Hello St. Alphonsus,

Celebrate Sunday Mass at

St. Alphonsus!

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.

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 invites Peter to meet him on the water. Faith in Jesus enables the disciples to do the work that Jesus has done. The disciples can and will participate in the work of the kingdom of heaven. When Peter fears and doubts on the water however, he falters. Peter’s example teaches us that true Christian ministry emerges from the faith that Jesus is the Messiah, God’s only Son.

Mass Readings for Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

August 13 Parish Bulletin

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. 

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! **Flash Sale Going on NOW for Standing Room!**

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!  

Unexpected Turns: The Conversions of St. Ignatius Loyola

An Ignatian, Silent Weekend Retreat for Men @ Bellarmine Jesuit Retreat House, September 8 - 10

Retreat Leader: Fr. Michael J. Graham, SJ

Against the background of his Spiritual Exercises, we will explore the life of St. Ignatius Loyola, focusing on a series of “conversions” where life as he expected it took different turns. These turns all required him to adapt to where God seemed to be leading him—just as the twists and turns in our own lives force us to reflect on and adapt to where God is calling us. As for St. Ignatius, so for us: God writes straight with sometimes very crooked lines! The retreat will likewise introduce the retreatants to a variety of ways of praying.

Register for this event and check out more upcoming retreats!

Oktoberfest is Coming! Save the Dates September 22, 23, 24

Our parish is finalizing planning for our biggest fundraiser and all the festive joy that goes with it! An amazing music lineup, Craft Beer Nights in the Festival Hall Fri and Sat, Kinderfest and a jumbotron for the football games on Sunday, and other surprises to come! Full Fest' details about BrewMaster packages and volunteer signup will be in next week's newsletter/bulletin.

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 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!

Spikeball Tournament

Our parish YAM are joining with the St. Clement Young Adult Community for our first Spikeball Tournament! We'll meet on Saturday, August 26th at Montrose Beach at 11 AM. We will have a beginner and intermediate bracket, so please be sure to sign up for the correct one.

Each person will sign up individually and will be placed on a team of two with another player in your bracket. If you'd like to be on a team with your friend, please be sure you list their name in the appropriate section.

Your $5 payment goes towards prizes for the winning teams, and snacks and drinks at the tournament. Please fill out the registration form here to claim your spot!

More News and Events for Young Adults

YCP Gives Back- MOLA Block Party Saturday Aug 19

Safe Families for Children

WE'RE GROWING!!! Our ministry is looking for 1-2 additional volunteer "Closet Workers"! Time commitment is about 1hr/week

Closet Worker Responsibilities:

(1x per week, ~30 min) Carry donated items from the church entryway bin & rectory basket downstairs to our Resource Closet in Festival Hall

(1x per week, ~30 min) Gather donated items in the Resource Closet to meet family resource requests

If you can help with this or have questions, please reach out to us at safefamiliesstals@gmail.com Thanks in advance! 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

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. The speaker on August 15 is Emily Cortina, coordinator of Outreach and Formation for Kolbe Jail House Ministry. Hosted by St. Teresa of Avila, St. Josaphat, St. Michael, and Immaculate Conception & St. Joseph Parishes.

Catholic Charities continues to assist families seeking asylum 

St. Clement is starting a senior group; Spirituality of Transitions; Growing in Grace on Saturday, Aug 26 at 10 AM.

Vigil Mass for the Assumption

Monday, August 14, 7:00 PM

St. Gregory the Great Church, 5545 N. Paulina

Join for a special choral Mass for the Vigil of the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Music provided by St. Gregory's Schola under the direction of Kevin Allen (composer-in-residence). His Excellency Bishop Joseph N. Perry presiding. Selections from Renaissance composers Josquin des Prez and Marenzio and the Mass setting Missa Jesu Redemptor Omnium by Kevin Allen. Fulfills the holy day of obligation.

Community News

Save the date! Trick or Treat on Southport details for 2023

Lakeview Roscoe Village Chamber News- Porchfest Aug 20, TacoFest Aug 26-27

19th Police District Council Monthly Meeting:

Your newly elected 19th Police District Council Meeting will hold their 4th monthly meeting open to the Public.

Date: August 30, 2023

Place: Athenaeum Center (Event Center) - 2936 N. Southport

Time: 6:30PM

Topics of Discussion :

1) Homelessness and public safety and the Bring Chicago Home proposal

2) Council activity updates

3) Public comment - share your ideas on public safety and policing in

our Community.

For additional information