Celebrate Sunday Mass at

St. Alphonsus!

Hello St. Alphonsus,

In this Sunday's Gospel, John the Baptist recognizes Jesus as the Lamb of God, and Jesus receives his first followers. Jesus asks them, “What are you looking for?” This is a telling question, and one that we might often ask of ourselves.

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

Mass Readings for Second Sunday In Ordinary Time

January 14 Parish Bulletin

Catholics nationwide are invited to pray “9 Days for Life,” the annual Respect Life novena starting Tuesday, January 16.

The rectory office is open on Monday, January 15. Our Alphonsus Academy & Center for the Arts school will be closed in celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. day.

Next Friday, January 19 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 lead a group for fellowship at Olive Black after!

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 Harvey Levin.

Men's Evening Prayer's Group (Vespers) continues on Wednesdays from 8:15 to 9 PM in the chapel.

How to Pray the Rosary

Lakeview Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce will be bringing their popular Ice Sculpting event back on Saturday, Jan. 27 from 2-4 PM, and on Sunday, Jan. 28 from Noon to 2 PM. The event takes place directly outside the front of our church with food trucks offering complimentary beverages and bites to help keep attendees warm.

Pope Francis on Gluttony: Perhaps the Most Dangerous Vice

Señor de Esquipulas 

The 12:30 PM Mass this Sunday, January 14, will be a grand liturgical celebration for Señor de Esquipulas. All the Christian faithful are invited to participate in the cultural devotion to the Black Christ of Esquipulas, as we are all called to walk in the way of the Lord Jesus by virtue of our baptismal call. 

In 1594 a Portuguese artist carved the large crucifix in Esquipulas, a city in Guatemala, to help foster devotion among the natives who found Jesus and the Catholic faith more relatable because of the dark color of the cross. Devotion to this image of our Lord has grown in Central America throughout the centuries and is carried in processions each January. It has become a powerful symbol offering hope, peace, and justice to many. We have a replica of the crucifix in the shrine next to the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

There will be a fiesta in the Festival Hall after the Mass. All are invited! 

Living the Gospel of Life!

In conjunction with the USCCB Pro-life Secretariat, Bishop Bartosic, along with other bishops and priests from around the Archdiocese of Chicago, will lead a holy hour for life for 12 hours from the UIC Newman Center Chapel. This national prayer event will join the nation in solidarity for the hope of changing hearts and minds to build a culture of life and leads up to the morning of the National March for Life.

Join in person or through live-stream: 

Thursday, January 18 to Friday, January 19, 7 PM to 7 AM 

St. John Paul II Newman Center Chapel at UIC 

700 S. Morgan St. Chicago, IL 60607 

For all Christians: May we live out our baptismal call to proclaim the Gospel of God’s love and the dignity of every human life; We pray to the Lord

The 51st annual March for Life will kick off in Washington, D.C., on January 19 under the theme “With Every Woman, For Every Child.”

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!

Visit our Linktree

Game Night!! Saturday, January 27 at 7:00 PM 

Come one, come all to our Young Adult Ministry Game Night! This event will be a “stock the bar” theme. To gain admittance, please bring a beverage you enjoy (alcoholic or not - beer, seltzers, wine, soda, or soda water) to enjoy and leave behind to help us stock our YAM drink supply for future events.

We will have tables set up in the Festival Hall (the large gathering space under the church) and board games, card games, puzzles, and bingo for everyone to enjoy. Please consider joining us for a night of fun that will help us supply drinks at future YAM events!

Philosophy Forum on Tuesday Evenings at 7 PM

Our weekly philosophy group has a new website! Join us to engage in meaningful discussions and deepen your understanding of life's big questions.

Book Club on Wednesday Evenings at 6:30 PM

Our parish has a group of intellectual avid readers who love our Catholic faith and learning more about life through the great works. They meet every Wednesday at 6:30 PM, either in-person in the rectory or on ZOOM. For more information, contact Book Club coordinator Leora.

Other Activities for Young Adults Around the Archdiocese and More:

Catholic Sports League will be bringing an indoor Volleyball league back to St. Alphonsus! The league will be on Thursday evenings and go from February 22 to April 11. Sign-ups are now open!

On Saturday, February 3rd, the Catholic Dance Society will host their annual Grand Cantian Ball. This event has many young adults attending. It is a formal ballroom dance and will take place at the Michigan Shores Club, 911 Michigan Avenue in Wilmette. The music will be provided by the Steve Anthony Orchesta. Doors open at 6:30 PM. There will be a group dance lesson from 7 PM to 8 PM. The orchestra will play from 8 PM until 11 PM. There will be light hors d'oeuvres served throughout the evening. The theme is Art-Deco. Dances will consist of waltz, foxtrot, tango, rhumba, cha-cha, swing, and any requests. For more information and to purchase tickets. (There are also a FREE pre-event dance lesson at St. John Cantius Church, 825 N. Carpenter, this Sunday, January 14th at 2:30 PM reviewing basic waltz and foxtrot.)

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 all with patience and peace as we seek to live in harmony with one another and all creation!

Walking With Purpose- Women’s Group at St. Alphonsus— Tuesday mornings and evenings 9:30-11 AM or 6:30-8 PM. 

** Walking w/ Purpose is taking a winter break, returning in early February. 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!

National Eucharistic Revival

Did you know the Archdiocese of Chicago has a Parish Resources webpage for the National Eucharistic Revival? The webpage includes resources to help individuals and parish communities draw closer to Christ in the Eucharist and live as missionary disciples. Visit the site for resources related to:

• study & reflection
• worship
• children, youth & families
• mission & outreach
• and more!

Eucharistic Sacred Art Contest for Adults

In partnership with St. Edmund’s Sacred Art Institute, The National Eucharistic Congress has an exciting opportunity for artists across the nation: the National Eucharistic Art Competition. Creative Catholics from all over the country are invited to share their talents and spread the beauty of our faith through art, particularly exploring the Eucharistic mystery and Eucharistic themes. Selected works will be showcased at the 10th National Eucharistic Congress.

Click here for more information

The Bible in A Year

Make your resolution now! Start your year off by diving into Scripture. A popular option is Ascension's annual Bible in a Year Podcast hosted by Fr. Mike Schmitz who guides 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.

New Year’s Resolution Challenge for Families

According to the Cambridge Dictionary, the noun “resolution” is defined as a decision; a promise to yourself to do or to not do something.The start of a new calendar year for many is the time to ‘promise oneself to do or not do something’ to become a better person or achieve a personal goal.  

Me & My House game plan is the creation of Patrick Sullivan, who presents short video challenges for parents to ease into practicing the faith at home. While this challenge was created for Advent, the start of the liturgical year, this five-day challenge can be utilized at any time. Each video is about four minutes long, and offers easy, practical steps for parents to incorporate the Catholic faith into their life at home. 

Consider offering parents/families simple New Year’s resolutions that will help them put their faith into practice beginning at home!   

Day 1 of The Challenge

Day 2 of The Challenge

Day 3 of The Challenge

Day 4 of The Challenge

Day 5 of The Challenge

2024 USML Paluch Lecture

The Palach Lecture at USML/Mundelein Seminary, 1000 East Maple Ave, Mundelein, IL 60060, is an illustrious annual event within the Catholic intellectual landscape, epitomizing the pursuit of knowledge, wisdom, and a profound understanding of theology. All are invited on Thursday, February 15 for the annual USML Paluch Lecture with Dr. Massimo Faggioli, professor in the Department of Theology and Religious Studies at Villanova University (Philadelphia). The topic will be:

What remains of Vatican II? 

Catholic “crisis” and the meaning of Catholic tradition.

The lecture is free and open to the public but registration is required.

Alphonsus Academy & Center for the Arts

Sunday, Jan. 28 kicks off Catholic Schools Week. The 9 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.

After this Mass, we will be having an admissions Open House for all parents interested in our school! You can sign up at AACA’s Linktree at linktr.ee/alphonsusacademy

On Sunday, January 28, there will be a give back event at Crosby’s Kitchen, 3455 N. Southport, from 4-9 PM (10% of each bill goes back to our school, and it’s just up Southport!)

Around the Archdiocese

Holy Name Cathedral will be hosting a Winter Blast benefit on Friday, Feb. 2, an all-inclusive evening of Goose Island craft beer, wine, an artful feast created by Blue Plate Catering, private brewery tours, games, silent auction, raffle, complimentary valet parking & more. Reserve your tickets today! 

The Becoming Witnesses of Faith series provides an opportunity to recharge and deepen your own relationship with Jesus Christ and to provide resources to extend that same opportunity to your catechists, parents, teens and adults in your parish. Catechetical leaders, lifelong formation directors/coordinators, youth ministry directors/coordinators, and anyone in formation ministry are welcomed to join on Wednesday, January 17, 2024, at St. Barnabas parish.

In January, the U.S. bishops recognize Poverty Awareness Month. This month is an opportunity for Catholics to learn more about poverty in the United States and how to take action in their communities. Learn more about Poverty Awareness Month here

Catholic Charities' D'Vine Affair is coming soon - Sunday, February 4, from 2-6 PM at the Union League Club. This is a delightful afternoon in which attendees have the opportunity to sample fine wines and craft beers from around the world. At the same time, critical funds are being raised for Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago. To learn more, and register to attend..

REFLECT retreat for mid-life singles : Feb. 23-25, Joseph & Mary Retreat House (formerly Cardinal Stritch Retreat House) in Mundelein; for singles in their 30s-50s; $285 includes six meals and a single room; visit reflectretreat.com, or email here.