Week of October 4, 2020 – 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time

 

October 4 – October 11, 2020

Weekly Activities

Weekend and weekday Masses have resumed but all in-person meetings and activities remain cancelled until further notice, with the exception of the Food Pantry.

Wednesday, October 7 at 7:00 p.m. ~ ZOOM Gathering for Parish Council

Tuesday, October 13 at 7:00 p..m. ~ ZOOM Bible Discussion

Wednesday, October 14, from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. ~ EXTENDED HOURS ~ Catholic Central Food Pantry in St. Charles Hall
Now operating every other Wednesday (Sept 30, Oct 14,Oct 28, etc.) but with extended hours. Volunteers will distribute pre-prepared bags of groceries.

Mass Intentions

Daily & Saturday Masses have resumed: Tuesday-Friday at 11 AM and Saturday at 4:30 PM.

Sunday, October 4 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – Eternal Rest for Katherine LeClaire (Requested by Blessed Trinity School Alumni Committee)

Monday, October 5 ~ Bl. Francis Xavier Seelos – No scheduled Mass

Tuesday, October 6 ~ St. Bruno; Bl. Marie Rose Durocher ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Deceased Members of the Ryan, Reilly, Reynolds, and Pfeiffer Families (Estate of Mary Reilly)

Wednesday, October 7 ~ Our Lady of the Rosary ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Intentions of our Blessed Trinity Parishioners (Blessed Trinity Parish)

Thursday, October 8 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Deceased Members of the Ryan, Reilly, Reynolds, and Pfeiffer Families (Estate of Mary Reilly)

Friday, October 9 ~ St. Denis & Companions; St. John Leonardi ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Intentions of our Blessed Trinity Parishioners (Blessed Trinity Parish)

Saturday, October 10 ~ Mass at 4:30 p.m. –  Deceased Members of the Ryan, Reilly, Reynolds, and Pfeiffer Families (Estate of Mary Reilly)

Sunday, October 11 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – Eternal Rest for Edward Schroeder (Franciscan Sisters)

Lector Schedule ~ Oct 4: Mary Kresse; Oct 10: John Curtin; Oct 11: Pam Zanghi

News from our Parish Community

Saturday/Weekday Masses have now resumed. You are encouraged to once again request Mass intentions by mail, by leaving your request in the collection (marked “Mass Intention”), or simply calling the rectory office (716-833-0301). Office hours are Tues – Thurs, 10:30am – 2:30pm. The customary stipend is $15.00.

Parish Council ZOOM Gathering, Wednesday, October 7 at 7pm. Contact Pam Zanghi for details. 716-834-9129.

A New Night and Time for Zoom Bible Study ~ Our ZOOM Bible Study now meets every other TUESDAY at 7pm. The next session will be October 13. It’s not too late to join the conversation as we continue our study of The Acts of the Apostles and explore the beginnings of our Church and the Church of today. 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). The next session is scheduled to last approximately one hour; we will be discussing Acts:7-9. Those without computers might consider social distancing with a friend (wearing masks). Call Pat Dyer at 716-256-2586 for additional information. 

Diocese Embarks on “Road to Renewal” ~ The Catholic Faithful, priests, deacons, religious, parish administrators and school leaders of the Diocese of Buffalo have embarked on a journey to reinvigorate Catholic faith, more fully optimize parish and diocesan resources, and increase the impact of our varied ministries throughout Western New York. READ Bishop Scharfenberger’s September 19, 202 Letter to the Faithful about the Road to Renewal.

The Road to Renewal process is aimed at delivering recommendations to Bishop Scharfenberger regarding how parishes can better partner together to share resources, pull together capabilities and ensure greater impact.To that end, Bishop Scharfenberger has assembled a Diocesan Renewal Task Force (DRTF) to manage the process.Their scope is to review our current realities (mass attendance, parish financials, school attendance and financials, etc.) and collect input from people throughout the Diocese.

If you wish to contribute to the discussion, start by Clicking HERE and take an anonymous survey now available online.

We thank our parishioners who participated in the October 1, 2020 Vicariate ZOOM Session with other parishes* in our Northwest Central Buffalo Vicariate

As indicated on the diocesan web site: “There are no pre-determined conclusions to this process and we seek broad input and candid discussion in order to define options that  will ensure a stronger, more sustainable model of Catholic life and ministry in Western New York.” The site also states that “[t]he task force is not a decision-making group, “ and that “[a]ll decisions are reserved to the Bishop is his canonical role.”

November 30, 2020 is the date for the delivery of recommendations from the Task Force to the Bishop, and no actions will be taken before that date. Bishop Scharfenberger will receive the recommendations and reserves the right to further consult with additional groups.

You can learn much more about The Road to Renewal at https://roadtorenewal.org/

Reflection on the readings for the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time: Isaiah 5:1-7; Philippians 4:6-9; Matthew 21:33-43

The readings that the Church gives us for this Sunday draw us through the nature around us into the mystery of transformation.

Has your leaf trip this year taken you down to the “Southern Tier” yet? Up and down every hill the vines are heavy with grapes ready for the harvest to come in just a few weeks.

St. Basil the Great reminds us that again and again, Scripture likens our human souls to vines. “My beloved had a vineyard on a fertile hillside.” “I planted a vineyard and put a hedge around it.”

Isaiah, in the First Reading, describes the careful preparation a vineyard demands from its owner. “What more could I do? God has shown tender love for his vineyard and for us…spaded, planted and cleared.” But, do we even notice God’s loving care?

The Gospel parable also deals with a vineyard, too. One which has not produced any fruit. Rather than focusing on the vineyard though, it brings our attention to the caretaker of the vines. What were the tenants doing to care for their vineyard? What are the fruits they and we need to be looking for? This is, I think, one of the key questions in this parable.

From what had been planted the Lord expected more fruit, …..the fruit of covenant love which is justice.

The God of life and love wants covenant justice to be the rule among his people. And the tenants in our parable have not practiced this. Matthew makes it clear to us that Jesus has been rejected because of his goal to establish, beyond any question, just, fair, honest relationships, covenant love justice.

One thing we might ask ourselves as we reflect on this Sunday’s readings is the role that the establishment of justice plays for us in our lives. What fruits do you bring to a world of poverty, racial injustice, the corruption of public institutions…? Let us trust that, as Paul promises in our Second Reading, that “the peace of God will guard our hearts and minds” to find our personal part in establishing justice in our world today.

Sr. Caroline, SSNM

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

Sunday, October 4 is Respect Life Sunday.

Vocation View ~ “If today you hear God’s voice, harden not your hearts.” Listen for the voice of God. Are you being called to be a priest or religious?

Congratulations to Greg and Theresa Gaglione whose son, Gregory Scott Gaglione III, was welcomed into our faith community at his baptism on Sunday, September 27.

Family Promise of WNY  ~ Blessed Trinity has partnered with Family Promise (formerly Interfaith Hospital Network) as a support congregation since 1994 when the agency first established a presence in Western New York. Having just completed renovations to their facility on Hickory Street, Executive Director Luanne Firestone was happy to take parish team members Amy Johnson and Mickey Dick on a guided tour. The renovations are impressive, especially the addition of bedrooms, bathrooms, and individual family cupboards, all designed with COVID-19 protocols in mind. They now have doubled their capacity as “a safer, more private and more comfortable shelter” for temporarily homeless families. Staff and volunteer anticipation is heightened as they brace for the housing crisis that is sure to follow the lifting of the current NYS eviction moratorium. New meal guidelines will make it easier for parish partners, like Blessed Trinity, to provide dinners for guest families. If you are in a position to assist us with dinner drop-offs, please contact Amy Johnson at 716-836-4694. Thank you Judy Casassa, Mickey Dick, and Palma Zanghi for assisting Amy with shopping for the Sept. 15 dinner. To learn more about Family Promise of Western New York, Click HERE.

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

Is it time to update your contact information? During the past 4 months when the COVID-19 Protocols prevented us from attending church services, the ability to keep in touch by telephone or email took on increased importance. 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? 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 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, 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.

News from our Vicariate Cluster and the Wider Community

HOPE IN THE DARKENESS, a program about Depression & Suicide in a Pandemic. Wednesday, October 28, 6:30 – 8 pm. Are you or someone you know suffering from anxiety or depression in these Covid days? Don’t know where to turn for emotional or spiritual help? Help parishioners cope and manage their mental health with their Catholic faith. Join Catholic psychotherapist Dan Lawson Live and Livestreaming at St. Martin of Tours (1140 Abbott Road in Buffalo). Q & A will be offered. This event is FREE. Call 716-823-7077 or register and find Livestreaming on St. Martin of Tours Buffalo Facebook. For more info visit stmartinbuffalo.com or contact diacono [at] stmartinbuffalo [dot] com.

Saturday, October 31, 2020 is the deadline for responding to the 2020 Census. If you have not yet participated, please do so on Online by visiting: my2020census.gov or by phone: 844-330-2020. The form contains 9 basic questions, only takes a few minutes to complete, and helps our community receive the federal funding it needs for the next 10 years. (If you do not have a computer, you can go to any branch of the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library and ask for assistance with the online census form). The data helps communities respond to natural disasters and secure funding for hospitals and fire departments, resources that are especially important amidst the current coronavirus crisis. The results also show where communities need new schools, new clinics, new roads, and more services for families, older adults, and children, as well as determining the number of seats each state has in the House of Representatives.We thank the office of Representative Brian Higgins for providing this timely reminder and these helpful links.

National Elections ~ If you are nervous about voting in person on November 3, the Erie County Board of Elections wants you to know that the COVID-19 pandemic is an acceptable reason to request an absentee ballot. Applications for an absentee ballot are already available. Click HERE to see what is involved. Early Voting will take place from Saturday, October 24 through Sunday, November 1 at 37 different locations and the offices of the Board of Elections at 134 West Eagle Street, Buffalo, NY. There will be at least one site in each ward in the City of Buffalo. Click HERE to find an early voting near you. If you have any questions, or to offer your services as a poll worker, call 716.858.8891.

Grief Sharing: a supportive group when you have lost someone dear. Begins Wednesday, October 21, 6:30-8pm, Our Lady of Pompeii Parish Ministry Center, 129 Laverack Avenue at Sheldon, Lancaster, NY. Meetings in person or by ZOOM, depending on coronavirus regulations in place at the time. For additional information and registration, call Sr. Joyce King, 716-683-6522, ext. 103.

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.