Celebrate Sunday Mass at St. Alphonsus! “The most deadly poison of our times is indifference. And this happens, although the praise of God should know no limits. Let us strive, therefore, to praise Him to the greatest extent of our powers.” 80 years ago, Fr. Maximilian Kolbe, a Polish Franciscan friar, gave his life in place of a fellow prisoner at Auschwitz. August 14 marks his Feast Day. St. Maximilian Kolbe, pray for us! Sunday Mass schedule is at 9 AM, 11 AM, and 5 PM. Mass Readings for Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Reflection for Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Read the August 15 Digital Bulletin Here Visit our YouTube channel & Subscribe! This Saturday, August 14 from 6 to 7 PM, CircEsteem's performance troupe summer tour will be performing at the St. Alphonsus lot. All are invited to join us and enjoy a free of charge evening of music and fantastic feats; including juggling, trapeze, acrobatics, clowning, aerial silks, jump rope and more! Following the show, CircEsteem will invite the youth in the audience (ages 6-16) to come and try their hand at some of the many circus skills they teach. Don't miss it! Sponsored by Lakeview SSA 27. Oktoberfest is St. Alphonsus parish main fundraiser and will take place September 24-26. Volunteer Sign-Up is now open!! It takes more than 500 volunteers to make our ‘Fest a success. Volunteering for Oktoberfest is a great way to help out the community, make new friends, and have a lot of fun! Volunteers are involved in serving food and beer, selling tickets, and more. Stay tuned in the next few weeks for updates on Brewmaster packages, Craft Beer Nights, and more! Read Cardinal Cupich's recent statement on the horrible tragedy resulting in the death of Chicago Police Officer Ella French. Do you have upcoming exciting events that you would like to share with our St. Alphonsus Church and our parish school communities? You can share them here! How to Pray the Rosary It's the Year of St. Joseph. Let us remember to celebrate a saint the Holy Father called a beloved, tender, accepting and courageous father. Find resources here

Faith Formation Rev. Steven Bauer and our parish staff are always open to the faithful in assisting with your spiritual journey. May God bless us with patience and peace as we seek to live in harmony with one another and all creation! Registration for our parish Religious Education program for children grades 1-8 for the 2021-2022 year is now open. Religious Education will be Tuesday nights at 6:15 PM. Registration is due September 10th and classes will begin on September 21st. We are planning to return to in-person this fall. We will be following Archdiocesan guidelines, asking all unvaccinated individuals to wear masks whenever indoors. Of course, these guidelines may adjust based on local state & diocesan guidance. Visit our RE page on the parish website for more information. Catechists needed! If you would like to spend more time with children, strengthen the faith bonds of our families or enjoy serving in our parish - please consider volunteering as a catechist for our religious education program! We'd love to talk to you and no experience is necessary :) There are training opportunities and support as you get started and throughout your time of service. Contact our Religious Education Coordinator, Erica Cook for more information. If you would like to be received into the Catholic Church, or are in need of your initial sacraments (First Communion/Confirmation), please contact our Pastoral Associate, Brooks Robinson Audit an online Theology course with The McGrath Institute at the University of Notre Dame. Classes start Aug 30. Limited space availability so register now!

Young Adult Ministry St. Alphonsus has a vibrant young adult community! Be sure to check out our Facebook page for service opportunities and other future events! Volunteers Needed! MOLA Block Party Saturday August 14 Praise and Adoration Friday August 20 YAM Cocktails After Mass- Sunday August 22 Please check our August newsletter for more info! Samuel Group- Discernment for Young Adults   Do you ever wonder how to make a good decision according to God’s will? Join us for a discernment group specifically geared toward young adults (ages 19–35). Here you will discuss all kinds of discernment—if you are called to consecrated life, married life or single life, to a certain career or city, and more. The goal of this group is to help you, and in some cases your significant other, know yourself, Jesus and your role within the Church. These discernment groups will take place monthly over the course of seven months at St. Alphonsus Parish and at the St. John Paul II Newman Center at UIC. At each session, you will listen to talks, have time for small group sharing, and have the opportunity for Mass, Confession and Adoration. Participants will also have the opportunity to meet individually with a spiritual director while doing this course. The first session is Sunday September 19. Register online here! Click Here for Volunteer Opportunities to serve your community!   Eagle Eye will be hosting its first young adult retreat for the Chicagoland area on September 10-12 in Lemont, IL. "God is Rich in Mercy" weekend will include Mass, Adoration, Confession, Intellectual Formation and a bonfire. Spend time in prayer, reflection, and fellowship while opening your heart to God’s rich and endless mercy. To learn more and register! Catholic Sports Leagues- Bags Tournament Saturday Aug 28 10 AM- 1 PM   Our Philosophy Forum meets at the St. Alphonsus rectory on Tuesday evenings at 7 PM. For more information, contact Evan. The Young Adult Book Club continues to meet on Wednesday evenings. For more information, contact Leora. Looking to deepen your faith and grow in community? Small faith groups meet regularly to pray together, share faith, and discuss what is happening in our lives and the world around us. If you are interested in leading or joining a group, contact our coordinator Katie.

Knights of Columbus Prayers for all facing surgeries, illnesses, employment and other challenges. Thanksgiving for all of the many answered prayers. Friday, August 13 was the first feast day of Blessed Michael McGivney, the founder of the Knights of Columbus. May we always follow his example of Charity, Unity, Fraternity, & Patriotism!   You can view our St. Alphonsus KoC council newsletter here; which includes a message from former pastor of St. Als, Rev. James Hurlbert. Knights BBQ, outdoors, THURS, AUG 19, 7PM  Save the Date - Knights Officers Installation on SUN, SEPT 12! If you or someone you know is interested in the Knights of Columbus, contact parishioner Paul Gillespie.

Support St. Alphonsus through GiveCentral! The most important opportunity to steward your gifts of treasure is to give purposefully to the weekly Offertory. We ask that every parishioner prayerfully considers the gifts that God has given them. In gratitude for such gifts, we hope you give back to God through a significant gift to St. Alphonsus Church on a regular basis. This giving back to God in support of the mission and ministry of the parish is essential to the spiritual life of you, the giver, and to the ongoing operations of the parish. Your offertory gift is most easily accomplished through regular automatic withdrawals from your credit card or checking account right here, through our secure online giving platform, GiveCentral. You can also text Sunday to (773) 570-7600.

News Around the Archdiocese Cardinal Cupich holds officers, their families 'in prayer,' decries gun violence Married couples celebrating 50 years of marriage are invited to the Archdiocese Golden Wedding Anniversary Mass on Sunday, September 19, 2021 at 2:30 PM at St John Brebeuf Parish in Niles. For more info and to register. St. Teresa of Avila is hosting a retreat on Saturday August 14 starting at 9 AM led by Patrick Saint-Jean S.J. based on his new book The Spiritual Work of Racial Justice. You can register here. On Saturday, Aug 21 at 6 PM, St. John Cantius will be hosting a silent film screening, Go West, starring Buster Keaton. There will be live organ accompaniment

Community News In order to accommodate more outdoor dining space for local businesses there will be three limited street closures this weekend:  Broadway, from Belmont to Wellington, Sheffield, from Belmont to School, and Southport, from Waveland to Grace. Traffic and parking will be blocked from approximately 1pm Friday until 11pm on Sunday.  11 new murals have been installed on the Lakeview Low-Line art panels, funded by SSA 27! Learn more about these murals and other public artworks in West Lakeview along a self-guided Lakeview Low-Line Art Walk Tour. Happening in Lakeview Roscoe Village 11 new murals have been installed on the Lakeview Low-Line art panels, funded by SSA 27! Alderman Waguespack's 32nd Ward Office are collecting books in good shape to donate to Open Books, a nonprofit that provides literacy programs across Chicago. You can donate books to the office at 2657 N. Clybourn between 9 AM and 6 PM Mon-Fri. Tax donation receipts are available.

Support St. Alphonsus through GiveCentral ! Your financial gifts help us to continue our ministries as a faith community. We are deeply grateful for every gift that is shared.

When we plan our weekly giving, and set this money aside first, we demonstrate the great importance that God and the support of the Gospel have in our lives. Click here to learn more about how you can give of your First Fruits.

Our weekly bulletin features many of the ways you can contribute to the vibrancy of St. Alphonsus parish. View our past bulletins and get involved with St. Alphonsus this week.