October11, 2021 has been proclaimed Indigenous Peoples Day in the United States. On October 21, 2012, Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha became the first Native American to be canonized. The daughter of a Mohawk warrior and Catholic Algonquin woman, Kateri was born in a Mohawk fortress near Auriesville, New York. This woodcarving on the right (west) transept wall of our church was a gift of the Southtowns Woodcarvers of WNY. Photo credit: Margaret Dick

October 10 – October 17, 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.

The most recent Diocesan Interim Guidance for Parishes with respect to COVID precautions appears on the Bulletins page of this web site. It is dated June 15, 2021.

LIVESTREAMING: In keeping with the latest diocesan guidelines, we are livestreaming only one Mass (usually Sunday Mass) each weekend 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

We wish our Canadian neighbors a blessed and Happy Thanksgiving on Monday, October 11.

The Ladies Sodality Meets Mother Cabrini ~ In September, Blessed Trinity Church served as one of several sites in Buffalo for the filming of scenes for an as yet unnamed movie about St. Frances Xavier (“Mother”) Cabrini (1850-1917). Members of our Ladies Sodality chose the patron saint of immigrants as the subject of a program at their October 3rd meeting, with members encouraged to reveal facts they had learned about her. Their findings and questions let to a lively and wide-ranging discussion of the trials and accomplishments of this foundress of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart. Although her legacy in the United States is recognized primarily in New York City and Chicago, she also built schools, hospitals, and orphanages throughout Europe and Central and South America. Closer to home, Mother Cabrini visited Buffalo in 1902, working with the Italian immigrant community. With new-found insights into her childhood, religious formation, physical stamina that belied her frail appearance, and her ability to “speak truth to power,” participants came away with a new appreciation for this remarkable woman.

Bingo is Back ~ We are happy to have resumed Thursday night bingo at Blessed Trinity. Since July 22, we have enjoyed greeting many of our longtime patrons and getting to know others who are newcomers to our games. We hope we’ll be seeing all of you again and again. Bingo is played at St. Charles Hall, 350 Dewey Ave. Doors open at 6:30pm, concessions are available starting at 7pm, and games begin at 8pm. You must be at least 18 years of age to attend. Masks are not required for the fully vaccinated, but we ask that everyone wear a mask when moving about the hall or into the kitchen and restrooms. No date has yet been set for the return of Saturday night bingo. Future announcements will appear on the home page and our Facebook page. Bonus Ball and Progressive carryover amounts are posted weekly on Facebook.

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 Sunday Mass LIVE on Facebook at 10:00 AM, 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 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.

Church Tours Resume ~ We are happy to announce that in-person tours of the interior of our Landmark church will resume with Explore Buffalo on Saturday, October 30, 2021 at 2pm. To reserve a place for the tour, visit Explore Buffalo and go to October 30 on their calendar. In the meantime, you can enjoy a virtual preview, courtesy of Buffalo Rising and Explore Buffalo. 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.

St. Margaret Mary Alacoque
October 16
St. Margaret Mary Alacoque (1647-1690) is depicted on the left in this painting at the Sacred Heart Altar on the right side of our church. Although we don’t know her name, one of the Sisters of St. Joseph who taught at Blessed Trinity School at the time was the model for Vincent Mondo’s painting of St. Margaret. (Rev. Walter Kern’s Guidebook to Blessed Trinity Roman Catholic Church, page 28).
Photo credit: Margaret Dick