60 YEARS COURAGEOUSLY Living the Gospel July 19, 2020 WEEKEND MAGAZINE 16th Sunday in OT Saints are bridges between God and people, says pope Francis calls the faithful to intercede as bridges – like Jesus, Moses, and the saints – for the wicked, worst sinners and corrupt leaders. Kathleen Hattrup ope Francis took up the prayer of Moses in his reflection at the general audience on June 17, noting how Moses prefigured Christ in his role as intercessor, and how all the saints, in imitation of Jesus, P are called to this “intercessory attitude.” Continued page 2 July 19, 2020 Page 2 Continued from front page Even when the people had sinned and created the golden calf as an idol, Moses interceded for them, as “the bridge.” Between the people and God, “he is in the middle,” the pope said. “He is an intercessor: for his people, for his flesh and blood, for his history, for his people and for the God who called him. He is the bridge.” Francis noted that the word pontifex means bridge, and that this is the vocation for priests. PASTOR Explaining Moses’ prayer to God, he said: “Pastors are the bridges Rev. Wayne C. Genereux between the people, to whom they belong, and God, to whom they DEACONS belong by vocation. This is what Moses is. ‘If you would only for- Deacon Bill Lovelace give their sin! But if you will not, then blot me out of the book that Deacon Lionel Roberts, you have written. I do not want to get ahead at the expense of my Deacon Emeritus people.'” PASTOR EMERITUS And this is the prayer that true believers cultivate in their spiritual Msgr. Anton Dechering life. Even if they experience the shortcomings of people and their Retired distance from God, in prayer they do not condemn them, they do not reject them. The intercessory attitude is proper to the saints who, in CLERGY ASSISTANCE imitation of Jesus, are “bridges” between God and His people. Mo- Fr. Jack McDowell, OFM ses, in this sense, was the first great prophet of Jesus, our advocate Fr. Anthony Fortunato, OdeM and intercessor (see Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2577). Fr. Victor Bartolotta And today, too, Jesus is the pontifex, He is the bridge between us and MASS SCHEDULE the Father. And Jesus intercedes for us, He shows the Father the Weekday Masses wounds that are the price of our salvation, and He intercedes. And Monday - Saturday 8:00 AM Moses is the figure of Jesus who today prays for us, intercedes for Weekend Masses us. Saturday Vigil at 4:00 PM Sunday Moses urges us to pray with the same ardour as Jesus, to intercede 8:00 AM, 9:30 Am & 11:30 AM for the world, to remember that despite all its frailties, it still belongs to God. Follow the Sunday Mass on our website, btsp.org. Everyone belongs to God. The worst sinners, the wickedest people, the most corrupt leaders, they are children of God, and Jesus feels Confessions can be arranged with this and intercedes for everyone. And the world lives and thrives Fr. Wayne. Call his private thanks to the blessing of the righteous, to the prayer for mercy, this number to make your prayer for mercy that the saint, the right- appointment, 727-401-0487. eous, the intercessor, the priest, the bish- PARISH OFFICE op, the Pope, the layperson, any baptised Monday—Friday 9-12 and 1-4 person incessantly raises up for humanity, Closed for Lunch Noon to 1 pm in every place and time in history. 1600 54TH AVE S. Let us think of Moses, the intercessor. ST. PETERSBURG, FL 33712 And when we want to condemn someone PHONE and we become angry inside … to get an- (727) 867-3663 gry is good it can be healthy – while to FAX condemn does no good, let us intercede (727) 864-2679 for him or her; this will help us a lot. WEB SITE http://btsp.org Like us on FaceBook Reprinted with permission from aleteia.org Thoughts Worth Sharing Page 3 ARE YOU NEW? What to Dear Friends in Christ, Expect at Blessed Trinity I am happy to present three young men who will be ordained Welcoming: Our parishioners to the Priesthood for the Diocese of St. Petersburg on August love meeting new people and 15, the Feast of the Assumption at 11:00 a.m. at the Cathedral sharing their lives with others. You’ll also be greeted by some of St. Jude. The Mass this year will not be open to the public, of the most welcoming people you can still watch the Livestream on www.dosp.org. Please you’ve ever met at a Church - keep them in your prayers. and we’re not just talking about the Hospitality team. Family Focused: If you have children, they are ALWAYS welcome to celebrate Mass with the community! Our Family Faith Formation program in- vites the whole family to partic- ipate in learning about the faith. Dynamic Worship: Through- out the Mass, you’ll be encour- aged and invigorated by the community’s full, conscious, and active participation in the Liturgy. Our Community loves to SING! From traditional hymns to contemporary worship Deacons Joshua Bertrand, Connor Penn and Drew Woodke music, the word of God is pro- claimed in a dynamic fashion. The homilies are geared to- wards challenging our parish- “Thoughts Worth Sharing” is written by: ioners to become better Chris- Fr. Wayne C. Genereux, Pastor tians. 727-867-3663 [email protected] A Church Unlike Any Other: There’s so much more to talk about! Our Parish is a wonder- ful, dynamic community and we welcome you to celebrate litur- Congratulations! gy with us this weekend! It doesn’t matter if this is your th “A day of great joy as my brother, first time, 50 time, or first time Fr. Stephen Parkes, is appointed in 50 years - know that you al- ways have a place to worship, Bishop of Savannah by Pope and a community to belong to at Francis! Blessed to be brothers. Blessed Trinity Catholic Blessed to be brother Bishop.” Church. ~Bishop Gregory L. Parkes To learn more, visit WWW.BTSP.ORG This Week in Worship Page 4 Are You Looking to Receive One of the Mass Intentions Seven Sacraments With Us? Saturday, July 18 4:00 p.m. Vince Heffern (Dec) Matrimony Sunday, July 19, Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Congratulations on your engage- 8:00 a.m. Luis Arango (Dec) ment! Every Diocese in Florida 9:30 a.m. For Parishioners requires at least six months prep- 11:30 a.m. Eleanor Humes (Dec) and aration before marriage. Please Joan Haugh (Dec) call our Pastor, Fr. Wayne Gene- reux, at the Parish Office for an Monday, July 20, Saint Apollinaris, Bishop and Martyr 8:00 a.m. Norbert “O.E.” Shier (Dec) appointment before setting a date. Tuesday, July 21, Saint Lawrence of Brindisi, Priest and Doctor Baptism of the Church We are honored that you would 8:00 a.m. John, Carmen & Clayton Williams (Dec) and like to choose Blessed Trinity Maria (Liv) Catholic Church for the Baptism Wednesday, July 22, Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene of your child! We ask that you 8:00 a.m. For Vocations please call our Pastor, Fr. Wayne Genereux, at the Parish Office for Thursday, July 23, Saint Bridget, Religious 8:00 a.m. Ann Deakins & Family (Dec) information regarding the Pre- Baptism Class before scheduling Friday, July 24, Saint Sharbel Makhlūf, Priest a Baptism. 8:00 a.m. Alice Varville (Dec) Office Hours Saturday, July 25, Feast of Saint James, Apostle Monday—Friday 9-12 and 1-4 8:00 a.m. George Varville (Dec) 4:00 p.m. Comeau & LaRosa Families (Liv & Dec) Closed for Lunch Noon to 1 pm Sunday, July 26, Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time 8:00 a.m. Cynthia Lewis (Liv) 9:30 a.m. For Parishioners The church is open for our 11:30 a.m. James Kustka (Dec) regular schedule of Masses. Recognizing that many will still be unable to attend Mass we will continue to record the Mass and upload it to the website. To view the Mass go to our website: btsp.org and click on the red words to start the video. The recorded Mass is from the Saturday vigil. We are very grateful to Brent Boughchamp who has been volunteering his services to record the Mass each week. Thank you Brent for your continued support. Offertory Page 5 “M ney Matters” by Eileen Plasse, Parish Manager We finished the fiscal year $36,851 under our 2019/2020 budgeted income ($8,150 less was just Easter Sunday. Easter Sunday has al- ways been the over the hump income that we could catch up on our unpaid bills, but not this year). In spite of the shut down the reality is that we are not doing too badly. When we could no longer offer Offertory community masses in March, we received your over whelming Mailed or brought in: support in prayer, well wishes, and financially. Many of our north- $3,570 ern parishioners left a large gift as they left Florida to return north. Now we are in the summer months when our offertory is always Collected at Mass: lower. It is hard to gauge the Covid-19 impact with a summer $2,273 slowdown. Online donations: 7/1-7/13 $2,600 Each week we take attendance at the weekend masses. The first Total Offertory: $8,443 week we opened up for weekend masses a total of 235 people at- tended.