March 28 – April 4, 2021
View Our Holy Week Schedule HERE
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.
Monday, March 29 at 7:00 p.m. ~ Blessed Trinity Choir Rehearsal for Holy Week in church
Tuesday, March 30 at 7:00 p.m. ~ Blessed Trinity Choir Rehearsal for Holy Week in church
Wednesday, March 31 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. ~ EXTENDED HOURS ~ Catholic 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.
Saturday, April 3 at 10:00 a.m. ~ All volunteers are called to decorate the church for Easter; please use ramp side door.
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.
Sunday, March 28 ~ Palm Sunday – Blessing of Palms and Holy Mass at 10:00 a.m. – Eternal Joy for James Foley (Req. by Bud and Mickey Dick)
Monday, March 29 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Sr. Anne Helene – Eternal Joy for Mary C. Nelson (Req. by Family)
Tuesday, March 30 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – All Souls ~ Deceased members of the Ryan, Reilly, Reynolds, and Pfeiffer Families (Req. by Estate of Mary Reilly)
Wednesday, March 31 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Repose of the Souls of Arthur and Lillian Hildman (Req. Our Lady of Victory)
Holy Thursday, April 1 ~ Morning Prayer at 9:00 a.m. ~ Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 7:00 p.m. ~ For Benefactors of OLV Homes (Req. Our Lady of Victory)
Good Friday, April 2 ~ Morning Prayer at 9:00 a.m. ~ Solemn Service at 3:00 p.m. ~ Members of the Crib Donors Guild (Req. Our Lady of Victory)
Holy Saturday, April 3 ~ Morning Prayer at 9:00 a.m. ~ Easter Vigil Mass at 8:00 p.m. ~ Members of the Memorial Society (Req. Our Lady of Victory)
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)
Lector Schedule ~ April 3 : Various ~ April 4: Maggie Gatson
News from our Parish Community
A Note from Father Bob ~ At Journey’s End, Together
We easily join ourselves, with palms waving gladly, to Jesus as he arrives and enters into Jerusalem triumphantly and with the acclaim of the crowds. We must also join ourselves to Jesus as he quickly becomes a victim to the fickle and sinful tendencies of the human heart and disposition as acclaim becomes disdain. We are reminded that “this journey” is for the serious of heart and is meant to be taken to the bitter end… with Jesus leading the way. For The Scapegoat, though, the cost of suffering is never without the sweet assurance of glory! So, we travel together, this journey of the cross, praying with Jesus and each other, every step of the way. The assurance we find from God keeps our hopes, our convictions, and our faith firm in every step. May the depth in our worship and prayer today, and in the coming days of Holy Week, be fully imbibed by our human spirit and transform us in its promise of New Life.
BPO Brass Visits BT on Easter Sunday ~ Psalm 100 tells us to “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.” Blessed Trinity is privileged to have members of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra joining us on Easter Sunday to fill our sacred space with beautiful music. Featured will be a Brass Prelude beginning at 9:50 a.m. and then hymns for brass and organ arranged by local composer Roland E. Martin. Come hear the 1927 Tellers-Kent organ in our newly-restored sanctuary and participate in a Liturgical experience that is bound to fill your spiritual Easter basket to overflowing. (We’re not taking reservations, so come early).
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.
Holy Week Schedule ~ Continue to watch the bulletin and Click HERE for prayer and worship opportunities at Blessed Trinity during Holy Week.
Palm Sunday Weekend Notice – In order to best celebrate this special day, and to keep in conformity with the rest of our parish Holy Week & Easter schedule (one mass or service per day), there will be only one parish celebration that weekend ~ Sunday, March 28, at 10:00 AM.
Traditional Good Friday Collection for maintenance and preservation of the shrines in the Holy Land. This is an especially difficult time for Christians in the Middle East, so please give generously on Good Friday, April 2.
Know Your Faith
The people that you meet…
It is interesting that the root of the Greek word for “Church” is ecclesia, which means “to gather.” So this next fundamental theme of Catholic Social Teaching is at the very heart of what we call Church today. Parish is also a word that means something to all of us, but do you know the origins? It means “house among houses!” Originally parishes were organized into geographic areas so that all the people of the world are part of a parish. Our understanding has now broadened to include not just the geographic area, but also those people who, though not living in the neighborhood of the parish find themselves identifying with it and become active participants. It means so much more than going to Mass on Sundays. It is the reason these online Masses are not enough – the reason my Dad learned to watch YouTube so he could see and hear his own pastor rather than a recorded Mass from some other place. The sixth theme is the Call to family, community and participation.
In this last year, we have become acutely aware of these fundamental needs as we saw family events postponed or cancelled, those separated in nursing homes and group homes were left without family visits and our family members died without us by their sides. Did any of us ever imagine that we would bring them to the door of the ER and leave? I do not need any stories to illustrate this – we all lived it. Our parish family walked on New Year’s Day to visit one who could not be with us – if only to say “Hello” from a distance and how much we missed seeing him in church with us. Communion calls, home visits, coffee hours – all cancelled – even BINGO. Perhaps now that we have experienced the loneliness of the desert we will appreciate and understand our need for each other in God’s plan for us. Perhaps out of the last year will come a deeper appreciation for our need for one another. Remember that Jesus had to first die before he could rise.
Scripture strongly supports this need from the moment God said, “It is not good for man to be alone” (Gen 2:18) to the call of St. Paul in his letter to the Romans “We are one body, individually members one of another.” (12:4-8.) Who are our neighbors? Those “people that you meet when you’re walking down the street, the people that you meet each day?” (From Sesame Street) Will you answer the call?
The scaffolding is gone, and we give thankful praise for the 2 dozen volunteers who showed up early Saturday morning and helped Father Bob Gebhard clean our house of prayer from top (almost) to bottom. We greatly appreciate the dedication and hard work of: Pete Anaka, Bob Barnes, Don & Iris Blesnuk; Drew, Nik & Tom Brodfuehrer; Luis Clay, Jack Curtin, Bud & Mickey Dick, Tom Dinder, Shammy Dunnigan, Pat Dyer, Ron & Teri Ferella, Alan Frank, Amy Johnson, Mary Karlis, Sister Liz Savage, Colleen Schroeder, Bill Then and Palma Zanghi.
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 ~ As we approach the mid-point of Appeal 2021, we would like to remind you that your support of the Appeal enables us to continue our efforts to improve the lives of those we serve. All told, your gifts helped us bring hope to 149,000 lives last year through Catholic Charities and helped the Diocese to support spiritual care and compassion through 14 Fund for the Faith programs. In the spirit of thankfulness, we share our 2021 Appeal prayer to Patron St. Ignatius Loyola: “St. Ignatius, help us to be grateful and generous. To give and not count the cost. To labor and not seek reward. To share God’s love with our neighbors in need. To meet them where they are in life and let them know they are not alone. Help us to be poor in spirit – to realize our dependence upon God. And to do all things for the greater glory of God. We ask this in the name of Jesus through your intercession. St. Ignatius, pray for us!” (Imprimatur: Most Rev. Michael Fisher) Thank you for helping us be HOPE for all seasons. (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.
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 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 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.
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.