Hello St. Alphonsus,

Celebrate Sunday Mass at

St. Alphonsus!

Daily prayer keeps you in good relationship with the LORD, and yourself.

Invite your friends/loved ones to Mass! 

In this Sunday's Gospel, Simon Peter acknowledges Jesus as the Christ and is given the symbolic key to the Kingdom of Heaven.

“Who do you say that I am?”

“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” — Matthew 16:16

"Lord Jesus Christ,

you have taught us to be merciful like the heavenly Father,

and have told us that whoever sees you sees Him.

Show us your face and we will be saved"...

Pope Francis

August is the month dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. We continue begging the Blessed Mother to PRAY FOR US! Our world needs her intercession so badly! A Prayer to the Immaculate Heart

Praise & Adoration Friday, August 25 | 7:30 PM

This Friday evening, spend time with our Lord in praise and adoration in the church. We'll spend the first 15 minutes in silent adoration, and then our musicians will lead worship in song. Confession will also be available! The hour will conclude with benediction, and fellowship at Olive Black after!

Mass Readings for Twenty First Sunday in Ordinary Time

August 27 Parish Bulletin

Our parish Cleaning Angels ministry will be volunteering to help beautify our church on Saturday September 16 at 9 AM!

Our Knights of Columbus are always looking for new members! The KofC was founded by Blessed Fr. Michael McGivney to support our Pastor, our Parish and those in need, as well as to support strong marriages & families. If you are interested in learning more about our St. Alphonsus Parish Council #15158, then please contact parishioner and Grand Knight Ray San Agustin.

St. Alphonsus is blessed with wonderful volunteers who bring Holy Communion to parishioners that are sick or homebound on a weekly, biweekly, or monthly basis. Please call the rectory office (773) 525-0709 to arrange a visit for your loved one(s) who are unable to worship in-person at church and receive the Eucharist.

How to Offer a Mass Intention              

Did you ever notice that every Mass said here at St. Alphonsus is offered for a special intention? The entire congregation prays for that intention during the petitions (Prayers of the Faithful) when we say, "For those who have died, and for the intention of this Mass: (named intention)"

You can make a Mass Intention request here. Masses are often offered for family, friends and relatives that have died. Praying for the dead is a Spiritual Work of Mercy. Offering a Mass for someone that has died is an especially comforting gesture to the family. Mass can also be offered to commemorate joyful occasions and to give thanks to God for blessings received. 

Oktoberfest is Coming! 

September 22, 23, 24

Our parish is planning for our biggest fundraiser and all the festive joy that goes with it! An amazing music lineup, Craft Beer Nights in the Festival Hall Fri and Sat, Kinderfest and a jumbotron for the football games on Sunday, and other surprises to come! 

Volunteer Sign-up is Now Open Here!!  Without your generous efforts, this event could not be possible!  

CRAFT BEER TASTING: Friday Sept 22 6-9 PM, Saturday Sept 23 4-7 PM Select from dozens of options from local breweries, seasonal selections, and international favorites. Tickets now available!

NEW FOR 2023: TWO different Brewmaster packages this year. Standard and the upgraded Oberbraumeister package. More details announced soon!

St. Vincent de Paul Society

Clothing Drive September 10 8:30 AM-2 PM

Join us on Sunday, September 10, from 8:30 AM- 2 PM for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s Donation Drive! Now is the time to start setting aside items to help us help our neighbors in need. All donated items stock the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift stores located in the Chicago area.

 On Donation Drive Sunday, We Will Gladly Accept:

· Gently used clothing, shoes, household items

· Small appliances

· Household decorations

· Kitchen utensils, dishes, pots, pans

· Jewelry

· Tools

· Sporting goods

Faith Formation News

Register Your Child(ren) for Religious Education! 

Registration for our Religious Education program is now open for the 2023-2024 school year for grades 1st-8th on Tuesday nights at 6:15 PM. Parent orientation is September 19 and classes will begin on September 26.

Are You Ready To Become Catholic?

Registration is open for The Rite of Catholic Initiation for Adults (R.C.I.A.) Each year we are blessed with several individuals who desire to enter and learn more about the Catholic faith. The RCIA program is the study of the Catholic Faith and the process of introduction into the faith community. If you or someone you know is interested in taking the class, please contact our pastoral associate, Brooks Robinson.

The Bible Timeline

St. Alphonsus offers The Bible Timeline study group on Tuesdays at 7 PM. Participants will meet every week to view an engaging video presentation followed by a time of lively group discussion and fellowship. For more information or to register, contact Brooks Robinson.

Samuel Group @ St. Alphonsus!

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 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 during this program.

Cost: $45 per person. Register here!  

Men's Group

St. Alphonsus Men’s group meets Thursday nights to pray the liturgy of the hours, have fellowship, and to propose challenging topics to discuss. 

We meet every Thursday night at 7 PM in the rectory. Food and drinks provided. All men are welcome, with most men being in their 20s and 30s. Access can be gained at the west facing rectory door in the parking lot. For questions or more information, contact us here!

Adoration Friday September 1 at 7:30 PM

Young Catholic Professionals is partnering with the Heroic Men Summit to highlight the spiritual significance of work. The 2023 Heroic Men Summit: The Gospel of Work, is a virtual conference unpacking the practicals of how to rise above the daily grind and actually flourish, not just survive.

Highlighted by well-known Catholic speaker and author Matthew Kelly of Dynamic Catholic, Register here to join the Heroic Men Summit on Saturday, September 9, from 11 AM-1 PM.

Young Adult Ministry

Join us for a fun afternoon at Montrose Beach this Saturday, August 26th! While the sun is still out and the lake is as warm as it’ll be, we want to enjoy some time in the sand this weekend. Bring some drinks and snacks along with any beach games you want to play! Contact us for more details!

Our Young Adult Ministry invites you to Happy Hour after 5 PM Mass this Sunday, Aug 27! Invite your friends for drinks and socializing at Olive Black down the street on Lincoln Ave. We will gather at the back of the church and walk over together.

YAM Kickoff— Sunday Sept. 17

It's almost time to officially kick off another YAM year at St. Al's! Following the 5 PM Mass on Sept. 17, young adults (ages 21-39) are invited to attend the YAM Kickoff Party in the church parking lot. Enjoy food available for purchase, free beer/wine, music and great company! Plus learn how to get involved in our small groups and Spiritual, Social, Service and Intellectual pillars. We look forward to seeing you! Whether you're a YAM regular or newcomer, all are

welcome!

Safe Families for Children

WE'RE GROWING!!! Our ministry is looking for 1-2 additional volunteer "Closet Workers"! Time commitment is about 1hr/week

Closet Worker Responsibilities:

(1x per week, ~30 min) Carry donated items from the church entryway bin & rectory basket downstairs to our Resource Closet in Festival Hall

(1x per week, ~30 min) Gather donated items in the Resource Closet to meet family resource requests

If you can help with this or have questions, please reach out to us at safefamiliesstals@gmail.com Thanks in advance! God Bless!

"Honor the Lord with your substance and with the first fruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine." (Proverbs 3: 9-10)

What Does It Mean To Give First Fruits?

If you would like to learn more about living a stewardship way of life, please visit our section on giving on our website, or contact a member of our parish stewardship team by calling the rectory at 773-525-0709 or by emailing parish Director of Operations Daniel Szymanski.

Thank you and God bless you!

• Text sunday to 773-570-7600
• Click on the link you receive via text
• Fill in the information and click "Submit Form" to make your gift!

Alphonsus Academy & Center for the Arts

We had an awesome first week of school and it was wonderful witnessing all of our students prepared and ready to learn!

Back to School Night is next week!

All AACA parents are requested to please join us on Tuesday, August 29 at 6 PM in Festival Hall to learn more about our goals for the year and hear from the administration. Later, parents will visit classrooms, interact with faculty and staff, and learn more about their student's curriculum.

*Please note this event is only for parents and students will not be admitted.*

Around the Archdiocese

Sunrise Prayer Service August 26

Join the Black Catholic Deacons of Chicago this Saturday, Aug. 26 for the annual Sunrise Prayer Service at 6:30 AM at Oakwood Beach to pray for peace. The prayer service will be followed by a Peace Fellowship Breakfast and Symposium at Our Lady of Africa, 613 E. Oakwood Blvd., Chicago. For more information, contact Deacon Gill

Asian Community Mass Sunday, August 27, 2023

St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta Parish at St. Barbara Church

2859 S. Throop St. Chicago, IL 60608

3 PM – Adoration led by Bishop Robert Lombardo

4 PM – Mass presided by Cardinal Cupich

Stories & Spirits- Theology on Tap @ Black Barrel Tavern

As Christians, our faith is based on the tradition of the divinely inspired storytelling of the Gospel. Join the Theology of Tap series, Stories and Spirits, to hear modern day stories of God working in the life of Chicago Catholics. We've all got a story! Are you ready to explore yours?

7 PM, Black Barrel, 455 W. North Ave. The final speaker of this series on August 29 is Kevin Pease - Director of IPS Scripture School (Institute of Pastoral Studies, Loyola University Chicago) Hosted by St. Teresa of Avila, St. Josaphat, St. Michael, and Immaculate Conception & St. Joseph Parishes.

St. Clement is starting a senior group; Spirituality of Transitions; Growing in Grace this Saturday, Aug 26 at 10 AM.

Vocations Pilgrimage to France April 2024

Join Fr. Tim Monahan and the Vocations Office on April 8-17, 2024 for a pilgrimage to France to pray for an outpouring of Vocations in the Archdiocese of Chicago! For more information

Community News

Lakeview TacoFest is this weekend Aug 26-27

19th Police District Council Monthly Meeting:

Your newly elected 19th Police District Council Meeting will hold their 4th monthly meeting open to the Public.

Date: August 30, 2023

Place: Athenaeum Center (Event Center) - 2936 N. Southport

Time: 6:30PM

Topics of Discussion :

1) Homelessness and public safety and the Bring Chicago Home proposal

2) Council activity updates

3) Public comment - share your ideas on public safety and policing in

our Community.

For additional information