Dear Parishioners,
I got a call on December 20 from Bishop Mark Eckman, the Vicar for clergy, and he informed me that Father Dan Waruszewski will be reassigned effective January 15, 2024. Thank you Father Dan for all that you've done here for the parish. God bless Father Dan and his new assignment. A farewell reception is in the planning stages and will be announced soon.
Bishop Eckman also informed me that Fr. David (DJ) Egan will be assigned to Saint Aidan Parish as Parochial Vicar effective January 15, 2024.
Peace,
Fr. Will
From the Heart by Father Will
This year the last Sunday of Advent and Christmas Eve fall on the same day. As we anticipate with great hope the remembrance of the coming of Our Savior Jesus Christ into the world, it is neither too early nor too late to wish someone a Blessed and Merry Christmas! Christmas is the season that should always be alive in our hearts. Giving the greeting of a Blessed Christmas brings hope to the hearts of people who live in doubt and fear. It is a greeting that penetrates the soul and enlivens in others a sense that they have worth, value, and human dignity.
While many people will stop celebrating Christmas on December 26th, we will just be beginning the Christmas Season in the Church. We will celebrate until Monday January 8th, ending with the Solemn Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. The wonderful mystery of God becoming man, the Incarnation, cannot be contained in one day. So, as we anticipate this great mystery in four weeks of Advent, and celebrate with joy throughout the Christmas Season as well, always keeping Christ’s birth alive in our hearts.
Our faith tells us “There is one God, the Father, for whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through who are all things and through whom we exist. However, not all possess this knowledge.” (1 Cor 8:6-7a) God’s love is freely given to us and is to be freely shared with all that we meet. Therefore, do not be timid in sharing a Christmas greeting of joy, peace, and love that Jesus offers to us, throughout the Christmas Season. May everyone know this Christmas season that you are a Christian, a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ, and beloved child of God the Father. Using the greeting a Blessed and Merry Christmas is not only a well wish for another, but brings upon them a true blessing from the Christ child through you, who faithfully witness to the power of God’s love.
May you, your family, friends, and loved ones have a Blessed and Merry Christmas! May the joy and peace of the Christ Child enter your hearts and lives this Christmas Season and always.
Peace,
Fr. Will
Ministry News
Faith Formation
There is NO Wednesday Faith Formation on December 27. We will resume on Wednesday January 3. The next Family Program session is January 7.
Mission Trip to Kentucky
The trip is set for June 23-29, 2024 in David, Kentucky. We will be staying at the David School, a regional trade school with cabins on the property.
More info to come in the new year! Including information about an informational meeting with Parents sometime in February.
Following Christ
The Following Christ Program is a follow up to Discovering Christ and is open to everyone who has completed the Discovering Christ, Alpha, or The Search Programs offered previously at St. Aidan or other parishes.
The Following Christ Program consists of seven weekly sessions.
• Sunday afternoon sessions (1:00 to 3:00 pm, January 7 through February 25) include prayer, a video, small group discussion, and light refreshments.
• All sessions will be held at the Blessed Seelos Academy Cafeteria.
Annual Retreat
Please prayerfully consider our weekend retreat at St. Paul of the Cross Monastery this coming:
January 5-7 for Women | January 19-21 For Men
Are you looking for a fresh start? A retreat is a great way to begin the new year. If you've never been on a retreat, 2024 is your year! Also, giving the gift of a retreat to someone is a beautiful idea. (Even if that someone is yourself). Call the Retreat Center to register. 412-381-7676
Music Ministry
St. Aidan Parish music ministry is seeking volunteer choir members, cantors, and instrumentalists. All ages and experience levels welcome. For more information, please contact our music director, Lucas Barkley, at
lbarkley@saintaidanparish.org. Clearances are required.
Sick or Homebound
Do you have a family member, neighbor or friend within our parish community who is homebound? Do they need communion brought to them, a visit from a friendly face, or maybe they just need the parish bulletin mailed to them? If you know of someone in need, email Barb Griffith at
homecare@saintaidanparish.org and she can arrange for a minister to visit them.
March For Life
The March for Life takes place in Washington, DC each January. On January 19, we will begin with 5:30 am Mass, participants then board a bus which departs from the Saint Alphonsus parking lot at 6:00 am for Washington, DC, where it meets up with marchers from all across the United States to peacefully walk in support of life. Following the March, the bus returns to Saint Alphonsus later that evening. If you need special accommodations, please contact the parish office at (724) 935-4343 and ask for Christine Miller. A free will offering to defray bus costs will be collected. An additional free will offering will be asked for a bus driver tip.
Anyone under the age of 18 and traveling without a parent must have a permission slip signed by a parent to attend (found here). For more info, please contact
Christine Miller at
cmiller@saintaidanparish.org. Sign up for the March
here
Epiphany Volunteer Appreciation Party
Saint Aidan Parish would like to invite all volunteers to join us for a celebration of your commitment and love for this great community! Please RSVP if you are able to join us.
January 1st beginning at 5:30 in the Cafeteria at the Faith Formation Center.
Food and beverages to be provided
Other Parish News
Year End Notes
As the calendar year 2023 comes to an end, please consider an additional charitable donation to Saint Aidan Parish. As we continue to update our campuses and buildings, your donations are vital to these improvements. All contributions are welcome, both large and small, and you can specify the usage (extraordinary maintenance, debt reduction, general offertory etc.). Donations are tax-deductible; please consult your tax advisor for any questions regarding your tax return.
Donation statements for 2023 will be sent out by January 31, 2024, as required by IRS code. They will be emailed to the address we have on file. If no email is available, a paper copy will be sent through the US mail. Please be sure that your contact information is up to date to avoid any delays in receiving this information. You may contact the parish office at 724-935-4343 with any updates or changes. As always, thank you for your continued generosity to Saint Aidan Parish!
Special Collection
On January 20th – 21st, a special collection will take place to benefit the students of St. Anthony School Programs and DePaul School for Hearing and Speech. We have been so blessed to have the support of the parishes around the Diocese and look forward to your continued support this coming year! The children of St. Anthony School Programs and DePaul School for Hearing and Speech have flourished and grown thanks to the generous gifts parishioners throughout the Diocese of Pittsburgh have provided.
St. Anthony School Programs offers an inclusive education to children ages 5-21 with Down syndrome, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and other special needs. DePaul School for Hearing and Speech teaches children who are deaf, hard of hearing, or who have severe speech delays to listen, speak, and learn. Together, St. Anthony’s and DePaul School empower students to become active and contributing members of their respective communities. Together, through this special collection, we can support our students' spiritual and academic growth, and give back the joy they share with us, each day.
Here is how you can help the children of our programs:
- Please put the enclosed fliers and/or graphics in your bulletin or display in your parish community spaces to raise awareness of the Diocesan collection and these two critical programs in the Diocese.
- Please encourage your parishioners to participate in the special Diocesan collection and help them to understand the importance their support means to the success of some of the youngest members of our faith.
- Remind your parishioners to please update their Faith Direct accounts so they may also contribute to this special collection.
With your support and prayers, we are confident God will continue to work through our programs to help our students grow and succeed. This special collection also allows us to reach out to families within the Diocese who need our services. Thank you for giving your heart to these children.
Protecting God’s Children Training Event
Saint Aidan Parish will be hosting a training session for the Diocesan training Protecting God’s Children on Sunday February 4, 2024 at 1 PM in the Seelos Academy Cafeteria. If you have been thinking about obtaining Diocesan clearances, this is a good opportunity to be able to get everything done for most Parish volunteer positions!
Assistance will be available to register as a volunteer on the Diocesan website and filling out forms for state clearances. The training for Protecting God’s Children will be presented by Phyllis Haney, the Diocese of Pittsburgh’s Secretariat for the Protection of Children, Youth & Vulnerable Adults.
Pre-registration is required. To register, or if you have questions, contact Mary King, Saint Aidan Parish Safe Environment Coordinator at
mking@saintaidanparish.org or call
724-935-4343 x212.
Knights of Columbus Council 3907 Would Like To Say Thank You
To show our appreciation and thank everyone for their generous contributions and support of all of our charitable efforts, your Knights of Columbus Council 3907 Wexford is sponsoring four informational sessions, all related to your Financial Wellbeing. These sessions are open to everyone, all totally free without cost or obligation; and no one who attends will be contacted. These sessions cover several topics important to most of us.
All of the sessions will be held on Tuesday nights starting at 7:00 pm and will last approximately one hour. and will be held at the Ryan Center at Saint Alphonsus Church (Blessed Seelos Academy gymnasium). Please mark your calendar to save the following dates:
January 9, 2024 – Retirement Planning – Brian Quaranta, CEO Secure Money Advisors (SMA)
February 9, 2024 – How Insurance Can Work for you - David McIntosh, FIC K of C
March 12, 2024 – Understanding Social Security – Neil Mager – Sr Financial Advisor SMA
April 19, 2024 – Understanding Medicare - Sr. Health Care Specialist SMA
Studies have shown that people spend more time planning their vacation than planning for their financial well-being. Bring your relatives, friends and neighbor and join us at one or all of the sessions. Thank you once again for your past generosity.
St. Alexis Commemorative Book
We still have approximately 25 copies of the commemorative St. Alexis Stained Glass Windows and Stations of the Cross books available for purchase at a price of $85/book. If you would like to purchase the book, please pay with the attached link:
saintaidanparish.org/saintalexisbook and pick up your copy at the parish center, or visit the parish center to pay in cash.
