Hello St. Alphonsus,

Celebrating the Feast of

St. Alphonsus!

Feast of Saint Alphonsus— August 1

This Sunday, July 30, we will observe the Feast of St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori, the founder of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (the Redemptorists). We will have refreshments of coffee and donuts after the 11 AM Mass. His feast day is celebrated on August 1 every year in the Catholic Church. There will be a special evening 7 PM Mass this Tuesday followed by an Ice Cream social for the kids w/ ice cream influenced beverages for the adults!

Alphonsus was born on September 27, 1696 in Marianella, Campania, in the Kingdom of Sicily, and died on August 1, 1787 at the age of 90 in Pagani, Campania, also in Sicily.

In 1871, Pope Pius IX proclaimed him a Doctor of the Church.

Alphonsus Liguori's greatest contribution to the Catholic Church was in the area of moral theology. His masterpiece was The Moral Theology (1748), which was approved by the Pope himself, and was born of Liguori's pastoral experience, his ability to respond to the practical exigencies of the faithful, and his contact with their everyday problems. He opposed sterile legalism or strict rigorism.

In 1732, St. Alphonsus wrote the melody and original lyrics for a Christmas song that begins "You come down from the stars." The song was entitled "Little song to Child Jesus." Of Alphonsus’s many musical compositions, this Christmas carol is a standout. We might call it a “one-hit-wonder” today, meaning that it has subsequently achieved international fame and is the only music closely associated with him. It is especially popular in Italy.

At the Masses on July 30, we will sing and hear several original pieces and texts set to music by St. Alphonsus. 

Celebrate Sunday Mass at

St. Alphonsus!

Reconciliation is available each Wednesday during Adoration from 6:30-7:30 PM and on Saturdays at 11 AM.

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.

In this Sunday's Gospel, Jesus teaches about the Kingdom of Heaven with three more short parables.

The first two parables describe the great value of the kingdom of heaven. In the first parable, Jesus says that the kingdom of heaven is like a buried treasure that is worth possessing even if it means giving up everything else. In the second parable, Jesus proposes that the kingdom of heaven is like a pearl of great worth for which one will sell everything else to possess. These parables teach us that we are to place everything we value in the service of the pursuit of the Kingdom of God.

The third parable that Jesus proposes is different from the first two, but it is reminiscent of the parable of the sower heard in last week’s Gospel. The kingdom of heaven is compared to fishing with a wide net. After the fish have been collected, the good fish are kept and the bad fish are thrown away; so too, in the final judgment, will the wicked and the righteous be separated.

Mass Readings for Seventeenth Sunday In Ordinary Time

July 30 Parish Bulletin

Praise & Adoration This Friday

This Friday, July 28th at 7:30 PM, 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 our Young Adult Ministry will host fellowship at Lincoln Tap after!

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.

Our parish is in need of faithful Eucharistic Ministers of Holy Communion. EMHC’s should be fully initiated and practicing Catholics having received baptism, confirmation, and first Eucharist. If you would like to volunteer for this important ministry at Mass, please contact Father Bauer.

On this 3rd World Day for Grandparents & Elderly, Pope Francis asks us to reflect on the meeting between the young Mother of God and the elderly mother of St. John the Baptist, and to frame it in our minds and hearts as a radiant icon.

This week was National Natural Family Planning Awareness week. Supporting God's gifts of love and life in marriage!

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! 

Hallow brings back popular ‘Saints in 7 Days’ series 

Please pray for Pope Francis and more than 28,600 young people and 60 bishops from the USA in Lisbon for World Youth Day!

Ahead of WYD, Pope Francis listens to young people share their personal stories, hopes, and challenges, and offers them encouragement in the second edition of the "Popecast" produced by Vatican Radio - Vatican News.

Young Adult Ministry

Air and Water Show

Viewing Party

Come join St. Al’s YAM on Saturday August 19th from 11 AM-3 PM as we have watch the Chicago Air Show from the St Al’s Rectory Rooftop. Enjoy the great weather, fantastic views of the Chicago skyline and great time meeting new friends!

This is a BYOB and food event, we are hoping to have a small grill set up to cook up some hot dogs or burgers. Feel free to bring any yard games as well. 

Contact our YAM Social Team with any questions!

More Young Adult News Around the Archdiocese

Monday July 31, come celebrate and support Young Catholic Professionals Chicago’s 7th Anniversary! Ticket includes food and plenty of raffle ticket prizes, such as Chicago Cubs tickets, S3 Leagues Fall Entry for Singles Skeeball, and Drunk Shakespeare tickets! Funds raised help support their mission and future events.

Volunteer w/ Mission OLA! They are especially in need of volunteers on Tuesday August 1 at the pantry. Sign up here!

Catholic Sports Leagues is hosting their first Escape Room event on Saturday September 23. Start times begin at 10:50 AM, perfect to explore before heading to St. Alphonsus’ Oktoberfest! For more details and to register 

Safe Families for Children

If you care about issues like human trafficking, homelessness, and preventing unplanned pregnancies, then please consider volunteering as a mentor through Safe Families PLUS! 

Safe Families PLUS is a Chicago-based mentoring program for teens aging out of the foster care system - one of the most vulnerable groups in our community.

...and young adults make GREAT mentors!!!

Application link

Questions about our ministry? Reach out to us! 

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!

At the Athenaeum

Cup O'Joe- Thursday August 10 at 7 PM

Hailing from Ireland, Cup O’ Joe is a family band playing folk-bluegrass music. They write music inspired by C.S. Lewis, were runners-up in the “BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Awards,” and for one special night you can see them in the Paradiso. And for one special night, the Paradiso will be transformed into a music club-cafe—with live music, room to dance, and a team of bartenders mixing your favorite cocktails!

Tell your friends, make a party of it! Families welcome, there will be a large area set aside for standing room tickets / dance party—perfect for the little ones! Use the code ALPHONSUS, which gives you 10% off your tickets, and donates 10% back to St. Alphonsus!

Around the Archdiocese

The Eucharist: Our Source & Summit Retreat

On Saturday, August 5 from 8:30-4 PM, all are encouraged to join in a day of fellowship, Mass, Adoration, Confessions and dynamic presentations from renowned speakers Dr. Scott Hahn and Dr. John Bergsma. Study scripture from the heart of the Church with two of today’s most respected scholars. Go deeper into the riches of our Catholic faith. 

Quo Vadis Days: July 30 – August 2- This Fri is final day to register!

All young men are invited to join the Vocation Office for Quo Vadis Days July 30 – August 2 at Mundelein Seminary. They will experience dynamic talks, small group discussions, and a meaningful prayer experience, including Mass, the Liturgy of the Hours, and Eucharistic Adoration. They have a dynamic and fun camp, with great food, basketball, volleyball, soccer, campfires and much more. This retreat is open to all young men who have graduated 8^th grade, between 13 – 18 years old, who want to learn more about the priesthood. For more information and registration or contact Katie Hazen for more details.

All married couples celebrating their 50th anniversary this year are invited to the Archdiocese of Chicago's annual Golden Wedding Anniversary Mass on Sunday, September 17 at 2:30 PM. The mass will be celebrated at Holy Name Cathedral, 735 N. State St. Please register here.

Supported by the Archdiocese of Detroit and the Diocese of Lansing, the 22nd National Conference for Single Catholics is at the St. John's Resort in Plymouth, MI from August 25-27. Learn more and register here.