Week of March 7, 2021 – 3rd Sunday of Lent

March 7 – March 14, 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.

Monday, March 8 at 7:00 p.m. ~ CCCB In-person Lenten Journey Mass at St. Lawrence, 1520 E. Delavan Ave.

Tuesday, March 9 at 7:00 p.m. ~ ZOOM Choir Rehearsal for Easter

Tuesday, March 9 at 7:00 p.m. ~ ZOOM Scripture Study

Friday, March 12 at 7:00 p.m. ~ CCCB Virtual Stations of the Cross from St. Lawrence

Wednesday, March 17 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 17, 31, Apr 14 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.

Sunday, March 7 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – Repose of the Souls of Arthur and Lillian Hildman (Req. by Our Lady of Victory Parish)

Monday, March 8 ~ St. John of God ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Praying for All Souls (Req. by St. Theresa’s Parish)

Tuesday, March 9 ~ St. Frances of Rome ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – In Memory of Allen Michael Andrew (Req. by Maxine Husbands-Brown)

Wednesday, March 10 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Deceased members of the Ryan, Reilly, Reynolds, and Pfeiffer Families (Req. by Estate of Mary Reilly)

Thursday, March 11 ~ No Mass scheduled.

Friday, March 12 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – In Memory of Alfreda Dawidzik (Req. by Gregory Allgrim)

Saturday, March 13 ~ Mass at 4:30 p.m. – Repose of the Souls of Arthur and Lillian Hildman (Req. by Our Lady of Victory Parish)

Sunday, March 14 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – Deceased Members of the Ejimadu Family (Req. by Fidelia Ejimadu)

Lector Schedule ~ March 13: John Curtin; March 14: Mary Kresse

 

News from our Parish Community

A Note from Father Bob ~ We Change as we Journey ~ together!….

In my homily last weekend, I highlighted that the Transfiguration of Jesus was God’s way of revealing God’s power & glory to us and for us. It was, for the apostles Peter, James and John, as for us, a breaking-forth-glimpse of the resurrection and the risen life of Jesus. Revealed was the power of love that motivated Jesus’ own life and ministry and meant to fuel our own Christian way of life and example in the world. The Transfiguration is life-changing, for believers! So, I mentioned that I would pose three questions prompted by our consideration of the impact of the Transfiguration on us in our own time and parish: 

• What is telling us that the transfiguring power of Jesus is at work in this parish?
• How is God calling me/you to participate and highlight this power of God’s love with the use of my gifts and talents?
• What could we do, as a parishioner or parish, to make it a place where God’s presence, shining in transfigured glory, is more easily seen, experienced, and life-changing for the parish, neighborhood, Church of Buffalo, or beyond?

For those who wish to respond to any/all of these questions, I would post your responses, anonymously, in our bulletin over the next few weeks. You can drop written responses in the collection basket, email responses to blessedtrinitychurch [at] gmail [dot] com, or mail them in. This could be an energizing way to share our love for our parish and our trust in our Catholic faith! I’ve shared my responses with you. It is my hope that you will consider sharing your own.

Thank you to all the Blessed Trinity parishioners who came to the Lenten Journey mass this past Monday evening, hosted by our parish. It was a very uplifting experience for me to have our Catholic Churches of Central Buffalo come together to Journey through this Lenten Journey.

Many hands make light work! Volunteers are needed for Holy Week and decorating. Use the sign-up sheet on the altar rail or call the rectory office, 716-833-0301.

From the Loft ~ This Sunday marks the midpoint of Lent – hard to believe we have already traveled 20 days and nights in our journey to the Cross. As we begin to put together the musical plan for the Triduum, I am struck by the way Blessed Trinity blends the old with the new, especially during Holy Week. Father Bob is bringing some new traditions and blending them into our substantial heritage – please plan on spending the 2021 Holy Week at Blessed Trinity – it is bound to be beautiful.

This weeks’ Communion hymn is new to us, having been composed in 2015 by Steve Agrisano and Tom Booth. The structure of this composition is compelling in that there are two refrains, which can be sung individually or simultaneously. I am looking forward to singing this hymn when the Blessed Trinity Choir is able to return in full force – how wonderful it will be for our music to be new again when the pandemic is over!

The text, while simple, creates a lovely picture of what is to come in the next 20 days. I hope you find it uplifting.

(refrain 1)
I am the Bread of Life,
I am the hope in the night,
I am the door wide open,
I am the shepherd’s might,
I am the truth and light,
I am the way and life,
I Am Who Am and I am for you:
Come and follow me.
(refrain 2)
I am bread for the world,
hope for the hopeless.
Come to me, and know that I’ll always be there
with my arms open wide.
I Am Who Am and I am for you:
Come and follow me.

I give my heart to those in sorrow,
I come to those who are in need;
hope for today and for tomorrow,
light for all who want to see.

May the second half of our journey to the Cross be filled with the blessings of Christ – see you at the Triduum!

 – Elizabeth Clay

New “Scripture Study” begins March 9 at 7 PM ~ We are finishing up Acts and will begin the teaching on parishes from last summer called Pastoral Conversion of the Parish Community. Join us in hearing about our pope’s vision of the parish of the future. Read the document HERE; join the discussion on March 9 by Clicking HERE.

Lenten Liturgical Schedule ~ Continue to watch the bulletin and Click HERE for a schedule of Lenten opportunities for prayer, worship, and reconciliation. Note the virtual opportunities to pray the Stations of the Cross, streaming from the different Central Buffalo Churches (“CCCB”) on the Fridays of Lent, and in-person CCCB Journey Masses each Monday.

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.

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!

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.

Watch Your Step – Our church is noted for its display of more than 2,000 symbols summarizing Christian beliefs, and many of them are under your feet! Twenty-four types of crosses can be found in 556 of our mosaic floor tiles. Another 158 tiles feature 24 additional symbols, including the signs of the zodiac. The next time you’re in church, pick any section of the floor not supporting scaffolding and look to see  what covers our holy ground.

Catholic Charities Appeal 2021 ~ The annual Catholic Charities campaign is officially under way. Last year, thanks to your generosity, our parish raised enough money to aid 2,519 individuals and families living in our parish area. This year especially we are asking you to pledge and contribute to support the much needed help that Catholic Charities provides to our community. Information about the help provided and your ways to contribute are on the table by the ramp entrance to the church. Pledge cards should arrive in the mail to you shortly. We have extras should you not receive one. Pledges and contributions can be placed in the collection basket, mailed to the church or directly to Catholic Charities. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask Bob Heicklen, Campaign Chair. Thank you in advance for your support. Please make this a part of your Lenten almsgiving.

“Upon This Rock” Donor Information ~ Beginning in 2015, The Foundation of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo, N.Y. (“Foundation”) began soliciting donations to its “Upon this Rock” (“UTR”) capital and endowment campaign.

The UTR campaign raised funds for many purposes, including soliciting funds for making essential upgrades to classroom facilities and technology of Christ the King Seminary (“CKS”), expanding CKS’s role as a center of retreat and religious celebration, and establishing an endowment fund for CKS. Unfortunately, in early 2020, CKS’s Board of Trustees determined that CKS would close at the end of the 2020-2021 academic year. CKS’s closure will make it impossible for the Foundation to use the UTR funds raised for CKS for their original intended purposes. However, under New York law, when the original purposes for which funds are donated become impossible to achieve, those purposes can be modified in a manner consistent with original intent by the New York State courts.

For many years, CKS provided education and formation for ordained and lay ecclesial ministers in the Diocese of Buffalo and beyond. Accordingly, the Foundation has asked the New York State Supreme Court for the County of Erie to approve a modification of the purposes of UTR funds raised for CKS so that those funds can be used to support the education and formation for ordained and lay ecclesial ministry in the Diocese of Buffalo, as determined in the discretion of the Foundation’s Board.

If you have donated to UTR and would like to be heard regarding this requested modification, you may send a letter to: The Foundation of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo, N.Y., Inc., attention Executive Director, 795 Main Street, Buffalo, N.Y. 14203 or an email to donor [dot] info [at] frcdb [dot] org. Copies of letters or email received by the Foundation will be provided to the Court. You may also make a formal filing in the legal proceeding entitled Matter of the Modification of Endowment Funds of The Foundation of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo N.Y., Inc., Erie County Index No. 814747/2020. In order for your submission to be available for the Court’s consideration, please be sure to send any letter or email, or make any filing, no later than Friday, April 9, 2021. 

Staffing Update ~ Our staff grows! In addition to the newest members of our parish staff that I announced to you recently (Barbara Sercu, Administrative Assistant; Peter Anaka, Maintenance), I am happy to share that Bob Zielinski joins us also to help us with the maintenance and repair needs of the parish. Like Pete, Bob currently works full-time for another parish and helps us, after leaving his full-time job, arriving here a couple days a week in the evenings. Currently, he is working on preparing another room in the rectory to be used as an office for people who come for appointments, etc. We are blessed to have such a staff of all fine individuals!

Job Opportunities 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.

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.

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.