|
A Message From Our Pastor
Hello St. Alphonsus,
Celebrating the Source and Summit
The Catholic Church teaches that the Holy Eucharist is the source and summit of our faith. Receiving the Eucharistic Heart of our Lord in the appearance of bread and wine is the source of our strength, faith and grace we need to live as disciples in the world. But it is also the goal and pinnacle of discipleship: being united with Jesus, the author of life and artist of love. The Eucharist “is the culmination both of God’s action sanctifying the world in Christ, and of the worship humanity offers to Christ, and through Him to the Father in the Holy Spirit” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1325).
| |
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 is at 9 AM, 11 AM, and 5 PM in English. Mass in Spanish is at 12:30 PM.
Gospel Reading Background for Corpus Christi
Mass Readings for The Most Holy Body & Blood of Christ
June 2 Parish Bulletin
Congratulations to our 2024 Alphonsus Academy graduates! May our Lord bless you and your families as you further continue your education.
Our monthly Praise and Adoration, led by our Young Adult Ministry, will be this Friday, May 31 at 7:30 PM. Spend time with our Lord in praise and adoration this evening. We'll spend the first 15 minutes in silent adoration, and then musicians will lead worship in song. Confessions will be available. The hour will conclude with benediction, and our Young Adult Ministry leaders will lead a group for fellowship and drinks at a local tavern afterwards.
Our Knights of Columbus will have their monthly meeting in the rectory next Monday, June 3 at 7:00 PM. For more information about our parish KoC council, contact parishioner Ray San Agustin.
Confessions are heard Saturdays at 11 AM and Wednesdays at 6:30 PM.
June 2—Solemnity of Corpus Christi; Special Mass & Procession
This Sunday is the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi). Because the Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life, in order to celebrate this great feast, the Mass at 11 AM will be combined with the Spanish Mass community and celebrated bilingually with an enhanced choir. Immediately following the Mass we will have a Eucharistic procession around the block of the Alphonsus campus, before returning to the church for a final benediction. There will not be a 12:30 PM Spanish Mass this Sunday.
Our St. Alphonsus Men’s Group is hosting a Holy Hour of silent adoration on Friday, June 7, from 7:30—8:30 PM in the church. All parishioners are invited to be in the presence of our Lord during this hour, and confessions will also be heard.
| |
|
The First Brats of Summer
To celebrate the beginning of summer, the Bratwurst Crew from Oktoberfest will be making their famous Brats and serving them this Friday, May 31st. You can get one fresh off the grill after school between 3 - 4 PM, or after work from 5 to 7 PM, and enjoy one here with family & friends.
Pre-sale packages are now sold out. Individual fresh Brats at the grill station this Friday will be $5. bottles of water $1, payable cash, Venmo or Zelle.
Come and enjoy this easy-going BYOB fest with the First Brats of Summer – the German word for it is "Erstesommerbratfest" – it's just about the wurst!
| |
|
Calling All Graduates!
All 2024 Graduates are invited to receive a Special Blessing during our 9 AM and 11 AM Masses on Sunday, June 9th! Whether you just graduated Kindergarten, College, or anywhere in between, you are welcome!!
Receive your blessing and then join us for...
| |
|
FREE Parish Breakfast!
The faithful are warmly invited to our next breakfast date after Mass on Sunday, June 9! ALL are invited to stay after Mass to enjoy pancakes, eggs, and delicious treats. Meet fellow parishioners and learn how to get involved in our community!
We Need Volunteers!
Help us serve breakfast and get first dibs on the food! Shifts are 2 hours each. Contact Emily or Sign up Here.
| |
|
Book Study
Fridays, 6 PM—7:30 PM
NOW thru June 21st
in Rectory Common Room
How do you fight distraction in prayer? What role does the devil play in your prayer life, and what does God want to accomplish in your soul?
Join us for a Study reading, The Devil in the Castle!
Fridays, 6 PM-7:30 PM, Now through June 21, in the Rectory
PLEASE arrive by 6:15 PM, otherwise the front door will be locked and we may not hear the bell.
Each week we will discuss a chapter and watch a video from the author as he dives deeper into the spiritual riches of St. Teresa of Avila. Pick up the book on your own and join us as we work through it!
Questions? Contact Emily Ember
| |
|
SVdP Donations Drive
Join us on Sunday, June 9, from 8:30 AM- 2 PM for our parish's St. Vincent de Paul Society's Donation Drive! Now is the time to start setting aside items to help us help our neighbors in need. All donated items stock the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift stores located in the Chicago area. There will be a trailer in our St. Alphonsus parking lot accepting donations. Please click here for full details.
| |
|
Lectio Series- Salvation
Starting Monday, June 24
Every Sunday we confess that Jesus "for our Salvation came down from Heaven." But have you ever wondered what this means?
Beginning Monday, June 24th at 7 PM, we will set out to explore these and related questions using the FORMED Lectio series on Salvation.
To sign up, costs, location, or for other questions, please contact pastoral associate, Brooks Robinson, MDiv, MTS
| |
|
Follow Our Socials!
Our parish is stepping up our social media game! Click the logos above to stay on top of everything happening at St. Alphonsus.
| |
|
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!
Visit our Linktree
Weekly Philosophy Forum meetings continue every Tuesday at 7 PM.
Visit our website for the readings and more info!
More YA Events Around the Archdiocese
Holy Name Cathedral is hosting their next Theology on Tap session on Sunday, June 2.
St. Michael's in Old Town is hosting their NextGen Mass on Tuesday, June 4 at 6:30 PM. Immediately after Mass, Kevin Pease, Director of Loyola's Institute of Scripture Studies, will engage in a conversation about why in today's world we choose to stay Catholic. This should be a very exciting sharing & extremely relevant to our lives.
Catholic Sports Leagues hosts their popular Beach Volleyball Tournament on Saturday, July 13.
Faith at the Movies- Jesus Thirsts: The Miracle of the Eucharist, only in theaters June 4-6
National Sursum Corda Young Adult Retreat in Michigan, July 5-8, registration closes June 14.
| | |
Faith Formation News
Rev. Steven Bauer and our parish staff are always available to help the faithful on their spiritual journey. May God bless us all with patience and peace as we seek to live in harmony with one another and all creation!
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!
NCCL Online Retreat: Journeying into the Eucharistic Heart of God on June 5
The road for us as disciple-ministers is filled with many challenges. But also much grace. Parish leaders are invited to join this online retreat to explore the movement of God in your lives and consider how Jesus invites you to deeper intimacy. With the help of story and theological reflection, quiet time and sharing, participants will call upon the Holy Spirit to renew their hearts for what lies ahead on this great and mysterious journey of ours. Join this FREE retreat as a gift of time to be nourished … for yourself and also for your ministry.
An Examen to Pray for Summer Months
| |
|
"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!
| |
|
Stock Donations: A Tax-Savvy Way to Support St. Alphonsus
Please help us cover our increased operating costs by considering a direct gift of securities or mutual funds. You can reduce or eliminate federal capital gains taxes on the transfer. You may also be entitled to a federal income tax charitable deduction based on the fair market value of the securities at the time of the transfer. For more information about donating stock or securities, please contact your financial advisor. To make a stock donation to St. Alphonsus, please click here and complete the electronic Letter of Intention form. Once you have submitted the form, you will receive a confirmation email with detailed instructions for you to complete your gift. If you have any questions, please contact Karen Whitehead, Archdiocese of Chicago.
| |
|
Happy 1 Year Ordination Anniversary to our Archdiocese of Chicago parish priests, St. Alphonsus' own Fr. Jesús Raya Custodio, former parish Men's Group leader Fr. Kevin Gregus, Fr. Michael Mehringer, Fr. Daniel Korenchan, and Fr. Francisco Javier Pagán Portalatín!
| Next Sunday, June 9, all parishes in the Archdiocese will take up a special collection for Priests' Health and Retirement. Priests play a significant role in the personal and spiritual lives of many, providing counsel and guidance when you need it most. Please consider thanking them for their ministry and service to the Church by making a donation at Mass or here. | |
Around the Archdiocese
"Tolton Speaks" Documentary
On Sunday, June 2 from 2 –4 PM., the Tolton Spirituality Center invites you to the Chicago premiere of the "Tolton Speaks" documentary. This new film depicts the life of Venerable Fr. Augustus Tolton and his journey to priesthood. Join for an inspiring afternoon at DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center, 740 East 56th Place, Chicago, IL. Get tickets here.
Upcoming Summer Events at St. Gregory's Hall, 5545 N. Paulina
Immaculate Heart Painting Workshop, Saturday, June 8, 11AM-3PM
Join artist-in-residence Sarah Crow for a one-day workshop using traditional oil painting techniques to create a small reproduction of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
USML- Harmony in Action Series
Listening and Discernment
June 8, 2024
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
(Synodality) Emphasize the importance of listening and discernment in synodal process. Provides practical tools and strategies for fostering dialogue, consensus – building and discernment within the Church community.
Location: St. Giles, 1045 Columbian Ave., Oak Park, IL
This is a Free workshop, for more info and to register
| | | | |