PASTOR
the Rev. William Gavin, S.J.
MEMBERSHIP
200 to 300 households
SUNDAY ATTENDANCE
95 (lower church)
SERVICE LENGTH
103 minutes
WORST WORSHIPER DRESS
A Chicago Bulls practice jersey and matching shorts
CRYING TODDLERS
6
MIDMASS CELL-PHONE RINGS
1
CONGREGATIONAL FERVOR
In the middle of a recent Sunday mass, Associate Pastor the Rev. Edward M. Ifkovits, S.J., approached guests with a cordless microphone and asked them to introduce themselves. After brief introductions, they were greeted with a “St. Al’s Welcome” of applause. The Mass combined a traditional Catholic liturgy with contemporary gospel music. The 15-person choir—accompanied by drums, a piano, and a tambourine—clapped and swayed in unison during “We Magnify Your Name.”
FOOD FOR THE SOUL
“It’s been a while since the great insider-stock-trading scandal,” opened Ifkovits. Indeed—but it wasn’t clear what that opening had to do with the rest of the homily. It was based on the parable of the Treasure in the Field, in which a man learns of the titular booty, hides it, sells all of his possessions, buys the property, and keeps the treasure. Ifkovits said that the congregation should desire the Kingdom of God the same way that that fellow desired material things.
FOOD FOR THE BODY
No condiments or beverages were on hand for the afterparty. A few parishioners were spotted munching on French bread. Loaves of several types of bread were on hand for the indigent
and for those more
carryout-minded.
OVERALL WORSHIP POWER RATING
Those seeking a more solemn and traditional Catholic service should head for the stained-glass-and-marble upper church. For those seeking a more lively, active form of worship, the refurbished-basement lower church is an ideal fit. Worshipers at St. Aloysius are encouraged to sing along with the choir, from the soulful gospel version of the Lord’s Prayer to the celebratory, high-energy closing anthem, “Said I Wasn’t Gonna Tell Nobody!”
Art accompanying story in the printed newspaper is not available in this archive: Photograph by Darrow Montgomery.