Merry Christmas from the Blessed Trinity Parish Community
December 22 – 29, 2019
Weekly Activities
Monday, December 23 at 7:00 p.m. ~ Choir rehearsal in the loft
Wednesday, December 25 ~ Catholic Central Food Pantry is closed in observance of Christmas Day.
Thursday, December 26 ~ NO BINGO. (Allowing our hard-working volunteers to enjoy an extended holiday).
Saturday, December 28 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 22 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – Blessings for Elmer Kirst and Elvira (Requested by Bob and Mary Kresse)
Monday, December 23 ~ No Service
Tuesday, December 24 ~ Christmas Eve at 9:30 p.m. ~ Choral preludes sung by the choir
Tuesday, December 24 ~ Christmas Eve Mass at 10:00 p.m. – Deceased Members of the Venezia, Ferella and Then Families (Theresa Ferella)
Wednesday, December 25 ~ Nativity of Our Lord ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – For the intentions of our parishioners, both living and deceased (Blessed Trinity Parish)
Thursday, December 26 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Deceased Members of the Ryan, Reilly, Reynolds and Pfeiffer Families (Estate of Mary Reilly)
Friday, December 27 ~ Communion Service at 11:00 a.m.
Saturday, December 28 ~ St. Peter Canisius ~ Mass at 4:30 p.m. – Eternal Rest for Lucille Venezia (Nancy DeBoy)
Sunday, December 29 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – Blessings for the Marriage of Melissa Stone and Yonnas Mengistu (Ruth Rebovich) and Eternal Rest for Lucille Venezia (Robert and Mary Reilly)
Ministry Schedule for Saturday and Sunday, December 28 & 29, 2019:
Saturday, 4:30 p.m. Reader: Lorna Cameron; Eucharistic Minister: John Curtin
Sunday, 10:00 a.m. Readers: Bob Heicklen, David Iheke; Eucharistic Ministers: Dan Korchowsky, Toni Maus, Pam Zanghi; Choir – Fran Cahill
Join us for worship on Christmas Eve. Choral preludes at 9:30 PM followed by Christmas Eve Mass at 10:00 PM or Christmas Day Mass at 10:00 AM.
News from our Parish Community
Blessed Trinity Annual Christmas “Giving Tree” ~ Please don’t forget to take an envelope from the Giving Tree. This year’s chosen charity is Family Promise of WNY, an inter-faith, volunteer-based charity providing temporary housing to families who have experienced a crisis and have no place to live. Your cash donation, gift card, or check payable to “Family Promise,” will assist Family Promise guests as they transition into more permanent housing. Recommended stores include Target, Walmart, Tops and other area grocery chains. Whatever form your donation takes, please place it in an envelope from The Giving Tree and drop it in the collection basket. DO NOT return the envelope to the tree. For additional information about Family Promise, please visit https://fpwny.org/.
The Whole World is Waiting for Love
Marianne Misetich, SNJM
We’re waiting for Jesus like Mary, we’re waiting for Jesus the Lord. Come down, Lord Jesus! Come quickly, Lord Jesus!
The whole world is waiting for Love. The whole world is waiting for Love.
We’re laying a manger for Mary, a manger for Jesus the Lord. Come down, Lord Jesus! Come quickly, Lord Jesus!
The whole world is waiting for Love. The whole world is waiting for Love.
We’re making it lovely for Mary, so lovely for Jesus the Lord. Come down, Lord Jesus! Come quickly, Lord Jesus!
The whole world is waiting for Love. The whole world is waiting for Love.
Did you know Blessed Trinity Church has one of the most beautiful acoustics in Western New York? Join us up in the loft and help enhance our Liturgies. Choir practice continues on Monday, December 23, at 7:00 p.m. in the loft.
Monday Bulletin Deadline ~ Because of the Christmas and New Year holidays, we ask that all items for the December 29 bulletin be submitted to the rectory office by Monday, December 23.
Personal Prayer Requests ~ During Christmas week, you are invited to submit your personal prayer requests. Just write them out and place your prayer petitions in the basket on the communion rail in front of the baptismal font. There is no need to provide your name. Your intentions will be remembered at Masses throughout the week.
Holiday Double-Bill on Sunday, December 29! Blessed Trinity will host a tour as part of Explore Buffalo’s Sacred Spaces Tour Series from 12:30-2:30 p.m. Our excellent BT docents will explain the architectural and symbolic features of our Landmark church. This is a marvelous opportunity for WNY residents to bring their out-of-town holiday visitors to a place of light, warmth, and beautiful Christmas decorations! Tickets are $15 general admission, $10 with an Explorer Pass, and $5 for students. Explore Buffalo is sponsoring the tour and you may make a reservation by clicking HERE or calling 716-245-3032. Walk-ins are welcome as well. On this same day (December 29) at 3 pm, the St. John Paul II Schola Cantorum will present “Catholic Treasures of Advent and Christmas”, a concert of sacred choral masterpieces of the season from the Renaissance to the 21st century. The Schola Cantorum will perform works by Elgar, Byrd, Palestrina, Bach, Victoria, Gallus, LeJeune and others. The concert will be followed by a singalong of traditional Christmas Carols. There is no charge for the concert, but a free will offering will be taken. Come for the tour, come for the concert, or come for both!! It promises to be a most enjoyable afternoon!
Gifts for Home Bound Parishioners – Christmas gift bags for our parish home bound and those in senior care facilities have been delivered, and we are receiving many positive comments from grateful recipients. Thank you to members of the Ladies Sodality who spearheaded the project, everyone who contributed gifts or money to purchase them, and all who took the time to deliver a gift bag and visit with someone who is no longer able to attend services on a regular basis.
Father Victor’s Travel Schedule ~ Due to the death of a member of his extended family in Nigeria, Fr. Victor will be away from December 10 – January 14. We pray that God will watch over his travels and bless his time with family and friends.
Emotional Support During the Holiday Season ~ If you are struggling with depression, grief or anxiety, the holidays can be an especially difficult time. If you are experiencing these feelings and think counseling could help, call Catholic Charities. We offer counseling in every county in the Diocese of Buffalo and are ready to assist you. In Erie and Niagara counties, call 716-895-1033.
Please notify the Rectory Office with your current email address if you wish to receive a PDF version of the weekly church bulletin. You easiest way to do that is by using the contact feature at the bottom of this page.
Anyone interested in coordinating a prayer group, such as Pious Society, Sacred Heart, St. Jude, Altar Rosary, etc., please see Fr. Victor or email the church office at blessedtrinitychurch [at] gmail [dot] com.
Blessed Trinity Needs Your Help! We’re not asking for money, but for something 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 most recent financial report 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!
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.
Presentation of Offertory Gifts ~ For those who have requested a Mass and would like to present the Offertory gifts, please see Head Usher, Ed Marien, prior to Mass. This also applies to those whose family members are being remembered during the Liturgy.
Is it time to update your contact information? We know that not everyone can attend church every weekend, so when there is important information to be shared, we often mail it. If you have not received some of our recent mailings, please make sure that we have your correct contact information by completing this form. This is also a chance to let us know if you: wish to be included in our online email list, register as a parishioner, or request envelopes. You can also submit the requested information by phoning our secretary at 716-833-0301 any Tuesday-Thursday between 10:30am and 2:30pm; sending an email to blessedtrinitychurch [at] gmail [dot] com; or Clicking HERE to use the contact feature of our web site to submit the information. If you choose either of the last two, please use “Contact Update” as the subject of the email or message.
Home Visits ~ Please notify the church office if you know of aged, sick, or home bound parishioners who may wish to receive a visit and the Eucharist on the last Friday of each month.
The St. John Paul II Schola Cantorum will perform “Catholic Treasures of Advent and Christmas” at 3pm on Sunday, December 29, 2019.
News from our Vicariate Cluster and the Wider Community
Seeking Volunteer Opportunity? The Station of the Cross Catholic Radio (6325 Sheridan Road in Williamsville) has a need for call-screeners for the Mother Miriam Live program that airs 10am-11am, and also volunteers for administrative duties (labeling, sorting/stuffing envelopes, addressing envelopes, etc.). Call Dana Mielke at 716-839-6114, ext. 105. Find out more at thestationofthecross.com.
Free Legal Advice by Volunteer Lawyers Project, Wednesdays, 12-2pm at Adult Education Center (368 Virginia Street in Buffalo) and Thursdays 3:30-5:30pm at East Community High School (820 Northampton Street in Buffalo). Visit ecbavlp.com or call 716-828-8491 for more information.