A Message From Our Pastor
Greetings!
The German Shepherd
This past week the world watched as Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI was laid to rest after passing away at the age of 95. He was buried in the papal grottoes beneath St. Peter's Basilica in the tomb in which his predecessor, St. John Paul II, was originally buried. (After his beatification, JP2 was moved upstairs and entombed under a side altar in the Basilica proper). In a sense, then, one could say that Pope Benedict XVI has followed John Paul II in life, and in death.
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Celebrate Sunday Mass at
St. Alphonsus!
In this Sunday's Gospel, the Magi seek out Jesus and do him homage.
We have come to consider the gifts they bring as a foreshadowing of Jesus’ role in salvation. We believe the meaning of the gifts to be Christological. Gold is presented as representative of Jesus’ kingship. Frankincense is a symbol of his divinity because priests burned the substance in the Temple. Myrrh, which was used to prepare the dead for burial, is offered in anticipation of Jesus’ death.
The word Epiphany means “manifestation” or “showing forth.” Historically several moments in Christ’s early life and ministry have been celebrated as “epiphanies,” including his birth in Bethlehem, the visit of the Magi, his baptism by John, and his first miracle at Cana.
Daily prayer keeps you in good relationship with the LORD, and yourself.
Eucharistic adoration and benediction this evening January 6 as the first Friday of every month 7:30-8:30 PM
“Come to me all you are labored and burdened and I will give you rest” Matthew 11:28
The Christmas Eve Midnight Mass music program will be repeated this Sunday at the 9 AM and 11 AM Masses.
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 prayers group (Vespers) continue on Wednesdays from 8:15 to 9 PM in the chapel.
This Sunday, January 8, Our parish Knights of Columbus in partnership w/ Vitalant are sponsoring a BLOOD DRIVE in Festival Hall - Reserve your donation time, https://bit.ly/JAN8StAlphonsus WALK-INS ARE WELCOME! Spread the word. We're trying to exceed 35-donations! Donors will also receive a free long-sleeve shirt!
Donors who donate at any Vitalant blood drive, now through – Jan. 20, will be entered for a chance to win a Big Trip to the "Big Game" through an exclusive Roadtrips package! **
Señor de Esquipulas Procession and Mass Sunday January 15 at 12:30 PM w/ a fiesta in the Festival Hall to follow. More info can be found in the parish bulletin.
Safe Families For Children Ministry are in need of:
- Baby/toddler clothes sizes: 9mo, 18mo, 2T, 4T/4
- High chair
- Car booster seats (not expired)
- Baby/toddler coats, hats, & gloves
- All genders/sizes shoes & boots
If you can help provide any of these items (or equivalent gift card), please either leave the items in the narthex/parish office Safe Families donation bins, or reach out to safefamiliesstals@gmail.com to coordinate a drop-off time. Thank you for your generosity!
2023 Mayoral Election- Meet the Candidates
South Lakeview Neighbors is sponsoring a “Meet the Candidates” Event next Tuesday, January 10. Doors open at 6:30PM, candidates to present starting at 7:00PM. Athenaeum Theatre- Event Center 2936 N. Southport. All are invited.
Friends Through Faith Welcoming Sunday Brunch!
Do you feel you're missing a sense of community when attending mass? Would you like to meet those in the pews around you? Are you looking to form friendships with people of the same faith that are in your own parish? You're invited to a Sunday Brunch after the 11 AM Mass on January 29 to do just this. Come meet other adult parishioners and share a meal, coffee, bloody mary's and mimosas with this newly formed Adult Group…. For more information or to help with this event, please contact Amy Keefner.
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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 with patience and peace as we seek to live in harmony with one another and all creation!
Our Religious Education program is looking for an extra 2nd grade catechist starting in January 2023. If you are interested in this wonderful opportunity, please contact Erica Cook.
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 will be taking a winter break, returning on Feb 7 with a new study, Beholding Your King. Questions? Contact Susan Combes **
“The Body Matters” Webinar Series
Mondays - January 23, February 6, February 13
3:30 - 4:30 p.m.
The Offices of Catholic Schools and Lifelong Formation invite all catechetical leaders, school principals, teachers and catechists to join for a series of 3 webinars presented by the Theology of the Body Evangelization Team. These webinars will help parish and school leaders, teachers and catechists gain knowledge and practical strategies for teaching students how and why The Body Matters. Learn more and register here
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Stewardship at St. Alphonsus
"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?
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!
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May God bring you light, peace, and joy this Christmas season and New Year! St. Alphonsus couldn’t be more happy that there is a prevalence of kindness in our faith community. We thank you for your continuous and immense support in helping our church and our mission! |
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To carry out our mission that God has graciously invited us to participate in, we must be stewards of the temporal goods. By giving up our time, talent, and treasure, we are able to respond to the call of our why in our “whats” and “hows.” This means, we baptize, we see others face-to-face, we draw in, we invite in, we create spaces of deep hospitality that we are able to accompany others as they seek to discover how God has been already present to them. In other words, as Henri J.M. Nouwen reminds us in, A Spirituality of Fundraising, stewardship, fundraising, and generosity are all concrete ways we help the Kingdom of God come about. We invite you to join us in responding to the vocational call of our shared baptism. Please click here and consider the ways in which you may be generous with your time, talent, and treasure for the sake of the Kingdom of God and the mission with St. Alphonsus.
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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!
Town Hall Meeting
All are encouraged to join us on Sunday January 15th after the 5 PM Mass in St. Al's Rectory Common Room (2nd Floor of Rectory) for our Town Hall Event. This is an event we are restarting for this year!
Please bring any questions or suggestions you have to help us plan future St' Al's YAM events.Our YAM Board will be present at this event to help answer any questions you might have and take down your suggestions for future events in a Town Hall setting.Plus learn how to get involved in our small groups and Spiritual, Social, Service and Intellectual pillars.
We will provide free soda, water, beer and wine along with having some snacks! We look forward to seeing you at our event! Whether you're a YAM regular or newcomer, all are welcome! If you have any questions about this event, please feel free to email us!
YAM Retreat: Catholicism, Ourselves, and Others: A Faith-Based Perspective on Mental Health
On Saturday, January 21, St. Alphonsus YAM will be hosting Julia Hogan for our January day retreat. Julia is a licensed therapist, author, and speaker who will be discussing mental health, our faith lives, and living a healthy and balanced life.
Julia has spoken at the SEEK retreat, Notre Dame, Deloitte, and many other places and we are excited to have her! The half-day retreat will be filled with talks, small group discussions, adoration, music, and more! The retreat begins at 8:30 AM and will end around 1:30 PM. Register Here!
**Early bird price of $50 extended through this weekend!** $60 after Sunday. Walk ins are welcome.
Save the Date: Tuesday January 24, Sister Jess of the Franciscans of the Eucharist Talk/Discussion. More info in the parish bulletin.
March For Life Chicago is moving to Springfield, IL in 2023. Learn more here.
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Living Peace and Justice
January is Poverty Awareness Month. Join the U.S. Bishops, the Catholic Campaign for Human Development and the Catholic community in the United States in taking up Pope Francis' challenge to live in solidarity with the poor and marginalized.
Research some major legislative policies that help people living in poverty get back on their feet. Choose one and contact your elected officials to tell them why you care!
Movie Nights Around the Archdiocese
The Parish Immigration Coordinators will hold the 5th Annual Immigration Ministry Film Festival during the month of January. The flyer here contains information about registration, dates, times, and the featured films. You can register at this link.
Starting February 1 through the 11th, receive the beautiful, compelling message of "The Letter" by experiencing the recently released film with an audience across the Archdiocese of Chicago. Building on the encyclical Laudato Si', "The Letter: shares the real stories of people from around the world who come together on a transformative journey. As the stories unfold, be inspired by how spiritual values unite us in the face of a planetary emergency. Details and Registration can be found here.
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Around the Archdiocese
Newman Forum’s “Science, Science Fiction, and God” Conference – January 21
On Saturday, January 21, the Newman Forum’s “Science, Science Fiction, and God” conference will gather hundreds of teens from all over Chicagoland at the University of St. Mary of the Lake to explore questions such as: Is It a Sin to Lie to Siri? If We Discover Aliens, Should We Baptize Them? Is Merlin a Scientist? Is Luke Skywalker a Saint? Meeting with experts in their fields, we will discuss cutting-edge scientific knowledge, great works of sci-fi literature, and how the faith of the church enhances our pursuit of both. If high-schoolers in your community are interested in science, technology, or sci-fi, invite them to the Newman Forum at the University of St. Mary of the Lake to explore how faith relates to discovery, innovation, and the scientific imagination. Highlights include:
· A plenary lecture on “The Frankenstein Problem: Should Some Science Not Be Done?”
· Multiple “Lightning Round” Talks from experts in their fields
· “Office Hours” with professional researchers and scholars
· A closing discussion of “The Science of Prayer” and Adoration
The event is co-sponsored by the University of St. Mary of the Lake, Mundelein; the Archdiocese of Chicago Vocation Office; the McGrath Institute for Church Life at Notre Dame; and the Society for Catholic Scientists. Find more information and register here
NCYC Fully Alive
Thursday, November 16 — Sunday, November 19, 2023
"Save the Date" and join the Chicago Archdiocesan Pilgrimage to NCYC: Fully Alive! The National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) is a biannual event held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN. High schoolers are invited to join 30,000 of their peers from across the United States for this electrifying pilgrimage, filled with opportunities for worship, music, speakers, a thematic park, and more.
We are excited to once again be taking a Pilgrimage from the Chicago Archdiocese to NCYC. Please look out for more information regarding registration coming in 2023. Scholarships will be available through the Archdiocese for parishes participating in the Chicago delegation.
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When we plan our weekly giving, and set this money aside first, we demonstrate the great importance that God and the support of the Gospel have in our lives.
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Our weekly bulletin features many of the ways you can contribute to the vibrancy of St. Alphonsus parish.
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