for any intention. Office hours are: 10:30am-2:30pm, Tuesday through Thursday. The Mass Stipend is $15.

New parking spaces have been added to the wheelchair ramp side of the church to compensate for losing ten spaces behind the old school building (FLARE) with the sale of the building. The new owner plans to rehab the structure into twenty apartments, a project that will certainly benefit the neighborhood.

Important Deadlines to Remember ~ As we begin the new year, please remember to contact our secretary, Pat Pendleton, with dates (even tentative ones) that should appear on the parish calendar. Our bulletin is printed on Thursdays, so announcements should be submitted no later than Noon on the Wednesday prior to the weekend you wish it to appear. Announcements to be read at weekend Masses are due on Thursday. You may contact Pat at blessedtrinitychurch@gmail or 716-833-0301 any Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday between 10:30am and 2:30pm.

Parish Record Keeping ~ We have created a parish group email to be used for notification of time-sensitive information; e.g., a mid-week funeral service. If you would be interested in receiving such messages, please make sure that the church office has your email address. If you need to update your contact information or would like to register as a parishioner, please call the church office (716-833-0301) on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday during office hours: 10:30am-2:30pm, email your contact information to blessedtrinitychurch [at] gmail [dot] com, or use the CONTACT feature of this web site.

Tuesday, March 20, is the first day of Spring! Watch our east side garden for signs of new plant life beneath the snow.

News from our Vicariate Cluster and the Wider Community

Journey Through Grief…Mind, Body, Heart and Spirit on Monday, March 19 at 4pm at St. Aloysius Gonzaga Church (157 Cleveland Drive in Cheektowaga). No two circumstances are the same and no two people grieve in the same way. Grief affects the mind. One may be confused, mentally exhausted, depressed or suffer from grief, anxiety, sadness, guilt and anger. Catholic Health Faith Community Parish Nurse, Yvonne Askew, will address these elements that affect the mind during grief and offer new paths that can assist in the healing process. Open to the community; no charge. For more information or to reserve a spot, call Marianne Hubert, Director of Grief Support, at 716-873-6500.

Create In Me a New Heart, a Lenten Reconciliation Service for the first day of Spring, on Tuesday, March 20 at 7pm at St. Michael’s Jesuit Downtown Church (651 Washington Street in Buffalo). Sister Mary Johnice, CSSF will offer a guided reflection. Music of the Harp by Susan Siuta of Peaceful Dove. Confession available. Parking in Ellicott Street lot (handicap accessible). For more information, call 716-854-6726 or visit stmichaelbuffalo.org.

Stations of the Cross Meatless Soup Suppers at St. Lawrence Church (1520 East Delavan Avenue in Buffalo) will conclude on Friday, March 23 at 4pm. Bring a meatless soup (preferably in a crockpot) to share. In an effort to minimize dish washing, guests are asked to bring along their own place setting and cup. Bread, butter, crackers, and drinks will be provided.

Catholic Health hosts an Osteoporosis Support Group the third Wednesday of every month in the Beechwood Residence Auditorium (2235 Millersport Highway in Getzville) 10-11:30am. This month’s meeting is March 21. New members and walk-ins welcome. Call 716-447-6205 for more information.

Eucharistic Adoration & Holy Hour for Mercy on Thursday, March 22, 6-8pm at St. Andrew Church (1525 Sheridan Drive in Kenmore) with Deacon Mike Ficorilli presiding. All welcome. After Holy Hour, we will pray the rosary.

May 20 is a celebration for Fr. Roy Herberger’s fiftieth anniversary of priesthood. There will be a 3pm Mass at Ss. Peter and Paul (5480 Main Street in Williamsville), followed by a 6:30pm dinner at the Grapevine Banquet Facility (333 Dick Road in Depew – the former Hearthstone Manor). If you wish to attend, please mail your name and address to Fr. Roy (15 Greenwish Drive, #2, Amherst, NY 14228) by March 25.

Annual Lenten Homemade Pierogi & Placek Sale from February 17-March 25 at St. John Kanty Parish (101 Swineburne Street in Buffalo). Kanty’s Kitchen is open Saturdays 3-5pm and Sundays 9:30am-12pm. Farmers cheese or sauerkraut pierogis; sold frozen and 6/package. Lunch available on March 25 (Palm Sunday) and large basket raffle. For further information, call 716-893-0412 or visit saintjohnkanty.com.

Lenten Day of Reflection, Saturday, March 24, from 8:30 am – 3:00 pm Sister Dianne Bergant, CSA, will direct our 26th Lenten Day of Reflection at Kloc’s Grove, 1245 Seneca Creek Road in West Seneca. Register with The Catholic Biblical Studies. Call 716-871-9180, email info [at] cbstudies [dot] org, or visit cbstudies.org.

St. Mary’s High School will hold a practice exam for all seventh graders planning to take the Catholic High School Admissions Exam this fall. The practice exam will take place Saturday, April 21, 8-11am, 142 Laverack Avenue in Lancaster. Reserve a spot for $20 at smhlancers.org.

Fourth Sunday of Lent – Week of March 11, 2018

Mar 11, 2018 | This Week

St. Patrick of Ireland (died 492), whose feast day we celebrate on March 17, appears in the dome
of our church in a painting by Buffalo-born artist Joseph Mazur. He is depicted as the fourth standing figure from the left in this photo and is part of a group of 14 figures identified as “Confessors, Bishops, and Missionaries.” (Rev. Walter Kern’s “Guidebook to Blessed Trinity R. C. Church,” p. 39). Photo credit: Duane Held.

March 11 – March 18, 2018

Weekly Activities

Tuesday, March 13 at 7:00 p.m. ~ NO Choir Rehearsal

Wednesday, March 14 at 6:00 p.m. ~ Lenten Program in St. Charles Hall

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

Saturday, March 17 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. ~ Helping Hands Food Pantry in St. Charles Hall

Saturday, March 17 at 8:00 p.m. ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall*

Sunday, March 18 following the 10am Mass ~ Anointing of the sick and well-aging in church; Liturgy Committee Meeting 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, March 11 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – Anderson Patrick Kesse (Requested by Bob and Mary Kresse) and Robert Santo Venti (Requested by Patty and Jerry Gallisdorfer)

Monday, March 12  ~ No Service

Tuesday, March 13 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m.  – Catherine M. Maher (Estate)

Wednesday, March 14 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. –  Catherine M. Maher (Estate)

Thursday, March 15 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Deceased Members of the Ryan, Reilly, Reynolds, and Pfeiffer Families (Estate of Mary Reilly)

Friday, March 16 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Deceased Members of the Ryan, Reilly, Reynolds, and Pfeiffer Families (Estate of Mary Reilly)

Friday, March 16 ~ Stations of the Cross at 6:00 p.m.

Saturday, March 17 ~ St. Patrick ~ Vigil Mass at 4:30 p.m. – Pauline Rollek (Catherine Bucki Gress)

Sunday, March 18 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – James M. Cavarello (Bob and Mary Kresse) and William Stiffler (Family)

Ministry Schedule for Saturday and Sunday, March 17 and 18:

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

Sunday, 10:00 a.m.  Readers: Mary Kresse, Avery White;  Eucharistic Ministers: Dan Korchowsky; Sharon Dunnigan, Choir

Stations of the Cross
Fridays at 6 PM

News from our Parish Community

In stewardship, you give off the top; not what is left over.
Consider the apple. If you have some and give just what is left over,
you give just the apple core.

Amy Johnson

Our Award Recipient ~ Every year the diocese acknowledges parishioners who have made significant contributions on the parish level with the Lay Award of  St. Joseph the Worker. This year, Amy Johnson has been chosen for this honor in recognition of her stewardship at Blessed Trinity Parish. The award will be conferred on Amy and other diocesan recipients at a special 12pm Mass on Sunday, March 11, at St. Joseph’s Cathedral. We congratulate Amy and pray for God’s abundant blessings on her.

Lenten Journey Mass ~ This Monday, March 12, Mass will be celebrated at 6:30pm at St. Martin dePorres, 555 Northampton St. Please note that the sites have been changed for the remaining 2 weeks. St. Lawrence, 1520 E. Delavan Ave., is hosting on March 19, the Feast of St. Joseph. You are invited to their 5:30pm St. Joseph’s Table, which will replace the social after 6:30 Mass. The Reconciliation Service scheduled for March 26 will take place at Ss. Columba-Brigid, 75 Hickory St. near Clinton.

Our 3-part Lenten series concludes Wednesday evening, March 14, at 6pm with “Connections: Reflection on Passover and the Lord’s Supper.” Bob Heicklen will narrate a brief ceremonial Seder meal, explaining its symbolism and similarities to our Eucharistic celebration. Assisted by Dan Korchowsky and his wife, Jacquie, their presentation will incorporate a simple supper featuring symbolic foods which are an integral element of the Passover festival.

Stations of the Cross will be prayed in church at 6pm each Friday of Lent.

Intentionally Preparing for Holy Week ~ We have made it through a large portion of Lent, and our eyes and hearts are drawing ever nearer to the cross. The choir members glimpse the glory to come every week at practice as we prepare for Holy Week. This week’s liturgical musical selections are readying us for what is to come – intentionally propelling us through these final days of Lent.

Open my eyes, Lord. Help me to see Your face.
Open my eyes, Lord. Help me to see.

Open my ears, Lord. Help me to hear Your voice.
Open my ears, Lord. Help me to hear.

Open my heart, Lord. Help me to love like You.
Open my heart, Lord. Help me to love.

I live within You; Deep in Your heart, O Love.
I live within You. Rest now in me.

May our eyes, ears, heart and life be open to the glory to come – our Salvation is at hand! There is no choir practice this week. Plan to join us March 20 at 7:00 p.m. in St. Charles Hall. Elizabeth

The liturgy committee will meet following Mass on Sunday, March 18, in St. Charles Hall, in preparation for Holy Week.

The parish council will meet on Wednesday, March 21, at 7pm in St. Charles Hall.

Child and Youth Religious Education Program is scheduled to resume in the fall, but we need to know the number and ages of prospective students. If you are interested in enrolling a child or young adult preparing for Confirmation, please call Father Victor at 716-833-0301 .

Family Promise of WNY is one of only three local agencies that keeps homeless families together in emergency shelter. Ss. Columba-Brigid Parish is a host congregation and shelters families for a week, several times during the year. As a support parish, we at Blessed Trinity provide one dinner during the hosting weeks. Special thanks to Judy Casassa, Vontrese Draper, Amy Johnson and Palma Zanghi for preparing dinner for the guests at Ss. Columba-Brigid on March 3. If you are able to donate a food dish for a dinner on April 21, please contact Amy Johnson at 716-836-4694.

Statement of Contributions ~ If you need a record of your 2017 contributions for tax purposes and have not yet received it, please call Pat at the rectory during office hours: Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday between 10:30am and 2:30pm.

Bible Study will resume at 7pm on Monday April 16 (not March 19 as posted earlier) in St. Charles Hall. This will be a two-hour meeting to determine future plans. The first assigned reading is from the booklet, Genesis 12-23  Abraham and Sarah’s Journey, by Kevin and Louise Perrotta (Loyola Press, 2002), pages 4-23. Please contact Althea Porter at 316-8395 to obtain the booklet and participate in this group.

Catholic Charities ~ St. Clare of Assisi, our patron saint of the 2018 Appeal, believed that “we are to become the vessels of God’s compassionate love for others.” Today, Catholic Charities shows that same compassion and love for others by offering counseling, and mental health and chemical dependency treatment. Your gift to our 2018 Appeal helps us to continue these services in Western New York. To donate, call 716-218-1400 or visit ccwny.org/donation.

Save the Date—May 20 is a celebration for Fr. Roy Herberger’s fiftieth anniversary of priesthood. There will be a 3pm Mass at Ss. Peter and Paul (5480 Main Street in Williamsville), followed by a 6:30pm dinner at the Grapevine Banquet Facility (333 Dick Road in Depew – the former Hearthstone Manor). If you wish to attend, please mail your name and address to Fr. Roy by March 25 (15 Greenwish Drive, #2, Amherst, NY 14228).

Home Visits ~ Please notify the church office if you know of aged, sick, or homebound parishioners who may wish to receive a visit from Father Victor on the last Friday of each month.

Openings for Mass Intentions ~ Do you know that Mass is the highest and greatest form of prayer? Contact the church office (716-833-0301) to request a Mass for your loved ones for any intention. Office hours are: 10:30am-2:30pm, Tuesday through Thursday. The Mass Stipend is $15.

New parking spaces have been added to the wheelchair ramp side of the church to compensate for losing ten spaces behind the old school building (FLARE) with the sale of the building. The new owner plans to rehab the structure into twenty apartments, a project that will certainly benefit the neighborhood.

Important Deadlines to Remember ~ As we begin the new year, please remember to contact our secretary, Pat Pendleton, with dates (even tentative ones) that should appear on the parish calendar. Our bulletin is printed on Thursdays, so announcements should be submitted no later than Noon on the Wednesday prior to the weekend you wish it to appear. Announcements to be read at weekend Masses are due on Thursday. You may contact Pat at blessedtrinitychurch@gmail or 716-833-0301 any Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday between 10:30am and 2:30pm.

Parish Record Keeping ~ We have created a parish group email to be used for notification of time-sensitive information; e.g., a mid-week funeral service. If you would be interested in receiving such messages, please make sure that the church office has your email address. If you need to update your contact information or would like to register as a parishioner, please call the church office (716-833-0301) on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday during office hours: 10:30am-2:30pm, email your contact information to blessedtrinitychurch [at] gmail [dot] com, or use the CONTACT feature of this web site.

News from our Vicariate Cluster and the Wider Community

Sunday March 11 at 2pm is Diva by Diva: A Celebration of Women at St. Martin dePorres (555 Northampton in Buffalo). This O’Connell & Company award-winning original show of songs, readings, humor, and quotes marks the one hundredth anniversary of women’s suffrage in New York State. Free will offering at the door.

Steve Quebral, left, and the St. John Paul II Schola Cantorum

Tenebrae: A Lenten Service of Shadows is Friday March 16 at 7:30pm at Ss. Columba-Brigid Church (75 Hickory Street in Buffalo). Presented by St. John Paul II Schola Cantorum, this service of increasing darkness dramatizes the increasing sadness of Holy Week and the seven shadows that represent the seven stages of the passion of Jesus.

Movie Night featuring Risen! Is March 16 at 6:30pm at Franciscan Guest House at St. Lawrence (1520 East Delavan Avenue in Buffalo). The film travels along with the Roman Centurion assigned to find the body of Jesus. This evening is for adults only. Wine and cheese will be served.

Stations of the Cross Meatless Soup Suppers at St. Lawrence Church (1520 East Delavan Avenue in Buffalo) will continue on Fridays March 16 and 23 at 4pm. Bring a meatless soup (preferably in a crockpot) to share. In an effort to minimize dish washing, guests are asked to bring along their own place setting and cup. Bread, butter, crackers, and drinks will be provided.

Magnificat Ministry to Catholic Women present a morning of prayer, testimony and praise, helping women to experience the power of the Holy Spirit on Saturday, March 17 at the Millennium Hotel, Cheektowaga. Guest speaker, Marge Fetterman, will share how living a Life in the Spirit has set her heart on fire for Jesus! Registration opens at 9:30am and breakfast program begins at 10am. For tickets or further information, call 716-632-0646 or visit magnificatbuffalo.org.

Catholic Health hosts an Osteoporosis Support Group the third Wednesday of every month in the Beechwood Residence Auditorium (2235 Millersport Highway in Getzville) 10-11:30am. This month’s meeting is March 21. New members and walk-ins welcome. Call 716-447-6205 for more information.

Annual Lenten Homemade Pierogi & Placek Sale from February 17-March 25 at St. John Kanty Parish (101 Swineburne Street in Buffalo). Kanty’s Kitchen is open Saturdays 3-5pm and Sundays 9:30am-12pm. Farmers cheese or sauerkraut pierogis; sold frozen and 6/package. Lunch available on March 25 (Palm Sunday) and large basket raffle. For further information, call 716-893-0412 or visit saintjohnkanty.com.

Lenten Day of Reflection, Saturday, March 24, from 8:30 am – 3:00 pm Sister Dianne Bergant, CSA, will direct our 26th Lenten Day of Reflection at Kloc’s Grove, 1245 Seneca Creek Road in West Seneca. Register with The Catholic Biblical Studies. Call 716-871-9180, email info [at] cbstudies [dot] org, or visit cbstudies.org.

Palm Sunday Buffet Brunch at Our Lady of Fatima Shrine (1023 Swann Road in Lewiston) is Sunday, March 25 from 10am-3pm. Tickets are available in advance by calling 716-754-7489 or at the door. Come join us for a spirit-filled day, with great food, Easter bake sale, raffle and 50/50 split. Proceeds to benefit Our Lady’s Shrine.

Third Sunday of Lent – Week of March 4, 2018

Mar 5, 2018 | This Week

March 4 – March 11, 2018

Weekly Activities

Sunday, March 4 following 10:00 a.m. Mass ~ Sodality “Prayer Tour” in Church

Tuesday, March 6 at 7:00 p.m. ~ Choir Rehearsal in St. Charles Hall

Wednesday, March 7 at 5:30 p.m. ~ Soup Supper and 7 PM Lenten Program in St. Charles Hall

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

Saturday, March 10 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. ~ Helping Hands Food Pantry in St. Charles Hall

Saturday, March 10 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, March 4 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – Mary Frances Danner (Requested by Judy Casassa) and Morris Heicklen (Requested by Bob Heicklen)

Monday, March 5  ~ No Service

Tuesday, March 6 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m.  – Catherine M. Maher (Estate)

Wednesday, March 7 ~ Ss. Perpetua and Felicity ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. –  Catherine M. Maher (Estate)

Thursday, March 8 ~ St. John of God ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Deceased Members of the Ryan, Reilly, Reynolds, and Pfeiffer Families (Estate of Mary Reilly)

Friday, March 9 ~ St. Frances of Rome ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Deceased Members of the Ryan, Reilly, Reynolds, and Pfeiffer Families (Estate of Mary Reilly)

Friday, March 9 ~ Stations of the Cross at 6:00 p.m.

Saturday, March 10 ~ Vigil Mass at 4:30 p.m. – Catherine M. Maher (Estate)

Sunday, March 11 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – Anderson Patrick Kesse (Bob and Mary Kresse) and Robert Santo Venti (Patty and Jerry Gallisdorfer)

Remember to set your clocks AHEAD on Saturday night, March 10.
Yes, you’ll lose an hour’s sleep, but you don’t want to be late for Mass on March 11.

Ministry Schedule for Saturday and Sunday, March 10 and 11:

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

Sunday, 10:00 a.m.  Readers: Mary Kresse, Avery White;  Eucharistic Ministers: Dan Korchowsky; Sharon Dunnigan, Choir

Rev. Peter Drilling
Lenten Speaker
Wed., March 7 at 7pm

News from our Parish Community

When you come to a potluck, you always try to bring something good.
We should think of our day that way. Whatever we do during during the day,
it’s like a potluck, and God wants us to bring goodness to it.

Guest Speaker ~ We will have a special guest speaker after Mass on Sunday, March 4. Lisa Maria Cruz, an Outreach Specialist from Mental Health Peer Connection will be speaking with the parish about mental health concerns.

Ladies Sodality’s “Prayer Tour” will take place after Mass on Sunday, March 4. All are invited to walk with us as we meet the women who accompanied Jesus to the cross and the tomb as they are depicted in the art work and symbols within our church. Please assemble near the first Station of the Cross.

Lenten Journey Mass ~ On Monday, March 5, the CCCB Lenten Journey Mass will be celebrated at 6:30pm at Sisters Hospital, 2157 Main St. Please stop at the hospital reception desk before proceeding to the chapel.

Our 3-part Lenten series continues on Wednesday evening, March 7, with a soup supper served from 5:30-6:30pm, followed by Rev. Peter Drilling’s presentation at 7pm. Expanding on last year’s theme of the Kingdom of God, Father Drilling will address two related questions: “Who is Jesus?” and “How are we to relate to Him?” Amy Johnson is counting on our parish soup chefs to step up to the stove with their savory specialties. Contributions of dinner breads and desserts are also needed. Please help us avoid unnecessary purchases or last-minute shopping trips by specifying your contribution on the soup supper sign-up sheets this weekend. They can be found on the tables near each door. If you forget, please give Amy a call by Monday at 836-4694. Click HERE for details of the concluding program on March 14.

Stations of the Cross will be prayed in church at 6pm each Friday of Lent.

Amy Johnson

Our Award Recipient ~ Every year the diocese acknowledges parishioners who have made significant contributions on the parish level with the Lay Award of  St. Joseph the Worker. This year, Amy Johnson has been chosen for this honor in recognition of her stewardship at Blessed Trinity Parish. The award will be conferred on Amy and other diocesan recipients at a special 12pm Mass on Sunday, March 11, at St. Joseph’s Cathedral. We congratulate Amy and pray for God’s abundant blessings on her.

Psalmody ~ Have you noticed a change in the singing of the psalm at Sunday Mass? The Blessed Trinity Choir is intentionally preparing for the Triduum, and each and every member is now a cantor. We are unifying our hearts and our voices, breathing and singing together as we travel this Lenten road. There are, in fact, a variety of ways to sing psalms at liturgies. In Responsorial Style, the cantor or choir sings the verses of the psalm and the assembly sings the antiphon. This is the style we use at BT. In Antiphonal, the assembly is divided into two groups which alternate verses. The antiphon is usually sung by all at the beginning and the end of the verses. With Through-Composed, the psalm can be for a soloist, soloist and choir, or choir only.  This is rarely used as it does not encourage congregational singing. The choir supports congregational singing much in the same way the organ does – feel free to join in and sing along! This includes the psalm as well as the choir meditation after communion. Hopefully you are hearing some favorites during this Lenten season – songs that bring you closer to Jesus and make you want to sing for joy. Let’s prepare, intentionally, for the glory to come – together! Choir practice continues Tuesday at 7:00 in St. Charles Hall.  All are welcome! Elizabeth

Reservations for March 14 ~ We hope you are planning to join us for the ceremonial Seder meal and matzo ball soup supper on Wednesday, March 14. Because special foods will need to be purchased and prepared, we need an estimate of attendance. Please sign the purple reservation sheet found on the tables at each entrance to the church.

Family Promise of WNY is one of only three local agencies that keeps homeless families together in emergency shelter. Ss. Columba-Brigid Parish is a host congregation and shelters families for a week, several times during the year. As a support parish, we at Blessed Trinity provide one dinner during the hosting weeks. Special thanks to Judy Casassa, Vontrese Draper, Amy Johnson and Palma Zanghi for preparing dinner for the guests at Ss. Columba-Brigid on March 3. If you are able to donate a food dish for a future dinner, please contact Amy Johnson at 716-836-4694.

Statement of Contributions ~ If you need a record of your 2017 contributions for tax purposes and have not yet received it, please call Pat at the rectory during office hours: Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday between 10:30am and 2:30pm.

Child and Youth Religious Education Program is scheduled to resume in the fall, but we need to know the number and ages of prospective students. If you are interested in enrolling a child or young adult preparing for Confirmation, please call Father Victor at 716-833-0301 .

Bible Study will resume at 7pm on Monday March 19 in St. Charles Hall The first assigned reading is from the booklet, Genesis 12-23  Abraham and Sarah’s Journey, by Kevin and Louise Perrotta (Loyola Press, 2002), pages 4-23. Please contact Althea Porter at 716-316-8395 to obtain the booklet and participate in bible study.

Sodality Dues Reminder for 2018 ~ Sodality membership runs with the calendar year. Have you renewed? Dues are still only $5 and Mickey Dick, our membership chair, will be happy to accept your payment in cash or check payable to “Ladies Sodality of Blessed Trinity.” You may also drop your dues in the collection basket in an envelope marked “Sodality Dues.”

Save the Date—May 20 is a celebration for Fr. Roy Herberger’s fiftieth anniversary of priesthood. There will be a 3pm Mass at Ss. Peter and Paul (5480 Main Street in Williamsville), followed by a 6:30pm dinner at the Grapevine Banquet Facility (333 Dick Road in Depew – the former Hearthstone Manor). If you wish to attend, please mail your name and address to Fr. Roy by March 25 (15 Greenwish Drive, #2, Amherst, NY 14228).

Home Visits ~ Please notify the church office if you know of aged, sick, or homebound parishioners who may wish to receive a visit from Father Victor on the last Friday of each month.

Openings for Mass Intentions ~ Do you know that Mass is the highest and greatest form of prayer? Contact the church office (716-833-0301) to request a Mass for your loved ones for any intention. Office hours are: 10:30am-2:30pm, Tuesday through Thursday. The Mass Stipend is $15.

New parking spaces have been added to the wheelchair ramp side of the church to compensate for losing ten spaces behind the old school building (FLARE) with the sale of the building. The new owner plans to rehab the structure into twenty apartments, a project that will certainly benefit the neighborhood.

Important Deadlines to Remember ~ As we begin the new year, please remember to contact our secretary, Pat Pendleton, with dates (even tentative ones) that should appear on the parish calendar. Our bulletin is printed on Thursdays, so announcements should be submitted no later than Noon on the Wednesday prior to the weekend you wish it to appear. Announcements to be read at weekend Masses are due on Thursday. You may contact Pat at blessedtrinitychurch@gmail or 716-833-0301 any Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday between 10:30am and 2:30pm.

Parish Record Keeping ~ We have created a parish group email to be used for notification of time-sensitive information; e.g., a mid-week funeral service. If you would be interested in receiving such messages, please make sure that the church office has your email address. If you need to update your contact information or would like to register as a parishioner, please call the church office (716-833-0301) on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday during office hours: 10:30am-2:30pm, email your contact information to blessedtrinitychurch [at] gmail [dot] com, or use the CONTACT feature of this web site.

Eighth Station: Jesus Speaks to the Weeping Women
One of our 14 Stations of the Cross painted on copper by Vincent Mondo of New Haven, CT
Photo credit: Margaret Dick

News from our Vicariate Cluster and the Wider Community

Blessed Sacrament Church Lenten Fish Fry is Friday March 9 from 4:30pm to 7:00pm at the Catholic Academy of West Buffalo Gymnasium (1069 Delaware Ave. in Buffalo). Adults $12, child $6, and a child’s chicken finger dinner is also $6. Takeout available. Call 884-0053 for tickets.

St. Leo the Great Lenten Fish Fry is Friday March 9 (5-7pm) at 885 Sweet Home Road in Amherst. Call 835-8905 for information.

Stations of the Cross Meatless Soup Suppers at St. Lawrence Church (1520 East Delavan Avenue in Buffalo) will continue on Fridays March 9, 16, and 23 at 4pm. Bring a meatless soup (preferably in a crockpot) to share. In an effort to minimize dish washing, guests are asked to bring along their own place setting and cup. Bread, butter, crackers, and drinks will be provided.

Saturday March 10 (4-7pm) is Buffalo Immigrant Leadership Team Community Celebration at Our Lady of Hope-O’Brien Center (Lafayette and Grant Street in Buffalo). Register and purchase tickets at voice-buffalo.org/bilt or call 842-6571.

Sunday March 11 at 2pm is Diva by Diva: A Celebration of Women at St. Martin dePorres (555 Northampton in Buffalo). This O’Connell & Company award-winning original show of songs, readings, humor, and quotes marks the one hundredth anniversary of women’s suffrage in New York State. Free will offering at the door.

Steve Quebral, left, and the St. John Paul II Schola Cantorum

Tenebrae: A Lenten Service of Shadows is Friday March 16 at 7:30pm at Ss. Columba-Brigid Church (75 Hickory Street in Buffalo). Presented by St. John Paul II Schola Cantorum, this service of increasing darkness dramatizes the increasing sadness of Holy Week and the seven shadows that represent the seven stages of the passion of Jesus.

Movie Night featuring Risen! Is March 16 at 6:30pm at Franciscan Guest House at St. Lawrence (1520 East Delavan Avenue in Buffalo). The film travels along with the Roman Centurion assigned to find the body of Jesus. This evening is for adults only. Wine and cheese will be served

Catholic Charities’ 2018 Appeal. St. Clare of Assisi, our patron saint of the 2018 Appeal, believed that “we are to become the vessels of God’s compassionate love for others.” Today, Catholic Charities shows that same compassion and love for others by offering individual, children and family counseling, and mental health and chemical dependency treatment through our Family and Community Services sites, Monsignor Carr Clinics, Marriage Counseling Center, and Diocesan Counseling Center. Your gift to our 2018 Appeal helps us to continue these services in Western New York. To donate, call 218-1400 or visit ccwny.org/donation.

Annual Lenten Homemade Pierogi & Placek Sale from February 17-March 25 at St. John Kanty Parish (101 Swineburne Street in Buffalo). Kanty’s Kitchen is open Saturdays 3-5pm and Sundays 9:30am-12pm. Farmers cheese or sauerkraut pierogis; sold frozen and 6/package. Lunch available on March 25 (Palm Sunday) and large basket raffle. For further information, call 716-893-0412 or visit saintjohnkanty.com.

Lenten Day of Reflection, Saturday, March 24, from 8:30 am – 3:00 pm Sister Dianne Bergant, CSA, will direct our 26th Lenten Day of Reflection at Kloc’s Grove, 1245 Seneca Creek Road in West Seneca. Register with The Catholic Biblical Studies. Call 716-871-9180, email info [at] cbstudies [dot] org, or visit cbstudies.org.

Second Sunday of Lent – Week of February 25, 2018

Feb 25, 2018 | This Week

Eighth Station: Jesus Speaks to the Weeping Women
One of the 14 Stations of the Cross painted on copper by Vincent Mondo of New Haven, CT
Photo credit: Margaret Dick

February 25 – March 4, 2018

Weekly Activities

Sunday, February 25 following 10:00 a.m. Mass ~ Coffee Hour in St. Charles Hall

Tuesday, February 27 at 7:00 p.m. ~ Choir Rehearsal in St. Charles Hall

Wednesday, February 28 at 6:45 p.m. ~ Lenten Program in St. Charles Hall

Thursday, March 1 at 8:00 p.m. ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall*

Saturday, March 3 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. ~ Helping Hands Food Pantry in St. Charles Hall

Saturday, March 3 at 8:00 p.m. ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall*

Sunday, March 4 following 10:00 a.m. Mass ~ Sodality “Prayer Tour” in Church

*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, February 25 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – Dorothy Clough (Requested by Judy Casassa) and Allen M. Andrew, Sr. (Requested by Wife, Daughter and Grandchildren)

Monday, February 26  ~ No Service

Tuesday, February 27 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m.  – Catherine M. Maher (Estate)

Wednesday, February 28 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. –  Catherine M. Maher (Estate)

Thursday, March 1 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Deceased Members of the Ryan, Reilly, Reynolds, and Pfeiffer Families (Estate of Mary Reilly)

Friday, March 2 ~ First Friday Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction ~ 8:00 – 11:00 a.m.

Friday, March 2 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Deceased Members of the Ryan, Reilly, Reynolds, and Pfeiffer Families (Estate of Mary Reilly)

Friday, March 2 ~ Stations of the Cross at 6:00 p.m.

Saturday, March 3 ~ Seven Holy Founders of Servite Order ~ Vigil Mass at 4:30 p.m. – Allen M. Andrew, Sr. (Requested by Wife, Daughter and Grandchildren)

Sunday, March 4 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – Mary Frances Danner (Judy Casassa) and Morris Heicklen (Bob Heicklen)

Ministry Schedule for Saturday and Sunday, March 3 and 4:

Saturday, 4:30 p.m.  Reader: Lorna Cameron; Eucharistic Minister: Michael Ogoh

Sunday, 10:00 a.m.  Readers: Sharon Dunnigan, Grace Iheke;  Eucharistic Ministers: Dan Korchowsky; John Curtin, Choir

News from our Parish Community

February Birthday Blessing will take place in church following the 10am Mass on Sunday, February 25.

Coffee Hour ~ The Ladies Sodality will host our monthly coffee hour in St. Charles Hall following the 10am Mass on Sunday, February 25.

Together We Are Strong! The beautiful Tellers-Kent organ at Blessed Trinity is magnificent as well as a bit “temperamental.” You may notice that there are times when the organ is quite strong (for the opening and closing hymns), and moments when it is a quiet accompaniment to the choir’s voices. That is because the organ is meant to support congregational singing. The point of our music program is to help the members of the parish participate in the Eucharist. Lent is tough for church musicians: it is certainly an earnest season and the music is historically sad and slow. The National Association of Pastoral Musicians shows us that there are many songs for the liturgy that are appropriate for Lent that are not sad and slow, yet assist us with preparing our hearts for the coming of our Savior. You will notice new music throughout  this somber season, and some of it is actually lovely. The texts are beautiful – and certainly in keeping with our intentional preparation. Please know that the organ is there to support your voices, and the choir members know that He is pleased when we unite them in song. We sing to the Eucharist when we are up in the loft – and you can, too! Pick up your Breaking Bread hymnal and give it a try – God is pleased even if your vocal offering is wrong as well as strong! Choir practice continues Tuesday at 7:00 in St. Charles Hall.  All are welcome! Elizabeth

Lenten Journey Mass ~ Thanks to all who attended Monday’s Journey Mass, prepared food items for the social, and helped in the kitchen. This Monday, February 26, Mass will be celebrated at 6:30pm at the St. Monica Campus of Nativity/Miguel School, 26 Wright Ave. (behind St. Lawrence Church). A CCCB social will follow. Click HERE for the complete schedule of Journey Masses.

Our 3-part Lenten series begins on Wednesday evening, February 28, at 6:45pm with light refreshments in St. Charles Hall. Starting at 7pm, Sr. Liz Savage will lead us in the prayerful consideration and discussion of two meditations (“Suffering in Communion with the Lord” and “As Those Who Serve”) from Joseph Cardinal Bernadin’s book, The Gift of Peace. Copies will be provided at that time. Click HERE for details of all three programs.

Stations of the Cross will be prayed in church at 6pm each Friday of Lent.

First Friday is March 2. Please sign up to participate in Adoration during Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament from 8-11am.  Mass will follow Benediction at 11am.

“Making a Difference – One Family at a Time”: Family Promise of WNY is one of only three local agencies that keeps homeless families together in emergency shelter. Ss. Columba-Brigid Parish is a host congregation and shelters families for a week, several times during the year. As a support parish, we at Blessed Trinity provide one dinner during the hosting weeks. Help us continue to “feed the hungry and shelter the homeless.”  If you are able to donate a food dish for our next dinner on March 3, please contact Amy Johnson at 716-836-4694.

The Ladies Sodality’s monthly program will take place after Sunday Mass on March 4. Participants are invited to meet and pray with the women who accompanied Jesus to the cross and the tomb as they are depicted in the art work and symbols within our church. Our walk will be entirely inside, so don’t worry about the weather. Anyone is welcome to join us. Please assemble near the first Station of the Cross immediately after Mass.

The March 7 Lenten program will be preceded by a soup supper served from 5:30-6:30pm. Our speaker that evening is Father Peter Drilling. Amy Johnson is counting on our parish soup chefs to step up to the stove with their savory specialties. Contributions of dinner breads and desserts are also needed. Please help us avoid unnecessary purchases or last-minute shopping trips by specifying your contribution on the soup supper sign-up sheets no later than Sunday, March 4. If you have any questions, give Amy a call at 716-836-4694.

March 14 Seder ~ Please return the reservation form from the bottom of the 2018 Lenten Journey insert if you are attending the program on March 14. Extra copies can be found on the tables near each entrance to the church. The reservation deadline is March 4.

Statement of Contributions ~ If you need a record of your 2017 contributions for tax purposes and have not yet received it, please call Pat at the rectory during office hours: Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday between 10:30am and 2:30pm.

Child and Youth Religious Education Program is scheduled to resume in the fall, but we need to know the number and ages of prospective students. If you are interested in enrolling a child or young adult preparing for Confirmation, please call Father Victor at 716-833-0301 .

Bible Study will resume at 7pm on Monday March 19 in St. Charles Hall and continue on Monday evenings through April 16. The first assigned reading is from the booklet, Genesis 12-23  Abraham and Sarah’s Journey, by Kevin and Louise Perrotta (Loyola Press, 2002), pages 4-23. Please contact Althea Porter at 716-316-8395 to obtain the booklet and participate in bible study.

Gerard Place ~ We received a nice thank you letter from Gerard Place for our Advent Giving Tree donation of $633. Thank you again to all who made this possible.

Sodality Dues Reminder for 2018 ~ Sodality membership runs with the calendar year. Have you renewed? Dues are still only $5 and Mickey Dick, our membership chair, will be happy to accept your payment in cash or check payable to “Ladies Sodality of Blessed Trinity.” You may also drop your dues in the collection basket in an envelope marked “Sodality Dues.”

Sunday TV Mass. For those who are unable to physically attend Mass, the Diocese of Buffalo provides a televised Mass from the Our Lady Chapel at St. Joseph Cathedral that airs each Sunday on WUTV-Fox channel at 7:30am. The broadcast on February 18 features celebrant Rev. Cole Webster.

Home Visits ~ Please notify the church office if you know of aged, sick, or homebound parishioners who may wish to receive a visit from Father Victor on the last Friday of each month.

Openings for Mass Intentions ~ Do you know that Mass is the highest and greatest form of prayer? Contact the church office (716-833-0301) to request a Mass for your loved ones for any intention. Office hours are: 10:30am-2:30pm, Tuesday through Thursday. The Mass Stipend is $15.

New parking spaces have been added to the wheelchair ramp side of the church to compensate for losing ten spaces behind the old school building (FLARE) with the sale of the building. The new owner plans to rehab the structure into twenty apartments, a project that will certainly benefit the neighborhood.

Important Deadlines to Remember ~ As we begin the new year, please remember to contact our secretary, Pat Pendleton, with dates (even tentative ones) that should appear on the parish calendar. Our bulletin is printed on Thursdays, so announcements should be submitted no later than Noon on the Wednesday prior to the weekend you wish it to appear. Announcements to be read at weekend Masses are due on Thursday. You may contact Pat at blessedtrinitychurch@gmail or 716-833-0301 any Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday between 10:30am and 2:30pm.

Parish Record Keeping ~ We have created a parish group email to be used for notification of time-sensitive information; e.g., a mid-week funeral service. If you would be interested in receiving such messages, please make sure that the church office has your email address. If you need to update your contact information or would like to register as a parishioner, please call the church office (716-833-0301) on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday during office hours: 10:30am-2:30pm, email your contact information to blessedtrinitychurch [at] gmail [dot] com, or use the CONTACT feature of this web site.

Decorated corbels on exterior of church ambulatory
Photo credit: Gary Kelley

News from our Vicariate Cluster and the Wider Community

Buffalo Employment Training Center has new classes March 1 – June 30. For information, or call 716-856-5627.

Catholic Charities’ 2018 Appeal. Jesus was entrusted to and raised lovingly by his earthly parents, Mary and Joseph. Catholic Charities gives ordinary citizens the opportunity to raise an extraordinary child through our Foster Care and Adoption programs. Catholic Charities provides foster care for children of all ages in Erie County who cannot safely live in their own homes. Catholic Charities also works with the birth families toward reunification, all while providing referrals for needed services and support. To support our mission of providing happy and safe homes for children across Erie County, please donate to our 2018 Appeal by calling 716-218-1400 or visit ccwny.org/donation.

Annual Lenten Homemade Pierogi & Placek Sale from February 17-March 25 at St. John Kanty Parish (101 Swineburne Street in Buffalo). Kanty’s Kitchen is open Saturdays 3-5pm and Sundays 9:30am-12pm. Farmers cheese or sauerkraut pierogis; sold frozen and 6/package. Lunch available on March 25 (Palm Sunday) and large basket raffle. For further information, call 716-893-0412 or visit saintjohnkanty.com.

Join Bishop Richard Malone as he visits the sacred sites of England and Scotland! Pilgrimage includes Walsingham, Canterbury, Lindisfarne, St. Andrews, London, Edinburgh, York, and Cambridge. October 26 to November 5 – 11 days. $3,999 from Buffalo/Toronto. For information and reservations, contact Marianna Pisano at 800-777-7432, mpisano [at] unitours [dot] com, or book online at bit.ly/BishopPilgrimage.

A Gathering Place ~ Are you an older adult who is looking for a social program? Or do you have a loved one who could benefit from one? Try Catholic Charities’ A Gathering Place, a program designed for adults age 60+ who may need assistance with activities of daily living, in addition to physical and cognitive activities and socialization. The program is held in a supervised and safe environment at 128 Wilson Street in Buffalo. Services include individualized program options, nutritious meals and snacks throughout the day, and shower services. For more information, call 716-896-6388.  For more information on Catholic Charities and other services and programs we provide, visit ccwny.org.  Join us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

First Sunday of Lent – Week of February 18, 2018

Feb 18, 2018 | This Week

February 18, 2018 – February 25, 2018

Weekly Activities

Sunday, February 18 following 10:00 a.m. Mass ~ Anointing of the sick and well-aging in church

Monday, February 19 following 6:30 p.m. Journey Mass ~ CCCB Social in St. Charles Hall

Tuesday, February 20 at 7:00 p.m. ~ Choir Rehearsal in St. Charles Hall

Wednesday, February 21 at 7:00 p.m. ~ Parish Council Meeting in St. Charles Hall

Thursday, February 22 at 8:00 p.m. ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall*

Saturday, February 24 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. ~ Helping Hands Food Pantry in St. Charles Hall

Saturday, February 24 at 8:00 p.m. ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall*

Sunday, February 25 following 10:00 a.m. Mass ~ Coffee Hour 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, February 18 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – Pauline Rollek (Requested by Judy Casassa)

Grace Diamond
1921-2018

Monday, February 19  ~ CCCB Lenten Journey Mass at 6:30 p.m. in Church – CCCB Parish Communities

Tuesday, February 20 ~ Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. – Grace Diamond

Wednesday, February 21 ~ St. Peter Damian ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. –  Catherine M. Maher (Estate)

Thursday, February 22 ~ The Chair of St. Peter ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Deceased Members of the Ryan, Reilly, Reynolds, and Pfeiffer Families (Estate of Mary Reilly)

Friday, February 23 ~ St. Polycarp ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Deceased Members of the Ryan, Reilly, Reynolds, and Pfeiffer Families (Estate of Mary Reilly)

Friday, February 23 ~ Stations of the Cross at 6:00 p.m.

Saturday, February 24 ~ Seven Holy Founders of Servite Order ~ Vigil Mass at 4:30 p.m. – John D. Kresse (Bob and Mary Kresse)

Sunday, February 25 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – Dorothy Clough (Judy Casassa) and Allen M. Andrew, Sr. (Wife, Daughter and Grandchildren)

Ministry Schedule for Saturday and Sunday, February 24 and 25:

Saturday, 4:30 p.m.  Reader: Lorna Cameron; Eucharistic Minister: Lucille Venezia

Sunday, 10:00 a.m.  Readers: Chris Porter, Maggie Gatson;  Eucharistic Ministers: Fran Cahill, Alice Davis, Pat Hartinger, Mary Kresse, John Curtin; Sharon Dunnigan, Loft

News from our Parish Community

“Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
Jesus answered, “Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor
and you will have treasure in heaven.” (Mk. 10:17-21).
What is God calling me to let go of? What is God asking me to become?

Anointing of the sick and well-aging will take place in church following the 10am Mass on Sunday, February 18.

Monday evening Lenten Journey Masses hosted by the Catholic Churches of Central Buffalo (“CCCB”) will begin here at Blessed Trinity on February 19 at 6:30pm. If you are donating finger-foods for the social that follows the Mass, please drop them off at St. Charles Hall before Mass.

Ladies Sodality members are asked to assemble in church at 10:30am on Tuesday, February 20, prior to the Mass of Christian Burial for member Grace Diamond. All are welcome to join them in reciting the Rosary.

The Parish Council meets on Wednesday, February 21, at 7pm in St. Charles Hall. Members who are unable to attend are asked to contact Council President Mickey Dick.

Stations of the Cross will be prayed in church at 6pm each Friday of Lent.

Intentional Preparation ~ Your choir is already hard at work developing the music program for Lent and Easter.  You may have noticed some significant changes in the music at Mass today.  We are working together to take responsibility for the beautiful psalm texts along our Lenten Journey. That is why you hear every voice in the choir cantoring the psalm. We are many individuals, but together we unify as one voice, as Christ unifies us as one people. You also heard a Mass Setting that is completely new to Blessed Trinity. It is the Mass of Joy and Peace, by Tony Alonso. It is not in our Breaking Bread hymnals, but it is gentle and melodic and we will all become comfortable with it quickly.  We won’t get to hear the beautiful Gloria until the Easter Vigil, though, so look forward with us to wonderful things to come. Choir practice continues Tuesday at 7:00 in St. Charles Hall.  All are welcome! Elizabeth

Our 2018 Lenten program will take place on three consecutive Wednesday evenings: February 28, March 7 and March 14. On February 28, Sr. Liz Savage will lead our prayerful consideration and discussion of two meditations (“Suffering in Communion with the Lord” and “As Those Who Serve”) from Joseph Cardinal Bernadin’s book, The Gift of Peace. Copies will be provided. We will gather to share simple refreshments at 6:45pm; our program will begin at 7pm. If you can help by providing fruit or cookies for February 28 or required food items for the March 7 soup supper, please add your name and phone number to the appropriate sign-up sheet in church or call Mickey Dick, 832-2540.

The Ladies Sodality monthly programs will resume after Sunday Mass on March 4. Participants will meet the women who accompanied Jesus to the cross and the tomb as they are depicted in the art work and symbols within our church.

Child and Youth Religious Education Program is scheduled to resume in the fall, but we need to know the number and ages of prospective students. If you are interested in enrolling a child or young adult preparing for Confirmation, please call Father Victor at 716-833-0301 .

Bible Study will resume at 7pm on Monday March 19 in St. Charles Hall and continue on Monday evenings through April 16. The first assigned reading is from the booklet, Genesis 12-23  Abraham and Sarah’s Journey, by Kevin and Louise Perrotta (Loyola Press, 2002), pages 4-23. Please contact Althea Porter at 716-316-8395 to obtain the booklet and participate in bible study.

Gerard Place ~ We received a nice thank you letter from Gerard Place for our Advent Giving Tree Donation of $633. Thank you again to all who made this possible.

Sodality Dues Reminder for 2018 ~ Sodality membership runs with the calendar year. Have you renewed? Dues are still only $5 and Mickey Dick, our membership chair, will be happy to accept your payment in cash or check payable to “Ladies Sodality of Blessed Trinity.” You may also drop your dues in the collection basket in an envelope marked “Sodality Dues.”

Sunday TV Mass. For those who are unable to physically attend Mass, the Diocese of Buffalo provides a televised Mass from the Our Lady Chapel at St. Joseph Cathedral that airs each Sunday on WUTV-Fox channel at 7:30am. The broadcast on February 18 features celebrant Rev. John Mack and Deacon Tim Maloney. The celebrant on February 25 is  Rev. Cole Webster.

Home Visits ~ Please notify the church office if you know of aged, sick, or homebound parishioners who may wish to receive a visit from Father Victor on the last Friday of each month.

“Making a Difference – One Family at a Time” is the mission of Family Promise of WNY. The network of local religious organizations responds to the needs of homeless families. It is one of only three local agencies that keep families together as a unit in an emergency shelter. As a host congregation, Ss. Columba-Brigid Parish shelters families for a week, four times a year, and serves as the Family Promise Day Center providing laundry, shower, kitchen facilities, mail delivery, internet access, case management, and school bus service. As a support parish, Blessed Trinity cooks and serves one dinner a week during the four weeks hosted by Ss. C-B. Our next date is March 24. We need a few new volunteers to join our BT team. If willing to help, please contact Amy Johnson at 716-836-4694.

Openings for Mass Intentions ~ Do you know that Mass is the highest and greatest form of prayer? Contact the church office (716-833-0301) to request a Mass for your loved ones for any intention. Office hours are: 10:30am-2:30pm, Tuesday through Thursday. The Mass Stipend is $15.

New parking spaces have been added to the wheelchair ramp side of the church to compensate for losing ten spaces behind the old school building (FLARE) with the sale of the building. The new owner plans to rehab the structure into twenty apartments, a project that will certainly benefit the neighborhood.

Important Deadlines to Remember ~ As we begin the new year, please remember to contact our secretary, Pat Pendleton, with dates (even tentative ones) that should appear on the parish calendar. Our bulletin is printed on Thursdays, so announcements should be submitted no later than Noon on the Wednesday prior to the weekend you wish it to appear. Announcements to be read at weekend Masses are due on Thursday. You may contact Pat at blessedtrinitychurch@gmail or 716-833-0301 any Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday between 10:30am and 2:30pm.

Parish Record Keeping ~ We have created a parish group email to be used for notification of time-sensitive information; e.g., a mid-week funeral service. If you would be interested in receiving such messages, please make sure that the church office has your email address. If you need to update your contact information or would like to register as a parishioner, please call the church office (716-833-0301) on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday during office hours: 10:30am-2:30pm, email your contact information to blessedtrinitychurch [at] gmail [dot] com, or use the CONTACT feature of this web site.

Decorated corbels on exterior of church ambulatory
Photo credit: Gary Kelley

News from our Vicariate Cluster and the Wider Community

Buffalo Employment Training Center has new classes March 1 – June 30. For information, or call 716-856-5627.

Two five-week classes begin soon at Christ the King Seminary. “From the Beginning: The Gospel of John,” taught by our academic dean, Michael Sherry, begins Thursday evening, February 8 from 6:30 to 8:30. “Sacraments & Ministry,” taught by Eileen Warner, begins Tuesday, February 20 (either 9:30-11:30 am or 6:30-8:30 pm). For more information about retreats and lectures, visit cks.edu.

Catholic Women’s Conference 2018: The Heart of a Woman. Want to be inspired and uplifted? Does your faith need a boost? Join hundreds of women from New York and surrounding areas as they gather on Saturday, February 24 from 7:30am-3pm at Cardinal O’Hara High School (39 O’Hara Road in Tonawanda). Keynote speaker: Dr. Janet Smith, as well as Kate Wicker and Sr. Tatum McWhirter; Mass with Bishop Richard Malone. Tickets $35. For further information or to purchase tickets, call 716-222-0622 or visit catholicwomenofbuffalo.org.

Catholic Charities’ 2018 Appeal. Jesus was entrusted to and raised lovingly by his earthly parents, Mary and Joseph. Catholic Charities gives ordinary citizens the opportunity to raise an extraordinary child through our Foster Care and Adoption programs. Catholic Charities provides foster care for children of all ages in Erie County who cannot safely live in their own homes. Catholic Charities also works with the birth families toward reunification, all while providing referrals for needed services and support. To support our mission of providing happy and safe homes for children across Erie County, please donate to our 2018 Appeal by calling 716-218-1400 or visit ccwny.org/donation.

Annual Lenten Homemade Pierogi & Placek Sale from February 17-March 25 at St. John Kanty Parish (101 Swineburne Street in Buffalo). Kanty’s Kitchen is open Saturdays 3-5pm and Sundays 9:30am-12pm. Farmers cheese or sauerkraut pierogis; sold frozen and 6/package. Lunch available on March 25 (Palm Sunday) and large basket raffle. For further information, call 716-893-0412 or visit saintjohnkanty.com.

Join Bishop Richard Malone as he visits the sacred sites of England and Scotland! Pilgrimage includes Walsingham, Canterbury, Lindisfarne, St. Andrews, London, Edinburgh, York, and Cambridge. October 26 to November 5 – 11 days. $3,999 from Buffalo/Toronto. For information and reservations, contact Marianna Pisano at 800-777-7432, mpisano [at] unitours [dot] com, or book online at bit.ly/BishopPilgrimage.

A Gathering Place ~ Are you an older adult who is looking for a social program? Or do you have a loved one who could benefit from one? Try Catholic Charities’ A Gathering Place, a program designed for adults age 60+ who may need assistance with activities of daily living, in addition to physical and cognitive activities and socialization. The program is held in a supervised and safe environment at 128 Wilson Street in Buffalo. Services include individualized program options, nutritious meals and snacks throughout the day, and shower services. For more information, call 716-896-6388.  For more information on Catholic Charities and other services and programs we provide, visit ccwny.org.  Join us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.