November 19 – November 26, 2017

Weekly Activities

Sunday, November 19 following 10:00 a.m. Mass ~ Anointing of the Sick and Well-Aging in Church and Coffee Hour in St. Charles Hall hosted by Ladies Sodality

Tuesday, November 21 at 7:00 p.m. ~ NO Choir Rehearsal – Enjoy your holiday!

Thursday, November 23 at 8:00 p.m. ~ NO BINGO in observance of Thanksgiving Day

Saturday, November 25 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. ~ NEW HOURS – SAT. ONLY – Helping Hands Food Pantry in St. Charles Hall

Saturday, November 25 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, November 19 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. ~ Tom Wisniewski (Requested by Bob and Mary Kresse)

Monday, November 20 ~ No Service

Tuesday, November 21 ~ Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary ~ Communion Service at 11:00 a.m.

Wednesday, November 22 ~ St. Cecilia ~Communion Service at 11:00 a.m.

Thursday, November 23 ~ THANKSGIVING ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – Catherine M. Maher (Estate)

Friday, November 24 ~ St. Andrew Dung-Lac & companions ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – All Souls (Blessed Trinity Parish)

Saturday, November 25 ~ St. Catherine of Alexandria ~ Vigil Mass at 4:30 p.m. – Vincent, Frances and Agnes Manion (Estate)

Sunday, November 26 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. ~ Geraldine Stroh (Richard R. Stroh) and Susanne Dulski (Colleen Schroeder and Sister Ann Helene Koenig)

Ministry Schedule for Saturday and Sunday, November 25 and 26:

Saturday, 4:30 p.m.  Reader: Gary Kelley; Eucharistic Minister: Lorna Cameron

Sunday, 10:00 a.m.  Readers: Mary Kresse, Simon Kresse;  Eucharistic Ministers: Fran Cahill, John Curtin, Maggie Gatson, Alice Davis; Sharon Dunnigan (Choir)

    

Canisius High Volunteers at BT – L. to R: Front row – Bill and Tracey Palisano, Faith Wendel (seated), Joe Van Volkenberg, Emmet Quinn; middle row –  Elaine Wendel, Andrew Armstrong, Janice Armstrong, Kevin Quinn; Back row – Melissa Szczepanski, Andrew Szczepanski

News from our Parish Community

Stewardship is returning a portion of our gifts to God. The gifts we return are our time, our talent, and our treasure. We return these gifts not because God or our church needs them, but because we feel an overwhelming need to show our love and gratitude to God.

Special Collections ~ The second collection on November 19 benefits the Catholic Campaign for Human Development.

Anointing of the Sick and Well-Aging will take place in church on Sunday, November 19, immediately following Mass.

November’s coffee hour on Sunday, November 19, in St. Charles Hall, will be hosted by the Ladies Sodality.

Special Mass Time on Thanksgiving – On Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, our Mass will be at 10 AM. Please join your parish family in giving thanks for our many blessings.

Adjusting for the Holiday ~ Please note that the parish bulletin for November 26 will be prepared early due to Thanksgiving. Submissions must be received in the parish office by Tuesday, November 21.

We offer prayerful thanks to Joe Van Volkenberg, members of the Canisius High School Alumni and their family members who gave of their time and energies to clean our church for Advent and Christmas. The group of eleven arrived before 9am on Saturday, November 18, and got right to work washing the pews and floor and dusting a few nooks and crannies that were gathering webs. We are also grateful to parishioners Judy Casassa, Bud and Mickey Dick, Dan Korchowsky and Sister Liz Savage who worked along with them.

Advent begins on December 3. A number of activities are taking place in our parish during the month of December – some charitable, some prayerful – but all designed to help us prepare for the Savior’s first coming. Watch your mail for a complete schedule of Advent activities and your individualized Advent Calendar, being provided by your parish council.

Gifts for homebound parishioners may be left in this designated basket in the front of church.

Gifts for Homebound Parishioners – Only 2 weekends remain to help the Ladies Sodality in their annual effort to prepare Christmas gift bags to be delivered to our homebound parishioners and those in senior care facilities. If you would like to contribute, please bring your new, unwrapped items to church and leave them in the designated basket at the far left end of the communion rail. (You will also find slips with gift suggestions in this basket). We always try to give each recipient money for a hair cut or shampoo & set, so cash contributions are also welcome. Why not make a note to yourself and bring your donation when you come to Mass on Thanksgiving. Sunday, December 3, is our target date for collecting all donated items; presents and plants will be ready on the weekend of December 9/10 for delivery by December 23. If you are willing to deliver one and spend a few minutes visiting with a parishioner, please call Mickey Dick at 716-832-2540.

Mark Your Calendar!! On Sunday, December 3, at 3:00 PM, the Freudig Singers will again bring their holiday Christmas Pie Concert to Blessed Trinity. A glorious array of choral pieces will feature works by Morten Lauridsen, Hector Berlioz, John Rutter, and new compositions by Freudig music director Roland E. Martin himself. Also on the program will be some old favorites, including “Sleigh Ride” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.”  In addition, the singers will perform a Grinch medley and much more. There will be a raffle of signature pies baked by chorus members, and following the concert, a reception with a delicious serving of Christmas pie for concert attendees. Tickets are $15.00 and may be purchased at the door.

Notes from the Loft ~ Our choir members frequently share ideas on how to make our liturgical music more meaningful, and this week is a jackpot of favorites.  You may have seen the viral video of Grace Anna, a little girl who is disabled, beautifully singing “Give Me Jesus” (our Offertory hymn) with benefit of neither accompaniment nor choir.  She reminds us that Jesus is all we truly need. Please continue to submit your ideas for how we can make our liturgical experience more meaningful through song to Elizabeth or any member of the Blessed Trinity Choir. The Mass setting we are using this month is the Santa Clara Mass.  It is not in the Breaking Bread Hymnal, but it should be in your heart, because you have heard it before.  We will continue to use the Glory to God from the Mass of Creation, which is #873 in Breaking Bread. Advent is coming! Please consider joining the choir as an “extra” for Christmas. Praise in Song continues on Tuesday evenings at 7pm in St. Charles Hall, but we are taking this Tuesday off in advance of the holiday.

We welcome your donation of cocoa for Sr. Karen Klimczak’s Christmas Prison Project.

WE’RE ALMOST THERE!! Thus far we’ve collected 2,800 packages of hot chocolate for our annual Christmas Prison Project. That’s 2/3 of the total packages needed (4,200). Will you help us go “over the top”? Just purchase boxes of instant cocoa when you shop, or put a cash donation in one of the envelopes at the tables near the church doors and drop it in the collection basket. We’ll get the hot chocolate for you. Also, Amy Johnson still has bags to be decorated for the project. If you, your family, your school or youth group can decorate them, you will have fun doing it and bring a beautiful smile to some very lonely prisoners at Christmas. All cocoa packages and decorated bags need to be in the church by December 1!

Sodality Christmas Dinner ~ The Ladies Sodality would like the women of the parish to join us for our annual Christmas dinner on Wednesday, December 6 at 6pm. It will be held at the Family Tree Restaurant, 4346 Bailey near Longmeadow in Amherst. Menu choices include: pot roast, chicken souvlaki, sweet and sour salmon, or a fish fry. Salad, baked potato, pita bread, and rice pudding as well as your choice of coffee, tea or soft drink are also included. The price for the dinner is $25.00, which includes tax and gratuity. For reservation, please contact Amy Johnson at 716-836-4694. You can make your check payable to the Ladies Sodality. We thank you in advance for your support.

Father Victor sends his warm regards to all after being away for one month. He is enjoying time with his family in their village of origin and will return the week before Christmas.

Wine Tasting Kudos. Once again we have reason to celebrate a successful wine tasting. There are so many people to thank, but we will start with Bill Warren from Aurora Liquor who contributed his time and knowledge of vine and wine, and his wife, Gwen, who assisted with selections and pours. We are also indebted to the following businesses that donated food or merchandise for our fundraiser: Bengert Greenhouses, Black & Blue Steak and Crab, Cugino’s Restaurant, Curtiss Hotel, Darwin Martin House, Dash’s Markets, Elbers Landscape Service, Just Pizza, Lone Star Fajita Grill, Mason’s Grille 52, Paula’s Donuts, Raymondo’s Pizzeria, Russell’s Steaks Chops and More, Salvatore’s Hospitality, Share Kitchen & Bar Room, Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site, Trader Joe’s, Watson’s Chocolates (Depew), Wegman’s Markets, and WOOT [Wine] Cellars. Please remember to support them in return by utilizing their services or purchasing their products. Parishioners and friends who contributed time, raffle prizes, and delicious hors d’oeuvres and desserts are too numerous to list, but we love you all and thank you for your role in hosting such a memorable evening.

Welcome to Barbara Strusienski, who has joined our part-time administrative team as a bookkeeper, while continuing to provide the same services for the CCCB parishes of St. Martin de Porres and St. Lawrence. We are grateful for her expertise and hope that this will be long and successful relationship for both Barb and our parish.

While Father Victor is away (through December 17), Rev. Peter Drilling, former rector of St. Joseph’s Cathedral, and Rev. Martin Eneh will celebrate Masses and Sacraments each Thursday through Sunday at the times indicated below. Please remember that there is a temporary change in daily services during this time. There will be no service on Mondays. On Tuesday and Wednesday, Jack Curtin will offer a Communion Service at 11:00 am. There will be Mass at 11:00 a.m. each Thursday and Friday. There is NO CHANGE in the weekend Mass times.

We pray for all who are ill and have requested our prayers, especially parishioners Fran Cahill, Barbara Draper, Richard Plunkett, and Anthony and Mary Hartmann. Please inform the parish of those who are sick by calling the rectory office so that they can be added to our prayer list and schedule for home visits, as needed.

Helping Hands Food Pantry ~ The Helping Hands Food Pantry not operates on Saturdays only from 10am to 2pm. Its director, Luis Clay, is also seeking additional volunteers. Please contact the church office at 716-833-0301 if you or someone you know might be interested in this opportunity.

We are in need of additional lectors and Eucharistic ministers. We will be including young readers in this helping ministry. Those who are interested, please contact the office at 716-833-0301.

Openings for Mass Intentions ~ Thank you to all who have recently placed Mass intentions. Please contact the church office (716-833-0301) with your requests. Office hours are: 10:30am-2:30pm, Tuesday through Thursday. The Mass Stipend is $15.

Important Deadlines to Remember ~ As the year ends and we think ahead to 2018, 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 please remember to submit your announcements to 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 ~ Several parishioners have inquired about the possibility of group email 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.

The Freudig Singers in concert at Blessed Trinity, December 3 at 3 PM.

 

News from our Vicariate Cluster and the Wider Community

Christmas Nativity Sets on display at Ss. Columba-Brigid Church (75 Hickory & Eagle Streets – one block south of Clinton Street). Father Roy Herberger invites you to experience a display of 580 nativity sets from 58 countries (1-4pm every Saturday and Sunday from the weekend of November 25-26 until the weekend of January 6 & 7 (except December 23-24). There is no charge and there is a special section for children. Please call Father Roy at 716-852-2076 for additional information.

Rekindle the Fire Within on Thursday  November 30 at 7pm at St. Christopher Parish (266 Niagara Falls Boulevard in Tonawanda). This Praise and Worship evening will be an evening spent in adoration of our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, during which we will be singing songs of praise led by our music ministry and have moments of prayer and reflection interspersed throughout. Please give yourself a gift and attend this new and exciting time with Jesus! Parents bring your children! Children bring your parents and grandparents! Teens bring your friends! You won’t be disappointed because Jesus never disappoints those who praise Him!

Buffalo Choral Art Society, a 115-voice community chorus, presents “Ringing in the Season,” a group of Christmas concerts featuring guest artists, The Royalton Ringers: Handbell Quartet. Concerts will be held on Friday, December 1 at 7:30pm at St. Mary Church (6919 Transit Road in Swormville), Sunday, December 3 at 3pm at St. Joseph Cathedral (50 Franklin Street in Buffalo), and Saturday, December 9 at 7:30pm at SS. Peter & Paul Church (66 East Main Street in Hamburg). More information at 716-775-7664 or BuffaloChoralArts.org.

Holiday Bazaar & Craft Show at Mount St. Mary Academy is Sunday December 3 (10am – 3pm) at 3756 Delaware Avenue in Kenmore) with over 70 vendors with everything from homemade candles, jellies, wreaths, scarves, artwork, jewelry, a used book sale, and more. Free to public. Accepting donations of canned goods or other non-perishable food item to our Food Drive. For more information, call Alexandra Fussell at 844-1358, ext. 304.or email afussell [at] msacademy [dot] org.

Villa Maria Chorale Christmas Concert is Sunday December 10 at 3pm at Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel (600 Doat Street in Buffalo). Free will offering.

Old World Christmas Cookie Shoppe is Sunday December 10, 11:30am – 2pm at Our Lady of Czestochowa Parish (57 Center Avenue in North Tonawanda). Have a photo taken with Mr. and Mrs. Clause. Browse Santa’s workshop for small gifts.

Grief and the Holidays program is scheduled for Thursday, December 14 (2-3pm) at the Hospice Buffalo Education Center (225 Como Park Boulevard in Cheektowaga). Email mgiesler [at] palliativecare [dot] org or call 716-836-6460 for required registration .

Cleaning out your closets? Catholic Charities is accepting donations of new or gently used clothing, footwear, purses, bags, and household items like small kitchen appliance, curtains, drapes, and dishes, and bed linens. Drop off weekdays 10am-2:30pm at 1122 Broadway in Buffalo or 10am-1:30pm on the first Saturday of the month (except holiday weekends). Visit ccwny.org for more information.

Western New York Caregiver Partnership offers support to caregivers and seeks volunteers. Visit wnyacp.org or call 800-342-9871 to learn more.