November 18 – 25, 2012
The Canisius Clean Team, from left to right: Brent Gray, Brian Moretti, Jessica Leemans, Scott Moser Tom Barret, Bill Schubring, and Turki Almusiened.
Weekly Activities
Tuesday, November 20 at 7:30 p.m. ~ Choir Rehearsal in St. Charles Hall.
Wednesday, November 21 at 7 p.m. ~ Parish Council Meeting in St. Charles Hall.
Thursday, November 22 ~ THANKSGIVING ~ There will be NO Bingo.
Saturday, November 24 at 8:00 p.m ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall.
We now have new games: Red, White & Blue; carry over Bonus Ball; and a progressive Share-the-Wealth!
Mass Intentions
Sunday, November 18 ~ Mass at 10 a.m. – Andrew Jaremka (Requested by Bob and Mary Kresse) and Bob Hamsik (Requested by Angela Jost)
Monday, November 19 ~ Communion Service at 11 a.m.
Tuesday, November 20 ~ Mass at 11 a.m. – All Souls (St. Gerard Parish)
Wednesday, November 21 ~ The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary ~ Mass at 11 a.m. – Anthony and Teresa Hafner (Estate)
Thursday, November 22 ~ St. Cecilia ~ Thanksgiving Day Mass at 10 a.m. – For All Who Are Needy and Lonely
Friday, November 23 ~ Pope St. Clement I; St. Columban; Bl. Miguel Agustin Pro ~ Mass at 11 a.m. – Gladys Kibler (Estate)
Saturday, November 24 ~ St. Andrew Dung-Lac & Companions ~ Mass at 4:30 p.m. – Clara and William Then (Family)
Sunday, November 25 ~ Mass at 10 a.m. – Phil Heubusch (Ed Marien) and Edward Hodur – Birthday Remembrance (Bonnie and Don Williams)
News from our Parish Community
Thanksgiving at Blessed Trinity ~ Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, November 22, at 10:00 a.m. Please join us to begin the celebration around the Table of the Lord. As a response to the mission of the Gospel: to feed the hungry and car for the poor, we invite you to bring non-perishable food items that will be taken later to Blessed Trinity’s Helping Hands Food Pantry. Our collection that day will be for the pantry.
We give thanks … for students in the Canisius College Masters in Sports Administration program who helped to clean our church as Community Day volunteers on November 10th. Click HERE for photos of “The Clean Team.”
Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund ~ Catholic Charities USA has been working tirelessly throughout the storm-related areas to bring relief and assistance to those left without shelter or in need of aid. Its resources, however, are being spread thin, and it is in need of our support. And since Hurricane Sandy hit not just the United States but Cuba, Haiti, Jamaica and other countries of the Caribbean, Catholic Relief Services personnel also have been hard at work assisting those in need. Bishop Richard Malone, with all the Bishops of the United States, invites all parishes to take up a special voluntary collection to assist Catholic Charities USA and Catholic Relief Services in responding to the needs of the people who are suffering at this time and who are in need of our financial aid as a result of Hurricane Sandy. On November 17 & 18 we will have a special second collection designated for immediate relief and to assist with long-term rehabilitation for the victims of Hurricane Sandy. As the Catholic Church of Western New York, we offer our condolences and prayers to our brothers and sisters in the New York City area as well as New Jersey, and all who have suffered as a result of this natural disaster. May we all be united in prayer as we pray for victims and survivors and all those who are working hard to assist those in need. Thank you! (The above is taken from Bishop Malone’s letter to all parishes and Institutions of the Buffalo Diocese).
The Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) needs your support. CCHD was founded to end the cycle of poverty in America by funding organizations that help individuals help themselves. With the tradition of improving education, housing situations, and economic development, CCHD continues to make a positive impact in communities nationwide. Fight poverty in America. Defend human dignity. Give to the CCHD Collection on November 17 & 18.
Prisoner Gifts 2012 ~ Blessed Trinity will again host the assembly of Christmas gift bags for prison inmates. The Christmas Prison Package Project originated with Sr. Karen Klimczak, SSJ, at the Bissonette House over 20 years ago, and we are privileged to continue its message of forgiveness and non-violence. Janice Burns is coordinating the event with Peaceprints Prison Ministries. Previously, we have provided 1000 gift bags for men incarcerated at Wende Correctional Facility. This year, the ministry is being extended to women inmates at Albion and the target number is now 2000. Our parish has been asked to donate instant hot cocoa, and our goal is 4,000 individual serving envelopes. Please bring your donations to church by December 2, and place them in the labeled back pew. The white paper gift bags are now available for decoration. If your are interested, contact Jan Burns at 716-491-4223.
The actual assembly will take place on Friday, December 7. Volunteers are needed for both shifts: 9:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. until completion. Cash donations or checks payable to “Peaceprints Prison Ministries” can be placed in an envelope marked “Prisoner Gifts” and dropped into the weekend collection.
A Toast to Our Volunteers ~ The parish wishes to thank those who worked so hard to make our recent wine tasting such a success. First and foremost, we thank Bill Warren and Hertel Parker Liquor for their generosity and Bill and his wife, Gwen, for dispensing both wine and selection tips to our guests on October 26. Naturally, we thank everyone who donated hors d’ouevres or desserts to compliment the wines, or raffle and silent auction items. But we owe a special debt of gratitude to those who made the event happen: They include general chair Bud Dick and his able committee including: Judy Casassa, Alice Davis, Mickey Dick, Ellen Duffy, Cathy Gress, Amy Johnson, Angela Jost, Dorothy Manuppelli, Toni Maus, Kathy Press, Jessie Wells, and Don & Bonnie Williams. We also thank Chris Puchalski for re-instituting the church tour — this time with a candlelight theme — and Terry Gress for assisting with docent duties. The event raised nearly $4,000 for the church’s Under This Roof preservation fund.
Mission Passports ~ Last month Father Reger introduced the Year of Faith Program that Bishop Malone inaugurated for our Diocese at a Mass at Our Lady of Victory Basilica on Sunday, October 14. Blessed Trinity “Ambassadors” received Mission Passports for our parish and distributed them to us at each Mass. We are being called today to carry on Christ’s mission, to be witnesses to the Gospel by our lives, to bear the Good News, and to serve one another. If you were unable to be here or would need an extra copy, you will find Passports on a table near the Ushers’ seat in the middle of Church.
A Special Request for our Helping Hands Food Pantry ~ Richard Plunkett advises that The Pantry has a critical need for volunteers with a pick-up truck who might be available a few hours each week or every other week for transport of food donations or extra food orders to the Helping Hands Food Pantry. If you can lend a hand or need further information, please contact Richard at 861-5022.
On a related note, The Helping Hands Food Pantry has been experiencing chronic shortages of cereal (store brands welcome). Their supply of cereal is usually gone by the end of the first week after the monthly food delivery from the Food Bank. They also are in need of any kind of canned vegetables, juice or canned soup, as well as flour or sugar and baking supplies. Many younger people and grandparents are asking for baby supplies, such as diapers and formula. You should also know that the food pantry now has used clothing that is clean and folded according to size for men, women, boys, girls and infants. They are in greatest need of clothing for men and infants. All clothing is donated and must be cleaned upon acceptance.
News from our Vicariate Cluster and the Wider Community
FREE High School Equivalency (GED) Preparation for students 17 years or older is offered by Catholic Charities Department of Education and Workforce! Job readiness preparation is also offered for those pursuing their GED. Classes are small with one to one help. Our students succeed! (By 2014 state requirements will change significantly and fees of up to $250 MAY be charged – now is the time to get this essential certificate). Locations are in Buffalo, Lackawanna, Cheektowaga and surrounding suburbs. For further information, contact Catholic Charities GED INFORMATION at 893-3500 or 856-4494.
Nativity Miguel Volunteer Teaches Love of Writing ~ Professional writer, artist and NativityMiguel volunteer Mary Mullett-Flynn has started a letter writing program for the seventh and eighth-grade girls at St Monica’s. Many of the girls had never written a letter and were delighted to do so. Since nearly one-third of our students are from refugee families, many of them have been writing to friends and relatives in Africa. They have also continued to correspond with Ms Mullet-Flynn, developing not only literacy skills, but a love of writing. As an artist, she has offered to do even more for St. Monica’s. Ms Mullet -Flynn will donate 25% of online sales of her artwork to support their art, music and literature programs. Proceeds are used to purchase instruments and art supplies. To view her artwork, visit: www.mooninspiredgifts.com. As always, please pray for the success of our students. Thank-you!