Week of December 8, 2019 – 2nd Sunday of Advent

December 8 – 15, 2019

Weekly Activities

Sunday, December 8 following 10:00 a.m. Mass ~ Distribution of gifts for home bound in St. Charles Hall.

Sunday, December 8 following 3:00 p.m. concert ~ Dessert reception in St. Charles Hall

Wednesday, December 11 from 12:00 noon – 4:00 p.m. ~ Catholic Central Food Pantry in St. Charles Hall (Food Pantry operates every Wednesday from Noon-4pm)

Wednesday, December 11 at 7:00 p.m. ~ Choir rehearsal in St. Charles Hall

Thursday, December 12 at 8:00 p.m. ~  Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall.*

Saturday, December 14 at 8:00 p.m. ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall.*

Sunday, December 15 following 10:00 a.m. Mass ~ Anointing of the sick and well-aging in church.

*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 8 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – Eternal Rest for Edward F. Schroeder (Requested by Robert and Mary Reilly)

Monday, December 9 ~ Mass at 5:00 p.m. – Mass for the Immaculate Conception, U.S. Patronal Feast Day – Birthday Remembrance for Lucille Venezia (Theresa Ferella)

Monday, December 9 ~ Prayer Service at 6:00 p.m. for Healing of Victims of Clergy Abuse

Tuesday, December 10 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – For the intentions of our parishioners, both living and deceased (Blessed Trinity Parish)

Wednesday, December 11 ~ St. John Damasus I ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Deceased Members of the Ryan, Reilly, Reynolds and Pfeiffer Families (Estate of Mary Reilly)

Thursday, December 12 ~ Our Lady of Guadalupe ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – For the intentions of our parishioners, both living and deceased (Blessed Trinity Parish)

Friday, December 13 ~ St. Lucy ~ COMMUNION SERVICE at 11:00 a.m.

Saturday, December 14 ~ St. John of the Cross ~ Mass at 4:30 p.m. – Blessings for Daniel Smith (John E. Curtin)

Sunday, December 15 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – Eternal Rest for Lucille Venezia (Bingo Workers) and Blessings for Nicholas Orlando (Bob and Mary Kresse)

Ministry Schedule for Saturday and Sunday, December 14 & 15, 2019:

Saturday, 4:30 p.m.  Reader: Gary Kelley; Eucharistic Minister: John Curtin

Sunday, 10:00 a.m.  Readers: Joe Nwogu, Avery White; Eucharistic Ministers: Dan Korchowsky, Toni Maus, Fidelia Ejimadu; Choir – Maggie Gatson

News from our Parish Community

Gifts for Home Bound Parishioners – Christmas gift bags for our parish home bound and those in senior care facilities are now ready for distribution. If you have agreed to deliver one, they will be available in St. Charles Hall following Mass on Sunday, December 8. Members of the Ladies Sodality are so grateful to those of you who gave so generously in order to bring a little cheer from our parish family to those who may sometimes feel they are forgotten.

Musical treats will be served on Sunday, December 8, at 3 p.m. when The Freudig Singers of WNY return for their annual “Christmas Pie” performance in our acoustically splendid church setting. This presentation of religious and popular holiday melodies with its post-concert dessert reception and pie raffle is always a popular event. Tickets at the door. Come for the music; stay for the pie! Our Landmark church is wheelchair accessible with secured, off-street parking.

Special Mass for the Feast of The Immaculate Conception and Healing Prayer Service, Monday, December 9. Because the Second Sunday of Advent supersedes the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the latter is not a Holy Day of Obligation this year. It is, however, a patronal feast day in the United States, and Father Victor will celebrate a special Mass at 5 PM Monday, December 9.  It will be followed by a prayer service at 6 PM for the healing of victims of clergy abuse.

Winchester New? Bartholomäus  Crasselius, son of Johannes Crasselt, sheepmaster at Wemsdorf near Glauchau, Saxony; was born at Wernsdorf, Feb. 21, 1667. After studying at Halle under A. H. Francke, he became, in 1701, pastor at Nidda, in Wetteravia, Hesse. In 1708 he was appointed Lutheran pastor at Düsseldorf, where he died Nov. 30, 1724, after a somewhat troubled pastorate. Crasselius wrote a hymn tune now known as Winchester New in 1690. It was named Winchester New to differentiate it from a different hymn tune now known as…you guessed it…Winchester Old. If today’s opening hymn, On Jordan’s Banks, sounded familiar, it is because it is just one of dozens of texts that have been set to Winchester New over the centuries. We have at least two other hymn texts set to this tune in our current Breaking Bread hymnal. How many hymns can you think of set to this tune? 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 Wednesday, December 11 at 7:00 p.m. in St. Charles Hall. All are welcome to attend.

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.

Blessed Trinity Annual Christmas “Giving Tree” ~ For many years it has been a tradition at Blessed Trinity to have a Christmas “Giving Tree.” Each year a particular charity is chosen and our congregation has generously responded. This year our charity will be Family Promise of WNY. This charity provides temporary housing to families who have experienced a crisis and have no place to live. For additional information about this organization, please visit https://fpwny.org/. As guest families are often starting from scratch, the staff at Family Promise have expressed a need for gift cards to give families as they transition into more permanent housing. Recommended stores include Target, Walmart, Tops and other area grocery chains. You may also make a monetary donation. If you choose this option, be sure to use an envelope from The Giving Tree for your gift and drop it in the collection basket. Checks should be made payable to “Family Promise.” You can also join our parish Family Promise Team and help prepare dinner for the network’s guests on Monday, December 9. To offer assistance, please contact Amy Johnson,  (716) 836-4694.

Would you like a prayer for a special intention? Beginning Sunday December 1, you will be provided an opportunity to submit your personal prayer requests. These requests will be remembered at each Mass throughout the week. You may submit your request by writing it on a slip of paper and placing it in the basket on the rail in front of the baptismal font. There is no need to provide your name.

Prayerful Thanks ~ The Parish thanks Luis Clay for his dedicated time and volunteer service as the Catholic Central Food Pantry Coordinator these past four years. Dan Korchowsky will take over as Temporary Coordinator. We pray that God continues to bless Luis and reward him accordingly. We wish Dan a fruitful and successful time of service.

Holiday Tours of Blessed Trinity ~ Explore Buffalo is again bringing their seasonal tours to Blessed Trinity Church and inviting the public to see our beautiful structure and its festive decorations. The Thanksgiving Weekend tour rook place on Saturday, November 30. The Christmas Weekend tour will take place on Sunday, December 29 from 12:30 – 2:30 PM. Cost: $15 per person. Reservations can be made by visiting Explore Buffalo or calling 716-245-3032. Walk-ins are also welcome. Why not take advantage of this opportunity by inviting your holiday guests to share a pleasant and educational holiday experience. At 3:00 PM on December 29, we will also host a musical presentation by the St. John Paul II Schola Cantorum. A double bill and truly joyful Christmas gift!!

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.

Know Your Faith: Why Advent? Advent comes from the Latin word “adventus” which means “coming” or “arrival.” It begins four Sundays before Christmas, or the Sunday closest to November 30. Advent lasts through Christmas Eve, or December 24. As we prepare for Christmas and the second coming of Christ, the church celebrates the season of advent to remind us that we are here on earth for a purpose and to prepare to welcome the coming of the savior. The savior Jesus Christ has promised to come again to take us to God’s kingdom — our final destination. As Christ came to be born to us a child, at Christmas so, too, he will come again in glory to take us with him. “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am” (John 14:3). So when will Christ come again? What should we do? It is certain that Christ will come again, but no one knows the day or time. Jesus himself tells us that “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only” (Matthew 24:36). All we need to do is be prepared, stay awake, and be vigilant (Matthew 24:42). Although Jesus did not tell us the exact day but gave us a clue not a sign. A clue with an example that just as it is in the days of Noah, as everyone was busy about their daily activities when the flood came over them, so too it will be on the day the Son of God will come — the end time ( Luke 17:26). As indicated by Jesus example, so too we will all be going about our daily activities when the “D-day” comes.  For that day not to be surprising to us or take us unaware, we are called to be prepared and to be ready. To be ready as St. Paul tells us is to live in the light, not in darkness (Romans 13; 12). To live in the light means to practice virtues by keeping God’s commandments and avoiding vices. In simple words, everyday should be Advent — an opportunity to prepare, to be vigilant, to be awake, to live in the light, to practice virtue and keep God’s commandment awaiting the coming of our savior.

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

Live Nativity to Celebrate the Birth of Jesus at St. Joseph University Parish, Sunday December 15 at 5pm.  You will find the Nativity scene in front of the church (3269 Main Street in Buffalo near UB). This is part of the annual Holiday in the Heights on Main St. Bring the family to church at 5 pm for the Living Nativity, 5:45 pm Lighting of the Christmas Tree (at the former Cantalician Center), followed by 6 pm Hot Chocolate and Santa at Parkside Ice Cream & Candy Shoppe. Each event is a short walk to the next. Dress warm. Free parking behind the church.

Monthly Faith Enrichment Speaker Series ~ Monday, December 16, 7-9pm: ADVENT AND CREATION—Who is God? Who are you? with Rev. Frederick Leising at Our Lady of Pompeii Parish (129 Laverack Avenue in Lancaster). Call 716-683-6522 or visit olpparish.com for information.

Concerts For The Soul: The Wonder of Christmas, Friday December 20 at 7pm. Cory James Gallagher presents Concerts For The Soul: The Wonder of Christmas at St. Michael’s Church (651 Washington Street in Buffalo).  Another performance is set for Saturday, December 21 (7pm) at St. Mary of The Lake Church (4737 Lakeshore Road in Hamburg). Come join tenor-vocalist Cory James Gallagher and writer-poet Amy Gallagher as they take you on a musical-poetic journey through the wonder and nostalgia of this sacred season.  All concerts are by donation. To dedicate a song and have your loved one included in our “Christmas Angels” segment, contact concertsforthesoul [at] gmail [dot] com or 716-868-2047.

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.Weekend Retreat “JUST MEN” at Stella Niagara Center of Renewal in Lewiston, Friday November 22. Led by Fr. John Graden, OSFS, Director of Embraced by God. Space is limited. Visit stellaniagararetreats.org or call 716-754-7376, ext. 2 to register (preferably 2 weeks prior to event).