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 Schedule, Live-Stream Info/Links
Fr. Mike Bradley's Retirement Celebration is January 29-30
Fr. Mike Bradley's Retirement Celebration is January 29-30
Fr. Mike Bradley's Retirement Celebration is January 29-30
Fr. Mike Bradley's Retirement Celebration is January 29-30
Fr. Mike Bradley's Retirement Celebration is January 29-30
Teen Mission Trip Planned for July 2022
Fr. Mike Bradley's Retirement Celebration is January 29-30
Teen Mission Trip Planned for July 2022
All Parish Meetings Moved Online
Support St. Gertrude Parish & our Ministries
Teen Mission Trip Planned for July 2022
Our Weekly Bulletin
Support St. Gertrude Parish & our Ministries
Support St. Gertrude Parish & our Ministries
Support St. Gertrude Parish & our Ministries
Support St. Gertrude Parish & our Ministries
Support St. Gertrude Parish & our Ministries
Fr. Mike Bradley Retires
Come Celebrate Fr. Mike Bradley This Weekend!
This weekend, we are celebrating Fr. Mike Bradley and his many years of service as a priest and his time at St. Gertrude as he retires!
Fr. Mike will speak at all Masses this weekend, and there will be hospitality in the back of church after all Masses (to-go.)
All are invited to walk through a "Tunnel of Love" to Father Mike Bradley immediately after the Combined 10:30 am Mass. Please exit the church doors on Glenwood and start our tribute at the beginning of the church garden. We love you, Father Mike, and it fills our hearts to remember your years at St. Gertrude's and to celebrate the love we have shared!
Retirement Announcement/Message from Fr. Mike Bradley
Fr. Mike to be Honored the Weekend of January 29–30
In the summer of 2007, I was assigned by Cardinal Francis George to be a “resident priest” at Saint Gertrude Parish. During this time, I’ve also served at the headquarters of the Archdiocese, where I’ve done work in the Church’s canon law department.
Ever since the first day I arrived at this parish, God has blessed me with the steadfast and inspiring leadership of our pastors Father Dominic Grassi and Father Rich Prendergast, and the excellent pastoral staff here. In addition, I was very fortunate to become a friend of our beloved pastor emeritus, Father Bill Kenneally, whom we commended to our Savior Jesus just a couple months ago.
Because I am reaching 70 years of age, I submitted to our Archbishop, Cardinal Blase Cupich, my request to be allowed to retire, and he recently approved that request. Thus, the time has arrived for me to retire and say farewell to Saint Gertrude Parish.
I’m very grateful to each one of you for your amazing kindness over the years. With you, I have shared in many joyful moments, which I will always cherish. I have also shared in your times of sorrow and loss, times of sickness and death, when our hearts were broken, and our faith was tested. Your great courage has lifted me up more than my words can ever express!
With the permission and encouragement of Father Rich, I’ll speak at each of the Masses on the weekend of January 29–30. After each Mass (5:00 pm on Saturday, 8:00 am and a combined 10:30 am on Sunday), I will be in the vestibule of the church to greet you. So, on your way out of church, please be sure to stop by and take a cookie (from the bakery at Misericordia) and some juice or water. Rest assured, safety protocols due to the pandemic will be strictly followed.
The other day, a parishioner asked me what gift I’d like for my retirement. My reply is that my material needs are provided for, and so if someone wants to give me a gift, I ask that you please make a donation to “Heart to Heart,” Saint Gertrude’s outreach program for the elderly and homebound persons in our Edgewater community. A donation to “Heart to Heart” – along with your prayers for me – would be greatly appreciated!
With much joy, I thank God every day for the privilege I have had to be with you here in our wonderfully diverse and welcoming community! May God bless you, and may God bless Saint Gertrude Parish!
~ Father Mike Bradley
On Sunday, January 30, the 10:30 am Masses will be combined and held in the church.
religious ed/confirmation/Youth group info/Mission Trip
Summer Mission Trip to Lake Traverse, South Dakota Planned from July 17-22
The youth group’s Summer Mission Trip will be July 17-22. The group will travel to Lake Traverse, South Dakota. All teens in grades 7-12 who attend parish youth group meetings regularly are welcome to take part in this jam-packed week of service, friendship, and fun! Space is limited.
The cost is $379 per person, not including transportation. A nonrefundable $50 deposit is due by Sunday, February 13, 2022. A nonrefundable half payment of $100 is due by Monday, February 28. The final payment deadline date will be shared in the future. We are organizing some fundraising events to offset these expenses.
Please consider two factors when deciding about the Mission Trip - the pandemic is likely to still be ongoing in July and we are traveling to and from South Dakota in a passenger van. (A close space considering the pandemic).
For more information about the mission trip, please visit the Lake Traverse Youth Mission Trip | YouthWorks website. If you have any questions, please email me at eescamilla@stgertrudechicago.org.
~ Eloy Escamilla, Pastoral Associate, Religious Education and Youth Ministry
Upcoming Confirmation Retreat for Students
On Saturday, January 29, the first retreat for Confirmation Candidates will be held from 9:00 am-12:00 pm. Contact Eloy Escamilla, our Pastoral Associate for Religious Education and Youth Ministry, at eescamilla@stgertrudechicago.org if you have not received meeting information yet.
Religious Classes on Sunday, January 30 Moved Online
All Religious Ed classes will be held remotely again this Sunday, January 30. Contact Eloy Escamilla, our Pastoral Associate for Religious Education and Youth Ministry, at eescamilla@stgertrudechicago.org if you have not received meeting information yet.
First Communion Parent Meeting
There is a parent meeting on Thursday, February 10 at 6:30 pm in the Social Hall, 1401 West Granville Avenue, for children who will make their First Communion in May. Please note our requirements stated in our Religious Ed handbook, "
Any student who wishes to receive the Sacrament of Communion in St. Gertrude Church in 2022 must have received the Sacraments of Baptism and Reconciliation, and have completed at least two years of preparation for the reception of the sacrament." We do ask that parents only attend and thank you in advance for being on time.
~ Eloy Escamilla, Pastoral Associate, Religious Education and Youth Ministry
Student Essay Contest Winners Announced - Winning Essays Shared
Congratulations to the three winners of our student essay contest - Hazel Tabora of Peterson Elementary School, Sam Butler of Pritzker Elementary School, and Sammie
Devitt of NCA! The essay prompt challenged students to write about finding the good news within the bad news and how this good news reflects the message of Jesus.
All three essays can be read on our parish website here: https://stgertrudechicago.org/student-essay-winners. Our bulletins will feature each of the three winners' essays over the next few weeks.
Teens in Middle & High School - Join our Parish Youth Group
All teens in middle and high school are invited to consider joining the parish youth group for fun and enriching activities, including a mission trip this summer! Upcoming meetings and events will be shared in the bulletin and on our website, https://stgertrudechicago.org.
For more information, contact Eloy Escamilla, Pastoral Associate for Religious Education and Youth Ministry, at eescamilla@stgertrudechicago.org.
January 10, 2022
Notice - Parish Meetings Moved Online
All scheduled parish meetings will move online due to the increased COVID numbers. If you are part of a regularly scheduled parish meeting, the staff member responsible for your group needs your email address to share the Zoom link for whatever your meeting may be.
Scroll down for Parish & NCA events
Midwest Workers Association Super Bowl Sunday Tamale Benefit - Place Your Orders Next Weekend in the Back of Church
The Midwest Workers Association (MWA) is a free and voluntary membership association of low-income workers in the Chicago area. Members help other members meet survival needs while fighting to eradicate government policies that have led to job losses, poverty wages, home foreclosures, utility shutoffs and denial of health care.
The public health and economic crisis has forced thousands more low-income working families to face the untenable “choice” of heating their homes or feeding their children. We invite you to join MWA in helping to stop the winter death toll!
MWA's Super Bowl Tamale Benefit generates critical support for our Winter Survival Campaign. The campaign includes winter door-to-door membership canvasses, utility bill advocacy (to stop shutoffs and restore service for members), warm coat & blanket distributions, check-in calls to members and more.
The suggested donations for the homemade tamales are $10 for a half dozen and $20 for a dozen, with all monies raised going to support their Winter Survival Campaign. There are three kinds to choose from and they come in half-dozen bags of a kind. Choices include chicken in a green sauce, vegetarian "queso y rajas" (cheese & jalapeno), and vegan black bean & cactus.
MWA volunteers will be in the back of church next Saturday, February 5 evening and Sunday, February 6 after Mass to take orders. Tamales will be brought to St. Gertrude the following weekend, Saturday, February 12 and Sunday, February 13 for pick-up after Masses.
Candlemas (Presentation of the Lord & St. Blase Days This Week)
Wednesday, February 2 is the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, also known as Candlemas Day. Candles that will be used throughout the year in church will be blessed at the morning Mass that day.
Thursday, February 3 is the Feast of St. Blase. The traditional St. Blase Blessing of the Throats will take place at the 7:30 am Mass on Thursday morning. We will also use the St. Blase Throat Blessing at the Masses next weekend, February 5-6, as the final blessing.
Catholic Schools Week - January 30 - February 5
The CSW 2021- 2024 theme is “Catholic Schools: Faith. Excellence. Service.” Catholic schools have a specific purpose—to form students to be good citizens of the world, to love God and their neighbors, to enrich society with the leaven of the gospel, and to be example of faith.
As communities of faith, Catholic schools instill in students their destiny to become saints. Academic excellence is the hallmark of Catholic education intentionally directed to the growth of the whole person – mind, body, and spirit. Finally, service is fundamental to Catholic education and the core of Catholic discipleship. Service is intended to help form people who are not only witnesses to Catholic social teaching, but also active participants through social learning.
The CSW logo emphasizes that Catholic schools, like the Catholic Church, is not a building or an institution, but is the people. As the people of God, we work together to bring the Kingdom of God to Earth and raise up the next generation to do the same. The image of teachers and students forming the foundation of the school shows that they are active people of faith who serve others and God.
May we all strive to live in active service of Jesus and his mission as we nationally join together during Catholic Schools Week and always.
Please Make Your Gift to the 2022 Annual Catholic Appeal
Making all things new … God’s promise and our responsibility
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 that 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 “Making all things new … God’s promise and our responsibility.” In addition to providing for ministries and services throughout the archdiocese, the Appeal also funds services that are of great help here in our parish. For example, training new Ministers of Care for our Heart to Heart Ministry of outreach to the sick and elderly.
As we contemplate God’s many gifts to us, we should also reflect on our gratitude. Your financial support for the work of our parish, our archdiocese, and the Church throughout the world is one way to express this gratitude. Please give what you can to the 2022 Annual Catholic Appeal.
Palms Up for Lent: Additional Lenten Opportunities
This year, the Peace and Justice Ministry at St. Gertrude’s is inviting all to participate in some Lenten devotions. We will be doing this in three ways. Liturgically, we will be praying the Stations of the Cross during Lent on Fridays at 3:00 pm and 6:30 pm. The 3:00 pm will be traditional Stations and the 6:30 pm will focus on social justice. We will be engaging in social action on Mondays with the Almoners Program. There will be a morning and evening prayer and then we will go out among the needy.
We will be engaging in social action on Mondays with the Almoners Program. There will be a morning and evening prayer and then we will go out among the needy.
Also, we will be praying and learning in groups to do the work of anti-racism. There will be various groups interested parishioners will be able to join.
This is just a short overview of upcoming events. Next week, information about each opportunity will be shared more in depth.
~ Fr. Mike Gabriel
Heart to Heart Medical Lending Closet Needs Shower Chairs
The parish’s Medical Lending Closet is in need of shower/bath chairs for their clients. These have been "hot ticket" items lately, and we are having trouble keeping up with the need. Transport chairs, wheelchairs, and rollator walkers are also in high demand. We take thoroughly cleaned items in excellent working condition.
Contact Laurie Hasbrook, the Lending Closet manager, at 773.973.5464 on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 am-2:30 or via email at lhasbrook@stgertrudechicago.org.. Thank you!
NCA Soiree Info
Join NCA parents and alum for a night of casino-themed fun on Saturday, February 26. The 16th annual NCA Soirée will be held at the Theater on the Lake, located at 2401 N. Lake Shore Drive, and will celebrate NCA teachers, staff, and families. Tickets includes food, drink, entertainment, and more! Log in to NCA's Bidding for Good website to purchase tickets today!
NCA is currently running two fundraisers for the 2022 NCA Soiree, a grand raffle with a grand prize of $5,000 dollars and a choose your own vacation with six options! Tickets are available at ncasoiree.com.
All proceeds from the 2022 NCA Soirée support the students and programs of Northside Catholic Academy.
Todos son bienvenidos! Friday Night Spanish Language Rosary Gatherings in Church
Continuing a long tradition from St. Ignatius Parish, all are welcome to attend weekly Friday evening gatherings to say the Rosary. The group meets at 7:00 pm, and the Rosary is said in Spanish in the church.
covid news
Free At-Home Rapid COVID Test Kits Available
This week, every household in the U.S. became eligible to order four at-home COVID-19 tests from the government. The tests are completely free!
Visit COVIDtests.gov and fill out the contact information and shipping address. Orders are expected to ship in 7-12 days and will be delivered by the U.S. Postal Service.
Rest in Peace, Fr. Bill Kenneally
Fr. Bill, Former Pastor of St. Gertrude Parish, has Passed Away
It is with great sadness that we share that Fr. Bill Kenneally, the former pastor of St. Gertrude from 1984-2006, passed away on Thursday, October 28, in the presence of his loving family. Fr. Bill was a vital part of St. Gertrude for so many years and will be dearly missed.
Born in 1935 to Irish immigrants, Father Bill was raised in Humboldt Park and educated at Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary School, Quigley Seminary, and the University of St. Mary of the Lake in Mundelein. After being ordained in 1961, his first assignment was at St. Paul of the Cross in Park Ridge, followed by stints at Little Flower on the South Side, St. Edmund in Oak Park, Immaculate Conception in Old Town, and St. Nicholas in Evanston. In 1984, Fr. Bill was named pastor at St. Gertrude and remained there until his retirement in 2006. Kenneally then served part-time at the parish of St. Barnabas. In May of this year, he celebrated his 60th ordination anniversary.
Fr. Bill truly lived a life of service, integrity, and kindness. He leaves behind a large, caring family and many dear friends.
Fr. Bill’s funeral was Tuesday, November 2. If you would like to watch the touching tributes to Fr. Bill during his funeral, click here. His obituary is available here.
On November 19, 2021, Fr. Bill's life was featured in the Chicago Sun-Times: Rev. William G. ‘Bill’ Kenneally, popular longtime St. Gertrude’s Parish pastor, dead at 85
Linked below is a Tribune article about his retirement from St. Gertrude in 2006 and his life as a priest: https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2006-06-05-0606050104-story.html.
Notes of condolences can be sent to John Kenneally, 522 S. Owen Drive, Madison, WI 53711.
Fr. Mike Bradley Retires
This weekend, we are celebrating Fr. Mike Bradley and his many years of service as a priest and his time at St. Gertrude as he retires!