Hello St. Alphonsus,

A Message From Fr. Gorman

I have a heart full of gratitude as my time here at St. Alphonsus draws to an end. I vividly remember

pulling up in front of the parish for the first time in the summer of 2020.  I had heard a lot of great things about St. Alphonsus, but had never been here before. A smiling Fr. Bauer met me in front of the veranda that sunny day. He took me into the church and I was immediately struck by its beauty. It is a profound gift to be able to worship in a church as beautiful as this, one that elevates our souls to God. We sat in Fr. Bauer's office and he told me a bit about the history of the parish and all that is happening here. Right off the bat, I could tell that this was a vibrant parish and a place where God was doing great things. Yet, little did I know how blessed my time here would be.  

A priest’s first assignment always holds a special place in his heart. This is the parish where I learned how to be a priest. Thinking back on those early months, I remember St. Al’s hosting the FOCUS SEEK conference both in person and virtually. I became a COVID anointer, going into the hospitals to anoint COVID patients as they prepared to meet the Lord. I celebrated weddings with just the immediate family present. Fortunately, as time wore on, a sense of normalcy returned and I gained a deeper understanding of how many great things are happening here. I think of our wonderful school, the kids, and their families. I think of the young adult community. I think of the young men from our community who have discerned vocations to the priesthood. I think of our Men’s Group. I think of Friends Through Faith. I think of our Bible study and small groups. I think of our great Knights of

Columbus Council. I think of our St. Vincent Depaul Society. I think of the parish’s support of Safe Families for Children. I think of Samuel Group. I think of Oktoberfest. And this just begins to scratch the surface of what God is doing here. The Spirit is moving in this parish.

I could continue reminiscing about how blessed my time here has been, but the greatest blessing has certainly been simply being a part of a wonderful

community. A community full of people truly seeking God and His will in their lives. Living lives of quiet holiness, seeking to be bearers of his love into the world. I have been privileged to get to know you, to celebrate the sacraments for you, and to be inspired by you. I look forward to seeing how God continues to move within this community in the years to come and encourage you to never hesitate to reach out to me at pgorman@archchicago.org. I humbly ask for your prayers as I transition into my new role as the Director of the Spirituality Year and Director of Chicago Seminarians and be assured of my prayers for you as well. May God bless you all,

Fr. Pat 

Celebrate Sunday Mass at

St. Alphonsus!

Fr. Gorman Going Away Reception— This Sunday June 25 after 9 AM Mass

Fr. Patrick Gorman will be starting a new assignment in the Archdiocese as the Director of Chicago Seminarians and Director of the Spirituality Year beginning July 1st. There will be a hospitality reception after the 9 AM this Sunday at the Paradiso in the Athenaeum Center for Thought and Culture next door to our church. All are welcome to say farewell and Thank You to Father Pat as he starts his new chapter of ministry! 

In Sunday's Gospel, Jesus tells his disciples do not be afraid to proclaim the kingdom of heaven, despite the difficulties they will face. In the Gospel passage, Jesus might be understood as putting suffering in perspective. The disciples of Jesus are called upon to keep their focus on God. Jesus reassures his disciples that God knows and cares about what happens to his children. We are reassured by the promise that God cares for us and protects us.

Reconciliation is available each Wednesday during Adoration from 6:30-7:30 PM and on Saturdays at 11 AM.

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

Invite your friends/loved ones to Mass! Sunday Mass schedule in English is at 9 AM, 11 AM, and 5 PM. Mass in Spanish is at 12:30 PM.

Mass Readings for Twelfth Sunday In Ordinary Time

June 25 Parish Bulletin

CircEsteem Gymnastics Exhibition— Thursday June 29 at 6 PM

CircEsteem is bringing a FREE family friendly circus show back to St. Alphonsus. Bring out the whole family to enjoy a 45-minute performance featuring acts of juggling, acrobatics, unicycle, aerial silks, tightwire, and more. After the show, they'll invite the youth of the audience to step into the circus ring for a 30-minute workshop where they can try their hand at some of the skills taught. The show will take place in our Oakdale street parking lot near the church rectory and AACA school.

Welcoming Our New Associate Pastor! — Sunday July 2

All are warmly invited to a fun social outside w/ drinks and refreshments after the 5 PM Mass on Sunday July 2 for newly ordained Fr. Jesús Raya Custodio.

Ministers of Care

Are you interested in serving our St. Al’s community in a special way? We are currently looking for volunteers to be part of the Ministers of Care ministry at St. Al’s! Volunteers will bring Holy Communion to parishioners that are sick or homebound on a weekly, biweekly, or monthly basis. Typically volunteers have brought communion Monday after the 8:30 AM mass, however, the timing could be adjusted based on the volunteer’s schedule. It takes about 90 minutes to distribute communion depending on how many parishioners you are visiting. Please contact Stephanie Sullivan for more information!

If you would like to become more involved in various parish ministries, please complete a brief survey! We invite you to join us in responding to the vocational call of our shared baptism. Please consider the ways in which you may be generous with your time and talent for the sake of the Kingdom of God and the mission with St. Alphonsus.  

Do you have upcoming exciting events that you would like to share with our St. Alphonsus Church and our parish school communities? You can share them here!

Did you know that you can view all upcoming church events on the calendar on our website? If your ministry has an event that you would like to host at St. Alphonsus, you can complete the Plan An Event form. Any inquiries can also be directed to the parish Office Manager, Mario Serrano.

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!

Spring Your Kids into Totus Tuus Summer Camp

The Archdiocese is bringing the Totus Tuus summer camp back to St. Alphonsus, July 23-28. It’s like a week-long vacation Bible school, only way more fun and active.

This is a super fun camp that also helps children grow in their Catholic faith. And at $75 for a week of summer camp… how can you beat that? It’s currently limited to only 50 kids, and registration will fill.

Monday – Friday from 9 AM to 2:30 PM for students entering grades 1-6

Register Here!

Sunday – Thursday from 7 PM – 9:30 PM for middle school and high school students entering grades 7 – 12. Register Here!

Embracing the Divine Gift of Freedom- Religious Freedom Week 2023

Religious freedom allows the Church, and all religious communities, to live out their faith in public and to serve the good of all. Beginning June 22, the feast of Sts. Thomas More and John Fisher, the USCCB invites Catholics to pray, reflect, and act to promote religious freedom.

More Faith Formation News Around the Archdiocese

Young Adult Evening Prayer: Young adults ages 18+ are invited to pray online together with other young adults and School Sisters of Notre Dame from across the U.S. and Canada on the fourth Tuesday of every month (January – June 2023) at 7 PM. CT. Learn more and register for the Zoom link at Young Adult Evening Prayer - School Sisters of Notre Dame (ssnd.org)

''On The Way'': A Summer Retreat For Catholic Young Men 18-22 Years Old: Includes talks from peers, prayer, food and fellowship Mass on Saturday, August 5 from 10 AM – 8:30 PM. at the Viatorian Province Center (1212 E. Euclid Ave., Arlington Heights, IL.) RSVP by emailing

Be a Turtle - and Nine Other Principles of Discernment: In this lecture, Father Albert Haase, OFM, will explore ten important principles offered by the spiritual tradition that help facilitate hearing God's call. This is an in-person event at the Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart Motherhouse Auditorium (9201 W. St. Francis Road, Frankfort IL) on Wednesday, July 12 from 7 – 8:30 PM. This is open to the public and free (donations accepted). For more information

The Chicago Archdiocesan Vocation Association (CAVA) serves in the Archdiocese of Chicago under the Office for Religious and in collaboration with the Archdiocesan Vocation Office to nurture a Culture of Vocations within the Catholic Church. This includes accompanying and inviting young men and women to discern a vocation to consecrated life and supporting those who work in vocation ministry or providing resources to our partners. To organize a vocation awareness event, or if you are exploring your vocation or wish to be accompanied while exploring your call, visit the CAVA site.

Young Adult Ministry

Praise & Adoration

Friday, June 30 | 7:30 PM

On Friday, June 30th, 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 fellowship at Lincoln Tap after!

YAM 4th of July Party/Stock The Bar

Come join St. Al’s YAM on Tuesday, July 4th from 3 PM-7 PM as we have a fun 4th of July party on St. Al’s rectory rooftop. Enjoy the great weather, fantastic views of the Chicago skyline and great time meeting new friends. This event will be a “stock the bar” theme. Please bring a beverage (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 are also hoping to have a small grill to cook up some brats/burgers as well! Questions? Contact us!

You can find more upcoming events, including our Theology on Tap speaker series on Wednesdays in July in our latest newsletter here!

Mission OLA is in need of volunteers this Sat and next, especially for their mobile pantry on Saturday July 1. Please prayerfully consider signing up to help out!

"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!

Around the Archdiocese

Current Status of Invest In Kids Act

The Archdiocese Office of Divine Worship is holding Cantor school events in July. Cantor school is for both new and experienced cantors. Learn new skills, review the liturgical and musical dimensions of this ministry and receive valuable individual feedback. Join for this opportunity to sing, pray and learn!

4 sessions: July 7, 12, 19, and 26

7 – 9:15 PM

Immaculate Conception campus

1431 North Park Avenue

Chicago, IL 60610

New Televised Spanish-language Catholic Hour

Launched this past weekend on Univision Chicago (WGBO Channel 66), the Archdiocese introduced a new televised Spanish-language Catholic hour including Mass and aimed at informing the local Hispanic Catholic community of events and ministries. The televised Catholic hour and Mass will provide a meaningful religious experience to those who are unable to attend in-person services or who seek spiritual connection and community information from the comfort of their homes. The community is invited to tune in to this new program and come together in prayer, reflection, and worship. Immediately following the Mass are a series of interviews, parish and individual profiles and music. Each week, these interviews and profiles will feature priests, parish leadership, and parishes, covering anniversaries, devotions, and other special events. Tune in on Sundays at 9 AM on Univision Chicago – WGBO Channel 66.

Summer Scripture Conference Aug. 3 – 6

The University of Saint Mary of the Lake is partnering with the Institute for Pastoral Studies at Loyola University Chicago to continue the long and rich history of the Summer Scripture Conference. All are welcome as we “catch the spirit” together, allowing the Holy Spirit to work in us and through us as we become more authentic versions of ourselves, called to be disciples of Christ more fully alive today. Main speaker and notable scripture scholars include Dr. Gina-Hens Piazza, Professor of Biblical Studies, and Core Doctoral Faculty at Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley – Study emphasis Old Testament; and, Dr. Sherri Brown, Associate Professor of Theology, Creighton University – Study emphasis Johannine, Pauline Literature and Christian Origins. Learn more about the conference speakers, itinerary and registration. The Summer Scripture Conference is great for anyone who:

• Simply wants to better understand Sacred Scripture
• Would like learn more about Scripture in an environment of prayer, community and small group sharing with people from parishes all over the United States
• Is looking to invite coworkers, family or friends to experience a retreat-like event including Scripture study, prayer and small group discussion
• Participates in or leads Scripture study programs
• Prepares reflections or homilies and wants to hear how top scholars have delved into different aspects or books of the Bible to enrich preaching
• Is looking for an opportunity to become a more intentional disciple