Hello St. Alphonsus,

Season of Advent is Here!

Our parish Pastoral Associate Brooks Robinson graciously shares a Reflection to kick off the liturgical season of Advent.

To help keep the season, all community members are encouraged to grab a free Advent Reflection book and a 2024 Religious Art Calendar at the table in the narthex this weekend!

This Sunday, we begin the season of Advent, which marks the start of a new liturgical year for the Church. The readings for Sunday Mass are arranged on a three-year cycle. Each year features a different Gospel—Matthew, Mark, or Luke. Readings from the Gospel of John are interspersed throughout all three years. With this year’s first Sunday of Advent, we begin Cycle B of the Lectionary, which focuses our attention on the Gospel of Mark. This week and next week, our readings from Mark’s Gospel present two important Advent themes: the Lord’s return at the end of time and John the Baptist’s preparation for Jesus.

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

Invite your friends/loved ones to Mass! 

Mass Readings for First Sunday of Advent



December 3 Parish Bulletin

Our Men's Group Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction is this Friday evening, Dec. 1, at 7:30 PM.

"Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" Matthew 11:28

The parish office will be open this Saturday, Dec. 2 from 9 AM to Noon to better accommodate those wishing to drop off their Giving Tree gifts.

THANK YOU for supporting our annual Giving Tree service project, in support of recipients of Catholic Charities and the Women's Center! Through our parish’s generosity, many of our less fortunate brothers and sisters receive much needed gifts and Christmas cheer.

St. Alphonsus cannot accept late gifts this year. All gifts should be brought to the rectory on Saturday or at Mass this Sunday. Catholic Charities picks up all gifts Monday Dec. 4. Our understanding from Catholic Charities is all gifts have to be delivered by Dec. 8, and go through their sorting/wrapping process in order to get to the recipient in time for Christmas. If you missed a tag from the Tree and would like to get a gift for someone in need, contact Mario Serrano and he can send you an unclaimed tag. Late gifts can dropped off by Dec. 8 at the Catholic Charities office at 721 N. LaSalle St.

Feast of the Immaculate Conception

Next Friday on December 8, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This feast is a Holy Day of Obligation.

To celebrate our nation’s patroness, our Mass times will be at 8:30 AM and 7:00PM. On this special day we turn to our heavenly patroness to invoke her powerful intercession for our country. We pray for peace, reconciliation, the preservation of our values and ideals, and religious liberty for those who do not have that basic freedom.

Please join us for Mass on this great feast of Our Blessed Mother.

Decorate the Rectory! This Saturday, Dec. 2 at 9 AM

Come help Deck the Halls of the St. Alphonsus rectory! Our Young Adult Ministry welcomes all volunteers to help decorate after this Saturday's morning Mass. Many hands make light work, so please consider joining in on the fun as we prepare for Christmas! Maybe even get your own photo with the Nutcracker statue! Sign up here

St. Alphonsus Christmas Schedule

Sweets With Santa! Saturday, Dec. 9

Our parish school, Alphonsus Academy & Center for the Arts, is hosting a wonderful event for kids on Saturday, December 9 from 9:30 AM— 11:30 AM. Join us for light bites, Christmas crafts, and photos with Santa! All members of our community with small children are welcome, no affiliation with AACA required. For planning purposes, we do ask that you please RSVP by clicking the logo here and complete the form. Thanks!

Free Pancake Breakfast After Mass!

Sunday, Dec. 10

Join us in Festival Hall on Sunday, December 10th from 10:00 AM-1:30 PM to enjoy FREE pancakes, eggs, and fellowship! 

Stop in before or after Mass for a dose of Good Cheer and Sunday Refreshment!

See new and familiar faces alike. All are Welcome!

Just be sure to observe the 1-hour Eucharistic Fast before receiving Communion.

Coffee and Hot Chocolate will also be served. We can't wait to see you!

Sponsored by our parish Friends Through Faith ministry. RSVP with Amy!

Young Adult Ministry Christmas Ball!

Get into the holiday spirit! All young adults are invited to our Christmas Ball on Saturday, December 9 from 6:30 PM-10 PM. Tickets are only $15 ($20 at door) and we will have plenty of food, drinks, desserts, dancing, and other fun festivities! Dinner will be provided as well. Wear your best holiday cocktail attire 👔👗

As it is also the time of year for giving, especially to those most in need, we will be collecting charitable donations to put together blessing bags at the event as well. Suggested items are toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, socks, wet wipes, tissues, and non-perishables, such as applesauce or fruit cups, raisins, pasta, canned vegetables, etc. This is just a short list of items; please feel free to donate anything of your choosing along these lines. We're looking forward to constructing these packages together and donating them all to Catholic Charities!

To make this event possible, we need some volunteers to help out with setup, bartending, and cleanup. Please sign up here if you can lend a hand!

Contact our Social Team for any questions!

YAM Advent Retreat

The Eucharist is the “source and summit of the Christian Life” (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1324) and the Catholic Church teaches that the bread and wine we bring to the altar are transformed into Christ’s body and blood. And yet, in an age when we seem to need Christ more and more every day, barely 31% of American Catholics believe in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Last year, the bishops of the United States initiated a Eucharistic Revival movement to encourage the faithful to rekindle a relationship with Christ.

As part of this movement, we are excited to announce our Advent retreat for this year. On December 16th, everyone 18-39 years old is invited to join us at St. Alphonsus for a half day retreat focusing on the Eucharist and our relationship with Christ. This event will kick off at 9AM and end at 1PM. We will be joined by Fr. Derek Ho, who will offer talks on the Eucharist and lead us in small group discussions. Additionally, confession and adoration before the Blessed Sacrament will be available. This is a great opportunity to not only renew your relationship with Christ but also a wonderful way to prepare yourself to enter into the Christmas season.

The cost to attend this event will be $15/person. Coffee and bagels will be available in the morning with light food available throughout the retreat. We ask that you sign up in advance so we can get an accurate count of attendees.

Stewardship at St. Alphonsus

Parishioners often wonder how much to contribute. The table on our website provides suggested giving amounts based on the concept of giving your first hour of salary back to God. These amounts are suggestions and are not meant to be taken as a rule.

We invite you to make your offertory gift at any amount after your prayerful consideration! 

"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!

Faith Formation News

Walking With Purpose

Come as you are. You are welcome here!

Make authentic connections with other women; refuel and refresh; Learn more about God!

The Touching the Divine bible study focuses on qualities of Jesus revealed through the Gospel of John. This study draws us into a deeper, loving relationship with Jesus as we reflect on His life and personality.

St. Alphonsus Women's Bible Study is on Tuesdays w/ two sessions, one at 9:30 AM and the other at 6:30 PM.

*Our study will meet on Dec. 5 and Dec. 12 and then take a break until 2024!* Questions? Contact Susan Combes

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!

Around the Archdiocese

Looking for something to do around the Archdiocese of Chicago? Check out their events list, which contains everything from upcoming devotions and special Masses to concerts and craft fairs.   

Rector/President of University of Saint Mary of the Lake, Fr. John Kartje, gave an inspirational talk on the oneness of God and the universe -- faith and science -- during the opening session of the National Catholic Youth Conference at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on November 16.