Week of June 20, 2021 – 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time

June 20 – 27, 2021

We have made an important change to our web site, adding a “Bulletins” page where visitors may view an exact copy of the weekly bulletin in PDF format. The “Bulletins“ link will be found at the top of the home page. (For your convenience as you adjust to this change, we have added the link here as well). Because, going forward, it will no longer be necessary to repeat information found in the bulletin, this weekly post will be greatly abbreviated. Our web administrators hope you will enjoy the convenience of the “Bulletins” page as much as they do.

New Diocesan Announcement on Sunday Mass Obligation ~ The following is an excerpt from a May 23, 2021 letter from the bishops of the dioceses of Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and Ogdensburg. The entire document appears on the Bulletins page of this web site.

The obligation to attend Holy Mass on the Lord’s Day is a sacred one. Anyone who is frail or at risk due to advanced age or medical conditions is always excused from this obligation, and we encouraged you to use your prudential judgement throughout this pandemic to determine if it was unsafe for you to attend Mass. This remains true.

 However, for those who are healthy and not at great risk, the presumption of the faithful should be that, unless they are at an enhanced risk, sick, or caring for others who are at risk or sick, the obligation to attend Sunday Mass now resumes, effective the weekend of June 5-6, 2021, the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, … in our dioceses.

LIVESTREAMING: In addition to in-person worship, weekend Masses are 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.

News from our Parish Community

A barbecue chicken dinner is being planned for Saturday, June 26, from 2-6 pm. Don’t miss out on the chicken, homemade salads, cornbread and desserts. Purchase a pre-sale ticket NOW. The price is only $12.00. See Colleen Schroeder after Mass or call the rectory Mon-Wed between 10:30am & 2:30 pm.

Food Pantry Expands Hours of Operation ~ The Catholic Central Helping Hands Food Pantry, which operates from our St. Charles Hall at 350 Dewey Avenue, is now operating EVERY Wednesday from 9:30am – 1:30pm. Individuals living in Zip Codes 14214 and 14215 who are in need of supplemental food supplies may stop by and receive pre-packaged bags of groceries from a pantry volunteer.

If mobility issues or illness are 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 Homeless. Family 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 year when 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 you are now able to attend Mass in person, 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 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 ~ Although we are currently unable to offer in person tours inside our church, Buffalo Rising and Explore Buffalo teamed up to give their online followers a virtual tour of Blessed Trinity in April 2020. 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

The Future of Camp Turner. For nearly a century Camp Turner, nestled in Allegany State Park, has been an invaluable resource for youth in our diocese: summer camp experience for boys and girls, overnight lodging for confirmation retreats and parish catechetical teams, to name but a few. Unfortunately, due to the significant financial challenges of the diocese, Camp Turner’s future was in jeopardy. However, following Father Baker’s example of service to youth, OLV Charities will serve as the new sponsoring organization, providing stability. But Camp Turner still needs your help to secure a strong future! We invite you to partner with Friends of Camp Turner to give youth, especially those unable to afford camp, the experience of God’s creation and gracious love through this treasure. Please send your donation to Camp Turner Fund, c/o OLV Charities, 780 Ridge Rd., Lackawanna, NY 14218.

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.