The Precious Gift of Life
Last week our school & parish learned of the sudden and tragic loss of little Tabitha Shields, one of our kindergartners at AACA. Our parish and school community continues to pour out its most heart-felt compassion and deepest sympathies as we pray for her and her family.
Every human life is precious and beautiful. Young Tabitha is a clear example of that, as she was full of life, and her personality brought joy to everyone she met. Her very life was a gift to her family, her friends, and all of us. In this time, we are consoled by the words of Jesus when He blessed the little children and announced, “The kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these.”
The wake for Tabitha will be held in the Church today, January 7, from 3:30 – 6:30 PM, and will conclude with a prayer service. The funeral liturgy will be on Saturday, January 8 at 10 AM.
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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! Sunday Mass schedule in English is at 9 AM, 11 AM, and 5 PM. Mass in Spanish is at 12:30 PM.
The Archdiocese of Chicago has issued a statement that, in accordance with the city, masks will now be required at all liturgies, including Masses. You can read the statement here.
This Sunday we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord, which concludes the Christmas season. During the holiday season, we extend a warm welcome to the visiting families and friends of our members, and to all of our guests. Your donations during the holiday season to St. Alphonsus are needed and greatly appreciated. You can make a Christmas donation on GiveCentral or you can text Joyful to (773) 570-7600.
Men of the parish are invited to Communio, a men’s group that gathers each Wednesday evening from 8 – 9 PM in the Rectory to pray and chant Vespers (evening prayer), followed by a time of conversation and fellowship.
Señor de Esquipulas Procession and Mass Sunday January 16 at 12:30 PM. Learn more in this weekend's parish bulletin.
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!
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The Dignity and Sanctity of Life
Chicago's March for Life is this Saturday. People from all over the Midwest will gather in downtown Chicago to honor the dignity of all human life, and pray for the legal protection of unborn children. Not only are one out of four pregnancies terminated in abortion, the state legislature, against the wishes of their constituencies, repealed the Parental Notification Law. Because of this, parents will not be notified if their teenage daughter seeks an abortion, a major surgical procedure that can have serious mental, emotional, or physical side effects. Dentists will not even clean the teeth of a teenage girl without parental consent. And so we pray for the conversion of hearts, educate ourselves, and join in the march for life, praying for an end to abortion.
This weekend, our St. Alphonsus Young Adult Ministry leaders will march in solidarity with thousands who will gather in Chicago for a convention, rally, and march downtown.
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Catholic Schools Week
Sunday Jan. 30 kicks off Catholic Schools Week. The 11 AM Mass will be a designated "Family Mass", where our parish AACA students will be involved in reading, bringing up the gifts, singing in children's choir, and more. An Ice Sculpting showcase will follow the conclusion of Mass starting at 12:00 PM. This will be in the area where the Christmas tree currently stands near the St. Alphonsus veranda. The ice sculpting exhibition will also take place Saturday, Jan. 29 from 4-6 PM. These events are sponsored by our friends at Lakeview Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce.
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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! Future planned events in February include our Prove Me Wrong speaker series and Speed Dating.
Join YCP Chicago this Tuesday, January 11th for an Executive Speaker Series event, featuring Julia Hogan-Werner, licensed clinical professional counselor and owner of Vita Optimum Counseling & Consulting, LLC., who will speak on "Living Your True Identity Beyond Work." This event will take place at the Athenaeum Center for Thought and Culture next door and Mass/Reconciliation will be here at St. Alphonsus. Young adults in their 20s and 30s from ALL industries are invited to this free event, where you will learn insights about the integration of faith and work and network with other young Catholic professionals from the Chicagoland area.
Join Indoor Volleyball League at St. Alphonsus
Join us for the annual St. Al’s/Catholic Sports Leagues 6-on-6 co-ed indoor volleyball league starting February 17th! Games will be played in the St. Alphonsus gym on Thursday nights from 2/17 through 5/5 and every team is guaranteed at least 8 matches. Make sure to sign up for the league at catholicsportsleagues.com by the early-bird deadline on January 31st! You may sign up either individually or with up to 2 other people. Don't miss out!
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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!
The Bible in A Year
Make your resolution now! Start your year off by diving into Scripture. A popular option is Ascension's Bible in a Year Podcast hosted by Fr. Mike Schmitz and featuring Jeff Cavins. They guide guests through the Bible in 365 episodes.
Each 20-25 minute episode includes:
- two to three scripture readings
- a reflection from Fr. Mike Schmitz
- and guided prayer to help you hear God’s voice in his Word.
Made For More w/ Christopher West & Mike Mangione
Brought to you by St. Edwards Parish, St. Mary of the Angels, & The Cor Project
April 5, 2022 at 7 PM in St. Alphonsus Church
MADE FOR MORE is an inspired blend of teaching, live music, and art that taps the deepest desires of the human heart revealing their ultimate purpose and goal. Want to be inspired by beauty and the wisdom of the Church? Join Christopher West and Mike Mangione as they offer a vision of the Gospel like you’ve never heard through the lens of Saint John Paul II’s Theology of the Body.
Walking With Purpose- A Modern Woman's Guide to the Bible
Join us at St. Alphonsus this Winter on Tuesdays as we help you enjoy a deeper personal relationship with Jesus Christ, nurtured through personal Bible study and small group discussions created just for women! Walking with Purpose meetings are from 9:30-11 AM and 6:30-8:30 PM. Contact Susan Combes for more information. **WWP will be taking a break and will resume on Tuesday January 18.**
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Athenaeum Center for Thought and Culture
The Divine Comedy, an interactive course
Continue your journey with Dante in a 10-week seminar on the Divine Comedy with Fr. Bob Sprott.
Tuesdays from 6-8 PM at the Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture. The seminar runs from February 8 - April 12.
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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.
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Our weekly bulletin features many of the ways you can contribute to the vibrancy of St. Alphonsus parish.
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