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Liturgical Ministry Groups

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Ways to Get Involved at St. Gertrude Parish

There are so many ways to get involved at St. Gertrude. Below is a list of litergical groups. Please reach out to the Rectory at 773.764.3621 or email  stgertrude1420@stgertrudechicago.org for information on how to join these groups.

Altar Servers

Boys and girls in fourth grade and up, assist the priest and other ministers on the altar for the celebration of the Sunday and school Masses along with weddings and funerals. By their reverence and diligence, they help to make these Masses more meaningful for everyone.  

Meetings: Annual training; additional sessions are scheduled as needed.

Contact: Steven Monti

Art and Environment

This committee decorates the Church according to specific liturgical themes and seasons. Using flowers, fabrics, statuary, art, etc., the committee designs the church environment to give glory to God through its beauty and reverence, and serves God’s people with a climate of hospitality and prayerfulness.

Meetings: Seasonal

Contact: Connie Engelmohr

Dance Troupe

The liturgical dancers are women in the parish who use movement and gesture to pray and to expand our community experience of prayer.

Meetings: Rehearsals are called per event.

Eucharistic Ministers

Eucharistic Ministers administer Holy Communion at all of the weekend Masses. All adult and high school aged, confirmed parish members are eligible to participate in this ministry. 

Training: Sessions are scheduled as needed.

Greeter Ministry

Greeters serve at all weekend Masses. Their main function is to ensure that “All are Welcome,” by answering questions about our parish and helping register new parishioners. Greeters typically serve at one liturgy per month-arriving about 15 minutes prior to the service, and staying about 15 minutes after the conclusion of the service. 

Training: Sessions are scheduled as needed.

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Ministers of the Word

Ministers of the Word proclaim the Word of God through their reading of sacred scripture at all of the Masses. This spiritually satisfying role helps our community experience more fully the celebration of Mass. Participation is open to all confirmed parishioners high school age and older. 

Meetings: Training sessions are scheduled as needed.

Music Ministry

Saint Gertrude’s incredible music adds praise through song to each Mass, and helps us strengthen our social bonds through special events throughout the year. Mary Clare Barker is our Music Minister, and can be reached at  mcbarker@stgertrudechicago.org or by calling the Rectory. Please contact her if you are interested in sharing your musical talents with our parish community. We would be grateful for help and will work around any time constraints. Our Music Ministry includes:

  • Our church choir sings at the 10:30 am Mass each Sunday and for Christmas and the Triduum. Choir rehearsals are Thursday evening at 7:00pm (September through May). All other rehearsals are scheduled on an as-needed basis.
  • Cantors are needed to lead the congregation in song at all weekend Masses.
  • Children’s Music Ministry opportunities are available for children at Christmas and for other occasions as well. 
  • If you just like to make music, there are opportunities to help bring joy to our community through our plays and cabarets, the annual All Are Welcome Concert, and ECRA Interfaith Thanksgiving service. 

Sacristans

This ministry serves the parish by setting up the elements to be used in the Mass. Sacristans arrive ten to fifteen minutes prior to the start of Mass to prepare the host, wine, and chalices etc. that will be used. 

St. Gertrude East

In the intimate setting of the foyer of Sacred Heart School’s gymnasium, Sunday Mass is celebrated at 9:30 am in the Campbell Building, 6230 N. Sheridan Rd. The choir provides a wonderful mix of familiar hymns and classical church music to enhance the prayerful participation of all. Some people come early to chat and on the fourth Sunday of the month remain for coffee and other delights.

St. Gertrude Gym Mass

Music, liturgical dance, and drama engage participants in the celebration of our faith. Short parishioner reflections after the homily allow people to share their own experiences of faith and living out the Gospel. Fellowship, coffee, and refreshments follow the Mass. Mass is celebrated Sundays at 10:30 am in the Gym from September through June. All are welcome!  

Ushers

These teams help to seat worshipers at Mass and take up the collection of offerings. 

Training: Sessions are scheduled as needed.