Week of August 25, 2024 – 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time

August 25 – September 1, 2024

Live-streaming of 10AM Sunday Mass. 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

We look forward to to welcoming former members of the Church at St. Lawrence. As Father Bob so beautifully stated in our August 18 bulletin, “Their involvement changes everything in a new way! Making room for Christ among us in each other brings richness, new challenges, and a visible living of Jesus’ Good News as we ‘behold love’s amazing grace!’ “

August 25 is “Sacred Space Sunday.” You can honor Bob Heicklen’s memory by bringing a friend to experience our faith community and learn about our Landmark church. Both visitors and parishioners stayed after Mass for the June and July events, so don’t be shy about spending time with our docents on Sunday. Bring your questions about our history, art and architecture and see if they are up to challenge. The final opportunity in our Sacred Space Sunday series will be September 22.

For the Ladies. You’re in for a treat on Sunday, Sept 8, when you join members of Blessed Trinity’s Ladies Sodality for “Self-Care Sunday.” Celeste Borczynski, a licensed Esthetician and owner of Skin with Celeste, and BT parishioner Bonnie Williams, an independent nail stylist, will provide hands-on beauty demonstrations. You’ll leave our self-care retreat knowing how to do you own facial and give yourself a ten-minute manicure. Lunch will be provided, along with some surprises. It all begins at 11:30 in St. Charles Hall. There is no charge—just a free will offering—but we will need reservations by Wed., Sep 4. Call Amy at 716-836-4694.

We always need a “Plan B.” We very much appreciate everyone who has pitched in to water our gardens during July and August. September should mean cooler temperatures and less need for watering, but we never know what Mother Nature has in store. Can you be her backup for one week (Sunday-Saturday)? If so, add your name to a Sunday on the September Gardening Calendar which can be found on the table at the ramp side entrance. If you have never done this before, include your phone number and another volunteer will arrange to show you the hose/sprinkler connections.

Meet the Neighbors. Prayerful thanks to Becky Fasanello and all the parishioners who helped to make our August 3 Meet the Neighbors celebration such a wonderful success. The all day on-again-off-again rain stopped just in time to set up for our scheduled 5:30 start, and we were “off and running.” An estimated 200 people attended the festivities and although the bounce house, face painting and dance lessons proved popular, the highlight for the children had to be the visit from Engine 34 firefighters. Members of the docent team were happy to welcome neighbors who visited the church interior for the first time, including several Muslim families.

Food Pantry Provides Shopper’s Choice ~ The Catholic Central Helping Hands Food Pantry operates EVERY Wednesday from 9:30am – 1:30pm from our St. Charles Hall at 350 Dewey Avenue. Residents of zip codes 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. Columba-Brigid 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.