From the Desk of Deacon Dave
In the past, I have at times fallen into the trap of viewing Lent as merely a season during which I grit my teeth and bear it. I have also viewed my Lenten observances as though they were goals to achieve - with times of success and times of failure. I have even viewed Lent as if it has nothing to do with the rest of our Church year - returning to my old ways on Easter Sunday. In each of these circumstances, nothing could be further from the truth. Lent is not so much about what I am doing or not doing for God - it is about whether I am entrusting my entire heart to Him. Lent is about whether I give Him permission to transform my hard heart so that I can see others through the eyes of love. Lent is an excellent time to develop these practices so that we can live them all year round.
Prayer - A while back, my spiritual adviser challenged me to journal on the various ways that I saw God using me to impact others. Basically, he asked me to record the ways that I saw myself as a blessing to others every day. When I began to review my journal and reflect on it in prayer, I began to see patterns emerge - patterns which encouraged me to continue to love sacrificially. I encourage you to do the same this Lent. Every day, record the moments in your days when you feel the closest to God, and then reflect on them periodically as you pray to the Holy Spirit to reveal those gifts and talents which bring joy to your heart, and to others. Prayer will attune your gifts with others’ needs.
Fasting - Fasting enables us to die to self so that we might seek the good of others. Fasting allows the Holy Spirit to crack open the hard shell of our hearts to the areas that He has already led us in prayer. Fasting can clear away false pride and prejudices; self-centeredness or half-heartedness; our need to always be on the receiving side in life. Fasting softens our hearts by exposing them to the light of God's Word and the graces of Sacraments. Fasting enables us to get by with less - be it food or drink, or electronics or social media - so that we have more resources and time to share the blessings that the Holy Spirit has pointed out to us in our prayer time.
Almsgiving - Merely feeling pity or sorrow for a neighbor in need is only a feeling. As Christians, we are called to be a people of action - to show our concern in action for others. St. James wrote in his short epistle, “If a brother or sister has nothing to wear and has no food for the day, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well,’ but you do not give them the necessities of the body, what good is it?” (Ja 2:15-16) Brothers and sisters, love is the Christian’s final end and Jesus displayed the ultimate Love for us on the cross on Good Friday.
I pray that we may all be intentional this Lenten season, using prayer, fasting, and almsgiving to reflect on all the good that God has done for us and wishes to do through us - so that we may truly become as St. Paul pointed out in today’s second reading - ambassadors for Christ. May we “Live like we are Loving.” May we practice it for Lent, and live it for a life.
Fish Fry
Fish Fry Starts
The Fish Fry will take place every Friday in Lent.
3/22 the Fish Fry is open 4:30-7:00 PM and is take out only due to the Passion Play. All other dates both dine in and take out are available.
Dine in is open 4:30-7:30 PM, Take out is open 4:00-7:00 PM.
The Fish Fry is located at the Ryan Center on the Saint Aidan & Blessed Francis Seelos Academy Property (221 Church Road 10090 Old Perry Highway Wexford, PA 15090)
Take out Ordering
If you'd like to order online please go to fish-fry.org
If you'd like to order online please go to fish-fry.org
If you'd like to call in your order please do so after 2 PM on the date of the Fish Fry by calling (412) 585-3915 or (724) 931-0596.
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
Lenten Fish Fry Meals for Homebound Parishioners
On March 8 and March 22, we are delivering our award winning fish fry dinner to homebound parishioners. Last year we delivered and visited with thirty of our brothers and sisters that could not otherwise get to St. Aidan’s Lenten Fish Fry. If you would like to deliver a meal or two, please go to the signup genius at the following link - signup here
Also, if you are aware of a parishioner that is currently homebound and would like a dinner delivered to them, please contact the parish office at 724-935-4343
Ministry News
Faith Formation
Our Family Program Meets March 3. Our next Catholic HOM session is March 6 during Faith Formation. We will be collecting donations for Chimbote, Peru during Lent!
Life Teen Ministry
February 18: Dinner will be provided Pulled Pork Nachos
All teens are welcome to join us as we discuss Saint Thomas Aquinas’ view of Wealth in our world. How is it that we put wealth ahead of our relationship with God? Where is the true wealth? What do you consider your treasure? Jesus answered, “Go sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in Heaven. Then come, follow me.”
Young Adult Ministry
February 19: As we begin the season of Lent, we will spend these 40 days learning more about our Mother Mary. Mary is the Queen of Heaven. Who is she to you? We will dive into 33 Days to Morning Glory, a self-guided retreat to help change us in our Love of Mary our mother. Jesus gave Mary to us at the foot of the cross and asked us to take her into our home (hearts). Dinner will be pulled pork sandwiches, mac and cheese, and cole slaw.
Mission Trip to Kentucky
The trip is set for June 23-29, 2024 in David, Kentucky.
Please join us for the informational meeting we discussed a few weeks ago. Please join us after the 10:00 am Mass on February 18 in the Youth Room on the Saint Alexis campus. This informational meeting is for any teens, their parents, and adult helpers interested in going including skill sets. Anyone else interested in learning more about what this is all about is also welcomed . We will begin the meeting at 11:15 am.
For more information please contact Christine Miller at cmiller@saintaidanparish.org use subject line: Mission Trip)
Lent: Pathway to Easter
“Lent should suggest to us these basic questions: Am I advancing in my faithfulness to Christ, in my desire for holiness, in a generous apostolate in my daily life, in my ordinary work among my colleagues? Each one of us, silently, should answer these questions, and we will see that we need to change again if Christ is to live in us, if Jesus’ image is to be reflected clearly in our behavior.” (St. Josemaria Escriva)
Join us to explore how we can best travel our path to Easter on Monday, February 19th at 6 PM at The Ark & The Dove on Babcock Blvd. All men are welcome. For more info contact Paul Spence: 724-713-8633.
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.
Other Parish News
Faith Direct
This is a time of year when keeping our new year’s resolutions may become challenging, if we even made any. Well, here’s an easy new year’s resolution to feel good about: streamline your offertory giving and simplify your support for St. Aidan Parish! Now is a great time to stop using checks/envelopes and switch to eGiving – it’s simple to sign up from your computer, smartphone or tablet to set up a recurring donation or make a one-time gift.
Recurring gifts help give our parish a steady, consistent offertory that strengthens the programs, services, and ministries we lead for our church families and for those in need throughout the community.
Recurring gifts help give our parish a steady, consistent offertory that strengthens the programs, services, and ministries we lead for our church families and for those in need throughout the community.
Register today by:
• Visiting faith.direct/PA47
• Calling Faith Direct Customer Service at 866-507-8757
• Texting “Enroll” to (724) 932-6440
• Visiting faith.direct/PA47
• Calling Faith Direct Customer Service at 866-507-8757
• Texting “Enroll” to (724) 932-6440
Peace and blessings to your family!
Ladies of Charity Food Drive
The Lenten food drive begins this week. If you know of any family in need of our help, please call the parish office at 724-935-4343. All information is kept in strict confidence. “Let us work with a new love in the service of the poor.” ~St. Vincent de Paul
Lenten Parish Mission: The Love of God & the Cross of Jesus Christ
Sunday, March 10 & Monday, March 11
On Sunday, March 10, and Monday, March 11, Dave VanVickle will lead us in a two-night Lenten parish mission about the timeless story of a soul’s relationship to God, from conversion to transformation. This message of hope will be illustrated by Dave’s powerful personal testimony and the testimony of his family. The first night of the mission will take place at St. Alexis, starting at 7:00 PM, and the second night will be held at St. Alphonsus, also starting at 7:00 PM. Please join us — you will not want to miss this parish mission.
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)
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, 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
Nursing Home EMHC Volunteers Needed
Did you know that our parish serves nine Nursing Care/Senior Living Facilities?! We provide Mass to each facility under the direction of our wonderful chaplain, Fr. Daniel Straughn, and many volunteers take Holy Communion to various facilities during the weeks when we do not have Mass. We need a few more volunteers to join our Advance Team which helps Fr. Daniel by getting to the facility early to set up and assist him at Mass. In addition, as our list of requests grows, we need more volunteers to take Holy Communion to our homebound parishioners. If you are interested in helping, please contact Barb Griffith at ministries@saintaidanparish.org.
St. Alphonsus Men’s Golf
St Alphonsus Men’s Golf League is looking for golfers of all skill levels for the 2024 season. League play is on Mondays from April 1st thru the end of August at Rittswood Golf Course in Valencia. The league is open to new and returning golfers, ages 18 and over. New golfers can contact Nathan Bennett at 412-852-8800 or Don Dietz at 412-855-6139. Preseason meeting is Monday March 11 at 7:00 pm in the Seelos Academy (St. Alphonsus) school cafeteria or go to the course Monday April 1. Tee times start at 4:00 pm weather permitting.
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.”
40 Days for Life
From February 14 - March 24, you are invited to join other Christians for 40 Days for Life - 40 days of prayer and fasting for an end to abortion. You’re also invited to stand and peacefully pray during a 40 day vigil in the public right-of-way outside Planned Parenthood, 933 Liberty Avenue, and help to spread the word about this important community outreach. If you’d like more info or if you’d like to volunteer, contact Nikki, nbruni@40daysforlifepgh.com.
Kick-off Mass at Divine Mercy Parish, Epiphany Church on Tuesday, February 13 at 6:00 pm, followed by a Eucharistic Procession to Planned Parenthood led by His Excellency, Bishop William Waltersheid. This is a free event. Visit 40daysforlife.com/Pittsburgh for more info or check out our blog at 40daysforlifepittsburgh.com.
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
