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Hello St. Alphonsus,
A Tale of Two Seasons: Winter and Construction
Anyone who has grown up in the metropolitan area or lived here for several years has undoubtedly heard the expression that in Chicago there are only two seasons, winter and construction. Many people have also quipped that our state animal should be the road construction horse.
Most summers there are renovation or improvement projects happening somewhere on our campus, be they in the school, rectory, church, or Athenaeum. This summer is no exception. Most notably the south entrance of the school will be renovated, along with a few other upgrades inside. Additionally this summer, the city of Chicago is also working around the perimeter of our church, specifically on the sidewalks adjacent to the church and curbs at the intersection of Wellington and Southport.
Similar street projects have been crawling their way around the Lakeview neighborhood, and especially up and down Lincoln Avenue as the City of Chicago is repairing curbs and gutters, and making modifications to sidewalks and intersections where deemed needed. But now it will all be coming right up to our church doorstep, literally.
While a few details of the project remain to be determined, the City’s Department of Transportation provided me with general information of the scope of the project. Firstly, were cognizant of the school, safety of children, and traffic flow, their planned start date was set for the end of the school year. But since the last day of school was Friday, you will see the work vehicles, construction equipment and safety fences going up already. Needless to say, when the work begins, it will not be aesthetically pleasing, convenient, or quiet. While the work is going on, there will be a few less street parking spaces available. And with any construction project, there will be dust. Safety fencing erected around the curbs and construction, narrowing the passable width of the sidewalks. In those areas do not text and walk at the same time, lest you accidentally tromp into wet cement. The crews will not be working on Sundays, so the noise won’t interfere with Mass, music, or our ability to worship and celebrate the Sacraments. Unfortunately, they were not able to provide specific information, as much of their work is dependent upon weather: the more rainy the season is, the longer it will take. But likely a couple of months.
With this work, the city hopes to make the intersection of Wellington-Southport-Lincoln safer by improving traffic flow, clarifying the turning lane and through lane. To accomplish this they will bump out the curbs a little and paint new traffic lines. Any pedestrian, cyclist, or runner who has ever tried to cross the street there knows that you have to be very alert in every direction, as there often seems to be one more car hurrying to make it through a yellow-turning-orange traffic light before it turns red.
This street and sidewalk construction might not be convenient, but neither is it permanent. Knowing that it is happening, and knowing that it is temporary, helps people to be patient and understanding when the construction work is happening. And when the work is completed, hopefully the intersection will be safer for school children, families, parishioners, and all in the community. And should you someone grumble and complain about the inconvenience, politely remind that at least it’s not snowing.
Rev. Steven Bauer
Pastor
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Celebrate Sunday Mass at St. Alphonsus!
This Sunday and next Sunday are designated as solemnities, special days that call our attention to central mysteries of our faith. This Sunday, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. This feast invites us to consider what we believe about God, who has revealed himself to us in the Trinity—one God in three persons. Disciples of Jesus have the Spirit of Truth, who will continue to provide the teachings of Jesus for the future. Trinity Sunday reinforces our understanding of the unity shared by the members of the Trinity. We have the assurance that, as Jesus and the Father share all, Jesus and the Spirit share all.
Daily prayer keeps you in good relationship with the LORD, and yourself.
Invite your friends/loved ones to Mass! Our Sunday Mass schedule in English is 9 AM, 11 AM, and 5 PM. Mass in Spanish is at 12:30 PM.
Mass Readings for Most Holy Trinity
Most Holy Trinity Reflection
June 12 Parish Bulletin
100th anniversary of Scouting at St. Alphonsus
The Scouts of St. Alphonsus are excited as we celebrate the 100th anniversary of scouting at the parish! We invite all members of the parish to celebrate with us this Sunday, June 12. We will host an informal open house in the Festival Hall downstairs starting after the 9:00 mass, and will conduct a short ceremony after the 11:00 mass (coffee and donuts provided). Please stop by to enjoy some of the scouting memorabilia and pictures from the past century, and to wish us well as we serve the youth in our community for another 100!
Next Sunday June 19 is the Solemnity of Corpus Christi. Historically there has been a Eucharistic procession around the St. Alphonsus campus block. On this Sunday, the 11 AM Mass will be bilingual and there will not be a 12:30 Spanish Mass. Fellowship and refreshments will follow after the 11 AM Mass, provided by our Knights of Columbus council.
Friday July 15 from 6 to 8:30 PM, St. Alphonsus will be hosting Night of Mercy, with Adoration, Reconciliation, and music.
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.
Serve as a Wedding Coordinator!
Are you looking to get more involved in our parish? St. Alphonsus is currently looking for wedding coordinators to join our team. Being part of the Wedding Ministry is a rewarding opportunity, fun, and all volunteers receive a stipend for their time. For more information, contact sacraments coordinator Kaitlin Holyk
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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!
St. Paul Bible Study Tuesday Evenings
Reading Paul—Starting June 14th at 7 pm
Join Brooks Robinson, our Pastoral Associate, as he leads a multi-week study on St. Paul’s letters. If you would like to sign up or have questions, contact Brooks Robinson at brobinson@stalphonsuschicago.com
Space is limited!
Totus Tuus Summer Camp - July 10th - 15th
Totus Tuus Summer Camp is coming to St. Alphonsus! Totus Tuus is a week-long, summer youth retreat for kids in grades 1st through 12th grade. Participants will grow in their faith through skits, games, songs, the celebration of the sacraments, and engaging, interactive teaching.
Day Program: Grades 1 - 6
Monday July 11 - Friday July 15
9:00 AM - 2:30 PM
$60 per child (yes, really!)
To register:
Night Program: Grades 7 - 12
Sunday July 10 - Thursday July 14
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
$15 per student
Registration below! Payments to be made via Give Central
To register visit: https://www.stalphonsuschicago.org/religious-education
Questions? Contact Erica Cook at ecook@stalphonsuschicago.org
Walking With Purpose- Summer Women's Faith Group
Walking With Purpose summer group will be meeting the 2nd Tuesday of the month (June– Sept) at the St. Alphonsus Common Room in the rectory. We will come together to share our intentions and pray the rosary. All women are welcome! Meetings are from 9:30 AM to 11 AM
Contact Susan Combes for more information.
Invitation and Encounter, a webinar with author Timothy O'Malley
Theologian, author, and speaker Timothy P. O’Malley will discuss his newest book, Invitation and Encounter: Evangelizing Through the Sacraments on Wednesday, June 15, at 1 PM .
Online Retreats You Can Do On Your Own Time!
These online retreats are designed to be enjoyed by anyone, regardless of where you are in your faith journey.
Loving as Jesus Loves, helps participants to think about the hope and love that sacrifice can lead to when we are open to God’s grace in our lives to help us to grow closer to our neighbors and God, as we actively choosing to love others as Jesus did!
"Even the smallest sacrifice on our part can open up the pathway for God’s grace to enter into the situation, and we begin to recognize that with God anything is possible."
The Hope of New Life in Christ, offers the opportunity to pause and reflect on our individual resurrections that occur through Christ’s Resurrection, to help us see how we journey into a new life in Him – a life that calls us to holiness and helps us to move from lives of hopelessness to lives rooted in the Hope of Christ and joy that is eternal!
"For believers, hope is not a matter of optimism, but a source for strength and action in demanding times."
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Young Adult Ministry
June Newsletter; Safe Families Service Event this Saturday, Indiana Dunes, Praise and Adoration, and more!
More Young Adult Events
Young Catholic Professionals hosts a monthly service day, YCP Chicago Gives Back. On Saturday June 25, YCP will be here at St. Alphonsus from 9:30 AM to Noon. This is a great way to meet new people! All volunteers will be helping out cleaning and organizing in the Festival Hall. You can sign up to volunteer here!
Echo Retreat 2022
Echo Chicago is a Theology of the Body weekend retreat for young adults. At Echo, we dive into, unpack and process the themes of prayer, our identity, and our mission to LOVE. We are all created to be in a personal relationship with God, and each of us are created as a unique, unrepeatable man or woman with a vocation to love like God.
*This is an overnight (Friday and Saturday) retreat for Young Adults that will begin on Friday evening, June 24 and go through Sunday evening, June 26 and held at St. Xavier University, 3700 W. 103rd St, Chicago, IL 60655
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Knights of Columbus News
Saturday, June 11, 18-hole golf outing with doorprizes- Open to Parishioners-sign up here!
Sunday, June 19, Corpus Christi Procession following one, single combined 11:00AM Mass on June 19. The 12:30 will be combined with the 11 AM; the procession will start right out of church after the 11AM, and wind around the block, return for benediction, and refreshments. LOOKING for 12 or more PARISHIONERS to volunteer to help take turns carrying the canopy, candles and assist our parish priests in the procession. Men, Women, Teens - everyone can help! Sign up at this link - thanks!
If any trouble signing up, please email parishioner Carlos Medina
The KofC was founded by Blessed Fr. Michael McGivney to support our Pastor, our Parish and those in need, as well as to support strong marriages & families. If you are interested in learning more about our St. Alphonsus Parish Council #15158, then please contact parishioner Paul Gillespie (773/612-4408). To join online, please follow online exemplification
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"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!
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Around the Archdiocese
As the Church prepares to gather in Rome on June 22 for the 10th World Meeting of Families, Pope Francis urged all Catholics to pray for families in this video below.
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