From the Desk of Deacon Al
As we continue through Lent, we are challenged to change in ways that eliminate our sinfulness and cultivate our holiness.
Our intentions from the beginning are good and noble. We recognize our weakness and we know we want to change, to become better, to become closer to Christ. But, despite our initial enthusiasm on Ash Wednesday, days following are often met with facing the disappointment of failing in our Lenten intentions.
We recognize our sinfulness immediately. We even say to ourselves we let ourselves down and worse, let down our promises to Christ to make this Lent different. But then what do we do?
We all have a choice. Because God gives us the gift of free will, we actually can decide right after our failure to recommit, to try again, to actually change.
Lent provides us the opportunity to use the church more often than usual. The opportunity to go to the Stations of the Cross, Adoration, daily Mass and Confession is endless throughout our diocese. The graces derived from increasing our prayer life through participating in those services provide us the additional strength to compete against our human weakness.
The problem with making Lenten intentions is that we make promises to change or to do better but we don’t equip ourselves with the tools that allow us to do that. We need the graces (the tools) that come from going to church more often than just the Mass on Sunday in order to be taking advantage of the grace to help us change or do better.
Change in human behavior takes time. Experts say it requires 28 days for a habit to be formed or for an attitude to change. Lent is 40 days in length so there’s plenty of time to make the changes.
But there is no reason you have to do it by yourself. Use the graces freely available to help you along the way.
There’s one other thing we need to keep in mind when making Lenten intentions. The fact that you’re likely to stumble, slip back or fail is real. Don’t hide from it or deny. Accept that your human and start again.
There is still time to make this Lent memorable and meaningful. Don’t give up. If Christ is for you, who can be against you?
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!)
Ministry News
Faith Formation
There is no Faith Formation on Wednesday, March 27 during Holy Week. We will be collecting donations for Chimbote, Peru during Lent!
Life Teen Ministry
March 17
High school teens will hear from Seminarian Brian. He will share scientific proof of God’s existence. Dinner and fun to follow.
Young Adult Ministry
March 18
We continue to learn and be changed in our knowledge and relationship with Mary. Mary magnifies the son Jesus. Holy Spirit, living in Mary, pray for us. As we have learned, we are to ask Mary to intercede for us. To Jesus through Mary. Dinner: Chili 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
What is Heaven’s Entrance Ticket?
“The existence of heaven, the desire for heaven, the nature of heaven, and the relevance of heaven are all important questions. But there is only one question that is absolutely essential: ‘What must I do to be saved?’ If anyone is unsure of the correct answer, then get out your Bible and study for your finals! To save you time --I will quote God's simple answer to the most important question in the world, ‘how to get to heaven’: ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved’ (Acts 16:91).” (Peter Kreeft) Join us on Monday, March 18 at 6:00 pm at The Ark & The Dove on Babcock Blvd to continue our exploration of what it means “to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.” All men are welcome. For more information contact Paul Spence at 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
St. Joseph Feast Day Mass and Potluck
Join us Tuesday, March 19, as we celebrate St. Joseph Feast Day with Mass and Potluck! Please RSVP your name and how many are attending to hospitality@saintaidanparish.org.
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
The Lenten season fills our parish with hope and promise – opportunities abound to grow our vital ministries, explore new ways to share the good news of Christ’s love, and reflect His care and mercy to those in need throughout the community. To continue to make a difference in 2024, St. Aidan Parish is reaching out to our parishioners.
With eGiving, you can help sustain and build ministries this year that reflect the promise of God’s love. The need is great in our community, and your generous online gifts will help people all around us.
We prayerfully request that you consider signing up for eGiving from your computer, smartphone or tablet. You can set up a recurring donation or make a one-time gift.
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!
Sarris Candy Fundraiser
Orders are due Friday, March 22. See the flyer below for all the details. We thank you so much for your support!
Ladies of Charity Food Drive
The Food Drive ends on Sunday, March 17. Please be as generous as possible. We can use any non-perishable food, household products or grocery store gift cards. “We should assist the poor in every way, and do it both by ourselves and be enlisting the help of others.” St. Vincent de Paul. Thank you in advance for your generosity.
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!
Are you or a loved one ready to embark on the Medicare journey? Perhaps you are already enrolled in Medicare and just have questions. Do I need a supplement? What is an Advantage Plan? Which is better? What about prescription drugs? Glasses? Hearing aids? Gym memberships? Traveling out of the region, out of the country? These are all common questions.
Come to our no cost, no obligation, totally free seminar on Tuesday, April 9 beginning at 7:00 pm in the Ryan Center at Blessed Seelos Academy on the St Alphonsus Campus to find out answers to these questions. Lisa Lauro, Senior Healthcare Specialist from Secure Money Advisors will help you understand how Medicare works. No one will contact you after the seminar, it is totally free and without obligation as the Knights Council 3907’s way of saying thank you for all of the support you have given to our charitable works. The seminar is open to everyone. We look forward to seeing you at the seminar.
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 performance dates are Friday and Saturday, March 22 and 23 at 8:00 pm
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.
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.
Young Adult Men’s Summit
Join us for a conference on Saturday, March 23 entitled Young Adult Men's Summit: Strengthening Masculine Leadership to be held at the Diocese of Pittsburgh Pastoral Center. The target audience is men ages 20-50. "We must strengthen and build up younger men in our parishes and families. They are the future!" Go to www.cmfwpa.org for more info and registration.
Saint Aidan Parish is selling Sarris Easter Candies to help raise funds for the 2024 Mission Trip to David, Kentucky. Supporting our sale is sweet and simple!
Visit SarrisCandiesFundraising.com and enter our Group ID# 10-1175 to shop. Browse from hundreds of your favorite Sarris Candies products and checkout online. Online Ordering is open through Friday, March 22. Your order will be shipped directly to your house and our group will earn 25% profit! There is a flat U.S. shipping rate of $5 per address (warm weather and expedited shipping are extra).
We appreciate you supporting the Saint Aidan 2024 Mission Trip and helping us reach our fundraising goals!
Deadline for reserving rooms at the
National Eucharistic Congress is March 15
