The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
January 1
January 1 – January 8, 2017
Weekly Activities
Thursday, January 5 at 8:00 p.m. ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall*
Friday, January 6 from 9:00 a.m. to 12 Noon ~ Helping Hands Food Pantry in St. Charles Hall
Saturday, January 7 from 9:00 a.m. to 12 Noon ~ Helping Hands Food Pantry in St. Charles Hall
Saturday, January 7 at 8:00 p.m. ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall*
Sunday, January 8 immediately following Mass ~ Pastor’s meeting in the sacristy with those who have signed up for various ministries
*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
There will be a change to our daily Mass schedule beginning on January 16, 2017.
Mass on Mondays and Tuesdays will be an 8:00 am;
Mass on Wednesday – Friday will continue at 11:00 am.
Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God
Sunday, January 1 ~ New Year’s Day Mass at 10:00 a.m. ~ Blessed Trinity Parish Community
Monday, January 2 ~ St. Basil the Great & St. Gregory Nazianzen ~ Mass at 8:00 a.m. ~ Special Mass for the New Year
Tuesday, January 3 ~ The Most Holy Name of Jesus ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Anne Crocker (Family)
Wednesday, January 4 ~ St. Elizabeth Ann Seton ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Catherine M. Maher (Estate)
Thursday, January 5 ~ St. John Neumann ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – All Souls (Queen of Martyrs Parish)
First Friday, January 6 ~ St. Andre Bessette ~ Benediction and First Friday Adoration from 8:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.
Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Deceased Members of Ryan, Reilly, Reynolds and Pfeiffer Families (Estate of Mary Reilly)
The Epiphany of the Lord
Saturday, January 7 ~ Vigil Mass at 4:30 p.m. ~ Blessed Trinity Parish Community
Sunday, January 8 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. ~ Blessed Trinity Parish Community
Ministry Schedule for Saturday and Sunday, January 7 and 8, 2017:
Saturday, 4:30 p.m. Reader: Jack Curtin; Eucharistic Minister: Lorna Cameron
Sunday, 10:00 a.m. Readers: Chris Porter, Dianne Riordan; Eucharistic Ministers: , Alice Davis, Pat Hartinger, Fran Cahill; Dan Korchowsky (Choir)
For our schedule of Christmas season services, Click HERE.
News from our Parish Community
The comfort that a mother can give in early life is like
no other comfort that a child ever experiences before or after.
The attachment, the need, the sense of identification
and security inherent in maternal contact
makes the female figure a sign and symbol
of mercy and comfort, of relief and joy….
This should be the goal of human relationships, a sharing in which needs are met with enjoyment and altruistic love of the other’s development. It is no accident that the figure of mother has been a symbol of nurture and peace. Mother and child, the virgin and child, have appealed to more than just artists. Mary as mother and as Our Lady of Peace and Mercy has had a primal power on believers through the ages. We still long for our mother’s care like infants crying in the night. Since the understanding God as mother has been suppressed in Western Christian tradition, the experience of Mary as mother has been accentuated and fulfilled the ideal and symbol of maternal mercy and love. Mother of God she was named, and if Christ too is our mother, then she is grandmother to us all. The great mother has always been longed for and worshiped, but in other religions she was not always benign and loving. We are confirmed by Mary, who as a merciful mother and the handmaid of the Lord assures us that we will not be left with a deep anxiety within, or a fear of the total otherness and power beyond ourselves. Fear of the sacred and the natural awe of God has been complemented by a final mercy and reassurance. Sidney Callahan, The Magnificat
New in 2017
This Monday, January 2, there will be a Special Mass for the New Year at 8:00 a.m. in the Daily Mass Chapel.
Benediction and First Friday Adoration begins this Friday, January 6, from 8:00-11:00 a.m., followed by Mass at 11:00 a.m.
Father Victor is introducing an 8:00 a.m. Mass on Mondays, beginning January 16. Mass on Tuesdays will also be at 8:00 a.m., replacing the present 11 o’clock Mass. Masses on Wednesday through Friday will continue at 11:00 a.m.
Visits to the sick will begin on January 27, the last Friday of the month. Please help Father Victor by suggesting the names of those you believe need to be visited. There are sign-up sheets for this purpose near the side doors of the church, or you may call the church office, 716-833-0301.
Religious Education Classes for children will begin on Sunday, February 5. There are sign-up sheets for this purpose near the side doors of the church, so please register your children as soon as possible.
Bible Study will begin during the first week of February, including reflections, sharing, discussion, questions and answers.
Meeting with Volunteers ~ On Sunday, January 8, immediately following the 11:00 a.m. Mass, Father Victor would like to have a brief meeting with parishioners who have signed up for various ministries.
Changes in Music Ministry ~ We welcome Kate Barrett, who has agreed to serve temporarily as our musician and choir director for the month of January. Our search for a Director of Music to replace Nick DelBello, who served in the position from 2010-16, is continuing. Please pray that our search committee and the ideal candidate for Blessed Trinity will soon find each other. If you think you know someone with the “right stuff,” Click HERE to view requirements and information on how to apply.
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.
Nick DelBello (center front) with Christmas Eve Choir
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
Vocation View ~ Jesus, Mary and Joseph, as members of the Holy Family, always supported each other in doing God’s will, even though this was not always easy and meant letting go and trusting God. As the family of God’s children, we are to help each other in doing God’s will, which may be a vocation to priesthood or religious life. Let us not stand in the way of those whom God has called. 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.
Detail of mural at 72 Jewett Avenue, Buffalo
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.
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.
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.
News from our Vicariate Cluster and the Wider Community
Christmas Nativity Display ~ Only one week remaining to see Fr. Roy Herberger’s incredible display of 580 nativity sets from 58 countries. These international crèches are being 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 on Saturday and Sunday 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.
Attention Local History Buffs ~ The Erie-Lackawanna Railroad Historical Society (ELHS), which maintains its archives at 100 Lee St. (Heritage DiscoveRY Center) is interested in expanding its information base on the role of African-Americans and Hispanics as workers in the railroad industry. Perhaps this employment history applies to you or a family member or ancestor. If so, and you and/or your family member would like to know more about the project and how you can help, please contact Michael Connor at mjconnor_rr [at] hotmail [dot] com or (330) 691-0026.
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.
Meat Raffle ~ St. Gregory the Great’s Home School Association will be holding a Meat Raffle on Friday, January 20 in the Ministry Center, 200 St. Gregory Court, Williamsville. Doors open at 6pm and the first spin is at 7pm. With admission you receive dinner and unlimited pop, beer and wine, as well as a ticket for our big ticket item raffle. Besides raffling off lots of different types of meats, we will also have a basket raffle and a 50/50. You can reserve a table or purchase individual tickets by contacting MeatRaffleTime [at] gmail [dot] com. Seating is limited but you can purchase tickets at the door if space is available. Hope to see you there!
For Women Only: Women Praying Through the Knots, A Spirituality of Imperfection! Presented by Mrs. Theresa Kehl on Monday, January 30 from 7-8pm at Our Lady of Pompeii Ministry Center (Marian Room), 129 Laverack Ave, Lancaster. All women are welcome: Free will offering accepted. Refreshments follow in the Aud together with the men from the 7pm men’s presentation.
For Men Only: The Real St. Joseph and the Tools for Real Manhood in the Home, the Church and the World! Presented by Deacon Mark Kehl on Monday, January 30 from 7-8pm at our Lady of Pompeii Ministry Center (St. Joseph Room), 129 Laverack Avenue, Lancaster. All men are welcome! Free will offering accepted. Refreshments follow in the Aud together with the women from the 7pm women’s presentation.