Celebrate Sunday Mass at St. Alphonsus!
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.
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.
Our parish school, Alphonsus Academy & Center for the Arts is looking for a PE teacher. Candidates must have a bachelor's degree with a teaching certificate preferred. Inquiries about the position can be directed to AACA principal Gerit McAllister.
Our Knights of Columbus will be taking a collection this weekend on the Southport/Lincoln/Wellington corner for their Tootsie Roll / Intellectual Disabilities Drive as well as after Masses this Sunday for benefit of Special Needs programming at Misericordia. Please support this noble cause! Our Knights are still looking for volunteers this weekend. Sign Up here and contact KoC leader Paul Gillespie.
Men's Evening prayers group (Vespers) are returning on Wednesdays from 8:30 to 9 PM in the church sanctuary.
St. Alphonsus thanks Fr. Myron Effing for his emphatic preaching last Sunday in support of the Mary Mother of God Mission Society's goal of reviving the Catholic Church in Eastern Russia after decades of atheism, and social and religious persecution. You can learn more here. Also please prayerfully consider making a generous contribution here if you have not done so.
"The fight against hunger demands we overcome the cold logic of the market, which is greedily focused on mere economic profit and the reduction of food to a commodity, and strengthening the logic of solidarity." Pope Francis
This Saturday, October 16 is World Food Day. Many may not be aware that St. Alphonsus joyfully gives out free sandwiches to the homeless of the Lakeview area. Our parish Scouting programs as well as AACA students also frequently engage in service projects making sandwiches in support of helping the homeless and organizations such as The Night Ministry. There are also food donation bins located in the vestibules of the church as well. All parish members are invited to donate unwanted nonperishable food products so they can go to someone who truly needs it. Any donations that come in are dropped off to our friends at Lakeview Food Pantry. Please support their great works! A great way to mark #WorldFoodDay this Saturday is to spend 10 minutes in prayer, reflecting on how we can respond together to mitigate the pain of hunger in the world. An online prayer retreat presented by Catholic Relief Services can guide your meditation.
Blessings in a Backpack- The Blessings DIY 5K is a run/walk done on your own time, at your own pace, and in your own place from November 6 to 14th to raise money to feed kids on the weekend in Chicagoland. Registration is $25 for a student, $50 for an adult, and $130 for a family of up to 5. Additional donations welcome.
Join Team Rockets for the DIY 5K and help us close the weekend hunger gap for our neighbors! Use this link to register or donate to “Team Rockets” You can also find more information in this Sunday's parish bulletin.
St. Gerard Majella, whose feast day is today, is the patron saint of mothers, motherhood, expectant mothers, childbirth, children, pregnant women, unborn children, the pro-life movement, the falsely accused, good confessions, and lay brothers.
"Unplanned" Movie Screening Tuesday October 26 at 6:30 PM in the St. Alphonsus Festival Hall
Join us for a screening of Unplanned – a film that follows Abby Johnson through her years at Planned Parenthood, including some very intense encounters with abortion. This film is vital to understanding the abortion industry and what is happening behind the doors of facilities all over the nation. This is a free event with refreshments provided. A discussion will follow the screening of the movie. Please contact Dawn Fitzpatrick at dfitzpatrick@archchicago.org for more information or any additional questions. Sponsored by the Archdiocese Respect Life Ministries and Students For Life of America.
In honor of Respect Life month, St. Alphonsus conducts a Baby Bottle drive in support of the life-saving work of the Women's Center. Please take a baby bottle at Mass, fill it with spare change (or bills/check) and return by next Sunday, October 24. Thank you!
Save the Parental Notice of Abortion law! It is a travesty that Illinois continues to be one of the most pro-abortion states in the country. State lawmakers are meeting on October 19 and they are considering repealing the Parental Notice of Abortion Act. All must act to prevent this! Go to www.ilcatholic.org to read the Illinois bishops letter and find out how to contact your state legislator.
All Souls Day, November 2nd is a special day in the life of the Church as we take time to pray for our deceased family members and friends who have died and gone before us marked with the sign of faith. St. Alphonsus Parish will be holding a special Requiem Mass on Monday, November 2nd at 7 PM, to pray for the repose of the souls of those who have died. Through the Sacred Liturgy, the Church invokes the forgiving love and abundant mercy of God, that He may receive all those we remember into His kingdom so they can come to know the fullness of life and peace of Heaven. During the Requiem Mass a memorial candle will be lit for each person asked to be remembered. Additionally, our music director Brian Bloye is arranging a special program with a men's schola singing chant in Latin and English from the traditional Requiem Mass of the Church. If you would like to honor a loved one who has died, please fill out the form here.
You can also write the names of your loved ones in the Book of the Names of the Dead, which will be available in the Church during November.
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
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!
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Young Adult Ministry
YAM Fall Community Dinner
When: Friday, October 22 (doors open at 7 PM)
Where: St. Al's Festival Hall (church basement)
Costs: $20/person & a suggested donation of 1-2 non-perishable items. St. Al's YAM will be donating these items to the LakeView Food Pantry.
Are you the friend who just happens to know random factoids? Or, the one with the most fun party conversations? Well, calling all you trivia fans and friends, alike, to come join us, in the St. Alphonsus' Festival Hall (basement), on Saturday, Nov 13th from 5-8 PM because St. Al’s YAM Trivia is back!
The cost of tickets is $25 per person (it is a fundraiser!). Teams of 5-6 people can register individually or together. Simply list the names of everyone on your team in the "Comments" section on GiveCentral, during your purchase. Light refreshments, beer and wine are included in the event cost and prizes will be provided to the winning team members.
Don't know anyone or don't have 6 people on your team? Fear not! You may also register individually or in a smaller group (2-4 people). We will assign you to a team. While this event is coordinated by our Young Adult Ministry, All in the parish community are welcome!
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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!
Each year, St. Alphonsus joyfully educates the children of our parish in their Catholic faith. If you would like to spend more time with children, strengthen the faith bonds in 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 RE Coordinator Erica Cook for more information.
Our Religious Education program is currently underway for the 2021-2022 school year. If you are interested in registering your child, please contact Erica Cook or visit our website at www.stalphonsuschicago.org/religious-education for more information.
Walking With Purpose- A Modern Woman's Guide to the Bible
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.
Respect Life Month Webinars
Tuesday - October 19
As Catholics, we are called to cherish, defend, and protect those who are most vulnerable, from the beginning of life to its end, and at every point in between. This series of Respect Life Webinars will highlight and address the findings from the study: “How Americans Understand Abortion: A Comprehensive Interview Study of Abortion Attitudes in the U.S.” The study is a must-read for anyone committed to understanding not only what Americans believe about abortion, but also how they think about it. Download the report here.
Word on Fire Institute
It’s the Word on Fire Institute’s 3-year anniversary! Take a look inside the Institute where thousands of people across the globe are learning how to share the Gospel and lead the culture to Christ.
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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.
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Knights of Columbus
Prayers for all facing surgeries, illnesses, employment and other challenges. Thanksgiving for all of the many answered prayers.
Tootsie Roll / ID Drive for benefit of Special Needs programming at Misericordia, THIS WEEKEND OCT 16 & 17, late morning/early afternoon (1 hour shift), and after each of the SUN masses (just for 15-minutes)
Although our South Side Chicago team bowed out of the playoffs, did you know that the Knights founder, Blessed Michael McGivney was an ardent baseball fan! A recent online exhibition centers on the Knights connection with baseball.
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Save the Date! Dante 360 at the Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture
November 14th at 3:00 PM
Experience the immersive depth and complexity of Dante's vision as we celebrate the Year of Dante through music, performance, and art inspired by the great Italian poet. Tickets are NOW ON SALE!
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News Around the Archdiocese
Queen of Angels’ annual Children's Resale Shop is Saturday, October 16th in the Lower Church, 2330 W. Sunnyside Ave., from 8 AM to 1 PM. Bring your shopping bags and stock up on tons of new and gently used children's clothing, shoes, accessories, strollers, furniture, toys, games, puzzles, baby equipment, books, ride-ons, sports equipment, Halloween costumes, and more! Covid safety protocols will be in place. Admission is $1
The Archdiocese's Domestic Violence Outreach are holding their annual survivors' Mass at Holy Name Cathedral this Saturday at 5:30 PM. We pray together for an end to domestic violence in our homes and communities. For those who are joining us virtually at home, the Mass link is here.
The archdiocese is working with Catholic Charities and one of its resources, Exodus World Service, to help educate and inform individuals about the current refugee crisis. Exodus is hosting a Refugee Workshop on Wednesday, Oct. 20, at 7:00 PM at St. Teresa of Avila Parish. The workshop will focus on how we as Catholics are called to express unique care for each individual we encounter, especially those seeking refuge in our communities.
Mid-life Singles (mid 30s to 50s): Are you looking for a renewed sense of purpose and belonging? Register today for a life-changing REFLECT weekend retreat at the Joseph & Mary Retreat House (formerly Cardinal Stritch Retreat House) in Mundelein, IL (northern suburbs), on Nov 12-14. Take a chance and get involved... you won't regret it! Cost is $215 for meals and a single room. Learn more and register online, or e-mail for questions.
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Community News
Make an impact! Become a volunteer w/ Midtown Educational Foundation. Midtown Educational Foundation are in need of volunteers and mentors to help educate the youth of Chicago. MEF programs are rooted in Catholic moral and social teaching and embrace students regardless of their religious, racial, ethnic or familial status. They are hosting a Happy Hour on Thursday October 21. Learn more from current volunteers and staff at this social!
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Your financial gifts help us to continue our ministries as a faith community. We are deeply grateful for every gift that is shared.
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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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