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.
Remembering Fr. Dominic Grassi, Pastor Emeritus
St. Gertrude's Pastor Emeritus, Fr. Dominic Grassi has Died
St. Gertrude Parish mourns the passing of our beloved Pastor Emeritus, Fr. Dominic Grassi, affectionately known to many as Fr. Dom.
Fr. Dom served our parish with great dedication and compassion, leaving a lasting impression on the many parishioners whose lives he touched. Many remember his years of ministry at St. Gertrude, while others remained connected with him even after his retirement.
An exemplary priest and a truly wonderful human being, Fr. Dom shared his warmth, kindness, faith, and generous spirit with our parish community. His presence and friendship will be deeply missed.
We extend our deepest sympathy and prayers to Fr. Dom’s family, friends, former parishioners, and all who loved him. May we give thanks for his life and ministry and pray that he now rests in the peace of Christ.
Fr. Dom will lie in state at St. Josaphat Parish, 2311 N. Southport Avenue, Chicago, on Friday, September 4, from 4:00–8:00 pm, and again on Saturday, September 5, from 8:30–9:30 am.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.
Here is the Latest News:
Mass Times/Rectory hours
Register for Religious Ed Classes
Mass Times/Rectory hours
Medical Lending Closet
Register for Religious Ed Classes
Mass Times/Rectory hours
Register for Religious Ed Classes
Register for Religious Ed Classes
Register for Religious Ed Classes
Upcoming Events & Activities
Donate to St. Gertrude Parish
Register for Religious Ed Classes
This Weekend's Bulletin
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Donate to St. Gertrude Parish
Donate to St. Gertrude Parish
Donate to St. Gertrude Parish
Donate to St. Gertrude Parish
Care for Real Collection is September 5-6
St. Gertrude will host another collection drive for Care for Real on September 5-6. Our Care for Real collections takes place on the first and fourth weekend of each month.
SNAP is one of the most effective ways to address food insecurity in the United States. However, as eligibility requirements change, many of our neighbors—especially seniors and others without exemptions—are at risk of losing their benefits. New requirements to work or volunteer 80 hours per month and report this to the state can be difficult to meet, increasing the risk of food insecurity.
As a result, Care for Real anticipates a growing need for their services. For more information, including current needs and ways to give, please visit https://linktr.ee/cfrchicago or follow their Facebook and Instagram pages.
We are grateful for your continued generosity in supporting Care for Real as they provide food and essential supplies to neighbors in need.
Rectory Office Closed on Labor Day
The Rectory office will be closed on Monday, September 7, in observance of Labor Day. A Communion Service will be held at 7:30 am.
September Book Club
Join the St. Gertrude Book Club on Tuesday, September 8, at 6:30 pm in the Ministry Center, 6214 N. Glenwood Ave., as we discuss Mercy Street by Jennifer Haigh.
New members are always welcome, and we would love to hear your perspectives! For more information, contact Lea Cloninger at 773.213.0509.
Religious Education Classes Begin Next Sunday, September 13 - Parent Meeting Also Planned
Religious Education classes begin next Sunday, September 13, at 9:15 am at St. Gertrude. At the same time, all parents and guardians are required to attend a parent meeting as we begin the 2026–2027 Religious Education year.
We look forward to welcoming our children and families back for another year of faith, learning, prayer, and community. Through age-appropriate lessons and opportunities to grow in faith, our Religious Education program helps children deepen their relationship with God while families journey alongside them.
If you have not yet registered your child, registration information—including the calendar, parent handbook, online registration forms, and tuition information—is available in both English and Spanish at stgertrudechicago.org/religious-education. In-person registration is also available by appointment.
We look forward to seeing our Religious Education families next Sunday!
Questions? Contact Pastoral Associate Eloy Escamilla at eescamilla@stgertrudechicago.org.
Commonweal Action Letter Writing Campaign - Wednesday, September 16
On Wednesday, September 16, Commonweal Action will host a letter-writing session in the Ministry Center. We will be writing to the Prairieland Defendants, a loosely affiliated group of people who are being prosecuted by the Justice Department for their participation in a noise protest outside an ICE detention center in Texas. Most of them are currently imprisoned and have been for over a year as they appeal their cases.
As they have been separated from their homes and loved ones, we intend to offer them the comfort of a friendly voice and the dignity of genuine conversation. Our goal is to establish regular correspondence with them so they know, as they go through these difficult times, that they are not alone. We sent letters as a group in July, and several of us have already received responses.
If you would like to attend, writing materials, envelopes, and stamps will be provided. We encourage you to bring anything that would help you write more comfortably (such as a favorite pen) and any books or articles from which you might like to transcribe a passage.
If you would prefer to participate from home, or if you have any questions, feel free to email Aidan Coyle at packrat386@gmail.com.
Gym Mass Returns September 20
The Gym Mass is returning this fall! Join us on Sunday, September 20, at 10:30 am for our first Gym Mass of the season at 1401 W. Granville Ave.
Gym Mass offers a welcoming opportunity for our parish community to gather, worship, and celebrate together in a relaxed setting. We look forward to seeing familiar faces and welcoming everyone back for another season of Sunday worship in the gym.
We hope you’ll join us!
Brewed at St. Gertrude Returns in September
Brewed at St. Gertrude will take a summer break during July and August. We look forward to gathering again for coffee, conversation, and fellowship after the 10:30 am Mass beginning in September.
Have a wonderful summer, and we'll see you then!
Here are the dates for the rest of the year:
- 9/20
- 10/18
- 11/15
- 12/13
An Invitation to Join Poetry Pilgrims - Next Online Meeting is Monday, September 21
St. Gertrude Parish Poetry Pilgrims meets monthly to read, reflect upon, and discuss poetry. If you’ve ever had a passion for, or even a curiosity about, poetry and how this particularly rich form of language can impact your life, please join us.
No literary expertise is necessary. We learn from the poets and poems selected for each session, as well as from one another’s observations and insights.
We meet for about an hour and a half on the third Monday of each month at 7:30 pm. Since the pandemic, our sessions have been held on Zoom, so distance and weather conditions should not deter anyone from considering becoming part of the group.
For more information, please contact Rose Marie Anichini at irma71@aol.com.
Lector, Eucharistic, and AltarServer Training
Share your gifts and become more involved in the celebration of the Mass by serving in one of our liturgical ministries.
Training for Lectors and Eucharistic Ministers will be held on Monday, September 21, at 6:30 pm in the church. Youth and adults are invited to attend.
Altar Server training will take place on Monday,
September 28, at 6:30 pm in the church. Students in 4th grade and older are welcome.
To learn more, contact Eloy Escamilla at eescamilla@stgertrudechicago.org.
Wednesday Mornings: Resting in God’s Presence
Take time each Wednesday to pause, pray, and reflect. Our contemplative prayer group meets at 9:00 am in the Ministry Center Chapel (6214 N. Glenwood Ave.) for silent prayer, Scripture reflection, and spiritual reading.
Whether you're new to contemplative prayer or have years of experience, all are welcome.
For more information, contact Karen Spear at kspear@marian.edu.
Join our Weekly Wednesday Contemplative Prayer Group
Would you like to deepen your prayer life? Do you already have a regular prayer practice but would like to pray and reflect on spiritual readings and scripture in a group? A new contemplative prayer group at St. Gertrude will be forming soon.
Contemplative prayer is silent prayer that opens up us up to awareness of God’s presence by stilling our bodies and our minds. If you haven’t prayed contemplatively before (Centering Prayer, Christian meditation, etc.), we will offer guidance.
We’ll meet weekly each Wednesday at 9:00 am in the chapel of the Ministry Center. Come as you are and as you are able.
For more information, contact Karen Spear at kspear@marian.edu.
Join Us for the Rosary at St. Gerts
Guadalupanos Rosary Group (Grupo del Rosario de Guadalupanos) on Friday Evenings
All are welcome to attend the bilingual weekly Rosary group held on Friday evenings at 7:00 pm in the dining room of the Ministry Center, located at 6214 North Glenwood Avenue.
Recitation of the Holy Rosary after 7:30 am Mass
Additionally, the Rosary is said every Monday through Friday in the church right after the 7:30 am mass. Please consider joining us in church—we would love to have you!
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Loyola Students Serve at Heart to Heart
St. Gertrude was grateful to welcome a wonderful group of Loyola University Chicago freshmen participating in Community Service and Action’s Saturday of Service.
The students volunteered at our Heart to Heart Medical Lending Closet, lending their time and energy to help serve our community.
Thank you to this fabulous crew, who came to Loyola from communities all across the country, for choosing to spend part of their first days on campus in service to others. We’re so glad to have you as part of our neighborhood!
Explore the Catholic Faith Through OCIA: Classes Begin Next Sunday, September 13
Registration for the 2026–2027 Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) process is now open.
OCIA (formerly known as RCIA) is the process through which adults learn about the Catholic faith and discern whether they are called to become members of the Catholic Church.
Many participants are people who have never been baptized or who were baptized in another Christian tradition and are interested in exploring the Catholic faith. Others are baptized Catholics who have not yet received the Sacraments of Eucharist or Confirmation, or who simply want to deepen their understanding of their faith.
The OCIA journey is one of prayer, learning, reflection, and community. Through weekly gatherings, participants explore Scripture, share their faith stories, learn about Catholic beliefs and traditions, and participate in the life of the parish. Those who are ready to enter the Catholic Church receive the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil.
Classes will begin in September.
If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about OCIA at St. Gertrude, contact Eloy Escamilla by calling the Rectory at 773.764.3621 or emailing eescamilla@stgertrudechicago.org.
Using Catholic Social Teachings as a Guide to Voting in the Upcoming Elections
As we prepare for the upcoming election season, the final English and Spanish versions of the Voter Guide Based on Catholic Social Teaching, prepared by Commonweal Action, are now available. We encourage parishioners to review these resources as they reflect on how our faith informs civic engagement and voting decisions.
Download the PDFs below:
2027 Mass Intentions Book Now Open
The 2027 Mass Intentions book is now open. If you would like to request a Mass intention for a loved one, please call, email (jcarrillo@stgertrudechicago.org), or come to the office (1420 W. Granville) during regular business hours.
Intentions are available for 2026 as well.
A suggested donation of $10 per Mass intention is requested. To provide as many families as possible the opportunity to schedule intentions, requests are limited to 10 Mass intentions per household each year.
Medical Lending Closet Info
St. Gertrude Parish’s Heart to Heart program continues to offer compassionate support through its Medical Lending Closet, available by appointment on Tuesdays and Thursdays. This approach allows the team to provide thoughtful, individualized assistance to each person seeking or donating equipment.
Items available through the Lending Closet include standard walkers, rollators, crutches, wheelchairs, portable commodes, toilet safety rails, bed rails, shower seats, and a selection of medical supplies. These resources are offered to help ease the burden of obtaining necessary equipment and to ensure that members of our community have what they need to maintain comfort, safety, and dignity.
To schedule an appointment or to learn more about available items or donations, please call 773.973.5464. If you or someone you know could benefit from this ministry—or if you have equipment to share—please consider reaching out.
In Need of Communion? Our Ministers of Care Can Help
For those who are unable to attend Mass regularly, our Ministers of Care offer a meaningful connection to parish life. These specially trained parishioners bring Holy Communion along with the prayers and presence of our community to those who are homebound or ill.
Through their visits, they share not only the Eucharist but also companionship and spiritual support, reminding each person that they remain a valued and connected member of our parish family.
If you or someone you know would like to receive Communion at home, please contact Sr. Susan at squaintance@stgertrudechicago.org.
Heart to Heart News: Ministry of Prayer
Did you know that despite your being homebound or physically inactive, there is a special and valued ministry here at St. Gertrude which we invite you to consider? There are no meetings, no dues or calls required; yet as a participant you will have a valued connection to the parish life by enriching others and yourself through your own dedicated, daily prayer time!
It works like this: We provide you with a monthly prayer sheet that has some of the prayer petitions taken from the "Prayer Wall" in the back of our church. As one of our prayer angels, you will include these petitions in your daily prayers; thereby becoming an unseen blessing for so many!
Please contact Sr. Susan Quaintance at Heart to Heart at 773.973.5464 or squaintance@stgertrudechicago.org. We welcome your interest in this caring ministry.
Volunteers Needed to Help with Live-Streaming Sunday Masses
We are looking for assistance with live-streaming our 10:30 am Sunday masses. The process is simple, you do not have to have a technical background, a special camera or phone, just a willingness to help.
Contact Eloy Escamilla at eescamilla@stgertrudechicago.org for more information.
Announcements at Church/Info in the Bulletin
Here is how information about parish events, updates, and neighborhood or Archdiocesan activities is shared.
Bulletins and Daily Reflections/Updates
Almost all of our information is gathered from our bulletins. Information is sent to news@stgertrudechicago.org, and should arrive about 10 days before the Sunday you’d like your announcement to appear. Early submissions are appreciated, as bulletin size can vary week to week, and both a print and e-bulletin are produced.
If you’ve signed up for our daily reflections, we include upcoming parish events or activities right after the prayers.
Announcements at Mass
We typically limit in-church announcements to three upcoming events, giving priority to parish-run activities happening over the next week. These are kept brief, as details such as times and locations can be found in the bulletin.
Social Media
We've been more active on social media, posting about everything on the bulletin and sharing some of our partners' posts too. Please consider following us on Instagram(@stgertrudeinchicago) or Facebook(@stgertrudechicago).
Teen Mission Experience
Rest in peace notices & funeral information
Mary Cook
- Funeral Mass is scheduled for Thursday, September 10, 2026. Visitation at 10 am; Funeral Mass at 11 am.
Vanessa Anderson Norton
- Granddaughter of Pamela Sherrod Anderson
Charlotte Sullivan
- Passed away peacefully into eternal rest August 10, 2026. She is survived by her daughter, Debbie Sullivan.
News about Fr. Dom
We are so sad to share that Fr. Dominic Grassi passed away. Fr. Dom will lie in state at St. Josaphat Parish, 2311 N. Southport Avenue, Chicago, on Friday, September 4, from 4:00–8:00 pm, and again on Saturday, September 5, from 8:30–9:30 am.