St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist
September 21
St. Matthew is depicted in this pendentive supporting Blessed Trinity’s great dome.
Photo Credit: Gary Kelley.
September 18 – 25, 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.
ALTHOUGH THE DIOCESE LIFTED ITS MASK MANDATE for worship in February, we have reserved a section of seating for mask wearers in the center section of pews on the right side of church. For the comfort of all, please remember to wear a mask when sitting in this section.
LIVESTREAMING of Sunday Mass has been temporarily suspended. We are sorry that transmission difficulties have forced us to discontinue livestreaming until such time as we are able to obtain a more stable internet connection.
An appreciative audience of more than 125 attended a performance by the St. John Paul II Schola Cantorum, following Explore Buffalo tour of Blessed Trinity on September 16, 2022.
News from our Parish Community
Bible Study on ZOOM has resumed and will continue every Tuesday at 4pm.
Alumni Memorial Mass
Sept 25, 2022 at 10AM
School Alumni ~ On Sunday, September 25, we will again host alumni of Blessed Trinity School for their annual Alumni Memorial Mass and all-class reception. Their reunion Sunday will include a mini-tour before Mass and a reception in St. Charles Hall following the Mass. Please take time to personally welcome people who may be sitting near you and encourage them to worship with us at other times during the year.
Blessed Trinity Church joined Explore Buffalo’s free “Doors Open Houses of Worship Series” on Friday evening, September 16. Following a 6:30pm presentation on its history, art and architecture, volunteer docents highlighted architectural details and interpreted some of the Christian symbols displayed in the church. An hour-long concert followed, during which the a cappella voices of the St. John Paul II Schola Cantorum demonstrated the building’s splendid acoustic as they sang Catholic choral masterpieces from the 16th—21st centuries.
Save the Date: Sunday, October 16 ~ “Thank You, Judy Casassa!” That was the heading on a February 7, 2021, bulletin insert outlining Judy’s fundraising efforts over an eleven-year period and expressing gratitude on behalf of the parish community “for her efforts in obtaining and administering a $300,000 plus grant from the State of New York, enabling us to undertake needed restoration of exterior areas of our beautiful Landmark Church.” Recognizing our continuing pandemic predicament, the document concluded with this positive note: “We hope that [we] will have achieved ‘herd immunity’ … by the time the final project paperwork is completed, and that we will finally be able to gather and celebrate the work that has been done. It is our plan that Judy be personally recognized at that time.” That time is now, and Sunday, October 16, is the chosen day. We will remember Judy with the Mass intention, and Father Bob will dedicate a memorial to Judy in the east side garden and new signage recognizing the State’s funding contribution. A reception in St. Charles Hall is also being planned.
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. Call (716) 800-1075 or write to ccfp14215 [at] gmail [dot] com for information.
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. As a support congregation, Blessed Trinity parishioners purchase and deliver groceries to the Family Promise shelter at Ss. Brigid-Columba Parish. With a few more volunteers we could continue this corporal work of mercy at least one day a month. Working in pairs, you could anticipate your turn to occur 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 (716-836-4694).
- 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 pandemic 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.
Tabernacle figure of Melchizedek, who offered a sacrifice of bread and wine in Gen 15:17-24.
Photo credit: Margaret Dick