Week of March 15, 2020 – Third Sunday of Lent

March 15 – March 22, 2020

Weekly Activities – As of March 16, 2020, all services, meetings and activities are cancelled until further notice, with the exception of the Food Pantry.

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

Monday, March 16 following 6:30 p.m. Journey Mass ~ CCCB Social in St. Charles Hall CANCELLED

Tuesday, March 17 from 6-7:30 p.m. ~ Adult Confirmation Class in St. Charles Hall CANCELLED

Tuesday, March 17 at 7:00 p.m. ~ Choir Rehearsal in St. Charles Hall CANCELLED

Wednesday, March 18 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)
NOW OPERATING EVERY OTHER WEDNESDAY (MARCH 18, APRIL 1, APRIL 15, ETC). VOLUNTEERS WILL DISTRIBUTE PRE-PREPARED BAGS OF GROCERIES.

Wednesday, March 18 at 7:00 p.m. ~ Parish Council Meeting in St. Charles Hall CANCELLED.

Thursday, March 19 at 8:00 p.m. ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall.* CANCELLED

Saturday, March 21 at 8:00 p.m. ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall.* CANCELLED

Sunday, March 22 following 10:00 a.m. Mass ~ Light brunch, discussion of “Rediscover Jesus” in St. Charles Hall CANCELLED

*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 – As of March 16, 2020, all services are cancelled until further notice.

Sunday, March 15 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. –  Eternal Rest for Edward Schroeder (Requested by Franciscan Sisters)

Monday, March 16 ~ CCCB Lenten Journey Mass at 6:30 p.m. in church; recitation of the Rosary at 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday, March 17 ~ St. Patrick ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Deceased Members of the Ryan, Reilly, Reynolds and Pfeiffer Families (Estate of Mary Reilly)

Wednesday, March 18 ~ St. Cyril of Jerusalem ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – For the intentions of our parishioners, both living and deceased (Blessed Trinity Parish)

Thursday, March 19 ~ St. Joseph ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Deceased Members of the Ryan, Reilly, Reynolds and Pfeiffer Families (Estate of Mary Reilly)

Thursday, March 19 at 4:00 p.m. ~ Join Pope Francis in praying the Rosary for the world. He will be meditating on the Luminous Mysteries.

Friday, March 20 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. –  For the intentions of our parishioners, both living and deceased (Blessed Trinity Parish)

Friday, March 20 ~ Stations of the Cross in Church at 6:00 p.m. 

Saturday, March 21 ~ Mass at 4:30 p.m.- For the intentions of our parishioners, both living and deceased (Blessed Trinity Parish)

Sunday, March 22 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. –  Blessings for Rita Mulligan and Julia Treacy (Bob and Mary Kresse) and Blessings for Evelyn Schmelzer (Mary Karlis)

Ministry Schedule for Saturday and Sunday, March 21/22, 2020:

Saturday, 4:30 p.m.  Reader: Lorna Cameron; Eucharistic Minister: John Curtin

Sunday, 10:00 a.m.  Readers: Mary Kresse, Greg Gaglione; Eucharistic Ministers: Fran Cahill, Pat Hartinger, Toni Maus; Choir – Maggie Gatson

News from our Parish Community

“Companions” on Your Lenten Journey ~ The Parish Council has created two documents to assist our parishioners on their Lenten journey to a joyful Easter season: (1) a compilation of suggested daily prayer intentions and (2) a complete calendar of religious services, special programs and activities from Ash Wednesday through May 2, 2020. Please use these links to view them or pick up a hard copy the next time you are at church.

Anointing of the Sick and Well-Aging will take place after Mass on Sunday, March 15.

Lenten Journey Masses ~ The third in a series of five Monday evening services at our CCCB parishes is a 6:30pm Mass on Monday, March 16, at Blessed Trinity. It will be preceded by recitation of the Rosary at 6pm. The previously scheduled social following the Mass has been cancelled. Click HERE for the complete schedule of Monday evening services.

Lenten Happiness:

The more we get together, together, together
The more we get together, the happier we’ll be.
For your friends are my friends,
And my friends are your friends –
The more we get together, the happier we’ll be.

A few people have asked “what has been going on” with the responsorial psalm on Sundays during Lent – and the answer is simple. We all walk this journey to the cross together. Why shouldn’t we exemplify our unity by having every member of the choir cantor the responsorial psalm?  

Last week Saturday, the Blessed Trinity Choir sang at St. John XXIII in West Seneca under the direction of Bill Fay, immediate past-president of the Buffalo Chapter of the Church Musicians’ Guild. We discovered that we enjoy spending time with other believers, glorifying God. On Monday, March 16, we will host a Lenten Journey Mass at Blessed Trinity, sharing our worship space, and our path to the cross, with our friends. What a great opportunity to become a community of believers – Friends of Jesus. The more we get together, the happier we’ll be!

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 continues this week on Tuesday, March 17, at 7:00 p.m. in St. Charles Hall. All are welcome to attend. … Elizabeth

The Parish Council  meeting scheduled for Wednesday, March 18, has been cancelled.

Lenten Stations of the Cross continue at 6pm this Friday, March 20. They will continue in church at the same time every Friday through Friday, April 3.

Our “Congregation Book Read” ~ On Sunday, March 22, there will be an opportunity to gather in St. Charles Hall after 10am Mass and discuss author Matthew Kelly’s Rediscover Jesus. A light brunch is included. Please note: It is not expected that you will have completed the book as we are all in process of reading the chapters throughout the season of Lent. Please join in.

Our Faith Formation Program now has its own page on our web site. Click HERE to find complete information on planned programs, classes and volunteer opportunities. Adult Confirmation classes continue this Tuesday, March 17, from 6-7:30pm in St. Charles Hall. Please call Pat Dyer at 716-256-2598 to register.

Faithful Citizenship ~ Join our Confirmation candidates on Tuesday, March 24, as we explore how we make decisions as faith-filled Catholics. Discussion begins at 6pm. Please register to insure adequate materials. Contact Pat Dyer (716-256-2598) or the rectory office (716-833-3301). You must be over the age of 16 to attend.

The Annual Parish Financial Report for the fiscal year 2018-2019 is now available to parishioners. If you did not receive a copy with your bulletin on March 14/15, you may request one by calling the rectory during business hours. There will be an opportunity for questions and suggestions concerning parish finances during our coffee hour on Sunday, March 29.

Tenebrae Service ~ An adaptation of the Good Friday Liturgy of Tenebrae will take place in our church on Friday evening, April 3, at 7:30pm, with choral music provided by The St. John Paul II Schola Cantorum. This is the second year we have been blessed to have the Schola enhance this moving service, which includes seven readings relating the story of Christ’s passion and death. It is a beautiful prelude to Holy Week, as those who participated last year will certainly attest.

Just for Kids ~ Handouts and activities to occupy children during Mass are now available in church. They can be found on the table at the (wheelchair ramp) side entrance. Please call Pat Dyer (716-256-2598) if you see that she has not left enough copies for everyone who would like to have one.

The Annual Catholic Charities Appeal has started. Donated funds go to agencies run by Catholic Charities or to the Fund for the Faith that supports diocesan programs such as campus and hospital ministries. None of the funds collected for Catholic Charities will be used for legal settlements or awards to abuse victims. Pledge cards are in the mail to you. They include an option that allows you to direct your contribution to Catholic Charities, the Fund for the Faith, or both. Please give generously. You may place your Catholic Charities Appeal envelope in the collection basket or mail your donation/pledge card directly to the diocese. (It will be credited to our parish). If you are in need of a pledge card or have questions, contact Bob Heicklen, 716-881-3793.

Outreach Aids ~ For the convenience of donors, we now have envelopes specifically designed for Under This Roof contributions, including remembrances “in memoriam.” We are also re-introducing parish “business cards,” which you can use when inviting someone to join us for worship. Both can be found in a display rack on the guest book table at the middle crossing of the church.

Call to Stewardship ~ Our Parish Finance Council seeks a parishioner with accounting skills to join our committee. Please see Father Victor if you are able to serve in this capacity.

The Diocese of Buffalo has joined other faith communities and civic organizations in partnering with the Census Bureau to help encourage all people in our community to participate in the 2020 Census. The census is a once-in-a-decade chance to inform how billions of dollars in funding are allocated for critical public services. Census statistics are used to determine the number of seats each state receives in the U.S. House of Representatives, and will also have an impact on planning and funding for health clinics and highways, fire departments and disaster response, education programs such as Head Start and college tuition assistance, and so much more. You can inspire others. Tell everyone – your friends and family, your neighbors and co-workers – that you will complete the census, and tell them why it’s important that they respond too. For more information, contact 2020census.gov.

The Buffalo Diocese “has determined that it is in the best interests of victims of past clergy sexual abuse, as well as the ongoing and essential work of Faith in WNY to pursue reorganization through Chapter 11 [Bankruptcy].” Their Office of Communications has created an informative page, “Reorganizing for the Future…together” to help explain this choice. Find it at buffalodiocese.org

Personal Prayer Requests ~ We are continuing the practice 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.

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

Lenten Homemade Pierogi & Placek Sale at St. John Kanty, 101 Swinburne St., Buffalo on weekends through Palm Sunday, April 5. Saturday hours are 3-5 pm; Sunday hours are 9:30 am-noon. On Palm Sunday lunch is available for purchase and basket raffle drawing will take place. Join us for Mass and pick up your pierogi and placek. For further information, call 716-893-0412 (M-F, 9 am to noon) or visit saintjohnkanty.com.

Host Families Sought. Cardinal O’Hara High School is offering a new international student program and seeks families for 20 students from Germany. The students, who speak English and are honor roll students, will attend Cardinal O’Hara from April 6-24. During Easter break, the students will take excursions in and around Buffalo. If you are interested in hosting a German student, contact Jennifer Eisenman from Adventure Homestays Abroad at 716-454-2008 or go online at adventurehomestays.org.

Preservation Buffalo Niagara presents an eight-week training course  on historic “Window Repair and Rehabilitation” on Tuesdays and Thursdays evenings from March 17 – May 2. Taught by Steve Swiat of Northwood Historic Restoration, it includes two hands-on field work sessions on April 4 and 25. Enrollment is limited and early registration is highly recommended. For rates and more info, check out northwoodrestoration.com or contact Bridge Rauch at brauch [at] pbnsaves [dot] org.

Breakfast Program, “Spiritual Motherhood and Marian Moments on the Pilgrimage of Life,” sponsored by Magnificat of Buffalo on Saturday, March 21, from 9:45am – 12:10pm at Millennium Hotel (2040 Walden Avenue in Cheektowaga). Registration opens at 9am. Guest speaker, Dawn Iacono, will share the unspeakable joy of experiencing the presence of Our Lady during pivotal moments in her pilgrimage of life. For more information and to register, visit facebook.com/magnificatbuffalo or call Maureen at 716-683-2290.

Musical Stations of the Cross, led by Singer/Songwriter Laura Boronski, Saturday, March 21 at 5:30pm at St. Teresa Church (1974 Seneca Street in Buffalo) and Friday, March 27 at 7pm at St. Leo the Great Church (885 Sweet Home Road in Amherst). All are welcome.

Evening Eucharistic Adoration & Holy Hour for Mercy ~ Thursday, March 26 from 6-7 pm at St. Andrew Church, (1525 Sheridan Drive in Kenmore). We begin with the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, followed by Adoration. Afterwards, we will pray the rosary for our nation. Deacon Mike Ficorilli, presiding. Our light will be on and all are welcome for any length of time.

“Music and Memories” – A Service to Remember Those We Love, Thursday, April 2, at 6:30pm at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Kenmore and Saturday, April 4, at 1:00pm at Holy Cross Cemetery in Lackawanna. The services will feature songs that will inspire and uplift you as we remember those we have loved. Poems, Scripture, music and other pieces will be interspersed throughout the program, along with the reading of your loved one’s name. Call by March 20 to have your loved one’s name (limit of 3 names) listed in the program book. For the service at Mount Olivet, call 716-873-6500; for the service at Holy Cross, call716- 823-1197. This program is presented as part of the bereavement support programs of the Catholic Cemeteries, Diocese of Buffalo. Open to the community; no charge. For more information, call Marianne Hubert, Director of Grief Support, at716- 873-6500.

Help for Seniors and Caregivers ~ Information about housing options, healthcare, insurance, and other important topics of aging may be found at caring.com, a leading resource, featured by AARP, The Administration for Community Living, The National Legal Resource Center, and Forbes.