Week of January 7, 2024 – The Epiphany of the Lord

January 7 – January 14, 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

De-Decorating—What goes up must come down, and that includes our beautiful Christmas decorations. Please come and lend a hand as we “de-decorate” on Monday, January 8, beginning at 6:30pm. Enter by the side door near the wheelchair ramp.

The Baptism of Christ, January 8 ~ Father Malcolm Guite, an Anglican priest, has written this thought-provoking poem, Epiphany on the Jordan, reflecting on Jesus’ Baptism when “we were given a glimpse of Father Son and Holy Spirit at the heart of all things.” It is from his collection Sounding the Seasons, published by Canterbury Press.

Beginning here we glimpse the Three-in-one;
The river runs, the clouds are torn apart,
The Father speaks, the Sprit and the Son
Reveal to us the single loving heart
That beats behind the being of all things
And calls and keeps and kindles us to light.
The dove descends, the spirit soars and sings
‘You are belovèd, you are my delight!’

In that quick light and life, as water spills
And streams around the Man like quickening rain,
The voice that made the universe reveals
The God in Man who makes it new again.
He calls us too, to step into that river
To die and rise and live and love forever.

Bible Study ~ ZOOM classes and the discussion of Mark’s Gospel continues at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 9, 2024. Click HERE to join us on Tuesdays.

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.

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 this year’s Martin Luther King Scholarship fund.

Prayerful thanks to all the volunteers, some two-dozen strong, who decorated our church for Christmas. We should all be grateful to: Don Blesnuk; Tom, Nik and Drew Brodfuehrer; Suzanne Carroll; Elizabeth and Luis Clay; Kenny Colligan; Bud and Mickey Dick; Tom Dinder, Pat Dyer, Kathleen Dove, Ellen Duffy, Allan Frank, Fr. Bob Gebhard, Sue Insana, Amy Johnson, Dan Korchowsky, Dorothy Manuppelli, Kathleen Marien, Kathy Press, Sr. Liz Savage and Colleen Schroeder for doing such an amazing job.

Holiday Tourists ~ In addition to those who attended Masses over the Christmas season, a group of twelve Explore Buffalo tourists also enjoyed the decorations as they learned about our Landmark church on December 27. Thanks to docents Eleanor Ash, Luis Clay, Darvan Draper, Mickey Dick and Pam Zanghi for sharing their knowledge of the history, art and architecture of Blessed Trinity.

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.