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
Order Christmas Trees, Wreaths, & Garland
Parish Events and Activities
Parish Events and Activities
Order Christmas Trees, Wreaths, & Garland
Parish Events and Activities
Order Christmas Trees, Wreaths, & Garland
Order Christmas Trees, Wreaths, & Garland
Order Christmas Trees, Wreaths, & Garland
Holiday Schedule at St. Gertrude Parish
Support St. Gertrude Parish & our Ministries
Order Christmas Trees, Wreaths, & Garland
Support St. Gertrude Parish & our Ministries
Support St. Gertrude Parish & our Ministries
Support St. Gertrude Parish & our Ministries
This Weekend's Bulletin
Support St. Gertrude Parish & our Ministries
Support St. Gertrude Parish & our Ministries
Fr. Rich to Retire!
Celebration Planned for Sunday, December 18
Please join us on Sunday, December 18 as we thank Fr. Rich for his many years of service as a priest and especially for at St. Gertrude.
The 10:30 am combined Mass in church will celebrate his retirement. After each Mass, he will visit with parishioners and friends in the back of the church. Please be sure to stop by and have a cookie (from the bakery at Misericordia)!
Rest in peace notices & funeral information
Joan Crowley
- Visitation Monday, December 5th, 9:30 am, St. Gertrude, Memorial Mass at 10:00 am.
Ronald Schlachter
Husband of Ruth Sanchez-Schlachter, father of Robert Schlachter and Andrea Schlachter Macksood. Obituary notice.
- Visitation Thursday, December 8th, 4:00-8:00 pm, Smith-Corcoran Funeral Home, 6150 N. Cicero Avenue, with a memory sharing service at 6:00 pm. Memorial Visitation Friday, December 9th, 9:00 am, St. Gertrude, Memorial Mass at 10:00 am.
Irene Mac
Mother of George Mac
- Gravesite service at Rosehill Cemetery on Friday, December 16 at 10:00 am.
Michael D. Groark
- Visitation Saturday, December 17 , St. Gertrude, 9:00 am, Memorial Mass at 10:00 am
Marian Stanley
Mother of Barb Stanley
parish Staffing News
Fr. Mike Gabriel to Become Pastor in 2023 After Fr. Rich Retires
Fr. Rich is retiring on January 1, 2023, after 44 years of ministry here in the Archdiocese of Chicago. he will be moving to a home I have in St. Joseph, Michigan on that date, and then do some road-tripping for about four months.
On January 1, 2023, Fr. Mike will become the Administrator of St. Gertrude Parish. In our newly updated system, the Archdiocese only makes pastors on July 1st each year. So, Fr. Mike will be Administrator from January 1-June 30, and then become pastor on July 1, 2023. It is both of our hopes that this will go a long way towards achieving continuity.
Fr. Rich will celebrate a “Retirement Mass” on Sunday, December 18 at 10:30 am with some kind of reception afterwards, then be here for Christmas, and then move to Michigan.
Scroll down for Parish Events (Listed in Chronological Order
Holiday Schedule at St. Gertrude Parish
Immaculate Conception
Wednesday, December 7
- 6:30 pm - Vigil Mass
Thursday, December 8
- 7:30 am & 8:30 am
Advent Reconciliation Service
Sunday, December 11th
- 1:00 pm in church
4th Sunday of Advent/Fr. Rich's Retirement Mass (Sunday)
Saturday, December 17th
- 5:00 pm
Sunday, December 18th
- 8:00 am & 10:30 am* (live-streamed); No Gym Mass
- *Fr. Rich's retirement will be celebrated
Christmas Eve
Saturday, December 24th
- 5:00 pm - For families with children (live-streamed)
- 8:00 pm - Vigil Mass - Adult choir & instruments (choral music from 7:30 pm - 8:00 pm)
Christmas Day
Sunday, December 25th
- 8:00 am & 10:30 am (live-streamed); No Gym Mass
Feast of the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
New Year’s Eve, Saturday December 31st
- 5:00 pm
New Year's Day, Sunday, January 1st
- 8:00 am & 10:30 am (live-streamed); No Gym Mass
Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord
Saturday, January 7th
- 5:00 pm
Sunday, January 8th
- 8:00 am & 10:30 am in church (live-streamed); 10:30 am Gym Mass
Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Thursday, December 8
Next Thursday, December 8th, is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a Holy Day of Obligation. Masses for the Holy Day are on Wednesday, December 7th at 6:30 pm, and on Thursday, December 8th at 7:30 am and 8:30 am.
Edgewater Singers Holiday Concert - Saturday, December 10
The Edgewater Singers will host their annual holiday concert on Saturday, December 10 at 7:30 pm. The performance, “Out of Darkness, Light”, is being held at St. Gertrude’s Church.
As always, the concert is free and appropriate for all ages.
We strongly encourage that the audience wear masks during the performance.
Our Advent Reconciliation Service is Sunday, December 11
Our annual Advent Reconciliation Service will be on Sunday, December 11 at 1:00 pm in church. This is a reflective service, offering songs, scripture readings and a guided examination of conscience. It usually lasts about 45 minutes.
During the holiday season, it is a great opportunity to spend some quiet time in church, to reunite with the Lord, have our sins forgiven and be ready for the celebration of Our Lord’s birth.
Compassionate Friends Worldwide Candle Lighting for the Loss of a Child Service - Sunday, December 11 at 6:45 pm
The Compassionate Friends Worldwide Candle Lighting service for the loss of a child will be hosted by Queen of All Saints parish (6280 N. Sauganash Avenue, Chicago) on Sunday, December 11th.
At 7:00 pm local time, family and friends around the globe unite in lighting candles for one hour to honor the memories of any child of any age who has died.
Our simple gathering begins at 6:45 pm and includes a short service, readings and music. All are welcome to participate in part or all of the service, which will also be livestreamed on the parish website at www.qasparish.org.
Essay Contest for Students in 7th & 8th Grade - Deadline is Monday December 12
Students interested in the contests should write an essay explaining what is the most important contribution that Christians can make to society. Entries should be 500-600 words. Spelling and grammar count!
The top three winners will receive gift cards and have their essays published online and in the bulletin.
Entries must be submitted online or postmarked by Monday, December 12, 2022. Email essays (preferred method) to eescamilla@stgertrudechicago.org or mail them to Eloy
Escamilla, 1420 W. Granville, Chicago, IL 60660.
Giving Tree Program - Donate Until Sunday, December 18
The Giving Trees are in the back of Church! As we have been doing since the pandemic, we will again be asking for gift cards, rather than gifts. This allows flexibility for individuals to get what they need. The benefactors of the Giving Tree collections will be Care for Real and the St. Gertrude Refugee and Immigrant Ministry.
Care for Real is asking for gift cards in $20.00 increments to Target, Jewel, and Walmart. They are also asking for Ventra passes. The Refugee Ministry is requesting $20 gift cards to Target. We are also asking for $10 McDonald’s gift cards to provide immediate meals for those who request them.
When you bring your gift cards to church, there are two boxes on a table in front of the Blessed Mother’s Shrine in the front of church. One of the boxes indicates it is for Care for Real, and one for The Parish Refugee Committee. Please place your gift cards into whichever outreach you are supporting. The McDonald’s gift cards can be placed in either box. The last chance to donate gift cards will be Sunday, December 18th at noon.
We hope that in this most joyous of seasons you will be able to support the Giving Tree program. Each gift card will allow others to be able to have a blessed and happy Christmas celebration.
If you have any questions please reach out to the Giving Tree Program coordinator Joe McMahon at jpmgmu@aol.com or at 708.525.5051. something interesting about your business here.
The Longest Night of the Year: Homeless Persons Memorial Vigil - Wednesday, December 21
Please join members of the Peace & Justice Ministry for on Wednesday, December 21, the first night of winter, the longest night of darkness, to remember those who have died while homeless.
They die alone - in tents, shelters, and on the streets. On this evening, we will mourn their passing.
The Vigil will be held at 7:00 pm in St. Gertrude's church.
Christmas Eve Pageant at 5:00 pm Mass: Children & Adults Needed
As is our tradition during the Gospel at the Christmas Eve 5:00 pm Family Mass, the kids from St. Gertrude parish will act out the Christmas story.
Two practices for the Christmas Family Pageant have been scheduled - Wednesday, December 14 and Thursday, December 22 at 6:30 pm in Church.
We do have angels, kings, shepherds, and some little animals costumes. However, participants are welcome to bring their own costumes.
Children ages 5 and older, and adults are still welcome to be a part of this event and help organize it. (If you have a young baby and are interested in performing as Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, let us know!)
Please contact me at eescamilla@stgertrudechicago.org if you and/or your children are interested in being a part of this special Mass.
~ Eloy Escamilla
PreCana Class at St. Gertrude on January 21, 2023
Are you an engaged couple planning on getting married at St. Gertrude? Couples that have established a connection with Fr. Rich (or another priest) are invited to attend St. Gertrude’s PreCana course on January 21, 2023.
This full day, in-person gathering is dedicated to considering your life together as a married couple. Led by a facilitator couple from St. Gertrude, the session begins at 9:00 am and features presentations, prayers, and discussions with your partner and 5-10 other couples. Lunch and snacks are provided.
Couples can register for the jnaury session by calling the Rectory office at 773.764.3621or by filling out an online form at https://stgertrudechicago.org/marriage.
The cost of PreCana is covered by the church fee couples planning a wedding at St. Gertrude are charged.
Additional PreCana classes at St. Gertrude will be offered on April 15, 2023 and September 9, 2023.
Save the Date! Our Parish Cabaret Night Will be Held on Saturday, January 28
Our rescheduled Cabaret Night has a new date - Saturday, January 28. It will be held from 7:00-9:00 pm in the gym.
People wishing to perform or help with set up or breakdown should contact Mary Clare Barker at mcbarker@stgertrudechicago.org.
Scroll down for Parish news
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 who 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.
Help Needed with Collecting Food for Care for Real
We have all felt the uptick in food prices in recent months and while this is not pleasant, for the vast majority of us we are still able to put food on the table and pay our rent. Sadly, there are many families in Edgewater who cannot make this statement.
Greg Gross, the director of Care for Real, outlined the dire situation that many families are facing on a weekly basis. On a recent day, Care for Real served 295 families in one day. On the same date last year, they served 156 families. They now serve over 1,300 families per week.
And while the need continues to escalate, unfortunately there has been a decrease in the amount of food they receive from their suppliers. Care for Real used to receive 7,500 pounds of food a week from Chicago Food Depository. Now they receive 5,200 pounds; that is two TONS less than what they used to receive.
The need in our community is great and the need is very real. I would like to propose as a parish that we have a monthly food drive for Care for Real. We would need a few adults to organize this (get bins out, collect the food after Masses, notify the parish with an article in the bulletin which weekend we are collecting, and coordinate with Care for Real any special needs for a particular month, etc.)
It would not involve a lot of time and effort and hopefully if this is a regular operation, we can arrange things with Care for Real for them to pick up the food. A few adults along with perhaps some teen help could really make a big difference in our community.
Please consider getting involved in this ministry and if you are so inclined, please contact Mary Clare Barker at mcbarker@stgertrudechicago.org. Thank you for your prayerful consideration.
Please Pick Up Your Remembrance Altar/Ofrenda Items
Thank you for sharing images and memories of your special someone with us during the month of November. If you have not yet picked up your photo or memento, please collect them from the Rectory office.
The Rectory office is open Monday-Friday from 8:30 am-4:30 pm, and Saturdays from 9:00 am-2:30 pm.
Parish Service Awards
At the Thanksgiving Day Mass, the Parish Service Awards were presented to parishioners who have been outstanding in their generosity of service to the community. Here are the recipients of this year’s St. Gertrude Parish Service Awards:
- Parish Life: Diane Barnhart, Sr. Joellen McCarthy, B.V.M., Barb Daly
- Education: Jennifer & Roman Reyes, Emily Monnelly & Matt Brett
- Human Concerns: Deborah Kern, Nancy Kuhn, Jean Laczkowski
- Prayer and Worship: Paula Dempsey, Amir Ghazaleh
- Lifetime Service: Laurie Hasbrook
Congratulations to all the recipients and all those who continue to be so generous with their time and talent and energy here at St. Gertrude parish!
Thank You for Coming Out to Celebrate our Feast Day With Us!
In November, we celebrated the Feast of St. Gertrude with an International Dinner and the Anointing of the Sick at all Masses.
Thank you to all who celebrated with us by sharing food at the dinner and the many others who attended our Masses. We are grateful you are a part of our faith community!
Special thanks to Rita Elue, who organized the
International Dinner!
St. Francis Catholic Worker House of Hospitality Invitation
St. Francis House is a home of hospitality in the tradition of the Catholic Worker movement, located in the Uptown neighborhood at 4652 N. Kenmore Ave.
All are invited to attend a house Mass and dinner on Tuesday, November 29 for Dorothy Day's Feast Day.
Additionally, the community hosts open house dinners on Mondays at 6:00 pm.
For more information, please contact Renee Darline Roden at rr3329@columbia.edu.
Thank you for Helping with our Food Drive Organized by Parish Teens
Thank you to our parish teens and those who donated to our food drive last weekend for Care for Real! Confirmation candidates and members of our parish youth group sorted and packed up so much food, including peanut butter, nuts, tuna, canned chicken and fruits, as well as soups.
Care for Real staff were so thankful to receive our donations.
Thank you for your generosity!
Spirit of St. Gertrude Award Presented to Nancy & Dick Merrill
At the 10:30 am Mass on our parish Feast Day last weekend, the Spirit of St. Gertrude Award was presented to Dick & Nancy Merrill for their continual service to the parish. This is also the parish Dick has grown up in, and in which they raised their family.
Congratulations to a well-deserving couple on this award!
Thank You to our Heart to Heart Volunteers
This Thanksgiving, we want to share our deep appreciation to the volunteers that serve Heart to Heart.
From driving our seniors to Mass, the store, or to medical appointments to calling to check in or offering prayers for their well-being, their generosity of spirit is so kind and loving. Our volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart.
We are also so grateful to everyone who has donated medical equipment to the Lending Closet. It is amazing how many individuals and families we can lend a helping hand to with the loan of medical equipment like wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, canes, toilet risers, shower chairs, etc.
Thank you!
~ Pat Sullivan & Laurie Hasbrook
A Note About Children in Church From 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!
Tax Credit Scholarship Program
Do you have income that is subject to Illinois state taxes? Would you like to REDUCE your state taxes or see a BIGGER refund?
If so, we would like to share an opportunity with you that will help reduce the amount you pay in Illinois state taxes while also providing scholarship funds for students at Northside Catholic Academy.
To learn more, please click here to review a letter from NCA Principal Christine Huzenis about the tax credit
scholarship program at bit.ly/NCAPrincipalLetter, as well as other TCS information at bit.ly/NCAFlyers.
Congratulations to Hallie Burhoe and Carol Ann Munro!
On Sunday, October 2, Cardinal Cupich presented the Christifideles award for St. Gertrude Parish to Hallie Burhoe and Carol Ann Munro at a special service at Holy Name Cathedral.
The Archdiocese of Chicago has established the Christifideles award, which is given to a layperson (or couple) in each parish who demonstrates faithfulness and dedication in ministry.
Carol Ann and Hallie have consistently responded to whatever needs arise in the parish, from signing on for the special activities for managing health and safety during the covid pandemic, to taking a leading role in the Peace & Justice Committee, to liturgical ministries. In so many ways they have lived out their faith for the good of all the members of the parish.
Thank you to both Carol Ann and Hallie and may God continue to bless all of their efforts!