Celebrate Sunday Mass at

St. Alphonsus!

Hello St. Alphonsus,

In this Sunday's Gospel, Jesus cures Simon’s mother-in-law and many others as well. The Gospel completes a picture of Jesus’ ministry: preaching, curing the sick, driving out demons, and then moving on to continue this work in another place. Mark's Gospel tells us that Jesus did this throughout Galilee. Jesus’ compassion and healing of the sick is a sign of the Kingdom of God. The Church continues to extend Christ’s healing presence to others in its ministry to the sick. In the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, the Church prays for spiritual and physical healing, forgiveness of sins, and comfort for those who are suffering from illness. We also bring our decision-making to God in prayer, asking for his guidance and direction in our lives.

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

Mass Readings for Fifth Sunday In Ordinary Time

February 4 Parish Bulletin

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 8:00 to 9 PM in the chapel.

How to Pray the Rosary

Men's Group Holy Hour- This Friday, Feb. 2 at 7:30 PM

Saturday, February 3, is the Feast of St. Blaise, patron Saint of candle makers and ailments of the throat. In honor of St. Blaise and his Feast Day, we will be offering blessings of the throat at the Saturday 8:30 AM daily Mass and after all Masses on Sunday, February 4.

Return Your Palms! It is a long-standing tradition for Catholics to return their blessed palm branches received at the previous year’s Mass on Palm Sunday to their church for the burning of palms prior to Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. There are specially marked bins in the narthex. The ashes serve as a reminder to the faithful of our mortality.   

Calling All Youth Sharp Shooters! Our Knights of Columbus are sponsoring the annual Youth Free Throw Shooting competition on Sunday, Feb. 18 from 1-4 PM. All Girls and Boys aged 9 to 14 are invited to sign-up for your respective age/gender division! This is a free event. Winners receive basketballs and the District championship will begin immediately afterwards from 4-6 PM. Sign-up here!

Our Lenten Fish Fry, sponsored by our Knights of Columbus council, will be on Friday, March 8. Tickets will go on sale soon! Help out your parish and volunteer for this wonderful event!

Archbishop of Chicago Cardinal Blase J. Cupich will celebrate Mass at St. Alphonsus on Wednesday, February 21 at 4:30 PM. St. Alphonsus will still have our regular daily Mass at 6:00 PM. The Lumen Christi Institute and the Loyola University Hank Center for the Catholic Intellectual Heritage are sponsoring a Catholic Criminal Justice Reform Network: Panel Discussion at the Athenaeum that evening. This event is not open to the public, only the Mass.  

Today February 2, the Church celebrates the feast of the Presentation of the Lord, also known as Candlemas.This feast day celebrates both the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple, as well as the Purification of Mary, which was required by the Mosaic Law forty days after the birth of a child. Our friends at EWTN are offering a free E-Book, The Scriptural Rosary: Volume 1, The Joyful Mysteries. Through this E-Book, you will be able to better meditate on each Hail Mary and deepen your understanding of Sacred Scripture.

Scout Sunday 2024

St. Alphonsus is observing “Scout Sunday” this weekend, when Scouts from our Troop and Pack are honored to help celebrate the 9:00 AM Mass. Scout Sunday is a way to remember the “birthday” of Scouting in America.

Scouting provides fun, fellowship, and training to our youth, 

emphasizing honesty, self-reliance, and respect with a reverence for God. Scouting at St. Alphonsus has motivated and served the youth of our community for over 100 years, thanks to the energy of our Scouts and the leadership of our volunteers.

For information, please contact David Horos. 

Annual Catholic Appeal 2024

Next weekend on February 10-11, all parishes in the Archdiocese of Chicago participate in the Annual Catholic Appeal. The ACA helps support various parish ministries as well as our AACA school. Your gift gives our parishes the resources they need to support the ministries, programs, and agencies that serve the educational, physical, and spiritual needs of the people of the Archdiocese of Chicago and beyond. 

There will be ACA envelopes in the pews next weekend or you can make your gift online here. (Be sure to enter St. Alphonsus- Chicago under the parish designation drop-down!)

In order to help understand the larger story of the Annual Catholic Appeal, we invite you to read the most recent issue of the LUMEN magazine.

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!

Mysteries of the Rosary, The Sorrowful Mysteries Lenten Study

Thursday Mornings, Feb. 8— Mar. 21, 9:30 AM-11:00 AM, in the Rectory.  

Enter into the Mysteries of Christ and Rediscover the Power of the Rosary! 

Never prayed the Rosary? No problem! We'll teach you how to pray it step by step.

Pray the Rosary all the time? Perfect! This series will help you to meditate more deeply on the life of Christ. 

Join us for one session or come to all! No homework or outside reading. Simply show up as you are and receive.

Email Emily Ember for more info.

Parent Formation Class                                               

Tuesday, February 6 at 6:30 PM in Festival Hall (Church Basement) 

Do you ever feel like it's almost impossible to raise holy kids who love God (and sit still in Mass!)? 

You're not alone.

God has chosen YOU and He has given you a special mission: to be a parent!

Join us to enjoy wine and cheese and to hear the advice and struggles of other parents just like you.

The Lord has entrusted to you the gift of one or many little souls, and He will give you everything you need to raise them so that your entire family may become saints. Join us and feel more equipped to fulfill your mission!

Walking With Purpose- Starting Up Again Tuesday, Feb. 6!

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

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.

Saint John referred to himself as “the disciple whom Jesus loved,” and as we study, John will teach is how much Jesus loves us and how His love is the true satisfaction of our souls.  

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!

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

Eucharistic Revival Lenten Retreat- Saturday, February 24 9 AM-1 PM

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 retreat for early this year. On February 24th, 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.

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.

Register here!

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!

FREE Retreat at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods on March 22-24. Single, Catholic women ages 18-42 are invited to Come and See life as a Sister of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, IN. Explore if God might be calling you to a life of love, mercy, and justice.

Next Saturday, February 10, there is a call for Volunteers for Big Shoulders Fund. Inspired by Joseph Cardinal Bernardin, Big Shoulders Fund was founded by a group of business and civic leaders in 1986 to provide support to Catholic schools with demonstrated need in Chicago.

Alphonsus Academy & Center for the Arts

Art & Soul is Saturday, February 24. This wonderful soirée brings together 350+ guests and generates support for our Alphonsus Academy & Center for the Arts school through sponsorships, tickets, and exciting silent and live auctions. It is our parish school’s most successful fundraiser and 

ensures a quality education for our 500 students.

Ticket and table sales are live!

If you have any questions, please email Assistant Principal, Angela Kladis.

Safe Families for Children

Please join us for New Volunteer Training on Saturday, February 24th here at St. Alphonsus! FREE light breakfast and lunch included! RSVP HERE! 

Volunteer roles covered in training:

· "Host Family" - host local children in your home for short periods of time

· "Family Friend" - provide volunteer babysitting or transportation for host families and local families in crisis situations

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. For questions, please reach out to us at safefamiliesstals@gmail.com 

Around the Archdiocese

St. Benedict Youth Ministry hosts An Evening of Lagniappe, a Mardi Gras-themed event features beverages and Cajun flavors served as hors d'oeurves, jazz musicians, and lots of "joie de vivre"! This Saturday, Feb. 3, 7-10 PM

Music of the Masters: Contemporary Praise Concert 

Friday, February 9 at 7:30 PM

Queen of All Saints Basilica, 6280 N. Sauganash Ave.

Join with basilica singers and instrumentalists for an evening of contemporary praise! Listen to, reflect upon, learn and sing current and contemporary Mass favorites. No ticket, no charge; a freewill offering will be accepted.  

On Friday, February 9, Catholic Citizens of Illinois’ Forum Luncheon Series Presents: Matt T. Paprocki, President and CEO, Illinois Policy Institute, on: “Rebuilding Illinois: My Yoke Is Easy; My Burden Is Light.”

Red Mass and Lecture for Legal Professionals at Lumen Christi Institute Saturday, February 10 at 4 PM

Healing the Whole Person Retreat at JPII Healing Center in Hinsdale on Feb. 8-10

February is Black History Month. The Pulse is a publication that highlights the events, gifts, and talents of African-American Chicago Catholics and their communities.