Week of January 31, 2021 – 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time

January 31 – February 7, 2021

COVID-19 Precautions: The Diocese of Buffalo has relaxed restrictions on capacity at worship services. See, Nov. 26 COVID-19 Update. It is no longer 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, February 3 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. ~ EXTENDED HOURS ~ Catholic Central Food Pantry in St. Charles Hall
Now operating every other Wednesday (Feb 3, 17, Mar 3, etc.) but with extended hours. Volunteers will distribute pre-prepared bags of groceries.

Saturday, February 6 at 2:30 p.m. ~ Liturgy Committee meeting in St. Charles Hall

Tuesday, February 9 at 7:00 p.m. ~ ZOOM Bible study: the Acts of the Apostles (chapters 20-22)

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 will be no morning Mass on Thursdays.

Sunday, January 31 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – Blessings for Charles Horton (Req. Grace Schaefer and Ann Chriscitiello) and Praying for Deceased Members of Emesfu Family (Req. by Fidelia Ejimadu)

Monday, February 1 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Deceased members of the Ryan, Reilly, Reynolds, and Pfeiffer Families (Req. by Estate of Mary Reilly)

Tuesday, February 2 ~ The Presentation of the Lord ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Praying for All Souls (Req. by St. Theresa Parish)

Wednesday, February 3 ~ St. Blaise, St. Ansgar ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Repose of the Souls of Arthur and Lillian Hildman (Req. by Our Lady of Victory Parish)

Thursday, February 4 ~ No Mass scheduled.

Friday, February 5 ~ St. Agatha ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Repose of the Soul of Daisy Neves (Req. by Our Lady of Victory Parish)

Saturday, February 6 ~ St. Paul Miki & Companions ~ Mass at 4:30 p.m. – Blessings for Charles Horton (Req. Grace Schaefer and Ann Chriscitiello)

Sunday, February 7 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – Eternal Joy for Catherine Ball (Req. by Family) 

Lector Schedule ~ Feb 6: Michael Ogoh; Feb 7: Pam Zanghi

News from our Parish Community

A note from Father Bob ~ This weekend in anticipation of the Feast of St. Blaise, Bishop and Martyr, due to covid restrictions, the blessing of throats will be a general blessing and will take place at the end of mass. Next week [Feb 6/7] we will take up the Collection for the Church in Central and Eastern Europe. This collection supports the Church in more than 25 countries that still struggle to recover from former communist rule. Funds from this collection support pastoral care, catechesis, building renovations, and seminary formation. Your support restores the Church and builds the future in this region. Please prayerfully consider how you can support the collection next week. More information can be found at www.usccb.org/ccee.

Know Your Faith: Scripture is Not Silent

A few years ago a young pregnant woman brought her five-year old to a clinic for school vaccines. She told the clinic staff that she hoped to be able to go to school to study public health since her medical school education and pediatric experience could not be used in this country. “Why,” asked a staff member, “would you leave your home if you cannot work here?” She replied without a moment’s hesitation, “Because I was tired of hiding my baby from the bombs.”

I wonder what kind of welcome Mary and Joseph received when they arrived in Egypt with their baby. Was Mary scared? She did not have her own mother to help her with Jesus. Did she speak the language of the other mothers? Scripture is silent.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) says “the Catholic tradition teaches that human dignity can be protected and a healthy community can be achieved only if human rights are protected and responsibilities are met.” Both rights and responsibilities. The right to life is the primary right, but that also includes those things required “for human decency.” Because of this, we each have rights and duties. Perhaps most significantly, the bishops go beyond ourselves and our families to the larger society. They use the example of the refugee – whether caused by famine, war or persecution – to illustrate. A few weeks ago we heard the evangelist tell us that even a king may be forced to flee his home and go with his parents to a foreign land. When that king grew up, he taught that it was our duty to welcome the stranger. And, that when we do so, we welcome him.

Rights and responsibilities – like the old song says, “You can’t have one without the other.” Scripture is not silent on this. To learn more and to see a list of relevant scripture.

A Poem for Candlemas Day ~ “Though the 12 days of Christmas ended with Twelfth Night and Epiphany, there is another sense in which this season, in which we reflect on the great mystery of God in Christ as an infant, continues until February 2nd, the Feast of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple. This feast came to be called by the shorter and more beautiful name of Candlemas because the day it celebrates, recorded in Luke 2:22-40, is the day the old man Simeon took the baby in his arms and recognised him as ‘A Light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of thy people Israel.’ ” Malcolm Guite

Candlemas by Malcom Guite

They came, as called, according to the Law.
Though they were poor and had to keep things simple,
They moved in grace, in quietness, in awe,
For God was coming with them to His temple.
Amidst the outer court’s commercial bustle
They’d waited hours, enduring shouts and shoves,
Buyers and sellers, sensing one more hustle,
Had made a killing on the two young doves.
They come at last with us to Candlemas
And keep the day the prophecies came true
We glimpse with them, amidst our busyness,
The peace that Simeon and Anna knew.
For Candlemas still keeps His kindled light,
Against the dark our Saviour’s face is bright.

You can read more of Father Guite’s reflection on the meaning of Candlemas Day by visiting his blog.

Covid19 vaccines will be available at Blessed Trinity and other neighboring churches. If you would like to register to be vaccinated, please complete the paper form available with the bulletins or the online form at this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1IFX5XWMK21z5jqCW7629dj84H1RdP2sHOqNWPA_CmKg/edit?usp=drive_web

The Liturgy Committee will meet at 2:30pm on Saturday, February 6, in St. Charles Hall.

Zoom Bible Study continues on Tuesday, February 9 at 7pm. We are now reading Chapters 20-22 of the Acts of the Apostles. 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). Each session lasts approximately 90 minutes.

If the 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.

Interior restoration ~ Now that repairs to the tile roof of the church — part of our grant project — have been completed, restoration of interior art work and repairs to the ceiling of the church have begun. The placement of scaffolding for this project is extensive, so whether you are watching our livestreamed video or attending in person, you won’t be able to avoid it. The work is expected to continue into March 2021. If all goes as planned, it will be completed before Easter. As you enter the church, please be very aware of your surroundings and open to alternative seating if your pew of choice is now unavailable.

Job Opportunities at Blessed Trinity ~ We have several part-time positions now available. Are you or someone you know looking for work? 

Part-time General Housekeeping ~ General parish rectory housekeeping; cleaning responsibilities. Occasional laundry. 10-16 hours/month.

Part-time Maintenance Position ~ Jack-of-all-trades; general maintenance/cleaning. Familiarity with light plumbing, electrical, heating. Lawn maintenance, weekday snow removal. 1-2 days/week. Flexible hours/days. 

Send applications to Blessed Trinity RC Church, 317 Leroy Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14214 (716-833-0301) or email blessedtrinitychurch [at] gmail [dot] com.

Prisoner Gift Bags for 2021 ~ We are asking those who volunteered to decorate gift bags for the 2021 Prisoner Project to return them (decorated or not) by January 31. You may place them in the box in the back pew. Thank you for donating your time and talent to continue Sr. Karen’s work of mercy.

Members of the Ladies Sodality are reminded that membership runs with the calendar year, and 2021 dues are payable in January. They are still only $5 unless you are already a “Life” member (age 80 or above), in which case you are exempt. You may give them to our membership chair, Mickey Dick, or mail them to her at 2549 Main St., Buffalo, NY 14214. Membership is open to all women of the parish, and new members are always welcome.

Catholic Charities Appeal 2021 is underway! Bishop Michael Fisher, Appeal 2021 Chair Rick Cronin, and Deacon Steve Schumer launched the Appeal earlier this week and announced the $10 million goal, as well as the campaign theme, HOPE for all seasons, and this year’s patron saint, Ignatius Loyola. Your donation to the Appeal can support Catholic Charities of Buffalo and the Fund for the Faith. Your donation stays in Western New York and helps those in our communities who are struggling to live, work and support their families, and those who need spiritual care and support. You help provide HOPE for all seasons. And it couldn’t be easier: visit www.ccwny.org/donation or call our Helpline at 716-218-1419 today! In addition to supporting Catholic Charities, Appeal 2021also helps to support the Fund for the Faith. Established in 1937 by Bishop John Duffy out of concern for those in need of spiritual comfort due to hardships of the Great Depression, the Fund for the Faith continues to provide spiritual nourishment throughout our diocese today. Proceeds provide ministry support services that are instrumental to the vitality of our faith experience and enable us to more effectively spread the Gospel message of Christ’s love. With the COVID-19 Pandemic, donations to the Fund for the Faith are more important than ever as we extend comfort to all of God’s people – our family, friends and neighbors alike. Our hope and prayer is that a successful Fund for the Faith drive will help restore and support expanded ministries including Catholic education and formation programming for youth and young families. For a list of the programs the Fund for the Faith supports, go to www.ccwny.org/appeal-programs.

Join Our Family Promise Ministry  ~ As a shelter for homeless families and recently certified by NYS, Family Promise of WNY is following new health and safety guidelines and cannot accept donations of home prepared meals. Instead, volunteers have become grocery donors in a food category assigned to the day of the week. Blessed Trinity volunteers did this twice during December, 2020 and found it much easier than coordinating and cooking a full dinner. We signed up for a date on the meal schedule and delivered the requested foods during the day at our convenience. We hope more parishioners will take advantage of this simplified protocol and become part of our Family Promise team. Family Promise also needs volunteers in areas like tutoring and transportation. If you think you might want to help and need more information go to their web site at fpwny.org and click on “Get Involved” to find the grocery sign up schedule. Also, you may contact our parish coordinator, Amy Johnson, at 716-836-4694 and join forces with another member of the team.

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 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.

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

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

News from our Vicariate Cluster and the Wider Community

Tuition Assistance for Private Grammar Schools. The BISON Children’s Scholarship Fund’s pre-application is now available for NEW families in the 8 counties of Western New York for the 2021-22 school year. The BISON Fund provides tuition assistance to economically eligible children entering kindergarten – 8^th grade. If selected, the scholarships can be used at any private grammar school in WNY. The deadline to apply is February 28. You can apply online at www.bisonfund.com. The average scholarship is $1,480 and the maximum award is $2,500. For more information, call 716-854-0869, ext.1.

Love Yourself this Valentine’s Day ~ Valentine’s Day Depression is real. It is one of those holidays that can trigger unwanted emotions and upset your mental health. Whether you are single or in a relationship, all is not lost. Click HERE for some simple tips from Mental Health Advocates of WNY, and have a great Valentine’s Day for your mental health.

Live-Streamed Daily Mass from Christ the King Church ~ Until further notice, all Masses from Christ the King Church in Snyder will be Live-Streamed at ctksnyder.org/camera-live-stream. Mass times are as follows: Saturday Vigil Mass at 4:30 pm, Sunday at 8 & 10 am, Monday-Friday at 8 am, Monday & Wednesday at 5 pm.

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.