Hello St. Alphonsus,

Oktoberfest All Weekend!

Our parish's biggest fundraiser and all the festive joy that goes with it! Amazing music lineups, Craft Beer Night, Kinderfest and a jumbotron for the football games on Sunday, and more!  A HUGE Thank you to our wonderful volunteers!! We couldn't do this without you. 

Your Digital Guide to Oktoberfest Chicago!

CRAFT BEER TASTING: Saturday Sept 24 4-7 PM Select from dozens of options from local breweries, seasonal selections, and international favorites. Tickets now available!

Kinderfest Sunday—Free Admission!                            

Providing additional fun for families and children, this year’s Oktoberfest will feature a special Kinderfest area. There will be an inflatable obstacle course for kids to test their speed and agility as they weave, dodge, and jump their way through it. Other fun offerings will include face painting, crafts and activities, and a friendly Kinderfest meal available for them to enjoy, while parents can hang out and enjoy a beer, brat, or soft pretzel and watch the afternoon games on a Jumbotron.

Commemorative Merch will be available at the Fest!  A list is in the Digital Guide link. 

Celebrate Sunday Mass at St. Alphonsus!

In this Sunday's Gospel, Jesus tells the parable of the reversal of fortunes between the rich man and the poor man, Lazarus. This demonstrates the importance of the care of the poor and is a reminder to those who follow Jesus of the unimportance of fiscal wealth in the eyes of God.

Invite your friends/loved ones to worship at Mass! Daily prayer keeps you in good relationship with the LORD, and yourself.

Mass Readings for Twenty Sixth Sunday In Ordinary Time

26th Sunday In Ordinary Time Reflection

Sept 25 Parish Bulletin

Respect Life Mass – Next Sunday October 2

St. Alphonsus will kick off Respect Life Month with a Mass celebrated by Bishop Bartosic on Respect Life Sunday, October 2, at 5 PM.

St. Francis Blessing of Pets- Tuesday October 4 at 3:15 PM and 5:30 PM in our St. Alphonsus/AACA parking lot. 

Faith Formation News

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 is open for St. Alphonsus 2022-2023 Religious Education program! Volunteer as a Catechist!  

Register your child(ren) here for the upcoming year.

Our RE program is for children grades 1st-8th on Tuesday evenings at 6:15 PM. **Classes begin this Tuesday Sept. 27**

RE Schedule for 2022-2023

Each year, St. Alphonsus joyfully educates the children of our parish in their Catholic faith. If you would like to spend more time with children, strengthen the faith bonds in 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 RE Coordinator Erica Cook for more information.

Are you ready to become Catholic? Registration now open for Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA). If you or someone who know is interested, contact our pastoral associate Brooks Robinson.  

Young Adult Ministry

Come hang out at Oktoberfest! 

Deeper Dialogue: Theology of the Body

Mondays at 7:30 PM

Immerse yourself in a deeper form of conversation surrounding JPII's Theology of the Body. Led by Casey Karbowski and Marisa Michak, the group will examine excerpts from the book as well as other related materials to break up the content into more digestible and easily understandable elements for discussion. No need to have a hard copy of any Theology of the Body books as all materials and discussion points will be provided on a weekly basis.

Praise and Adoration- Friday September 30

On Friday, September 30th 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. The hour will conclude with benediction and fellowship afterward.

*Want to sing/play an instrument with us? Come to the lower church early (6:30 PM) to run the songs with the music team! Or contact Spiritual Chair Patrick Doherty.

St. Therese of Lisieux Feast Day Pilgrimage- Next Saturday October 1

“When I die, I will send down a shower of roses from the heavens, I will spend my heaven by doing good on earth.” - St. Therese

Join us for a small pilgrimage to the National Shrine of this beloved saint on her Feast Day!

Cars will depart from St. Alphonsus by 9AM, arriving around 10AM. We will have time to roam the museum and the outdoor grounds before Mass at 11:30AM. Questions? Feel free to contact our YAM Board here! 

Volunteers Needed!  Rededication of OLA School – Service Event Sunday Oct 2

"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 giftt!

A charitable gift annuity to benefit Saint Alphonsus, our AACA school, or ministries — as designated by you — is a generous expression of your support for God’s work within our community and for future generations of Catholics. Learn more here!

Athenaeum Center for Thought and Culture

New York Times columnist Ross Douthat will join ACTC for a conversation with First Things editor R.R. Reno, to discuss how Christians can navigate the role that they, the church, and our core institutions play in shaping the future of our political order.

Join on Monday October 3rd, for a timely conversation on this and related topics.This event is co-sponsored with First Things magazine. Tickets are free, with a suggested donation of $35. Seats are almost gone, so if you’re interested, now’s the time to get your ticket!

We’d love to see you there!

Safe Families for Children

Compassionate Families Needed!

Safe Families for Children is a Christian nonprofit organization that creates extended family-like support for local families facing a crisis by facilitating temporary placements of children with compassionate, background-checked local families.

• Average placement is between 3 days - 3 months
• Average child age is 0-6 years old
• Material, emotional, and spiritual support from our ministry throughout the placement

Want to learn more? Reach out to us here!  

Around the Archdiocese

Next Saturday October 1 at 5:15 PM, Holy Name Cathedral, 735 N. State hosts the 7th annual Domestic Violence Survivors' Mass. For awareness and future events

Can't get enough of Oktoberfest?!  Our Lady of Mt. Carmel and Lakeview East have partnered to host their 1st annual Fest next weekend Oct. 1-2

“Building the Future with Migrants & Refugees” is the theme chosen by Pope Francis for the 108th World Day of Migrants & Refugees. Pope Francis highlights the commitment that we are all called to highlights the commitment that we are all called to share in building a future that embraces God’s plan.

Keep Hope Alive Benefit 2022- Monday October 24 at St. Ignatius College Prep

Walking with Moms in Need is a response to Pope Francis’ repeated challenge for Catholic parishes and communities "walk in the shoes" of local pregnant and parenting women in need.. To join this effort, please contact Dawn Fitzpatrick, Senior Coordinator Respect Life Ministries for more information. 

The Archdiocese holds the annual Noche de Gala, honoring impactful church leaders in our Latino community on September 30 in Rolling Meadows

Mary, Mother of God parish presents "Why Dorothy Day is a Saint for Our Time", a morning w/ Martha Hennessy, Catholic worker, activist and granddaughter of Dorothy Day. Saturday Oct 1 at St. Ita Church, 5500 N. Broadway

Come and See; a weekend discernment event for young women sponsored by Dominican Sisters Oct 21-23