December 16 – December 23, 2018

Weekly Activities

Sunday, December 16 following 10:00 a.m. Mass ~ Anointing of the sick and well-aging in church

Monday, December 17 beginning at 6:30 p.m. ~ Decorating church for Christmas

Tuesday, December 18 at 6:30 p.m. ~ Decorating church for Christmas continues

Tuesday, December 18 at 7:00 p.m. ~ Choir Rehearsal in Church

Wednesday, December 19 from 12:00 noon – 4:00 p.m. ~ Catholic Central Food Pantry in St. Charles Hall – NEW HOURS

Thursday, December 20 at 8:00 p.m. ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall*

Saturday, December 22 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, December 16 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – Birthday Remembrance for Irene Hodur (Requested by Bonnie and Don Williams) and God’s Blessings for Sylvester Chapman (Requested by Judy Casassa)

Monday, December 17 ~ No Service

Tuesday, December 18 ~ SMass at 11:00 a.m. – Deceased Members of the Ryan, Reilly, Reynolds and Pfeiffer Families (Estate of Mary Reilly)

Wednesday, December 19 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – For the intentions of our parishioners, both living and deceased (Blessed Trinity Parish)

Thursday, December 20 ~ Mass at 11:00 a. m. – Deceased Members of the Ryan, Reilly, Reynolds and Pfeiffer Families (Estate of Mary Reilly)

Friday, December 21 ~ St. Peter Canisius ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – For the intentions of our parishioners, both living and deceased (Blessed Trinity Parish)

Saturday, December 22 ~ Vigil Mass at 4:30 p.m. – Deceased Members of the Ryan, Reilly, Reynolds and Pfeiffer Families (Estate of Mary Reilly)

Sunday, December 23 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – For the intentions of our parishioners, both living and deceased (Blessed Trinity Parish)

Ministry Schedule for Saturday and Sunday, December 22/23:

Saturday, 4:30 p.m.  Reader: Michael Ogoh; Eucharistic Minister:
Lorna Cameron

Sunday, 10:00 a.m.  Readers: Bob Heicklen, Avery White;  Eucharistic Ministers: Fran Cahill, Alice Davis, Mary Kresse;  CHOIR – Dan Korchowsky

News from our Parish Community

Pews fill with boxes as volunteers pack Christmas gift bags for delivery to
Albion and Wende Correctional Facilities.

Time to “Deck the Halls” ~ While there is still one more Sunday of Advent, Christmas Eve is only 8 days away!! That means we have to decorate the church for Christmas THIS WEEK. The work will begin at 6:30pm tomorrow night, Monday, December 17, and continue on Tuesday, December 18, if necessary. As always, “many hands make light work,” so please lend yours to the task. Enter church using the door near the wheelchair ramp.

Gaudete! ~ Today we lit the rose-colored candle in the advent wreath, signifying Gaudete Sunday, also known as the Third Sunday of Advent. The day takes its common name from the Latin word Gaudete (“Rejoice”), the first word of the Entrance Antiphon of this day’s Mass.  In keeping with our Latin heritage, your Blessed Trinity Choir sang “Veni, Veni Emmanuel” in the traditional Latin chant.  While music at Mass should be accessible,our Catholic musical heritage is profound and beautiful – and it is fun to rejoice on special occasions in another language. When you see that advent wreath, you can look at that Gaudete candle and rejoice! “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice. Let your forbearance be known to all, for the Lord is near at hand; have no anxiety about anything, but in all things, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God. Lord, you have blessed your land; you have turned away the captivity of Jacob.” Philippians 4:4–6; Psalm 85 (84):1. Christ is coming -Rejoice!  Choral Christmas preparation continues on Tuesday, December 18, at 7:00pm in the BT choir loft. Elizabeth

Blessed Trinity Needs Your Help! We’re not asking for money, but for some-thing maybe even more valuable: a little bit of your TIME. Just a bit. ONE or TWO nights a month that will really help your parish. Our last financial report (included in a recent bulletin) shows the importance of BINGO. Clearly, this fundraiser is essential for our parish’s financial health. Just as clearly, it needs broad parish support in the way of MORE workers. We have Bingo every Thursday and Saturday night. Can you PLEASE commit to one or two nights a month? You can start simply by helping to sell things and — as you learn the routine — cross-train for other essential tasks. Our friendly team of workers stands ready to help you. Please contact Kathy Press at 716-445-8160 for more information. Your Parish Bingo Team thanks you!

Prayerful Thanks from the Ladies Sodality to everyone who contributed to the success of our annual outreach to homebound parishioners, especially all the wonderful volunteers who delivered the gift bags and poinsettias and, most importantly, made time for a visit. We have already received calls from recipients expressing their gratitude and delight. Merry Christmas to each of you who carried Christ to another.

Under This Roof Fund ~ We are extremely grateful to everyone who responded to our “Fall Fest” fundraiser — both party attendees and financial supporters. Your response exceeded our expectations and, to date, proceeds total $7,260.00. Thank you to all!

The holidays can be a hard time. If you or someone you love is struggling, turn to Catholic Charities. Our agency offers several different types of counseling support including: marriage counseling, individual psychotherapy, family and group therapy, substance abuse treatment, diocesan counseling for church ministers, children’s clinics, and individual, child and family counseling. To learn more, visit ccwny.org and click the “Counseling & Mental Health” tab on the right.

Do you know that Mass is the highest and greatest form of prayer? The Catechism of the Catholic Church reveals that “from the very earliest days of the Christian religion, [the Church] has honored with great respect the memory of the dead.” In its reference to the Second Vatican Council’s conclusion that “it is a wholly and a wholesome thought to pray for the dead that they may be loosed from their sins,” the Catechism adds: “Our prayer for them is capable of not only helping them, but also of making their intercession for us effective.” Consider contacting the church office (716-833-0301) to request a Mass for yourself, your deceased loved ones, or  for any intention. The stipend is $15.

Has your contact information changed? Our parish secretary is finding that our parish records contain a growing number of not-in-service phone numbers, and the recent parish mailing resulted in several letters returned for “expired forwarding.” If your contact information has changed, you can notify the rectory office in one of several ways: use the form on the back of the bulletin; phone our secretary at 716-833-0301 any Tuesday-Thursday between 10:30am and 2:30pm; send an email to blessedtrinitychurch [at] gmail [dot] com; or Click HERE to use the contact feature of our web site to submit the information. If you choose either of the last two, please use “New Contact” as the subject of the email or message.

Home Visits ~ Please notify the church office if you know of aged, sick, or homebound parishioners who may wish to receive a visit and the Eucharist on the last Friday of each month.

News from our Vicariate Cluster and the Wider Community

Advent Service of Lessons and Carols, The St. John Paul II Schola Cantorum, Sunday, December 16 at 1:00 pm at St. Mary of the Cataract Church, 259 Fourth Street in Niagara Falls, NY. 

Festival Service of Lessons and Carols, Sunday, December 16 at 4pm, presented by the Choir of St. Louis Church, under the direction of organist and choirmaster, Frank Scinta. (Main @ Edward Street in Buffalo). Featured will be carols and anthems of Mendelssohn, Ord, Wood, Praetorius, and others. Admission is free.

Advent Penance Service, Monday, December 17 at 7pm; Ss. Columba-Brigid Church (75 Hickory St., Buffalo).

Concert of Christmas Lessons &Carols, presented by the St. Joseph Cathedral Choir under the direction of Organist-Choir Director Tim Socha.  Monday December 17 at7:30pm, (50 FranklinStreet between Church & Swan in Buffalo). They will be joined by the West Seneca West Vocal Jazz Singers, under the direction of Keith Ersing and the Bell Choir of the Catholic Academy of West Buffalo. Also performing are DianeDick, solo handbells; Paul Schlossman, English horn; and Sandy Consiglio, oboe. Music will include traditional carols and newly composed choral works.  There will be a free-will offering. For more information, call 716-854-5855.

Life of St. Paul ~ Thursday December 20 at 7pm. Executive Producer, Eric Groth, will appear at the screening of the film, “Paul,” at St. Bernadette (930 S. Abbott Road in Orchard Park). Open forum with Mr. Groth will follow. The movie chronicles the life of Saint Paul from his journey as one of the most infamous persecutors of early Christians to one of its most prolific evangelists. This free event is open to the community. For more information, call 716-649-3090 or visit  SaintBOPNY.org.

Concerts For The Soul presents ChristmasMagic and Miracles: A Musical & Poetic Journey through the wonder of the season.  Tenor Vocalist Cory James Gallagher’s singing will stir your soul, as he shares well-loved songs spanning the ages. Writer-Poet Amy Gallagher’s reflections will remind you of the beauty of life, and the magic of the season. Thursday December 20, 7pm at BlessedSacrament Church (1029 Delaware Avenue in Buffalo) and Friday, December 21, 7pm at St. Michael’s Church (651 Washington Street in Buffalo).

Voices of Mercy Christmas Concert, Saturday, December 29 at 6:30pm.  Our Lady of Fatima Shrine (1023 Swann Road, off Rt. 18E, Lewiston, NY). This annual Christmas concert will be held in the beautifully decorated National Shrine Basilica. Festival lights on every evening from 5-9 pm through January 6. Free parking and admission (handicap accessible). Gift shop open daily 9 – 9. For daily cafeteria hours and more information, call 716-754-7489.