St. Gertrude Catholic Church in Chicago

St. Gertrude Catholic Church in ChicagoSt. Gertrude Catholic Church in ChicagoSt. Gertrude Catholic Church in Chicago

773.764.3621

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    • Baptism for Children
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    • Marriage
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  • More
    • Home
    • Mass Info/Live-Streams
    • Events Calendar
    • Bulletins
    • Older Bulletins
    • Religious Education News
    • Contact Us/About Us
      • Contact Us /Hours/Staff
      • FAQs
      • History of Our Parish
      • Our Mission & Vision
      • 2023 Parish Events
      • Recent Parish Events
      • Older Parish Events
      • Who Was St. Gertrude?
      • Financial Reports
    • Religious Education Forms
    • Heart to Heart
    • Medical Lending Closet
    • Donate to St. Gertrude
    • Ministries/Community Life
      • Ways to Get Involved
      • Care For Real
      • Domestic Violence Help
      • ECRA
      • Heart to Heart
      • NCA
      • Become a Catholic/RCIA
    • Registration & Records
      • Baptism for Children
      • Confirmation Forms
      • Join Our Parish!
      • Letters for Sponsors
      • Sacramental Records
      • Update Contact Info
    • Sacraments
      • Baptism for Children
      • Confirmation
      • First Communion
      • Funerals/Memorial Masses
      • Marriage
      • Reconciliation
    • Anointing of the Sick

773.764.3621

St. Gertrude Catholic Church in Chicago

St. Gertrude Catholic Church in ChicagoSt. Gertrude Catholic Church in ChicagoSt. Gertrude Catholic Church in Chicago
  • Home
  • Mass Info/Live-Streams
  • Events Calendar
  • Bulletins
  • Older Bulletins
  • Religious Education News
  • Contact Us/About Us
    • Contact Us /Hours/Staff
    • FAQs
    • History of Our Parish
    • Our Mission & Vision
    • 2023 Parish Events
    • Recent Parish Events
    • Older Parish Events
    • Who Was St. Gertrude?
    • Financial Reports
  • Religious Education Forms
  • Heart to Heart
  • Medical Lending Closet
  • Donate to St. Gertrude
  • Ministries/Community Life
    • Ways to Get Involved
    • Care For Real
    • Domestic Violence Help
    • ECRA
    • Heart to Heart
    • NCA
    • Become a Catholic/RCIA
  • Registration & Records
    • Baptism for Children
    • Confirmation Forms
    • Join Our Parish!
    • Letters for Sponsors
    • Sacramental Records
    • Update Contact Info
  • Sacraments
    • Baptism for Children
    • Confirmation
    • First Communion
    • Funerals/Memorial Masses
    • Marriage
    • Reconciliation
  • Anointing of the Sick

First Communion Class of 2024

Holy Week & Easter 2024

    First Communion Class of 2024

    We are so proud of the children from our Religious Ed program and NCA communities, Holy Child Jesus, St. Jerome, Mary Mother of God, and St. Gertrude, who will make their First Communion on Saturday, May 11!


    They worked so hard and we are blessed to have their loving presence at our parish. 


    We are especially thankful for Teresa Boyd and Mara Brecht from NCA and Dorothea Tobin, Suzanne Striczek, Melinda Banahene, Sandra Francis, Matilda Adeboye, and Hoang Do from our Religious Education Program, for their kind and patient instruction.  


    Please continue to hold the First Communicants in your prayers as they experience the unfolding mystery of the Sacrament of Communion.

    Confirmation Class of 2024

      Holy Week & Easter at St. Gertrude

       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 Palm Sunday, 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!  


      Special thanks to Maria Ugarte and Laurie Hasbrook for the all of the amazing photos from church. 

      Heart to Heart Lending Closet Update

      Several families in the Chicago area reached out to our Heart to Heart Lending Closet to borrow items needed for relatives visiting over the holidays. St. Gertrude parishioner's support of this vital ministry helped families make some very happy holiday memories! THANK YOU!


      We recently received a heartful thank you from one of these clients:

      Thank you so much for the use of the transit chair during my mother's visit over the holidays! It allowed her to participate in family outing in a way she would not have been able to without it. 

      (pictured: The Baker Family at the Millennium Park Skating Rink)


      We truly appreciate your support!

      ~ Laurie Hasbrook, Lending Closet Manager

      Thank You to our Christmas Pageant Participants

      We are so grateful to the many children and families who participated in our Christmas Eve pageant at the 5:00 pm Mass! The angels, shepherds, sheep, kings, donkey, Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus were so charming - we appreciate their time coming to the rehearsal and for making Christmas so special.


      Thank you!


      ~ Eloy Escamilla, Pastoral Associate

      Thank You to the Heavenly Horns Performers!

      We so appreciate members of the Heavenly Horns, who played after Mass last weekend. Their performance was lovely and put everyone in a holiday frame of mind!

      Thank You for Supporting our Greenery Sale!

      Thanks so much to those parishioners and neighbors that purchased trees, wreaths, and garland this holiday season! A total of $2,034.20 was raised after costs and will go to support St. Gertrude's ministries.


      Special thanks to Robert Clark, who generously volunteered as our delivery driver.


      ~ Eduardo Soto, Business Manager

      Thank you to Loyola Students for Helping the Lending Closet

      The Heart to Heart Lending Closet recently hosted a group of enthusiastic freshman year students and their sophomore guides from Loyola University for a Saturday of Service.

      Sponsored by Loyola's Community Service and Action office, the students helped inventory, clean, and store donated durable medical equipment.


      GO RAMBLERS!


      ~ Laurie Hasbrook, Lending Closet manager

      Special Thanks to our Lending Closet Volunteers!

      A sweltering August day didn't keep volunteers Fr. Paul Adaja, Andrea and Guy Banicki, Hallie Burhoe, Barb Daly, Peter Morin, Carol Ann Munro, Tom Rogers, Greg Steigmeyer, and Tom Tentler, from loading a 15-foot U-Haul truck with surplus medical supplies from the Lending Closet.


      Project C.U.R.E. warehouse volunteers in Woodridge, Illinois gratefully accepted everything.


      Hallie Burhoe, Lending Closet volunteer extraordinaire, generously covered the costs of this project. 

      FreeStyle Chicago Holds Event at St. Gertrude

      The St. Gertrude Social Hall was the recent site of clothing distribution for asylum seekers. FreeStyle Chicago and Edgewater Mutual Aid Network members, along with parishioners Nancy Kuhn, Nancy Bujnowski, and Ana Ward distributed clothing to 60 families who are currently staying at the Broadway Armory.


      Thanks also to Cecie Murphy for toys, and Dorothea Tobin, Bridget Lowry, and Mary Jude Ramirez for popsicle deliveries! 

      Ahzea Makhubu with Saba Teklemarcos at Agape Mobility Ethiopia U.S. headquarters in Fort Wayne, Ind.

      Heart to Heart Lending Closet News

      Summer has seen wonderful connections made at the Heart to Heart Lending Closet. Ahzea Makhubu, a volunteer for Agape Mobility Ethiopia contacted us in August to see if we had any extra mobility devices. Due to the ongoing support of parishioners and members of the broader community we were able to donate over a dozen walkers, canes and crutches to Agape Mobility Ethiopia.


      Closer to home, the Lending Closet phone rings daily with requests from people in need throughout Chicago. Wheelchairs, transport chairs, and shower chairs remain in short supply.


      If you have items to donate, contact me at lhasbrook@stgertrudechicago.org or at the Lending Closet office number, 773-973-5464.


      Thank you in advance for your generous support and donations.


      ~ Laurie Hasbrook, Lending Closet Manager

      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.

      El Señor de los Milagros Mass Celebrated at St. Gertrude Church

        El Señor de Los Milagros (Lord of Miracles) Shrine

        Read an article about  El Señor de Los Milagros (Our Lord of the Miracles)! This Spanish language article can be viewed in English by selecting English at the top of the screen.


        On Sunday, October 16, St. Gertrude welcomed Bishop Bartosic and members of the Peruvian community in Chicagoland for a Feast Day celebration of El Señor de Los Milagros (Our Lord of the Miracles).


        In Lima, Peru, homage to the Peruvian Shrine of El Señor de los Milagros is known as one of the largest Catholic processions in the world. It is venerated for three days every October and attended by thousands. Devotees pray to the Lord for miracles for health, relationships, jobs, or any life challenge.


        This devotion began in 1687 after the original image of our Lord, painted by an African slave, remained unscathed after a high magnitude earthquake in 1655 destroyed everything. This was the first of many miracles. 


        In 1979, the Lord of Miracles Mass, procession, and the Hermandad of El Señor de los Milagros (Brotherhood of the Lord of Miracles) was established by six founders at Our Lady of Lourdes Church. Over the past 43 years, thousands have attended the Chicago annual Mass and procession. There are countless testimonials of miracles to this day.


        El Señor de Los Milagros shrine is now permanently housed in our parish after St. Ignatius closed. The shrine will temporarily be located in back of church. Its permanent home will be on the south wall just outside the shrine of the Little Flower (St. Therese of Lisieux).  


        History of the Shrine and Our Lord of Miracle 

        In Lima, Peru, homage to the Peruvian Shrine of Our Lord of Miracles (El Señor de los Milagros) is known as one of the largest Catholic processions in the world. It is venerated for three days every October and attended by thousands. Devotees pray to the Lord for miracles for health, relationships, jobs, or any life challenge.

        This devotion began in 1687 after the original image of our Lord, painted by an African slave, remained unscathed after a high magnitude earthquake in 1655 destroyed everything. This was the first miracle. Over the past 43 years, thousands have attended the Chicago annual Mass and procession. There are countless testimonials of miracles to this day.


        In 1979, the Lord of Miracles Mass and procession was established by six founders at Our Lady of Lourdes Church. Teresa Mazzarri, the visionary, dreamt of God telling her to establish the procession in Chicago. Teresa told her sister, Vicky Ugarte, husband Cesar Ugarte, Cesar’s sister, Mercedes Ugarte, and family friends Felix Galvez and Luis Galvez, Sr. The group established the Hermandad of El Señor de los Milagros (Brotherhood of the Lord of Miracles) as a nonprofit in Illinois with a founding board of 19 members, who were their closest friends and who shared the common vision of strong faith in the Lord. In 1981, the Shrine moved from Our Lady of Lourdes to St. Ignatius Church where it has been housed for 41 years. Today, Mr. Luis Galvez Sr. is the only surviving founder.


        There are many Lord of Miracles Brotherhoods throughout the U. S. and in the world. Maria Luisa Ugarte, niece of visionary Teresa Mazzarri, niece of Mercedes Ugarte and daughter of Cesar & Vicky Ugarte has been filming a documentary to record the Chicago history while Mr. Luis Galvez Sr., the only surviving founder, is writing the book of the Chicago history. These community leaders plan to assure continuity of this very important cultural tradition in the Peruvian community of Chicagoland. 


        Thank you to Fr. Rich and St. Gertrude Parish for welcoming us and for supporting the continuity of our mission of spirituality. We will honor the Lord through prayer groups and spiritual retreats in addition to the annual celebration. All are welcome to our ministry!

        ~ Maria Luisa Ugarte

        An Update from the Immigrant & Refugee Ministry

        February 4 Update on Family Sponsored By our Ministry

        I know you are all wondering how Miguel, Angie, and their kids are doing.

        We are so grateful for all your support and prayers. As some of you may have known, Angie's sister, her husband and two kids were in a different shelter. We've been working to reunite the families and the great news is that we've been successful in doing so. This will help everyone, as the kids will have more support to overcome the stress and trauma of this move, and the adults can now share child care responsibilities, meaning that all four can work.


        We have two requests: Angie needs the services of a dentist. So far we have been unable to find one who will do pro bono work. We are investigating Stroger, but if you know of anything please let me know to forward to Father Mike, or write Father Mike directly. Also, all four adults seek work of any kind.


        Next, here is a press release from the City of Chicago: New Shelter Stay Policy, Additional Landing Zone Personnel and New Regulatory Measures


        There are a lot of new restrictions and limitations that I'll summarize at the bottom. You can see why it was a blessing we could support an extended family at St. Ignatius, and why so much more needs to be done to ensure that their asylum hearing and various documents are moving along.


        I think that's everything for now. Thank you for being a light to the world!


        On behalf of the Refugee and Immigrant Ministry committee,


        ~ Denise Goodman


        Some changes to highlight from the City's press release:

        • Rental assistance has been reduced from 6 months to 3 months for newly qualifying families.
        • Shelter residents who arrived to shelter on or prior to 11/16/2023, will maintain eligibility to apply for rental assistance.  
        • Shelter residents who arrived to shelter on or after 11/17/2023, will not be eligible for rental assistance.  
        • All families are now receiving a 60-day notice to leave their current shelter. This process happened in waves. 
        • Families who arrived in shelter prior to 7/31/2023 have already received their 60-day notice.
        • Later arrivals who entered shelter between 7/31/2023 - 11/16/2023 will begin receiving 60-day notices on 2/1/2024. 
        • All new arrivals to shelter on or after 11/17/2023 will receive a 60-day notice upon intake.
        • Families who do not have other housing options at the end of their 60-day notice must return to the migrant Landing Zone in the West Loop to place a new shelter request.
        • All migrant families continue to be eligible for public aid benefits (Medicaid, WIC, etc.) through IDHS, health care access through Cook County Health, and school registration for children.
        • City-provided legal services and case management will be available to help individuals apply for Temporary Protected Status, Employment Authorization Documents (EADs), and Asylum. 
        • For those who have arrived after November 17, 2023, there is NO months of rental support. 

        before/after pics of Masonry Stone Work Completed on the Church Building

        On the run for heart to heart

        Congrats to Fr. Mike Bradley on Completing the Chicago Marathon for Heart to Heart!

        Many thanks to everyone for your wonderful support as I took part in the "Bank of America Chicago Marathon." It was a pleasant day for a run, with comfortable temperatures and so many supportive spectators. Thank you to all those parishioners who cheered me on. 


        I finished the marathon in 6 hours, 8 minutes, and 27 seconds, six minutes faster than last year!


        During the marathon, I prayed four rosaries for all the intentions that were asked of me. Your intentions were written down on a piece of cardboard I carried. 


        I'm grateful for your contributions to St. Gertrude's Heart to Heart ministry. I am proud to run for such a great cause and great people (Sister Susan Quaintance, OSB, Laurie Hasbrook, and the generous volunteers.) I'm very grateful also to Father Mike Gabriel for his support for my running.


        From the bottom of my heart, many thanks to all of you!


        ~ Father Mike Bradley


        Photo courtesy of Carolyn Backis

        It's Not Too Late to Donate to Fr. Mike's Run for Heart to Heart!

         

        Fr. Mike Bradley ran the Chicago Marathon on Sunday, October 13, raising funds specifically for our Heart to Heart ministry. Donations are still welcome!


        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.

        Donate

        March Brewed at St. Gertrude


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