December 27, 2020 – January 3, 2021

COVID-19 Precautions: The Diocese of Buffalo has relaxed restrictions on capacity at worship services. See, Nov. 26 COVID-19 Update. It is no longer necessary to make a reservation to attend Mass at Blessed Trinity.

NEW: Christmas and Weekend Masses are now being livestreamed on our Facebook page: Blessed Trinity R. C. Church. Click HERE to view. (If you “Like” and “Follow Us” on Facebook, you should receive notification when future Masses are posted). Later in the day, a recording of the Mass is available on YOU TUBE.

Personal copies of the Breaking Bread missal are now available for each parishioner who would like one. You may claim yours at church and either take it home or place it in a zip-lock bag and reclaim it when you come again. Paper copies of the bulletin are also available. Look for them at the middle crossing of the church.

Keep in mind, the dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass on Sunday and on other Holy Days of Obligation remains in effect in our diocese.

Please pray for the health and safety of all in our community.

Weekly Activities

All in-person meetings and activities remain cancelled until further notice, with the exception of the Food Pantry.

Monday, January 4, 2021 at 6:30 p.m. ~ ZOOM Bible study: “Praying the Gospel of Mark”

Wednesday, January 6 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. ~ EXTENDED HOURSCatholic Central Food Pantry in St. Charles Hall
Now operating every other Wednesday (Jan 6, 20, Feb 3, etc.) but with extended hours. Volunteers will distribute pre-prepared bags of groceries.

Tuesday, January 12 at 7:00 p.m. ~ ZOOM Bible study: the Acts of the Apostles (chapters 15 & 16)

 

Mass Intentions

The regular schedule for weekend Masses is in effect, and the NEW schedule for daily Mass, as of Monday, November 9, 2020 is: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday at 11 AM. There will be no morning Mass on Thursdays.

Sunday, December 27 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – In Memory of Carl and Evelyn Schmelzer (Req. by Mary Karlis) and Birthday Remembrance for Ethel Grabenstatter (Req. by A Grateful Parish)

Monday, December 28 ~ The Holy Innocents ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Blessings for Len Rizzo (Req. John E. Curtin)

Tuesday, December 29 ~ St. Thomas Becket ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Blessings for James Steinagle, DDS (Req. by John E. Curtin)

Wednesday, December 30 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Praying for All Souls (Req. by St. Theresa Parish)

Thursday, December 31 St. Sylvester I ~ No Mass scheduled

Friday, January 1 ~ Solemnity of Mary ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. (in person and live-streamed) – Praying for All Souls (Req. by St. Theresa Parish)

Saturday, January 2 ~ Ss. Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen ~ Mass at 4:30 p.m. – Praying for All Souls (Req. by St. Theresa Parish)

Sunday, January 3 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – Blessing for Marion Hartzell (Req. by Madonna Hartzell) and Healing for Sr. Ann Helene Koenig (Req. by Colleen Schroeder)

Monday, January 4 ~ St. Elizabeth Ann Seton ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Praying for the deceased members of the Ryan, Reilly, Reynolds, and Pfeiffer Families (Req. by Estate of Mary Reilly)

Tuesday, January 5 ~ St. John Neumann ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Special Intentions of Sr. Peggy Gallagher (Req. by Your Parish Family)

Wednesday, January 6 ~ St. Andre Bessette ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Praying for All Souls (Req. by St. Theresa Parish)

Thursday, January 7 ~ St. Raymond of Penafort ~ No Mass scheduled.

Friday, January 8 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Praying for All Souls (Req. by St. Theresa Parish)

Saturday, January 9 ~ Mass at 4:30 p.m. – Praying for All Souls (Req. by St. Theresa Parish)

Sunday, January 10 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – Eternal Joy for Robert Kresse (Req. by Bob Heicklen) and Blessing for Peter and Dorothy Emeafu

Lector Schedule ~ Jan 2: Lorna Cameron; Jan 3: Sr. Liz Savage –  Jan 9: John Curtin; Jan 10: Mary Kresse

News from our Parish Community

A Note from Father Bob ~ The Blessings of Family to launch us into the New Year 2021

This weekend, we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. “We also remember that we are all God’s family and called to holiness.” Families come in all shapes and sizes; biological, surrogate, church, school, circle of friends, vocational, and so many more. As we enter the story of Jesus’ Presentation in the Temple, our Gospel reading for this weekend, we find Mary, Joseph and, of course, Jesus in a temple encounter with Simeon and Anna wherein we “recognize that the event of Jesus’ birth is greater than a simple family moment. His Nativity is intended to change the course of history, as represented in the beautiful prayer of Simeon. This change will begin with Jesus’ family life, but will eventually affect our lives.

We will all become his family, his beloved, his disciples.” (Sourcebook for Sundays, Season, and Weekdays 2021, Liturgy Training Publications, p.42). May the best of “family” in 2020, however and wherever we found it, launch us into the New Year. May the challenges of the past year yield to our hopes and dreams for an always-better-tomorrow filled with love, joy, health, contentment, faith, justice, and peace among all the Human Family! May we all find blessing in whatever “household” brings us face to face with Love…. with God!

Let us proclaim, as excitedly as did Simeon,… Lord, “Your word has been fulfilled! For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in the sight of all the people…” and, with that, enter a Happy New Year!  Blessings of Christmas to all of you throughout the coming days of 2021!! 

. . .  Fr. Bob

Friday, January 1, is the Solemnity of Mary, the Most Holy Mother of God. Our Mass for this Holy Day of Obligation is at 10:00 a.m. rather than the usual daily Mass time of 11am.

If the weather or COVID or illness is preventing you from joining us in person, you can watch our Masses LIVE on Facebook at 4:30 PM on Saturdays and 10:00 AM on Sundays as well as all Holyday Masses.  If you miss us LIVE, you can check out the recording later on YouTube.

From the Loft ~ In today’s Gospel, Mary and Joseph bring Jesus to the temple where a holy man, Simeon, declares Jesus the promised one. Simeon proclaims the Nunc Dimmitis, which is a canticle that sort of sounds like a psalm. What’s the difference, then, between a psalm and a canticle?

Our term psalm comes from a Greek word literally meaning the twanging of a harp or plucking of a stringed instrument. Canticle derives from the Latin word for a little song. As both definitions suggest, we’re talking about sung material, particularly sacred songs. The main difference between the two is not style, but placement. Psalms are found entirely within the Book of Psalms in the Bible – canticles are songs located anywhere else in Scripture.

Did you know that psalms were written for instruments and voices and were meant to be sung – not spoken as we often do at Mass? There are all kinds of notations within the Bible as to what instruments were to be used when proclaiming these texts. Canticles were also meant to be sung – the most famous of which, arguably, is the Magnificat proclaimed by Mary to our God. Even though the word canticle means “little,” the texts sung are far from it – they are texts that are critical to our faith.
On this, the Feast of the Holy Family, it’s important to understand how canticles help us understand the intricacies of our faith – they certainly have played a large role in these Advent and Christmas liturgies!

. . .  Elizabeth Clay

Job Opportunities at Blessed Trinity ~ We have several part-time positions now available. Are you or someone you know looking for work? 

Part-time Administrative Assistant ~ General secretarial-receptionist responsibilities. Weekly church bulletin. Computer competency needed (email, data entry, Microsoft Word, Excel, PDS). Organization skills necessary. Record keeping. Flexible weekday, daytime hours/days.

Part-time General Housekeeping ~ General parish rectory housekeeping; cleaning responsibilities. Occasional laundry. 10-16 hours/month.

Part-time Maintenance Position ~ Jack-of-all-trades; general maintenance/cleaning. Familiarity with light plumbing, electrical, heating. Lawn maintenance, weekday snow removal. 1-2 days/week. Flexible hours/days. 

Send applications to Blessed Trinity RC Church, 317 Leroy Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14214 (716-833-0301) or email blessedtrinitychurch [at] gmail [dot] com.

They came; they saw; they decorated! We give thanks for the many volunteers who showed up Monday evening, December 21. The end result is the seasonal beauty you saw when you came to Mass on Christmas or viewed the live-streamed video or recording of our services. Veteran tree trimmers, first time “stable hands” and flower arrangers all contributed. And so we express your gratitude to: Drew, Nik & Tom Brodfuehrer; Kenny Colligan, Judy Casassa, Bud & Mickey Dick, Tom Dinder, Alan Frank, Ellen Duffy, Fr. Bob, Amy Johnson, Dan Korchowsky, Amos, Mark Kulaszewski, Dorothy Manuppelli, Kathy Press, Colleen Schroeder, Richard Stroh and Pam Zanghi.

Zoom Bible Study will resume after the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. “Praying the Gospel of Mark” – Monday, January 4 at 6:30pm and “Acts of the Apostles” (Bible Study) – Tuesday, January 12 at 7pm. We are now reading Chapters 15 and 16. The same link will work for each meeting; click HERE to enter the discussion. If you encounter a problem with the link, use Meeting ID:762 8722 8149 (Pass Code: jLD8Gg). Each session lasts approximately 90 minutes.

Prisoner Gift Bags for 2021 ~ As reported last month, the Prisoner Gift Project for 2020 is canceled. Yet we can remember our prisoners and get a jump on the 2021 project by decorating gift bags this Christmas Season. Covid-19 restrictions mean we are spending more time inside, so consider using some of your home time to decorate next years’ bags. Bags and directions are available for pick up in the back pew. Please plan to return your bags by the end of January 2020.

Members of the Ladies Sodality offer their prayerful thanks to all who have supported the Sodality’s collection for homebound parishioners. Because of your generosity, the Sodality has sent grocery store gift cards to fifteen different households along with a greeting card from “Your Blessed Trinity Parish Family.” In addition, Masses will be offered in the coming weeks for the special intentions of 4 parishioners living in senior care facilities. May you all have a blessed Christmas.

Join Our Family Promise Ministry  ~ As a shelter for homeless families and recently certified by NYS, Family Promise of WNY is following new health and safety guidelines and cannot accept donations of home prepared meals. Instead, volunteers have become grocery donors in a food category assigned to the day of the week. Blessed Trinity volunteers did this on 9/15 and found it much easier than coordinating and cooking a full dinner. We signed up for a date on the meal schedule and delivered the requested foods during the day at our convenience. We hope more parishioners will be able to participate. Family Promise also needs volunteers in areas like tutoring and transportation. If you think you might want to help and need more information go to their web site at fpwny.org and click on “Get Involved” to find the grocery sign up schedule. Also, you may contact our parish coordinator, Amy Johnson, at 716-836-4694 and join forces with another member of the team.

Robert J. Kresse
1927 – 2020

A Tribute to Parishioner Robert Kresse: “Mr. Preservation” ~ We are all aware of the tremendous influence our dear parishioner, “Bob” Kresse had on preserving the historic architecture in our community. He touched almost every important restoration project that helped to move our Buffalo/Erie County area forward.

The local press has had wonderful coverage of the numerous projects he championed. But they missed one. In 2014 Blessed Trinity filed an application to the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) for funding to restore our roof and the front steps of the church. Bob casually asked how we were doing in the competition for preservation funding. Not well. He immediately contacted a high-ranking Parks Dept. official with whom he had worked on other local projects, inviting him for an in-person visit to beautiful Blessed Trinity Church. Seeing was apparently believing, with the end result that we were awarded a major matching grant to complete the improvements we needed. The end of this project is this Tuesday, December 15. Thank you, Bob. We could not have done it without you!

Our sincerest condolences to Mary Ann and the whole Kresse family in your loss. We pray for all of you and for the repose of Bob’s soul. He may already be redesigning the Gates of Heaven!

Is it time to update your contact information? During the past 8 months when the COVID-19 Protocols prevented many from attending church services, the ability to keep in touch by telephone, mail or email took on increased importance. Because not everyone has computer access, really important information is sent in a letter. If you have not received written correspondence from the parish since September 2020, we don’t have your address. Even though we are now able to resume Mass attendance, this may be a good time to ask yourself: Does the church office have my correct mailing address and phone number? (Important, too, for contact tracing). Have I shared my email address? Make sure that we have been notified of any changes in your contact information by completing this form. This is also a chance to let us know if you: wish to receive the bulletin electronically via email, register as a parishioner, or request envelopes. You can also submit the requested information by phoning our secretary at 716-833-0301 any Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday between 10:30am and 2:30pm; sending an email to blessedtrinitychurch [at] gmail [dot] com; or using the contact feature below to submit the information. If you choose either of the last two, please use “Contact Update” as the subject of the email or message.

Lectors ~ If you have not yet done so, please pick up your workbooks for the new liturgical year. They are on the first bench on the Baptismal Font side of the church.

Religious education materials are available now. If you were not contacted please call Pat Dyer at 716-256-2598.

Do you miss being at church? Of course long-time parishioners can probably close their eyes and picture the view from a favorite pew. But if you are not yet able to be physically present, it is possible to make a virtual visit. Buffalo Rising and Explore Buffalo teamed up to give their online followers a “tour” of Blessed Trinity. You can join them, by Clicking HERE. You will be treated to both exterior and interior photos and more than a little history. Take the “tour” and test your knowledge about your house of worship

Photo credit: Margaret Dick

News from our Vicariate Cluster and the Wider Community

Live-Streamed Daily Mass from Christ the King Church ~ Until further notice, all Masses from Christ the King Church in Snyder will be Live-Streamed at ctksnyder.org/camera-live-stream. Mass times are as follows: Saturday Vigil Mass at 4:30 pm, Sunday at 8 & 10 am, Monday-Friday at 8 am, Monday & Wednesday at 5 pm.

The dated announcement below was received before the “yellow/orange zone” changes to pandemic guidelines. It is suggested that you check with the hosting entity before attending.

Fridays and Saturdays November 21 –  January 3, 5-9pm ~ Nativity Sets on Display. Fr. Roy Herberger will have 300 (of his 650) nativity sets from 58 countries on display at the Fatima Shrine, Lewiston during their Festival of Lights. Contact Fr. Roy at 716-852-2076 (roy [at] aol [dot] com) with questions.

Help for Victims of Domestic Violence ~ Because of COVID-19, the Family Justice Center (“FJC”) is not accepting walk-in appointments or in-person meetings. In case of emergency, call 911. For help with safety planning or other services you may need during this time, call or text the FJC Safeline, 716-558-SAFE (7233).

Food Assistance for Seniors ~ The County of Erie advises anyone over the age of 60 who is in need of food assistance to call 716-858-8526.