December 18 – December 25, 2016
Weekly Activities
Sunday, December 18, following the 10:00 a.m. Mass ~ Moving of Christmas decorations from church basement
Monday, December 19 at 6:30 p.m. ~ Decorating the Church for Christmas
Tuesday, December 20 at 6:30 p.m. ~ Decorating the Church for Christmas
Tuesday, December 20 at 7:00 p.m. ~ Choir Rehearsal in St. Charles Hall
Wednesday, December 21 at 7:00 p.m. ~ Choir Rehearsal in Church
Thursday, December 22 at 8:00 p.m. ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall*
Friday, December 23 from 9:00 a.m. to 12 Noon ~ Helping Hands Food Pantry in St. Charles Hall
Saturday, December 24 from 9:00 a.m. to 12 Noon ~ Helping Hands Food Pantry in St. Charles Hall
Saturday, December 24 ~ NO BINGO
Saturday, December 24 at 9:30 p.m. ~ Christmas Eve Choir preludes in Church
*In response to requests from our players, we have instituted age restrictions for admission to Bingo. As of October 15, 2015, we 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, December 18 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. ~ Albert and Ella Tiede (Requested by Mary and Bob Kresse) and Gretchen Kelly (Requested by Bud and Mickey Dick)
Monday, December 19 ~ No Service
Tuesday, December 20 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Anne Crocker (Family)
Wednesday, December 21 ~ St. Peter Canisius ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Catherine Maher (Estate)
Thursday, December 22 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Anna Snyder (Estate)
Friday, December 23 ~ St. John of Kanty ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Deceased Members of Ryan, Reilly, Reynolds and Pfeiffer Families (Estate of Mary Reilly)
Feast of the Birth of Our Lord
Saturday, December 24 ~ Christmas Eve Mass at 10:00 p.m. (preceded by choral preludes at 9:30 p.m.) ~ Blessed Trinity Parish Community
Sunday, December 25 ~ Christmas Day Mass at 10:00 a.m. ~ Blessed Trinity Parish Community
Ministry Schedule for Saturday and Sunday, December 24 and 25:
Saturday, 10:00 p.m. Readers: Bob Heicklen, Mary Kresse; Eucharistic Ministers: Jack Curtin, Maggie Gatson, Alice Davis; Mary Kresse (Loft)
Sunday, 10:00 a.m. Readers: Jack Curtin, Lorna Cameron; Eucharistic Ministers: Fran Cahill, Jack Curtin, Lorna Cameron; Sr. Liz Savage (Loft)
For our schedule of Christmas season services, Click HERE.
News from our Parish Community
Decorating for Christmas: Phase I ~ On Sunday, December 18 after 10am mass, we will be bringing the Christmas decorations up from the church basement. Any help you can provide will be greatly appreciated.
Decorating for Christmas: Phase II ~ Decorating of the Church for Christmas will take place this Monday and Tuesday, December 19 and 20, beginning at 6:30pm. A plan is in place; all we need is your helping hands to accomplish a variety of tasks. Please bring your Christmas spirit and join us on Monday and/or Tuesday. Enter through the side door near the wheelchair ramp.
A Farewell Message from Our Music Director, Nick DelBello ~
Dear Friends at Blessed Trinity: It has been my great joy over the last 7 years to serve as your Director of Music. In that time we have restored the church’s original Tellers-Kent organ, our choir has given concert performances both here at BT and across the diocese, we have grown our concert series, and the Buffalo Brass Choir has become BT’s ensemble-in-residence. As many of you know, Miranda and I recently welcomed a new addition to our family; our son, Vincent, born in October. I also started a new full-time position in the Williamsville Schools this past September. Wanting to spend more time with my growing family and apply myself more fully to my new full-time position in addition to pursuing some other musical opportunities led me to a difficult decision last month: to leave my position here at BT as Director of Music. Next week’s Christmas Eve and Day Masses will be my last here, and an interim director will take over on January 1st until a new, permanent director is found. I am proud of the things we have been able to accomplish and the legacy of high-quality liturgical music that we have been able to continue here at BT. I am looking forward to maintaining the Buffalo Brass Choir’s ensemble-in-residence status, and will be back at BT in February for our annual performance here. I wish to thank our talented and dedicated choir, as well as the entire congregation for their enthusiastic support of the musical ministry. A very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all! Nick DelBello
Employment Opportunity at BT ~ Nick DelBello, our music director since 2010, is resigning to devote more time to the new addition to his family, Vincent Michael, and his teaching position in the Williamsville School District. His resignation is effective December 31, 2016. Father Ibhawa is currently accepting applications for the position. Click HERE to view requirements and information on how to apply.
Thanks from Our Ladies Sodality – Thank you to everyone who contributed items for our homebound parishioners and those in senior care facilities. This was such a busy week at Blessed Trinity, and we are especially grateful to: Judy Casassa, Elsieta Chapman, Jack Curtin, Madonna Hartzell, Amy Johnson, Angela Jost, Marianne Pernick, Dianne Riordan, Sue Trabert and Palma Zanghi for volunteering to deliver the presents; Bud Dick for picking up the poinsettias; and Vera Andrew and Mickey Dick for assembling the Christmas gift bags and having everything ready for delivery by December 10. Best wishes to all for a blessed Christmas.
A very special “Thank You” to Maggie Gatson who laundered all the ministers’ robes in preparation for the Christmas season.
Retirement Fund for Religious Appeal ~ Thank you for your generous donations to the Retirement Fund for Religious to support our retired priests and sisters who belong to religious orders. Please continue to pray for them, whether serving or retired.
Sodality Dues Reminder for 2017 ~ Membership in the Ladies Sodality of Blessed Trinity runs with the calendar year, and dues become payable each January. Since 2016, we have only one category of membership – member in good standing – and annual dues are $5.00 with checks payable to “Ladies Sodality of Blessed Trinity.” You do not have to pay dues if you are a member in good standing and have reached your 80th birthday. Our Membership Chair, Mickey Dick, is now accepting dues for 2017.
Vocation View ~ On the Fourth Sunday of Advent we hear that Jesus’ coming into our world and all of the love he poured out for us, through much sacrifice, was done in obedience to the Father’s will. Remember that it may be God’s will that you be a priest, or a religious sister or brother. If so, will you follow Jesus’ example of faithfulness? If God is calling you to a Church vocation, call Fr. Andrew Lauricella at 716-847-5535. You can also check out the “Priest of the Month” stories at www.buffalovocations.org.
Announcements ~ If you have meeting or church event information you would like read during Mass announcements, please make sure to submit the information for approval to Barbara Sercu by Thursday morning of each week.
Our Landmark church building is featured on a mural created earlier this year by Danial Galas on a the building located at 72 Jewett Avenue at Halbert Street. The building was originally owned by the Culliton Ice Cream Co. Local historian and preservationist, Chuck LaChiusa, has shared some marvelous photos of the mural depicting Blessed Trinity and other historical sites in the neighborhood on his web site. Click HERE to view them.
Mass Intentions ~ If you wish to have a Mass offered for a special intention, please call Barbara Sercu at the Rectory Office 716-833-0301. She will be available Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10:30am-2:30pm. The Mass offering is $15.00.
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 at 7:30am.
A Friendly Call ~ The Telephone Assurance Program (TAP) serving Erie and Chautauqua Counties, and the Friendly Phones program serving Orleans County, are free volunteer services providing regular phone calls to homebound elderly and disabled persons to check on their well-being and to give people an opportunity to socialize. These calls are especially needed during the upcoming holiday season to alleviate concerns facing those who live alone and to help them maintain their independence. If you know of someone who would like to receive calls through the programs or volunteer to make calls, call 585-343-0614 x18 for Friendly Phones and 716-218-1400 for TAP. For frequent updates from Catholic Charities of Buffalo follow on Twitter @ccbuffalo and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ccbuffalo. For other services available or volunteer opportunities visit us at www.ccwny.org.
News from our Vicariate Cluster and the Wider Community
St. Joseph Cathedral Choir will present a Festival of Lessons & Carols on Monday, Dec. 19 at 7:30pm under the direction of Organist-Choir Director Tim Socha. The Cathedral Choir will be joined by the Royalton Ringers and Diane Dick, solo handbells; the Bel Canto Singers of West Seneca West High School, and the Christ the King Seminary Schola. Featured music will include newly composed music and traditional Christmas music for choirs and congregation. There will be a free will offering. ALL are welcome. St. Joseph Cathedral is located at 50 Franklin St, downtown Buffalo (between Church & Swan Sts). For more information call 716-854-5855.
Christmas Nativity Display ~ Fr. Roy Herberger invites you to experience a display of 580 nativity sets from 58 countries. These international crèches will be shown at Ss Columba-Brigid Church at 75 Hickory & Eagle St (one block south of Clinton). The building is handicapped accessible. Hours are from 1-4pm every Saturday and Sunday in December – except the weekend of Dec 24/25 – and until the weekend of January 14/15. There is NO charge and there is a special section for children. If anyone would like to view the display during the week with a large group (e.g. school children, senior groups, church organizations, etc.), please call Fr. Roy at 716-852-2076.
Annual Festival of Lights Benefit and Auction on Saturday, January 14 at Our Lady of Fatima Shrine, 1023 Swann Rd. (off Rt. 18E), Lewiston, NY. An elegant evening in support of the Shrine’s renovation will honor Shrine Rector, Fr. Julio Ciavaglia, CRSP on the occasion of his fiftieth anniversary of priestly ordination. Wine tasting, basket auction, door prizes and catered dinner. Limited tickets available by calling 716-754-7489. Encore lighting of Fatima Shrine’s Festival of Lights display makes the setting of this gala unique. Come enjoy a fun evening for a great cause. Preview night of auction baskets Friday, January 13 from 12-7pm and Saturday, January 14 from 9am-3pm.