Week of December 3, 2023 – 1st Sunday of Advent

December 3 – December 10, 2023

 

Live-streaming of 10AM Sunday Mass has resumed. Click HERE.

This website also includes 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.

News from our Parish Community

Bible Study resumes this Tuesday, December 5, at 4 PM. We are returning to Tuesday ZOOM classes during Advent and will continue discussing the Gospel of Mark following last month’s introduction by Deacon Don Weigel. Click HERE to join us on Tuesdays.

Friday, December 8, we commemorate the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is a Holyday of Obligation and Mass will be celebrated at 11am at Blessed Trinity and at 7pm at Ss. Columba-Brigid.

Cleaning for Christmas — Many volunteers are needed to clean our church this Saturday, December 9, from 9am – 12 Noon. The early start time is necessary because of an afternoon wedding. Cleaning products and rags are provided but bring your favorite tools; e.g., pails, rubber gloves, long-handled dusters, small vacuums. Your reward will be great AND you will be treated to lunch in St. Charles Hall when our task is completed. Please enter through the ramp side door.

Remembering our Homebound – Next Sunday, December 10, is the deadline for contributing to the Sodality’s collection for our homebound parishioners and those in senior care facilities. You may drop your donation in the collection basket in an envelope marked “Sodality Project”; checks should be payable to “Ladies Sodality of Blessed Trinity.” We don’t want anyone to be forgotten, so please call Barb in the office by Wednesday, Dec. 6, with the name of anyone you believe should be included. She can be reached Mon-Wed, 10:30a-2:30p, at 716-833-0301. Many thanks to those who have already contributed. Please call Mickey Dick (716-832-2540) If you can spend a few minutes between now and Christmas visiting with one of our parishioner-recipients.

Many thanks to Amy Johnson, Dan Korchowsky and Bud Dick for everything they did in facilitating Sister Karen Klimczak’s Christmas Package Prison Project for 2023. Except for the pandemic years, volunteers have met at Blessed Trinity each December since 2007 and filled from 1,000 to 2,000 gift bags for men and women incarcerated at three area prisons. It’s a monumental task made possible by many community volunteers.

Confirmation for the candidates of our Parish Family, including Blessed Trinity’s Ogechi Iheke, took place on Monday evening, November 27, at St. Lawrence. The joy-filled service was followed by a reception for the candidates and congregation. We congratulate Ms. Iheki and thank the combined choirs of St. Lawrence and Blessed Trinity for enhancing the service with song.

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 email ccfp14215 [at] gmail [dot] com for information.

We play Bingo every Thursday in St. Charles Hall, 350 Dewey Ave. Doors open at 6:30pm, concessions open at 7:30, and games begin at 8:00pm. Please plan to join us. You can check the latest carryover figures on our Facebook page.

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.

Pastor Emeritus, Rev. George L. Reger ~ The Mass of Christian Burial for Father Reger was celebrated at Blessed Trinity on Friday, May 26. Click HERE to view a recorded version of the Mass.

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.