Saint Aidan Parish Est. 2020

“Grow In Jesus, Engage in Community, and Go Forth to Make Disciples”

December 20, 2020

On this Fourth Sunday of Advent the Advent Wreath is fully lit indicating that, indeed, the Lord is near. In the Collect, the Opening Prayer, the priest prays, “Pour forth, we beseech you, O Lord, your grace into our hearts…”

The image of “pouring” is a powerful and poignant one. There used to be a commercial for Heinz Ketchup that showed the ketchup slowly exiting the bottle with the voice of Carly Simon singing, “Anticipation, Anticipation, is keeping me waiting…”

For the last four weeks we have been steadily anticipating the coming of Jesus. Like Heinz Ketchup slowly being poured out of a bottle, we have been patiently emptying ourselves to welcome Jesus. Today, however, with the whole Church “we beseech the Lord,” which means “to ask urgently, fervently or implore.” We beg the Lord to pour his “grace” into our hearts.

It is the custom of the Church on this Fourth Sunday of Advent to shine the spotlight on the woman “full of grace,” namely, Mary. The Gospel tells the story of her Annunciation which engenders trouble and fear in her heart. In the end, however, Mary says, “Let it be done to me as you say.” Trust overcomes fear in her heart. Grace prevails.

Today we pray that the Lord will truly transform our hearts. May he rid them of fear and sin and bless them with grace. It is imperative that in these days we all look to our heart and find room in it for Jesus. Even if our hearts are broken, for whatever reason, Jesus seeks to dwell within and heal us.

Every year at this time I am always reminded of a Christmas card which said, “Christmas begins in the heart of God and it is not complete until it reaches the heart of man.” We still have a few more days to ready our hearts for Jesus. Together let us pray that God will “pour forth” his grace into our hearts. Even though our hearts are riddled with sin, we can take heart in knowing that “where sin abounds, grace abounds all the more.” (Romans 5:20)

Finally, we hope you and your family will join us for Christmas Mass in the parking lots of Saint Alphonsus or Saint Alexis as scheduled. (see the schedule on page 3) We will also offer a virtual Mass from Saint Alphonsus Church at 2:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve which can be viewed as a family at any time then or thereafter.

Have a prayerful Sunday!

From each of us to you and yours, we wish you a most blessed Christmas, far beyond anything that can be found under a tree or purchased online or in a store. We pray you experience God’s peace in a most personal way. Savor if you will, the true meaning of Christmas and allow your life to be transformed, and your faith in the living God deepened. May you know the closeness of the Prince of Peace who makes all the difference in our hearts, our homes, and throughout the world at Christmas and throughout the New Year. Merry Christmas!

Fr. Dave Bonner Fr. Will Wuenschel

Deacon Al Heiles Deacon Jeff Ludwikowski

And the entire Saint Aidan Parish Staff

WE PRAY FOR THE SICK

We entrust to the care of Christ the Divine Physician, those members of our parish families of Saint Aidan who are in need of healing in body, mind or spirit, especially: Dick Anderson Harriet Beach Brian Bart Rachel Borck Emma Bullick Gloria Dudowski Julie Ewell Nancy Greer Patricia Gross David Hoza Gilbert Huckestein John Hunsinger Vitus Kaiser Al Korade

Lois Leahy Shari Lennon Gene Lersch Mary Maloney Eugene Mancino Gerard McArdle Liz McArdle Mary Roso Irene Schultz Janice Spowal Melvin Urchler Amber VanVickle David Zappa

MAY THEY REST IN PEACE Saint Aidan Parish wishes to extend sympathy to those who mourn the loss of a loved one, especially the soul who recently passed through death: Richard “Dick” Eichner (88); husband of Vi Eichner and father of Ronald, Donald, Gary Eichner, and Diane Gliozzi. May the choirs of angels welcome him and, may he find eternal rest.

If you know of a parishioner or have a loved one who is ill, contact the Parish Center at 724.935.4343 to add their name onto the prayer list for four weeks. Intentions may return to the list upon monthly requests.

JOIN US!

Christmas Eve

Saint Alexis: 2:00 p.m., 4:30 p.m., and 10:00 p.m.

Saint Alphonsus: 2:00 p.m. (Virtual) 4:00 p.m., and 10:00 p.m.

Christmas Day

Saint Alphonsus - 9:00 a.m.

Saint Alexis - 10:00 a.m.

All Masses will be outdoors.

There will be NO 8:00 a.m. Mass on Saturday, December 26.

PARISH OFFICES CLOSED So that the Pastoral staff can take some much needed time off and spend it with their families during the holidays, the entire Saint Aidan campuses as well as the Parish Center offices will be closing at noon on Wednesday, December 23 and will

remain closed until Monday, January 4. We ask that you please plan ahead for any needs or concerns you have at the Parish Offices. If it is an emergency, please leave a message with the answering service at (724) 935-7357 and we will get back to you as quickly as possible. Thank you.

We wish you a peaceful and blessed Christmas!

Offertory or Donation Checks Regardless of whether you used to belong to Saint Alexis or Saint Alphonsus, we are now one parish of Saint Aidan. All contributions go directly into one account for the parish. Please make sure that your weekly contributions are made out to Saint Aidan Parish, not St. Alexis or St. Alphonsus. This includes electronic payments through your bank. If you have any questions you may call the Parish Center at 724.935.4343. Thank you for your continued support and generosity.

Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God

Mass Times

Friday, January 1, the Mass times will be:

Tuesday, December 31: 4:00 p.m. at Saint Alexis

Wednesday, January 1: 9:00 a.m. Saint Alphonsus

10:30 a.m. Saint Alexis

Vanco Electronic Giving Please remember that all Vanco contributions will cease beginning January 1, 2021. If you are currently using Vanco, you will need to set up a new giving plan with Faith Direct. Please go to: https://membership.fathdirect.net/PA47 to set up a new electronic giving plan. The link can also be found on the Parish website under “DONATE.”

Mass Intentions

2020 Parish Share Assessment: $ 285,076 Collected: $ 290,532

Regular Electronic Total Offertory $ 13,983 $ 46,499 $ 60,482 Parish Share $ 1,562 $ 7,920 $ 9,482 Mary Fund $ 122 $ 20 $ 142 Catholic Education $ 91 $ 90 $ 181

Future Diocesan Collection $ 40 $ 685 $ 725 Immaculate Conception $ 1,045 $ 1,035 $ 2,081 Other Holy Days $ 2,345 $ 1,888 $ 4,233 General Donations $ 298 $ $ 298

Luminary $ 30 $ 240 $ 270 Votives $ 58 $ $ 58 TOTAL $ 19,579 $ 58,422 $ 78,001

Flowers $ 5 $ $ 5

Statue/Deck/Pavillion $ $ 45 $ 45

6 Saturday, December 19 - Late Advent Weekday 8:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m.

† John and Dorthea Nolan - John and Kim Nolan † Michael Chezosky - Andrea Hoffman

Sunday, December 20 - The Fourth Sunday of Advent 7:00 a.m. 8:00 a.m. 9:00 a.m.

10:00 a.m.

For the Living and Deceased Members of St. Aidan Parish † Joseph L. Rauso - Terry Pegnato † Jim Winkler - Barbara and Harry Griffith and Family † Catherine Young - August W. Young

8:00 a.m. † Harry Edward Sawyer - Ana L. Sawyer Tuesday, December 22 – Late Advent Weekday

8:00 a.m. † Bridget McCourt - Dennis McCourt Wednesday, December 23 - St. John of Kanty

8:00 a.m. † Audrey Schrauder - The Schrauder Family Thursday, December 24 - Christmas Eve

8:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. 4:30 p.m.

10:00 p.m.

† Vincent Sonson-Helen Sonson, Lucas and Ava Living and Deceased Members of Saint Aidan Parish (Both Churches) Living and Deceased Members of Saint Aidan Parish (St. Alexis) Living and Deceased Members of Saint Aidan Parish (St. Alphonsus) Living and Deceased Members of Saint Aidan Parish (Both Churches)

Friday, December 25 - The Nativity of the Lord 9:00 a.m.

10:00 a.m. Living and Deceased Members of Saint Aidan Parish (St. Alphonsus) Living and Deceased Members of Saint Aidan Parish (St. Alexis)

6 Saturday, December 26 - St. Stephen 8:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m.

NO MASS † Jacob Wilmot - Diane Wilmot

Sunday, December 27 - The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph 7:00 a.m. 8:00 a.m. 9:00 a.m.

10:00 a.m.

For the Living and Deceased Members of St. Aidan Parish † Jim Winkler - Lois Barrett † Barbara Davis - John and Diane Marzula † The Repa and Mann Families - The Gesmond Family

Monday, December 21 - St. Peter Canisius

See the full list of our advertisers on our website under “Our Current Bulletins.”

SCRIPTURE READINGS

Today’s Readings

First Reading: “When your times comes and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your heir after you, sprung from your loins, and I will establish his kingdom firm.” (2 Sm 12) Psalm: For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord. (Ps 89) Second Reading: According to the revelation of the mystery kept secret for long ages but now manifested through the prophetic writings and, according to the command of the eternal God. (Rom 16:25b-26a) Gospel: “Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High.” (Lk 1:31-32a)

Excerpts from the Lectionary for Mass ©2001, 1998, 1970 CCD.The English translation of Psalm Responses from Lectionary for Mass © 1969, 1981, 1997, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.

Readings for the week Sunday: 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16/Ps 89:2-3, 4-5, 27, 29 [2a]/Rom 16:25-27/Lk 1:26-38 Monday: Sg 2:8-14 or Zep 3:14-18a/Ps 33:2-3, 11-12, 20-21 [1a; 3a]/Lk 1:39-45 Tuesday: 1 Sm 1:24-28/1 Sm 2:1, 4-5, 6-7, 8abcd]/Lk 1:46-56 Wednesday: Mal 3:1-4, 23-24/Ps 25:4-5ab, 8-9, 10 and 14 [cf. Lk 21:28]/Lk 1:57-66 Thursday: Morning: 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16/Ps 89:2-3, 4-5, 27 and 29 [2]/Lk 1:67-79 Friday: Vigil: Is 62:1-5/Ps 89:4-5, 16-17, 27, 29 [2a]/Acts 13:16-17, 22-25/Mt 1:1-25 or 1:1 -25. Night: Is 9:1-6/Ps 96:1-2, 2-3, 11-12, 1 [Lk 2:11]/Ti 2:11-14/Lk 2:1-14. Dawn: Is 62:1 -12/Ps 97:1, 6, 11-12/Ti 3:4-7/Lk 2:15-20. Day: Is 52:7-10/Ps 98:1, 2-3, 3-4, 5-6 [3c]/Heb 1:1-6 Jn 1:1-18 or Jn 1:1-5, 9-14 Saturday: Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59/Ps 31:3cd-4, 6 and 8ab, 16bc and 17 [6]/Mt 10:17-22

December 7, 2020 through December 13, 2020 Saint Aidan Income

Our Advertisers Thanks to our bulletin advertisers for supporting our

parish this week:

Please offer your patronage to our sponsors or be sure to thank them when you have the opportunity to

do so. It is through their support that our weekly bulletin is made possible!

Leone Animal Supply

Faith Formation

Baptism Preparation Sessions All parents who are having a child baptized for the first time need to attend a baptism formation session before the baptism. Please see the website under “Faith Formation” and then “Baptism Preparation” to sign up. Parents are encouraged to attend a session before the baby is born so that baptism can be scheduled as soon as possible. Questions? Contact Darcy Osby at dosby@saintaidanparish.org. Via Zoom! New and expectant parents are invited to join us. Thursday, January 21, or March 18 at 6:30 p.m.

Faith Formation Update There is no K-6 Faith Formation this week or next. We will see you in the New Year!

Merry Christmas!

NEW Strengthening the Domestic Church Retreat Families who have already had a child baptized and are welcoming another child into their family are invited to participate in a retreat to enrich your faith and your family at this special time. In the craziness of family life, it is important to take a few moments to pause and reflect on God's grace!

Blessed Seelos Academy

Consecration to St. Joseph Next week a group of our parishioners will consecrate ourselves to Jesus through St. Joseph on the Feast of the Holy Family. This event will be livestreamed. You can start your own 33 day preparation and consecrate yourself to St. Joseph at any time. Fr. Will and Darcy Osby are offering video reflections that will be available on our website for you to view at

your convenience. For more information and to register, please see the link on our website: https://saintaidanparish.org/consecration-joseph.

Gift Cards Need stocking stuffers? Or a small gift to say Merry Christmas to a neighbor, mail carrier, coach, hairdresser, or someone else? We carry plenty of $5 and $10 gift cards. Do your Christmas Shopping and earn tuition credit at the same time for a school family. Some of the gift cards that we have in stock are: $5.00 Cards – Starbucks, Chick-fil-A, Panera

$10.00 Cards – Starbucks, Barnes & Noble, Panera, Chick Fil A, Subway, Dairy Queen, Bath & Body Works, Target, Chuck E Cheese, Giant Eagle, Arby's, Bob Evan's, Chipotle, Dunkin' Donuts, Eat-N-Park, Wendy's, Zuppa, Bruster's Coupon Books

A Christmas Message from the Principal and Staff at Seelos Academy Dear Father Dave, Father Will, and the entire Saint Aidan Community, Christmas is most truly Christmas when we celebrate it by giving the light of love that is Jesus to those who need it the most. Your love, support, and prayers continue to allow the good news that is Jesus to be given every day to our students. Thank you for helping to make it possible that our students receive this gift year round! We are very fortunate to be part of this Catholic faith community, and are inspired by your spirit and example as you celebrate your first Christmas together! The faculty, staff, students, and families of Blessed Francis Seelos Academy wish each of you the peace, love, and joy that Christmas brings.

Come, let us adore HIM

The season of Advent is a beautif l time to pray in joyf l hope for the coming of our Savior.

Come take a break om all that is hectic and spend some time to pray and adore Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.

Every Tuesday at Saint Alexis Church from 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. We also have the Blessed Sacrament 24/7 with outdoor parking

at the window at the old Saint Alexis Church.

Wishing you all a very blessed Christmas!

Pastor Bishop Elect David J. Bonnar, STB/ dbonnar@saintaidanparish.org/x 224 Senior Parochial Vicar Reverend William D. Wuenschel/ wwuenschel@saintaidanparish.org/ x 233 Deacons Deacon Albert Heiles/aheiles@diopitt.org Deacon Jeffrey J. Ludwikowski/jludwikowski@diopitt.org

Director of Parish Operations/Business Manager Chuck Goetz/cgoetz@saintaidanparish.org/x 223

Office Manager MaryEllen Pendel/mependel@saintaidanparish.org/x 221

Safe Environment Coordinator/Administrative Assistant Mary King / mking@saintaidanparish.org/ x 212

Director of Faith Formation Darcy Osby / dosby@saintaidanparish.org/x 213 Faith Formation Assistant Paula Green /pgreen@saintaidanparish.org/x 225 Coordinator of Youth Ministry /Young Adults and Social Media David Piccirilli / dpiccirilli@saintaidanparish.org/x 227 Directors of Music Ian Brown/ibrown@saintaidanparish.org/x 226 Assistant Music Director - Lisa Hoffman lisachoffmann@gmail.com Music Associate - Mary Heagy / mheagy@saintaidanparish.org

A Parish of the Diocese of Pittsburgh - diopitt.org

SERVED BY OFFICE HOURS Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (temporarily closed)

JOIN US!

To become a registered member of the parish family, please visit our website at www.saintaidanparish.org. Introduce yourself to us at Mass!

MARRIAGE

Arrangements must be made with a priest at least six months in advance of the desired wedding date. Please contact the Parish Center Office at 724.935.4343.

HOLY ORDERS For information about the priesthood or the vowed religious life, please contact Fr. Dave or the Vocation Office of the diocese at 412.456.3131 or visit pghpriest.com.

BAPTISM Celebrated on Sundays at 11:15 a.m. or at 1:00 p.m. at Saint Alexis during the COVID-19 by appointment. Arrangements should be made through the Parish Center several months in advance. Parents need to be registered parishioners and complete a pre-baptism class before scheduling a baptism.

MINISTRY TO THE SICK AND HOMEBOUND

Communal anointing is celebrated periodically. Anyone who is anticipating surgery is encouraged to request this sacrament prior to being admitted to the hospital. Individuals who are unable to attend Sunday Mass and want to receive the sacraments are asked to please call the Parish Center.

Website: saintaidanparish.org Phones - 724.935.1151 or 724.935.4343 Fax - 724.935.1270

A Pennsylvania Charitable Trust

* Bulletin announcements and flyers are due by 12:00 p.m. Friday, a week in advance of publication. *

North Hills Regional School Board - www.nhrces.org

BLESSED FRANCIS SEELOS ACADEMY

S A P D Parish Office: 10090 Old Perry Highway Wexford, PA 15090

PRAYER

Eucharistic Adoration Every Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. at Saint Alexis Church.

Prayer Ministry- To initiate a request for urgent prayers contact the following people: Barb Busi at 412.366.4829, Norma Heyl at 724.935.1094 or Jo Labrise at 724.935.3826. If you would like to be a part of this important ministry to pray for others, please contact them.

RECONCILIATION

Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Saint Alexis. Confessions will be held outside during COVID-19.

Principal Robert Reese - rreese@seelosacademy.org School Secretary K-8 Patty Anfang - panfang@seelosacademy.org 724.935.1152

School Secretary Pre-K Chris Schlieper - cschlieper@seelosacademy.org 724.935.3940 DIOCESAN VICTIM ASSISTANCE COORDINATOR 412.456.3093 (Office)

1.888.808.1235 (Hot Line) PA Child Line - 1.800.932.0313

Call 911 immediately if a child is in danger.

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