We glory in the Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ! Happy Easter

April 4 – April 11, 2021

 

COVID-19 Precautions: The Diocese of Buffalo has relaxed restrictions on capacity at worship services. See, Nov. 26 COVID-19 Update. It is NOT necessary to make a reservation to attend Mass at Blessed Trinity.

NEW: In addition to in-person worship, 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 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

NEW: Our office is now open Monday – Wednesday from 10:30am – 2:30pm; closed Thursday and Friday.

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

Wednesday, April 14 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. ~ EXTENDED HOURSCatholic Central Food Pantry in St. Charles Hall
Now operating every other Wednesday (Mar 31, Apr 14, 28, etc.) but with extended hours. Volunteers will distribute pre-prepared bags of groceries.

 

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 is no morning Mass on Thursdays.

The Sanctuary Lamp burns this week in Memory of Bridget Blesnuk.

Sunday, April 4 ~ Organ and Brass Preludes at 9:50 a.m. ~ Easter Sunday Mass of the Resurrection at 10:00 a.m.~ In Memory of Sir Paulinus Mgbenka (Req. by Fidelia Ejimadu)

Easter Monday, April 5 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Deceased members of the Ryan, Reilly, Reynolds, and Pfeiffer Families (Req. by Estate of Mary Reilly)

Easter Tuesday, April 6 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. –  Repose of the Souls of Arthur and Lillian Hildman (Req. Our Lady of Victory)

Easter Wednesday, April 7 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Repose of the Soul of Patricia Ostrowski (Req. Palma Zanghi)

Easter Thursday, April 8 ~ No service scheduled

Easter Friday, April 9 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Repose of the Souls of the Betz Families (Req. Our Lady of Victory)

Easter Saturday, April 10 ~ Mass at 4:30 p.m. – In Memory of Karen Kovach (John Curtin)

Sunday, April 11 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. ~ Eternal Joy for Mary Solomon (Req. by Blessed Trinity Ladies Sodality)

Lector Schedule ~ April 10 :  ~ April 11: Palma Zanghi

News from our Parish Community


A Note from Father Bob ~ An Empty Tomb … Together

We are so grateful to all who have joined us – in person and virtually – during this Holy Week and for our Triduum and Easter celebrations. Your presence makes the worship so much richer. What a wonderful face of the Body of Christ in visitors, guests, parishioners, alumni, & friends of Blessed Trinity! Your faith and participation makes the message known….  Jesus is Risen from the Tomb! – our Life, our Hope, our Salvation. We need Easter! This past year has found us all entombed in so many different and unexpected ways. Loss has tinged every single one of us. A dearth of touch and embrace dries us up. Social distance and masking reminds us constantly of what so needs to be seen. Scandal, abuse, a divide country strangles our desires for optimism and a brighter future. Yes, WE NEED EASTER! We need to tell each other what our faith promises… that there is a Victory we can count on, there is a Light that conquers the worst darkness, there is a New Life that claims death-no-more. We have to let that good news Easter in us so that, as we all stand together, these Easter days, gazing into an empty tomb, we can’t hold back from joining in the glad refrain of an angel, “He has been raised. He is not here.” And know the joy, hope and saving power of the Cross in which we glory and it New Life.

Mopsters form Bucket Brigade while others make a Clean Sweep!  After weeks of restoration work to the inside of our church, the scaffolding finally came down. So did dust and dirt and debris, to settle everywhere!… on pews, rails, window ledges, chairs, benches, ambo, altar, statues, lights, kneelers…. A seeming monumental task to get our “house in order” again in time for our holiest days. But, low and behold, the plea to recruit volunteers to tackle the task was met with a rousing response. We can’t thank enough those who took up dust rags, brooms, mops, buckets, vacuums, polish, cleaners… and conquered the enemy in few short hours! Peter Anaka, Bob Barnes, Don & Iris Blesnuk, Tom Brodfuehrer, Drew Brodfuehrer, Nik Brodfuehrer, Luis Clay, Jack Curtin, Bud & Mickey Dick, Tom Dinder, Patricia Dyer, Sharon Dunnigan, Alan Frank, Amy Johnson, Mary Karlis, Ron & Terri Ferella, Sr. Elizabeth Savage, Colleen Schroeder, Bill Then, Pam Zanghi. It was so nice for me to join this TEAM of workers and to experience their great pride in the Church!  A million thank you’s!!  ~ Fr. Bob

The Members of the Blessed Trinity Choir are deeply grateful for the love and support of this beautiful church community. Thank you for a beautiful Triduum!

Thank you for your generous support of the Good Friday collection for upkeep of holy sites as well as support for the pastoral, charitable, educational and social works of Christians in the Holy Land.

New Virtual “Study Group” Continues on April 13. We have finished Acts and have begun our study of the Pastoral Conversion of the Parish Community, a teaching on parishes from the Congregation of the Clergy in Rome. Join us in hearing about our pope’s vision of the parish of the future as they respond to the changing needs of people. You can review a copy of the document ahead of time by clicking HERE; join the ZOOM meeting HERE.

New Opportunity to Memorialize a Loved One or Special Intention ~ The Sanctuary Lamp is a lamp that is continually burning near or before the tabernacle of every Catholic Church throughout the world. It signifies that the Blessed Sacrament, the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, is present and reserved in the tabernacle. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal in the Catholic Church states: “In accordance with traditional custom, near the tabernacle a special lamp, fueled by oil or wax, should be kept alight to indicate and honor the presence of Christ.” The glass encasing the candle or oil flame is often red in color. With a donation of $10, we are now offering the opportunity for you to memorialize a loved one or intention. The lit lamp, in remembrance of your intention, will burn throughout the week. If interested, please contact the rectory, 716-833-0301. Additionally, we will offer the same opportunity to memorialize a loved one or intention with a donation for the gifts of Bread (Hosts) and Wine used at each mass. If interested in providing for these gifts, please contact the rectory, 716-833-0301.

Our Parish Financial Picture ~ Every parish family should have recently received a letter in the mail Father Bob and our Finance Council keeping you informed of our current financial picture. I ask your prayerful consideration of the financial challenges we face in these difficult times. Thank you for any ways you can offer your generosity in prayer, time, talent and treasure!

Catholic Charities Appeal 2021 ~ In the Christian faith, Jesus is the epitome of HOPE for all seasons. His death and Resurrection showed us that after a definitive amount of time, ultimate good can be dispersed to all. Today, we rejoice in our Lord and Savior’s glory! We also want to thank you for following the example of Appeal Patron St. Ignatius Loyola who called us to respond in faith, and to find God in all things. We thank you for being attuned to God’s presence in everyday circumstances as he taught us, and responding in faith with a gift to the Appeal. With your help, we give HOPE for all seasons. Thank you for your continued support of Appeal 2021. (If you have any questions, please feel free to ask Bob Heicklen, Blessed Trinity’s Campaign Chair. Thank you in advance for your support. Please make this a part of your Lenten almsgiving).

Job Opportunity at Blessed Trinity ~ Are you or someone you know looking for work? We have a part-time general housekeeping position now available. It involves general parish rectory housekeeping, cleaning responsibilities, and occasional laundry. 10-16 hours/month. Send applications to Blessed Trinity RC Church, 317 Leroy Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14214 (716-833-0301) or email blessedtrinitychurch [at] gmail [dot] com.

We are looking for a couple of people interested in helping us out!  If you are interested in any of these ministries please see Pat Dyer for more information.

Welcome “Desk” [in church] staffing on weekends and special Masses like Holy Days.

Compassion Ministry – helping our current volunteer send out cards and notes to shut-ins, the ill, and families after a death occurs. All materials provided and can be done from home.

Caring for God’s Creation helping to plan for and work on the day of a neighborhood and church grounds cleanup. Many hands make light work. We will serve hot dogs, chips and hot drinks.  Besides “hands and feet,” we need a grill, trash bags and food donations, and a cook or two.  Celebration will take place on a Saturday afternoon toward the end of April and will end with Mass.  Planning meetings to be set up once we have a few volunteers.

If weather or COVID or illness is preventing you from joining us in person, you can watch our weekend 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.

FAMILY PROMISE OF WNY: Feed the Hungry, Shelter the HomelessFamily Promise offers us the opportunity to perform these acts of charity in a very direct and personal manner. Since September, Blessed Trinity parishioners have purchased and delivered groceries on five days to the Family Promise shelter at Ss. Brigid-Columba Parish. With a few more volunteers we hope to continue this at least one day a month. We are working in pairs so that you can expect your turn to be every third month. We hope you will join us. If you want more background information go to the web site, www.fpwny.org, or contact Amy Johnson (836-4694).

  • Family Promise is certified by NYS and can house up to six families.
  • It is one of only two emergency shelters in Erie County that allow fathers and teenage sons to stay with their family.
  • Families are referred by the Dept. of Social Services and receive case management in finding employment and permanent housing, security deposit assistance, day care, school transport, and follow up support upon leaving the shelter.
  • In 2020, the Homeless Alliance of WNY rated Family Promise with the best success rate for moving families into permanent homes.

Is it time to update your contact information? During the past 9 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. 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 Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday 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.

Virtual Church Tour ~  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: Bridget Blesnuk

News from our Vicariate Cluster and the Wider Community

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.