Week of June 19, 2022 – Corpus Christi

June 19 – June 26, 2022

We have made important changes to our web site, adding a “Bulletins” page where visitors may view an exact copy of the weekly bulletin and inserts in PDF format, as well as a calendar for our Family of Parishes. The “Bulletins“ link will be found at the top of the home page, and the calendar link appears under the “Worship” heading. (For your convenience as you adjust to this change, we have added the links here as well). Our web administrators hope you will enjoy the convenience of the “Bulletins” page and four-parish calendar as much as they do.

THE DIOCESE HAS LIFTED ITS MASK MANDATE for worship as of February 9, 2022. Please read Father Bob’s guidelines as they relate to this parish in the church bulletin dated FEBRUARY 20, 2022. For the comfort of all, we have reserved a section of seating for mask wearers in the center section of pews on the right side of church.

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

Making Room at the Table ~ On this Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, we congratulate our two first communicants — Alexander Arnold and Chidi Iheke — who receive the Eucharist for the first time this Sunday. We give thanks to God for them and for their parents, families, parish family, and catechists who have led them to the Table. We congratulate, as well, the young people of the other parishes of our Family who will also receive the Body and Blood of Jesus for the first time today.

Change in Mass Schedule ~ There will be NO 11am Mass this Friday, June 24. Also, the Mass intentions for the weekend were listed incorrectly in this week’s bulletin. Saturday’s 4:30pm Mass on June 25 will be offered In Memory of John F. Curtin, and the Sunday Mass will be offered In Memory of William Dunnigan, Jr. Both intentions are at the request of John E. Curtin.

Farmers for a day…or two! Many thanks to Bob Barnes, Luis and Elizabeth Clay, Bud and Mickey Dick, Kathleen Dove, Ellen Duffy, Father Bob Gebhard, Amy Johnson, Dorothy Manuppelli, Kathy Press, and Sr. Liz Savage, who came in the evening this past week to weed, till, plant, trim and tend to our parish grounds. And extra credit goes to those who appeared on Wednesday, despite the extreme heat, to weed and water the new plantings.

Bible Study on ZOOM is taking a summer break. We will resume on Tuesday, September 13, and continue every Tuesday at 4pm.

Blessed Trinity Welcomed Slow Roll Buffalo ~ The Buffalo Architectural Foundation sponsored Buffalo’s 10-mile community bike ride on Monday, June 6. Starting at the nearby Darwin Martin House Complex. 515 participants cycled by selected architectural and historic sites, including Blessed Trinity. Two groups of riders were welcomed by Father Bob and several parishioners. Mickey Dick presented architectural highlights of the church, before they continued on to the Richardson Complex.

Food Pantry Returns to Shopper’s Choice ~ 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. Residents of 14214 & 14215 are welcome to help themselves, according to household size, to portions of carbohydrates, grains, proteins and canned vegetables. Bread and sweets generally available. Baby needs in stock also. Registration open thru June. Call (716) 800-1075 or write to ccfp14215 [at] gmail [dot] com for information.

Remembrance Ceremony ~ On Saturday, May 21, Blessed Trinity participated in the diocesan-wide tribute and remembrance of the victims of the May 14 mass shooting in Buffalo. The ceremony included the proscribed moments of silence, the tolling of the church bell, and a recitation of the names of the dead and wounded. Our parish flag was lowered and remains at half-mast.

Building the Church ~ On Saturday, May 14, congregants from our Family of Parishes celebrated the upcoming Birthday of the Church with a day of socialization and exploration at Blessed Trinity. Docents helped interpret a few of the most meaningful among some 2,000 symbols displayed in the building’s art and architecture. Youthful participants were given clues to help them find images of children, and everyone enjoyed a “scavenger hunt” for selected symbols in terra cotta columns and floor tiles. Having experienced a close-up look at the choir loft’s rose window, visitors ended the afternoon with a chance to create their own “stained-glass” window. Many thanks to pastoral associate Pat Dyer who planned the event and to our parish docent team, including Father Bob who made his debut in the narthex explaining symbols of Christ’s childhood.

Project Welcome!  Afghani Families Relocate to Buffalo – In an extension of Christian love of neighbor and our City of Good Neighbors hospitality, assistance is needed to help Afghani families who are relocating to Buffalo. Immediate needs include:

Seasonal clothing for all ages
Laundry Detergent
New flatware and cookware sets (may be lightly used, prefer new)
Tea kettles (not coffee pots)
New sheets and pillows/pillowcases in twin and full size
Gift Cards: Price Rite, Aldi’s, Walmart.

Drop off at church on the weekend or the rectory office Monday-Wednesday 10:30am-2:30pm.

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 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.

Enjoy a virtual tour of our Landmark house of worship, 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.