Fr. Aaron Pirrera

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Visitation Schedule
St. Benedict Catholic Church
1 Subiaco Ave
Subiaco, AR  72865
Tuesday, September 20, 2016
7:00 p.m.
Service Schedule
Mass of Christian Burial
St. Benedict Catholic Church
1 Subiaco Ave
Subiaco, AR  72865
Wednesday, September 21, 2016
10:00 a.m.
Cemetery
Abbey Cemetery
Subiaco, AR  72865
Fr. Aaron Pirrera

of Subiaco, AR

August 7, 1944 - September 18, 2016

Father Aaron Pirrera, OSB, age 72, monk of Subiaco Abbey, died peacefully September 18, 2016, at Sparks Regional Medical Center, Fort Smith, Arkansas.

Charles Pirrera was born August 7, 1944, in Chicago, Illinois, one of two children of Carl and
Mary Midiri Pirrera. His parents and his sister Rosemary preceded him in death. The Pirrera family resided in Springfield, Illinois, where Charles received both his elementary and secondary education. He attended Sts. Peter and Paul Elementary School, graduating in 1958, and Bishop Griffin High School, graduating with the Class of 1962.

From 1962 to 1966, Charles attended St. Ambrose College in Davenport, Iowa, where he
received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and French. After graduation from St. Ambrose,
Charles joined the Peace Corps as a volunteer teacher, librarian, and English language tutor to college graduates in Asmara, Ethiopia, from 1966 to 1968. Upon returning to the United States, Charles worked as a teacher and librarian at schools in Elwood and later Davenport, Iowa, through 1978. He received his Master's Degree in Library Science from the University of Iowa in 1973. Before his entry to Subiaco Abbey in 1978, Charles was working as librarian at Black Hawk Junior College in Moline, Illinois.

Charles began thinking about a religious vocation and visited various communities. He said that
at Subiaco Abbey he experienced "a sense of fulfillment" and "coming home,'' which confirmed what he felt was the Lord's desiring something more for him than the life of a teacher, graduate student, and bachelor.

Charles Pirrera made his first profession of vows on February 10, 1980, receiving the name
Aaron. Brother Aaron taught English, religion, and served as librarian in Subiaco Academy during the 1980-1981 school year. In May 1981, Brother Aaron was assigned to Beda College in Rome to begin his studies for the priesthood. He professed his final vows as a monk of our monastery on September 14, 1983, and was ordained to the priesthood at Subiaco Abbey by Bishop Andrew McDonald of Little Rock on August 10, 1985.

Following Father Aaron's ordination, Abbot Raphael De Salvo, OSB, appointed him Director
of Vocations, a ministry Father Aaron served in until 1997. While Vocations Director, Father Aaron also served as Director of Formation (1987-1990), Retreat Director of the Abbey Guest House (Coury House; 1990-1996), and Director of Development (1996-1999).

Following his service as Development Director, Abbot Jerome Kodell, OSB, assigned Father
Aaron to work in our Academy. After receiving certification in ESL from the University of Californiaat San Diego in the summer 1999, Father Aaron served as teacher and chair of the Academy's English department (1999-2001) and as Headmaster (2001-2005). During his ministry to the Academy, Father Aaron revived both the Academy's ESL program and Quiz Bowl team, and received his Master of Education Degree from Harding University, Searcy, Arkansas.

Father Aaron was appointed by Abbot Jerome to replace Father Victor Gillespie, who had been
diagnosed with cancer, as the Pastor of St. Benedict Parish, Subiaco, in 2005. In the summer of
2011, when Father Hilary Filiatreau, OSB, retired as Pastor of St. Mary Parish in Altus, Father Aaron was appointed Pastor of St. Mary in addition to St. Benedict. He cared for St. Mary Parish for about one year. As in his other ministries as a Benedictine monk and priest, Father Aaron brought vivacity, generous compassion and understanding, and a great sense of humor. Each of these qualities of character were rooted in and reflected in Father Aaron's love for the Church and the people of God, while at the same time endearing him to his parishoners, confreres, and friends, as well as benefactors and guests of the Abbey.

Early in the year 2016 Father Aaron began to experience worsening problems with diabetes and
became a part-time resident in the Abbey Health Center, while remaining pastor of St. Benedict Parish. By late May his health had further deteriorated and he was relieved of his pastoral responsibilities and became a permanent resident in the Abbey Health Center, where he was residing at the time of his death.

The Christian Wake Service will be held at 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, September 20, 2016, in the Abbey Church.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 21,
2016.

May he rest in peace,

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6 Condolence(s)
Daniel Thorpe
Sheffield,
Liked
Tuesday, December 8, 2020

Just discovered that Aaron had died; a great shock after so many years. We were students together in Rome & wrote each other long letters at Christmas time, but recently never heard from Aaron & wondered why - just discovered the reason!
He was a delightful, humorous and amusing companion, sorely missed.
Rest In Peace, good and faithful servant, alongside our ‘confrere’ David (Bellinghausen) from days in Rome.

Curt and Selma Peterson
Rockford, IL
Liked
Wednesday, December 28, 2016

Chuck (Father Aaron) Pirrera, You inspired many with your choice of the priesthood. What a wonderful sense of humor, and a willingness to write real letters to friends. You were social media before the arrival of Facebook. I remember our years in Eritrea, our chance re-connection in Italy and our occasional visits in Arkansas. You have again answered the call. I know heaven has been invigorated by your bold and happy presence. We look forward to a future encounter friend.

Patricia Bennett
Knoxville, AR
Liked
Sunday, November 20, 2016

Fr. Aaron, I will never forget the night you had lasagna dinner and watched Braveheart with us. We had such a great evening with you and your priest friend from Edinburgh Scottland.
You will be missed. All of my priest friends seem to be leaving us, and returning home. We will meet again.

Naef Saab
Maastricht,
Liked
Tuesday, September 20, 2016

Father Aaron, you made it! You have done your work for the community. I can't stop thinking about the nice learning moments you have facilitated. In addition to many others, thank you for your support. Thank your for your teachings, thank you for your prayers and thank you for your company. May the Lord accomodate you even more in our heart forever. May your memory live forever in our hearts. On behalf of all the Dutch Antillean alumni, I would like to endlessly thank you for shaping our career. We will miss you, but always in our heart. Fly high, father Aaron. Fly high and pray for us. Rest in peace. We will pray for you. Naef & Curacao.

Mike and Celest Huber
Paris, AR
Liked
Monday, September 19, 2016

Our hearts are sad but we can only imagine the joy you feel in paradise Father. We will never forget the many times we prayed the rosary together and the
blessings you gave us. Rest in Peace Father and pray for us that we may all be with you again soon.

Susan Johnson
Paris, AR
Liked
Monday, September 19, 2016

Mike and I are truly saddened at your passing. Our loss is Heaven's exquisite gain! Prayers of support for your monastic community.