Message from St. Al's Staff and Parishioners

We want to thank Fr. Chung, Fr. Tom, Fr. Eugene and Br. Leo for all of their work that they have provided to the parish. Fr. Chung was left with the responsibility of celebrating most of the Masses as well as presiding over the sacraments, such as the baptisms, weddings, and funerals. Thank you to Fr. Tom who filled in, especially when Fr. Chung went home to Vietnam to be with his family, even taking on a funeral last minute without hesitation. Thank you to Br. Leo for your willingness to visit the sick and homebound parishioners and to fill in for communion services. Thank you to Fr. Eugene for helping out with the daily Masses and for being our delivery person when we needed packages from the Diocese. Thank you to Fr. Pat for filling in while you are here visiting friends and family. We can’t forget to thank Fr. Rick for his leadership during his time here. We appreciated his speaking out on behalf of the parish. Finally, a heartfelt thank you to all of the Redemptorists brothers and priests that have been at St. Alphonsus over the last 135 years.

All of you have contributed to creating this parish into such a welcoming environment. The Redemptorists also introduced us to the beautiful devotion to Our Mother of Perpetual Help. It is the Redemptorists that have made this parish different from the other parishes in Grand Rapids. We have historically been the place that other parishes and hospitals called when they needed a priest. What an honor it has been to be able to fulfill this need. If you ask anyone at St. Alphonsus why they chose this parish, they would say one of two things: 1) because of the Redemptorist and their teachings and/or 2) because of our social justice ministries that we offer that follows the mission of the Redemptorists; taking care of the poor, hungry, and the vulnerable.

We have been so blessed here at St. Alphonsus. It is the Redemptorist that helped mold us into what we are today. It is now our responsibility to take what we have learned from them and carry it forward.