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:
New Pastor Selected: Fr. Sergio Romo!
New Pastor Selected: Fr. Sergio Romo!
New Pastor Selected: Fr. Sergio Romo!
Mass Times/Rectory Hours
New Pastor Selected: Fr. Sergio Romo!
New Pastor Selected: Fr. Sergio Romo!
Upcoming Events & Activities
New Pastor Selected: Fr. Sergio Romo!
Upcoming Events & Activities
This Weekend's Bulletin
Join Us in Praying for our New Pope, Leo XIV!
Upcoming Events & Activities
Our Mission & Values
Join Us in Praying for our New Pope, Leo XIV!
Join Us in Praying for our New Pope, Leo XIV!
Join Us in Praying for our New Pope, Leo XIV!
Join Us in Praying for our New Pope, Leo XIV!
Join Us in Praying for our New Pope, Leo XIV!
New pastor of st. gertrude selected!
Please Welcome Fr. Sergio Romo!
We are pleased to welcome our new pastor, Fr. Sergio Romo.
Father Sergio currently serves as pastor of St. Andrew Parish and will be transitioning to St. Gertrude’s in the coming weeks.
Please keep him in your prayers as he prepares for this new chapter. Fr. Mike will be meeting with him to help ensure a smooth transition.
More details will be shared soon.
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 North Glenwood Avenue.
Weekly Cradles to Crayons Clothing Drive in Church After Mass
One of our parish teens is hosting a clothing drive benefiting Cradles to Crayons through May 18. A collection bin will be in the church foyer.
Cradles to Crayons aims to alleviate the nationwide issue of childhood poverty by addressing the clothing insecurity problem in the U.S. right now. Clothing insecurity is not one of the three insecurities covered by government safety programs, but it is an important insecurity to recognize. Without adequate or appropriate clothing, children can face barriers to participating in life and can feel unvalued. They don’t have shoes that fit, or coats warm enough to get through the Chicago winter, or clothes that fit them right.
Any children's clothing or child-appropriate adult-sized clothing in good condition is welcome. The most-needed items are:
- NEW underwear and sock in all sizes
- Boys pants in all sizes
- Girls t-shirts in all sizes
Help us get kids the clothing they need in order to feel safe, warm, and valued by donating!
Questions? Email annastecky22@gmail.com.
"Brewed at St. Gertrude" Social Events After 10:30 am Masses - Next Gathering is May 18
We've scheduled all our "Brewed at St. Gertrude" parish hospitality events through 2026! These gathering are held following the 10:30 am church and gym masses in the Social Hall and feature pastries, coffee, tea, and hot cocoa.
All are welcome: new and long-time parishioners, families, and visitors! We would love for the entire parish to be there!
We hope to see you there! The dates are:
- June 22nd
- July 20th
- August 24th
- September 28th
- October 26th
- November 16th
- December 21st
- January 18th, 2026
Book Club Gathering is Tuesday, May 20
The book club will discuss When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi. This month, the group will meet on the third Tuesday of May, the 20th.
The gathering is at 7:00 pm in the Ministry Center, located at 6214 North Glenwood Avenue.
We would love new voices and opinions!
Contact Lea Cloninger at her new number, 773.213.0509, or Sue Benjamin at 773.551.8401 with questions.
Collection Drive for Care for Real is May 24-25
Care for Real is urgently seeking donations of new socks and underwear, diapers in sizes 4-6, shampoo, hand soap, and adult incontinence briefs.
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.
We are so grateful for your help supporting Care for Real as they work to provide food and much-needed supplies to our neighbors who are struggling.
Upcoming Youth Group Activities: A Car Wash and a Hot Dog Sale
The parish youth group has two upcoming events: a car wash and a hot dog sale. All proceeds will go towards youth group activities.
The car wash is planned for Saturday, May 31. Teens will be available to wash cars from 10:00 am-1:00 pm in the parish parking lot. The cost is $15 per vehicle.
The Edgewater Yard and Sidewalk Sale is Saturday, June 7 from 9:00 am-5:00 pm. Our parish youth group will sell pop and hot dogs to attendees in the parish parking lot from 10:00 am-2:00 pm.
If your teen in grades six and up is interested in joining our youth group, please contact Eloy Escamilla at eescamilla@stgertrudechicago.org.
A Celebration of 20th Century Women Composers Planned for Thursday, May 29 Performed by Mary Clare Barker
Please join us in church on May 29 at 7:00 pm in church for a free concert! The event will feature compositions from Amy Beach, Florence Price, Marian McPartland, and Dana Suesse, noted 20th century female musical trailblazers.
Mary Clare Barker, an accomplished pianist will perform.
All are welcome!
Father Mike Gabriel’s Retirement Celebration Planned for June 8; Volunteers Needed
After years of dedicated service, Father Mike Gabriel is heading into a well-deserved retirement—and we want to send him off with all the love and gratitude he deserves!
Please join us on Sunday, June 8 for a special celebration following the 10:30 am Mass. We'll gather in the Social Hall for hospitality, fellowship, and a chance to personally thank Father Mike for his years of ministry, guidance, and compassion.
To make this event a success, we are looking for volunteers to assist with the following:
- Set-up & clean-up in the Social Hall
- Staffing during the event, including monitoring food and beverages
- Baking for our sweet treats table
If you are able to lend a hand, please contact Michael Kowalsky at mkowalsky@rcn.com or call 773.633.6692.
Thank you in advance for your help—and we look forward to celebrating together!
Letters of Gratitude
As a part of our celebration of Father Mike, we would like to compile a book of letters from St. Gertrude parishioners, and from the many people he has served in his 41 years as priest. It would be a very special remembrance for him as he begins his retirement, and is indeed a perfect gift!
There will be a table at the reception where people can write a note of thanks and good wishes for the future.
But if you would like to compose your letter beforehand, it would allow you more time to include some memories, stories, and perhaps include a picture.
You can send your letter:
- Via email to marinaparise@gmail.com
- By sending it to the parish office to the attention of Eduardo, 1420 W Granville Ave, Chicago, IL, 60660
- By bringing it to the reception on June 8
Thank you!
Easter Flower Offering Envelopes
- In memory of Helen and Andrew Galoney from Marie Galoney
- In memory of: Beatrice "Trixie" Muchman from Marilyn Klein
- In memory of Mary A. Pierce and John A. Pierce from Ellen Pierce
- In memory of Pope Francis from Marilyn Klein
- In memory of the Charles Strubbe Family from Marie Galoney
We are offering an opportunity to celebrate someone in your life, living or deceased, during the Easter season. Please consider making an Easter Flower offering in their name.
Envelopes are available in the back of the Church and may be placed in the collection basket or sent to Rectory. The names of those honored will be published in the bulletin during the Easter season.
Religious Ed and Kids Word is Over! Thank You to our Teachers
The end of the catechetical year has arrived, with Religious Education, RCIA, and Kids Word coming to an end on Sunday, May 4th.
This year was indeed a successful year, with 19 teens confirmed in March from our Religious Ed program and 18 children celebrating their First Communion last weekend. Kids Word has kept the same average of kids per Sunday.
We are so grateful to all our volunteer catechists who generously gave their time and talents to our children.
They include:
From Kids Word:
- Rosalie Sullivan
- Gisela Rosales
From Religious Education:
- Melinda Banahene
- Dorothea Tobin
- Dinh Quoc
- Rose Isaily
- Susanne Stryczek
- Steven Monti
- Brad Collins
- Liam Benham
- Lily Benham
Adult Faith Formation Commission Forming
One of the “hungers” identified in the St. Gertrude Parish Strategic Plan is that of developing and supporting opportunities for ongoing adult faith formation in our parish.
If you are interested in being part of a group whose mission will be to support current adult faith formation ministries in the parish as well as to discern and develop new possibilities for adult faith formation, please send your name and email address to Bob Backis, PPC Co-Chair, at rjbackis@gmail.com by June 1st.
For more information, please email Bob or call him at 773.510.6553.
An initial meeting of an Adult Faith Formation Commission will be held in June.
The Parish Pastoral Council is Looking for New Members!
The Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) is renewing its search for new members. If you are interested in learning more about the PPC or are interested in joining, please complete this INTEREST FORM.
Questions or comments for the PPC can be sent to stgertrudeparishcouncil@gmail.com.
Volunteers Needed!
Several months ago, we began the transition process of welcoming a new pastor. However, this transition involves much more than just one person—it represents a shift in the mission and direction of our parish.
As part of this process, we have been reflecting on who we are as the parish of St. Gertrude’s, what our mission is, and the role we play in our neighborhood and the broader world.
This transition also includes some very practical changes. The pastoral staff has been taking on increasing responsibilities, and they have been doing an excellent job. However, they cannot carry this weight alone—they need your help.
We need more volunteers to sustain the programs and ministries we currently offer and to continue moving forward, no matter who the pastor may be.
Here are a few immediate areas where your assistance is needed:
- Baptismal Preparation: We offer a monthly class for families having their babies baptized for the first time.
- Live Streaming: The 10:30 am Mass is live-streamed to bring the liturgy into the homes of those who cannot attend in person.
- Choir: The choir is looking for singers and musicians. Rehearsals are on Wednesdays at 7:00 pm. All voices are welcome.
- Heart to Heart Ministry: This outreach program offers aid and support to older adults in need.
- Church Environment:/Decoration: As we approach Lent and Easter, there is need for assistance making the church look beautiful.
Please consider getting involved in one of these ministries. If you have any interest in any of these ministries, please reach out to Fr. Mike Gabriel at mgabriel@stgertrudechicago.org
The 2026 Mass Intentions Book is Open
If you would like a mass intention said in 2026 for a person that needs prayers or in memory of someone who has died, please email the office at
stgertrude1420@stgertrudechicago.org or stop by the Rectory office at 1420 West Granville Avenue during office hours. We’ll help you find an available Mass and prepare a card for you to give to the person or family of the intention.
A $20 donation is suggested.
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.
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 are 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!
Holy Week & Easter at St. Gertrude
Thank you for celebrating holy week and easter with us!
Thank you to all who attended our services during Holy Week and on Easter both in-person and online! What a joy it was to get together and celebrate God’s unending love for us.
The past few weeks have required extra time and energy from so many of our volunteers in order to rehearse and then serve at all the services of Holy Week and Easter! Thank you to all of our wonderful and generous cantors, our choir, musicians, and corps of liturgical ministers. They did a magnificent job!
Great churches don't just happen: they are created and nurtured by active, engaged, and generous parishioners. We appreciate you sharing your time at Church, your talents and helping hands at Mass and parish events, your stewardship, and your prayers.
We are grateful to have you as part of our St. Gertrude family!
Thank You from our Director of Music
I want to take a moment to extend my deepest gratitude to each of you for your incredible dedication, passion, and hard work during Holy Week and Easter. You brought an unwavering energy to the liturgy starting with Holy Thursday and kept it up all the way to the celebration of Resurrection Sunday. Your voices and spirits helped bring the message of Christ’s love and sacrifice to life in a powerful way.
Your commitment to excellence—through rehearsals, extra services, and everything in between—did not go unnoticed. You sang not just with skill, but with heart, which embodies the fundamental principle of why we make music. Many in the parish shared how moved they were, and that is a direct reflection of your faithfulness and the love you pour into every note.
Thank you for giving so much of yourselves during this sacred season. It is truly an honor to serve alongside you in this ministry.
With heartfelt appreciation,
Jonathan Hannau
Our Confirmation class of 2025!
Prayer for Our New pope, Leo XIV
'Habemus Papam!'
Eternal God, we thank you for the gift of faith and for the guidance of the Holy Spirit upon the College of Cardinals.
We humbly ask that you bless our new Pope, Leo XIV, with wisdom, strength, and unwavering faith as he leads the Church. Grant him the grace to be a faithful witness to your truth, a compassionate minister to all in need, and a unifying presence in our divided world.
May he find joy and peace in his ministry and may his leadership bring renewal and hope to the Church and to all of humanity.
We ask this through Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. Amen.
Congratulations to Our Newly Confirmed Teens!
On Tuesday, March 18, teens from our Religious Education program and NCA made their Confirmation. We are so proud of their hard work and dedication!
Those who made their Confirmation and their families should note that there is a second Confirmation retreat on Thursday, May 1 from 6:00-8:00 pm in the Social Hall.
An Update from the Refugee & Immigration Ministry: (January 2025 Update)
You may recall that we supported a refugee family of four Venezuelans who came by way of Ecuador. I've received a wonderful update (shared below) from Refugee One that lets you know just how impactful you support can be. Refugee One is a spectacular partner with a wealth of services to ease the transition of these families!
Hard to believe, but it’s been nearly six months since the family of four we are sponsoring arrived in Chicago! Here are a few final updates as we conclude your financial co-sponsorship:
The father of the family is still working at the barber shop and doing well. If he ever has questions or concerns, he knows he can reach out to us for employment support for up to five years.
The mother passed her exam for our Level 1 English class in December with an impressive 97%! She has since advanced to our Level 2 class, which started earlier this month. She continues to stay home to care for their young son but is also interested in taking classes in our Sewing Studio soon. Her commitment to learning is evident, and we’re glad to see her in our office several days a week.
Their daughter is thriving in school, enjoying her time with peers, and making good progress in learning English. We’ll follow up on her specific academic progress at her next parent-teacher conference.
Lastly, we received wonderful news this week: the father’s cousin and his son will be joining them in Chicago next month! We’re thrilled that their family will soon be reunited. 😊
The resettlement process is never seamless, but this family has been proactive and dedicated since their arrival. We’re deeply grateful for your financial support and prayers for this family—your generosity has provided them with stability during their first few months here.
Thank you again for helping to make Chicago a more welcoming place by supporting this family. We look forward to continuing our partnership in this important work of welcome.
Additionally, if you are curious about joining the team, please reach out to Denise at dmg321@comcast.net.
Thank you for all you do, for your prayers and support.
On behalf of the Ministry,
~ Denise Goodman
Student Essay Contest Winner Jose Ramirez
Recently, students preparing for Confirmation were asked to take part in an essay contest about the importance of forgiving others
Jose Ramirez is one of our two winners. His thoughtful submission can be read below.
According to Google, forgiveness is "the action or process of forgiving or being forgiven." I certainly agree with Google's words. Now Google just gives us the tip of the iceberg about forgiveness. Forgiveness to me is a collection of emotions whether good or bad and all those emotions are taken out in the form of forgiving
Many times in my life people have hurt me. Both physically and mentally. For example, once in the 2nd grade, I was in P.E. playing soccer while others were playing catch with a football. While playing soccer I got struck with the football by the boys that were playing catch. The boy who threw the ball came up to me and he said "Are you okay?" I said yes and then he said " I'm so sorry I didn't mean to." The next words that came out of my mouth were "It's okay, I forgive you."
Now when I said those words it was much more than just saying it's okay. I was taking the emotions I had felt when I got hit and It was taking those emotions and turning them into something positive taking the situation from just strangers to having a special bond that could have never been made. Now if at that moment when the boy had said he was sorry and I would have said that I don't accept his apology things would have been very different.
Now the main reason I use this example is because in this situation I met my best friend of 6 years. After the situation, I talked to him more and we learned we had a lot in common. See if I had held a grudge like others sometimes do I would have never become best friends with him, I would have never gone to the waterpark with him, and none of the memories with him would have happened if I said "No I don't forgive you." But for forgiving him good things came out of it. So now that's the reason I want people to hear. When you don't forgive someone it's not just holding a grudge it's closing a door. Closing a door full of possible memories and opportunities and great things to come.
Let's take for example a made-up story. let's say a teenager named Jacob, He had a lifelong friend since elementary named Cesar, He goes to high school with Cesar and they both like a girl, Now Jacob told Cesar about how he likes her but Cesar never told Jacob. Cesar dates the girl they both like behind Jacob's back. Cesar then breaks the news to Jacob and he can't believe it he tells Cesar he never wants to talk to him again. Cesar begs for forgiveness but Jacob doesn't care.
Fast forward 10 years Jacob starts his own bakery. His bakery isn't doing very well. The pastries are delicious but he doesn't have the proper advertising he asks around for advertisers and finds out about one of the best in the country with low prices. He then contacts him, but to his surprise, it's his old friend who he never wanted to forgive. Now Jacob feels stuck, he doesn't want his business to fail but he doesn't want to talk to Cesar after what he did. He prefers to pay much more money for an advertiser with not the best work than to forgive his friend.
See I use this story to help you understand the extent people go and the grudges they hold do not always work. To sum up, everything I've stated so far nothing bad will happen out of forgiving someone even if you do not want to continue a relationship at least end things on good terms because you never know when it's gonna be your last time talking to them.
Student Essay Contest Winner Matteo Nafe
Here is another winning essay from our contest, which asked students preparing for Confirmation about the importance of forgiving others.
Forgiveness is accepting an apology from someone else for their past wrongdoings such as hurting someone you love or someone breaking your things. Forgiveness helps relieve guilt off your shoulders and helps your mood because you don't have to fight with that other person.
Forgiveness to me is accepting that we feel that something is wrong then we try to fix it or
find the common ground between the two different perspectives. It is not always easy to
forgive or be forgiven because some people hold grudges which can last a lifetime while
others forgive more easily.
Forgiveness is important because if you hold a grudge with someone it could affect the
relationship, and people are hesitant to continue to communicate feelings or thoughts with you. It is harder to be close to someone or build a relationship with them if they have hurt you and not apologized. By forgiving others it also helps you feel better and if the person is truly sorry you should forgive them.
You must really think why the hurt happened to begin with. Many different things like
misunderstanding, accident, bad circumstances or disagreements can be the reason. We
can begin to forgive by keeping ourselves calm and trying to see from the other person's
perspective. Asking to meet and discuss the problems and being a good listener so you
can understand the other person and what motivated them.
If you are truly sorry for something that you did wrong to someone such as harming them
are stealing from them, then it will be forgiven by God but in the end it is up to the person to decide if they want to forgive you or not. Some people are more hesitant to forgive because they have been hurt by people.
The bigger wrongdoing or misunderstanding the harder it is to forgive, because it affected you so much and some people think that if you forgive that it feels like it just didn't happen or that it is ok that they hurt you. It is also hard to ask for forgiveness because some believe it is showing weakness and is embarrassing so they just ignore it rather than deal with it.
When you forgive it strengthens bonds between the people you forgave and yourself as well as other people within the community that may have the same beliefs. When you forgive someone, it encourages others to forgive people as well and will lead to everyone being in an overall better mood. With forgiveness, our community becomes more understanding and thoughtful.
Growing up with many friends who were into sports while I preferred to read books always
led to a lot of conflict. Occasionally, they would get more aggressive and push or wrestle
with me, which was not the nicest and made me feel not welcome and not safe. As we
grew, they became more understanding of who I was, and I forgave them for not treating me well. The result is that our friendship is much better, and I no longer hold a grudge against him for doing that.
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.
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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.
Rest in peace notices & funeral information
Donald Hasselbeck
brother of Steve Hasselbeck (Anne)