Special Activities Group of the Holy Redeemer Church Celebrates 60th Anniversary

On Sunday, October 22, 2023, members of the Special Activities Group of the Holy Redeemer Church met to celebrate their 60th Anniversary. Fifty four members and their guests were present and enjoyed a meal of chicken marsala, beef tips, meatballs and pasta.

John Biondi presented a history of the Special Activities Group (fondly called SAG). The Group was created in 1963 by parishioners who wanted to assist in funding non-budgeted items the school and church would need during a year. They created a year long raffle ticket that you could pay on a monthly basis. The ticket cost $120 with prizes of $120 to $1000. That practice continues to this day with the ticket paying $135 on a daily basis. The ticket is based on the PA lottery 7PM, 3 number drawing. Over the years the SAG has paid for parking lot pavements, new flooring on the church altar, safety and lighting needs.

Current Officers and Board members were recognized. Father Joe Freedy, the current Priest in residence at Holy Redeemer Church, was presented with a check for $10,000 to fund current building projects underway at the church. The Group assisted in the placement of the billboard signage in the area during the month of September. If anyone wants to purchase a ticket stop at the church office on 3rd Street.

In July of 2022, the Holy Redeemer Church merged with St Ferdinand Church in Cranberry and the St Gregory Church in Zelienople to create the new Divine Grace Parish. It is the largest parish in the Diocese of Pittsburgh. The Pastor is Father James Wehner. Father Joe Freedy has been at Holy Redeemer since July 2023.

The group provided Father Joe Freedy with a check for $10,000.00 for building projects underway at the church.

PICTURED BELOW: (left to right) Frank Aloi, Vice President, Mark Strosnider, President, Father Joe Freedy and John Biondi, Secretary.