Liturgies
- Weekend Mass Times:
- Saturday: 5:30 PM (English)
- Sunday: 7:45 AM, 10:30 AM, 5:00 PM (English)
- 12:15 PM (Spanish)
- 9:15 AM (First Sunday of the month only - German)
- Weekday Mass Times:
- Monday: 8:30 AM (English)
- Tuesday: 8:30 AM (English)
- Wednesday: 6:00 PM (English)
- Thursday: 8:30 AM (English)
- Friday: 8:30 AM (English)
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Sacrament Preparation for Children
Preparing to receive the sacraments is one of the most memorable and exciting times for children. We have designed our programs so that they enjoy the process, learn from the support and example of their families, and are conscious of the care of the parish community for them.
Students must have completed one full year of Catholic religious education (here at St. Alphonsus or elsewhere) immediately prior to beginning preparation for a sacrament.
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Access the complete Religious Education and Sacrament Calendar
Baptism
Children who are old enough for school and who have not been baptized are invited to join the catechumenate for children. They are prepared for baptism, confirmation and Eucharist. They celebrate these sacraments at the Easter Vigil.
Children and their families meet in sessions throughout the year, leading up to Easter. For more information, contact Catherine Crino.
First Eucharist and First Penance
Students in the second grade (who have completed the first year program) are prepared for the sacraments of penance (reconciliation) and Eucharist as part of their class sessions.
These class sessions are in conjunction with the formation which they receive with their families. The most important preparation children can receive for the Eucharist is to be regular participants at Sunday mass.
In addition to Sunday mass and classes, there is a Reconciliation Family Night in January and a Family First Eucharist retreat in the spring.
Many students take part in the program in the second grade. However, students of all ages can be part of the process, with older students working in their own groups. These special sacrament classes for students who are not in second grade meet on another night in addition to Tuesday.
Confirmation
Confirmation is celebrated in the spring. Most students will be confirmed in eighth grade, having completed the three year confirmation preparation sequence. (Students beginning the preparation after sixth grade begin with Confirmation I and complete all three years.)
Candidates are expected to be part of the worshipping community, coming to mass each Sunday. As Confirmation marks one's full initiation into the Church, it is expected that anyone wishing this is a practicing Catholic.
During all three years, students keep a journal chronicling their practice of the corporal and spiritual works of mercy.
Students must have completed one full year of religious education before beginning the confirmation program. In addition, they need to show mastery of the basic religious literacy objectives for each of the grades preceding junior high.
Confirmation I
- Study of the major events and themes in the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament)
- Attendance at a retreat day focused on the Gifts of the Spirit.
- Participation in a group service opportunity with Project Exodus.
- A field trip to a local synagogue.
- Study of the Gospels and a module on Christian morality
- Attendance at a retreat day focused on discipleship.
- Participation in a 'pilgrimmage' to sites important for Catholic history in Chicago.
Confirmation III
- Review of the Creed and sacraments, with concentration on Confirmation and a study of the Acts of the Apostles.
- Attendance at a retreat day focused on the saints and holiness.
- Participation in an activity with the Night Ministry.