Celebrate Sunday Mass at St. Alphonsus!

Hello St. Alphonsus,

This Sunday starts the new liturgical season of Advent, which is a time of preparation for the coming of the Lord. During this time, we recall two central elements of our faith: the final coming of the Lord in glory and the incarnation of the Lord in the birth of Jesus. The key themes of the Advent season are watchful waiting, preparation, and justice.

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

Invite your friends/loved ones to Mass! 

Mass Readings for First Sunday of Advent



December 1 Parish Bulletin

This weekend, please be sure to take a free 2025 religious art Calendar and an Advent Reflection book to help you keep the season. Quantities may be limited so don't wait!

Our parish is accepting toiletries donations to give out to those who are homeless/down on their luck. Please bring any donations during rectory office hours, Mon-Fri 9 AM to 5 PM or Tues/Thurs from 9 AM-7 PM. We greatly appreciate all donations to help out!

Christmas Mass Schedule

Vigil Masses for Nativity of the Lord

Christmas Eve, Tuesday, December 24

4:00 PM, 6:00 PM, and 11:00 PM

Join us for festive caroling 30 minutes prior to the start of each Mass. A program of beloved carols, motets, and festive Christmas arrangements will precede Mass. Arrive early to get the best seat! 

The Nativity of the Lord

Christmas Day, Wednesday, December 25

9:00 AM (English with German)                                

11:00 AM (English with Spanish)

Celebration of Giving

The Giving Tree, a St. Alphonsus tradition, is now up in the narthex. We receive the names and gift requests of over 100 people in need. Parishioners take tags and shop for the items. It is a big project to sort and bag everything, but it is worth it!!

St. Alphonsus takes part in the annual Celebration of Giving through December 8. Grab any number of tags and return your gift(s) to church on Sunday in the next few weeks 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.

The parish office will be open this Saturday, Nov. 30 and Dec. 7 from 8 AM to Noon to accept Giving Tree gift drop-offs.

Thank you for your incredible generosity; these gifts are possibly the only ones they will receive this upcoming Christmas! Please turn in all gifts by Sunday, December 8.

Contact Office Manager Mario Serrano for any questions.

Giving Tuesday is Dec. 3

We have countless examples throughout history of Christians—including our very own family members—who persevered in “running the race” while keeping their eyes fixed on Jesus.

Nurturing our brothers' and sisters' physical and spiritual needs provides real and tangible evidence of the power of faith—of how keeping one's eyes fixed on Jesus can help overcome obstacles.  

Funds raised fuel many ministries, programs, and services, extending the love of our Lord throughout our parish and beyond. 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.

Holiday Cheer at St. Alphonsus!

Our parish school, Alphonsus Academy & Center for the Arts, is hosting a wonderful event for kids! Join us next Sunday, Dec. 8 in the parish Festival Hall for light bites, Christmas crafts, and photos with Santa! All members of our community with small children are welcome, no affiliation with AACA required. For planning purposes however, we ask to please register online.

The following Sunday on Dec. 15, our parish will host a FREE Pancake Breakfast from 10 AM to 2 PM in the Festival Hall. ALL are invited to stay after Mass to enjoy pancakes, eggs, and delicious treats with St. Nicholas!

WE NEED VOLUNTEERS! Help us serve breakfast, bring Christmas cheer, and get first dibs on the food! Shifts are 2 hours each. Please sign-up here! Questions? Contact breakfast volunteer Tom.

Feast of Immaculate Conception- Monday, Dec. 9

On December 9, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Normally this feast is on December 8th, which would also be a Holy Day of Obligation because Mary, under the title of 

Immaculate Conception, is the patron saint of the United States. However, if December 8th falls on a Sunday – which would be the Second Sunday of Advent – celebration of the feast is transferred to Monday, while the obligation to attend Mass on December 8th remains on the Sunday. 

To celebrate our nation’s patroness, our Mass times on Monday, 

December 9th will be at 8:30 AM and 7:00 PM. 

On this special day we turn to our heavenly patroness to invoke her powerful 

intercession for our country. We pray for peace, reconciliation, the preservation of our values and ideals, and religious liberty for those who do not have that basic freedom. Please join us for Mass on this great feast of Our Blessed Mother. 

Young Adult Ministry

Christmas Ball! Saturday, December 14

Celebrate the Christmas season with YAM!!! Dust off your dancing shoes and show off your best cocktail attire for the 2nd annual Christmas Ball! Don't let the cold deter; come out and join other young adults for a night of dinner, dancing, and fun holiday festivities!

As it is also the time of year for giving, especially to those most in need, we will be collecting charitable donations to put together blessing bags at the event as well. Suggested items are toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, socks, wet wipes, tissues, and non-perishables, such as applesauce or fruit cups, raisins, pasta, canned vegetables, etc.). This is just a short list of items, but please feel free to donate anything of your choosing along these lines. We're looking forward to constructing these packages together and donating them all to Catholic Charities!

Admission for young adults for this party in the Festival Hall will be $20 through Dec. 13th, and $25 at the door on the day of. Contact our Social Team for questions!

YCP- St. Joseph Retreat at St. Alphonsus

9 AM- 2 PM on Saturday, December 7

Looking for a community with a professional focus grounded in Catholic values? Your 20s and 30s can be a confusing and lonely time, but they don't have to be. Come and see. Attend a Young Catholic Professionals event and join like-minded, mission-driven peers to find God in all things and seek excellence and joy in every area of your life.

Join us for the annual St. Joseph Saturday Retreat! This retreat is a 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 from Sarah Elk (Partner at Bain & Company) & Pat McCaskey (Bears Football Board Member & VP), small group discussions, prayer, confession, and adoration. Together, we will reflect on the life of YCP's patron saint, St. Joseph the Worker.

Tickets are only $5!! (free for YCP members) Learn more and register here.

FORMED

Explore Advent on FORMED! Dive deeper each week of Advent with Daily Reflections, Video Content, Audio Content, and Engaging Resources for the Whole Family! Sign up FREE!

Stewardship at St. Alphonsus

Parishioners often wonder how much to contribute. The table below provides suggested giving amounts based on the concept of giving your first hour of salary back to God. These amounts are suggestions and are not meant to be taken as a rule.

We invite you to make your offertory gift at any amount after your prayerful consideration! 

"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!

Faith Formation

Mysteries of the Rosary Series

Monday Mornings, Now through Dec. 16th 9:30 AM-11 AM, Rectory Common Room 

"Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign of contradiction.” - Luke 2:29-34

The Presentation foreshadows the Cross. The offering Mary makes at the Presentation in the Temple becomes manifested and reaches its fulfillment at Calvary. Join us for Episode 5, diving deeper into the mystery of the Presentation. Filmed on location in the Holy Land, join us for this video and discussion series to better prepare your hearts for Advent and Christmas! 

Praying the Rosary

It’s not too late to join us. You can still catch up and watch FREE here..

Questions? Contact Religious Education coordinator Emily Ember for more details

Psalm Series- Monday Evenings at 7 PM

He said to them, ‘These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and in the prophets and psalms must be fulfilled.’” (Lk 24:44)

Our Young Adult Ministry is hosting a free series on the book of Psalms for young adults in their 20s and 30s to learn: 

• how to establish a deeply personal dialogue with God through the Psalms
• how to meditate on the Psalms using lectio divina 
• how the Psalms foretell the life and mission of Jesus
• …and much more!

On Mondays at 7:00 PM-8:30 PM, we will watch video materials from Ascension Press presented by Jeff Cavins, Tim Gray, and Sarah Christmyer, followed by a group discussion. No preparation or supplies are needed, though there is an accompanying workbook if you would like to go deeper, which can be purchased from Ascension Press. 

The next dates will be Dec. 2, 9 and 16th in the Festival Hall. We will then take a Christmas break and return Jan. 6, 2025. The topic for this Monday, Dec. 2 are the Responsorial Psalms.

If you are interested in attending, please contact Brendan.

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.

The St. Alphonsus Men's Group is hosting a Holy Hour of silent adoration on Friday, December 6th, from 7:30 to 8:30 PM in the church. All parishioners are invited to be in the presence of our Lord during this hour, and confessions will also be heard during this time.

For questions or more information, contact us here!

Online Retreat Opportunities

An Advent Healing & Deliverance Retreat with Msgr. Rossetti

Sat, Dec 7, 2024 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM

In this three hour retreat, Msgr. Rossetti, an exorcist for the Archdiocese of Washington and licensed psychologist, will give talks on inner healing, spiritual warfare, answer questions from attendees, and pray deliverance and healing prayers over all present. *If you are not able to attend the workshop live, you can still register and you will be given a link after the session to pray with the recorded retreat. *If you would like to attend but do not have the resources ($25), please enter discount code: "free2024" when you register and it is free. Don't miss this healing and liberation retreat. Reserve your space now HERE!

What is an online deliverance session?

"And This Hope Will Never Disappoint Us"

A FREE Live Online Retreat

Sunday, Dec. 8th, 6:30pm-8:30pm

What to Expect:

This 2 hour retreat includes...

*Psychological explanation on why we guard our hearts and are afraid to hope

*Gospel-based reflection on how God gently conquers our fears

*Personal exercises to open your heart to hope again

*Personal prayer time with the Father about hopes and disappointments

*Community connection and engagement

*Invitation to ongoing, deeper healing

Hope in God will never disappoint.

GOD HAS SO MUCH IN STORE FOR YOU!

Can't make it live?

Sign up anyway and the recording will be sent.

Register FREE Here

At the Athenaeum

It's A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play

December 13-29

Inspired by the classic American film, It’s a Wonderful Life, “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play” is performed as a 1940s live radio broadcast in front of a studio audience. Five actors perform the dozens of characters in the radio play. Our production will also feature a live Foley artists for all sound effects!

Don’t miss your chance to be a part of this intimate Holiday production in the Paradiso, starring members of the Athenaeum Center staff on stage and behind the scenes. The performance is staged in the round so every seat will have an interactive and unique vantage point to experience this delightful and inspiring story of community, compassion, and the deep fulfillment that comes from putting your life at the service of others.

The Bar at the Paradiso will be open for a special Happy Hour with Christmas-themed cocktails and holiday Jazz music one hour before on opening night and more dates.