Celebrate Sunday Mass at St. Alphonsus!
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.
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.
This Sunday marks the beginning of the Church's liturgical year as Advent (from, "ad-venire" in Latin or "to come to") is the season encompassing the four Sundays (and weekdays) leading up to the celebration of Christmas.
The Advent season is a time of preparation that directs our hearts and minds to Christ’s second coming at the end of time and to the anniversary of Our Lord’s birth on Christmas.
St. Alphonsus will have free Word on Fire and Little Blue Book Advent reflection books to help you keep the season as well as 2022 calendars available at Mass this Sunday. Quantities may be limited so don't wait to get yours!
Christmas Mass Schedule:
Christmas Eve Friday, Dec. 24 4:00 PM, 6:00 PM, and 11:00 PM
Christmas Day, the Nativity of the Lord Saturday, Dec. 25 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM
Sunday, Dec. 26, the Most Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph; Regular Sunday Mass Schedule
Men's Evening prayers group (Vespers) continue on Wednesdays from 8:30 to 9 PM in the church sanctuary.
Wednesday, Dec. 8 is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, a Holy Day of Obligation. Mass times will be at 8:30 AM and at our usual 6 PM Wed Mass.
Sunday, December 12th, the Church will honor Mary in the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, remembering the day when an image of her appeared on the cloak of St. Juan Diego, a humble Aztec farmer, in 1531. The miracle sparked a massive conversion of the indigenous peoples to the Catholic faith and ended the Aztec rituals of human sacrifice. She is honored as the patroness of Mexico, of the Americas, and venerated as the Patroness of the Unborn. Our parish will celebrate by holding Mass on the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe at 12:30 PM which will be followed by a Fiesta in the Festival Hall at 1:30 PM. All are invited! Please support our fund to offset costs of flowers to decorate the Mary altar. Thank You!!
Knights of Columbus Food Drive- Our parish Knights council will be hosting their monthly food drive next Saturday December 4 from 10 AM– Noon in support of Mission of Our Lady of the Angels. The drive takes place in the St. Alphonsus parking lot near the garage. Donations of nonperishable food items can also be placed in the labeled bins in the vestibules of the church. Thank you for your generosity!
Boy Scouts Wreath Sale; The St. Alphonsus Scout Troop 889 are selling wreaths again this season. Get your own home ready for the holidays, plus these make great gifts for family and friends! Each item purchased also funds the planting of an evergreen seedling in one of our National and State Forests. Go to www.giftitforward.com, enter fundraising code tr889il001, and find your favorite wreath, centerpiece, holiday door spray, or mini tree! Thank you from all our Scouts!
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
Watch the Final Year of Saint Joseph Reflection
Mundelein Seminary recently concluded their Year of Saint Joseph video series, with the final reflection offered by Bishop Jeffrey Grob, auxiliary bishop of Chicago. You can also catch up on all of the monthly reflection videos from the past year as we sought to better understand the spiritual character of Saint Joseph
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!
|
|
St. Alphonsus Giving Tree
Our Giving Tree is now up in the narthex of the church! St. Alphonsus will be taking part in the annual Celebration of Giving from now to Dec 5. Grab any number of tags and return your gift(s) to church on Sunday or you may drop off at the rectory office during business hours. This wonderful service project annually 'makes Christmas' for hundreds of those less fortunate. Our Giving Tree will be in support of recipients of Catholic Charities and the Women's Center.
Thank you for your generosity; these gifts are possibly the only ones they will receive this upcoming Christmas!
The parish office will also be open for the next two Saturdays from 9 AM to Noon to better accommodate those wishing to drop off their Giving Tree gifts.
|
|
Giving Tuesday is Nov. 30
St. Alphonsus' mission statement: Guided by our faith and our sense of mission, we are called to love and serve the Lord, Jesus Christ, and our neighbor through our worship, by proclaiming the Gospel through our lives of service, and by providing a spiritual and educational foundation for growth in personal holiness. We do this for those formally associated with our parish, and for our greater community. We hold before us the goal of being a vibrant and welcoming community that provides for and participates in a variety of ministries, services and events that support discipleship and promote God’s power and presence in our daily lives.
This year, we invite parishioners to show their thankfulness to the Lord for His blessings through making a donation to St. Alphonsus Parish. Every gift is appreciated, and any amount is appropriate. There are many wonderful blessings here, the blessings of Giving Tuesday helps us keep our ministries running and the blessings flowing.
|
|
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!
Join St. Alphonsus YAM and Young Catholic Professionals Chicago on Saturday, December 11th for the St. Joseph Saturday Retreat! St. Joseph
Saturday is a FREE half-day retreat (open to all young adults in their 20s and 30s), where young adults are encouraged to “look upon work with the eyes of faith” and see God’s presence in their vocations and professional lives. The retreat will include talks, group discussion, and prayer, and it will be a time to reflect on the life of YCP's patron saint, St. Joseph the Worker. Register now at https://bit.ly/ycpretreat21
|
|
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!
Walking With Purpose- A Modern Woman's Guide to the Bible
Join us at St. Alphonsus this Winter 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.
AMEN - Catholic Meditation Prayer App
This new Catholic prayer app from The Augustine Institute provides faithful prayers rooted in Tradition to calm restless hearts, Catholic meditations to deepen your relationship with Christ, and nourishing Scripture to feed hungry souls. With Amen, peace of mind isn’t only attainable; it’s in the palm of your hand.
|
|
Alphonsus Academy
Our parish school, Alphonsus Academy & Center for the Arts, are beginning preparation for their biggest annual fundraiser Art & Soul, which will be held on April 2, 2022. If you are a school parent, this is your chance to help out! Learn more here.
If you are planning to send Christmas cards this year or create personalized Christmas gifts, a great way to save money and help raise money for AACA is by ordering through www.minted.com with the promo code FUNDRAISEALPHONSUS. You will receive 20% off your purchase and Minted will donate 15% of all sales back to AACA. The promo code and savings/giveback are all year round.
|
|
Around the Archdiocese
There will be a special Adoration for Life from conception to natural death on Tuesday, November 30th from 6:00 to 9:00 PM at Saint Juliana, 7201 N. Oketo in Edison Park. Fr. Elliott will also be giving a talk regarding the sanctity of all life at 8:30 PM.
On Sunday, Dec. 12, Queen of All Saints Basilica, 6280 N. Sauganash Ave will be hosting The Compassionate Friends Worldwide Candle Lighting service for the loss of a child. The gathering begins at 6:45 PM. and includes a short service, readings and music. At 7:00 PM. local time, family and friends around the globe unite in lighting candles for one hour to honor the memories of any child of any age who has died. All are welcome to participate in part or all of the service, which will also be livestreamed on their parish website.
The Institute for Diaconal Studies (IDS) invites all men who feel the gentle nudge of the Holy Spirit to attend an Exploring the Diaconate session. It is a time to pray, discuss, and learn more about the discernment process and the formation program that aspirants and candidates pursue. Please join us, with your wives, if married, as we explore the potential of a vocation, engage in dialogue and pray in search of the next step. All are welcome to attend any of the sessions.
College Seminary with the Archdiocese of Chicago: A Guide for Discerners and Parents
The Archdiocese of Chicago sponsors eligible young men to discern their priestly vocation and complete their college degree at St. John Vianney College Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota on the campus of the University of Saint Thomas. Here is a Q&A flyer that addresses many common questions.
High School-age men are invited on a hiking outing to Volo Bog, Volo, IL on Saturday, December 4.
Who Will Fill These Shoes? Dec. 28 Young men ages 13–20, as well as their parents and priests, are invited to this annual event hosted at Mundelein Seminary to learn more about the priesthood and vocations.
Mass of the Jubilee of Mother Cabrini and Opening of the Holy Door at Holy Name Cathedral December 5
Following the recent Inaugural Mass for the Jubilee Year at the Shrine of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, all are invited to the opening Mass of the Jubilee of Mother Cabrini and opening of the Holy Door at Holy Name Cathedral on Sunday, December 5 at 12:30 PM. This local celebration of a Chicago saint will inspire our faithful to the call of holiness each of us receive at baptism, and deepen our devotion to our Church here in Chicago. May Mother Cabrini bless our efforts as we honor her witness and her story, inviting others to encounter Christ’s love.
|
|
Community News
Thursday, December 2nd from 5:30-7:30 PM at The Pony Inn
Join the Lakeview Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce (LRVCC) for our Holiday Jingle & Mingle Business Social at The Pony Inn on Thursday, December 2nd, from 5:30-7:30 PM. Stop by to toast the season and raise a glass with fellow Lakeview and Roscoe Village business owners! Appetizers will be provided, in addition to two free drinks. This event is free for members and $10 for non-members. We hope to see you there!
Next Saturday Dec. 4 from 6-10 PM our neighbors at Beermiscuous, 2812 N. Lincoln, will be hosting a fundraiser for South Side Mutual Aid. They’ll be accepting cash donations along with donations of sanitary items, food, school supplies, and coats/winter wear.
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
