28th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Week of October 11, 2015

Oct 11, 2015 | This Week

Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque
October 16
St. Margaret Mary Alacoque (1647-1690) is depicted on the left in this painting at The Sacred Heart Altar on the right side of our church. “Christ appeared to her in 1673-75 to request efforts to spread devotion to his Sacred Heart to overcome the ‘coldness, neglect, and indifference’ of so many people to God’s message of love revealed in Christ.” Although her name is unavailable, the model who posed for this painting of St. Margaret was one of the Sisters of St. Joseph who taught at Blessed Trinity School at the time. (Rev. Walter Kern’s Guidebook to Blessed Trinity Roman Catholic Church, page 28).

October 11 – October 18, 2015

Weekly Activities

Sunday, October 11 at 9:00 a.m. ~ Choir Rehearsal in the Loft

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

Saturday, October 17 from 9:30 a.m. to 12 Noon ~ Helping Hands Food Pantry in St. Charles Hall

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

Sunday, October 18, following 10:00 a.m. Mass ~ Coffee Hour in St Charles Hall, hosted by the Parish Council

*In response to requests from our players, we are instituting age restrictions for admission to Bingo. Beginning Thursday, October 15, we will no longer admit children under 8 years of age.

We now have a Bingo camera with TV monitors and electronic verification!
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, October 11 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – Robert and Ceil Marien (Requested by Ed Marien) and Joseph Kohn (Requested by Family)

Monday, October 12 ~ NO SERVICES

Tuesday, October 13 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. ~ Winifred Enright (Estate)

Wednesday, October 14 ~ St Callistus I ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Deceased Members of Blessed Trinity Church (Blessed Trinity Church)

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

Friday, October 16 ~ St. Hedwig; St. Margaret Mary Alacoque ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Catherine M. Maher (Estate)

Saturday, October 17 ~ St. Ignatius of Antioch ~ Vigil Mass at 4:30 p.m. – Marshall Roach (Horan Family)

Sunday, October 18 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – William Blesnuk (Family) and David Karnyski (Pauline Rollek)

Readings for the Week of October 11

Sunday: Wis 7:7-11; Heb 4:12-13; Mk 10:17-30 or 10:17-27
Monday: Rom 1:1-7; Lk 11:29-32
Tuesday: Rom 1:16-25; Lk 11:37-41
Wednesday: Rom 2:1-11; Lk 11:42-46
Thursday: Rom 3:21-30; Lk 11:47-54
Friday: Rom 4:1-8; Lk 12:1-7
Saturday: Rom 4:13, 16-18; Lk 12:8-12
Sunday, October 18: Is 53:10-11; Heb 4:14-16; Mk 10:35-45 or 10:42-45

The Vocalis Chamber Choir in concert at Blessed Trinity on Sun., October 18, at 4 PM

News from our Parish Community

♫ ♯ ♫ ♯ ♫ ♯ ♫ ♯ ♫ ♯ ♫ ♯ ♫ ♯  MUSICAL NOTES  ♫ ♯ ♫ ♯ ♫ ♯ ♫ ♯ ♫ ♯ ♫ ♯ ♫

Our Trinity Series opening concert, To Music, is next Sunday, October 18. The Vocális Chamber Choir presents texts in tribute of music – its beauty, power, meaning, and emotion. The a cappella choir, under the direction of James Burritt, will perform music of Vaughan Williams, Britten, Brahms, Lassus, McGlynn, Brubeck – and other surprises. Please join us for a celebration of the greatest of all art forms and help guarantee a successful 2015-16 concert season! The start time for this concert is 4 PM, which is an hour later than usual. Tickets are available only at the door, and are $15 for adults and $10 for students. Click HERE for additional information about the Trinity Series.

Never mind the Bills, our Choir has “road game” at 5 PM on Sunday, October 25, and they are counting on support from you, their fan base. Together with Nick DelBello and his brass quintet, organist Peter Gonziarz, and the St. Joseph University Choir, choristers from Blessed Trinity and other church choirs will be performing at the Diocesan Choral Festival under the direction of Ron Martin. The gala is sponsored by the Church Musicians Guild of Buffalo, and you’re invited! Save the date: Sunday, October 25, at St. Joseph University Church, 3269 Main Street, Buffalo.

♫ ♯ ♫ ♯ ♫ ♯ ♫ ♯ ♫ ♯ ♫ ♯ ♫ ♯ ♫ ♯ ♫ ♯ ♫ ♯ ♫ ♯ ♫ ♯ ♫ ♯ ♫ ♯ ♫ ♯ ♫ ♯ ♫ ♯ ♫ ♯ ♫ ♯ ♫ ♯ ♫

The Parish Council is our host for Coffee Hour following Mass next Sunday, October 18. 

The next Parish Council meeting is Wednesday, October 21, at 7 PM in St. Charles Hall.

World Mission Sunday ~ On Saturday and Sunday, October 17-18, we will celebrate World Mission Sunday. This year we are invited to support 1,150 of the youngest dioceses in Africa, Asia, the Pacific Islands, and parts of Latin American and Europe. Please keep the Missions in your prayers and be generous in next weekend’s collection for the Society of the Propagation of the Faith.

Watch for Watches ~ Beginning on Saturday, October 3 and continuing through Sunday, November 8, the Ladies Sodality will be collecting old watches – with our without wristbands — for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. The watches do not have to be in working order. They will be repaired or used for parts and sold in the Society’s thrift stores with proceeds used to further the organization’s charitable work. Here is a wonderful opportunity to “de-clutter” a dresser drawer, provide someone with a valued timepiece, and help the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in the process. Please place your donation in the “No More Mister Nice Watch” container near the statue of St. Joseph.

Revival 2015 is this week, Tuesday-Thursday, October 13-15, at Ss. Columba Brigid, beginning at 6:30 PM each evening. The African American Commission of the Diocese of Buffalo presents “Revival 2015: Cast the First Stone.” Fathers Charles and Chester Smith, the first African-American twins to be ordained as R. C. priests in the United States, are the featured speakers. They are “filled with the Holy Spirit, and can’t wait to share it with all of us here.” Everyone is welcome, so invite your friends, neighbors, and family. If you’ve never attended the Revival before, pledge to come on Tuesday. We’re sure you will be back. Thursday evening’s program will be followed by a reception. Donations of finger foods would be greatly appreciated.

Canisius students, l. to r. (front) Peyton Richmond, Lota Ofodile; (rear) Luke Topolski, Michael Panzarella.

Thanks to the wonderful Canisius College Community, which continues to include us in their Community Day volunteer projects. We are extremely grateful to Lota Ofodile, Michael Panzarella, Peyton Richmond and Luke Topolski, all members of the Canisius College Entrepreneurs Organization, who donated their time and youthful energies at Blessed Trinity on Saturday, October 3. The quartet washed the church floors and pews and even helped with emergency debris cleanup at St. Charles Hall. Thank you, Canisius, for coming to our aid once again.

Updating Our Records ~ Thanks to all of you who completed the contact information form that appeared in the bulletin for the past two weekends. If you forgot, you can use the form at the bottom of the back page of the weekly bulletin to provide the following information: your name and preferred phone number; your email address; and, if applicable, your new mailing address. Alternatively, you may email the information to blessedtrinitychurch [at] gmail [dot] com specifying “Contact Information” in the subject line, or click HERE and use our handy template. Just remember to reference “Contact Information” when submitting information on-line.

News from our Vicariate Cluster and the Wider Community

St. Joseph University Parish’s Social Justice Committee and Pax Christi of WNY are sponsoring a retreat on Saturday, October 17, from 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Using the book, A Spirituality of Being Human by Hugh Brady, D. Min., the retreat provides a time to invigorate and restore our spirits on our individual spiritual journeys of confusion, grace and trial, by finding God and hope in ourselves and others.  To register, contact Tom Casey at caseytpc [at] aol [dot] com or 716-491-9172. The retreat will take place in the school cafeteria and space is limited, so register soon! There is a suggested donation of $20, which includes continental breakfast and lunch.

The Dominican Nuns of the Perpetual Rosary will hold their Bazaar and Rummage Sale at St. John Gualbert’s Parish gymnasium, 83 Gualbert Avenue, Cheektowaga, on Saturday, October 17, from 10 AM-5 PM. They offer handcrafted items made by the sisters, a craft fair, bake sale and more. Proceeds fund repairs and upkeep of the Dominican Monastery. To make a donation or for additional information, call 892-0066 or email monasteryworkshop [at] opnuns [dot] com.

A Lecture on the 2016 Jubilee Year of Mercy will be held on Tuesday, October 20, at 7 PM in the main dining room of Christ the King Seminary, 711 Knox Rd., E. Aurora. Rev. Robert Schreiter will speak on “Discovering the Face of Mercy: Prospects for the American Church during the 2016 Jubilee Year of Mercy.” Father Schreiter, a leading author and international speaker, is a professor of Theology at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. The talk is part of the “Father Thomas Dailey Lecture Series in Christian Ethics and Spirituality.” No registration is necessary. Free-will offering welcome.

Marriage and Annulment in the Catholic Church Seminar on Thursday, October 22 at 7 PM at St. Martha Parish, 10 French Road, Depew. The marriage of a man and a woman is revered by the Catholic Church as a vocation ordained by God. It is both a reflection of God’s love and a manifestation of God’s love in the world. But our hearts go out to the many good people who have suffered the tragic breakup of their marriage. Anyone who finds themselves in this type of situation should not fear the Church’s procedures. Rev. Robert Zilliox, JCL, from the Tribunal Office of the Diocese of Buffalo will speak about the Essence of Canon Law and the Sacrament of Marriage and he will explain the new procedures for annulments recently announced by Pope Francis. Many Catholics across the United States have welcomed Pope Francis’ annulment reforms, the most far-reaching in almost three centuries. All are welcome!

27th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Week of Oct. 4, 2015

Oct 4, 2015 | This Week

One of four angels on the church facade symbolizing the Four Marks of the Church: One, Holy [Sanctitas], Catholic, and Apostolic.

October 4 – October 11, 2015

Weekly Activities

Sunday, October 4 following 10:00 a.m. Mass ~ Ladies Sodality Meeting in the rectory

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

Saturday, October 10 from 9:30 a.m. to 12 Noon ~ Helping Hands Food Pantry in St. Charles Hall

Saturday, October 10 at 8:00 p.m. ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall*

Sunday, October 11 at 9:00 a.m. ~ Choir Rehearsal in the Loft

*In response to requests from our players, we are instituting age restrictions for admission to Bingo. Beginning Saturday, October 10, we will no longer admit children under 8 years of age.

We now have a Bingo camera with TV monitors and electronic verification!
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, October 4 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – Margaret F. Schirmann ( Requested by Mary C. Stoddard) and Ithrene Cameron (Requested by Blessed Trinity Ladies Sodality)

Monday, October 5 ~ Communion Service at 11:00 a.m.

Tuesday, October 6 ~ St. Bruno; Bl. Marie Rose Durocher ~ Anna Snyder (Estate)

Wednesday, October 7 ~ Our Lady of the Rosary ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Deceased Members of Blessed Trinity Parish (Blessed Trinity Parish)

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

Friday, October 9 ~ St. Denis & Companions; St. John Leonardi ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Catherine M. Maher (Estate)

Saturday, October 10 ~ Vigil Mass at 4:30 p.m. – Mary Horan Roach (Family)

Sunday, October 11 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – Robert and Ceil Marien (Ed Marien) and Joseph Kohn (Family)

Readings for the Week of October 4

Sunday: Gn 2:18-24; Heb 2:9-11; Mk 10:2-16 or 10:2-12
Monday: Jon 1:1–2:2, 11; Lk 10:25-37
Tuesday: Jon 3:1-10; Lk 10:38-42
Wednesday: Jon 4:1-11; Lk 11:1-4
Thursday: Mal 3:13-20b; Lk 11:5-13
Friday: Jl 1:13-15; 2:1-2; Lk 11:15-26
Saturday: Jl 4:12-21; Lk 11:27-28
Sunday, October 11: Wis 7:7-11; Heb 4:12-13; Mk 10:17-30 or 10:17-27

News from our Parish Community

Our Ladies Sodality will meet in the rectory following the 10 o’clock Mass on Sunday, October 4, for a brief but important business meeting. The agenda will include committee reports, and a discussion of board positions and programs scheduled during the fall and winter months. Please be prepared to make a $2 donation to defray the cost of light refreshments. All women of the parish are invited to attend. We thank our October hostess, Amy Johnson.

The Vocalis Chamber Choir

The Vocális Chamber Choir opens our 2015-16 Trinity Concert Series on Sunday, October 18 at 4 PM with texts in tribute to music – its beauty, power, meaning, and emotion. The ensemble of dedicated professionals, under the direction of James Burritt, will perform To Music, featuring the works of Vaughan Williams, Britten, Brahms, Lassus, McGlynn, Brubeck – and other surprises. Please plan to be with us on October 18 as we celebrate the greatest of all art forms with the Vocális Chamber Choir. This is a ticketed event. Tickets are available at the door: $15 per person – $10 student.  Click HERE for additional information about the Trinity Series.

Watch for Watches ~ Beginning on Saturday, October 3 and continuing through Sunday, November 8, the Ladies Sodality will be collecting old watches – with our without wristbands — for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. The watches do not have to be in working order. They will be repaired or used for parts and sold in the Society’s thrift stores with proceeds used to further the organization’s charitable work. Here is a wonderful opportunity to “de-clutter” a dresser drawer, provide someone with a valued timepiece, and help the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in the process. Please place your donation in the “No More Mister Nice Watch” container near the statue of St. Joseph.

Buffalo Underground Gardening Volunteers

Prayerful Thanks ~ We are extremely grateful to Buffalo Underground volunteers Melanie Chimento, Maria Blonski, Jeremy Edmunds, Mark Hammer, Thomas Zera, Cindy B., Linda, and Marie who dedicated last Saturday morning to the beautification of our gardens and planters. And we’d be remiss if we didn’t acknowledge that volunteer projects can’t succeed without direction. Thanks also to parishioners Drew Brodfuehrer, Tom Brodfuehrer, Judy Casassa, Bud and Mickey Dick, Dan Korchowsky, and Sister Liz Savage who worked along with them to complete the task.

Canisius students, l. to r. (front) Peyton Richmond, Lota Ofodile; (rear) Luke Topolski, Michael Panzarella.

Canisius Community Day ~ Our volunteer efforts turned inward on Saturday, October 2, when members of the Canisius College Entrepreneurs Organization made Blessed Trinity the focus of their Canisius Community Day. We are extremely grateful to Lota Ofodile (front rt.), Michael Panzarella (back rt.), Peyton Richmond (front left.) and Luke Topolski (back left). The quartet swabbed the floors and washed the pews in our Landmark church and even helped with emergency enclosures by hauling bricks! Thank you for coming to our aid.

Updating Our Records ~ Thanks to all of you who completed the contact information form that appeared in the bulletin for the past two weekends. If you forgot, you can use the form at the bottom of the back page of the weekly bulletin to provide the following information: your name and preferred phone number; your email address; and, if applicable, your new mailing address. Alternatively, you may email the information to blessedtrinitychurch [at] gmail [dot] com specifying “Contact Information” in the subject line, or click HERE and use our handy template. Just remember to reference “Contact Information” when submitting information on-line.

Blessed Trinity School Alumni ~ On Sunday, September 27, our parish welcomed alumni of our parish grammar school for their annual Mass honoring deceased classmates and teachers. Attendees included graduates from as long ago as 1930 through the 40th Anniversary and final graduating class of 1975. Parish docent and graduate of the school, Mickey Dick, provided early arrivals with a guided tour, and following the Mass attendees had an opportunity to re-connect with former friends and neighbors at an all-class reception in St. Charles Hall. The highlight of the reception was a split club raffle, with two lucky winners and our church’s Under This Roof Fund sharing in the proceeds. In addition to a $1,300.00 gift from the Alumni Association to the dedicated fund, their mailing also raised $740.oo in individual alumni contributions to the Under This Roof Fund. We thank the Alumni Association for their generosity and continued efforts in support of our parish community.

Jerry Powers, ’51, reads the names of the split club raffle winners as Clate Steinwachs, ’30, who drew the winning tickets, looks on.
(Mr. Steinwachs celebrated his 99th
birthday on September 3rd).

News from our Vicariate Cluster and the Wider Community

Meat Raffle at Our Lady of Pompeii Parish, 158 Laverack Avenue, Lancaster on Saturday, October 10. Doors open at 5 PM, first raffle at 7 PM. Huge grand prize, 50/50 drawings, basket auction, and door prizes. For more information, please go to www.wnymeatraffle.com, then click on Future Meat Raffles. If you would like tickets or to make a reservation (for 6 or more), contact Tim at 716-686-9559.

St. Joseph University Parish’s Social Justice Committee and Pax Christi of WNY are sponsoring a retreat on Saturday, October 17, from 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Using the book, A Spirituality of Being Human by Hugh Brady, D. Min., the retreat provides a time to invigorate and restore our spirits on our individual spiritual journeys of confusion, grace and trial, by finding God and hope in ourselves and others.  To register, contact Tom Casey at caseytpc [at] aol [dot] com or 716-491-9172. The retreat will take place in the school cafeteria and space is limited, so register soon! There is a suggested donation of $20, which includes continental breakfast and lunch.

It’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and Catholic Charities Wants to Help. America sets aside October as the month to remember all those who have died at the hands of domestic abuse and celebrate those who have survived. At the same time, the community is called to take action against domestic violence and spread awareness of this issue. If you or a loved one is in immediate danger from domestic violence, call 911. If you are in need of counseling and help planning for the future, call 716-856-4494 or your nearest Catholic Charities office. Find us at www.ccwny.org.

26th Sunday in Ordinary Time ~ Week of Sept. 27, 2015

Sep 27, 2015 | This Week

The Archangels Gabriel, Michael and Raphael – whose feast day we celebrate on September 29 – are depicted in the stained glass windows of the skylight over the altar, on either side of the ten foot long central panel of Christ the King. In this photo, Gabriel is the partial figure at the far left, holding a palm branch. St. Michael appears in the third panel from the left holding a sword, and St. Raphael is the partial figure seen in the panel on the far right. Installed in 1953, the skylight windows contain 20,000 pieces of glass set in approximately one half mile of lead strips.
Together, the 15 panels weigh about 1,000 pounds. (Rev. Walter Kern’s Guidebook to Blessed Trinity Roman Catholic Church at page 44).
Photo credit: Jeannette Pikturna

September 27 – October 4, 2015

Weekly Activities

Sunday, September 27 at 9:30-10:00 a.m. ~ Church Tour for BT School Alumni

Sunday, September 27 following 10:00 a.m. Mass ~ Blessed Trinity School Alumni All-Class Reception in St. Charles Hall

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

Saturday, October 3 from 9:30 a.m. to 12 Noon ~ Helping Hands Food Pantry in St. Charles Hall

There will be NO BINGO on SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3.
Due to building damage, we have no heat.

Sunday, October 4 at 9:00 a.m. ~ Choir Rehearsal in the Loft

Sunday, October 4 following 10:00 a.m. Mass ~ Ladies Sodality Meeting in St. Charles Hall

We now have a Bingo camera with TV monitors and electronic verification!
To check the Red, White & Blue and progressive Share-the-Wealth carry over amounts
and progressive numbers for this week, click HERE and visit our Facebook page.

Mass Intentions

Sunday, September 27 ~ Deceased Faculty and Alumni of Blessed Trinity School (Requested by School Alumni) and Max Link (Requested by Casey McNamara and Stephen Viscusi)

Monday, September 28 ~  St. Wenceslaus, St. Lawrence Ruiz & Companions ~ Communion Service at 11:00 a.m.

Tuesday, September 29 ~ Ss. Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, Archangels ~ Catherine M. Maher (Estate)

Wednesday, September 30 ~ St. Jerome ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Anna Snyder (Estate)

Thursday, October 1 ~ St. Therese of the Child Jesus ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Winfred Enright (Estate)

Friday, October 2 ~ The Holy Guardian Angels ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Deceased Members of Blessed Trinity Parish (Blessed Trinity Parish)

Saturday, October 3 ~ Vigil Mass at 4:30 p.m. – Frances Pernick (Children)

Sunday, October 4 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – Margaret F. Schirmann (Mary C. Stoddard) and Ithrene Cameron (Blessed Trinity Ladies Sodality)

Readings for the Week of September 27

Sunday: Nm 11:25-29; Jas 5:1-6; Mk 9:38-43, 45, 47-48
Monday: Zec 8:1-8; Lk 9:46-50
Tuesday: Dn 7:9-10, 13-14 or Rv 12:7-12ab; Jn 1:47-51
Wednesday: Neh 2:1-8; Lk 9:57-62
Thursday: Neh 8:1-4a, 5-6, 7b-12; Lk 10:1-12
Friday: Bar 1:15-22; Mt 18:1-5, 10
Saturday: Bar 4:5-12, 27-29; Lk 10:17-24
Sunday, October 4: Gn 2:18-24; Heb 2:9-11; Mk 10:2-16 or 10:2-12

St. Thérèse of Lisieux, France (St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus) is honored by the Church on October 1. She was canonized in 1925 – while our church was being built – and remains “one of the most popular saints of modern times because of her ‘Little Way’ of seeking holiness through the everyday things in the ordinary circumstances of life. The beautiful ceramic decorations around the shrine niche [in the right transept] are some of the most beautiful in the church.” (Rev. Walter Kern’s Guidebook to Blessed Trinity R.C. Church, page 27.)
Photo credit: Margaret Dick.

Rev. Charles Kraehn and a contingent of
BTS “Patrol Boys” in the 1950s.

Welcome Blessed Trinity School Alumni ~ This Sunday, September 27, we extend a warm welcome to alumni of our parish grammar school as they honor their deceased classmates and teachers at an annual Memorial Mass. Graduates from as long ago as 1930 through the last class of 1975 are expected to attend. We hope that you will find peace and renewal within our worship community and joy in re-connecting with former friends at your reception following the Mass. We also invite you to return throughout the year for parish liturgies, concerts, tours, volunteer opportunities, or other events.

Our Ladies Sodality will meet in St. Charles Hall following the 10 o’clock Mass next Sunday, October 4, for a brief but important business meeting. The agenda will include committee reports, and a discussion of board positions and programs scheduled during the fall and winter months. Please be prepared to make a $2 donation to defray the cost of light refreshments. All women of the parish are invited to attend. We thank our October hostess, Amy Johnson.

Watch for Watches ~ Beginning on Saturday, October 3 and continuing through Sunday, November 8, the Ladies Sodality will be collecting old watches – with our without wristbands — for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. The watches do not have to be in working order. They will be repaired or used for parts and sold in the Society’s thrift stores with proceeds used to further the organization’s charitable work. Here is a wonderful opportunity to “de-clutter” a dresser drawer, provide someone with a valued timepiece, and help the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in the process. Please place your donation in the “No More Mister Nice Watch” container near the statue of St. Joseph.

Fall Gardening at BT ~ Saturday, September 26, marked the return of Melanie Chimento and those wonderful folks from Buffalo Underground who did such an amazing landscaping job for us in June. A number of them “dug in” Saturday morning and helped to beautify our Leroy side landscaping and Dewey side planters for the fall season. We also extend our thanks to the parishioners who worked along with them: Drew Brodfuehrer, Tom Brodfuehrer, Judy Casassa, Bud and Mickey Dick, Dan Korchowsky, and Sister Liz Savage.

Updating Our Records ~ We are requesting your cooperation in updating our parish records and contact information. If you moved recently and forgot to notify the rectory office, this is your reminder to do so. If you have an email address, we would like to include you in our parish group email. This is a way of providing you with time-sensitive information; e.g., the death of a parishioner or the unexpected cancellation of some event due to weather or illness. Please help smooth the way for our new office staff by providing the following information: your name and preferred phone number; your email address; and, if applicable, your new mailing address. Please email the information to blessedtrinitychurch [at] gmail [dot] com specifying “Contact Information” in the subject line, or Click HERE and use our handy template. Just remember to reference “Contact Information.”

The Vocalis Chamber Choir

The Vocális Chamber Choir opens our 2015-16 Trinity Concert Series on Sunday, October 18 at 4 PM with texts in tribute to music – its beauty, power, meaning, and emotion. The ensemble of dedicated professionals, under the direction of James Burritt, will perform To Music, featuring the works of Vaughan Williams, Britten, Billings, Purcell, Haydn, Schubert – and other surprises. Please plan to be with us on October 18 as we celebrate the greatest of all art forms with the Vocális Chamber Choir. This is a ticketed event. Tickets are available at the door: $15 per person – $10 student.  Click HERE for additional information about the Trinity Series.

Catholic High Schools ~ We are receiving information for current 8th Graders regarding their schedules for Fall Open House, Preparation Classes for Entrance Exams, and Entrance Exam dates, as well as other fall events. You will find this information on the table in the front vestibule.

Ministry to the Sick and Homebound ~ New York State law prohibits hospitals and nursing homes/rehab facilities from notifying a church when a member of its congregation is admitted. If such a situation arises with your loved one or family member, please contact the rectory to request visitation and administration of the sacraments. This also applies to someone receiving care in a home setting.

Give a Child a Safe Home. Catholic Charities works closely with birth families to provide a safe place for children, especially sibling groups, to stay and receive care when they cannot receive it at their own home. Interested in learning more about their Foster Care program? Call (716) 856-4494 ext. 360 or send an email to foster [dot] adapt [at] ccwny [dot] org.

Buffalo Underground volunteers
join our parish “grounds crew.”

News from our Vicariate Cluster and the Wider Community

Oktoberfest ~ On Sunday, September 27, from 5 – 9:30 PM, the Sisters of St. Joseph are sponsoring an Oktoberfest at St. Aloysius Gonzaga Church, 157 Cleveland Dr. (corner of Century Dr.), Cheektowaga, NY, featuring the music of The Auslanders. German food, including Knockwurst, Bratwurst, Limburger cheese sandwiches and German Potato Salad will be served. Dancing, singing and raffles will be part of the event. Entrance fee is $5 ($6 at the door).

You Have Chosen to be Cremated. Now What? Hear from cemetery professionals about the trends and options with cremation on Tuesday, October 6, from 6:30-8 PM at Mount Calvary Cemetery, Pine Lawn Chapel, 2951 Harlem Rd., Cheektowaga. Father Fabian Maryanski will discuss the Catholic teaching on cremation, a question and answer format, with an optional tour of the crematory. Please RSVP by October 6 to 892-6600.

St. Joseph University Parish/Pax Christi WNY Retreat ~ A time to invigorate and restore our spirits on our individual spiritual journeys of confusion, grace and trial, by finding God and hope in ourselves and others. Saturday, October 17, 2015, 8:30 – 3:30. The retreat will use the book, A Spirituality of Being Human by Hugh Brady, D. Min. (Reading the book is not a prerequisite for participation). For information or registration, contact Tom Casey at caseytpc [at] aol [dot] com or 716-491-9172.

25th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Week of Sept. 20, 2015

Sep 20, 2015 | This Week

St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist
September 21

September 20 – September 27, 2015

Weekly Activities

Thursday, September 24 at 8:00 p.m. ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall

Saturday, September 26 from 9:30 a.m. to 12 Noon ~ Helping Hands Food Pantry in St. Charles Hall

Saturday, September 26 beginning at 10:00 a.m. ~ Gardening Work Party with Underground Buffalo

Saturday, September 26 at 8:00 p.m. ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall

Sunday, September 27 at 9:00 a.m. ~ Choir Rehearsal in the Loft

Sunday, September 27 at 9:30-10:00 a.m. ~ Church Tour for BT School Alumni

Sunday, September 27 following 10:00 a.m. Mass ~ Blessed Trinity School Alumni All-Class Reception in St. Charles Hall

We now have a Bingo camera with TV monitors and electronic verification!
To check the Red, White & Blue and progressive Share-the-Wealth carry over amounts
and progressive numbers for this week, click HERE and visit our Facebook page.

Mass Intentions

Sunday, September 20 ~ Gus Marien (Requested by Ed Marien) and Healing for Ogbuagu Ejimadu (Requested Fidelia and Family)

Monday, September 21 ~  St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist ~ Communion Service at 11:00 a.m.

Tuesday, September 22 ~ Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. – Leonard L. Dinder

Wednesday, September 23 ~ St. Pius of Pietrelcina ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Joseph Kohn (Family)

Thursday, September 24 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Anna Snyder (Estate)

Friday, September 25 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Winifred Enright (Estate)

Saturday, September 26 ~ Ss. Cosmas and Damian ~ Vigil Mass at 4:30 p.m. – John F. Curtin (Family)

Sunday, September 27 ~ Deceased Faculty and Alumni of Blessed Trinity School (School Alumni) and Max Link (Casey McNamara and Stephen Viscusi)

Readings for the Week of September 20

Sunday: Wis 2:12, 17-20; Jas 3:16-4:3; Mk 9:30-37
Monday: Eph 4:1-7, 11-13; Mt 9:9-13
Tuesday: Ezr 6:7-8, 12b, 14-20; Lk 8:19-21
Wednesday: Ezr 9:5-9; Lk 9:1-6
Thursday: Hg 1:1-8; Lk 9:7-9
Friday: Hg 2:1-9; Lk 9:18-22
Saturday: Zec 2:5-9, 14-15a; Lk 9:43b-45
Sunday, September 27: Nm 11:25-29; Jas 5:1-6; Mk 9:38-43, 45, 47-48

Terra cotta ornamentation in the right (west) transept Shrine Area. The “Globe surmounted by a Cross, Olive Branch and Lily…are used as symbols of Christ’s life on earth.”
Rev. Walter Kern’s Guidebook to Blessed Trinity R.C. Church, page 27. Photo credit: Margaret Dick.

News from our Parish Community

Updating Our Records ~ We are requesting your cooperation in updating our parish records and contact information. If you moved recently and forgot to notify the rectory office, this is your reminder to do so. If you have an email address, we would like to include you in our parish group email. This is a way of providing you with time-sensitive information; e.g., the death of a parishioner or the unexpected cancellation of some event due to weather or illness. Please help smooth the way for our new office staff by providing the following information: your name and preferred phone number; your email address; and, if applicable, your new mailing address. Please email the information to blessedtrinitychurch [at] gmail [dot] com specifying “Contact Information” in the subject line, or Click HERE and use our handy template. Just remember to reference “Contact Information.”

Gardening volunteers from the Buffalo Underground Meetup Group

Fall Gardening at BT ~ Saturday, September 26, marks the return of those wonderful folks from Underground Buffalo who did such an amazing landscaping job for us in June. They’re coming back to help get our gardens ship-shape for the fall season, and we’d like to match their numbers with parish volunteers. That means we need at least eleven parishioners armed with gardening tools and ready to dig in starting at 10 AM on Saturday, Sept. 26. Please consider joining our work party and feel free to invite a friend.

Blessed Trinity School Alumni and Friends will be attending our 10 a.m. Mass on Sunday, September 27. This is their annual remembrance of deceased alumni and faculty of the grammar school, which served the community from 1908-1975. Each year the alumni committee also sponsors a split-club raffle, with half of the proceeds benefiting our Under This Roof Fund.  Click HERE for additional information regarding the event, tour of our landmark church, and the alumni committee raffle.

Watch for Watches ~ Beginning on Saturday, October 3 and continuing through Sunday, November 8, the Ladies Sodality will be collecting old watches – with our without wristbands — for the St. Vincent de Paul Society. The watches do not have to be in working order. They will be repaired or used for parts and sold in the Society’s thrift stores with proceeds used to further the organization’s charitable work. Here is a wonderful opportunity to “de-clutter” a dresser drawer, provide someone with a valued timepiece, and help the St. Vincent de Paul Society in the process.

Local TV Coverage of Papal Visit ~ Beginning September 20 and continuning through Sat., Sept. 27, Time Warner Cable Channels 199 and 299 will broadcast 24 hour coverage of Pope Francis’ historic visit. You can download the Pope’s schedule, TV guide, and more at twcnews.com/papalvisit.

The Vocalis Chamber Choir

Our Trinity Concert 2015-16 Season opens on Sunday, October 18, with a 4 p.m. performance by The Vocális Chamber Choir. Please save the date! Click HERE for additional information about the Trinity Series.

Thank You for Supporting Christ the King Seminary ~ Last weekend was the annual special collection for Christ the King Seminary. Thank you to everyone who donated for your generosity. If you missed the collection, it’s not too late to support our seminary’s important work of educating our future priests, deacons and lay leaders to serve in our diocese. Donations are still being accepted at www.cks.edu or by calling 847-8370 or 655-7089. Gifts may also be placed in the collection (Attn: Seminary Appeal) or mailed to Christ the King Seminary, Attn: Parish Appeal, P.O. Box 607, East Aurora, NY 14052-0607.

Catholic High Schools ~ We are receiving information for current 8th Graders regarding their schedules for Fall Open House, Preparation Classes for Entrance Exams, and Entrance Exam dates, as well as other fall events. You will find this information on the table in the front vestibule.

Ministry to the Sick and Homebound ~ New York State law prohibits hospitals and nursing homes/rehab facilities from notifying a church when one of its parishioners is admitted for treatment. If such a situation arises with your loved one or family member, please contact the rectory to request visitation and administration of the sacraments. This also applies to someone receiving care in a home setting.

Give a Child a Safe Home. Catholic Charities works closely with birth families to provide a safe place for children, especially sibling groups, to stay and receive care when they cannot receive it at their own home. Interested in learning more about their Foster Care program? Call (716) 856-4494 ext. 360 or send an email to foster [dot] adapt [at] ccwny [dot] org.

News from our Vicariate Cluster and the Wider Community

Oktoberfest ~ On Sunday, September 27, from 5 – 9:30 PM, the Sisters of St. Joseph are sponsoring an Oktoberfest at St. Aloysius Gonzaga Church, 157 Cleveland Dr. (corner of Century Dr.), Cheektowaga, NY, featuring the music of The Auslanders. German food, including Knockwurst, Bratwurst, Limburger cheese sandwiches and German Potato Salad will be served. Dancing, singing and raffles will be part of the event. Entrance fee is $5 ($6 at the door).

St. Joseph University Parish/Pax Christi WNY Retreat ~ A time to invigorate and restore our spirits on our individual spiritual journeys of confusion, grace and trial, by finding God and hope in ourselves and others. Saturday, October 17, 2015, 8:30 – 3:30. The retreat will use the book, A Spirituality of Being Human by Hugh Brady, D. Min. (Reading the book is not a prerequisite for participation). For information or registration, contact Tom Casey at caseytpc [at] aol [dot] com or 716-491-9172.

Griefshare: A Supportive Group, When You Have Lost Someone Dear ~ 2 Wednesdays per month, starting Wednesday, September 23, 2015, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Our Lady of Pompeii Parish Ministry Center, 129 Laverack Avenue, Lancaster, NY 14086. Go to www.olpparish.com for details or call Sister Joyce at 716-683-6522.

24th Sunday in Ordinary Time ~ Week of Sept. 13, 2015

Sep 13, 2015 | This Week

Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
September 14

September 13 – September 20, 2015

Weekly Activities

Sunday, September 13 following the 10:00 a.m. Mass ~ Sodality program: “Celebrating Women Witnesses” – discussion of the life of Venerable Henriette Delille

Wednesday, September 16 at 7:00 p.m. ~ Parish Council Meeting in St. Charles Hall

Thursday, September 17 at 8:00 p.m. ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall

Saturday, September 19 from 9:30 a.m. to 12 Noon ~ Helping Hands Food Pantry in St. Charles Hall

Saturday, September 19 at 8:00 p.m. ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall

We now have a Bingo camera with TV monitors and electronic verification!
To check the Red, White & Blue and progressive Share-the-Wealth carry over amounts
and progressive numbers for this week, click HERE and visit our Facebook page.

Mass Intentions

Sunday, September 13 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. –  For the Intentions of the Ejimadu Family (Fidelia and Family) and Eula Mae Cooper (Blessed Trinity Ladies Sodality)

Monday, September 14 ~  Exaltation of the Holy Cross ~ Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. – Torrey Stephen Barnes

Tuesday, September 15 ~ Our Lady of Sorrows ~ Winifred Enright (Estate)

Wednesday, September 16 ~ St. Cornelius and St. Cyprian ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Joseph Kohn (Family)

Thursday, September 17 ~ St. Robert Bellarmine ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Deceased Members of Blessed Trinity Parish (Blessed Trinity Parishioners)

Friday, September 18 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Deceased Members of Ryan, Reily, Reynolds and Pfeiffer Families (Estate of Mary Reilly)

Saturday, September 19 ~ St. Januarius ~ Vigil Mass at 4:30 p.m. – Ithrene Cameron (Pauline Rollek)

Sunday, September 20 ~ Gus Marien (Ed Marien) and Healing for Ogbuagu Ejimadu (Fidelia and Family)

Readings for the Week of September 13

Sunday: Is 50:5-9a; Jas 2:14-18; Mk 8:27-35
Monday: Nm 21:4b-9; Phil 2:6-11; Jn 3:13-17
Tuesday: 1 Tm 3:1-13; Jn 19:25-27 or Lk 2:33-35
Wednesday: 1 Tm 3:14-16; Lk 7:31-35
Thursday: 1 Tm 4:12-16; Lk 7:36-50
Friday: 1 Tm 6:2c-12; Lk 8:1-3
Saturday: 1 Tm 6:13-16; Lk 8:4-15
Sunday, September 20: Wis 2:12, 17-20; Jas 3:16-4:3; Mk 9:30-37

Terra cotta ornamentation below Blessed Trinity’s Tabernacle Altar. Photo credit: Steve Mangione

News from our Parish Community

Employment Opportunities in Our Parish ~ After almost five years as Blessed Trinity Business Manager, Roy Laciura has decided to embark on a new career. We thank him for all his good work over the years, and wish him all the best in his new position at the WNY Catholic newspaper. Good luck and God bless, Roy!

In light of Roy’s move, the parish has decided to readjust staffing in the rectory. We plan to hire a part-time bookkeeper and a part-time secretary and initiate specific office hours for calling and appointments in the rectory. Can you help us with the following:

• Do you know someone with considerable bookkeeping experience (preferably according to diocesan procedures) willing to work 15-20 hours per week (flexible schedule) handling computerized accounts and reports? A job description for the position is available.
• Do you know someone with a pleasant personality and good computer skills interested in a part time (12-15 hours per week) position as a receptionist/secretary? Duties include answering the telephone and door, handling mail, photocopying, producing the bulletin, and related activities.

Compensation for both positions will be commensurate with training and experience. Please pass the word around, and if someone is interested, have him/her contact Bud Dick (716-832-2540) for more information.

Also, since it may take a little time to actually fill these paid positions, the Finance Committee would be very appreciative if any volunteers could step up to the plate and perform some of the above duties on a short-term, interim basis. Again, call Bud Dick if you are willing, and thank you very much for any help you can offer!

The Parish Council will meet on Wednesday, September 16, at 7:00 p.m. in St. Charles Hall.

Updating Our Records ~ We are requesting your cooperation in updating our parish records and contact information. If you moved recently and forgot to notify the rectory office, this is your reminder to do so. If you have an email address, we would like to include you in our parish group email. This is a way of providing you with time-sensitive information; e.g., the death of a parishioner or the unexpected cancellation of some event due to weather or illness. Please help smooth the way for our new office staff by providing the following information: your name and preferred phone number; your email address; and, if applicable, your new mailing address. Please email the information to blessedtrinitychurch [at] gmail [dot] com specifying “Contact Information” in the subject line, or Click HERE and use our handy template. Just remember to reference “Contact Information.”

Give so that more can serve ~ Thousands of people annually access Christ the King Seminary (“CKS”) and the St. Columban Center managed by CKS for retreats, workshops, convocations, and group meetings – seeking to serve and grow in their faith. Please help them build stronger parishes. This weekend is the annual collection for Christ the King – our diocesan seminary. This is your opportunity to help support the education of our future priests, deacons and lay leaders. Please invest in the future of the church in our area by helping our seminary continue its important work of ensuring that all who answer God’s call to ministry will never be denied the opportunity to serve. Please give generously so more can serve, and pray for the success of our seminary’s mission.  For more information on our seminary’s mission or programs, or to contribute on-line, go to www.cks.edu.

Gardening volunteers from the Buffalo Underground Meetup Group

Fall Gardening at BT ~ Saturday, September 26, marks the return of those wonderful folks from Underground Buffalo who did such an amazing landscaping job for us in June. They volunteered to help again in the fall, and we’d like to match their numbers with parish volunteers. That means we need at least eleven parishioners armed with gardening tools and ready to dig in starting at 10 AM on Saturday, Sept. 26. Will you be one of them?

Blessed Trinity School Alumni and Friends will be attending our 10 a.m. Mass on Sunday, September 27. This is their annual remembrance of deceased alumni and faculty of the grammar school, which served the community from 1908-1975. Each year the alumni committee also sponsors a split-club raffle, with half of the proceeds benefiting our Under This Roof Fund.  Click HERE for additional information regarding the event, tour of our landmark church, and the alumni committee raffle.

Project Homeless Connect is a one day event where those experiencing homelessness can come and connect with community based resources, dental and medical services, get a free haircut and so much more. It will take place on September 22 at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center. For several years, our parish supported the work of Sister Claire Edwards by collecting deodorant for this project. Now Catholic Charities is seeking donations of additional personal care products for Sept. 22. They are attempting to find individuals who will donate travel size personal care items or do a collection for these items within their offices or through their place of worship. Desired items include soap, shampoo, conditioner (including unopened hotel samples), disposable razors, band aids, dental floss, deodorant, hair brushes, toothpaste, and sanitary napkins. If you or someone you know would like to help or has items they would like to donate, please contact Renee Siepierski of Catholic Charities at 716-856-4494. It would be a wonderful tribute to our former parishioner, Sister Claire.

Henriette Delille (1813-1862)

The Ladies Sodality resumed its activities on Sunday, September 13, following the 10 AM Mass. We thank Dr. Althea Porter for sharing her insights on the life of Venerable Henriette Delille (1813-1862) and leading our small group discussions. Focusing on their own life experiences, participants were able to recognize and celebrate the role each has played as women witnesses of the Faith. The next Sodality meeting will be Sunday, October 4.

Ministry to the Sick and Homebound ~ New York State law prohibits hospitals and nursing homes/rehab facilities from notifying a church when one of its parishioners is admitted for treatment. If such a situation arises with your loved one or family member, please contact the rectory to request visitation and administration of the sacraments. This also applies to someone receiving care in a home setting.

More About Our Preservation Project ~ Earlier this year, Blessed Trinity Catholic Church received word from the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation that our application for funding to repair and restore major sections of our landmark church had been approved. With God’s help, we have begun the process of making these improvements happen in accordance with State and Federal standards. Firms wishing to submit proposals for architectural design services in connection with restoring our roof, nave windows and front entrance steps were required to demonstrate education, experience and expertise in historic preservation and the development of Sectarian Budgets as well as assurances of significant (30%) contracting opportunities for minority-and woman-owned business enterprises. Members of our building heritage committee and their advisers evaluated the proposals submitted in response and are currently in the process of selecting an architectural firm that will head up the restoration project over the next 18-24 months. Each member of our team takes his/her responsibilities very seriously, and they request that you continue to pray that their decisions will be inspired ones.

Give a Child a Safe Home. Catholic Charities works closely with birth families to provide a safe place for children, especially sibling groups, to stay and receive care when they cannot receive it at their own home. Interested in learning more about their Foster Care program? Call (716) 856-4494 ext. 360 or send an email to foster [dot] adapt [at] ccwny [dot] org.

Local Coverage of Papal Visit 2015~ Time Warner Cable News will provide complete coverage of the Pope’s visit to the U.S. on various media platforms. Channel 199 will air non-stop papal coverage September 20-27, including daily recap shows and national call-in shows. Channel 1020 has begun on-demand coverage, including pre-visit preparations, documentaries and previous papal visit programming, and will continue through November 30. On September 1, the cable outlet began featuring coverage with a local perspective on their news channel as well as a special papal visit section on their TWC News App, www.twcnews.com/papalvisit, for a video chronicle of the Pope’s visit.

News from our Vicariate Cluster and the Wider Community

St. Joseph University Parish/Pax Christi WNY Retreat ~ A time to invigorate and restore our spirits on our individual spiritual journeys of confusion, grace and trial, by finding God and hope in ourselves and others. Saturday, October 17, 2015, 8:30 – 3:30. The retreat will use the book, A Spirituality of Being Human by Hugh Brady, D. Min. (Reading the book is not a prerequisite for participation). For information or registration, contact Tom Casey at caseytpc [at] aol [dot] com or 716-491-9172.

Griefshare: A Supportive Group, When You Have Lost Someone Dear ~ 2 Wednesdays per month, starting Wednesday, September 23, 2015, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Our Lady of Pompeii Parish Ministry Center, 129 Laverack Avenue, Lancaster, NY 14086. Go to www.olpparish.com for details or call Sister Joyce at 716-683-6522.