This Sunday’s Gospel features John the Baptist’s proclamation upon seeing Christ: “Behold, the Lamb of God….” (Jn. 1:29). Joseph Mazur’s procession of saints painting in the dome of our church depicts John the Baptist holding a banner with these same words in Latin: “Ecce Agnus Dei.”
Photo credit: Gary Kelley
January 19 – January 26, 2020
Weekly Activities
Sunday, January 19 following the 10:00 a.m. Mass ~ Anointing of the sick and well-aging in church
Wednesday, January 22 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)
Thursday, January 23 at 8:00 p.m. ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall.*
Saturday, January 25 at 8:00 p.m. ~ EMERGENCY CANCELLATION OF BINGO due to heating problems.
Sunday, January 26 following the 10:00 a.m. Mass ~ Birthday Blessing in church; Coffee Hour in St. Charles Hall, hosted by the Ladies Sodality
*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, January 19 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – Eternal Rest for Lucille Venezia (Requested by Hispanic Heritage Council of WNY)
Monday, January 20 ~ Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Observed ~ No Service
Tuesday, January 21 ~ St. Agnes ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. ~ Deceased Members of the Ryan, Reilly, Reynolds and Pfeiffer Families (Estate of Mary Reilly)
Wednesday, January 22 ~ Day of Prayer for Protection of the Unborn ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – For the intentions of our parishioners, both living and deceased (Blessed Trinity Parish)
Thursday, January 23 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – St. Vincent; St. Marianne Cope ~ Deceased Members of the Ryan, Reilly, Reynolds and Pfeiffer Families (Estate of Mary Reilly)
Friday, January 24 ~ St. Francis de Sales ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – For the intentions of our parishioners, both living and deceased (Blessed Trinity Parish)
Saturday, January 25 ~ Mass at 4:30 p.m. – The Conversion of St. Paul ~ Eternal Rest for Lucille Venezia (Hispanic Heritage Council of WNY)
Sunday, January 26 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – Eternal Joy for John LoTempio (Bud and Mickey Dick)
Ministry Schedule for Saturday and Sunday, January 25 & 26, 2020:
Saturday, 4:30 p.m. Reader: Michael Ogoh; Eucharistic Minister: Lorna Cameron
Sunday, 10:00 a.m. Readers: Bob Heicklen, Pam Zanghi; Eucharistic Ministers: Dan Korchowsky, Bernice Bradley, Toni Maus; Choir – Maggie Gatson
Diocesan Celebration of the Life of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.
January 19, 2020 at St. Martin de Porres
Photo credit: Phil Woods
News from our Parish Community
Anointing of the Sick and Well-Aging on January 19, following Sunday Mass.
Catholic Relief Services Collection ~ Our second collection on the weekend of January 25/26 benefits the Catholic Relief Services. Your contribution supports the “giving of hope” by funding several national Catholic organizations that:
Aid victims of natural disasters and armed conflict;
Provide agricultural assistance,water programs, and health care;
Resettle newcomers to the United States;
Help alleviate poverty in developing countries by providing credit to small entrepreneurs;
Provide legal support services for poor immigrants;
Advocate for policies and programs that promote global justice and peace.
Please be generous.
Our Monthly Coffee Hour will take place after Mass on Sunday, January 26, in St. Charles Hall. Members of the Ladies Sodality will be our hosts.
Anything But Ordinary ~ Ordinary Time is a good opportunity to change the Mass music, and we will be singing the Mass of St. Frances Cabrini until the beginning of Lent. Kevin Keil composed this Mass setting in 2007, making it a relatively new addition to our Breaking Bread hymnal. We change Mass settings periodically in order to keep our liturgies dynamic, *not* to stress out our congregation. The number of the Mass setting is always posted on the hymn board – it’s that vertical number on the right. It is always okay for you to speak any of the Mass parts during the service if you are unfamiliar with the tune or merely don’t wish to sing. It is helpful to follow along in the hymnal even if you cannot read music. The melodies are quite simple and repetitive, and it won’t be long before you are humming along or singing them in the car. Next week, I’ll share some information about the life of St. Frances Cabrini – her life is certainly worth remembering – and we will only be using this new music until Ash Wednesday, so it won’t be long before we sing something a bit more familiar at Mass. 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. Choir practice resumes on Wednesday, February 5, at 7:00 in St. Charles Hall. All are welcome to attend… Elizabeth
Personal Prayer Requests ~ As this Christmas season ends, you are invited to continue the practice of submitting 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.
Members of the Ladies Sodality are reminded that January means membership renewal. Dues for 2020 will remain at $5.00 and are being collected by Vice President, Mickey Dick. She will be happy to accept them in person, or you may mail your check payable to “Ladies Sodality of Blessed Trinity” to her c/o the church. (If you don’t want to write a check for such a small amount, make it $10 and she will credit you for 2021 – even if there is a dues increase). Life membership status begins at age 80 and no dues are required. You may use the renewal form reprinted in the bulletin or the “Contact Form” below to submit your name, mailing address, email address (if you check it daily) for time-sensitive member notifications, preferred phone number, and date of birth (just month & day). If you are not a member but would like to know more about the Sodality, please contact Mickey (716-832-2540) or President Vera Andrew (716-704-2944). Our first meeting of 2020 is scheduled for Sunday, March 1.
Our Christmas Decorations are safely stowed away for another year, thanks to the faithful group of volunteers who turned out on Monday evening, January 13, and made quick work of the end-of-season task. The poinsettias still looked so lovely, that we saved them for another week.
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.
Photo Credit: Sean T. Brodfuehrer
News from our Vicariate Cluster and the Wider Community
Evening of Prayer for Healing, Friday January 24, 7-8:30pm. Presented by the Northern Erie Vicariate Parishes at St. Amelia Church (2999 Eggert Road in Tonawanda). All are welcome to join us as we pray for victims and all who are affected by the abuse crisis. The evening will include adoration, music, communal prayer, and a presentation by Catholic Therapist Dan Lawson, LMHC, as we pray for strength and grace as we journey through this challenging time in our Church.
Chili Cook-off, Sunday, January 26 at 11:30am, St. Columba-Brigid Church (75 Hickory Street in Buffalo)…50/50 Money Tree Raffle (ticket purchase includes chance to win carwash/dinner package at Delta Sonic). Admission: $5 – children under 10 free. If you wish to enter your favorite chili in a crockpot, call the office at 716-852-3331.
Meat Raffle, Saturday, February 1 at 7pm, sponsored by Holy Name Society of St. John Gualbert Parish at The Knights of Columbus Hall (2735 Union Road in Cheektowaga). Doors open at 6pm. Tickets: $10 ($8 in advance), includes water, pop, beer, snacks and pizza. No outside alcohol allowed. Meet provided by Market in the Square. Call Jane at 716-937-3531 or Sue at 716-684-0822
“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.