Celebrate Sunday Mass at St. Alphonsus!

Special 9/11 Memorial Mass- St. Alphonsus will be having a special memorial Mass this Saturday, Sept. 11 at 8:30 AM. This date commemorates the 20th anniversary of an event that forever changed the nation. We will remember the lives lost and honor the heroic spirit of first responders and civilians in hope, resilience and unity.


Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, issued a statement on the eve of the twentieth anniversary of the attacks.

This Sunday Sept 12 at the 5 PM Mass, St. Alphonsus Knights of Columbus Officers' Installation,- All are welcome!

The Archdiocese of Chicago has issued a statement that, in accordance with the city, masks will now be required at all liturgies, including Masses. You can read the statement here.

Sunday Mass schedule is at 9 AM, 11 AM, and 5 PM. The Mass Schedule will be amended starting next Sunday September 19 to include the return of Mass offered in Spanish language. Spanish Mass will be at 12:30 PM now instead of 12:15 as it had been pre-COVID schedule.



September 12 Parish Bulletin ; please read this week's bulletin as Rev. Steven Bauer shared his insight and important news in regards to this year's Oktoberfest.

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Free Marriage book from Relevant Radio: Last chance to reserve your 100% FREE copy of Fr. Francis "Rocky" Hoffman's latest book, Marriage Insurance: 12 Rules to Live by!

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.


It's the Year of St. Joseph. Let us remember to celebrate a saint the Holy Father called a beloved, tender, accepting and courageous father. Find resources here
Oktoberfest Sept. 24-26

St. Alphonsus’ Oktoberfest is legendary throughout Chicago and the Midwest, especially because of our German heritage. We are excited to be planning it, and look forward to great brats, beer, music, and new friends and old. 

Oktoberfest is St. Al’s biggest fundraiser, and it takes a few hundred volunteers to make it a success. Volunteering is a great way to help the parish community, make new friends, and have a lot of fun! Volunteers are involved in serving food and beer, selling tickets, and more. Volunteer Sign-Up is now open!! 

Because the pandemic is still hanging around, all music and events will be held outside, and the committee is working hard to make sure the Fest is as safe & healthy as it is fun and filled with Gemütlichkeit! 
Stay tuned next week for more updates on the Fest, and especially the Brewmaster package!  PROST!

** Please read this week's bulletin as Rev. Steven Bauer shares important news in regards to this year's Oktoberfest.**
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!

Registration for our parish Religious Education program for children grades 1-8 for the 2021-2022 year is now open. Religious Education will be Tuesday nights at 6:15 PM. Registration is due September 20th and classes will begin on September 28th. We are planning to return to in-person this fall. We will be following Archdiocesan guidelines, asking all unvaccinated individuals to wear masks whenever indoors. Of course, these guidelines may adjust based on local state & diocesan guidance. Visit our RE page on the parish website for more information.

Catechists needed! If you would like to spend more time with children, strengthen the faith bonds of our families or enjoy serving in our parish - please consider volunteering as a catechist for our religious education program! We'd love to talk to you and no experience is necessary :) There are training opportunities and support as you get started and throughout your time of service. Contact our Religious Education Coordinator, Erica Cook for more information.

If you would like to be received into the Catholic Church, or are in need of your initial sacraments (First Communion/Confirmation), please contact our Pastoral Associate, Brooks Robinson

Walking With Purpose- A Modern Woman's Guide to the Bible
Starting September 21, join us at St. Alphonsus this Fall on Tuesdays as we help you enjoy a deeper personal relationship with Jesus Christ, nurtured through personal Bible study and small group discussions created just for women! Walking with Purpose meetings are from 9:30-11 AM and
6:30-8:30 PM. Contact Susan Combes for more information.

"Healing: Body & Soul" - Feminae Vero Women's Retreat
at St. Alphonsus Festival Hall, Saturday, September 18
Feminae Vero is a ministry that aspires to serve, educate, and evangelize girls and women by sharing the truth about their reproductive health and how it connects to our Catholic faith. Feminae Vero was formed - to educate on solutions-oriented, life-affirming healthcare options for women, and to advocate for access to such care for women of all religious, educational, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Registration is now open for a day-long Women's Retreat on Sat. Sept 18, which includes lunch and Mass at 3 PM. For more info and to register.

Bellarmine Jesuit Retreats
Bellarmine Jesuit Retreat House are offering retreats covering a variety of topics, including a couple of Young Adult Overnight Retreats on Oct 16-17 and Nov 20-21. We hope you will consider joining us as we seek to explore and embrace our relationship with God. Learn more and register here!

Quigley Days Hiking Outing to Indiana Dunes National Park
Saturday, Oct. 2 Discernment for High School Age students. Learn more and register here.

St. Joseph Summit Our Spiritual Father 2021- a national online retreat September 30-October 3 featuring inspirational Catholic presenters in the Church today who will be sharing teaching and personal witness about Our Spiritual Father, Saint Joseph during this historic Year of Saint Joseph. Register for Free today!

The Health of Nations: Pope Francis' Call for Inclusion- a live stream event on Friday Sept 24 at 8:30 AM. Speakers:
Sir Angus Deaton, FBA, Nobel Laureate & Professor of Economics at Princeton University
Most Rev. Frank Caggiano, Bishop of Hartford, CT
Moderator: Prof. Joseph Kaboski, University of Notre Dame
Professor Deaton and Bishop Caggiano will each deliver remarks and then engage in a conversation moderated by Professor Kaboski.

Praying with Father James Martin via Zoom
Sunday, September 19 | 2 – 3 PM.
“If I can learn how to pray then so can you” is in the opening passage of Learning to Pray by Father James Martin, SJ. He will join live via Zoom for an afternoon of thought-provoking ideas and dialogue. How has your prayer life been impacted by the trials of this past year? Finding the emotional, mental and physical energy to pray during these times has been a challenge for many of us. Fr. Martin will share his insights, experience, humor and passion. The fee to attend is $25. Register 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!

YAM Kickoff Party will be Sunday, September 19 after 5 PM Mass.
This is a great way to learn more about young adult groups, programs, and opportunities. It’s a great chance to invite your friends and co-workers to Mass with guaranteed fun to follow! For more info, contact us at stalphonsusyam@gmail.com

Samuel Group- Discernment for Young Adults
 
Do you ever wonder how to make a good decision according to God’s will? Join us for a discernment group specifically geared toward young adults (ages 19–35). Here you will discuss all kinds of discernment—if you are called to consecrated life, married life or single life, to a certain career or city, and more. The goal of this group is to help you, and in some cases your significant other, know yourself, Jesus and your role within the Church. These discernment groups will take place monthly over the course of seven months at St. Alphonsus Parish and at the St. John Paul II Newman Center at UIC. At each session, you will listen to talks, have time for small group sharing, and have the opportunity for Mass, Confession and Adoration. Participants will also have the opportunity to meet individually with a spiritual director while doing this course. The first session is Sunday September 19. Register online here!
Support St. Alphonsus through GiveCentral!

The most important opportunity to steward your gifts of treasure is to give purposefully to the weekly Offertory. We ask that every parishioner prayerfully considers the gifts that God has given them. In gratitude for such gifts, we hope you give back to God through a significant gift to St. Alphonsus Church on a regular basis. This giving back to God in support of the mission and ministry of the parish is essential to the spiritual life of you, the giver, and to the ongoing operations of the parish. Your offertory gift is most easily accomplished through regular automatic withdrawals from your credit card or checking account right here, through our secure online giving platform, GiveCentral. You can also text Sunday to (773) 570-7600.
Knights of Columbus

Prayers for all facing surgeries, illnesses, employment and other challenges. Thanksgiving for all of the many answered prayers.

THANK YOU to several Knights who are meeting to work on the Parish Oktoberfest (SEPT 24-26), the Intellectual Disabilities Drive for Alphonsus Academy & Misericordia (OCT 16-17) & the upcoming Pumpkin Fest, the Retreat, the Couples' Evening & Food Drives.

Just in time for football season, Relevant Radio was recently joined by former NFL MVP and 4x Pro Bowl Quarterback Rich Gannon who discussed his faith life and evangelization as a media analyst.

If you or someone you know is interested in the Knights of Columbus, contact parishioner Paul Gillespie.
Alphonsus Academy & Center for the Arts

Athletic Program Coaching Opportunity
AACA’s Athletic Program is seeking basketball coaches this upcoming winter season (November through February). If you are interested or want to learn more information, 

Rocket Run is coming soon! It will be held on Thursday, October 7th (PK and K) and Friday, October 8th (1st through 8th). Please help us reach our goal of raising $100,000 as a school and 100% participation in each classroom.  Click here to set up your family’s fundraising page!

Calling all artists!  You are invited to create a design for our Rocket Run Student Design Contest! The winning design will be created into this year’s Rocket Run t-shirt. Get creative and start drawing! Designs must be returned to your teacher by this Monday, September 13th to be considered in the contest.  Click here if you need a copy of the form.
News Around the Archdiocese

Married couples celebrating 50 years of marriage are invited to the Archdiocese Golden Wedding Anniversary Mass on Sunday, September 19, 2021 at 2:30 PM at St John Brebeuf Parish in Niles. For more info and to register.

St. Joseph- A Father in the Shadows Father James Presta, pastor of St. Emily Parish in Mt. Prospect recently offered his thoughts on Saint Joseph as a father in the shadows. In his relationship to Jesus, Joseph was the earthly shadow of God's love.

Rev. David Ryan, pastor of St. Francis de Sales parish in Lake Zurich, was recently cleared of misconduct charges and reinstated. Out of efforts to restore the reputation of good priests falsely accused, Cardinal Cupich has asked all parishes in the Archdiocese to share his recent letter.
Community News



Alderman Waguespack's 32nd Ward Office are collecting books in good shape to donate to Open Books, a nonprofit that provides literacy programs across Chicago. You can donate books to the office at 2657 N. Clybourn between 9 AM and 6 PM Mon-Fri. Tax donation receipts are available.

Calling all White Sox/St. Rita fans! Enjoy your 1st Place Chicago White Sox and hang out with members of the St. Rita Family on Sept. 14 for St. Rita Night! Buy your tickets today! Go Mustangs/Sox!

Your financial gifts help us to continue our ministries as a faith community. We are deeply grateful for every gift that is shared.
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.

Our weekly bulletin features many of the ways you can contribute to the vibrancy of St. Alphonsus parish.