Join Us Online for Religious Ed, Kids Word & Youth Group

Religious Ed and Kids Word Will Meet Via Zoom!

Jim Potthast, our Youth & Family Minister, is hosting a series of Zoom meetings this month. The list includes a Religious Ed meeting for all students, parents, and catechists, Kids Word, virtual WOW youth group, and a First Communion parent meeting. Please email Jim at jpotthast@stgertrudechicago.org for the Zoom links and meeting ID and password.

Religious Ed

Sunday, May 17 at 9:00 am

Kids Word

Sunday, May 17 at 10:00 am
Sunday, May 31 at 10:00 am

If you would like to receive a weekly Religious Ed newsletter for more activities and resources, please email Jim at jpotthast@stgertrudechicago.org to be added to the list.

First Communion Postponed

New Date Not Available at This Time

Due to the cancellation of the rest of the school year because of the coronavirus, we have made the decision that the celebration of First Holy Communion will NOT take place on May 9.

As we still don't know if shelter in place will be extended or when we will be able to congregate once again a new date has not been chosen. We are asking for the input from the First Communion families about what First Communion could look like once we are able to come together again.

Please send your thoughts and ideas to both Fr. Rich and Jim Potthast via email. Fr. Rich can be reached at rprendergast@stgertrudechicago.org and Jim's email is jpotthast@stgertrudechicago.org.

Thank you for your patience!

Religious Education Program and Sacramental Preparation

Religious Ed Classes Canceled Until Further Notice

For children in grades 1-8 who attend public or non-Catholic private schools, the Religious Education program provides a faith community for children and their families as they awaken, nourish, and deepen their awareness of God's presence in all things.

The goal of the Religious Education program at Saint Gertrude is to teach children to listen for and respond to God's invitation to love.

In class, students and teachers work to:

Understand that everyone is loved and treasured by God.
Live the lessons of Jesus Christ - loving God with your whole heart and loving your neighbors as yourself.
Build a deeper personal relationship with God through prayer and reflection.
Learn to pray as an individual and as part of a community.
Discover ways to love and serve others in our day-to-day lives.
Appreciate what it means to be part of a welcoming, loving community that cares for and respects people from all walks of life.
Deepen their knowledge of the Catholic tradition.

The Religious Education program for the 2019-2020 school year will begin on Sunday, September 8 and concludes on Sunday, May 3. Classes will be held from 9:00-10:15 am. Please note the new start/end times. A registration form is available below. Forms should be dropped off at the Rectory or emailed to jpotthast@stgertrudechicago.org.

Classes are taught by volunteer catechists and overseen by Jim Potthast, the Family Minister. If you’d like to get involved or to learn more, contact Jim at the Rectory at 773.764.3621 or via email at jpotthast@stgertrudechicago.org.

Sacramental preparation is an integral part of the curriculum for second and eighth grades. Students must have completed two full consecutive years of class before celebrating their First Communion or the Sacrament of Confirmation. A schedule for First Communion, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and Confirmation is available here.