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 Your Christmas Greenery from St. Gerts!
Upcoming Events & Activities
Upcoming Events & Activities
Order Your Christmas Greenery from St. Gerts!
Upcoming Events & Activities
Order Your Christmas Greenery from St. Gerts!
Order Your Christmas Greenery from St. Gerts!
Order Your Christmas Greenery from St. Gerts!
This Weekend's Bulletin
Support St. Gertrude Parish & our Ministries
Order Your Christmas Greenery from St. Gerts!
Our Mission & Values
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
Giving Tuesday is December 3
Next Tuesday, December 3, is Giving Tuesday, a global day dedicated to giving back. People all over the world celebrate the true reason behind this holiday season, showing generosity, compassion, and love to those in need.
St. Gertrude is a parish that is truly dedicated to helping others. Whether it be through reaching out to teens through our youth group, caring for our seniors with our Heart to Heart program, collecting food for Care for Real, or committing to sponsoring a refugee family, our community of faith shows love to others every single day.
If you are inspired to take part in this day-long donation campaign, please consider supporting St. Gertrude and making a donation here.
Every donation will make a difference! Thank you!
Order Your Trees, Garland, and Wreaths from St. Gert’s Annual Greenery Sale!
St. Gertrude is once again hosting our annual Christmas greenery sale, with a limited number of balsam pine trees, wreaths, and garland available for purchase. Our Christmas greenery sale is a great opportunity for parishioners to get ready for the holidays while supporting St. Gertrude ministries.
Each 6’ Christmas tree is $55. Three different sized wreaths are available—the 18” wreath is $25, the 24” is $27, and the 36” is $35. Garland is also available for $40 per 5’ length.
Order Online
Purchase greenery online at https://bit.ly/StGertsChristmasGreenery.
Order via Paper Form
A paper order form is available for download at https://stgertrudechicago.org/christmas-greenery.
Forms and checks or cash can be dropped off at the Rectory office, 1420 W. Granville Ave or placed in the mail slot in the side (west) red door next to the Rectory side yard if the Rectory office is closed.
Checks should be made out to St. Gertrude. Please note "Greenery" in the memo line.
Deliveries
Deliveries will be offered for a $6 fee. They will take place on Saturday, December 7 and Saturday, December 14, from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm. The greenery team will do their best to accommodate your preferred delivery date and will reach out to notify you when to expect your order.
Please note, the boundaries for deliveries are north to Oakton, south to Irving Park, and east of the North Shore Channel.
In-Person Sales
Greenery will also be sold at the playlot on the west side of the Social Hall, 1401 W. Granville Avenue on the first four Sundays of December: the 8th, 15th, and 22nd from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm. Only cash and checks will be accepted for in-person purchases.
Questions?
Contact St. Gertrude Business Manager Eduardo Soto at esoto@stgertrudechicago.org or call the Rectory at 773.764.3621.
Care for Real Collection for Asylum Seekers is December 7 and 8
Our monthly Food & Supply Drive for asylum seekers is December 7 and 8. Please place nonperishable items in the bins at the back of church before and after mass times.
This month, Care for Real is urgently seeking donations of diapers in sizes 2-6, baby wipes, juice boxes, thermal layers (all sizes) gently used coats (all sizes), handwarmers, lotions and hand soap, shampoo and body wash, adult incontinence under bed pads. If you’re able, please consider helping us keep these supplies in stock.
Our collection drive for Care for Real is always the fourth calendar weekend every month, and our asylum seekers’ collection is the first weekend of each month.
Visit www.careforreal.org/wishlist to shop Care for Real's Amazon or Target wish lists to shop-to-donate today. Donations can also be dropped off between 12:00-3:00 pm every Monday-Saturday at the back entrance of 5339 N. Sheridan.
Additionally, you can visit www.careforreal.org/wishlist to shop Care for Real's Amazon or Target wish lists to shop-to-donate today. Donations can also be dropped off between 12:00-3:00 pm every Monday-Saturday at the back entrance of 5339 N. Sheridan.
Letter from Cardinal Cupich: Second Collection for Retirement Fund for Religious is December 7 and 8
On the Second Sunday of Advent, parishes throughout our Archdiocese will participate in the Retirement Fund for Religious collection, an annual appeal that benefits nearly 24,000 elderly sisters, brothers, and religious order priests nationwide.
I am grateful for the significant influence that women and men religious, both past and present, have had on our individual faith journeys. Their faithful and devoted service has impacted our archdiocese, inspiring and guiding us as we continue to grow in faith.
We are called to recognize that most senior vowed religious worked many years for little pay, leaving their religious communities with a shortage of retirement savings. Rising healthcare costs and decreased income compound the challenge to meet day-to-day needs for aging members, including their medical expenses, nursing assistance and other necessities.
Your generous contributions to the Retirement Fund for Religious provide vital financial
support, enabling religious communities to care for their aging members.
I am aware that you are frequently asked to support many worthy causes. I invite you to contribute what you can at masses the weekend of December 7-8. Most importantly, please keep all our men and women religious in your prayers. Rest assured that they are praying for you.
May God's abundant blessings be upon you and your loved ones during this Holy Season of Advent. With kind regards I remain,
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Cardinal Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago
Worldwide Candle Lighting for the Loss of a Child - Sunday, December 8
The Elizabeth Ministry of Queen of All Saints parish will host the annual Compassionate Friends Worldwide Candle Lighting service on Sunday, December 8th at 6:45 pm in Queen of All Saints basilica, 6280 N. Sauganash Avenue, Chicago.
The Compassionate Friends is an organization supporting grieving families in all fifty states and across thirty countries. Every second Sunday in December, families and friends around the globe unite in lighting candles to honor the memories of children of any age who have died, at any time, for any reason. Everyone is welcome to participate in this non-denominational service of prayer and music as we remember children who have gone too soon.
Email elizabethministry.qas@gmail.com with questions, or to request the name of a loved one to be read during the service. Find more information about The Compassionate Friends organization and grief support at compassionatefriends.org.
Find more information about Queen of All Saints at www.qasparish.org.
Feast of the Immaculate Conception - Monday, December 9
We will celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on Monday, December 9. Please note, the Feast day is not a holy day of obligation.
Mass will be held at 7:30 am and 8:30 am. The rectory office will be open.
Friendship Club is Thursday, December 12
The St. Gertrude Women's Friendship Club meets monthly on the second Thursday of every month in the Ministry Center.
The gathering begins at 11:30 am, and attendees should bring their own (brown bag) lunch.
Youth Group Event Planned for Saturday, December 14
Attention students in 7th grade and up! Save the date! On December 14, we've planned an afternoon of Christmas card-making and cookie decorating. We'll gather in the Ministry Center from 1:00-3:00 pm.
Please reach out to Eloy Escamilla at eecamilla@stgertrudechicago.org for more information.Real's wish list! A reception will follow the service.
Deanery 2B Advent Reconciliation Service Planned for Monday, December 16
St. Gert's will host a deanery-wide reconciliation service on Monday, December 16 at 7:00 pm.
There will be many priests on hand speaking a variety of languages to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation with participants.
7th & 8th Grade Students Invited to Participate in our Essay Contest
Students in the 7th and 8th grade are invited to take part in our annual essay contest. Participants should write an essay based on this prompt: The Importance of Forgiving Others.
Entries should be 450 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 16, 2024. Email essays (preferred method) to eescamilla@stgertrudechicago.org or mail them to Eloy Escamilla, 1420 W. Granville, Chicago, IL 60660.
St. Gertrude's Giving Tree Program
The Giving Tree Program has started. Once again, we will be asking for gift cards rather than gifts and in increments of $20. These cards can be from Target, Jewel, Walmart, even a Ventra card. Any way you can help is appreciated!
What has changed this year is who will be benefiting from the Giving Tree drive. Care for Real has made other plans for this holiday season, so we will be assisting the Refugee and Immigrant Ministry, St. Oscar Romero, Catholic Charities and RefugeeOne. The parish is also asking for $10 McDonald’s gift cards to provide immediate meal assistance for those who request it.
Please place the gift cards in the boxes at the front of church, by the statue of Mary by December 20.
Children Needed for Christmas Eve Pageant/Rehearsal on December 21
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.
We are looking for children ages 5 and older to
participate in this charming production as magi, shepherds, angels, cows, etc.
We are having only one rehearsal for this play on Saturday, December 21 at 2:30 pm. It will take approximately one hour.
Email eescamilla@stgertrduechicago.org if you your children are interested in being a part of this amusing and important event.
~ Eloy Escamilla
Kids Word at 10:30 am Masses
On Sundays during the 10:30 am Mass in church, children aged 4-7 years-old are invited to attend Kids Word to hear an age-appropriate Gospel message and do fun, scripture-based activities such as coloring or crafts in the Rectory.
Children will be invited by the celebrant to come to the altar before the readings and will return to church before the petitions.
Email eescamilla@stgertrudechicago.org for details.
Fr. Mike Bradley and Laurie Hasbrook is Recognized as 2024 Edgewater Treasures
On Saturday, November 2, Fr. Mike Bradley and Laurie Hasbrook, along Dr. Jamal Husain, were recognized as 2024 Living Treasures of Edgewater!
Edgewater Living Treasures are residents of Edgewater who have made a difference, some in a profound, fundamental way, and others in a small but significant action that has affected the well being of the Edgewater community. Their deeds were not driven by personal gain, but to help the people of the community – whether generating beauty, fostering harmony, helping the less fortunate or encouraging grass roots activity.
In addition to his work at the Archdiocese and St. Gertrude parish, especially the Heart to Heart ministry, Fr. Mike has raised funds for an AIDs clinic in Uganda, Catholic Charities in Chicago, Leukemia Society, and Northside Catholic Academy.
Laurie has worked diligently to improve the lives of others in Edgewater for more than 20 years. She has served as a support person for Iraqi refugee families and assisted migrants who gathered around the 24th District police station, sleeping on the ground without food or adequate clothing. Laurie has also worked with various mutual aid networks and WhatsApp groups to distribute goods and services to help these new neighbors. And her work at St. Gertrude, especially with the Lending Closet, has been a blessing to so many!
Pet Blessing Pictures
Thank you to those who came out this past Sunday for our annual Pet Blessing!
We were so happy to see those family members who don't usually attend Mass.
Heart to Heart Volunteer Spotlight: Michael Kowalsky
The Heart to Heart Lending Closet provides durable medical equipment to people throughout Chicagoland. Items donated to us for distribution are gently used and in good condition. But when we get a perfectly sturdy wheelchair, transport chair, or rollator with a flat tire or loose supports -- Michael Kowalsky comes to the rescue!
Michael is a Heart to Heart volunteer with a knack for diagnosing the most perplexing equipment issues. Thanks to Michael, along with the folks who donate to us, we're able to keep our mobility room well-stocked!
Items Needed for the Lending Closet
The Lending Closet is in dire need of rollator walkers (walkers with a seat.)
Please e-mail or call the Lending Closet manager Laurie Hasbrook at lhasbrook@stgertrudechicago.org or 773-973-5464 ext. 115 if have one to donate.
An Update from the Refugee & Immigration Ministry: Welcome to a New Family! (August 2024 Update)
Thanks to your extraordinary support, we are once again able to sponsor a newly arriving refugee family. We are working with Refugee One rather than Catholic Charities now, and I think you'll be impressed with all the support they provide.
This family of four is from Venezuela, and just recently arrived, flying into O'Hare via Ecuador. This is a young Catholic family, with one 8-year-old daughter and a 10-month-old son. The husband's father is already in Chicago, living on the South Side.
A case manager from Refugee One welcomed them at the airport. Since they had arrived to the U.S. through another city and cleared customs there, it went quickly and they were able to go straight to their apartment, where there was a culturally-appropriate, hot meal waiting for them, along with a kitchen stocked with groceries. They were also given a cell phone with one year of service, CTA cards, pocket money, and directions to the nearest grocery stores. The parents were very tired from the travel, and after a brief apartment orientation, the staff left so they could rest. The husband's father was able to visit them later the same evening. What a blessing to be reunited!
The case worker visited them again the next day to check in and answer any questions they had. The father shared that he worked as a barber in Ecuador since 2018 and would like to pursue that career path here! Eventually they'd like to live closer to family, but of course that will take some time.
The family was scheduled to go to Refugee One for their intake appointment shortly after their arrival; this allowed them to learn more about the services being offered to them, and for Refugee One staff to start to get to know them. Afterwards, the case worker was set to orient them to the CTA and practice the route from RefugeeOne to their apartment. They’ve begun an 8-week Cultural Orientation series (childcare is provided). “CO” is an 8-week long program for adults that focuses on topics like rights as a US resident, cultural norms in the U.S., carrying personal identification, U.S. laws, money management, creating a budget, steps to getting a job, the importance of paying taxes, and so much more. They’ll also be assessed for English level afterward and will be enrolled into one of the in-house classes or referred elsewhere, depending on their assessment outcome.
The next few weeks will be busy with school enrollment for their daughter, English classes, CO, and employment support, all while adjusting to their new home. Refugee One said, "We’re so grateful to St. Gertrude’s support in ensuring the Garcias received a warm and comfortable welcome to Chicago."
As you can see, the agency has a spectacularly well-organized on-boarding process. It's been wonderful working with them, and I wanted you all to know the wonderful result of your generosity and kindness.
On behalf of the Refugee and Immigrant Ministry,
Denise Goodman
Two Marriage Programs Available
Are You Struggling in Your Marriage?
If your marriage has become troubled or stressed, unloving or uncaring, or if your relationship has grown cold or distant, if you are thinking of separation or divorce, or if you are already separated or divorced, but you want to try again, then the Retrouvaille program can help you.
For more upcoming dates, information, or to
register, call 1.800.470.2230, 224-534-9235 or go to helpourmarriage.org.
Learn the Art of Living your Marriage Journey
As Pope Francis states, living together is an art and can be a beautiful journey. Marriage can be challenging with family, work, finances, kids, busy schedules and al that life offers. Losing focus on what is important in life is easy.
A Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekend experience focuses on what's important in your marriage and provides the tools to live a beautiful journey together. It's for any married couple that desires a richer, fuller life together.
For more info, visit www.wwme.org.
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Spiritual Directors/Companions Available
If you've been searching for a deeper relationship with God or wanted to seek God’s help in making you might consider meeting with a spiritual director/companion.
Carol Ann Munro and Lori Dressel offer confidential one-on-one sessions at St. Gertrude and the opportunity to slow down and take time to reflect on your experience of life, God’s action and grace in your daily routines and connect deeply to “the Spirit hidden in the depths of your soul.“ (T. Merton)
In meeting with a spiritual director, a person learns to pay attention to God’s personal communication, to respond to this personally communicating God, to be open to intimacy with God, and to live out the richness of the relationship that results from this intimacy.
If you are interested in this, contact Lori Dressel at lorijdressel@gmail.com or Carol Ann Munro at carolannmunro@comcast.net.
St. Francis Catholic Worker House of Hospitality
St. Francis House is a home offering hospitality in the tradition of the Catholic Worker movement, located in the Uptown neighborhood at 4652 N. Kenmore.
All are welcome to come by for dinner any Monday at 6:00 pm! Curious about this tradition? Read about in the Chicago Catholic at https://rb.gy/10e7pw.
Thank you to the parish for all your support and prayers. The youth had a wonderful community mission week impacting lives in the community and beyond. We volunteered at the following organizations this week: The West Ridge Nature Park, Care for Real, Cradles to Crayons, and Feed My Starving Children. We then celebrated all our hard work with a day at the beach at the end of the week.
Special thanks to Jennifer Reyes and Anh Tran for helping to organize and lead the activities of the Mission week.
Mission Experience 2025 will be from June 23rd to the 27th. Hopefully, your child is interested in joining us next year!
Rest in peace notices & funeral information
Mark Schreiner
- son of Therese Schreiner
Michael Cannon
Marie Roti
- funeral Tuesday, November 26 at St. Gertrude
Carol Shields
- mother of Tracy Shields