First Sunday of Advent – Week of Nov. 29, 2015

Nov 29, 2015 | This Week

Photo credit: Bonnie Hodur Williams

November 29 – December 6, 2015

Weekly Activities

Sunday, November 29 at 9:00 a.m. ~ Choir Rehearsal in the Loft

Tuesday, December 1 at 7:00 p.m. ~  Choir Rehearsal in St. Charles Hall

Thursday, December 3 at 8:00 p.m. ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall*

Saturday, December 5 from 9:30 a.m. to 12 Noon ~ Helping Hands Food Pantry in St. Charles Hall

Saturday, December 5 at 8:00 p.m. ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall*

*In response to requests from our players, we have instituted age restrictions for admission to Bingo. As of  Thursday, October 15, we no longer admit children under 8 years of age.

We now have a Bingo camera with TV monitors and electronic verification!
To check the Red, White & Blue and progressive Share-the-Wealth carry over amounts
and progressive numbers for this week, click HERE and visit our Facebook page.

Mass Intentions

Sunday, November 29 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – Ann Eismann (Requested by Paul Eismann) and Frances Brown (Requested by Bud and Mickey Dick)

Monday, November 30 ~ St. Andrew, Apostle ~ Communion Service at 11:00 a.m. in Daily Mass Chapel

Tuesday, December 1 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Deceased Members of Blessed Trinity Parish (Blessed Trinity Parish)

Wednesday, December 2 ~ Deceased Members of the Ryan, Reilly, Reynolds, and Pfeiffer Families (Estate of Mary Reilly)

Thursday, December 3 ~ St. Francis Xavier ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Catherine M. Maher (Estate)

Friday, December 4 ~ St. John Damascene ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Anna Snyder (Estate)

Saturday, December 5 ~ Vigil Mass at 4:30 p.m. – Mary C. Nelson (Family)

Sunday, December 6 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – Margaret E. Schirmann (Marcy C. Stoddard) and Leonard Dinder (The Gallisdorfers)

The Freudig Singers of WNY with another serving of Magnificent Pie.
Sunday, December 6, at 3 PM.

Readings for the Week of November 22

Sunday: Jer 33:14-16; Ps 25: 4-5, 8-10, 14; 1 Thes 3:12-4:2; Lk 21:25-28, 34-36
Monday: Rom 10:9-18; Ps 19:8-11; Mt 4:18-22
Tuesday: Is 11:1-10; Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17; Lk 10:21-24
Wednesday: Is 25:6-10a; Ps 23:1-6; Mt 15:29-37
Thursday: Is 26:1-6; Ps 118:1, 8-9, 19-21, 25-27; Mt 7:21, 24-27
Friday: Is 29:17-24; Ps 27:1, 4, 13-14; Mt 9:27-31
Saturday: Is 30:19-21, 23-26; Ps 147:1-6; Mt 9:35–10:1, 5a, 6-8
Sunday, December 6: Bar 5:1-9; Ps 126:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 7; Phil 1:4-6, 8-11; Lk 3:1-6

News from our Parish Community

Don’t Miss out on Christmas Pie, next Sunday, December 6, at 3 PM ~ The Freudig Singers of WNY have mixed a little something for everyone into their Magnificent Pie, the next concert in our Trinity Series.  Under the direction of Roland Martin and featuring our own Elizabeth Sands and Luis Clay, the chorus will perform traditional and contemporary music for the holiday season including pieces as varied as Samuel Scheidt’s Magnificat and a medley of songs from How the Grinch Stole Christmas. The concert concludes with a pie reception in St. Charles Hall and an auction of signature pies prepared by the singers. Tickets are $10 each in advance or at the door. Questions may be directed to Elizabeth at 551-6870.

Our 2015 Cocoa Challenge: 4,200 Packets by November 29 ~ Thank you for your generous donations! As of last Sunday we had 3,872 packets. With this weekend’s donations plus monetary contributions, we have reached our goal! Bag Decorators: Remember to return all your bags, decorated or not. Place them in the box in the back pew near the cocoa donations. Gift packing will be at Blessed Trinity on Friday, December 11, in two shifts: 10 AM and 6 PM. Thank you for continuing Sister Karen Klimczak’s legacy.

Sodality Christmas Dinner Party is Wednesday, December 9 at 6:15 PM at the Family Tree Restaurant, 4346 N. Bailey Ave., Amherst. All women of the parish are invited and guests are welcome. You may choose from 3 entrees: pot roast, baked fish, or roast pork. Greek potatoes, chef salad, rolls & butter, coffee, tea or soda and ice cream with chocolate sauce complete the menu – all for only $25. Entrée choices and payment (checks payable to “Ladies Sodality”) are due no later than Friday, December 4 and may be given to either Patty Gallisdorfer or Vera Andrew. To make a reservation on-line, click HERE and leave your name, dinner choice, and phone number. From her memoir, The Names of My Mothers, member Dianne Riordan will share the story of her all-too-brief relationship forged late in life with her birth mother. Dianne has generously offered to make copies of her book available to us at a discounted rate of $12, with proceeds of each sale ($4) going to the Ladies Sodality. If you would like to read it before the dinner, please see her at church this Sunday.

Next Sunday, December 6, is the last day to contribute items to be used in Christmas gift bags being assembled for delivery to our homebound parishioners and those in senior care facilities. Please bring your new, unwrapped items to church and leave them in the designated basket near the statue of St. Joseph. Suggested items include: socks, eye glass wipes, artificial tears (eye drops), large-print puzzle books, or cash for a hair cut or shampoo & set. (We’ve already received more than enough quality calendars). Ready-to-eat food items or “add water” mixes are also acceptable for the homebound. The gift bags and poinsettia plants will be ready on the weekend of Dec. 12-13, and Mickey Dick is still seeking volunteers to deliver them and visit with their recipients. Contact her by clicking HERE if you can help.

Our Spiritual Journey from Advent to Lent ~ During the Advent season, our Parish Council invites you to join your fellow parishioners in reading A Spirituality of Being Human by local author Hugh Brady, D. Min. In Dr. Brady’s own words, “a spirituality of being human…is loving and accepting human nature in its brokenness and in its state of grace. It is awareness of the deeply transformative experience of being human.” Copies of the book will be available at church or from the rectory beginning this weekend, with a portion of the $20 purchase price being donated to the Little Portion Friary. There will also be a limited number of copies available to borrow and return for someone else to read. A group discussion of the book is planned for the Lenten season, which begins on February 10. Please see Dianne Riordan on Sunday to obtain a copy.

Change in Time of Christmas Eve Services ~ We’re giving you plenty of notice that the time of our Christmas Eve service has changed. Mass on Thursday, December 24, will be celebrated at 10:00 PM, rather than Midnight. The choir will begin singing at 9:30 PM. Please mark your calendars and be sure to tell friends and family members who customarily join us for worship on Christmas Eve.

Catholic Campaign for Human Development ~ Thank you for your contributions to the collection for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD). Your generous gifts will help CCHD end poverty in the United States through better education, improved housing, and economic development. Through CCHD and its beneficiaries, we demonstrate Catholic social teaching and carry out Jesus’ mission to “bring glad tidings to the poor… to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free” (Lk 4:18).

News from our Vicariate Cluster and the Wider Community

Christmas Crèches on Display ~ Fr. Roy Herberger invites you to experience a display of 560 nativity sets from 59 countries. These international crèches will be shown at Ss. Columba-Brigid Church located at 75 Hickory and Eagle St. (one block south of Clinton).  The building is handicapped accessible.  The hours are 1 – 4 p.m. this weekend, every weekend in December (EXCEPT December 26 and 27) and on January 2 and 3. There is no charge, and there is a special section for children.

34th Week in Ordinary Time – Week of Nov. 22, 2015

Nov 22, 2015 | This Week

The theme of the church’s skylight is Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. The central panel shows
Christ reigning as Lord of the kingdom that we pray will come. Photo credit: Jeanette Pikturna

November 22 – 29, 2015

Weekly Activities

Sunday, November 22 at 9:00 a.m. ~ Choir Rehearsal in the Loft

Thursday, November 26 at 8:00 p.m. ~ THANKSGIVING DAY OBSERVANCE – NO BINGO

Saturday, November 28 from 9:30 a.m. to 12 Noon ~ Helping Hands Food Pantry in St. Charles Hall

Saturday, November 28 at 8:00 p.m. ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall*

Sunday, November 29 at 9:00 a.m. ~ Choir Rehearsal in the Loft

Tuesday, December 1 at 7:00 p.m. ~  Choir Rehearsal in St. Charles Hall

*In response to requests from our players, we have instituted age restrictions for admission to Bingo. As of  Thursday, October 15, we no longer admit children under 8 years of age.

We now have a Bingo camera with TV monitors and electronic verification!
To check the Red, White & Blue and progressive Share-the-Wealth carry over amounts
and progressive numbers for this week, click HERE and visit our Facebook page.

Mass Intentions

Sunday, November 22 ~ Feast of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – Healing for Ogbuagu Ejimadu (Requested by Fidelia and Family) and Robert Dapp (Requested by Angela Jost)

Monday, November 23 ~ St. Clement I; St. Columban; Bl. Miguel Agustin Pro ~ Communion Service at 11:00 a.m. in Daily Mass Chapel

Tuesday, November 24 ~ St. Andrew Dung-Lac and Companions ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Deceased Members of Blessed Trinity Parish (Parishioners)

Wednesday, November 25  ~ St. Catherine of Alexandria ~ Deceased Members of the Ryan, Reilly, Reynolds, and Pfeiffer Families (Estate of Mary Reilly)

Thursday, November  26 ~ THANKSGIVING DAY ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – For All Who Are Needy and Lonely

Friday, November  27 ~ NO SERVICE

Saturday, November  28~ Vigil Mass at 4:30 p.m. – Bernadette Dorsheimer (Family)

Sunday, November 29 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – Ann Eismann (Paul Eismann) and Frances Brown (Bud and Mickey Dick)

Readings for the Week of November 22

Sunday: Dn 7:13-14; Rv 1:5-8; Jn 18:33b-37
Monday: Dn 1:1-6, 8-20; Lk 21:1-4
Tuesday: Dn 2:31-45; Lk 21:5-11
Wednesday: Dn 5:1-6, 13-14, 16-17, 23-28; Lk 21:12-19
Thursday: Dn 6:12-28; Lk 21:20-28
Friday: Dn 7:2-14; Lk 21:29-33
Saturday: Dn 7:15-27; Lk 21:34-36
Sunday, November 29: Jer 33:14-16; 1 Thes 3:12-4:2; Lk 21:25-28, 34-36

There’s plenty of room remaining for
your donation of cocoa for Sr. Karen Klimczak’s Christmas Prison Project.

News from our Parish Community

Our 2015 Cocoa Challenge: 4,200 Packets by November 29 ~ Thank you! We are almost half way to our goal. The next bit of good news is that our drive deadline has been extended one week, to Sunday, November 29. Please remember to add hot chocolate to your Thanksgiving shopping list. Not shopping? You can make a donation by cash or check (to “Peaceprints of WNY”), in an envelope marked “Prisoner Gifts” and placed in the collection basket. Bag Decorators: Remember to return all your bags, decorated or not. Place them in the box in the back pew near the cocoa donations. Gift packing will be at Blessed Trinity on Friday, December 11, in two shifts: 10 AM and 6 PM. Thank you for continuing Sister Karen Klimczak’s legacy.

Thanksgiving at Blessed Trinity ~ Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, November 26, at 10 AM. Please join us to begin the celebration around the Table of the Lord. “In grateful thanksgiving, we raise our hands in prayer for all we have, that God might also bless others through us, and that with each memory of God’s goodness, our hearts might overflow with JOY!” As a response to the message of the Gospel to feed the hungry and care for the poor, we invite you to bring non-perishable food items for Blessed Trinity’s Helping Hands Food Pantry.

Attention Lectors ~ Please pick up your new edition of 2016 Workbook For Lectors, which is available in the Priest’s Sacristy. We will begin using this edition for the First Sunday of Advent, November 29.  Thank you.

Gifts for our Shut-ins ~ Only TWO weeks remain to bring in your donations for the Christmas gift bags to be delivered to our homebound parishioners and those in senior care facilities. The early December 6 completion date for the drive is necessary so that presents and plants are ready for delivery on the weekend of December 12-13.  The Ladies Sodality is collecting items for their annual gifts. If you would like to contribute, please bring your new, unwrapped items to church and leave them in the designated basket near the statue of St. Joseph. Suggested items include: socks, eye glass wipes, artificial tears (eye drops), calendars, large-print puzzle books, or cash for a hair cut or shampoo & set. Ready-to-eat food items such as jam, jelly, toaster pastries; gelatin, fruit or pudding cups; or “add water” mixes; e.g., soup cups, single-serving oatmeal packets, tea, cocoa or coffee are also acceptable for the homebound. If you prefer to donate money, please do so before Thanksgiving so that our volunteers have time to shop. Thirteen volunteers are needed to deliver the gift bags and visit with their recipients before Christmas. Contact Mickey Dick by clicking HERE if you can help.

The Freudig Singers of WNY return to Blessed Trinity on December 6 with another serving of Christmas Pie.

Our Next Trinity Series Concert is Sunday, December 6, at 3 PM, and the Freudig Singers of WNY have mixed a little something for everyone into their Magnificent Pie. Under the direction of Roland Martin and featuring our own Elizabeth Sands and Luis Clay, the chorus will perform traditional and contemporary music for the holiday season including pieces as varied as Samuel Scheidt’s Magnificat and a medley of songs from How the Grinch Stole Christmas. The concert concludes with a pie reception and an auction of signature pies prepared by the singers. Tickets are $10 each in advance or at the door. Questions may be directed to Elizabeth at 551-6870. Schedules for the entire concert series are available in church, or you may request one by clicking HERE and listing “Trinity Series” as the subject.

The Ladies Sodality Christmas dinner party is Wednesday, December 9 at 6:15 p.m., at the Family Tree Restaurant, 4346 Bailey Ave., Amherst. From her memoir, The Names of My Mothers, member Dianne Riordan will share the story of her all-too-brief relationship forged late in life with her birth mother. All women of the parish are invited and guests are welcome. You may choose from 3 dinner entrees: pot roast, baked fish, or roast pork. The cost, which includes tax and gratuity, is $25. Reservations are being accepted now through December 2 by Patty Gallisdorfer and Vera Andrew. To make a reservation on-line, click HERE and leave your name, dinner choice, and phone number.

Change in Time of Christmas Eve Services ~ Please take note that we have changed the time of our Christmas Eve service. Mass on Thursday, December 24, will be celebrated at 10:00 PM, rather than Midnight. The choir will begin singing at 9:30 PM. Please mark your calendars and be sure to tell friends and family members who customarily join us for worship on Christmas Eve.

Updating Our Records ~ We will soon be initiating a new group email for those who have indicated a willingness to receive time-sensitive parish announcements by email. If you have not completed a form but would like to be added to the group, call Rayana at 716-833-0301 or use the form at the bottom of the back page of the weekly bulletin to provide the following information: your name and preferred phone number; your email address; and, if applicable, your new mailing address. Alternatively, you may email the information to blessedtrinitychurch [at] gmail [dot] com specifying “Contact Information” in the subject line, or click HERE and use our handy template. Just remember to reference “Contact Information” when submitting information on-line.

New or gently used paperback books are also need for the Christmas Prison Project.

News from our Vicariate Cluster and the Wider Community

Scholarship Opportunities ~ Please contact Sister Barbara Horan for information regarding these two scholarships. The application deadline for each is Tuesday, December 1, 2015:

• Martin Luther King Scholarship – to help an 8^th grade student attain a Catholic High School Education.
• Albert Lenhard Family Scholarship Fund – to assist applicants who want to continue their formal education beyond high school at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time – Week of Nov. 15, 2015

Nov 16, 2015 | This Week

St. Elizabeth of Hungary, whose feast day we celebrate on November 17, is depicted in Joseph Mazur’s procession of saints in the church dome. The daughter of the King of Hungary, she wears a crown and appears as the second standing figure from the right. Photo credit: Gary Kelley

November 15 – 22, 2015

Weekly Activities

Sunday, November 15 at 9:00 a.m. ~ Choir Rehearsal in the Loft

Sunday, November 15 following 10:00 a.m. Mass ~ Coffee Hour in St. Charles Hall hosted by the Ladies Sodality

Wednesday, November 18 at 7:00 p.m. ~ Parish Council Meeting in St. Charles Hall

Thursday, November 19 at 8:00 p.m. ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall*

Saturday, November 21 from 9:30 a.m. to 12 Noon ~ Helping Hands Food Pantry in St. Charles Hall

Saturday, November 21 at 8:00 p.m. ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall*

Sunday, November 22 at 9:00 a.m. ~ Choir Rehearsal in the Loft

*In response to requests from our players, we have instituted age restrictions for admission to Bingo. As of  Thursday, October 15, we no longer admit children under 8 years of age.

We now have a Bingo camera with TV monitors and electronic verification!
To check the Red, White & Blue and progressive Share-the-Wealth carry over amounts
and progressive numbers for this week, click HERE and visit our Facebook page.

Mass Intentions

Sunday, November 15 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – Hans and Katharine Birner (Requested by Family) and Georgia Riles (Requested by Jacquelyn Ingram)

Monday, November 16 ~ St. Margaret of Scotland; St. Gertrude ~ Communion Service at 11:00 a.m. in Daily Mass Chapel

Tuesday, November 17 ~ St. Elizabeth of Hungary ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Margaret Schimpf – 100th Birthday Remembrance – (Family)

Wednesday, November 18  ~ St. Rose Philipine Duchesne ~ Joseph Kohn (Family)

Thursday, November  19 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Catherine M. Maher (Estate)

Friday, November  20 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Anna Snyder (Estate)

Saturday, November  21~ Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary ~ Vigil Mass at 4:30 p.m. – Winifred Enright (Estate)

Sunday, November 22 ~ Feast of Christ the King ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – Healing for Ogbuagu Ejimadu (Fidelia and Family) and Robert Dapp (Angela Jost)

Readings for the Week of November 1

Sunday: Dn 12:1-3; Heb 10:11-14, 18; Mk 13:24-32
Monday: 1 Mc 1:10-15, 41-43, 54-57, 62-63; Lk 18:35-43
Tuesday: 2 Mc 6:18-31; Lk 19:1-10
Wednesday: 2 Mc 7:1, 20-31; Lk 19:11-28
Thursday: 1 Mc 2:15-29; Lk 19:41-44
Friday: 1 Mc 4:36-37, 52-59; Lk 19:45-48
Saturday: 1 Mc 6:1-13; Lk 20:27-40
Sunday, November 22: Dn 7:13-14; Rv 1:5-8; Jn 18:33b-37

There’s plenty of room remaining for
your donation of cocoa for Sr. Karen Klimczak’s Christmas Prison Project.

News from our Parish Community

Monthly Coffee Hour, scheduled for Sunday, November 15, will be hosted by the Ladies Sodality.

Parish Council will meet on Wednesday, November 18, at 7 p.m. in St. Charles Hall.

Attention Lectors ~ Please pick up your new edition of 2016 Workbook For Lectors, which is available in the Priest’s Sacristy. We will begin using this edition for the First Sunday of Advent, November 29.  Thank you.

Gifts for our Shut-ins ~ Until Sunday, December 6, the Ladies Sodality will be collecting items for their annual Christmas gift bags to be delivered to our homebound parishioners and those in senior care facilities. The early completion date for the drive is necessary so that presents and plants are ready for delivery on the weekend of Dec. 12/13.  If you would like to contribute, please bring your new, unwrapped items to church and leave them in the designated basket near the statue of St. Joseph. Suggested items include: socks, eye glass wipes, artificial tears (eye drops), calendars, large-print puzzle books, or cash for a hair cut or shampoo & set. Ready-to-eat food items such as jam, jelly, toaster pastries; fruit or pudding cups; or “add water” mixes; e.g., soup cups, oatmeal packets, tea, cocoa or coffee are also acceptable for the homebound. If you prefer to donate money (checks payable to “Ladies Sodality”), please do so before Thanksgiving so that our volunteers have time to shop.  You may direct any questions to Mickey Dick by clicking HERE.

The Freudig Singers of WNY return to Blessed Trinity on December 6 with another serving of Christmas Pie.

Our Trinity Concert Series continues on Sunday, December 6, at 3 PM when the Freudig Singers, featuring our own Elizabeth Sands and Luis Clay, offer audible as well as edible holiday confections. Highlighted will be Samuel Scheidt’s Magnificat, which inserts German carols between portions of the text, as well as a delightful assortment of holiday favorites, old and new. Their popular seasonal program concludes with the traditional post-concert pie reception, and we’re saving a piece just for you! Suggested donation: $10.00. Schedules for the entire concert series are available in church, or you may request one by clicking HERE and listing “Trinity Series” as the subject.

The Ladies Sodality Christmas dinner party is Wednesday, December 9 at 6:15 p.m., at the Family Tree Restaurant, 4346 Bailey Ave., Amherst. From her memoir, The Names of My Mothers, member Dianne Riordan will share the story of her all-too-brief relationship forged late in life with her birth mother. All women of the parish are invited and guests are welcome. You may choose from 3 dinner entrees: pot roast, baked fish, or roast pork. The cost, which includes tax and gratuity, is $25. Reservations are being accepted now through December 2 by Patty Gallisdorfer and Vera Andrew. To make a reservation on-line, click HERE and leave your name, dinner choice, and phone number.

Next week’s collection for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) needs your help.  CCHD was founded to end the cycle of poverty in the United States by funding organizations that help individuals help themselves. With the tradition of improving education, housing situations, and community economic development, CCHD continues to make a positive impact in communities nationwide. Your contribution will defend human dignity and reach out to those living on the margins. Please give generously to the CCHD Collection on November 21/22.

Thank you for your contributions to last week’s second collection for The Catholic University of America. Your gift will make great things possible by providing direct financial aid to more than 4,000 students from dioceses across the country.

The Ladies Sodality would like to thank all those who contributed watches for the Saint Vincent de Paul Society.  Through your efforts, 103 watches have been donated to the Society where they will be used to raise money for their charitable works.

Scholarship Opportunities ~ Please contact Sister Barbara Horan for information regarding these two scholarships. The filing deadline is just 2 weeks away:

• Martin Luther King Scholarship – to help an 8^th grade student attain a Catholic High School Education. Application deadline is Tuesday, December 1, 2015.
• Albert Lenhard Family Scholarship Fund – to assist applicants who want to continue their formal education beyond high school at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Application deadline is Tuesday, December 1, 2015.

Updating Our Records ~ We will soon be initiating a new group email for those who have indicated a willingness to receive time-sensitive parish announcements by email. If you have not completed a form but would like to be added to the group, call Rayana at 716-833-0301 or use the form at the bottom of the back page of the weekly bulletin to provide the following information: your name and preferred phone number; your email address; and, if applicable, your new mailing address. Alternatively, you may email the information to blessedtrinitychurch [at] gmail [dot] com specifying “Contact Information” in the subject line, or click HERE and use our handy template. Just remember to reference “Contact Information” when submitting information on-line.

New or gently used paperback books are also need for the Christmas Prison Project.

News from our Vicariate Cluster and the Wider Community

Don’t Miss Opera Sacra’s Final Performance ~ In honor of its fortieth and final season, Opera Sacra presents Authur Honegger’s Joan of Arc at the Stake with internationally renowned conductor, Doreen Rao. Performances are at 8 PM on Friday and Saturday, November 21 and 22, at St. Joseph University Church, 3269 Main Street, Buffalo. Colleen Marcello and Mike Randall will act the parts of Joan of Arc and Brother Dominic, with the largest singing role taken by a chorus. The cast also includes soloists Robert Zimmerman, Amy Grable, Rebecca Witty, and Laurie Tramuta. Suggested donation at the door is $20 ($15 for students and seniors). The performance is made possible with public funding from the New York State Council on the Arts.

32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time – Week of Nov. 8, 2015

Nov 8, 2015 | This Week

St. Martin of Tours (c. 315-397, whose feastday we celebrate on November 11, appears in the dome of our church in a painting by Buffalo-born artist Joseph Mazur. He is depicted wearing the bishop’s mitre and standing at the far left in this photo and is part of a group of 14 figures identified as “Confessors, Bishops, and Missionaries.” (Rev. Walter Kern’s “Guidebook to Blessed Trinity R. C. Church,” p. 39. Photo credit: Duane Held.

November 8 – 15, 2015

Weekly Activities

Sunday, November 8 at 9:00 a.m. ~ Choir Rehearsal in the Loft

Thursday, November 12 at 8:00 p.m. ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall*

Saturday, November 14 from 9:30 a.m. to 12 Noon ~ Helping Hands Food Pantry in St. Charles Hall

Saturday, November 14 at 8:00 p.m. ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall*

Sunday, November 15 at 9:00 a.m. ~ Choir Rehearsal in the Loft

Sunday, November 15 following 10:00 a.m. Mass ~ Coffee Hour in St. Charles Hall hosted by the Ladies Sodality

*In response to requests from our players, we have instituted age restrictions for admission to Bingo. As of  Thursday, October 15, we no longer admit children under 8 years of age.

We now have a Bingo camera with TV monitors and electronic verification!
To check the Red, White & Blue and progressive Share-the-Wealth carry over amounts
and progressive numbers for this week, click HERE and visit our Facebook page.

Mass Intentions

Sunday, November 8 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – Margaret F. Schirmann (Requested by Mary C. Stoddard) and Torrey Barnes (Requested by Family)

Monday, November 9 ~ Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome ~ Communion Service at 11:00 a.m. in Daily Mass Chapel

Tuesday, November 10 ~ St. Leo the Great ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. ~ Catherine M. Maher (Estate)

Wednesday, November 11  ~ St. Martin of Tours ~ NO SERVICE

Thursday, November  12 ~ St. Josaphat ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – John Abbick (Angela Jost)

Friday, November  13 ~ St. Frances Xavier Cabrini ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Deceased Members of Blessed Trinity Parish (Blessed Trinity Parish)

Saturday, November  14~ Vigil Mass at 4:30 p.m. – Deceased Members of the Ryan, Reilly, Reynolds and Pfeiffer Families (Estate of Mary Reilly)

Sunday, November 15 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – Hans and Katharine Birner (Family) and Georgia Riles (Jacquelyn Ingram)

Readings for the Week of November 1

Sunday: 1 Kgs 17:10-16; Heb 9:24-28; Mk 12:38-44 or 12:41-44
Monday: Ez 47:1-2, 8-9, 12; 1 Cor 3:9c-11, 16-17; Jn 2:13-22
Tuesday: Wis 2:23-3:9; Lk 17:7-10
Wednesday: Wis 6:1-11; Lk 17:11-19
Thursday: Wis 7:22b-8:1; Lk 17:20-25
Friday: Wis 13:1-9; Lk 17:26-37
Saturday: Wis 18:14-16; 19:6-9; Lk 18:1-8
Sunday, November 15: Dn 12:1-3; Heb 10:11-14, 18; Mk 13:24-32

Veterans Day
November 11
Remember and pray for our veterans.

News from our Parish Community

Gifts for our Shut-ins ~ Beginning this weekend, November 7/8 and continuing though December 6, the Ladies Sodality will be collecting items for their annual Christmas gift bags to be delivered to our homebound parishioners and those in senior care facilities. The early completion date for the drive is necessary so that presents and plants are ready for delivery on the weekend of Dec. 12/13.  If you would like to contribute, please bring your new, unwrapped items to church and leave them in the designated basket near the statue of St. Joseph. Suggested items include: socks, eye glass wipes, artificial tears (eye drops), calendars, large-print puzzle books, or cash for a hair cut or shampoo & set. Ready-to-eat food items such as jam, jelly, toaster pastries; fruit or pudding cups; or “add water” mixes; e.g., soup cups, oatmeal packets, tea, cocoa or coffee are also acceptable for the homebound. If you prefer to donate money (checks payable to “Ladies Sodality”), please do so before Thanksgiving so that our volunteers have time to shop.  You may direct any questions you may have to Mickey Dick by clicking HERE.

Monthly Coffee Hour, scheduled for Sunday, November 15, will be hosted by the Ladies Sodality.

Parish Council will meet next Wednesday, November 18, at 7 p.m. in St. Charles Hall.

Last Week For Watches ~ The Sodality’s drive to benefit the Society of St. Vincent de Paul concludes on Sunday, November 8. Please place your donation in the “No More Mister Nice Watch” container near the statue of St. Joseph.

Our collection for The Catholic University of America is Saturday, November 7 and Sunday, November 8. Located in Washington, D.C., the University provides an academically rigorous education guided by Catholic intellectual tradition to nearly 7,000 students every year. More than 4,000 students directly receive scholarship aid from this collection, including many from our diocese. Please be generous.

Sodality Christmas dinner party is Wednesday, December 9, at the Family Tree Restaurant, 4346 Bailey Ave., Amherst. Save the date and watch this space or the bulletin for details regarding dinner choices and reservations.

November 11 is Veterans Day. Remember and thank our veterans who served  this country and those who are serving today. Catholic Charities offers a broad range of support – from basic assistance, mental health and substance abuse programs to parenting skills and adult day care – to help not only veterans and their families, but everyone, deal with life’s difficulties. Call 716-856-4494 or visit http://www.ccwny.org.

The Freudig Singers of WNY return to Blessed Trinity on December 6 with another serving of Christmas Pie.

Trinity Concert Series ~ We hope you were one of the almost 200 who enjoyed To Music, the opening concert of our 2015-16 Trinity Series featuring the Vocális Chamber Choir, under the direction of James Burritt. To view photos from the concert, click HERE. Next up: The Freudig Singers of Western New York and their Magnificant Pie, Sunday, December 6 at 3 PM. You’ll be hearing more about this event in the weeks to come, including the popular post-concert pie reception. You can pick up a schedule for the entire concert series in church or request one by clicking HERE and listing “Trinity Series” as the subject.

Please welcome Rayana “Ray” Ralabate, who began working as our part-time parish secretary/receptionist last month. A Kenmore resident, Rayana has a master’s degree from the University at Buffalo, and a bachelor’s degree from Bryant & Stratton College. She put her answering service experience to use immediately, adapting our voicemail system to make it more responsive to our callers’ needs. We’d like to know what you think of the new messages. With Rayana’s arrival, we have instituted new rectory office hours: Tuesday-Friday from 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM. Please stop by to introduce yourself and welcome the newest member of our parish family.

Scholarship Opportunities ~ We just received the information and application forms for two scholarships. Please see Sister Barbara Horan for application forms.

• Martin Luther King Scholarship – to help an 8^th grade student attain a Catholic High School Education. Application deadline is Tuesday, December 1, 2015.
• Albert Lenhard Family Scholarship Fund – to assist applicants who want to continue their formal education beyond high school at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Application deadline is Tuesday, December 1, 2015.

Updating Our Records ~ We will soon be initiating a new group email for those who have indicated a willingness to receive time-sensitive parish announcements by email. If you have not completed a form but would like to be added to the group, call Rayana at 716-833-0301 or use the form at the bottom of the back page of the weekly bulletin to provide the following information: your name and preferred phone number; your email address; and, if applicable, your new mailing address. Alternatively, you may email the information to blessedtrinitychurch [at] gmail [dot] com specifying “Contact Information” in the subject line, or click HERE and use our handy template. Just remember to reference “Contact Information” when submitting information on-line.

Pope Francis says: “It is remarkable how weak international political responses have been. The failure of global summits on the environment make it plain that our politics are subject to technology and finance. There are too many special interests, and economic interests easily end up trumping the common good and manipulating information so that their own plans will not be affected.” Laudato Si: Care for our Common Home, paragraph 54. Action: Pray for world leaders to be open to change policies that pollute our common home. Pray for the success of the Global Summit on the Environment in Paris, November 30-December 11.

Bereavement Packet ~ St. Paul reminds us in his letter to the Romans of many comforting words. During times of loss, loneliness and grief, we may not feel or recognize God’s presence in our lives. Though we can’t imagine all the thoughts and feelings you are experiencing right now, we do understand a bit about grieving and that, first of all, it is a process. The Office of Family Life Ministries has a free bereavement packet of materials designed to provide support, especially during the initial stages of grief. For a bereavement packet, please call 716-847-2210 or email familylife [at] buffalo [dot] org.

National Donor Sabbath is observed annually on Friday – Sunday, two weekends before Thanksgiving (November 13-15, 2015). During this three-day observance, faith leaders donor families, transplant recipients, and donation and transplantation professionals join forces to increase awareness of the need for lifesaving organ, tissue, and eye donation. Show compassion and love to your brothers and sisters by joining the New York State Organ, Tissue, and Eye Registry. You can find out more about the lifesaving gifts passed to others through organ, tissue, and eye donation by visiting http://alliancefordonation.org.

News from our Vicariate Cluster and the Wider Community

Seventh Annual Friendship Dinner and Award Ceremony sponsored by the Peace Islands Institute and Turkish Cultural Center at Buffalo is November 11 at Daemen College, 4380 Main St., Amherst, beginning at 6 PM. The event will bring political, academic, religious, and other community leaders in the Greater Buffalo Area together to promote diversity, peace, and mutual understanding in our community through dialogue and education. The dinner theme will be “On Whose Shoulders? Violence and Extremism,” and the opening address will be delivered by Daemen College President Gary A. Olson. Kindly RSVP by Nov. 6 to rsvp [at] tccbuffalo [dot] org or by calling 716-575-5822. The cost is $25 per person, payable at the door.

A Treat for the Senses ~ The Niagara Frontier Orchid Society’s Fall Show is Saturday, November 14, from 10 AM to 5 PM and Sunday, November 15 from 10 AM to 3 PM at the Buffalo & Erie County Botanical Gardens, 2655 South Park Avenue, Buffalo 14218. Admission: $9 adults, $8 seniors & students, $5 kids 3-12.

All Saints’ Day – Week of Nov. 1, 2015

Nov 1, 2015 | This Week

“I believe in … the Communion of Saints….and life everlasting. Amen.”

The Feast of All Saints on November 1 and the Commemoration of All Souls on November 2 remind us of these tenants of our Faith, expressed in The Apostles Creed and depicted in symbols on the right side of the main doors to our church. In the words of Pope Paul VI: “We believe in the communion of all the faithful of Christ, those who are pilgrims on earth, the dead who are being purified and the blessed in heaven, all together forming one Church; and we believe that in this communion, the merciful love of God and his saints is always [attentive] to our prayers.”

November 1 – 8, 2015

Weekly Activities

Sunday, November 1 at 9:00 a.m. ~ Choir Rehearsal in the Loft

Sunday, November 1 following 10:00 a.m. Mass ~ Ladies Sodality Meeting and Service of Remembrance in St. Charles Hall

Thursday, November 5 at 8:00 p.m. ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall*

Saturday, November 7 from 9:30 a.m. to 12 Noon ~ Helping Hands Food Pantry in St. Charles Hall

Saturday, November 7 at 8:00 p.m. ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall*

Sunday, November 8 at 9:00 a.m. ~ Choir Rehearsal in the Loft

*In response to requests from our players, we have instituted age restrictions for admission to Bingo. As of  Thursday, October 15, we no longer admit children under 8 years of age.

We now have a Bingo camera with TV monitors and electronic verification!
To check the Red, White & Blue and progressive Share-the-Wealth carry over amounts
and progressive numbers for this week, click HERE and visit our Facebook page.

Mass Intentions

Sunday, November 1 ~ All Saints Day ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – Phil Heubusch (Requested by Ed Marien) and Vivian Jones (Requested by Blessed Trinity Ladies Sodality)

Monday, November 2 ~ All Souls’ Day ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. in Daily Mass Chapel – Deceased Members of Blessed Trinity Parish (Blessed Trinity Parish Community)

Tuesday, November 3 ~ St. Martin de Porres ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. ~ Deceased Members of the Ryan, Reilly, Reynolds and Pfeiffer Families (The Estate of Mary Reilly)

Wednesday, November 4  ~ St. Charles Borromeo ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Catherine M. Maher

Thursday, November  5 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Anna Snyder (Estate)

Friday, November  6 ~ Mass at 11:00 a.m. – Mary Horan Roach (Family)

Saturday, November  7~ Vigil Mass at 4:30 p.m. – Winifred Enright (Estate)

Sunday, November 8 ~ Mass at 10:00 a.m. – Margaret F. Schirmann (Mary C. Stoddard) and Torrey Barnes (Family)

Readings for the Week of November 1

Sunday: Rv 7:2-4, 9-14; 1 Jn 3:1-3; Mt 5:1-12a
Monday: Wis 3:1-9; Rom 5:5-11 or 6:3-9; Jn 6:37-40
Tuesday: Rom 12:5-16b; Lk 14:15-24
Wednesday: Rom 13:8-10; Lk 14:25-33
Thursday: Rom 14:7-12; Lk 15:1-10
Friday: Rom 15:14-21; Lk 16:1-8
Saturday: Rom 16:3-9, 16, 22-27; Lk 16:9-15
Sunday, November 8: 1 Kgs 17:10-16; Heb 9:24-28; Mk 12:38-44 or 12:41-44

St. Martin de Porres
November 3
Woodcarving of St. Martin de Porres
in the church’s left transept.
A gift of the Southtowns Woodcarvers.

News from our Parish Community

The Ladies Sodality Meeting is this Sunday, November 1, in St. Charles Hall, immediately following the 10 AM Mass. In honor of All Saints and All Souls Days, there will be a Service of Remembrance for deceased members Mary Reilly, Ithrene Cameron, Eula Mae Cooper, and Vivian Jones. All women of the parish are invited to attend.

Prison Project volunteers display decorated gift bags.

The 2015 Cocoa Challenge is underway! Blessed Trinity is again asked to donate instant hot cocoa to help fill 2,100 gift bags for inmates at the Albion and Wende Correctional Facilities. This Prison Package Project was begun by Sr. KIaren Klimczak and is now continued by Peaceprints Prison Ministries. Our goal is 4,200 packets by November 22! We can participate in this work of mercy and honor Sr. Karen’s memory when we: 1) donate instant hot chocolate packets, placing them in the back pew; 2) make a monetary donation to purchase needed items (Cash or checks payable to “Peaceprints of WNY” can be placed in an envelope marked “Prisoner Gifts” and dropped in the weekend collection basket); 3) decorate gift bags (Bags are available at Sunday Mass from Amy Johnson); and 4) help assemble the gift bags on Friday, December 11 at 6 PM here at Blessed Trinity. Put it on you “to do” list today!

Last Week For Watches ~ The Sodality’s drive to benefit the Society of St. Vincent de Paul concludes next Sunday, November 8. If you’ve been procrastinating, you have only a few more days to locate your non-working timepieces. When you do, why not place them in your car right away so you will have them when you come to church next weekend. Please place your donation in the “No More Mister Nice Watch” container near the statue of St. Joseph.

Gifts for our Shut-ins ~ Next weekend, November 7/8, and continuing until Sunday, December 6, the Ladies Sodality will be collecting items for their annual Christmas gift bags to be delivered to our homebound parishioners (7 women & 1 man) and those in senior care facilities (3 women & 1 man). The early completion date for the drive is necessary so that presents and plants are ready for delivery on the weekend of Dec. 12/13.  If you would like to contribute, please bring your new, unwrapped items to church and leave them in the designated basket near the statue of St. Joseph. If you prefer to donate money, please do so before Thanksgiving so that our volunteers have time to shop; checks should be made payable to “Ladies Sodality.” You may direct any questions you may have to Mickey Dick by clicking HERE.

The Catholic University of America, located in Washington, D.C., is the national university of the Catholic Church in the United States. It provides an academically rigorous education guided by Catholic intellectual tradition to nearly 7,000 students every year. More than 4,000 students directly receive scholarship aid from this collection, including many from our diocese. The weekend of November 7/8 is the National Collection for the Catholic University of America. Please be generous.

The Vocalis Chamber Choir and director, James Burritt, in concert at Blessed Trinity on October 18, 2015.

Trinity Concert Series ~ We hope you were one of the almost 200 who enjoyed To Music, the opening concert of our 2015-16 Trinity Series featuring the Vocális Chamber Choir, under the direction of James Burritt. To view photos from the concert, click HERE. Next up: The Freudig Singers of Western New York and their Magnificant Pie, Sunday, December 6 at 3 PM. You’ll be hearing more about this event in the weeks to come, including the popular post-concert pie reception. You can pick up a schedule for the entire concert series in church or request one by clicking HERE and listing “Trinity Series” as the subject.

Veterans’ Day is November 11. Remember and thank our veterans who served and those who are presently serving our country on Wednesday, November 11. Catholic Charities offers a broad range of support — from basic assistance, mental health and substance abuse programs to parenting skills and adult day care — to help not only veterans and their families, but everyone deal with life’s difficulties. Call 716-856-4494 or visit http://www.ccwny.org.

Please welcome Rayana “Ray” Ralabate, who began working as our part-time parish secretary/ receptionist last week. A Kenmore resident, Rayana has a master’s degree from the University at Buffalo, and a bachelor’s degree from Bryant & Stratton College. She is already putting her answering service experience to good use and adapting our voicemail system to make it more responsive to our callers’ needs. With Rayana’s arrival, we have instituted new rectory office hours: Tuesday-Friday from 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM. Please stop by to introduce yourself and welcome the newest member of our parish family.

Scholarship Opportunities ~ We just received the information and application forms for two scholarships. Please see Sister Barbara Horan for application forms.

• Martin Luther King Scholarship – to help an 8^th grade student attain a Catholic High School Education. Application deadline is Tuesday, December 1, 2015.
• Albert Lenhard Family Scholarship Fund – to assist applicants who want to continue their formal education beyond high school at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Application deadline is Tuesday, December 1, 2015.

Updating Our Records ~ Thanks to all of you who completed the contact information form that appeared in the bulletin for several weekends. If you forgot, you can use the form at the bottom of the back page of the weekly bulletin to provide the following information: your name and preferred phone number; your email address; and, if applicable, your new mailing address. Alternatively, you may email the information to blessedtrinitychurch [at] gmail [dot] com specifying “Contact Information” in the subject line, or click HERE and use our handy template. Just remember to reference “Contact Information” when submitting information on-line.

National Donor Sabbath is observed annually on Friday – Sunday, two weekends before Thanksgiving (November 13-15, 2015). During this three-day observance, faith leaders donor families, transplant recipients, and donation and transplantation professionals join forces to increase awareness of the need for lifesaving organ, tissue, and eye donation. Show compassion and love to your brothers and sisters by joining the New York State Organ, Tissue, and Eye Registry. You can find out more about the lifesaving gifts passed to others through organ, tissue, and eye donation by visiting http://alliancefordonation.org.

Remember and pray for our veterans.

News from our Vicariate Cluster and the Wider Community

Seventh Annual Friendship Dinner and Award Ceremony sponsored by the Peace Islands Institute and Turkish Cultural Center at Buffalo is November 11 at Daemen College, 4380 Main St., Amherst, beginning at 6 PM. The event will bring political, academic, religious, and other community leaders in the Greater Buffalo Area together to promote diversity, peace, and mutual understanding in our community through dialogue and education. The dinner theme will be “On Whose Shoulders? Violence and Extremism,” and the opening address will be delivered by Daemen College President Gary A. Olson. Kindly RSVP by Nov. 6 to rsvp [at] tccbuffalo [dot] org or by calling 716-575-5822. The cost is $25 per person, payable at the door.