Week of February 2, 2020 – The Presentation of the Lord

February 2 – February 9, 2020

Weekly Activities

Sunday, February 2 following the 10:00 a.m. Mass ~ Blessing of throats in church in honor of St. Blaise

Wednesday, February 5 from 12:00 noon – 2:00 p.m. ~ NEW HOURS ~ Catholic Central Food Pantry in St. Charles Hall (Food Pantry operates every Wednesday from Noon-2pm)

Wednesday, February 5 at 7:00 p.m. ~ Choir Rehearsal in St. Charles Hall

Thursday, February 6 at 8:00 p.m. ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall.*

Saturday, February 8 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, February 2 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. –  Blessings for Rudy Sass and Catherine (Requested by Bob and Mary Kresse) and In Thanksgiving (Requested by Sr. Ann Helene, OSF)

Monday, February 3 ~ St. Blaise; St. Ansgar ~ No Service

Tuesday, February 4 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. ~ Blessings for Rev. Mark Illig (The Partyka Family)

Wednesday, February 5 ~ St. Agatha ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Blessings for Samuel Carocci (Judy Casassa)

Thursday, February 6 ~ St. Paul Miki & Companions ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Deceased Members of the Ryan, Reilly, Reynolds and Pfeiffer Families (Estate of Mary Reilly)

Friday, February 7 ~ First Friday Adoration, Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction from 8:00 – 11:00 a.m. in the Daily Mass Chapel

Friday, February 7 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Blessings for Lynn Spacone (The Partyka Family)

Saturday, February 8 ~ Mass at 4:30 p.m.~ St. Jerome Emiliani; St. Josephine Bakhita – For the intentions of our parishioners, both living and deceased (Blessed Trinity Parish)

Sunday, February 9 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. –  Blessings for Gerald Cahill (Judy Casassa)

Ministry Schedule for Saturday and Sunday, February 8 & 9, 2020:

Saturday, 4:30 p.m.  Reader: Gary Kelley; Eucharistic Minister: Lorna Cameron

Sunday, 10:00 a.m.  Readers: Chris Porter, Simon Kresse; Eucharistic Ministers: Fran Cahill, Pat Hartinger, Bernice Bradley; Choir – Dan Korchowsky

News from our Parish Community

Blessing of Throats ~ Monday, February 3, is the optional Memorial of the St. Blaise, who was the bishop of Sebastea in Armenia and a doctor. The first known record of the saint’s life comes from the medical writings of Aëtius Amidenus, where St. Blaise is recorded as helping with patients suffering from objects stuck in their throat. He was martyred in 316 A.D. The traditional Blessing of Throats will take place after Mass on Sunday, February 2.

Friday, February 7 is First Friday. Join in Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in the Daily Mass Chapel from 8:00 – 10:45 a.m., followed by Benediction and daily Mass.

Blessed Trinity Welcomes Pat Dyer ~ On Sunday, January 26, Patricia (“Pat”) Dyer was introduced at Mass and officially welcomed at coffee hour. She has begun serving Blessed Trinity as Pastoral Associate and Religious Education Coordinator.

Second Collections ~ There are two envelopes for the second collection on the weekend of February 1 & 2. One is sponsored by the U. S. Conference of Catholic Bishops for the support of the Church in Central and Eastern Europe. the other is the the Catholic League for Religious Assistance to Poland. Please give generously.

Prayer Partner Information ~ Lent is just around the corner. February 26 is Ash Wednesday. That means it is sign-up time for prayer partners. We hope you will participate this year. Praying for another in need is one of the Spiritual Works of Mercy. If you haven’t experienced being a prayer partner yet, we hope you will this year. During the Lenten season you will be given a name of someone from one of the participating parishes to pray for during Lent and Easter and they will have your name. Signup sheets are located on the tables near the church doors. You may also submit your request for a Prayer Partner using the contact form below. Please be sure to mention “Prayer Partner” in your message.

In His Temple Now Behold Him ~ Traditionally the end of the Christmas Season, the prayers of the Roman Missal still make reference to The Presentation of the Lord as a Feast of Light, 40 days after Christmas. Today’s opening hymn, In His Temple Now Behold Him, was a narrative of the entire Christmas season in one fell swoop.

     In His temple now behold Him; see the long-expected Lord!
     Ancient prophets had foretold him; God hath now fulfilled His word.
     Now to praise Him, His redeemèd shall break forth with one accord.

     In the arms of her who bore Him, virgin pure, behold Him lie,
     While His aged saints adore Him, ere in perfect faith they die:
     Alleluia! Alleluia! Lo, the incarnate God most high!

     Jesus, by your Presentation, when they blest you, weak and poor,
     Make us see our great salvation, seal us with your promise sure;
     And present us in your glory to your Father cleansed and pure.

     Prince and author of salvation, be your boundless love our theme!
     Jesus, praise to you be given by the world you did redeem,
     With the Father and the Spirit, Lord of majesty supreme! Amen.

Did you know Blessed Trinity Church has a congregation that supports Musical Ministry in Western New York? Join us up in the loft to help enhance our Liturgies – and feel the love. Our winter break is over, and choir practice resumes on Wednesday, February 5 at 7:00pm in St. Charles Hall. All are welcome to attend … Elizabeth

Advent/Christmas Giving Tree ~ We are happy to report that our Blessed Trinity Parishioners contributed a total of $940 to our annual Advent /Christmas Giving Tree. “Western New York Family Promise” extends grateful appreciation to all who so graciously gave monetary contributions and gift cards. Family Promise is in the process of expanding to help meet the needs of homeless families. Our contributions will assist many throughout the year as they transition to more permanent housing. Please know that your desire to be of help is making a real difference to many local people! A heartfelt thank you to all of you! 

Personal Prayer Requests ~ We are continuing the practice started during the Christmas season of remembering your personal prayer requests at daily Masses. 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.

Congratulations to lector Miles James who was a 2020 recipient of a Dr. Martin Luther King Scholarship. The scholarship was awarded at the January 19, 2020 diocesan Mass honoring Dr. Martin Luther King.

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

“Let’s Make a Deal” Theme Tray Event on Friday, February 7 at 7pm at Cardinal O’Hara High School (39 O’Hara Road in Tonawanda). Sponsored by the Home School Association. Doors open at 6:30 pm. 50/50 split and big ticket items will also be featured. Proceeds will help fund post-prom activities. For tickets, call 716-695-2600 or visit cardinalohara.com.

Americana-themed Wine Tasting & Craft Beer Tasting, Friday, February 7, 6-9pm at Assumption Church (435 Amherst Street in Buffalo). Wines crafted by O-Neh-Da and Eagle Crest Vineyards and Craft Beer from Try-It Distributing. Includes unlimited tasting and new American themed food pairings. Pull out your red, white and blue and join us for some fun and games of chance as well. Call 716-875-7626 for tickets and more information.

“The Venerable Nelson Baker—The True Story Behind the Life and Legacy of Father Baker,” on Monday, February 10, 7-8pm at Our Lady of Pompeii Parish (129 Laverack Avenue in Lancaster). Msgr. David LiPuma, pastor and rector of Our Lady of Victory Basilica will present this Faith Enrichment topic. All are welcome! Refreshments to follow program.

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.