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:
Mass Times/Rectory Hours
This Monday, August 15- Fireside Chat on Racism
Monday, August 15 - Assumption
Monday, August 15 - Assumption
This Monday, August 15- Fireside Chat on Racism
Monday, August 15 - Assumption
This Monday, August 15- Fireside Chat on Racism
This Monday, August 15- Fireside Chat on Racism
This Monday, August 15- Fireside Chat on Racism
Register for the 2022-2023 Religious Ed Program
Register for the 2022-2023 Religious Ed Program
This Monday, August 15- Fireside Chat on Racism
Parish Potluck Planned for Sunday, September 11
Register for the 2022-2023 Religious Ed Program
Parish Potluck Planned for Sunday, September 11
Support St. Gertrude Parish & our Ministries
Register for the 2022-2023 Religious Ed Program
Parish Potluck Planned for Sunday, September 11
New Parish Email Marketing Platform - Join our Mailing List
Text STGERTS to 22828 to Join Our Email List
Beginning this week, the parish e-blast platform switched from MailChimp to Constant Contact.
To join our email communications list (or if you unsubscribed in the past, and now wish to receive emails), text STGERTS to 22828. You'll be prompted to enter your email address and will receive our e-reflections and e-bulletins. Additionally, if you prefer to just receive the weekly bulletin, typically emailed on Thursday afternoons, send an email to news@stgertrudechicago.org and your email will be manually added to a separate, e-bulletin-only list.
Scroll down for ADDITIONAL Parish INFO
Peace & Justice Ministry Events: Fireside Chat on Racism Planned for Monday, August 15
We will discuss racism and what our faith teaches us about it on Monday, August 15 from 7:00-8:30 pm on the Rectory lawn. Bring your lawn chair, a beverage of your choice and snacks to share, if you choose.
Attendees are asked to review the suggested readings and to be mindful of the rules of engagement. Both are outlined below.
Fireside Covenant
As we engage in conversation, please observe the following:
- Confidentiality - What's said here, stays here.
- No preaching - We speak from our personal experiences, we are not here to judge, we avoid saying "we should" or "you should".
- No cross talk - We listen in silence while others are speaking. We do not comment or ask questions about what others say.
- Respect time - Our gathering is 90 minutes. Please respect time so we can all share.
- All are asked to share - By coming to this gathering, you agree to participate in some way. Even if it's just your name, we ask you to share something.
Readings
- The Holy Spirit is moving us to act against racism (America Magazine) https://bit.ly/FirepitRacism1
- Do You Really Think Black Lives Matter as Much as White Ones? (Medium) https://bit.ly/FirepitRacism2
Youth Group Outing to Raging Waves Waterpark Planned for Saturday, August 20 - RSVP by August 10
Join the St. Gertrude Youth Group for food, friends, fun, and faith! Teens in 7th grade and older are invited to Raging Waves Water Park on Saturday, August 20.
Tickets are $35 and payment will be required in advance.
For more information and to register, contact Eloy Escamilla at eescamilla@stgertrudechicago.org by August 10.
Upcoming Pastoral Parish Council (PPC) Meeting/Info about PPC Members
The next PPC meeting will be held on Thursday, August 25.
Meetings are held in the Ministry Center from 7:00 pm-8:30 pm and are open to parishioners.
Parish Potluck Planned for Sunday, Sept. 11
The St. Gertrude Parish Council invites you to join us for a potluck picnic on Sunday, September 11! We will gather at 11:30 am after Mass in the parish parking lot. The parish will provide fried chicken, but bring your own chair, beverage, and your favorite dish to share. Enjoy an afternoon of music, friends, and fun!
Please RSVP to https://bit.ly/ParishPotluck and sign up for a dish to bring.
Are you interested in participating in this gathering, but can't attend an in person event at this time? Please RSVP and in the comments write "CAN'T ATTEND IN PERSON" with your phone number. We will reach out to you about a virtual option.
Misericordia Family Fest Planned for Sunday, September 11
Misericordia will host its 40th annual Family Fest on Sunday, September 11 from 11:00 am-6:00 pm!
The campus at 6300 N. Ridge will bring families, friends, and neighbors together for a fun day of sunshine, smiles, great food and entertainment! All proceeds support Misericordia’s programs for children and adults with developmental
disabilities.
Tickets are available online and at the door. Visit https://www.misericordia.com/store/fest-tickets/ or call 773.273.2768 for more information.
Volunteers are Needed!
This one-day event takes approximately 2,000 volunteers to pull it off and your help would be greatly appreciated. Volunteer shifts are generally broken down into 2 ½ -3 hours.
At this time, the state is requiring that all volunteers must be up-to-date with COVID vaccinations. The coordinator for each area will be checking vaccination records as volunteers arrive to their shifts. Please have a digital copy or hard copy of your vaccination record available on the day of the Fest.
For more details about volunteering opportunities, please contact Paul Schwartz at 773.273.4161 or email pauls@misericordia.com.
Golden Wedding Anniversary Mass – September 18
Couples celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary from across the Archdiocese of Chicago are invited to gather together for the Golden Wedding Anniversary Mass that will be celebrated by Cardinal Cupich on Sunday, September 18 at 2:30 pm. The Mass will be held at Holy Name Cathedral.
For more information and to register, visit https://pvm.archchicago.org/events/golden-wedding.
October PreCana Class at St. Gertrude
If you are an engaged couple planning on getting married at St. Gertrude, or a parishioner planning on getting married
anywhere else, attendance at a PreCana is part of the marriage preparation process for all Catholics in the Archdiocese of Chicago.
Our parish-based PreCana will be held on Saturday, October 15.
Please call the Rectory office at 773.764.3621 to register or to request additional information.
Scroll down for Parish news
Meet Our New Heart to Heart Director
Hi, my name is Patricia Sullivan, and I received a Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies in May 2022, from the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. My business background includes database and office management experience in a mid-sized patent and trademark law firm.
Working as a volunteer this past year at the Archdiocese of Chicago Kolbe House Jail Ministry has allowed me to do in jail service, as well as accompanying men released after incarceration. I am an active participant in other organizations like the Catholic Prison Ministries Coalition, the Catholic Mobilizing Network, and Restore Justice Illinois.
I joined St. Gertrude during COVID and felt privileged to be a companion on the RCIA journey this past year, as well as a participant in the Peace and Justice Ministry. I look forward to the new challenge of guiding St. Gertrude’s long-standing Heart to Heart Ministry, servicing the Edgewater/Rogers Park communities. For me, growing in faith is a lifelong process moving us to continual and constant development, advancing in spirituality, coming up against social justice issues, and taking action towards improving conditions in our society.
Parish Garden/Compost Project Receives $1,000 Grant
I am happy to report that the grant I applied for last May from the Victory Noll Sisters of Huntington, Indiana has awarded St. Gertrude/ Northside Catholic Academy $1,000 to support our garden/compost project. The grant is under the umbrella of Catholic Climate Covenant that encourages Catholic communities to actively get involved with the principles of Laudato Sí, Pope Francis’ encyclical on caring for our common home.
This money will pay for our new composter and the veggies and herbs that we are growing for Care For Real and St. Thomas of Canterbury soup kitchen. There is also money to work with NCA to help teach our youth sustainable growing practices and caring for our planet.
The Victory Noll Sisters received over 250 applications and we are so thankful that they have selected our program to support.
We are looking forward to a very productive summer of growing!
~ Mary Clare Barker
Art & Environment Volunteers Needed
Want to get involved in something? We are looking for parishioners who are interested in being part of an Art and Environment Committee. The team's goal is to create an environment inside and outside the church that enhances prayer and worship according to the liturgical times and seasons.
A variety of talents are needed. Having a background in art and interior design, woodworking, lighting, sewing, and floral arrangements would be good, but not necessary!
The team meets as needed to plan and/or prepare. To get involved, contact Fr. Mike at mgabriel@stgertudechicago.org.
Catechists Needed to Teach Religious Education Next School Year
We are looking for catechists to teach in our parish’s Religious Ed program this Fall! Catechists are usually not professional teachers, just willing parents and parishioners who enjoy kids and want to help them grow in a personal relationship with God, participate in the sacraments, and develop a mature conscience, and integrate faith in all areas of their lives.
Please consider offering your time and talents to help our young people learn about and grow in their faith.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Eloy Escamilla, Pastoral Associate, Religious Education and Youth Ministry, at eescamilla@stgertrudechicago.org or call 773.764.3621.
Interested in Becoming Catholic?
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is a process by which adults learn more about the Catholic Church. This free program begins in the fall and meets until Pentecost.
Many people who begin RCIA are non-Catholics seeking to become Catholic or at least to explore whether Catholicism might be a good home. Those who complete the process and decide to become Catholic are initiated into the Church at the Easter Vigil Mass on Holy Saturday. Others who take RCIA are already Catholic but want a deeper understanding of their faith foundation.
The RCIA process does not ask those who have been baptized in another faith to give up their denominational experiences. Rather, the RCIA process seeks to add new colors and designs to their existing faith life tapestry. In addition to attending Mass, the RCIA process includes weekly gatherings of breaking open the Word of God, sharing our stories, and learning about our faith traditions.
If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about the RCIA process at St. Gertrude, contact me at eescamilla@stgertrudechicago.org or call the Rectory at 773.764.3621. The RCIA meeting schedule is available here: https://bit.ly/RCIACalendarUpdated
~ Eloy Escamilla, Pastoral Associate
Update on Some Repairs and Maintenance Items
Work is well underway on some of the roofing issues we have been dealing with for many years. Replacing the scuppers in nearly done, and that will allow some masonry work to also be completed and then the assorted roof repairs.
This combination of all three of these will, we all hope - end the leaks that have been long-term problems. After this work is completed and given time to prove it worked -- we will do repairs to the plaster and paint damage.
Help for Ukraine
If you would like to donate to the care of the Ukrainian people, please consider making a contribution to Catholic Relief Services for emergency aid to the people in Ukraine: https://support.crs.org/donate/donate-ukraine.
CRS has supported Caritas Ukraine in its emergency efforts by providing shelter, food and livelihood support for individuals and families displaced and affected by crisis. Emergency assistance supports people who have been displaced to safe areas, as well as conflict‑affected residents in isolated settlements.
CRS takes a holistic approach to comprehensively meet people’s immediate and long‑ term needs. These include food, water and safe, dignified shelter, as well as counseling and care for psychosocial needs, opportunities to strengthen livelihoods and the resources to rebuild homes.
Spots to Enroll Students at Northside Catholic Academy are Still Available
Northside Catholic Academy returns to school on Tuesday, August 23. We are still accepting applications for the 2022-2023 school year. Schedule a tour and learn more about how NCA educates and nurtures our students intellectually, socially, physically, and spiritually.
Contact Jacob Utz at jutz@ncaschools.com or call 773-743-6277.
Monday, August 15 is the ASsumption of Mary
Mass will be held at 7:30 am & 6:30 pm.