Celebrate Sunday Mass at St. Alphonsus!

Hello St. Alphonsus,

In this Sunday's Gospel, the Church concludes our liturgical year and celebrates the Feast of Christ the King. The Gospel we proclaim shows the great mystery of our faith: In the moment of his crucifixion, Jesus is shown to be King and Savior of all.Jesus is King, but not the kind of king we might have imagined or expected. His kingship was hidden from many of his contemporaries, but those who had the eyes of faith were able to see. As modern disciples of Jesus, we too may struggle at times to recognize Jesus as King. This Sunday's Gospel invites us to make our own judgment. With eyes of faith, we, too, recognize that Jesus, the crucified One, is indeed King and Savior of all.

St. Alphonsus wishes everyone a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving holiday! Thanksgiving Mass this Thursday, Nov. 24 will be at 9 AM instead of the standard 8:30 AM daily Mass.

Our pastor Rev. Steven Bauer, parish and finance councils, and staff have been working dilligently to prepare our annual report, which will be presented this Sunday. There will be copies on the table in the narthex as well as the popular Religious Art calendars for 2023.

Sunday November 20 Community Tree Lighting

Celebrate the kickoff of the holiday season in Lakeview with the with the lighting of the community Christmas tree! Enjoy caroling performances from our AACA students and a special visit from Santa this Sunday, November 20th at 6 PM (immediately following 5 PM Mass) outside St. Alphonsus. Sponsored by Lakeview Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce.

Our community sends our thoughts and prayers for recovery for students, coaches & families of the St Ignatius College Prep hockey team involved in a bus-semi accident.

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

Mass Readings for Our Lord Jesus Christ King of the Universe

Jesus Christ, King of the Universe Reflection

Nov. 20 Parish Bulletin

Dante360 playing this weekend at the Athenaeum:

Experience the Most Epic Poem Ever Written

Back by popular demand, the Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture is doing another run of their inaugural production, Dante360, a multimedia presentation of the literary masterpiece The Divine Comedy, an immersive and guided journey through the layers of hell, purgatory, and heaven. 

  Weaving together a series of recitations, displays of visual art, drama, music provided by the vocal ensemble Schola Antiqua, and textual commentary by art historian Elizabeth Lev, Dante360 presents the most epic poem ever written in a way that is inspiring, relatable, and spiritually fruitful. Audience members last year remarked that after seeing the show, they not only understood the meaning of The Divine Comedy, but were rejuvenated in their faith. On the stage they saw Dante reflecting on the corrosive effects of sin on the human person, but in their seats – and in their own hearts – they felt a sense of refreshment alongside the pilgrim on his upward ascent, gazing into the wonders of the heavenly Paradiso.

  Showtimes are this Friday and Saturday evening, Nov. 18 and 19, at 7 PM. and on Sunday, Nov. 20th at 3 PM. Tickets are available here and parishioners get a 10% discount using the code ALPHONSUS.

Our Cleaning Angels ministry will be volunteering in the Church this Saturday, Nov. 19 from 9 AM to 10:30 AM helping to clean and beautify our church! Stop by this Saturday morning and come and help out! This will involve basic cleaning such as wiping the pews, vacuuming and more. We all know St. Alphonsus is a spacious church and caring hearts and hands are needed. We graciously thank all volunteers for your time with this wonderful service project!

Alphonsus Scouts Troop 889 Wreath Fundraiser

Troop 889 is selling wreaths and other decorations online this season! Online ordering OPEN NOW w/ delivery starting Thanksgiving week. Order for yourself or as a gift. Enter a separate address and gift message for individual delivery of every item. Visit giftitforward.com to see Mickman Brother’ beautiful collection of wreaths, door decorations, and

centerpieces. Enter fundraising code TR889IL001 to support Troop 889 ($8 per item ordered). Thank you for your support and Happy Holidays! 

The CCHD collection will take place on Sunday, Nov. 27 instead of Nov. 20.

Celebration of Giving

Our Giving Tree is now up in the narthex of the church! St. Alphonsus will be taking part in the annual Celebration of Giving from now to Dec 4. Grab any number of tags and return your gift(s) to church next Sunday or you may drop off at the rectory office during business hours. This wonderful service project annually 'makes Christmas' for hundreds of those less fortunate. Our Giving Tree will be in support of recipients of Catholic Charities and the Women's Center.

Thank you for your generosity; these gifts are possibly the only ones they will receive this upcoming Christmas!

Contact Office Manager Mario Serrano for any questions.

Giving Tuesday is November 29

St. Alphonsus' mission statement: Guided by our faith and our sense of mission, we are called to love and serve the Lord, Jesus Christ, and our neighbor through our worship, by proclaiming the Gospel through our lives of service, and by providing a spiritual and educational foundation for growth in personal holiness. We do this for those formally associated with our parish, and for our greater community. We hold before us the goal of being a vibrant and welcoming community that provides for and participates in a variety of ministries, services and events that support discipleship and promote God’s power and presence in our daily lives.

This year, we invite parishioners to show their thankfulness to the Lord for His blessings through making a donation to St. Alphonsus Parish. Every gift is appreciated, and any amount is appropriate. There are many wonderful blessings here, the blessings of Giving Tuesday helps us keep our ministries running and the blessings flowing.

Make your contribution today here or TEXT Tuesday to (773) 570-7600.

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!

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

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

Beholding His Glory, a nine-lesson Bible study, reminds us how all Scripture points us to our Redeemer, Jesus Christ. We will learn to recognize and appreciate God’s plan for our own lives, His aweinspiring majesty, and His desire for personal intimacy with each one of us. Questions? Contact Susan Combes

Men’s Group Presents:

For the entire parish - Eucharistic adoration and benediction the first Friday of every month 7:30-8:30 PM. Starts Dec. 2

“Come to me all you are labored and burdened and I will give you rest” Matthew 11:28

Retreats for Men and Women

Bellarmine Jesuit Retreat House is located on 80 acres of gently rolling meadows and wooded countryside just 40 miles northwest of Chicago.

Bellarmine offers a variety of retreats for men and women. Click here for the Retreat Schedule. Former Associate Pastor at St. Alphonsus, Rev. Andrew Wawrzyn is leading the Men's retreat on Dec. 2-4.

All Catholic men are invited to a free virtual event, Identity of the Catholic Man, on December 10.

Episodes 1 and 2 of Season 3 The Chosen in select theaters Nov 18!

Young Adult Ministry

Visit our Linktree

Young Adults Day of Fasting and Penance- Friday Nov. 18

Please join Catholic young adults across the archdiocese in offering penances for the intentions of our shepherds. Prayerfully consider the sacrifices that the Lord is inviting you to offer up as a prayer. If you need help generating ideas, see here

Other Young Adult Events Around the Archdiocese

Join Young Catholic Professionals on Saturday, December 3rd for the annual St. Joseph Saturday Retreat! This retreat is a FREE half-day retreat (open to all young adults in their 20s and 30s), where young adults are encouraged to “look upon work with the eyes of faith” and see God’s presence in their vocations and professional lives. The retreat will include talks, group discussion, and prayer, and it will be a time to reflect on the life of YCP's patron saint, St. Joseph the Worker.

**This retreat is being sponsored by YCP Chicago, St. Mary of the Angels Young Adult Ministry, St. Alphonsus Young Adult Ministry, and the St. Clement Young Adult Community.

Check-In begins at 8:30am, but there will be an optional daily Mass at 8:00am (confession available starting at 7:30am). The retreat will end at 1pm, and free parking is available in the St. Mary of the Angels parking lot.

SCHEDULE:

7:30am - *optional* confession

8:00am - *optional* Daily Mass

8:30am - Check-In and Continental Breakfast

9:00am to 1:00pm - Retreat

1:00pm - *optional* Lunch at nearby restaurants

Volunteer at Mission OLA!

They will need extra help at the Tuesday pantry on Tuesday, 11/22 for the Thanksgiving pantry!

7:30 AM - Noon

Outreach center (3814 W. Iowa St.)

Sign up here and also check out all upcoming volunteering! God bless!

Catholic Sports League- Bowling League

Kick off 2023 with a CSL favorite, our annual bowling league! It’s a perfect way to spend your Monday nights in January when the weather gets cold. Sign up individually or with a friend. Register before early bird pricing closes!

"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!

Safe Families for Children

Compassionate Families Needed!

Safe Families for Children is a national, Christian nonprofit which connects local families in crisis with "safe families" who volunteer to watch their children while parent(s) get back on their feet. This is a great opportunity to show Christ's love and compassion for local families, often young single moms with no support system, in a tangible and meaningful way.

Interested in learning more? Reach out to safefamiliesstals@gmail.com

Around the Archdiocese

Cardinal Cupich recently lifted the general dispensation from the Sunday obligation that was installed during the Covid pandemic. You can read his full statement here.

Cardinal Cupich will preside at St. Mary of the Woods Parish, 7033 N. Moselle on Nov. 20 at 11 AM. for the 20th anniversary Mass of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.

Spanish-language Mass in Honor of St. Cecilia – November 22

All are welcome to a Spanish-language Mass in honor of the Feast of St. Cecilia, patron saint of musicians. Mass will be held at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, 1170 N. River Rd. in Des Plaines on Tues., Nov. 22 at 7 p.m. All liturgical singers and musicians around the archdiocese are welcome. Musicians are asked to bring their instruments for a special blessing

Who Will Fill These Shoes? - November 25: Inviting young men of the Archdiocese of Chicago, as well as parents and priests, to learn more about the priesthood and your vocation during this one-day discernment event. Join priests and seminarians from around the archdiocese November 25 at Mundelein Seminary for Mass, lunch, testimonies, and a time for questions and answers. To Register or more info