Week of January 21, 2024 – 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

January 21 – January 28, 2024

 

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

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2024, January 18-25: “You shall love the Lord your God … and your neighbor as yourself…” Lk. 10:27.

The theme for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in 2024 was selected by the Pontifical Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, the World Council of Churches, and the Christian Churches in Burkina Faso, coordinated by the community of Chemin Neuf, a French Catholic and ecumenical community of vowed and lay people and its local community in Burkina Faso.

The theme, taken from the first chapter of the Gospel of Luke, reflects the connection between love of God and love of neighbor with a particular concern for challenging the boundaries of who is considered “neighbor”. In this pericope, Jesus is questioned as to the path to eternal life. His answer is not to only observe the commandments, but to also imitate the love of God in the giving of self for another. It is a call for charity, mercy, justice, and unity.

Click HERE to read find prayers, scriptural readings and the text of an ecumenical service from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

Diocesan Celebration in Honor of Rev. Martin Luther King ~ Although the official observance of the Rev. Martin Luther King’s birthday is January 15, the annual Diocesan Mass in remembrance of Rev. King will take place on Sunday, January 21, beginning at 9:45am at Ss. Columba-Brigid, 75 Hickory Street. Bishop Michael Fisher will be the celebrant, and homilist is Msgr. Ray East.

Subs ‘n Suds ~ Dr. Dennis Castillo, Professor of church History at St. Mary’s Seminary and University will explore the history of the Buffalo Diocese and our Family 21 Parishes on Monday evening, January 22, beginning with subs, beer, soft drinks and parish trivia quiz at 5:30pm in St. Charles Hall. Dr. Castillo’s presentation begins at 6:30pm and is available on ZOOM for those who cannot attend in person. The evening’s entertainment is courtesy of our adult faith formation team.

Bible Study ~ ZOOM classes and the discussion of Mark’s Gospel continues at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 23, 2024. Click HERE to join us on Tuesdays.

Prayerful thanks for our dedicated volunteers who appeared on Monday evening, January 8, to remove and store our Christmas decorations for another year. When you see Bob Barnes; Tom, Nik and Drew Brodfuehrer; Suzanne Carroll; Bud and Mickey Dick; Kathleen Dove, Darvan Draper, Ellen Duffy, Allan Frank, Amy Johnson, Dan Korchowsky, Dorothy Manuppelli, Kathleen Marien, Kathy Press, Sr. Liz Savage, Colleen Schroeder, Shane Sinnott and Bill Then, why not say “thank you” for a job well done.

Women’s “Little Christmas” Luncheon ~ More than twenty women from our Family of Parishes including seven from Blessed Trinity attended a holiday luncheon hosted by the Women’s Guild of St. Martin de Porres on the Feast of the Epiphany, January 6. After opening with a prayer and reflection on the significance of the Epiphany, the event continued with spirited conversation, a delicious lunch and a gift exchange. A “mason jar” collection netted more than $100 for the Martin Luther King Scholarship fund. This year’s scholarship recipients will be announced at the annual Diocesan Mass honoring Rev. King on January 21 at Ss. Columba-Brigid Church.

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.