All Are Welcome
Welcome to St. Gertrude Parish in Chicago
Located in Edgewater, our parish strives to be a community that welcomes all and brings Christ’s love to others.
Here is the Latest News:
Our Parish's Repair, Renew, Refresh Initiative
Vaccine Drive at St. Gert's Ministry Center on Saturday, October 2
Our Parish's Repair, Renew, Refresh Initiative
Sign-Up Sunday Planned for Sunday, October 3
Vaccine Drive at St. Gert's Ministry Center on Saturday, October 2
Our Parish's Repair, Renew, Refresh Initiative
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Vaccine Drive at St. Gert's Ministry Center on Saturday, October 2
Vaccine Drive at St. Gert's Ministry Center on Saturday, October 2
Vaccine Drive at St. Gert's Ministry Center on Saturday, October 2
Mass Schedule, Live-Stream Info/Links
The Latest Parish News can be Found in our Weekly E-Bulletins and our New Printed Bulletin
Vaccine Drive at St. Gert's Ministry Center on Saturday, October 2
Support St. Gertrude Parish & our Ministries
The Latest Parish News can be Found in our Weekly E-Bulletins and our New Printed Bulletin
The Latest Parish News can be Found in our Weekly E-Bulletins and our New Printed Bulletin
The Latest Parish News can be Found in our Weekly E-Bulletins and our New Printed Bulletin
The Latest Parish News can be Found in our Weekly E-Bulletins and our New Printed Bulletin
The Latest Parish News can be Found in our Weekly E-Bulletins and our New Printed Bulletin
REPAIR–RENEW–REFRESH
Fundraising Initiative for St. Gertrude Parish
Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you. ~ Luke 6:38
Dear Parishioners,
We are pleased to announce that St. Gertrude Parish has been blessed with a $100,000 gift from the Polk Bros. Foundation. This generous gift is an honorarium to a former St. Gertrude parishioner, Raymond Simon, who recently retired from the board of directors, having served since the inception of the Foundation. Ray directed this gift to St. Gertrude. We are deeply grateful for this unexpected donation and extend our sincere and heartfelt thanks to the Foundation and to Raymond Simon.
There is no shortage of projects to which we can apply these funds. In fact, the needed repairs and maintenance around our campus could easily double that amount. Therefore, to show our great gratitude for this most generous gift, we are launching an initiative to raise another $100,000 from parishioner donations to repair, renew, and refresh our campus.
These funds will enable us to continue the mission of St. Gertrude by maintaining our buildings and supporting Catholic education. The much-needed repairs include:
- Exterior repairs to the church and rectory roofs, and internal repairs from water damage. [Estimated cost = $76,775]
- Installation of two handrails between the main floor of church to the sanctuary, and a handrail from the lower sanctuary level to the altar level to increase accessibility. [Estimated cost = $3,800]
- Re-carpeting the church. The carpeting is over 30 years old and is badly in need of replacement. [Estimated cost = $45,700]
- Rebuilding the deteriorated entrance stairs to the parish hall/gym/classroom building and the stairs at the south (accessible) entrance to the church. [Estimated cost = $116,500]
Additionally, we will establish the St. Gertrude Catholic Education Support Fund for parish families with children attending NCA in need of financial help to enroll, as well as to have funds available for families in crisis due to health, employment, or other unexpected situations.
A brochure with more information and a giving form is enclosed. You may also make your donation online HERE or via the button below. Please prayerfully consider what you can give toward this challenge initiative. We sincerely appreciate your generosity and continued support.
We look forward to celebrating the attainment of our goal at our parish's Feast of St. Gertrude weekend on November 13-14!
~ Rev. Richard J. Prendergast, Pastor
Religious Ed NEWS
Blessing and Commissioning of Catechists/Handbook/Calendar/COVID Guidelines
This past Sunday, September 26 at the 10:30 am Mass in church, we had the blessing and commissioning of catechists. This year's Religious Ed teachers are:
- 1st grade - Peter Buttitta
- 2nd grade - Dorothea Tobin
- 3rd & 4th grade - Ginevra Clark
- 5th & 6th grade - Suzanne Stryczek
- 7th & 8th grade - Steve Monti
We are so grateful for their time and efforts. Please keep them and all of our Religious Ed students in your prayers so we can have a successful school year.
We've updated both our calendar and Religious Ed handbook. Additionally, parents are asked to review our COVID-19 guidelines and sign and return the Family Pledge.
~ Eloy Escamilla
Click the image to read about Eloy Escamilla, our new Pastoral Associate for Religious Ed
Thank You for coming our welcome back sunday!
Sign-Up Sunday is October 3
Sign-up Forms Will be Available in Church Next Weekend
Next weekend is our annual Sign-Up Sunday weekend. We invite and encourage every parishioner to take some time and consider if they have the time (or can make the time) to be a parish minister or volunteer. The wide range of needs and available ministries will be posted. If a ministry or volunteer activity requires training, we will provide the training; if it requires a background check and the Virtus training for the safety of all children or vulnerable adults, we will help walk you through the process.
Some ministries or volunteer opportunities are recurring -- e.g. being a Lector or Minister of Communion might mean being scheduled to assist at one of the weekend masses once or twice a month; and some activities have more and some have less frequencies in their usual schedules. Please give it some thought! Other ministries -- such as praying for the sick and homebound -- you can do on your own schedule at your preferred location.
- Parish Advisory Boards, or Councils - We hope to restart by end of October. Some of the councils have had some Zoom meetings since the pandemic started, but we have not met in-person since March of last year.
- Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) The PCP meets about once a month (but usually takes the summer off). As the name implies, this is the group of parishioners who consider the pastoral direction of the parish. Members listen to parishioners to get a sense of where the overall direction should be focused. They bring this wisdom to the PPC in order to determine how we might best respond to the needs and directions that are brought forward. The PPC goes through an annual discernment process to determine membership each year of both general members and then the PPC officers.
- Parish Finance Council - This team meets about four or five times a year. Members review monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, and annual financial reports to keep updated on the financial condition of the parish. With this information, they are able to make informed decisions about the annual parish budget and how we are staying on track or need to modify certain activities in order to stay within our budget. The Finance Council also approves the budget, and at the end of the fiscal year, also approves the Annual Report. Membership is open to any parishioners. It may be helpful if you can read financial statements but is not required.
- Parish Development Council - This group tries to anticipate upcoming financial needs and how they might best be met. This includes everything from considering if the Sunday Offertory collections are meeting the budget and, if not, what fundraising steps need to be taken. They also look at some extraordinary needs -- such as maintenance and repairs to the buildings which make up the parish campus, and any special needs that might arise over the years, or due to unexpected situations such as severe storms, etc.
- Religious Education and Youth Ministry (working with Eloy Escamilla, Pastoral Associate, Religious Education and Youth Ministry)
- Catechist:- Sign up to become a Catechist to help out children to find the presence of God among us. Sundays 9:15-10:15 am.
- Kids Word Volunteer: You would be sharing age-appropriate gospel to the children. Sundays during 10:30 am Mass in church.
- Youth Group Volunteer: You would facilitate activities supporting youth's faith and personal development.
- Liturgical Ministries (working with Kevin Chears, Pastoral Associate)
- Eucharistic Ministers: Administer Holy Communion at Masses.
- Lectors: Proclaim the Word of God at Masses..
- Ushers/Greeters: Welcomes parishioners to Masses, takes up the collection. Volunteer can either do one or both at Mass.
- Music Ministry (working with Mary Clare Barker, Music Director)
- Cantors, Vocal Ensembles, Musicians: Please consider joining our Music Ministry program! Opportunities abound to cantor at weekend Masses, participate in small vocal ensembles at the 10:30 am Sunday morning Mass, or accompany our Masses on a string, woodwind, or brass instrument. We regularly alternate small vocal ensembles with
instruments at the 10:30 am Mass.
- Cantors, Vocal Ensembles, Musicians: Please consider joining our Music Ministry program! Opportunities abound to cantor at weekend Masses, participate in small vocal ensembles at the 10:30 am Sunday morning Mass, or accompany our Masses on a string, woodwind, or brass instrument. We regularly alternate small vocal ensembles with
- Heart to Heart Ministry for Seniors (working with Jane-Callahan-Moore, Director of Parish Social Services)
- Volunteers help their neighbors aged 60 and above who need support to sustain their independence by driving our seniors to medical appointments and procedures, grocery stores, and more. Other volunteers are needed to call our homebound seniors weekly to ensure their well-being, while others commit to praying for those who have requested prayers at least once daily using the Ministry of Praise letter mailed to them each month.
- New! Social Justice: Peace and Justice Committee (working with Fr. Mike Gabriel)
- As people of faith, we are commissioned to call out many of the injustices in our world. There is an urgent need more now than ever for us at St Gertrude’s to be a church not only of statements and prayers but one of action, where God’s love, justice, and mercy can grow. We are looking for people who would be willing to be part of this committee, to help focus on some specific injustices and to facilitate social justice activities in our parish.
- Refugee and Immigrant Ministry
- This group sponsors refugees and immigrants, providing both financial and emotional support as they settle into their new lives in Chicago.
- United Power for Action and Justice
- United Power works with faith communities, including St. Gertrude Parish, to help them connect and put their power behind the issues that matter most to them. The group is currently working on issues related to gun violence, health care, affordable housing, immigration, and violence prevention.
- Resurrection Compost (working with Mary Clare Barker, Music Director)
- This seasonal project combines composting and a vegetable garden. Parishioners lease a composting bucket and bring appropriate materials to St. Gertrude's deposit compost bin. The compost is then used to fertilize our vegetable garden, tended to by volunteers, that feeds patrons of Care for Real and the St. Thomas of Canterbury soup kitchen.
In addition to the above groups, there are several other liturgical, social justice, environmental initiatives, social, and neighborhood groups affiliated with our parish! Please visit www.stgertrudechicago.org and look under Ministries/Community Life! for details
Angels Unaware exhibit at Loyola
On Display Until October 4
Perhaps you have seen the photos of a sculpture Pope Francis commissioned for the piazza outside St. Peter’s in Rome. Entitled Angels Unaware, this sculpture depicts more than 140 immigrants from across history densely packed onto a boat with the Holy Family. The sculpture makes vivid Pope Francis’ reminder to all believers that we are all sisters and brothers and come from a very long faith tradition of welcoming migrants and refugees to our society.
A second casting of this sculpture has been completed and is now on a national tour. It arrived at Loyola University's Lake Shore campus near the southwest corner of the West Quad last Friday and will be displayed until October 4. Please note, all visitors to Loyola’s campus must be vaccinated and wear masks while indoors.
Scroll down to read the Latest Parish News
Collaboration Between Swedish NorthShore Hospital & Heart to Heart Ministry: Vaccine Drive Saturday, October 2
Swedish NorthShore Hospital and our Heart to Heart Ministry Center’s staff are sponsoring a vaccination drive on Saturday, October 2 from 11:00 am-1:00 pm (please note the time and date correction), with both Pfizer and Johnson &Johnson vaccines administered by medical professionals from Swedish Hospital in the Ministry Center courtyard. You must register for the vaccine event at https://events.juvare.com/IL-IDPH/qqvjg-545/.
Please call Jane Callahan-Moore Monday-Friday from 10:00 am-5:00 pm on her cell phone at 773.595.9992 or at the Ministry Center at 773.973-5464 if you have questions.
Pet Blessing Scheduled for Sunday, October 3
All creatures, great and small, are welcome to the blessing for animals on Sunday, October 3 after the 10:30 am Masses. The 20-30 minute ceremony is annually held in remembrance of St. Francis of Assisi’s love for all creatures.
No Christmas Bazaar This Year
Given the uncertainty of the COVID variants, as well as concerns about social distancing and the safety of our staff and volunteers, the Christmas Bazaar will not be held.
Interested in Becoming Catholic? RCIA Still Open for Those Interested
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is a process by which adults learn more about the Catholic Church. RCIA will begin with an informational meeting on Sunday, September 19 in the Ministry Center after 10:30 am Masses. People who are interested are still welcome to join us after this Sunday's 10:30 am Masses!
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 kchears@stgertrudechicago.org or call the Rectory at 773.764.3621.
~ Kevin Chears, Pastoral Associate
Gym Mass Returns!
A reminder: the Gym Mass has returned to its regular 10:30 am time on Sundays!
Kids Word Resuming Soon: Volunteers Needed!
We are looking for volunteers to help with our Kids Word Ministry, which will resume in a few weeks. During the 10:30 am Mass in church, kids ages 5-9 are invited to attend Kids Word to learn age-appropriate lessons.
To help, contact Eloy Escamilla, Pastoral Associate, Religious Education and Youth Ministry, at 773.764.3621 or
eescamilla@stgertrudechicago.org.
Meet Rev. Pius Nwiyi: New Student-Priest to Live at the Rectory
Recently, we welcomed another student-priest to the rectory. Fr. Pius Nwiyi joins us from Nigeria. He is studying counseling at Loyola and expects to be here for about two years. His introduction is below:
Whenever I move into a new community, l desire to become part of the people, sharing their spiritual and social lives. I'm pleased that God has brought me here to stay with every one of you during my studies at Loyola University’s Institute of Pastoral Counseling. I'm happy to let you know who l am and to thank your pastor, and indeed all of you, for accepting me into the noble family of St. Gertrude Catholic Church. I'm very happy to be here and l consider myself blessed. I desire to become a true and dedicated member of the family of God here and I'm open to sharing in the life of the parish according to God's will.
I know you would like to know where l came from. I'm a Nigerian by birth. I'm ordained a Catholic priest for the Catholic Diocese of Abakaliki.
I want you to truly know me and what l treasure the most. Being a priest is my best God-given gift and treasure. I'm ever thankful to God for choosing me to be a steward of His divine mystery and grace. I enjoy sharing the story and blessings of my calling with everyone. Now that I'm here I'm pleased to share the same story with you.
I always tell people that God wanted me to become a priest. This is clear to me reflecting on my childhood life and experiences. I'm sure growing up most of us have had situations when people ask us what we want to be when we grow up. I recall saying that l wanted to be a priest each time such a question came. Thank God for my devout and God-fearing parents who introduced me to the Catholic faith and nurtured my faith. As dedicated Catholics, they understood and nursed my desire to be a priest after hearing me express the wish times without number. As the parents of Samuel in the bible, my parents were open to God's will and plans. For this reason, they sent me to a minor seminary. The fire of becoming a priest remained burning inside me throughout my seminary formation until l was ordained a Catholic priest in 2009.
Besides my vocation story, l think it will interest you to know something about my education. I attended primary and secondary schools at Nigercem Primary School Nkalagu and St. Augustine’s Seminary Ezzamgbo, both in Ebonyi State, respectively. Thereafter, I was admitted to Bigard Memorial Seminary, Enugu Nigeria, where I obtained a bachelor's degree in Philosophy and Theology.
After my seminary formation, l was ordained a Catholic priest in 2009 for the Catholic Diocese of Abakaliki. Praise God.
Following my ordination, l was assigned the parish priest of St Peter's parish Ogbala-Ishieke where l served as a pastor for nearly twelve years.
Finally, I'm happy to be here. We will continue to meet and to know one another as time goes on. Thank you.
~ Fr. Pius Nwiyi
Youth Group Forming
Teens in middle and high school are invited to consider joining our parish youth group! Dates and activities will be shared in the near future.
For more information, contact Eloy Escamilla at eescamilla@stgertrudechicago.org.
Substance Abuse Recovery Resource
StartYourRecovery.org is a completely free online resource that can help with drug or alcohol addition. It offers a resource locator and education pages.
Father Mike Bradley – Injured and Unable to Run a Marathon This Year
Fr. Bradley will NOT run another marathon. Several weeks ago, Fr. Bradley hurt his back and was in some serious distress for a few days. His doctors have helped him get back to feeling good, but prudence leans in the direction of caution. It doesn’t seem wise to pursue the next month of training for the marathon while his back is still healing from whatever happened to it. So, no marathon for him this year!
If you would still like to make a contribution to the parish Heart to Heart Ministry, donations are always welcome. And please say a prayer for Fr. Mike’s continued healing and good health!
St. Ignatius' Sacramental Records
If you are looking for St. Ignatius parish sacramental certificates, AFTER Thursday, July 15th, please note:
- Go to https://archives.archchicago.org/, certificates CANNOT be requested by phone.
- Click on Request a Record and fill out this form.
- Sign it and mail it to Joseph Cardinal Bernardin Archives & Records Center, 711 West Monroe Street, Chicago, IL 60661
- Include a copy of your I.D. and the $10 processing fee.
updated covid protocols - July 30, 2021
Masks Required for Both Vaccinated and Unvaccinated Visitors
As of July 30, 2021, both those vaccinated and unvaccinated will need to wear masks at Mass or when visiting the Rectory/any Archdiocese of Chicago property.
Click here to read the letter from the Archodiocese's COVID team.
No Registration Required for Mass/Gym Mass Info
No advanced registration is necessary to attend Mass. Because we are already in June, the Gym Mass will take its usual summer break and return in September.
Communion
Communion will continue with just the host and distributed only to the hand - not on the tongue. Everyone is encouraged to consider using hand sanitizer before coming forward for Communion.
All Doors to Church are Open/All Pews Open/Tape on Floor Gone/No Hand Sanitizer Required
The front doors and all side doors will be open to enter and leave. There are no longer be markings on the floor guiding the direction of where to walk. All the pews are once again available for use.
There won't be a mandatory sanitizing of hands at the doors nor at Communion (although sanitizer will be available at the entrances).
Rectory Office Hours to Increase
Our weekday hours have changed. The Rectory office is open Monday-Friday from 8:30 am-4:30 pm.
Our weekend office hours remain the same, the Rectory is open on Saturdays from 9:00 am-2:30 pm and on Sundays 8:30-11:30 am.
Parish Meeting Rooms Open
Meetings and other activities on the campus has resumed. Groups should request space with the front office.
10:30 am Live-Stream to Continue
We will continue to offer the 10:30 am Mass via live-stream for the indefinite future.
Holy Water/Bringing up the Gifts/Offertory/Breaking Bread Hymnals
Holy water is in the fonts.
Parishioners can now bring up the gifts at offertory and ushers have resumed taking up the offertory and any special collections.
The Breaking Bread hymnals arrived, as well as the new library carts that will be stationed in the back and south side entrance to church. You may feel free to pick up a Breaking Bread this weekend, for use during Mass, if you would like to have access to the scripture readings. We hope to be using them for singing very soon. Hymnals should be returned to the library carts after Mass.
The Choir is Back
Available choir members are now singing at our 10:30 am Sunday Masses. The full choir will return on a regular schedule in the fall.