A Message From Rev. Steven Bauer

Hello St. Alphonsus,

St. Alphonsus Parish on National Stage with Eucharistic Pilgrimage on Friday, June 28

For several years now, the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has been prayerfully planning an initiative calling for a national Eucharistic Revival. It culminates in an four-day long event called the National Eucharistic Congress, which is being held in Indianapolis in mid July this summer. To create a catalyst for the Congress, the USCCB, imagining Indy as a geographical center of the nation (roughly speaking), decided to create a National Eucharistic Pilgrimage -- or actually four of them -- coming from the four cardinal directions and converging on Indianapolis for the start of the Congress. The four pilgrimage routes (respectively from the north, east, south and west), are intended to form a cross that spans the entire country, with the epicenter being the site of the upcoming Congress. The north branch of the Eucharistic Pilgrimage will be passing through the Archdiocese of Chicago in late June. This is a unique, historical, and monumental undertaking by the USCCB, collaborating with many dioceses along the various pilgrimage routes. 

Here's the exciting part: not only will this procession be passing through the Chicago Archdiocese, out of many parishes, St. Alphonsus was specifically chosen by the organizing committee to be a host site for a special Mass and Eucharistic Procession! Recognized and affirmed for our vibrant ministry to Catholics in their 20s and 20s, we have been selected as the singular host site for young adults participating in the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage. It is equal parts humbling and exciting!

On Friday, June 28th at 6:30 PM, we will welcome the pilgrims crossing the country on foot who bear the liturgical elements for the Mass and Procession. We also expect to welcome several hundreds of young adults from all over the Archdiocese, the state of Illinois, and beyond to our church for this event. After a couple testimonies from the official pilgrims, we will celebrate Mass, and have a special candle-lit Eucharistic procession around our campus. The procession will return to the church and conclude with Solemn Benediction. Following the procession, there will, of course, be a social afterwards for young adult Catholics to mingle and connect with each other.

While the social might be intended for young adults, anyone and everyone from our parish is strongly encouraged to attend. The National Eucharistic Pilgrimage is an historic event for the Catholic Church in the United States, the Archdiocese, and especially for St. Alphonsus Parish. Nothing like this has happened in nearly a century -- the closest approximation was back in 1926, when a Eucharistic Congress drew well over 250,000 parishioners to liturgies at Soldier Field and Mundelein Seminary. But this year, as it traverses the country, the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage has already drawn millions of Catholics along the four routes. And how blessed are we, not just to attend, but to be a host site welcoming pilgrims and young adults to one of the most beautiful sanctuaries in the city, with a top-tier music program, and some of the best parishioners anywhere!  

Click here to learn more about the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage  

If you'd like to participate in the event as a volunteer, please sign up here!

Celebrate Sunday Mass at St. Alphonsus!

In this Sunday's Gospel, Jesus calms the storm and admonishes his disciples for their shaky faith. This Gospel can be interpreted as a metaphor for our lives. We are in the boat, the storms of life are raging around us, and like the disciples, we may believe that Jesus is unconcerned, or “sleeping.” If we feel that Jesus is sleeping, are we comfortable enough to wake Jesus and present him with our needs? Jesus does not chide his disciples for waking him. Instead he chides them for their lack of faith, for their lack of perspective. When we bring our worries to God in prayer, we may try and learn to see things from God's perspective.

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.

Mass Readings for Twelfth Sunday In Ordinary Time

June 23 Parish Bulletin

Praise and Adoration This Friday!

This Friday, June 21st at 7:30 PM, 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 our Young Adult ministry will lead a group for fellowship and drinks at a local bar after!

Volunteer with our Cleaning Angels Ministry this Saturday! 

All parishioners are invited to join us this Saturday, June 22 from 9 AM to 10:30 AM as we help to clean and beautify our Saint Alphonsus campus! It is our duty as good Catholics to be of service to our faith community and our local parish! No online sign-up; simply come to the church in the morning with charitable hearts! Contact coordinator Kelly Lovewell for questions.

Sacrament Series: Eucharist on Wednesday, June 26 at 7:30 PM

"Take this all of you and eat of it, this is my Body given up for you". These words, the apex of the Liturgy, are intrinsically tied to the Eucharist which is the focus of the next entry in our monthly Sacraments Series. The Catholic Church teaches that the Body and Blood of Christ are truly present in the Eucharist and yet a staggering number of American Catholics do not believe in this core tenet of Catholicism which has led to the current episcopal efforts to reverse this trend through the ongoing Eucharistic Revival.

As we explore the Sacrament which is the "source and summit of the Christian Life" (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1324-1327) we are joined by Fr. Mikuczewski, SJ as our guest lecturer. Alongside a Master's of Divinity, Fr. Mikuczewski is a visiting lecturer on bioethics at Loyola University's Stritch School of Medicine with a PhD in healthcare ethics as well as a Master's of Science in biotechnology with a focus on protein engineering and genetics. This event will be held in the second floor common room of the rectory. Doors will open at 7 PM and the talk will begin at 7:30 PM.

Our parish expresses deep apologies to all worshippers who came to daily Mass this past Tuesday, only for the visiting priest to miss the timeframe. Unfortunately the priest was delayed by a parking lot accident (not his) at his residency by the Dominican Province of St. Albert the Great.

Men's Group- Thursday Evenings  

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!

Our St. Alphonsus Men’s Group is hosting a Holy Hour of silent adoration on Friday, July 5, 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.

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 

Walking With Purpose  

Women's Group on Tuesday mornings and evenings

9:30 AM—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!  

In a world where women are measured by their beauty, achievements, and possessions, wouldn’t it be nice to find a place where you could just be valued for who you are? Living in the Father’s Love will lead you to that safe place where you are unconditionally loved, baggage and all. 

This brief but powerful summer Bible study, through July 16, is the ideal way to revive and refresh yourself. Discover just how much God loves us and how the gospels are deeply relevant to our relationship with God and with those we love. Questions? Contact Susan Combes 

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

Eucharistic Revival at St. Alphonsus

Friday, June 28 | 6:30-10:00 PM

We're super excited that St. Alphonsus gets to host a portion of this pilgrimage and we're looking for volunteers to help make it an amazing experience for all those attending. Please consider lending some time to this event by signing up at the link here!

Sign up to volunteer here!

Volunteer With the Missionaries of Charity This Saturday, June 22!

Come serve with us at the soup kitchen operated by the Missionaries of Charity on June 22nd! The soup kitchen starts at 9AM at 115 N Oakley Blvd, Chicago, IL 60612. We will carpool from St. Als at 8:30 AM. Please Sign up here and be sure to indicate whether you would like to join the carpool, or if you will meet us there! Thank you!!

Sippin Social- Sunday, June 30 on Rooftop after 5 PM Mass.

Weekly Philosophy Forum meetings continue every Tuesday at 7 PM.

Visit our website for the readings and more info!

Jesus Thirsts: The Miracle of the Eucharist” has been given an extended release and the film will now be in theaters from June 18–26! Through dialogue with notable Catholic figures, the documentary takes viewers on a journey to rediscover the transformative power of the Eucharist by exploring the biblical origins of the Eucharist and sharing personal stories from those whose lives have been impacted by the Blessed Sacrament.

"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!