From the Heart by Fr. Will
The season of Lent is upon us. We have taken up the three ancient disciplines of Lent: Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving (Acts of Charity). Why have we done so? Do we fast for its own sake? No. We fast in order to transform our interior lives. This is similar to how we understand the Sacraments. They are an outward sign of an inward reality. Fasting and prayer transform our interior dispositions, and they ought to reflect and strengthen our lives.
One of the most essential elements of the interior life is that we become reconciled to God and to one another. As we pray at the beginning of each Mass, “Let us acknowledge our sins, and so prepare ourselves to celebrate these sacred mysteries.” (Third Roman Missal, Introductory Rites) The acknowledgement of our sins before God is an essential step in the spiritual life. Yet we do not dwell on our sins, but rather we trust in God’s mercy that he truly forgives us our sins and welcomes us into the ‘sacred mysteries’, the sacred mysteries of God’s mercy for us. God nourishes our hearts and minds with The Word of the Lord, that is Sacred Scriptures. At the Our Father we beg God to forgive us our sins. Yet Jesus has shown us the way to receive the forgiveness of the Father, “Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.” (Matt 6:12) God gives us the grace to be transformed into his likeness of mercy. Jesus did not say that we should wait until someone says they are sorry for hurting, injuring, sinning against us, etc. Rather Jesus gives us what we are to pray for, a spirit of forgiveness always in our hearts.
May this Lent be a time for us to truly forgive those who have trespassed against us. May our disciplines of prayer and fasting transform our hearts into the divine heart of Jesus, whose heart is divine mercy itself. May you have the courage and strength to forgive someone deep in your heart this Lent, and so be transformed into a new creation, filled with Easter Joy!
Grace & Peace, Fr. Will
Fish Fry
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 4:30-7:00 PM.
The Fish Fry is located at the Ryan Center on the Saint Aidan & Blessed Francis Seelos Academy Property (201 Church Road).
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 about sponsorship? Contact Brie Kemp 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!)
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.
We are currently no longer looking for volunteers to deliver meals, but this may change if there are more people added to the list of Homebound Parishioners who would like meals delivered.
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
March 3: Power
We seek power over various aspects of our lives to gain a sense of safety and control in order to avoid our anxieties and insecurities.
Jesus was tempted by the devil with earthly power but outright refused because He embraced the will of His Father and understood His mission of salvation.
The gifts, talents, and power that God has given us should not be hoarded for our benefit; rather, we are meant to use what we have been given for the Kingdom of God.
Dinner will be provided.
Young Adult Ministry
March 4: 33 Days to Morning Glory retreat discussion. This is a personal and communal retreat. Dinner will be a meager meal: soup cook off.
Mission Trip to Kentucky
The trip is set for June 23-29, 2024 in David, Kentucky. For more information please contact Christine Miller at cmiller@saintaidanparish.org use subject line: Mission Trip)
Men's Fellowship
Ultimate Goal of Lent - Growth in Virtue
Lent is more than giving up things temporarily for 40 days. It is a time to develop and grow in virtue that is sustainable after Lent. This most important struggle should be tackled with a sporting spirit. It has been said that wars are won by tired soldiers. The same is true of the Christian life which requires the capacity to make demands on oneself by demonstrating fortitude and practicing detachment. Join us on Monday, March 4 at 6:00 pm at The Ark & The Dove on Babcock Blvd to explore how to meet the challenge of growing in virtue and personal holiness. All men are welcome. For more info contact Paul Spence: 724-713-8633.
New Liturgy Scheduling System
Our new liturgy scheduling software will go live on April 1st for all Masses. Signup Genius will no longer be used after April 1st. All servers, lectors, and eucharistic ministers should have received an email from our Seminarian, Brian Myler, which contains your username and password. Training will be provided on how to view your schedule, set preferences, and request/accept substitutes. The Training times are below:
Sunday 3/17
8:30 am - Seelos Cafeteria
11:00 am - Alexis Library
12:30 pm - Seelos Cafeteria
If you did not receive an email with your account info or have any questions regarding the new system or training events, please contact Brian at bmyler@saintaidanparish.org or by calling the parish office.
Other Parish News
Hallow
Great news - we at Saint Aidan Parish are excited to announce that we are partnering with Hallow this Lent! Parishioners are invited to access all premium app content beginning now through Easter Sunday. We’ll have a specific Lenten prayer challenge starting Ash Wednesday, but you don’t have to wait. You can begin praying with Hallow today! Hallow is the #1 prayer app in the world. Through prayer and meditation rooted in the Catholic faith, Hallow helps people grow closer to God and find peace. Users are able to pray alongside Fr. Mike, Immaculee, Mark Wahlberg, Jonathan Roumie, Bishop Barron, Harrison Butker of the Kansas City Chiefs, and many more. To join Hallow as part of our parish’s Lenten program, which gives you access to all premium app content for just $1, follow these steps:
If you do not already have an account:
- Scan the QR code or visit hallow.com/holyday.
- Type in Saint Aidan Parish. Follow instructions to redeem offer/download app.
- Log in w/ same email/password you used to create account (Do not click Google/Apple/phone).
If you do already have an account:
- Visit hallow.com/holyday.
- Type in Saint Aidan Parish. Follow instructions to redeem offer.
- Choose the last option: “Already have an account? Log in.”
- Log in using your current email address and password.
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!
Staff News
Please join us in expressing our deepest appreciation for Vince Petitjean's hard work and commitment as he is no longer with the Parish in his role as Social Media Coordinator. We extend our sincerest best wishes for his future endeavors and hope that he finds fulfillment and success in every step of his journey.
Ladies of Charity Food Drive
The food drive is still going on. Please be as generous as possible. The food drive is continuing until Sunday, March 17. We can use any non-perishable food, household products or grocery store gift cards. We hope you will continue to help our less fortunate neighbors during this time. “As for your conduct toward the poor, may you never take the attitude of merely getting the task done.” ~St. Louise de Marillac. Thank you for your support!
Candy Needed for Parish Easter Egg Hunt
We need donations of wrapped candy that will fit in a plastic egg for our Egg Hunt! Please place candy in the bin in the back of the old side or new side of St. Alphonsus Church, the bin in the narthex of St. Alexis Church, or the bin in the vestibule of the Parish Center. The Egg Hunt will be held on the playground at St. Alphonsus on Saturday, March 30, at 12:45 pm. In case of rain, we’ll gather in the school cafeteria. Please bring a bag or basket to collect eggs.
The Knights of Columbus Say Thank You!
Did you know that there are over 2,000 ways that your Social Security benefits can be calculated and that the Social Security Administration is not permitted to help you in making that determination?
Come to our no cost, no obligation, totally free seminar on Tuesday, March 12 beginning at 7:00 pm in the Ryan Center at Blessed Seelos Academy on the St. Alphonsus Campus to find answers on how you can maximize your Social Security Benefits. Neil Mager, Senior Financial Advisor from Secure Money Advisors will help you understand how Social Security works and how to maximize your benefits. No one will contact you after the seminar, it is totally free and without obligation as the Knights’ Council 3907 way of saying thank you for all of the support you have given to our charitable works. The seminar is open to everyone.
Don’t forget to mark your calendar for our final seminar on Tuesday, April 9 at 7:00 pm at the Ryan Center where Lisa Lauro, Senior Healthcare Specialist from Secure Money Advisors will be discussing Medicare and Supplemental Medicare Plans.
We look forward to seeing you at these informative seminars.
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 in the Ryan Center from 6:00 pm-8:30 pm (see below for the specific dates). The week of March 18 will be our tech week and we will be in the Ryan Center all week.
Tuesday, 3/5 Thursday, 3/7
Tuesday, 3/12 Thursday, 3/14
Performance dates are Friday and Saturday at 8 PM, March 22 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
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.
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.
