A Message From Our Pastor
What We Can Do to Help Ukraine
All of our hearts are breaking for the people of Ukraine, especially when we see the images of the bombed out buildings, smoldering rubble, and refugees fleeing to somewhere else, anywhere else. As we listen to the news of Vladimir Putin’s war machine ravaging cities, we feel helpless when facing that kind of evil. Despite the distance, our empathy causes us to ache; we don’t like the frustration of feeling helpless.
There is a story In the Gospels where the disciples were frustrated that they unable to cast a demon out of a boy who was possessed. After Jesus had healed the boy, He explained, “this kind can only come out through prayer and fasting” (Mt 17:21).
In the face of great evil – like an unjust war – we so often feel frustrated and helpless. However, with this Gospel story in mind, it is possible to apply the same united principle of prayer and fasting, imploring Jesus to drive out the evil intentions of Putin and his henchmen to bring an end to the violence. Prayer and fasting are two of the three characteristic disciplines of Lent, the third being almsgiving. Inspired by stories in the Gospel and applying the principles of Lent, I would like to invite parishioners to join me in weaving together three-fold disciplines of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving into one event to imploring God’s grace to flow into country and people of Ukraine.
Specifically, the invitation is for Wednesday, March 23rd:
• Prayer: attend the 6 PM Mass and the following Eucharistic Holy Hour from 6:30 – 7:30, during which the Rosary will be recited.
• Fasting: during that day, fast strictly on only bread and water in solidarity with the refugees and their children. Challenging, yes, but it still may be more than what they get to eat.
• Almsgiving: guesstimate whatever you would normally spend on food that day, and make a donation in that amount to provide assistance to the refugees. Donations can be submitted electronically here, or in person at a collection during the Mass, and will be directed to Catholic Relief Services, which already has refugee support networks in place in Ukraine, Poland, and bordering countries.
Participating in this event of fasting and prayer for Ukraine may be an uncomfortable sacrifice for some, but the amount of suffering we will willingly undertake next Wednesday is quite small in comparison to that of the refugees. Additionally, any sacrifice of prayer, fasting, or almsgiving (or all three) undertaken during Lent brings us closer to Jesus. Through our willingness to enter into His Passion in this way, we come to recognize Jesus present in the Ukrainian refugees, and then become like Simon of Cyrene as we help them to carry their crosses. And through this participation in the Cross, we pray that our merciful God may guide us through this dark night and give to the world a new light of hope to end this suffering and bring about restoration, peace, and new life.
Rev. Steven Bauer
Pastor
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Celebrate Sunday Mass at St. Alphonsus!
In this Sunday's gospel, Jesus teaches repentance with a parable about the barren fig tree. We are asked to repent yet God is merciful and tends to us so that we may yet bear the fruit he desires from us.
March 19 is the Solemnity of St. Joseph. We give thanks to God for our glorious spiritual father! This feast encourages us to look at Joseph's role as husband and head of the Holy Family. Joseph gives us an example of how to be a just spouse and how to have holy relationships. You can sign up for a free prayer E-Book here.
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 youth of St. Alphonsus will be receiving the Confirmation sacrament next Friday March 25 at 7 PM. Please pray for all our Confirmandi!
Come Holy Spirit,
fill the hearts of your faithful
and kindle in them the fire of your love.
Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created.
And You shall renew the face of the earth.
O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit,
did instruct the hearts of the faithful,
grant that by the same Holy Spirit
we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations,
Through Christ Our Lord.
Amen
**Please note due to Confirmation next Friday March 25, the Divine Mercy Chaplet and Stations of the Cross will not be prayed in Church at their regular evening hours.**
"Open Gym" Saturday Morning Kid's Play Time
Looking for a chance to get out of the house and for your kids to run around? Please join us Saturday mornings in Festival Hall (below the church) for a chance to spend time with other St. Als families and for the kids to play together. Please bring your own coffee, snacks, and any toys your kids would like to play with. Enter through the West door closest to the parking lot (by the Mary Altar). Saturdays 8:30 AM-10:30 AM.
Men of the parish are invited to Communio, a men’s group that gathers each Wednesday evening from 8 – 9 PM in the Rectory to pray and chant Vespers (evening prayer), followed by a time of conversation and fellowship.
St. Alphonsus Men’s group meets Thursday nights to pray the liturgy of the hours, have fellowship, and to propose challenging topics to discuss. We meet every Thursday night at 7 PM in the rectory. Food and drinks provided. All men are welcome, with most men being in their 20s and 30s. Access can be gained at the west facing rectory door in the parking lot. For questions or more information contact Matt Duff.
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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Knights of Columbus
St. Alphonsus Parish Fish Fry, FRI, April 8th, 6:00-9:00PM
Trinity Irish Dancers! Fish, Families, Fun & more!
Food Drive for Mission Our Lady of Angels, SUN, March 27, bring non-perishables (peanut butter/crackers, tuna/crackers, snackbars, water, etc.) to St. Alphonsus and leave by the collection bins near entrance to church; drive will happen before/after each mass on SUN, March 27.
Together, the Knights are invited to be ready when Fr. Bauer & our Parish call. The more members, the better prepared we are to answer that call. Our next 30-minute meeting is April 4th. To learn more about the St. Alphonsus Knights council, please contact Paul Gillespie.
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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!
Join us on March 29th for the next event in the Prove Me Wrong series, "Is the Novus Ordo Worth Saving?" The conversation will be with Jesse Weiler, the Director of The Liturgical Institute at the University of St. Mary of the Lake in Mundelein, IL, and co-host of the award-winning Catholic podcast, "The Liturgy Guys."
Volunteer Opportunity w/ YCP Chicago, Saturday March 19 organizing food for an upcoming food drive at St. Mary of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, 1039 W. 32nd St. Mass at 9 AM(optional), Volunteer from 10-1 PM. Sign up Here!
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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!
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.
Made For More w/ Christopher West & Mike Mangione
Brought to you by St. Alphonsus, St. Edwards Parish, St. Mary of the Angels, & The Cor Project
April 5, 2022 at 7 PM in St. Alphonsus Church
MADE FOR MORE is an inspired blend of teaching, live music, and art that taps the deepest desires of the human heart revealing their ultimate purpose and goal. Want to be inspired by beauty and the wisdom of the Church? Join Christopher West and Mike Mangione as they offer a vision of the Gospel like you’ve never heard through the lens of Saint John Paul II’s Theology of the Body.
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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 community member prayerfully consider 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 through our secure online giving platform, GiveCentral. You can also text Sunday to (773) 570-7600.
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Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture
More than a century ago, in 1911, St. Alphonsus Parish built the Athenaeum to be a center for parish life, cultural events, community activities and the performing arts. It was an extraordinary venue back then, and today even moreso. As the historic building undergoes some renovation and restoration, in collaboration with the parish, the theater’s operating group, the Athenaeum Center for Thought and Culture, has engaged an international arts management and consulting firm to conduct a survey to assess development and operational plans for the Athenaeum. Soliciting feedback from a wide range of people, it seeks to assess demand for performance, rehearsal, artist studio, community, office/co-working, and event spaces in Chicago, and at the Athenaeum specifically. Parishioners and theater patrons are invited to complete this 10-minute survey to help us understand the unique needs, desires, dreams and potential uses for a new facility.
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Alphonsus Academy & Center for the Arts
Our parish school's biggest fundraiser, Art & Soul is Saturday, April 2 from 6:30 to 11:30 PM. The event will be held at Ravenswood Event Center, 4043 N. Ravenswood and includes a silent and live auction, dinner, drinks, and dancing! Tickets are $175 and will sell out. For more info and to purchase tickets.
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Around the Archdiocese and more
Lenten Video Reflections and Resources
To assist all in our community in your Lenten preparation and practices, a few multimedia resources: YouTube, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram as well as at the following:
All men are invited to take part in a spirituality series - "Lord, Who Do You Say that I Am?” Hosted by Fr. John Kartje. The series kicks off next week on March 24 at 7 PM, with the topic, "The Man You are Called to Be: In God's Eyes".
Exploring Priesthood Weekend: The last retreat weekend for the academic year will be held at Mundelein Seminary from March 25-27. This is an opportunity for college and professional aged men to discern God’s call to diocesan priesthood. In this retreat, men participate in prayer, discussion, visit the seminary campus, and interact with seminarian and priests. For more information
Quigley Days: On Saturday, April 30, high school-age men are invited on a hiking outing to Paw Paw Woods Nature Preserve, Willow Springs, IL. The day will include Mass, hiking and a lunch which will be provided. For more information
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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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