All Are Welcome
St. Gertrude Parish in Chicago
Our parish strives to be a community, growing in faith, that welcomes all and brings Christ’s love to others.
Here is the Latest News:
Upcoming Events & Activities
Upcoming Events & Activities
Congrats to our Student Essay Contest Winners!
Congrats to our Student Essay Contest Winners!
Congrats to our Student Essay Contest Winners!
Congrats to our Student Essay Contest Winners!
Support St. Gertrude Parish & our Ministries
Congrats to our Student Essay Contest Winners!
Support St. Gertrude Parish & our Ministries
This Weekend's Bulletin
Congrats to our Student Essay Contest Winners!
Support St. Gertrude Parish & our Ministries
All are Welcome - and All Means All!
A Word of Welcome from Fr. Mike Gabriel
St. Gertrude extends a special welcome to those who are single, married, divorced, LBGQT, rich, poor, y no habla ingles. We offer special welcome to those who are young and old, or who have a crying baby. We welcome you if you can sing like Andrea Bocelli, or more like me, who just tries.
We don’t care if you're more Catholic than the pope or haven’t been in church since little Timmy’s baptism. We extend a special welcome to those who are over 60, but not grown up yet, and to teenagers who are growing up too fast. We welcome starving artist, tree huggers, latte sippers, vegetarians, and junk food eaters. We welcome those who are in recovery and those who are still addicted.
We welcome you if your having problems or down in the dumps. We’ve been there too. We welcome those who don’t like “organized religion”. We offer a special welcome to those who think the earth is flat, those who work too hard, those who don’t work, can’t spell, or came because grandma is in town.
We welcome those who could use a prayer right now, or thought you were on Clark Street, not Granville, and are here by mistake. We welcome those who are inked, pierced, or both. We welcome those who laugh at this, as well as those who gasped.
We welcome tourists, seekers, doubters, and bleeding hearts with all our hearts.
We welcome YOU!
On January 1, 2023, Fr. Mike became the Administrator of St. Gertrude Parish. He will become pastor on July 1, 2023.
Thank You for Coming to our Parish Cabaret!
A Note from Mary Clare Barker, Our Music Director
Thank you for coming out to our Cabaret last Saturday! Despite the snow, cold, and slick conditions, more than 80 people attended and enjoyed the music, drinks, and company.
I am so grateful to have had so much help with both set up and clean up from parishioners and NCA parents. They truly made the event happen.
And special thanks to the singers and musicians for sharing their talent with our community! We are blessed to have so many gifted parishioners who are willing to help our church.
~ Mary Clare Barker, Music Director
Rest in peace notices & funeral information
Rose Shori
Mike Cordis
- son-in-law of Jay Cook
Claude Zajakowski
Father of Amy Zajakowski-Uhll
- Wake and funeral at St. Gertrude on Wednesday, January 25. Visitation will begin at 4:00 pm and the Mass will start at 7:00 pm.
Larry McCauley
- Memorial Mass on Saturday, January 28 at St. Gertrude. There will be a gathering at 9:00 am at St. Gertrude, followed by Mass at 10:00 am.
Sheila McGuire
Sister of Kathleen Dawson
- Visitation and funeral planned for Saturday, January 21 at St. Gertrude, visitation will begin at 9:00 am, with Mass at 11:00 am.
Phyllis Mahoney
Wife of the late Donald, mother of John, Margaret, Joseph, Laurel, Kathryn, Anne, and Tim
- Memorial Mass to be held at a later date.
William Edward "Bill" Wilson
Father of Ann Wilson
- Arrangements pending
Scroll down for Parish Events (Listed in Chronological Order
Refugee Ministry Weekend is Saturday, February 4 and Sunday, February 5: Second Collection, Information Table, Free Lunch and Speaker Program Planned
Eight years ago, the humanitarian crisis of mass displacement of refugees was brought to the world’s consciousness with the Syrian civil war.
In response, the St. Gertrude faith community came together and stepped up! We established this ministry to work in partnership with Catholic Charities to support new arrivals. And still our work goes on.
We are witness to the continued inhumanity that displaces people in Afghanistan, Ukraine, Latin America, Syria, Africa, and Bangladesh where Rohingya live in large camps. On the Doctors Without Borders website, an article dated June 15, 2022 noted that there are now more than 100 million forcibly displaced persons around the world. You wonder what we can do in the face of such suffering. The answer…A LOT!!
Working with Catholic Charities, our role as a parish is three-fold: (1) we provide tangible support for the initial settling in, with a contribution of $5,000 to cover security deposit and rent for about three months; (2) we provide a Welcome Pack of all the household goods needed to start off in the apartment, including kitchen stuff and linens; and (3) when a parishioner feels that call we provide accompaniment, regular visits, and support for the initial few months. The goal, though not always reachable, is for families to be settled and self-sufficient within six months of arrival.
And what a difference you’ve made! We first came together in Fall of 2015. Since then we’ve sponsored a family roughly every six months, officially sponsoring 11 families so far and offering additional support to four others. We have seen kids grow up and thrive in school, parents get jobs and buy a home, and in some cases have seen deep friendships develop.
We have sponsored several Rohinya families, as well as families from Afghanistan, Central African Republic, Syria, and Guatemala. All of this is thanks to your prayers and generosity. You are the light of the world, bringing the kingdom of heaven to Edgewater.
We will be celebrating our ministry on February 4-5. There will be a second collection at all of the Masses, with information in the back of church, special prayers, and a very special program on Sunday, February 5.
We’ll have a free simple soup lunch in the Social Hall starting around 11:45 am and a program from 12:15-1:15 pm featuring two speakers: Emily Parker, the case management supervisor at Catholic Charities, and Sr. Wendy Cotter, who has been spending time at the southern border working directly with migrants.
Please join us, and, as always – thank you!
~ Denise Goodman
St. Gertrude Super Bowl Tamale Benefit for Midwest Workers Association: Place Your Orders This Weekend
On Saturday, February 4 and Sunday, February 5, Midwest Workers Association (MWA) will be taking orders of tamales after Mass for their annual Super Bowl Tamale Benefit.
The tamale benefit generates critical support for MWA’s Winter Survival Campaign, which includes door-to-door membership canvasses, utility bill advocacy to avert utility shutoffs and restore service, winter-watch phoning and warm clothing distributions.
If you are interested in ordering tamales, please stop by their table at the main church entrance, or call their office at 773.285.0485. Supporters can place orders by the half dozen, for chicken in green sauce, cheese & jalapeno (vegetarian), or black bean & cactus (vegan). The homemade tamales are available for a suggested donation of $10 for a half dozen or $20 for a dozen.
Groups of volunteers are urgently needed to play a role in making tamales from February 6 through February 11, as well as participating on MWA’s membership canvasses and benefit advocacy sessions. Speak with an MWA volunteer about how you can play an ongoing role in MWA’s Winter Survival Campaign.
Annual Catholic Appeal: "Walking the Road with Jesus"
This week begins the discernment process for pledges to the Catholic Appeal. This appeal supports the work our parish, our diocese, and the Catholic Church around the world. The weekend of February 11-12 will be the pledge drive.
Many families in our parish will be receiving the Annual Catholic Appeal mailing from Cardinal Cupich. On behalf of those served by the ministries, parishes and schools who receive funding from the Appeal, we thank you for your gifts. Please return your response as soon as possible. The Annual Catholic Appeal offers a wonderful opportunity to answer the call “Walking on the road with Jesus.” We encourage giving at all levels to support this initiative. In addition to providing for ministries and services throughout the archdiocese.
When we financially support the work of our parish, our archdiocese and the Catholic Church throughout the world, we experience a feeling of deep gratitude, especially when we contemplate God’s many gifts to us personally. By sharing our wealth through gifts to the 2023 Annual Catholic Appeal, we demonstrate our commitment to the Church and each other.
St. Blase Throat Blessing This Weekend
The Feast of St. Blase is celebrated Thursday, February 3. We will use the St. Blase Throat Blessing at the Masses this weekend, February 4-5, as the final blessing.
Peace & Justice Ministry Meeting This Monday, February 6
The next Peace & Justice Ministry meeting will be held on Monday, February 6 at 7:00 in the Ministry Center. Our agenda will be to work on events for Lent.
All are gratefully welcomed!
Youth Group Outing to Immersive Gamebox on Saturday, February 11— RSVP by Friday, February 10
The parish youth group is getting together for a off-campus outing to Immersive Gamebox in Oakbrook on Saturday, February 11! The group will play Angry Birds.
RSVP by Friday, February 10 to Pastoral Associate Eloy Escamilla at eescamilla@stgertrudechicago.org.
The youth group is open to anyone in grade 7 and up!
Save the Date! Black History Month Concert Planned for Saturday, February 11
As part of a celebration of Black History Month in February, St. Gertrude parish will host a recital on Saturday, February 11 at 7:00 pm in church. Titled Spirituals of Florence Price in Instrument and Song, the performances will feature the work of Chicago African-American and award-winning composer, Florence Price.
Coordinated by Mary Clare Barker, our Music Minister, the performance will feature Michael Hawes, bass-baritone, who will sing several of Price’s spirituals, accompanied by Eugenia Jeong, (piano chairperson at University of Chicago). Jennifer Dunne, a parishioner and professional violinist, will perform Three Negro Spirituals for Violin and Piano.
Mary Clare will play the second movement from Ms. Price's Piano Sonata in E Minor and one of her last works, Dances in the Canebrakes.
We hope to see you there!
Combined Mass in Church on Sunday, February 12
Please note, there is no Gym Mass on Sunday, February 12. All are welcome to join us in the church at 10:30 am for a combined Mass.
Visit https://bit.ly/GymMass2022-2023 for the Gym Mass schedule for the school year.
Book Club Planned for Monday, February 13
Please join us in the Ministry Center on Monday, February 13 at 7:00 pm. We will discuss The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides, and we would love new voices and opinions.
Contact Lea Cloninger at 773.973.2465 or Sue Benjamin at 773.551.8401 with questions. The gathering may be virtual if the weather is stormy.
Parish Pastoral Council - Message from the PPC and Upcoming Meeting Dates
Hello from the Parish Pastoral Council! As we embark on the new year, we realize there have been a number of transitions recently.
The PPC thanks those who completed the listening surveys and attended listening sessions in the fall. Your input has been helpful and appreciated as we work with Fr. Mike and the Pastoral Staff moving forward.
A reminder that PPC meetings are open to the community. Our next meeting is on Thursday, February 16 at 7:00 pm in the Ministry Center.
If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to reach out to us at stgertrudeparishcouncil@gmail.com.
We wish you all a Happy New Year and look forward to growing in faith together,
~ Bob Backis, Michelle Nickerson, Jen Reyes, Ellen Buttitta, Denise Goodman, Tim Lacy, Tim Love, and Sean William
No Religious Ed Classes on Sunday, February 19/Rectory Closed on February 20
Presidents Day is celebrated on Monday, February 20. Due to the long weekend, there will be no Religious Ed classes that weekend.
Additionally, the Rectory office will be closed on Monday, February 20.
The NCA Soiree 2023
Northside Catholic Academy’s annual fundraising gala, the 2023 NCA Soirée, will take place on Saturday, February 25, 2023, at the Ravenswood Event Center. This is NCA’s largest fundraising event, and helps to raise funds to support academic enhancements, facility improvements, and our Guardian Angel Scholarship program.
There are a number of ways you can help support NCA in bringing quality Catholic education to students in our community.
TICKETS FOR THE NCA SOIRÉE ARE NOW ON SALE! All tickets (event, raffle, Choose Your Own Adventure, and Sponsor-a-Staff) can be purchased at ncasoiree.com.
- Enter the Grand Raffle for a chance to win $3,000, $2,000, or $1,000! Raffle tickets are $20 or 6/$100, and you don’t need to be present to win.
- Enter the Choose Your Own Adventure Raffle for a chance to win your choice of one of 6 fabulous trips, including an Alaskan Cruise, Barcelona, Napa Valley, Mexico, and more. Tickets are $100—only 100 tickets will be sold.
- Save $50 by purchasing the “All In For 2!” Deal: includes 2 event tickets, 6 raffle tickets and 1 Choose Your Own Adventure ticket.
- Can’t attend the event? Consider sponsoring a ticket for one of NCA’s amazing faculty and staff!
JOIN US FOR OUR ONLINE AUCTION BEGINS THIS SUNDAY! The online auction takes place from January 29th-February 12th. We have lots of great items to bid on—theater and sports tickets, gift cards to local restaurants and businesses, museum passes, and more! Visit ncasoiree.com starting January 29th to view items and place your bids.
LOOKING FOR SPONSORS! Do you know of an individual or business interested in sponsoring this year’s NCA Soirée? We have sponsor levels ranging from $150-$2500+. Contact Jackie Blake, jahoffma@hotmail.com, or Leigh Holzman, lholzman@ncaweb.org for more information.
THIS WEEK - ANGELS AMONG US: During Catholic Schools Week (January 29-February 5), you’re invited to participate in our Angels Among Us program. In the back of the church, you’ll find a board with envelopes numbered $1-$100. The idea is simple: you choose an envelope, fill it with the dollar amount written on the front, and return the envelope to the board. All proceeds go to NCA.
Thank you for your continued support of NCA!!
Scroll down for Parish news
Student Essay Winners
Congratulations to the three winners of our student essay contest - Gus Berlinghof, Evan Dumstorff, and Dominic Millar!
The essay prompt challenged students to write about the most important contribution that Christians can make to society. The contest was open to all seventh and eight-grade students.
Gus, Evan, and Dominic will receive gift cards as a prize. All three impressive and insightful essays can be read on our parish website.
Thank you to all who participated and to our judges!
Help Needed with Baptismal Classes
We are looking for a volunteer(s) for pre-baptismal talks.
A pre-baptismal talk is done once a month and is delivered to those who will be baptized in the Catholic Church, typically parents of babies and young children.
If interested, please contact Eloy Escamilla at eescamilla@stgertrude.org for details.
Request for Heart to Heart Lending Closet Donations
The Heart to Heart Lending Closet is looking for donations of wheelchairs, transport chairs, and rollators to loan to those in need.
If you know of anyone no longer using this equipment, please contact either Laurie Hasbrook or Pat Sullivan at the Heart to Heart office at 773.973.5464 or email heart2heart@stgertrudechicago.org.
The Illinois Tax Credit Scholarship Program Match has Begun! Double Your Impact Today!
Every dollar donated and designated to NCA through Empower Illinois after December 1, 2022 will be matched!
The funds received will help fund a child's education. You receive 75% back in state tax credit on any donation you make, it is really that simple!
To learn how to donate, click here.
A Note About Children in Church From (Former Pastor) Fr. Rich
Recently some parents reported that someone had complained to them because their young child was walking around in the back of church. They were told, “Fr. Rich wouldn’t like it.”
In fact, I DO like it!
I have oftentimes told parents who are worried about their kids making noise in church that, unless their child has a penetrating scream, mostly their noises blend into the ambient sound of church. I also always encourage parents to try to sit closer to the front because youngsters like to watch what is going on.
As for walking about in the back of church, I’m fine with that as well. These are, after all, children.
Generally speaking, it is counter-productive to make our future parishioners feel they are not welcome in church!
I do realize I have a bias -- I have nine siblings. Although my memory is fuzzy, I kind of doubt we were perfect angels every Sunday at Mass!
New YouTube Mini-Series on Marian Stained Glass Windows
St. Mary of the Woods parish, located on the far Northwest Side, invites Catholics to make 2023 the year to grow
spiritually closer to our Blessed Mother with a new 9-part miniseries, The Marian Stained Glass Windows, on St. Mary of the Woods YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/@smowcatholic.
Based off the various depictions of Mary in the “stained glass forest” by world renowned artist, Max Ingrand, the series was filmed in conjunction with many Catholic institutions throughout the Chicagoland area. They include St. Catherine Labouré in Glenview; St. John Cantius in Chicago; St. John Vianney in Northlake; St. Mary of Częstochowa in Cicero; National Shrine of St. Maximilian Kolbe at Marytown in Libertyville; Notre Dame College Prep in Niles; Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Glenview; Our Lady of Sorrows Basilica in Chicago; Queen of All Saints Basilica in Chicago; Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Des Plaines.
We hope the Marian Stained Glass Windows series will educate and inspire you to have a closer relationship with Mary!