Hello St. Alphonsus,

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.

In this Sunday's Gospel, Jesus is transfigured on the mountain in the presence of Peter, James, and John.

In each of the reports of the Transfiguration, Jesus instructed the disciples to keep secret what they had seen until after "the Son of Man has been raised from the dead." Until they witnessed Jesus’ Passion and Death, the disciples could not possibly understand what he meant by being "raised from the dead." We, however, have the benefit of hindsight. In our hearing of the Transfiguration Gospel, we see an anticipation of Jesus’ Resurrection, a foreshadowing of Christ’s glory in Heaven, and the promise of our own resurrection.

Mass Readings for Transfiguration of the Lord

August 6 Parish Bulletin

Men's Group Adoration/Holy Hour takes place on the first Friday of every month. All are invited to join this Friday August 4 at 7:30 PM. Questions? Contact us here!

Tuesday August 15 is the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is a Holy Day of Obligation. Mass will be celebrated this day at 8:30 AM and 7:00 PM.

St. Alphonsus is blessed with wonderful volunteers who bring Holy Communion to parishioners that are sick or homebound on a weekly, biweekly, or monthly basis. Please call the rectory office (773) 525-0709 to arrange a visit for your loved one(s) who are unable to worship in-person at church and receive the Eucharist.

Interested in Becoming a Eucharistic Minister?

  We are now looking for parishioners who are interested in serving our parish as Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. We will be holding a training session for new and current EMs on Thursday, August 24th at 7 PM in the church. Interested persons should call the rectory office or email the pastor. 

  Additionally, we would like to bring back Communion under both species (allowing people to receive the Precious Blood again). But we can only do this if we have a sufficient number of EMHCs. Currently we do not. 

  The requirements to serve as an EMHC: persons must have received Confirmation, be attending Mass weekly, have an active prayer life, be a Catholic in good standing in the Church, and above all, have an understanding of and a sense reverence for our Lord in the Holy Eucharist. 

How to Offer a Mass Intention              

Did you ever notice that every Mass said here at St. Alphonsus is offered for a special intention? The entire congregation prays for that intention during the petitions (Prayers of the Faithful) when we say, "For those who have died, and for the intention of this Mass: (named intention)"

You can make a Mass Intention request here. Masses are often offered for family, friends and relatives that have died. Praying for the dead is a Spiritual Work of Mercy. Offering a Mass for someone that has died is an especially comforting gesture to the family. Mass can also be offered to commemorate joyful occasions and to give thanks to God for blessings received. 

Faith Formation News

Register Your Child(ren) for Religious Education! 

Registration for our Religious Education program is now open for the 2023-2024 school year for grades 1st-8th on Tuesday nights at 6:15 PM. Parent orientation is September 19 and classes will begin on September 26.

Are You Ready To Become Catholic?

Registration is open for The Rite of Catholic Initiation for Adults (R.C.I.A.) Each year we are blessed with several individuals who desire to enter and learn more about the Catholic faith. The RCIA program is the study of the Catholic Faith and the process of introduction into the faith community. If you or someone you know is interested in taking the class, please contact our pastoral associate, Brooks Robinson.

The Bible Timeline

St. Alphonsus offers The Bible Timeline study group on Tuesdays at 7 PM. Participants will meet every week to view an engaging video presentation followed by a time of lively group discussion and fellowship. For more information or to register, contact Brooks Robinson.

Samuel Group @ St. Alphonsus!

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 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 during this program.

Cost: $45 per person. Register here!  

Recommended Summer Reading

Flannery O’Connor, one of the greatest American writers of the twentieth century, dubbed her own personal philosophy “Hillbilly Thomism” due to her southern American roots and her love for the writings of St. Thomas Aquinas.

In his new book, Understanding the Hillbilly Thomist: The Philosophical Foundations of Flannery O’Connor’s Narrative Art, Fr. Damian Ference examines the various ways in which St. Thomas Aquinas and the philosophical tradition of Thomism shaped not only O’Connor’s view of reality but also the stories she told to help us see and know it.

It is an absolute must-read for all lovers of Flannery O’Connor.

The Archdiocese of Chicago's Lifelong Formation Office have many upcoming events for catechists, including Children's Mental Health Crisis: A Pastoral Response; Helping Special Needs and Autistic Students in Catechesis and much more. Be sure to check it out!

Young Adult Ministry

Air and Water Show

Viewing Party

Come join St. Al’s YAM on Saturday August 19th from 11 AM-3 PM as we have watch the Chicago Air Show from the St Al’s Rectory Rooftop. Enjoy the great weather, fantastic views of the Chicago skyline and great time meeting new friends!

This is a BYOB and food event, we are hoping to have a small grill set up to cook up some hot dogs or burgers. Feel free to bring any yard games as well. 

Contact our YAM Social Team with any questions!

Pope Francis at World Youth Day, "God calls your authentic, not virtual, self"....

"You are not here by chance. The Lord called you, not only these days, but from the beginning of your lives...He called us by our names."

Pope Francis Full Translation from Aug 2 of WYD.

At the Athenaeum

Cup O'Joe- Thursday August 10 at 7 PM

Hailing from Ireland, Cup O’ Joe is a family band playing folk-bluegrass music. They write music inspired by C.S. Lewis, were runners-up in the “BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Awards,” and for one special night you can see them in the Paradiso. And for one special night, the Paradiso will be transformed into a music club-cafe—with live music, room to dance, and a team of bartenders mixing your favorite cocktails!

Tell your friends, make a party of it! Families welcome, there will be a large area set aside for standing room tickets / dance party—perfect for the little ones! Use the code ALPHONSUS, which gives you 10% off your tickets, and donates 10% back to St. Alphonsus!

Safe Families for Children

If you care about issues like human trafficking, homelessness, and preventing unplanned pregnancies, then please consider volunteering as a mentor through Safe Families PLUS! 

Safe Families PLUS is a Chicago-based mentoring program for teens aging out of the foster care system - one of the most vulnerable groups in our community.

...and young adults make GREAT mentors!!!

Application link

Questions about our ministry? Reach out to us! 

GOD BLESS!

"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!

Around the Archdiocese

The Eucharist: Our Source & Summit Retreat

This Saturday, August 5 from 8:30-4 PM, all are encouraged to join in a day of fellowship, Mass, Adoration, Confessions and dynamic presentations from renowned speakers Dr. Scott Hahn and Dr. John Bergsma. Study scripture from the heart of the Church with two of today’s most respected scholars. Go deeper into the riches of our Catholic faith.

Stories & Spirits- Theology on Tap @ Black Barrel Tavern

As Christians, our faith is based on the tradition of the divinely inspired storytelling of the Gospel. Join the Theology of Tap series, Stories and Spirits, to hear modern day stories of God working in the life of Chicago Catholics. We've all got a story! Are you ready to explore yours? Tuesdays in August at 7 PM, Black Barrel, 455 W. North Ave. First speaker on August 8 is Auxiliary Bishop for Vicariate II Mark Bartosic. Hosted by St. Teresa of Avila, St. Josaphat, St. Michael, and Immaculate Conception & St. Joseph Parishes.