A Message From Our Pastor
Greetings!
A New Act of Contrition
The practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving during the season of Lent affords us all the opportunity to look into a spiritual mirror and take stock of our thoughts, words, and deeds, and also look more reflectively at our relationship with God, with others, and with the poor. And for most all of us, this helps us recognize the need and importance of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. During Lent, through the daily readings or devotional prayers, we often hear a call to repentance, conversion of heart, forgiveness, and mercy – all so that we can dwell in right relationship with God and experience the fullness of life that comes through Christ’s Passion, death, and Resurrection.
This Lenten season, the Catholic Church in the United States is receiving a slightly revised translation of the Sacrament of Reconciliation....
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Celebrate Sunday Mass at
St. Alphonsus!
In this Sunday's Gospel, Jesus reveals himself to the Samaritan woman at the well. His answer to her questions about worship is meant to predict a time when worshiping in truth and spirit will become the way to worship. The water references in the readings are important because of course without water we couldn’t survive, the world couldn’t survive. Let us be the living water our world is thirsting for!
Daily prayer keeps you in good relationship with the LORD, and yourself.
Church Architecture Talk/Mass/Social- This Saturday March 11 at 4 PM
Join us this Saturday March 11th at 4 PM in the Church for a look at the art and architecture of our own Saint Alphonsus Church. Chicago architect Thomas M. Dietz will discuss the architectural history of the building with a specific eye toward its interior art program. As an introduction to the principles defining sacred space, the presentation will address a number of theological concepts evident in the church. The ultimate intent is to provide participants with a foundation in the theological principles and tools of analysis that can deepen their appreciation of the Church’s vast architectural patrimony. An opportunity of Q&A will follow the presentation, after which Mass will be celebrated (an anticipatory Mass which counts for the Third Sunday of Lent). After Mass there will be a social in the Festival Hall for more conversations with Tom the architect and other attendees.
Daylight Savings Time begins this Sunday at 2 AM. Please be sure to spring ahead 1 hour as you don't want to be late for Mass on Sunday!
St. Alphonsus, as a vibrant parish in the Archdiocese of Chicago, is part of the Augustus Tolton Teaching Parish program. Next Wednesday on March 15, the rectory office will be closed as our parish staff will be enjoying a Lenten retreat at Mundelein Seminary. Please join with our seminarians in praying for our St. Alphonsus parish and all of our faith community members!
The Stations of the Cross will be prayed every Friday during Lent at 7 PM, (except for March 24, which is Confirmation) Stations will be prayed at 5 PM on March 31 and led by our AACA school 7th graders.
All parishioners are invited to take part in the Disciple Maker Index survey. Your participation will help provide our pastor and parish ministerial leaders with a better understanding of where to focus efforts and energies to help you grow in your faith and achieve our parish’s mission. This is a very important survey and all members of our faith community are kindly asked to please complete! Your responses are immensely appreciated! The DMI survey will be open for responses now until March 31.
Men's Evening prayers group (Vespers) continue on Wednesdays from 8:15 to 9 PM in the chapel.
Friends Through Faith- Volunteers Needed!
The newly formed Friends Through Faith Adult Social Group hopes to foster essential faith-filled connections and build our St. Alphonsus community through fellowship and fun.
In order to maintain this group, we need volunteers. We will have a zoom committee meeting to discuss specifics. If you are interested, please email Amy!
We gather for breakfast, cocktails, coffee, and tea the last Sunday of every month following the 11 AM mass.
Connecting with other parishioners can lead to lasting friendships, fruitful ministries, or even just a friendly wave and smile the next time you attend Mass. We hope to create small service groups, outings and friendships out of this community.
To register for the March 26 gathering, please email Amy Keefner.
This week, the Archdiocese of Chicago released a statement that they will not be granting a general dispensation for the Memorial of St. Patrick from the obligation to abstain from meat on Fridays in Lent. Instead, Catholics who find themselves at an event where meat is served in celebrating St. Patrick may in good conscience substitute the general rule of abstinence with another form of penance or a significant act of charity that benefits the poor. Regardless, it is important to take seriously the obligation to observe Fridays in Lent as a way of uniting ourselves to Jesus who died on Good Friday. That should not be undervalued as we reflect on his sacrifice on the Cross for the salvation of the world in this holy season.
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Safe Families for Children Ministry
Please join us for New Volunteer Training this Saturday March 11th, here at St. Alphonsus! FREE light breakfast and lunch included! RSVP here!
Volunteer roles covered in training:
- "Host Family" - host local children in your home for short periods of time
- "Family Friend" - provide volunteer babysitting or transportation for host families and local families in crisis situations
Safe Families for Children is a national, Christian nonprofit which connects local families in crisis with "safe families" who volunteer to watch their children while parent(s) get back on their feet. This is a great opportunity to show Christ's love and compassion for local families, often young single moms with no support system, in a tangible and meaningful way.
Donate a Backpack/Duffel Bag for Safe Families for Children!
When a child arrives at a Safe Families For Children (SFFC) host family's house, they often don't come with much... maybe an extra outfit or two, but rarely anything beyond that. Our goal during Lent, with the help of various parish community groups, is to create 15 "Safe Families Blessing Bags" for use over the next year.
We are in need of:
- Baby/toddler clothes sizes: 9mo, 18mo, 4T/4, 5/6
- All genders/sizes shoes & boots
- New or slightly-used small/medium stuffed animals
If you can help provide any of these items (or equivalent gift card), please either leave the items in the narthex/parish office Safe Families donation bins, or reach out to safefamiliesstals@gmail.com to coordinate a drop-off time. Thank you for your generosity!
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Knights of Columbus
St. Alphonsus Parish Lenten Fish Fry,
March 31, 6:00-9:00PM
in the Festival Hall
Menu: Breaded Cod, Coleslaw, Peas, Carrots, Chips, Hawaiian Bread, Mini-Cupcakes
Admission: Adults: $15, ages 5-12 $7, Under 5 are Free
Children tickets purchased at the door.
BYOB for Alcoholic beverages only; non-alcohol drinks and desserts will be available. Entertainment includes two performances from the Trinity Irish Dancers, Cornhole/Bags, and children games! Fish, Families, Fun & more!
Our parish needs many volunteers to make this event a success!!
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2023 Lent
Lenten Video Reflections and Resources
To assist all in our community in your Lenten preparation and practices, a few multimedia resources: YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter as well as at the following:
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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!
Young Adult Speed Dating
Saturday, April 29 | 6:00 PM
Young adult (21-39 yrs old) speed dating will take place on Saturday, April 29th with registration check-ins beginning at 6:00 PM.
Join us for a tremendously fun evening of quality conversations with great dates, food and drinks included! Don't wait to register! Seats go super fast. All ticket sales are final and a limited number of tickets are available for each men's and women's group, so buy yours now before they sell out.
Cost per individual ticket is $50. You must pre-register for the event. Final day to register is Wednesday, April 26. At the door sign ups are not allowed, to ensure everyone is able to meet their matches for each round.
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Create a Profile link. Participants create a profile and select a preferred dating range. They will then be match with people that select similar ranges (*your age must fall within the range). *Once you create your profile, be sure to save your login to make matches, after the event.
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1. Register on the Give Central Link
2. Create a Speed Dating Profile in using the above link, if you have issues, please contact us at stalsyamsocial@gmail.com
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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- Women’s Group at St. Alphonsus— Tuesday mornings and evenings 9:30-11 AM or 6:30-8 PM.
Come as you are. You are welcome here. Make authentic connections with other women! Refuel and Refresh! Learn more about God!
We live in a self-centered culture that all too often leaves us feeling empty and dissatisfied. A fuller view of God and His glory is the perfect antidote— find this during our journey through the Beholding Your King Bible study.
We’ll study King David, select psalms, the temple, and many Old Testament prophets and see the ways in which they all point to the coming King of Kings, Jesus Christ. This Nine-Lesson Bible study is the second part of a two-part series and is ideally completed after Beholding His Glory.
8 Steps to Energize Your Faith
Tuesday, March 28th (10:00 AM - Noon)
Join Loyola Press and the Vicariate IV Team this Lent to renew your faith and to be energized to live as true disciples of Jesus Christ. In this presentation, Dr. Joe Paprocki will draw from his new book, 8 Steps to Energize your Faith, to offer practical, every-day strategies for tapping into Divine energy. Flyer with more information.
Online Lenten Discernment Group
Do you think you might have a calling? During Lent, Rev. Timothy Monahan is hosting an online discernment group for participants to learn more about the priesthood and the life of a priest. Meetings will take place on Zoom from 8:30 - 9:30 PM on Wednesdays until April 5. Register here! Once registered, participants will receive the Zoom link and materials for the meeting. Reach out to Katie Hazen with any questions.
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At the Athenaeum
*Additional events in collaboration with the Stations exhibition! Our pastor Father Bauer will be giving a prayer reflection on The Stations on Thursday March 23 at 6 PM.
Fr. Paul Anel, a visiting priest and an artist himself from Con-Solatio (formerly Heart's Home) in Brooklyn, NY who has written and spoken widely on different artistic topics, including Lucas' Stations, will be giving a talk on Monday March 27 at 7 PM. More details to come!
ACTC & The Storm Theatre proudly present The Shaughraun written by Dion Boucicault and directed by Peter Dobbins.
Set in the West of Ireland in 1866, The Shaughraun follows the comical, dramatic, and outlandish adventures that arise when the young Irish gentleman, Robert Ffolliott, is framed as a rebel and captured by British officers. Conn, the town shaughraun (“vagabond”), helps orchestrate Robert’s escape, and the British soldier Captain Molineux pursues his escaped prisoner, following him to the small Irish town of Suil-a-beg. Complications arise when Molineux finds himself madly in love with Robert’s sister, Claire, and she, though hesitant, shares his affection. After a string of betrayals, brawls, romances, and red herrings, in the end our main characters are met with marriage, arrest, and the edge of a cliff.
As part of The Storm Theatre’s mission to utilize under-acknowledged gems from the world repertory, The Shaughraun, is sure to give you laughs, gasps, and shocks. Boucicault’s work gave birth to Irish theatre in the 19th century and influenced artists such as George Bernard Shaw, John Millington Synge, Sean O’Casey and even Anton Chekov. The Shaughraun is a must-see classic filled with surprises and one unforgettable vagabond turned hero.
St. Pat’s Party March 11
Join us on the evening of March 11 after the parade. Live Irish music will begin at 5:00 in our Paradiso Bar. Come and enjoy a pint and some good craic before the show!
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Living the Gospel of Life
New Location: The rally and march move from Chicago to Springfield, IL
New Day: Tuesday, March 21, 2023.
SAME MISSION: Save Midwestern Lives by marching for life in the public square!
Since 2013, the rally and march has served as a unifying event for the pro-life movement that grew through the Midwest. The 2023 move continues that unity as it is supported by weDignify, Illinois Right to Life, Lutheran Church Missouri—Synod, Wisconsin Right to Life, Illinois Knights of Columbus, and more!
Please consider praying outside an abortion clinic on Western Ave as part of Chicago's 40 Days for Life campaign. Learn more here
The National Blueprint
Are you interested in learning about a natural method to avoid or achieve pregnancy? Apply today to join The Natural Blueprint’s next cohort. The course is virtual, and on Tuesdays for 6 weeks, 7:15-8:30 PM, March 14 - April 18. Space is limited. Interested in joining? Apply today here or reach out via email or on Instagram to learn more!
The Natural Blueprint is a six-week virtual course that introduces you to the basic principles of a scientifically proven, natural method to help you achieve your goals - whether you want to learn more about your reproductive health, prevent pregnancy, or achieve pregnancy. We also discuss hormonal condition clues that can be discovered through charting, basic lifestyle changes that can support hormone balance, and the latest technology that helps make charting cycles easier.
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Stewardship at St. Alphonsus
"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?
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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Annual Catholic Appeal.
The theme, Walking On The Road With Jesus, is inspired by Pope Francis' call to the entire Church to become "synodal", that is, to journey together with the Lord prompted by the Holy Spirit. Please give what you can to the 2023 Annual Catholic Appeal. Be sure to designate St. Alphonsus-Chicago when making an online gift.
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Around the Archdiocese
10 Hail Marys for Pope Francis- March 13
Cardinal Cupich is calling on the people of the Archdiocese of Chicago to take part in a global effort to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Pope Francis’ election to the papacy by praying the Hail Mary 10 times.
“From the first day of his papacy, when Pope Francis speaks to the faithful he asks that we remember to pray for him,” said Cardinal Cupich. “He has spent the 10 years of his pontificate preaching the Gospel of love and mercy in a world deeply in need of both. Let us respond as he has asked, with prayers.”
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Community News
South Lakeview Neighbors Meeting
Tuesday, March 14 Athenaeum Theatre- 2936 N. Southport Doors open 6:30, meeting starts 7:00 PM. All are invited! Agenda: 1) Congressman Mike Quigley- member of House Committee on Intelligence. 2) Mayoral Candidates- Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson have been contacted and invited to attend this meeting. The candidates are checking their schedules. Both attended the SLN January Mayoral Meeting.
Irish American Heritage Center St. Patrick’s Festival
Saturday, March 11th, 1:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Irish American Heritage Center
4626 N. Knox Ave
The festivities follow the downtown parade and are packed with traditional and contemporary Irish music, dance, food and drink for purchase, children’s activities – including Wiggleworms performances, a day of Irish Dance Schools in the Mayfair Theatre, and an Arts and Craft Fair, with vendors selling Irish gifts. Visit the Library, Art Gallery, and Museum for programming and exhibits and a used book sale. It’s everything you remember and more!
Tickets are $15 in advance for adults, $20 the day of the party, and children 12 and under are free.
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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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