Week of September 4, 2022 – 23nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

September 4 – 11, 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. 

News from our Parish Community

Docent Training, Sept 10—A cross-training program and “refresher course” for parish docents is being planned for Saturday, September 10—our first since the team was formed in the spring of 2011. Over the years, our Landmark house of worship has become an established local tourism site, and requests for guided tours have increased exponentially. To ensure that our veteran docents are comfortable guiding visitors through more than one area of our church, we will review fact sheets on church art and architecture and exchange tour guide experiences. New recruits are welcome to join us in St. Charles Hall, beginning at 1:30pm. If you have ever thought about becoming a docent and would like to learn what is involved, please contact Mickey Dick (716-832-2540) and plan to attend on September 10.

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

Blessed Trinity Church will join 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, our docents will be standing by to provide more information and help you understand the panorama of Christian symbolism that surrounds you every time you come to church. From 7:30-8:30pm, experience our building’s splendid acoustic as the a cappella voices of the St. John Paul II Schola Cantorum sing Catholic choral masterpieces from the 16^th—21^st centuries. This is a FREE event, but reservations are required for the tour. You can make yours at https://explorebuffalo.org/calendar/ or by calling (716) 245-3032. Reservations are NOT necessary for the 7:30pm concert, which is open to all.

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.

“Rosary on the Green” ~ The faithful gathered to honor Our Blessed Lady on August 15, the Feast of her Assumption into heaven, with a public recitation of the Rosary near the statue of Our Lady.

Neighborhood Night Out ~ BT’s “Meet Your Neighbor” night on August 13 out was a great success. Neighbors came and stayed to enjoy food and drink, face painting, church tours, lawn games and the live reggae sounds of Strictly Riddim. Members of our docent team enjoyed answering questions and sharing knowledge about our Landmark church with approximately 35 visitors, a number of whom admitted they had lived in the neighborhood for years but had never been in the church. Many thanks to the discipleship committee for planning and hosting this event.

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.