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Celebrate Sunday Mass at St. Alphonsus!
Hello St. Alphonsus,
In this Sunday's Gospel, Jesus warns against following the example of the scribes and the Pharisees and teaches that those who would be great must be servants.The warning Jesus gives against seeking places of honor in the community was directed as much toward the Christian community as the named Jewish leaders. Indeed, it is a warning that resonates with us today. Christian leadership is a call to service for the glory of God; those who would be leaders among us must, like Jesus, be servants of all.
Daily prayer keeps you in good relationship with the LORD, and yourself.
Invite your friends/loved ones to Mass!
Mass Readings for Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time
November 5 Parish Bulletin
A quick reminder that St. Alphonsus is now offering Saturday morning Mass at 8:30 AM.
Men's Group Holy Hour in Church this Friday, November 3, at 7:30 PM
There is an American Red Cross Blood Drive at St. Alphonsus this Sunday, November 5, in the Festival Hall. Thank you for considering donating life-giving blood! Please make an appointment online at their website and use the sponsor code StAlphonsusChurch.
Our Knights of Columbus will be meeting Monday, November 6, at 7:30 PM. To find out more information about the Knights of Columbus at St. Alphonsus, or to apply for membership, feel free to contact parishioner Ray San Agustin.
Mass of Hope & Healing for Those Who Have Suffered the Loss of a Child
Wednesday, November 8, at 6 PM
All parishioners are invited to join us for a special Mass for anyone who has lost a child through miscarriage, stillbirth, accident, illness, or for those grieving due to an abortion. There will be specific prayers for healing and comfort offered during Mass for those who have experienced loss, as well as a special blessing for grieving parents at the end of Mass. Immediately following Mass, there will also be a special time of Eucharistic Adoration in which families can light a candle, inscribe the name of a child in a book of remembrance, or offer other personal prayers.
If you have recently registered in the parish in the last couple months, you will receive a welcome packet in the mail next week. We sincerely apologize for the delay!
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National Vocation Awareness Week
Our Pastor, Rev. Steven Bauer, contributed his own story about his faith journey/discernment in this week's bulletin.
Also please check out resources on the Archdiocese of Chicago's page on National Vocation Awareness.
Upcoming Women's opportunities for discernment November 5 and 11.
REVIVE: Our Identity in Christ
Men and women ages 18-35 are invited to virtually join the Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles for their Spiritual Conference, REVIVE. Learn about the Masculine Genius with St. John of the Cross presented by Fr. Tim Grumbach and about the Feminine Genius with the Carmelite Martyrs of Compiegne presented by Sister Teresa Christine, OCD.
Join them on Saturday, November 11th at 8:30 PM (CST) for the Talks, followed by Small Group Discussion and Adoration.
RSVP here
USCCB Prayer and Discernment Resources
What is my Vocation?
Vocation comes from the Latin word "vocare" meaning "to call." God calls each and every one of us to a specific mission in life. The Lord created you to be unique and unrepeatable, so you are the only one who can fulfill the mission you were created for. A vocation requires a full gift of self, whether it be a full gift of yourself to your spouse in Marriage, to your parish and Christ's people in Priesthood, or to your religious community and to the Lord in Consecrated Life. Do not be afraid. God is with you and desires to fill you with His love, mercy, and grace.
If you earnestly desire to discover how God is calling you, pray daily, volunteer and serve others, and research different states of life.
These video series may be helpful in discernment:
Behind the Collar (Diocesan Priesthood)
Behind the Veil (Women's Religious Orders)
Behind the Habit (Men's Religious Orders)
Go to vocationministry.com/resources/discerning to learn more.
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All the faithful are asked to please continue praying for all those discerning and our seminarians. Highlighted here is parishioner and former Men's Group leader Matt Duff, who entered the Archdiocese of Chicago Seminary this fall! | |
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Introducing FORMED!
Truth, Goodness, Beauty.
Turn on any television network or streaming service, and instead of finding content that is true, good, or beautiful, you find content filled with profanity, negativity, and violence. The nightly news is only bad news. You feel empty, disgruntled, and dissatisfied. Turning off the TV, you wonder how it got to be so late, and if there is anything more to life than this.
Well, I have some good news for you, the good news of the Gospel. Because it is good news! But most of us have somehow missed the memo. We live our lives seeking fulfillment, longing for that deeper purpose, and we don’t realize that God is waiting to fill our lives with the truth, goodness, and beauty of His love.
When I came to the faith, I had no understanding of anything. Nothing! I knew about Noah’s ark and that Jesus had lived a long time ago, but that’s it. I only knew the things the world had told me about God and happiness, but what the world had said left me feeling empty and in pain. I longed for something more. In RCIA, I started watching content on FORMED and I couldn’t get enough! I began learning more about Jesus. The more I knew about Him, the more I longed to personally know Him. That transformed my life.
Led by the Augustine Institute and Ignatius Press, FORMED brings beautiful and faithful Catholic content: award-winning studies, inspiring audio content, movies, e-books, and family-friendly kid’s programming.
St. Alphonsus now has a parish subscription to FORMED and you can sign up for FREE!
FORMED will transform your life and your family, just as it has transformed mine. Start seeing the world through the lens of the good news of the Gospel. Learn how to defend and share your faith. Discover the deeper meaning of your life. Encounter God in a more personal way. Start watching content on FORMED today!
Emily Ember, Coordinator of RE/Evangelization
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Stewardship at St. Alphonsus
Parishioners often wonder how much to contribute. The table below provides suggested giving amounts based on the concept of giving your first hour of salary back to God. These amounts are suggestions and are not meant to be taken as a rule.
We invite you to make your offertory gift at any amount after your prayerful consideration!
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| Household Income | Weekly Offertory Gift | Monthly Offertory Gift | Annual Offertory Gift
| | $30,000 | $14.42 | $62.49 | $749.84
| | $50,000 | $24.04 | $104.17 | $1,250.08
| | $75,000 | $36.06 | $156.26 | $1,875.12
| | $100,000 | $48.08 | $208.34 | $2,500.16
| | $200,000 | $96.15 | $416.65 | $4,999.80
| | $500,000 | $240.38 | $1,041.64 | $12,499.76
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"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!
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Faith Formation News
Are you looking for a deeply meaningful way to serve your community? Do you want to be inspired and challenged to grow in your faith? Do you want to make a lasting, positive impact on the lives of the youth? We’d love to have you join our team!
Catechists are needed each Tuesday from 6:00-7:30 PM now through early May to share our Catholic faith with the young people of St. Alphonsus parish in our Religious Education program.
If you know any adults interested - please have them contact Emily Ember.
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.
Seek 24 , January 1-5 in St. Louis, MO Register Now!
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Walking With Purpose
Come as you are. You are welcome here!
Make authentic connections with other women; refuel and refresh; Learn more about God
The Touching the Divine bible study focuses on qualities of Jesus revealed through the Gospel of John. This study draws us into a deeper, loving relationship with Jesus as we reflect on His life and personality.
St. Alphonsus Women's Bible Study is on Tuesdays w/ two sessions, one at 9:30 AM and the other at 6:30 PM. Questions? Contact Susan Combes
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Men's Group
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 us here!
Men's Group Holy Hour on Friday November 3 at 7:30 PM
Bishop Gregory J. Mansour issues a new pastoral letter on men's spirituality, and how it relates to fatherhood, sexuality and leadership.
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Young Adult Ministry
Praise and Adoration Nov. 17 at 7:30 PM
On Friday, November 17th, spend time with our Lord in praise and adoration in the church. We'll spend the first 15 minutes in silent adoration, and then our musicians will lead worship in song. Confession will also be available! The hour will conclude with benediction, and we will gather for fellowship at Lincoln Tap after!
Volunteer Opportunity!
Come play bingo with the residents of St. Mary’s Home (a nursing home run by Little Sisters of the Poor) on November 19th, 1:15-2:30PM!
We will help with set up, bring the residents to the auditorium, and assist them with the game. The address is 2325 N Lakewood Ave.
Please complete this sign up form if you plan to volunteer, only 8 volunteers are needed at this time. Contact our YAM Service Pillar for any questions. Thanks!
Save the Date: Advent Retreat Saturday December 16! More details soon!
Be sure to stay updated for all our events through our YAM Linktree. November Newsletter coming soon!
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Alphonsus Academy & Center for the Arts
At AACA, our focus on academic excellence, enriched by an arts-integrated curriculum and a strong Catholic foundation, creates a welcoming community full of creativity and opportunity for all. Join us at our next Open House on Thursday November 9 at 9 AM to discover what our community has to offer you and your child. This is a wonderful chance for you to become familiar with our school and to ask questions you may have about AACA. Register online
| As part of Dia de los Muertos, our AACA kindergarteners created ofrendas for the community to honor lost love ones. All Spanish classes studied the history of the celebration and created decorations for the ofrendas. | |
We are ALL called to be saints! This week, AACA first graders reminded us of this as they presented illustrations of their patron saints. What an example of faith in action! There is a wonderful video of the school children walking in the procession for school Mass with their Saints art. | |
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Around the Archdiocese
The Catholic Cemeteries of the Archdiocese of Chicago invite you to join on Cemetery Sunday this Sunday Nov. 5 at 2 PM to honor your loved ones with an outdoor Rosary and Prayer Service.
Our Planet Is Nearing a Breaking Point, a recent article by Cardinal Cupich
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