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
Support Fr. Mike Bradley's Run for Heart to Heart
Support Fr. Mike Bradley's Run for Heart to Heart
Support Fr. Mike Bradley's Run for Heart to Heart
Support Fr. Mike Bradley's Run for Heart to Heart
Support Fr. Mike Bradley's Run for Heart to Heart
Upcoming Events & Activities
Support Fr. Mike Bradley's Run for Heart to Heart
Upcoming Events & Activities
Our Mission & Values
Support St. Gertrude Parish & our Ministries
Upcoming Events & Activities
This Weekend's 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
On the run for heart to heart
Fr. Mike Bradley to Run the Chicago Marathon for Heart to Heart!
The Bank of America Chicago Marathon takes place on October 13th, and along with 50,000 other participants, several Saint Gertrude parishioners and I are prepping for the 26.2 miles.
I've had a couple medical setbacks during recent times. However, because of the prayers of many people, I'm able to lace up my shoes and run my 22nd Chicago Marathon. This will be my 52nd marathon overall.
I’m asking you to consider making a donation to Heart-to-Heart, our parish’s outreach to the senior citizens and shut-ins of the Edgewater community, regardless of religious affiliation. Heart-to-Heart operates a lending closet with household medical equipment for those in need, and our volunteers provide rides to the doctor and other errands for those who have limited access. Your support for Heart-to-Heart is a real blessing, and your prayers will enable me to reach the finish line on October 13th.
Please send me your prayer intentions at mbradley2222@yahoo.com, and I will pray for your prayer requests as I run/walk the 26.2 miles of the marathon.
With heartfelt appreciation of your prayers and support,
~ Father Mike Bradley
Fr. Mike's Chicago Marathon Efforts
Fr. Mike Bradley will run the Chicago Marathon on Sunday, October 13, and is raising funds specifically for our Heart to Heart ministry. Please consider supporting his efforts by donating online at https://bit.ly/FrMikeRuns4Heart2Heart, scanning the QR code, or via a check at church or dropped off at the Rectory.
Please add Heart to Heart in the memo line if you are writing a check.
Please Welcome Our New Music Director, Jonathan Hannau
Hello! My name is Jonathan Hannau and I am thrilled to be joining the community of St. Gertrude’s in Edgewater as your new Music Director. I myself live in Edgewater with my wife Suzanne and our three dogs.
For the last decade, I have worked as the Music Director for the Ravenswood Fellowship United Methodist Church and Associate Music Director for St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church. I earned my degrees in Music Composition from DePaul University and Roosevelt University, and I maintain a very active career as a performer and composer in the city and abroad. I have released two albums of original solo piano music (among other things), I perform with two professional ensembles in the city, and am also the Artistic Director of the Chicago Composers Orchestra: an organization dedicated to playing the orchestral music of living composers. I recently made my WFMT debut back in February 2024 with violinist Hannah Christiansen.
I look forward to working with you all and bringing a joyful sound to this vibrant and loving congregation.
Follow-Up Discussion with Author and Parishioner Michelle Nickerson on Friday, October 11
On Friday, October 11th at 6:30 pm, Commonweal Dialogue will continue the discussion of longtime parishioner, Loyola professor, Fulbright Scholar, and historian Michelle Nickerson’s new book, Spiritual Criminals: How the Camden 28 Put the Vietnam War on Trial and its relevance for current political protests.
This gathering of Commonweal will be held in the first-floor chapel of the Ministry Center, 6214 North Glenwood Ave. Please RSVP for the October 11 gathering to to John Williams at oolikar@gmail.com or Denise DeBelle at ddebelle@gmail.com so we are sure to have plenty of pizza and wine!
World Mission Sunday is Next Weekend, October 19-20!
World Mission Sunday, observed on October 20th this year, is not just another Sunday; it is a powerful reminder of our call to be missionaries. The collection taken up on this day is unique as it is mandated by the Code of Canon Law and is essential for the survival and growth of the Church in mission territories.
These funds support the pastoral and evangelizing work of the Church, including building churches, providing healthcare and education, and training future priests and religious. In places where resources are scarce, your generosity makes a profound difference. As we reflect on the theme "Go and invite everyone to the banquet," let us remember that our participation and support help invite countless souls to the feast of God's love.
NCA Play Date is October 21
Next week, Northside Catholic Academy has planned a special activity for parents and their toddlers, featuring stories, a craft, and songs. The event is planned for Monday, October 21 from 9:30-0:30 am at 6216 N. Glenwood.
Please RSVP to gmalfatti@ncaschools.com.
Collection for Care for Real is October 26 and 27
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.
Please place nonperishable items in the bins at the back of church before and after mass times. Special needs this month include diapers in any sizes.
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.
Parish Town Hall Planned for Sunday, October 27
The Parish Pastoral Council asks that you reserve the date for a Call to Action Town Hall on October 27.
This meeting will be held in the Gym after the 10:30 am masses; and will review how to operationalize the strategic plan.
Listen With the Ear of Your Heart - Heart to Heart Listening Session on Tuesday, October 29
That's the first piece of advice that St. Benedict gives in his Rule, and Heart to Heart is taking it to . . . heart.
Heart to Heart is the parish program that serves older adults in Edgewater with the goal of helping them remain independent in their homes.
Sr. Susan Quaintance, O.S.B. will be holding a listening session with volunteers about their experiences and reflections on the place of the program in the parish. While the Lending Closet is also part of Heart to Heart, that is not what will be discussed.
We will focus on the outreach to seniors who need transportation and other services. If you would be interested in being a part of that conversation, please join us on Tuesday, October 29, at 11:30 am We will meet in the Ministry Center Dining Room.
Upcoming Youth Group Events
Attention students in 7th graders and up! Save the date! On Saturday November 2, you are invited to join us as the youth group visits the National Museum of Mexican Art.
On this field trip, you will be able to visit exhibitions capturing the wide range of Mexican cultural expressions and art forms, from ancient to modern and on both sides of the U.S. - Mexican border. This is a very exciting cultural experience amidst of the Day of the Dead Celebration!
Additionally, on December 14, we've planned an afternoon of Christmas card-making and cookie baking and on January 11, we'll go ice skating.
Please reach out to Eloy Escamilla at eecamilla@stgertrudechicago.org for more information.
Fr. Mike Bradley and Laurie Hasbrook to be Recognized as 2024 Edgewater Treasures on November 2!
On Saturday, November 2, Fr. Mike Bradley and Laurie Hasbrook, along Dr. Jamal Husain, will be recognized as 2024 Living Treasures of Edgewater! The event will be at 1:00 pm at the Edgewater Public Library, 6000 N. Broadway. Light refreshments will be served.
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!
We hope you can join us to celebrate these amazing people!
Parish Play Planned for Saturday, November 2 to Benefit Heart to Heart
The St. Gertrude Players are staging a new musical play on Saturday, November 2nd, at 7:00 pm in the Gym.
The play, "Two Trillion At Least," tells the exciting tale of the Pope's trip to outer space! (The title refers to how many galaxies there are in the Universe.)
Please plan to be there!
Guadalupanos Rosary Group (Grupo del Rosario de Guadalupanos) on Friday Evenings
All are welcome to attend the weekly Rosary group held on Friday evenings at 7:00 pm.
The bilingual gathering is held in the dining room of the Ministry Center, located at 6214 N. Glenwood Avenue.
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.
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
Thank you for Supporting our Youth Group
Thanks so much to those that had their car washed by our parish teens! We appreciate your support! Proceeds will go towards youth group activities.
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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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.
NCA: Be a Part of Somethings Greater
The best way to learn about Northside Catholic Academy and to see if it’s the right fit for your family is to walk through our halls and visit our classrooms. We encourage prospective parents to discover first-hand what makes NCA a Blue Ribbon School. We accept applications up to one year in advance.
Private admissions tours are available by
appointment. Please contact Brad Gschwendtner at bgschwendtner@ncaschools.com or 773.743.6277 with any questions about our admissions process or to schedule a tour.
Spiritual Directors/Companions Available
Last weekend, Lori Dressel and Carol Ann Munro were in church to discuss the benefits of a spiritual director and companion.
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 and Lori 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.
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
Ben Keefe
- husband of Kim and father of Nora, Riley and Molly. Article posted here
John Reilly
- husband of Jeanne; wake and funeral info here
Victor Reyes
- beloved father to Carmen, the late Mildred, Victor D. (Phyllis Reyes), Arlene (Richard Sabatini), and Michael (Liz Farwell).; wake and funeral info here