Merry Christmas from the Blessed Trinity Parish Community

December 29, 2019 – January 5, 2020

Weekly Activities

Sunday, December 29 from 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. ~ Explore Buffalo “Sacred Spaces” Tour of our church

Sunday, December 29 at 3:00 p.m. ~ “Catholic Treasures of Advent & Christmas” Concert in the church

Wednesday, January 1, 2020 from 12:00 noon – 4:00 p.m. ~ Catholic Central Food Pantry in St. Charles Hall (Food Pantry operates every Wednesday from Noon-4pm)

Thursday, January 2 at 8:00 p.m. ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall.*

Saturday, December 28 at 8:00 p.m. ~  Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall.*

*To check the Bonus Ball 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 29 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. –  Blessings for the Marriage of Melissa Stone and Yonnas Mengistu (Requested by Ruth Rebovich) and Eternal Rest for Lucille Venezia (Requested by Robert and Mary Reilly)

Monday, December 30 ~ No Service

Tuesday, December 31 ~ St. Sylvester I ~ Communion Service at 11:00 a.m.

New Year’s Day
Wednesday, January 1, 2020 ~ Solemnity of Mary ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – For the intentions of our parishioners, both living and deceased (Blessed Trinity Parish)

Thursday, January 2 ~ Ss. Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Deceased Members of the Ryan, Reilly, Reynolds and Pfeiffer Families (Estate of Mary Reilly)

Friday, January 3 ~ Most Holy Name of Jesus ~ Communion Service at 11:00 a.m.

Saturday, January 4 ~ St. Eliuzabeth Ann Seton ~ Mass at 4:30 p.m. – Eternal Rest for Lucille Venezia (John and Michele Covell)

Sunday, January 5 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. –  Blessings for Mary Price Franco (Bob and Mary Kresse) and Birthday Remembrance for John Duffy (The Duffy Family)

Ministry Schedule for Saturday and Sunday, January 4 & 5, 2020:

Saturday, 4:30 p.m.  Reader: Michael Ogoh; Eucharistic Minister: John Curtin

Sunday, 10:00 a.m.  Readers: Chris Porter, Miles James; Eucharistic Ministers: Fran Cahill, Fidelia Ejimadu, Maggie Gatson; Choir – Sharon Dunnigan

The St. John Paul II Schola Cantorum will perform “Catholic Treasures or Advent and Christmas” at 3pm on Sunday, December 29, 2019.

News from our Parish Community

Holiday Double-Bill on Sunday, December 29!  Blessed Trinity is a site 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. You may make a reservation with Explore Buffalo by clicking HERE or calling 716-245-3032. Walk-ins are welcome as well. Following the tour, beginning 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 twenty-first century. The Schola Cantorum will perform works by Elgar, Byrd, Palestrina, Bach, Victoria, Gallus, LeJeune and others. And you can be part of the act by staying for a post-concert sing-a-long of traditional Christmas Carols led by members of the Schola. There is no charge for the concert, but a free will offering will be taken. Come for the tour. Come for the concert. Come for both! It promises to be a most enjoyable afternoon.

Blessed Trinity Annual Christmas “Giving Tree” will remain in the transept through New Year’s Day. 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/.

Music Ministry at Blessed Trinity ~ People who come to Mass for the first time at Blessed Trinity frequently comment on the beautiful music ministry we have. Did you know that many church choirs in Western New York have paid singers to enhance the sound of their choirs? Our choir is made up of a core of dedicated volunteers who meet weekly to sing praises to our God. But the music ministry at Blessed Trinity goes beyond that – together, we learn how to worship God through music, but we also learn how to take care of one another, as we are all on this journey together. What a privilege it is to continue a choral music tradition at our church that has lasted more than 75 years. When you see the members of our holiday choir, please tell them how you feel about the music at Blessed Trinity and please thank them for their efforts. They are amazing! Our 2019 Christmas singers include: Vera Andrew, Judy Casassa, Elizabeth Clay, Luis Clay, Margaret (“Mickey”) Dick, Louise Dietrich, Gayle Eagan, Theresa Johnson, Gary Kelley, James Kelly, Helen Roddy-Gray, Rafael RonDon, Kathryn Sands, Sr. Liz Savage, Sue Trabert, Bonnie Williams, Don Williams, and Palma Zanghi. The Blessed Trinity Choir wishes you a new year filled with God’s blessings.

Our Parish Community thanks all of the priests who have celebrated Mass at Blessed Trinity this Christmas season during Fr. Victors’s time away: Rev. Rob Contarin, Rev. Jim Dugan, Rev. Peter Ekanem, Rev. Greg Gallagher, Rev. Roy Herberger,  Rev. Ken Hezel, Rev, Joe Rogliano, and Rev. Duke Zajac.

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.

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.

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.