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.
Our parish strives to be a community, growing in faith, that welcomes all and brings Christ’s love to others.





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.
Recitation of the Holy Rosary after 7:30 am Mass
Additionally, the Rosary is said every Monday through Saturday in the church right after the 7:30 am mass. Please consider joining us in church—we would love to have you!

Our next collection drive for Care for Real is October 25 and 26 before and after masses.
Please visit https://linktr.ee/cfrchicago for information about donating and links to their Facebook and Instagram pages to see what they are specifically looking for at this time.
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.

Please join us on Sunday, November 16 for another "Brewed at St. Gertrude", our monthly parish hospitality event!
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've scheduled all our "Brewed at St. Gertrude" parish hospitality events through 2026!
The dates are:

A sincere thank you for your loving support to bring the hope of Christ to every corner of the earth on World Mission Sunday. Your gifts contribute to the Church’s heroic efforts to comfort, teach, build and share the blessed hope of Christ with all.
Together, our parish raised $(insert amount) to benefit the Pontifical Mission Society for the Propagation of the Faith, overseen by Pope Leo XIV. Our theme this year, Missionaries of Hope Among All Peoples, reminds us that, not only are we to share Christ with our neighbors at home, but also with those who live in every part of the world.
Thank you for your compassion and care for the universal church!

It’s time for a new St. Gertrude Photo Directory! Photography sessions will be held December 18–20. Every participating household will receive a complimentary 8x10 portrait and a free parish directory. You can view your photos immediately and purchase additional prints—perfect for keepsakes or holiday gifts.
Appointments can be made after Mass or online at schedule.ucdir.com (Church Code: IL457, Password: photos).
If you are able to volunteer to assist with sign ups or the day of photography, please click HERE to review available slots.
Questions? Email Jen Reyes at stgertrudeparishcouncil@gmail.com.

Altar of Remembrance/Book of the Dead:
If you would like to honor or remember a deceased loved one, you are invited to bring a photo to the Altar of Remembrance, located in front of the St. Therese shrine in the front of church.
Photos may be placed on the tables at any time, and should be picked up Thanksgiving weekend. Be sure to add your phone number to the back of all images!
In the back of the church, next to the baptistry, will be the Book of the Dead. Everyone is invited to inscribe the name of their deceased loved ones into the book. These names will be read during the Masses of Remembrance.
Masses of Remembrance:
Each year, during the month of November, we remember in a special way all those who have died in our parish, as well as parishioners’ loved ones that have passed away. At the masses on Saturday,
November 1 (5:00 pm) and Sunday, November 2, we will read the names of those in the Book of the Dead, as well as those who have died this past year (November 2024-November 2025).

All are invited to a special exploring Catholic Social Teaching in the Past and the Present Moment on Wednesday, November 5 at 7:00 pm in St. Gertrude’s Social Hall.
This engaging program will feature two of our own parishioners—Heidi Schlumpf and Michelle Nickerson (pictured above)—both professors at Loyola University, published authors, and past speakers at St. Gertrude’s.
Join us for an evening of reflection, dialogue, and inspiration as we consider how the Gospel’s call to justice continues to shape our Church and our world today.

All are invited to attend a play benefiting Heart to Heart! For one night only, Saturday, November 8, the St. Gertrude Parish Players will perform a Mike Tobin production, Nazareth Revelation, a Canadian cowboy love story with bandits and a train robbery.
The performance will take place in the Gym, located at 1401 West Granville Avenue, at 7:00 pm. More information about ticket prices will be shared closer to the event date.
We hope to see you at this festive event featuring the many talented parishioners of St. Gertrude!

Join us for a discussion of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel The Known World by Edward P. Jones on Tuesday, November 11 at 6:30 pm at the Ministry Center, 6214 W. Glenwood. New participants are always welcome!
For questions, contact Lea Cloninger (773.213.0509) or Sue Benjamin (773.551.8401).

In 1891, Pope Leo XIII issued an encyclical titled Rerum Novarum (“Of New Things”), a groundbreaking document that responded to the social upheavals of the Industrial Revolution. Confronted with growing inequality, poor working conditions, and the rise of both socialism and unrestrained capitalism, Pope Leo XIII offered a Catholic vision of social justice rooted in the dignity of work, the rights of laborers, and the responsibilities of employers.
Rerum Novarum became the foundation of modern Catholic social teaching, inspiring later papal documents and shaping the Church’s commitment to justice, fair wages, and the common good for more than a century.
Greg Pierce—former long-time St. Gertrude parishioner, publisher of ACTA Publications, community organizer, and author—will host a Zoom presentation and discussion on this historic encyclical and its enduring relevance today.
As Greg writes, “One of the things to observe about the new pope is his choice of papal name: Leo XIV. His decision clearly links his papacy to the long tradition of Catholic social teaching that began with his namesake, Pope Leo XIII, and his 1891 encyclical Rerum Novarum.”
Greg has published an updated edition of Rerum Novarum that uses inclusive language, making this important document more accessible and meaningful for today’s North American, English-speaking readers.
Join Greg for this engaging Zoom discussion on Wednesday, November 12, from 7:00–8:15 pm. Participants will receive a free copy of the encyclical to read in advance.
To register and receive the Zoom link, contact Gail Smith at 312.315.9896 or gailbeth316@yahoo.com.

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, attendees should bring their own (brown bag) lunch. Dessert is provided!
Their next gathering is Thursday, November 13. Consider yourself invited!

Are you hungry for a deeper connection with God and community? With all the negative news in the world, have you lost your appetite? Do you find yourself worn thin by unhealthy outside influences? Do you yearn for a more profound faith connection with God and a deeper understanding of one's spiritual purpose? Do you desire to strengthen your relationship with God, but don’t know how or where to start?
St. Gertrude is beginning Adult Formation sessions with the goal of warming your heart and feeding your soul. We will start with a three-part Advent series on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 pm on December 3, 10, and 17. Save the dates on your calendar and look for more detailed information describing the upcoming Advent events in our weekly bulletins.
There are so many different ways we can connect with God, both individually and in community. We hope to offer opportunities for meditation, film and book discussions, bible studies, retreats, as well as other events that will fill you with hope, love, and peace.
We look forward to you joining us—in community—on a faith filled journey.
-St. Gertrude Adult Spirituality and Faith Formation Committee





Last weekend, the Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership—of which St. Gertrude is a member—organized a Eucharistic procession from St. Eulalia Catholic Church in Maywood to the Broadview Detention Center, with the hope of sharing Holy Communion with those inside.
More than 30 members of the St. Gertrude community took part in the peaceful delegation. We are deeply grateful for your loving spirits and presence, and we pray that those detained inside heard our songs and felt our prayers.

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Our parish extends heartfelt thanks to everyone who made Fr. Sergio’s installation mass and the reception afterwards last Sunday such a warm and welcoming event!
We are grateful to all who served at the mass, including our amazing choir. To all who contributed baked goods, brought fruit, and arranged the
beautiful flowers, we truly value your generosity!
Thank you to the set-up crew—Jen Reyes, Leigh Holzman, Mary Ellen Rapp, and Carol Clennon—who worked hard to make the Social Hall beautiful, and to Tim Love and his daughters, who served coffee and helped wherever needed.
We also deeply appreciate the clean-up crew—Dorothea Tobin, Laurie Jacob, and everyone who pitched in to clear tables.
Special thanks to Steven Patzche and the Brewed at St. Gertrude team for their wonderful hospitality!
Most of all, thank you to each of you who came together to celebrate Fr. Sergio’s installation. Your presence made the day especially joyful.


A few parishioners have asked if I’m running the Chicago Marathon this month. At the advice of my doctor, I will not be running this year because of a medical condition.
Thank you for all your support and prayers over the years. I wish the very best for all those participating this year! I’ll be among the million spectators cheering you on!
~ Fr. Mike

The music ministry of St. Gertrude’s has an exciting announcement! After much thought and careful consideration, we have decided to transition to GIA’s Gather, 4th Edition hymnal. Not only is this hymnal more sustainable and aligned with our mission to care for the planet, but it is also one of the most diverse and inclusive hymnals available—qualities that best reflect St. Gertrude’s dynamic and eclectic community. We are thrilled to begin using this new resource at the start of the new liturgical year on November 30, the First Sunday of Advent.
Now, we need your help and support! Outfitting the congregation with a complete set of new hymnals and musical resources is a significant investment, but it is one that will serve us for many years to come. We have purchased 315 hymnals to replace the current ones and are asking for your generosity in helping us cover the cost.
Each hymnal costs approximately $26, and you may donate as many as you wish. Every hymnal you give can be dedicated in memory of a loved one or in honor of your family or friends. To donate, visit Give Central, or send a check payable to St. Gertrude’s. (Please be sure to note that your donation is for hymnals, whether giving online or by check.) If you donate via Give Central and would like to make a dedication, please email Jonathan with that information.
Your generosity and commitment to St. Gertrude’s are vital to our success, and anything you contribute toward the purchase of these new hymnals will be deeply appreciated.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for considering a donation. If you have any questions or need more information, please contact our Music Director, Jonathan Hannau, at jhannau@stgertrudechicago.org or 773.764.3621 ext. 22.

Last weekend, our parish garden offered another generous yield—fresh green beans, crisp cucumbers, colorful peppers, and ripe tomatoes.
Thanks to the care of our volunteer gardeners, this abundance was gathered and shared with Care for Real, helping provide healthy, homegrown food to our neighbors in need

Communion Services will be held on Monday mornings at 7:30 am instead of Thursdays.
Thank you for understanding!

Brewed at St. Gertrude, our monthly hospitality following the 10:30am Mass, is gearing up for the coming year. Thrilled by the participation of so many parishioners in this gathering, we want to make it a regular event that continues into the near future.
Would you like to join our ministry team? We seek additional volunteers who can help with one or more of the following: set up, serve, bring food, and/or clean up. Our dedicated crew has been making each hospitality welcoming each month, but could benefit from some more hands!
Those who are interested in giving a little bit of their time each month are invited to meet following the next Brewed at St. Gertrude on August 24th in the Social Hall. Please feel free to reach out to Steven Patzke at
stevenjcpatzke@gmail.com with interest or questions.

At the conclusion of their 18-day water-only hunger strike—calling for an end to U.S. funding of Israel’s genocide in Gaza and for the immediate resumption of humanitarian aid—Jewish Voice for Peace–Chicago gifted two newly purchased transport chairs to the Lending Closet.
Transport chairs are of tremendous help for families caring for loved ones at home and are among the most requested items in the Lending Closet.
Thank you, JVP–Chicago!
~ Laurie Hasbrook, Lending Closet Manager

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.


Photography sessions will be held December 18–20. Every participating household will receive a complimentary 8x10 portrait and a free parish directory.