From the Desk of Darcy Osby
This week, we celebrate the feast of our patron, Saint Aidan of Ferns. Here are a few lessons we can learn from Saint Aidan:
The Importance of Baptism: Aidan was born on an island in a lake and no boat could be found to take him to shore where Saint Killian was waiting to baptize him. Miraculously, he was floated across the lake on a large flat hearthstone. Nothing would prevent him from being baptized! Do we value our baptism, living out our call as a child of God?
The Importance of Knowledge of the Faith: Aidan studied in Wales under Saint David, then returned to Ireland eventually founding several monasteries himself, along with 30 churches. Do we take the time to learn about our faith at an adult level? Do we share that knowledge with others, spreading the Gospel?
The Importance of Virtue: Saint Aidan was known to be humble, benevolent, and generous. He didn’t lose his temper when pushed into a lake. He allowed others to eat meat during Lent when other food had gone bad. He miraculously repaired a jug of beer for his monks. Do we make an effort to act virtuously?
The Importance of Stewardship of Creation: A number of stories speak of Aidan caring for creation. He transported bees from Wales to Ireland after hearing they were scarce. He saved a stag from getting attacked by dogs. He consoled a mother cow who lost her calf. Do we respect and honor God’s creation by taking care of all living things? Saint Aidan of Ferns, Pray for us!
Ministry News
Faith Formation
This week our Faith Formation program will celebrate our parish feast day with Mass on the 31!
The Family Program meets on February 4.
The next Catholic HOM session is February 7 during Faith Formation.
The next service Saturday is February 10 at 9:00 am in the cafeteria.
Life Teen Ministry
January 28: Teach me your ways, oh Lord Psalm 25
Your heavenly Father has a message to reveal to you today and every day, we just
need to quiet our hearts, calm our fears and listen. High school youth will meet in the youth room at 6:00 pm following the 5:00 pm Mass. Dinner will be provided.
Young Adult Ministry
January 29
All young adults, married or not, are welcome! Come join our family!! Chick Fil A for dinner!! Our very own Seminarian Brian will finish out reading our book 13 Ways to Pray … praying the rosary and prayers in times of spiritual dryness.
Mission Trip to Kentucky
The trip is set for June 23-29, 2024 in David, Kentucky.
Informational Meeting
Informational meeting for adults, teens, and anyone interested in learning more about this mission trip please join us February 16 after the 10:00 AM Mass at St. Alexis Church, in the Youth Room.
For more information please contact Christine Miller at cmiller@saintaidanparish.orguse subject line: Mission Trip)
Walking With Purpose
Another glass of wine, just one more episode on Netflix, a little more scrolling on Instagram…Women are numbing out at ever-increasing rates. Why? What is it about our lives that makes us feel so overwhelmed? What might change if we figured out how to build lives that we don’t want to escape?
Ordering Your Priorities: Building a Life Well Lived is an immensely practical Bible study that will help you put the most important things first. We’ll begin by paying attention to the One who made us, because He can best tell us what we need for our lives to run well.
Ordering Your Priorities is ideal if you...
- Are ready to discover not only what matters most in life but also how to prioritize those things
- Long to feel satisfied at the end of the day, knowing that you’ve loved your family not just in your heart but also in your schedule
- Want to create a life that you don’t need to escape
Details
- Tuesday evenings, January 16 - March 5
- 6:30-7:30 PM
- We will meet virtually for this study, then will be back in person in the Spring! An email will be sent with the link.
- Register here
New Liturgy Scheduling System
Beginning on April 1, we will be switching to Ministry Scheduler Pro (MSP) for the scheduling of our weekend liturgies. This system will allow the users to specify dates of unavailability, submit substitute requests, and allows for a fairer and more even distribution of serving opportunities to all volunteers. In addition, there is a mobile app where you can view your schedule and accept substitute requests others have made.
All servers, lectors, and eucharistic ministers should have received an email from our Seminarian, Brian Myler, which contains your username and password. Please log into the system and enter your preferred Mass times as well as any specific dates or Mass times you are not available to serve between the period of 4/1/24 and 6/30/24. If you did not receive an email or have any questions regarding the new system, please contact Brian at bmyler@saintaidanparish.org or by calling the parish office.
Please be patient with us as we transition to this new system. Overall, we hope it meets everyone’s needs and provides a higher level of service to all our liturgical ministers.
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.
February 2 beginning at 5:30 in the Cafeteria at the Faith Formation Center (previously referred to the St. Alexis School).
Food and beverages to be provided.
If you previously RSVP'd please do so again as the date has changed.
Other Parish News
Eucharistic Adorers Needed at St. Aidan Parish
Will you prayerfully consider being a permanent or a substitute adorer at:
- St. Alphonsus Church on Mondays (Adoration is from 12:30 pm to 7:00 pm)
- St. Alexis Church on First Fridays (Adoration is from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm)
There's an immediate need on First Fridays at St. Alexis Church from 11:00 am to noon for a permanent adorer. Email devotions@saintaidanparish.org or call the Parish Office at 724-935-4343 and provide your name, phone #, email address, the church and the time slots that you will cover and if you can be a permanent adorer or substitute adorer.
Passion Play Rehearsals
Passion Play practices will take place Tuesday and Thursday on the new side of St. Alphonsus church from 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm (see below for the specific dates). Any parishioner can be a part of this! If interested in being a part of the Passion Play, email Mary Heagy at mheagy@saintaidanparish.org. Feel free to come to the practices. We have many families that do this as their Lenten journey. The more the better!
Tuesday, 1/30
Thursday, 2/1 - NO PRACTICE
Tuesday, 2/6
Thursday, 2/8
Tuesday, 2/13
Thursday, 2/15
Tuesday, 2/20
Thursday, 2/22
Tuesday, 2/27
Thursday, 2/29
Performance dates are Friday and Saturday at 8 PM, March 22nd and March 23
Protecting God’s Children Training Event
If you plan on volunteering for the Fish Fry, Parish Festival, or Vacation Bible School you must have your clearances and they must be up to date.
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 Blessed 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.
2024 St. Aidan Fish Fry
Planning for the 17th annual Saint Aidan (Saint Alphonsus Church) Fish fry is well underway! In years past we have served over 14,000 meals during Lent and raised thousands of dollars going directly toward paying for parish & school expenses. This year we hope to raise even more!
All proceeds are equally split between Saint Aidan Parish and Blessed Francis Seelos Academy!
Questions? Contact Brie Kemp at 563-940-5983 or fishfry@saintaidanparish.org.
Click Here to view the online sponsorship page.
Click here for a printable sponsorship form.
Click here for the volunteer sign up (MUST have complete and up to date clearances!)
Click here to volunteer to delivery fish fry dinners to homebound Parishioners
Knights of Columbus Council 3907 Financial Wellbeing Seminars
As you may be aware, the Knights of Columbus Council 3907 is sponsoring four informational sessions all related to your Financial Wellbeing to show our appreciation and thank everyone for their generous contributions and support of all of our charitable efforts These sessions are open to anyone who would like to attend and all the sessions are totally free without cost or obligation and no one who attends will be contacted.
We recently completed our first session on Tuesday, January 9 covering Retirement Planning which was very well received. If you missed this session, you will not be behind as all the sessions are designed to be attended independently of the other sessions
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
St. Alphonsus Church (Blessed Seelos Academy gymnasium). Please mark your calendar to save the following dates and join us for some informative and insightful sessions:
February 6 – How Insurance Can Work for you - David McIntosh, FIC K of C
March 12 – Understanding Social Security – Neil Mager – Sr Financial Advisor SMA
April 9 – Understanding Medicare – Lisa Lauro Sr. Health Care Specialist SMA
Thank you once again for your past generosity.
Knights of Columbus Aid & Support After Pregnancy (ASAP) Program Begins
St. Aidan Parish and the Knights of Columbus Council #3907 remain committed to serving Mothers and their children in need. The Knights ASAP (Aid & Support After Pregnancy) Program is sponsoring an item drive for Mothers & their children beginning this weekend, January 27th. & 28th. All proceeds will benefit Angels' Place, an organization supporting low-income single parents & their children at two locations. A list of critical needs will be detailed on baby feet tags on the ASAP Blue Display in the Narthex at St. Alexis Church. Parish support is requested to provide for the needs of the Mothers & their children by taking a tag from the ASAP Blue Display and purchasing the item listed. Monetary donations can also be made. All purchased items must be returned to the St. Alexis Narthex by Sunday, February 11th. A playpen in the Narthex will serve as the collection point. Knights representatives will be handing out ASAP Program information after all Masses at St. Alexis & St. Alphonsus on January 27th. & 28th.
Around the Diocese
Central Catholic Crew’s 28th Annual: Irish Night—Row On for Brendan
Sunday, February 18, 2024 at 4:00pm - Central Catholic High School
With great anticipation and gratitude we invite you and your families to join us for a rich and lively performance at our annual Irish Night- Row on for Brendan. This beautiful evening, filled with Irish music and dance, is a tribute to Brendan Foley, who brightened the halls of Central Catholic, rowed for the school, and left this world a better place for his 15-and-a-half years of life. We are indebted to Brendan's family and friends for supporting the Central Catholic Crew program by supporting this wonderful event.
Over the past 27 years Irish Night has raised more than $600,000 for Central Catholic Crew. The program has provided young men an opportunity to learn and compete in a demanding sport and represent Central Catholic on the national rowing stage.
Over the past 27 years Irish Night has raised more than $600,000 for Central Catholic Crew. The program has provided young men an opportunity to learn and compete in a demanding sport and represent Central Catholic on the national rowing stage.
Irish Night website: irishnight.net
Purchase tickets here: irishnight.net/tickets
Visit irishnight.net/donate for details on sponsorships and advertising levels. Sponsorships and ads must be received by Feb. 2nd, 2024 to be included in the promotional materials.
We look forward to sharing a beautiful evening with you. Please join Joanie Madden, Bruce Foley, and Friends!
Join the Lenten Challenge
Are you looking for a daily Lenten inspiration to help you draw closer to Jesus through prayer and sacrifice? Register for the 2024 Lenten Challenge by texting LENT2024 to 84576 or visiting diopitt.org/lent. Last year, 7,500 people participated, and many shared their experiences:
- “Your texts have been such a blessing to me this Lent! You offered practical ideas on how to grow spiritually!”
- “It drew me closer to my Lord’s sufferings and made me think that any sufferings I might experience could never be as bad as the torture He went through, all for the love of me.”
Lenten Mission hosted by Saint Luke the Evangelist Parish and Steubenville Parish Missions
This three-day mission will be held from Sunday, March 3 through Tuesday, March 5 from 6:30 - 8:30 PM. The cost of attendance is $30 for all three nights.
Location: Saint Luke the Evangelist Parish – Saints John & Paul Church
2586 Wexford-Bayne Road, Sewickley, PA 15143
