Week of March 26, 2023 – Fifth Sunday of Lent

March 26 – April 2, 2023

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

Our complete schedule of Lenten services and parish activities appears on the home page: “Lenten Journey 2023.” Our 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. The “Bulletins“ link is found at the top of the home page, and the calendar link appears under the “Worship” heading.

ALTHOUGH THE DIOCESE LIFTED ITS MASK MANDATE for worship in February 2022, 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.

News from our Parish Community

This week’s Lenten Journey Mass will take place at St. Martin dePorres, 555 Northampton St., on Monday, March 27, at 7pm.

In-person Bible Study: March 28 ~ During the Lenten season, Zoom Bible Study has been replaced with in-person Bible Study every Tuesday (except Holy Week) in St. Charles Hall, beginning at 5:45pm and lasting approximately one hour. We are reading and discussing the Gospel of John. Although participants are asked to read ahead (Chapters 13-15), the focus on March 21 will be Chapters 10-12. (When you are in church, look above the statue of St. Joseph for the beginning of a biblical quotation inscribed into the wall: “In the beginning was the Word….” It is John’s summary of the Incarnation which opens Chapter 1 of his Gospel).

Solemn Prelude to Holy Week ~ A Lenten Tenebrae Service will take place in our church this Friday evening, March 31, at 7 pm, with choral music provided by The St. John Paul II Schola Cantorum. This adaptation of the Liturgy of Tenebrae (meaning ‘darkness’ or ‘shadows’) includes seven readings relating the story of Jesus’ passion and death. After each reading, a candle is extinguished followed by a prayer and sung response. The darkness gradually increases to symbolize the coming darkness of Jesus’ death. Choral works by Tallis, Victoria, Handl-Gallus, Bruckner and others will be performed by the Schola. Please invite a friend and join us for this beautiful and inspiring prelude to Holy Week

Holy Week, April 3-9 ~ This year, parishes within our family will combine some Triduum services. Members of our congregation are joining with parishioners of St. Lawrence for worship on Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday. The evening Mass on Holy Thursday will be celebrated at St. Lawrence at 7pm, preceded by a 5:30pm Friendship Supper. Because we will commemorate the Lord’s Supper at St. Lawrence, there will be no Repository for the Holy Eucharist at Blessed Trinity, and our church WILL NOT be open  to the Faithful who are visiting seven churches. St. Lawrence will remain open until 10pm for visitation. Blessed Trinity will be open for Morning Prayer on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 9am.The Good Friday service will also take place at St. Lawrence at 3pm, as will the Holy Saturday blessings of baskets at 2pm. On Holy Saturday,  worshippers from both parishes are asked to gather at Blessed Trinity at 8pm for the Easter Vigil, which will begin at 8:30pm. Both churches will have Easter Sunday services: 10am at Blessed Trinity and Noon at St. Lawrence.

Our Next Tourism Opportunity ~ Because of the busy Lenten schedule involving our family of parishes, no tours will be scheduled until after Easter. However, do mark your calendar for the weekend of May 20/21. That’s when Blessed Trinity joins the New York Landmarks Conservancy in celebrating their annual Sacred Sites Open House Weekend.

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.