Hello St. Alphonsus,

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! 

This Sunday's Gospel invites us to be like God, who pardons all iniquities and heals all ills, by forgiving those who offend us “not seven times but seventy-seven times.”Jesus teaches that we must forgive one another from our hearts as God has forgiven us.

Mass Readings for Twenty Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time



September 17 Parish Bulletin

Our Cleaning Angels Ministry will be serving our parish this Saturday, September 16 from 9–10:30 AM. All are invited to join us as we help to clean and beautify our Saint Alphonsus Church! It is our duty as good Catholics to be of service to our faith community and our local parish! All cleaning products provided; no online sign-up; simply come to the Church in the morning with smiles and open hearts! 

This Saturday and Sunday, please support Misericordia as our parish Knights of Columbus council will be taking donations as part of the annual Tootsie Roll Intellectual Disabilities drive from 9 AM to Noon at the intersections outside our church (Lincoln/Wellington/Southport) and in the narthex after Masses this Sunday. If you see them in their familiar yellow vests and bright cans, smile knowing they are helping to recognize the dignity of every person! For more information about joining the KoC, contact parishioner Ray San Agustin.

This Sunday is Catechetical Sunday, which is celebrated on the third Sunday of September. The task of handing on the Gospel is entrusted to the whole community, who by word and example, form young and new members in the way of the Gospel. Parish programs assist parents in teaching the basics of faith through liturgical experience, instruction, and faith formation. This ministry is essential for the parish to grow, for individuals to develop as believers, and for the ongoing spiritual formation of the whole community. It reminds the church that preaching the Gospel and growing in faith are essential to our sacramental practice and our liturgical prayer. 

Confessions are heard Saturday at 11 AM and Wednesday at 6:30 PM.

Do you have upcoming exciting events that you would like to share with our St. Alphonsus Church and our parish school communities? You can share them here!

Did you know that you can view all upcoming church events on the calendar on our website? If your ministry has an event that you would like to host at St. Alphonsus, you can complete the Plan An Event form. Any inquiries can also be directed to the parish Office Manager, Mario Serrano.

Oktoberfest is Almost Here! Sept. 22, 23, 24

Our parish is 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! 

Volunteer Sign-up is Now Open Here!!  Without your generous efforts, this event could not be possible!  

CRAFT BEER TASTING: Friday Sept 22 6-9 PM, Saturday Sept 23 4-7 PM Select from dozens of options from local breweries, seasonal selections, and international favorites. Tickets now available! **Remember to utilize the promo code bulletin for your St. Alphonsus community discount!**

NEW FOR 2023: TWO different Brewmaster packages this year. Standard and the upgraded Oberbraumeister package. Limited quantities left! Please check a previous Oktoberfest E-Blast for more details!

Updated news including Sunday's Kinderfest and a Stein Hosting competition are now posted at the main St. Alphonsus Oktoberfest site!

Young Adult Ministry

Kick-Off Social This Sunday!

It's time to officially kick off another YAM year at St. Al's! Following the 5 PM Mass on Sept. 17, young adults (ages 21-39) are invited to attend the YAM Kickoff Party in the church parking lot. Enjoy food available for purchase, free beer/wine, music and great company! Plus learn how to get involved in our small groups and Spiritual, Social, Service and Intellectual pillars. We look forward to seeing you! Whether you're a YAM regular or newcomer, all are welcome!

September YAM Newsletter, upcoming events, Praise and Adoration, County Line Orchard Day trip, and more!

YAM Trivia Night Saturday October 21- Learn more and sign up here!

"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!

St. Vincent de Paul Society

Thank you SO very much for your support of last Sunday's Donation Drive! Through your generous donations we collected lots of clothes, household items, books, toys and other miscellaneous items. Your donations help us help our neighbors in need. Learn more about what your donations help accomplish here.  

Our next drive will be in the spring of 2024. Please watch the bulletin for details.  

Before the drive, Father Bauer received a specific request for shoe donations for all the refugees currently staying at the Chicago Police District on Addison near Halsted. We sorted out all the shoes from the donations on Sunday and delivered them. The shoe donations were graciously accepted with much appreciation and extreme gratitude. Because of this immediate need, we will continue collecting shoes for the refugees. You will find bins marked for the shoe collections at the back of the church and at the rectory. There is a particular need for children’s shoes at this time. Shoes dropped off at the rectory should be done during regular business hours.  

Once again thank you for kind generosity. We could not have done this without you. God Bless You! 

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.

Religious Education Needs Y-O-U!

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 from mid-September through early May to share our Catholic faith with the young people of St. Alphonsus parish. 

In particular, we would love to have a team of more than 12 catechists, particularly in grades 4th - 8th. If you know any adults interested - please have them contact Father Bauer.

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! Starts this Sunday!

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!  

This Sunday September 17 at 3 PM, Bishop Barron, founder of Word on Fire, will speak at Harvard Catholic Forum on Catholic Intellectual Tradition. Learn more and register to watch the live-stream.

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 starts Tuesday September 26. There are two sessions, one at 9:30 AM and the other at 6:30 PM. Questions? Contact Susan Combes

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!

Community News

Happening in Lakeview Roscoe Village Newsletter

If you enjoyed Ukrainian-Celtic folk group Scythian earlier this year at Athenaeum, they are playing this Sunday at 7 PM at the Irish American Heritage Center!

Around the Archdiocese

Hispanic Heritage Month

Hispanic Heritage Month starts the day before Mexican Independence Day on September 15 and runs through October 15. Chicago Stories: Our Soldiers, Our Lady of Guadalupe is playing this Sunday on WTTW at Noon. Learn more here.

National Migration Week Mass

In celebration of the World Day of Migrants and Refugees, all are welcome to the National Migration Week Mass on September 24 at 5:15 PM at Holy Name Cathedral.

Quigley Days September 30

Join Fr. Tim and some of our seminarians for our first Quigley Days of the year on September 30 from 9 AM – 2 PM. After pick-up from the parishes, we will have Mass and adoration at St. James in Arlington Heights, and then have lunch and go to Paintball Explosion in East Dundee. Please register here if you would like to attend. Quigley Days is designed for highschoolers ages 13-18 who desire to grow as disciples of Jesus Christ, build brotherhood, and learn about and discern the priesthood. Contact Katie Hazen with any questions.

The Catholic Imagination in Fiction

Tuesdays, September 19-November 7, 6:30-8 PM

St. Gregory the Great, Monsignor Klasen Building, 1609 W Gregory St

Got Questions? #TryAlpha

Alpha is one of the best places to explore life and all its questions. In this interactive series, each week explores a different question around faith, and is designed to create conversation. Alpha is run all over the globe and everyone is welcome. The conversations are fun, open, honest, and judgment-free. St. Josaphat Parish invites you to the first night of our new Alpha session:

Wednesday evenings, beginning September 27, at 6:30 PM

St. Josaphat Parish Office, 2311 N. Southport

For more information, or to join the session