Services
Obituary
*** INFORMATION UPDATE ***
Attention Guests of Fr. Michael Ahlstrom:
Anticipating a larger gathering for Fr. Mike, please see the updated information below the obituary.
Fr. Michael Patrick Ahlstrom, born to Martin and Mary (Murphy) Ahlstrom, on April 7, 1942, entered eternal life on May 3, 2024, at the age of 82.
Fr. Mike, held a number of posts throughout the greater Chicagoland area, dedicating 55 years of service to the Catholic Church and Community. He was an Associate Pastor at St. Bernadette Parish, Evergreen Park (1969-1975), St. Gertrude Parish, Franklin Park (1975-1981), Mary Seat of Wisdom Parish, Park Ridge (1981-1987), and Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish (1987-1989). He was Pastor of St. Colette Parish, Rolling Meadows (1989-2003). From 2003-2012, he was an Adjunct Spiritual Director at Mundelein Seminary and lived at St. Barbara Parish (Now Holy Guardian Angels) in Brookfield, IL., from 2003 until 2023.
Fr. Mike was most proud to serve as Vicar for the Permanent Diaconate Community for the Archdiocese of Chicago from 2003 to 2013 and continued to serve as Vicar Emeritus. After retirement, Fr. Mike served as administrator of the following parishes: St. Benedict Parish in Blue Island (2013), St. Nicholas Parish in Evanston (2015-2016), Divine Infant of Jesus Parish in Westchester (2017-2018), and special mentor to the pastor of Our Lady of Mercy in Chicago (2014). He also served as Associate Director of the Office for Divine Worship, instructor and Chairman of the Board of the Liturgical Institute in Mundelein; instructor in medical ethics at Little Company of Mary School of Nursing; priest presenter for Engaged Encounter and Marriage Encounter; pastor in residence and Liturgy instructor at Mundelein Seminary; board member of Chicago Studies; instructor in the deacon formation and lay ministry programs; a member of the Annual Catholic Appeal board; and a member of Catholic Charities’ Parish Outreach Committee.
Beloved uncle to Joe Hernandez-Kolski and Christina (Jerry) Pinilla. Adored great-uncle to Alexander Pinilla. Loyal friend and classmate of the Mundelein Seminary Class of 1969. He leaves behind many cherished Murphy cousins.
Will lie in state on Tuesday, May 14, 2024 from 3:00 to 7:00 pm with a Vigil Liturgy at 7:00 pm. and on Wednesday, May 15, 2024 from 10:00 A.M. to time of Mass 11:00 A.M. at St. Barbara Church, Holy Guardian Angels Parish, 4000 Prairie Ave, Brookfield, IL 60513.
Burial will be on Thursday, May 16, 2024 at Calvary Cemetery in Evanston at 2:00 P.M. All those who wish to attend, please meet at the Cemetery at the main circle off of the entrance on Chicago Avenue..
In lieu of flowers, memorials are appreciated to the Priests Retirement and Mutual Aid Association, 1400 S. Wolf Road, Hillside, IL, 60162 (708) 449-8026 PRMAA@archchicago.org.
Arrangements Entrusted to Hitzeman Funeral Home, Ltd., 9445 31st Street Brookfield, IL 60513.
Information 708-485-2000 or www.HitzemanFuneral.com
For those that would like to express your condolences or share a memory with the family, please click on the Memories link above and you can leave the family a message. If you wish to send a Sympathy Card to the Family, please feel free to send it to Hitzeman Funeral Home, 9445 31st Street, Brookfield, IL 60513, c/o the Fr. Michael Ahlstrom Family. We will gladly forward it on to the family.
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PARKING
Parking information provided by Holy Guardian of Angels Parish.
For those able to walk, please utilize street parking or Sokol (Tuesday). Please allow plenty of time to arrive for services.
Visitation:
Church parking lot and street parking is allowed. Additional parking for the visitation has been secured at Sokol Spirit.
Sokol Spirit - 2 blocks north of the Church (3909 Prairie Ave, Brookfield, IL 60513) has gracefully offered parking in their parking lot on Tuesday ONLY. Wednesday is reserved strictly for their organization purposes. Any parking on Wednesday other than for Sokol Spirit patrons will not be allowed. Please be respectful of their request.
Time and sticker (street) parking restrictions for Fr. Mike’s services around St. Barbara Church area has been waived for both Tuesday and Wednesday. However, no parking zones are enforceable.
For the day of the Funeral:
Parking at the Rectory is designated as Private.
School Parking (just to the north of the school) is reserved for Priests and Deacons.
GUEST REGISTRY
An Electronic Registry will be available at St. Barbara’s Church.
Smart phone users will be able to utilize a QR code to register directly. Hitzeman Funeral Home Staff will be present to assist with registration questions and an additional tablet will be available for registration and ease. For those not wishing to participate electronically, register book stations will be available. If you are not able to attend you are more than welcome to leave a condolence or message the tab above.
LIVE STREAMING
Fr. Michael’s Family and Hitzeman Funeral Home, wish to offer an opportunity for all to participate for those unable to attend.
A live stream of Fr. Michael Ahlstrom’s Vigil Service, on Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at 7:00 P.M. and Funeral Mass, on Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at 11:00 A.M. may be viewed at https://www.memorialslive.com/Ahlstrom. If you are unable to participate during the live stream, a recording will be available to be viewed at anytime and downloaded at the same link by day’s end on Friday, May 17, 2024.