Religious Ed News

Our Religious Ed program is coming to a close, with our last class held on Tuesday, May 18. I am so grateful to all of you for your patience, commitment, and most of all, allowing me to get to know your children. 

First Communion Info

Tomorrow is our First Communion Mass! We're really looking forward to this very special day. 

Thanks so much to those families who were able to attend last Saturday's Zoom retreat with Father Mike Gabriel and last night's rehearsal in church. We'll see you tomorrow morning! 

 First Communion Live-Stream Info
Our First Communion will be on our live-streamed on our parish Facebook page. beginning at 9:50 am. A direct link to the Facebook live-stream will also be shared on our parish website at approximately 9:55 am, both in a pop-up box and a quick link on the parish home page. (Please note, if you do not see the link to the live-stream, it is helpful to refresh the page.) The video will be posted on our parish's YouTube channel after Mass.

First Communion Mass
Here are a few reminders for your guests:

• Please enter via the Granville entrance.
• Our COVID-19 protocols require church visitors to be seated by our ushers, remain in their pews, and masks worn over mouths and noses. Singing is limited to our cantors. 
• Videos and photographs may not be taken during the Mass. Please take them after Mass and be mindful of social distancing protocols as you take photos.

This Sunday is May Crowning and Mother's Day
Mother's Day is this Sunday, May 9, as well as our annual May Crowning at the 10:30 am Mass. Families are encouraged to bring fresh flowers for our altar. Children who made their First Communion are welcome to wear their finery to Mass.

Register to Attend Confirmation
Please click HERE to register for the appropriate Confirmation Mass for your family, either Saturday, May 22 at 5:00 pm or Sunday, May 23 at 10:30 am. (These are our usual Mass registration links, not Confirmation-specific links.)  

Each family will have an assigned row in church. This row will be for your immediate family (i.e. those with whom you live.) Other guests, including sponsors, if they are not part of your household, will not be sitting with you but will be seated in a different pew in the church. The Confirmandi will be seated together and not with their families. (For example, Smith (family group) for eight and Jones (sponsor) for two.) 

This registration format will facilitate the welcoming protocols for the Mass for our greeting team. 

Both Confirmation Masses will also be live-streamed via Facebook and posted to our YouTube channel.  

May Retreat Info - Saturday, May 15 at 10:00 am via Zoom
The last Confirmation gathering will be a combined gathering of Group one and Group two on Saturday, May 15 at 10:00 am. A Zoom link will be sent out next week. 

Confirmation Dress Code
It is a special occasion as the Confirmandi become fully initiated into the Church. Girls tend to wear simple dresses. Unlike First Communion, dresses do not have to be white. Boys usually wear a  buttondown shirt (not a polo), a tie, and slacks. Jackets are nice but not required.

Confirmation: In-Person Rehearsal Planned for Thursday, May 20
Rehearsal for Confirmation rehearsal will be held in the church on Thursday, May 20. This hour-long rehearsal is for both the Saturday, May 22 and Sunday, May 23 groups and will review the processional, the Rite of Confirmation, and the recessional. Sponsors do not have to be present.

Please observe our COVID protocols - enter the church via the Granville handicap door, wear a mask over your mouth and nose, and be in good health. 

Completed Confirmation Forms Needed ASAP
I've reached out to those of you that still need to finish some paperwork for Confirmation. Please get these forms to me as soon as possible, but no later than Wednesday, May 12.  

It's hard to believe it, but there are only a few more weeks until May 18, the end of our Religious Ed classes for the school year!

We have so much going on beforehand, with quite a few of our younger kids making their First Communion on Saturday, May 8 and a number of our older students being confirmed on Saturday, May 22 or Sunday, May 23.  

First Communion Banners & Key Dates
First Communion families are asked to stop by the Rectory during office hours to pick up kits to make First Communion banners. The Rectory office is open from 9:00 am-2:30 pm Monday-Saturday, and 8:30-11:30 am on Sunday.  Please call us at 773.764.3621 before coming. 

These banners will feature each child's name and various First Communion symbols and will be hung on pews during the First Communion Mass. We ask they be completed by Saturday, May 1. 

On Saturday, May 1 at 10:00 am, Father Mike Gabriel will lead a Zoom meeting for kids and families. Fr Mike Gabriel will talk about the symbols of baptism and give the First Communicants a chance to talk about their banners.

There will be an in-person rehearsal for First Communion on Thursday, May 6 at 6:30 pm in the church. Lasting about an hour, the kids will practice the processional, recessional, and how to come forward for Communion. Families are asked to bring the banner they made, it will be hung on the pew reserved for your Communicant and family. The banners will stay at church until after the First Communion Mass. 

Our First Communion Mass on Saturday, May 8 at 10:00 am is full. Please email me at kchears@stgertrudechicago.org if you have any questions about this. Please note, this Mass will be live-streamed on our parish Facebook page then posted on our parish's YouTube channel.   

Confirmation Group Two: April Retreat is THIS Saturday at 10:00 am

Group two, students making their Confirmation on Sunday, May 23 at the 10:30 am Mass, have one this Saturday, April 24 at 10:00 am. We do not share Zoom links on our parish website, the link can be found in an email send to you from me on Thursday, April 20 and in the actual e-newsletter send Friday, April 23. Email me at kchears@stgertrudechicago.org if you need it!   

HERE  is the link to get the preparation materials for candidates in group two. 

It was so nice to see your children's smiling faces this past Tuesday after our spring break! Our attendance was great, I truly appreciate all the parents who were able to get back in the groove of Religious Ed and send their child/children to classes. 

Class Updates
Kids in grades 1 and 2, as well as children in grades 3 and 4, have been learning about the different parts of Mass, what to do at certain times, readings, and more. I invite all parents to come to church to attend Mass in person or watch our Sunday morning live streams. Information about registering to attend our Masses and watching it online can be found here.  

First Communion Mass is Full
Our First Communion Mass on Saturday, May 8 at 10:00 am is full. Please email me at kchears@stgertrudechicago.org if you have any questions about this. 

This Mass will be live-streamed on our parish Facebook page then posted on our parish's YouTube channel.   

First Communion Banners & Key Dates
Beginning this Tuesday, April 20, First Communion families are asked to stop by the Rectory during office hours to pick up kits to make First Communion banners. The Rectory office is open from 9:00 am-2:30 pm Monday-Saturday, and 8:30-11:30 am on Sunday.  Please call us at 773.764.3621 before coming. 

These banners will feature each child's name and various First Communion symbols and will be hung on pews during the First Communion Mass. We ask they be completed by Saturday, May 1. 

On Saturday, May 1 at 10:00 am, Father Mike Gabriel will lead a Zoom meeting for kids and families. Fr Mike Gabriel will talk about the symbols of baptism and give the First Communicants a chance to talk about their banners.

There will be an in-person rehearsal for First Communion on Thursday, May 6 at 6:30 pm in the church. Lasting about an hour, the kids will practice the processional, recessional, and how to come forward for Communion. Families are asked to bring the banner they made, it will be hung on the pew reserved for your Communicant and family. The banners will stay at church until after the First Communion Mass. 

Confirmation Group One: April Retreat is THIS Saturday, April 17 at 10:00 am

This is just a reminder that Confirmation candidates have two additional upcoming retreats. 

Group one, students making their Confirmation on Saturday, May 22 at the 5:00 pm Mass, have one this Saturday, April 17 at 10:00 am. Click HERE for materials candidates should review. We do not share Zoom links on our parish website, the link can be found in an email send to you from me on Thursday, April 14 and in the actual e-newsletter send Friday, April 16. Email me at kchears@stgertrudechicago.org if you need it!  

Confirmation Group Two: April Retreat is Next Saturday, April 24
Group two will have their April retreat next Saturday, April 24 at 10:00 am. A Zoom link and materials will be sent out next week and included in next Friday's Religious Ed newsletter. 

Please Fill Out Confirmation Forms
Just a reminder for both groups - there are a number of forms that need to be filled out during the Confirmation process. I'll be reaching out to families that still need to complete forms soon. 

Welcome back! I hope your spring break was restful and your time away from school and our classes enjoyable. I'm looking forward to seeing the kids back in Religious Ed class this Tuesday, April 13. 

Registration for First Communion has Begun
First Communion will be celebrated on the Saturday before Mother’s Day, Saturday, May 8 at 10:00 am. Families of those students making their First Communion this May are asked to please register to attend the celebration HERE or by calling the Rectory office at 773.764.3621. 

Immediate family from the same household, up to eight people, can sit together. If other family members attend, they will need to register separately. Reservations will be accepted until we hit capacity.
As always, attendees will need to wear masks and follow our COVID protocols, including using the Granville entrance to the church, checking in, having temperatures taken,  being shown where to sit, and maintain safe-distancing protocols by observing the markings on the floor and in the pews which give directions for spacing and traffic flow.

Please note, this Mass will be live-streamed on our parish Facebook page then posted on our parish's YouTube channel.   

Confirmation Retreats Dates

This is just a reminder that Confirmation candidates have two additional upcoming retreats. Our retreat dates are:
Group one (students making their Confirmation on Saturday, May 22 at the 5:00 pm Mass):

• Saturday, April 17 (The retreat's Zoom link will be shared next week.)
• May - TBA

Group two (students making their Confirmation on Sunday, May 23 at the 10:30 am Mass):

• Saturday, April 24
• May - TBA

Please Fill Out Confirmation Forms
Just a reminder for both groups - there are a number of forms that need to be filled out during the Confirmation process. I'll be reaching out to families that still need to complete forms soon. 

Congratulations to those students in our Religious Ed program and NCA who made their First Reconciliation on Monday, March 15! We are so grateful to the students who worked hard to prepare for this important day and for the loving support they received from their families. 

Special thanks to the following teachers for preparing their students so well, including our Religious Ed teacher Ginevra Clark, as well as NCA teachers Ewa Jablonska and Cristine Salazar. 

We also thank Mary Clare Barker, our musician, as well as Father Mike Gabriel, Father Mike Bradley, Father Louis, and Father Rich.  

Confirmation Retreats - Group Two Retreat is This Saturday
Group 2 Info
Students in group two, those making their Confirmation on Sunday, May 23 at the 10:30 am Mass, have a retreat this Saturday, March 20. A Zoom link and materials needed for their retreat was sent out and can also be found here:

• Choose a Confirmation Name
• Group Two: Confirmation Preparation March 2021 (specific to group two) 

Please email Kevin Chears at kchears@stgertrudechicago.org if you need the Zoom link.  

Confirmation Forms
Just a reminder for both groups - there are a number of forms that need to be filled out during the Confirmation process. I'll be reaching out to families that still need to complete forms soon.

Palm Sunday, Holy Week, & Easter Info
Information about services on Palm Sunday Masses, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday is available. Below is a link to sign-up to attend those services in person. Click HERE for information about the Holy Week schedule, including live-streams for those Masses.  

Spring Break Coming Soon! No Religious Ed Newsletters Until April 9
Spring break will take place over Holy Week and the Tuesday after Easter. So there are classes on Tuesday, March 23, with a break on March 30 and April 6. The schedule is below.

• March 23 - There is class
• March 30 - No class
• April 6 - No class
• April 13 - There is class

There will be no Religious Education newsletters sent Friday, March 26 or Good Friday, April 2.  

This Monday: First Reconciliation Service (for our Students Who Will Receive Their First Communion This May)
First Reconciliation for Religious Ed and NCA students is this Monday, March 15 at 6:30 pm in the church. Because of parish COVID protocols, we suggest we arrive around 6:15 pm, so you can check-in and be seated in one of the designated pews.

If your family still needs to register for the service HERE, we ask that you sign-up before Sunday, March 14 at 11:30 am. 

We appreciate all the parents and children that were able to attend Father Mike Gabriel's Zoom meeting on Thursday and hope the walk-thru of what to expect at the service was helpful.  

This Sunday: Parish Reconciliation Service
Our parish Lenten Reconciliation Service is Sunday, March 14 at 1:00 pm in church. Registration to attend in-person is available HERE. This service will not be live-streamed. We hope to see you there! 

Confirmation Retreats - Group One Retreat is This Saturday
Group One Info - Zoom Link & Material Needed for Saturday
Our second set of Confirmation retreats begins this week. Group one (those making their confirmation on Saturday, May 22) will meet on Saturday, March 13 from 10:00-11:30 am. Please email Kevin Chears at kchears@stgertrudechicago.org if you need the Zoom link.

An email titled "Confirmation Meeting material for March 13" was sent on March 4 to group one parents and guardians with information your 8th graders will need for Saturday's retreat. Those documents for group one can also be found here:

• Choose a Confirmation Name
• Group One: Confirmation Preparation March 2021 (specific to group one)

Group 2 Info
Students in group two, those making their Confirmation on Sunday, May 23 at the 10:30 am Mass, will have their next retreat on Saturday, March 20. A Zoom link will be sent to you next week. Parents of students in group two were sent materials needed for their retreat earlier this week. These materials are specific to group two and can also be found here:

• Choose a Confirmation Name
• Group Two: Confirmation Preparation March 2021 (specific to group two)

Confirmation Forms
Just a reminder for both groups - there are a number of forms that need to be filled out during the Confirmation process. I'll be reaching out to families that still need to complete forms soon.

Palm Sunday, Holy Week, & Easter Info: Link to Sign-up for Palm Sunday, Holy Week, & Easter Services
Information about services on Palm Sunday Masses, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday is available. Below is a link to sign-up to attend those services in person. Click HERE for information about the Holy Week schedule, including live-streams for those Masses. 

Spring Break Dates
Spring break is right around the corner! It will take place over Holy Week and the Tuesday after Easter. So there are classes on Tuesday, March 23, with a break on March 30 and April 6. The schedule is below.

• March 23 - There is class
• March 30 - No class
• April 6 - No class
• April 13 - There is class

There will be no Religious Education newsletters sent on Friday, March 26 or Good Friday, April 2.  

This week, we are sharing links to register for services on Palm Sunday Masses, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday. HERE is a link to sign-up to attend those services in person. Click HERE for information about the Holy Week schedule, including live-streams for those Masses.  

Our parish Lenten Reconciliation Service will take place on Sunday, March 14 at 1:00 pm in church. Registration to attend in-person is available HERE. This service will not be live-streamed.  

I also encourage you to think about attending one of our weekly Stations of the Cross, held on Fridays at 3:00 pm. No registration is required. 

Confirmation Retreats  
Our next Confirmation retreats will take place soon. Group one (those making their confirmation on Saturday, May 22) will have their next retreat on Saturday, March 13  from 10:00-11:30 am. Students in group two, those making their Confirmation on Sunday, May 23 at the 10:30 am Mass, will have their next retreat on Saturday, March 20. Zoom links and a second packet will be emailed to parents and to students later.

Just a reminder for both groups - there are a number of forms that need to be filled out during the Confirmation process. The due dates are: 

• February - Registration form, baptismal certificates, and sponsor information 
• March and April - Service project information
• April- Confirmation name 
• May - Letter to Fr. Rich  

Next Week: First Reconciliation Walk-Thru
Father Mike Gabriel will host a Zoom meeting on Thursday, March 11 at 6:30 pm where he will walk-thru what to expect at the First Reconciliation service with children and their parents. A link to the meeting will be sent the week of the meeting.

First Reconciliation is Monday, March 15 at 6:30 pm in the church. Please register for the service HERE.

Just a reminder that if you have not sent me a registration form and copy of your child's baptismal certificate, please do so as soon as possible.  

Spring Break Dates
Our spring break will take place over Holy Week and the Tuesday after Easter. So there are classes on Tuesday, March 23, with a break on March 30 and April 6. The schedule is below.

• March 23 - There is class
• March 30 - No class
• April 6 - No class
• April 13 - There is class

There will be no Religious Education newsletters sent on Friday, March 26 or Good Friday, April 2.  

 This Sunday is the beginning of the second week of Lent. It's not too late to start a Lenten activity or new family tradition! I found this article about children and Lenten practices to be really interesting. 

This Lent, our Almoner's Program will help clients of Care for Real and The Night Ministry. In the past many of you and your children would get the McDonald gift cards from me in the back of church. It was clear that as a family you had talked about the program and had someone in mind to give the cards to. I would enjoy hearing about how the encounters unfolded the following week.    

This year, while we have lost the personal interaction, we can still support two neighborhood groups as they help others. Continue the discussions about almsgiving that you have begun in previous Lents. You might consider encouraging your children to contribute to the family donation from their allowance or pocket money. It is never the amount that matters but the habit of giving from what we have that is important. There is a collection box in church if you come to Mass in person or you can use the link below.

Donate to our Almoner's Program 

I also encourage you to think about attending one of our weekly Stations of the Cross, held on Fridays at 3:00 pm, with no registration required. We also just announced our Holy Week schedule here.

Confirmation Retreats  
Our Confirmation retreats are going well! I was so appreciative of all of your young adults, their comments were insightful, thoughtful, and really showed me how far they have come in the development of their faith.

Our next Confirmation retreats will take place in March. Group one (those making their confirmation on Saturday, May 22) will have their next retreat on Saturday, March 13  from 10:00-11:30 am. Students in group two, those making their Confirmation on Sunday, May 23 at the 10:30 am Mass, will have their next retreat on Saturday, March 20. Zoom links and a second packet will be emailed to parents and to students later.

Just a reminder for both groups - there are a number of forms that need to be filled out during the Confirmation process. The due dates are: 

• February - Registration form, baptismal certificates, and sponsor information 
• March and April - Service project information
• April- Confirmation name 
• May - Letter to Fr. Rich  

Date for First Reconciliation Set for Monday, March 15
This is a reminder to sign-up for First Reconciliation - Monday, March 15 at 6:30 pm in the church. Please register for the service HERE.

Father Mike Gabriel will host a Zoom meeting on Thursday, March 11 at 6:30 pm where he will walk-thru what to expect at the First Reconciliation service with children and their parents. A link to the meeting will be sent the week of the meeting.

Just a reminder that if you have not sent me a registration form and copy of your child's baptismal certificate, please do so as soon as possible.  

I hope you and your family are doing well during this ice age!

Lent 2021
During Lent, the three penitential practices we follow are Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving. These three help us to let go of our control over everything we think we have control over in order to place our trust in God. This letting go allows God to help us be transformed. 

I invite you to read more about ways to incorporate the above practices in your daily lives, as well as learn how our Almoner's Program will help clients of Care for Real and The Night Ministry, and details of our Friday Stations of the Cross here:

• The Three Lenten Disciplines: Prayer, Fasting & Almsgiving
• Our Lenten Almoner’s Program Begins Next Sunday
• Weekly Stations of the Cross Begin This Friday

Parish Fundraiser: Auction 2021
Our week-long Silent Auction ends in a live auction event this Sunday, February 21. What's available? Check out our items HERE!

We have gift cards to area restaurants, exquisitely made scarves, shawls, bowls, quilts, and cards, baskets of books, signed books, kitchen tools, one-of-a-kind experiences, expert consultations, and much more. 

The Live Auction event will begin at 7:00 pm on Sunday, February 21. There are some amazing items that will be auctioned off during the live event, including a Costa Rican vacation, some terrific dinners specially prepared for winners, and unique tours, and more. 

To access the live auction: 

• Go to https://stgertrudeparish.schoolauction.net/auction2021/virtual
• Follow the directions on the screen
• Or you can watch this video on our parish website!

REMINDER: Confirmation Retreat Held This Saturday (for Group Two Students Making Their Confirmation on Sunday, May 23) 
There is a retreat scheduled for this Saturday, February 20 from 10:00-11:30 am for the students in group two, those making their Confirmation on Sunday, May 23 at the 10:30 am Mass. A Zoom link was emailed to parents and to students. Please let me know if you didn't receive it!

Pre-work packets have also been sent out. Let me know if you did not receive one. 

Just a reminder for both groups - there are a number of forms that need to be filled out during the Confirmation process. The due dates are: 

• February - Registration form, baptismal certificates, and sponsor information 
• March and April - Service project information
• April- Confirmation name 
• May - Letter to Fr. Rich  

Date for First Reconciliation Set for Monday, March 15
This is a reminder to sign-up for First Reconciliation - Monday, March 15 at 6:30 pm in the church. Please register for the service HERE.

Father Mike Gabriel will host a Zoom meeting on Thursday, March 11 at 6:30 pm where he will walk-thru what to expect at the First Reconciliation service with children and their parents.  

Per our Religious Ed schedule, there are no classes planned for this Tuesday, February 16. 

Ash Wednesday
Ash Wednesday is next week - February 17. Masses on Ash Wednesday are at 7:30 am, 8:40 am (NCA live-streamed, all are welcome), and 7:00 pm (live-streamed on the parish Facebook page.) 

As with all things this year, it will look a bit different. Registration is required to attend in person, two Masses (the 8:40 am NCA Mass and the 7:00 pm Mass in church) will be live-streamed, distribution of ashes will be done with a Q-tip, and there will be no ashes distributed prior to Mass or if you stop by the Rectory. Click HERE for all the details. 

Stations of the Cross
I also invite your family to attend one (or more!) of our weekly Stations of the Cross. They are held Fridays at 3:00 pm in church during Lent, beginning February 19. No registration is required. Participants will remain in their pews so we can observe social-distancing guidelines.  

Parish Fundraiser: Auction 2021
On Friday, bidding for items in our silent auction begins. Please consider checking out what is available and participating in our Live Auction event next Sunday, February 21. A flyer explaining the Auction can be found HERE. 

REMINDER: First Confirmation Retreats Held This Saturday (for Students Making Their Confirmation on Saturday, May 22) 
There is a retreat scheduled for this Saturday, February 13 from 10:00-11:30 am for the students in Group one, those making their Confirmation on Saturday, May 22 at the 5:00 pm Mass. A Zoom link was emailed to parents and to students. Please let me know if you didn't receive it!

Group two references students making their Confirmation on Sunday, May 23 at the 10:30 am Mass. They will have their first retreat next Saturday, February 20 from 10:00-11:30 am. 

Pre-work packets have been sent out. Let me know if you did not receive one. 

Just a reminder for both groups - there are a number of forms that need to be filled out during the Confirmation process. The due dates are: 

• February - Registration form, baptismal certificates, and sponsor information 
• March and April - Service project information
• April- Confirmation name 
• May - Letter to Fr. Rich  

Date for First Reconciliation Set for Monday, March 15
We have finally set a date for First Reconciliation - Monday, March 15 at 6:30 pm in the church. Please register for the service HERE.

Father Mike Gabriel will host a Zoom meeting on Thursday, March 11 at 6:30 pm where he will walk-thru what to expect at the First Reconciliation service with children and their parents.  

We've made great headway for planning sacraments. Dates have been scheduled for First Communion and Confirmation, with parent meetings either held or planned. 

First Communion News

Please join Fr. Mike Gabriel and me for a meeting about First Communion and First Reconciliation next Thursday, February 11 at 7:00 pm via Zoom. A link to that meeting was emailed to parents this past Tuesday.

While we know First Communion will be held Saturday, May 8 at 10:00 am in church, the Archdiocese of Chicago has not yet set guidance on safe procedures for First Reconciliation, so that is still unscheduled.

In preparation for the above sacraments, I will need a completed sacramental registration form and a copy of the baptismal certificate for your child.

If your child was baptized at St. Gertrude, call the rectory office at 773.764.3621 and arrange for a copy of the baptismal certificate to be placed in my mailbox. Please have the date of the baptism available when you call. I will need a copy of the baptismal record before I can register your child for the sacrament.

8th-Grade Confirmation Info
I appreciate those families who have emailed me their preference for their young adult making their Confirmation on Saturday, May 22 at 5:00 pm or Sunday, May 23 at the 10:30 am Mass. Saturday’s date is now full. 

As discussed during the Confirmation parent meeting in January, we still intend to have our young adults gather for retreats, held online via Zoom. There will be four retreats, one each month, leading up to the May Confirmation Masses. Each retreat will be roughly 90 minutes long and held on Saturday mornings from 10:00-11:30 am. 

We will cluster our young adults into two groups according to the Confirmation date chosen – Saturday or Sunday. By having the same groups gather each month, we hope it will help the students get familiar with each other and be more comfortable openly discussing topics of faith. 

Group one is comprised of students making their Confirmation on Saturday, May 22 at the 5:00 pm Mass. Group two references students making their Confirmation on Sunday, May 23 at the 10:30 am Mass.  

Our retreat dates are:
Group one:

• Saturday, February 13
• Saturday, March 13
• Saturday, April 17
• Saturday, May 1

Group two:

• Saturday, February 20
• Saturday, March 20
• Saturday, April 24
• Saturday,  May 15

Zoom invites will be emailed to parents next week.

There are a number of forms that need to be filled out during the Confirmation process. The due dates are: 

• February - Registration form, baptismal certificates, and sponsor information 
• March and April - Service project information
• April- Confirmation name 
• May - Letter to Fr. Rich  

Happy Friday! Can you believe that we are officially halfway through the school year?

First Communion News
Father Mike Gabriel, teacher Ginvera Clark, and I met this week to plan the Sacrament of First Communion. We will continue our tradition of celebrating First Communion on the Saturday before Mother’s Day, Saturday, May 8.

At this time, we are planning to have Father Mike G preside over one Mass for all the children and their families. I'll have more news about First Communion parent meetings and retreats (held via Zoom) in February. 

Grades 3-4 Update
In my class, we are continuing to learn about sacraments, currently focusing on baptism. Earlier this week, I emailed parents a PDF of a baptism packet to be used as a template for their children to learn about the details of their baptism. HERE is a link to a Google doc of the PDF to download if that is easier for you.   

8th-Grade Confirmation Info
Parents of 8th-graders can find all necessary Confirmation forms on our website HERE. Parents of Confirmation candidates have been asked to email me with their choice of a Confirmation date - either Saturday, May 22 at the 5:00 pm Mass or Sunday, May 23 at the 10:30 am Mass. 

Recap of 7th & 8th-Grade Classes
Steve Monti, the class teacher, provided an update: "Last night, we discussed why God allows people to harm one another and this led to a discussion of free will. In the remaining time, we read the parable of the Prodigal Son. We'll follow up the story next class." 

He also asks parents to pick up their bibles from the Rectory. The parish office is open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 am-2:30 pm and 8:30-11:30 am on Sunday. Here are our Parishioner Guidelines for Visiting the Rectory. Please call before you come! 

Dear St. Gertrude Religious Education Families,

Happy Friday! I hope this weekend provides some rest and relaxation for your family!

The third and fourth grade is moving forward with a discussion about the seven sacraments, what they are, and what they mean.  The children have been asked to interview their parents about their baptism and share what they learned about where it was, who came, their godparents, who they were chosen, if any family traditions were practiced, etc.

Our first presentation was this past Tuesday and it was interesting and fun to hear their stories!  

Our fifth and sixth-grade class reviewed the different kinds of psalms, how and why rules are set by parents and God, and the differences between choices made as a kid versus those decisions made by adults.   

8th-Grade Confirmation Info
Parents of 8th-graders met yesterday, Thursday, January 21. Parents heard about our plan for Confirmation and have been asked to notify me which is better for their family - either Saturday, May 22 at the 5:00 pm Mass or Sunday, May 23 at the 10:30 am Mass. We also talked about service hours, retreats, and paperwork required. 

Three Reminders: Correction to the Calendar/Parents of 7-8th Graders Need to Pick up Their Bibles/Cameras On

• There is a correction to the Religious Ed school calendar. Our spring break will take place over Holy Week and the Tuesday after Easter. So there are classes on Tuesday, March 23, with a break on March 30 and April 6. Classes resume on Tuesday, April 13. Our Religious Ed Parent Packet has been updated here. 
• Families of our seventh and eighth-grade students are asked to stop by the Rectory in the near future to pick up the bibles we ordered for them. The parish office is open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 am-2:30 pm and 8:30-11:30 am on Sunday. Here are our Parishioner Guidelines for Visiting the Rectory. Please call before you come!
• Please ask your children to keep their cameras on so everyone can see each other in order to foster a more open and inviting learning environment.

I hope you and your families are doing well during this unsettling time. In our parish bulletin last week, we included a prayer for our nation, adapted from a reflection written by Sister Joan Chittister. It's linked here for your family if you'd like to read it and share it with your loved ones. 

3rd & 4th Grade Update
As promised this school year, we are regularly sharing what is being taught in each class. Below is an update on what I'm teaching in our 3rd and 4th-grade class:

This week, we eased back into class with a discussion about how we celebrated Christmas and winter break. We started to learn about the seven sacraments, what they are, and what they mean.  

I was so impressed with how the kids tackled new vocabulary, carefully sounding out the words as they read to the group. I'm also grateful for their enthusiastic participation and how they share little stories about their home life that is so charming and funny. 

In the coming weeks, we will go into more detail about baptism and our Catholic identity. The children will be asked to interview their parents about their baptism and share what they learned about where it was, who came, their godparents, who they were chosen, if any family traditions were practiced, etc. 

We'll do a similar project for First Communion too. For those who have not made their First Communion yet, we will talk about possible family plans for this celebration. 

8th-Grade Confirmation Info
Earlier this week, parents of 8th-graders were notified of the date for Confirmation - either Saturday, May 22 at the 5:00 pm Mass or Sunday, May 23 at the 10:30 am Mass. Parents have been invited to attend a Zoom meeting at 7:00 pm on Thursday, January 21 to hear information about service hours, retreats, and paperwork required.

Reminder - Correction/Update to the Religious Ed Class Calendar
There is a correction to the Religious Ed school calendar. Our spring break will take place over Holy Week and the Tuesday after Easter. So there are classes on Tuesday, March 23, with a break on March 30 and April 6. Classes resume on Tuesday, April 13. Our Religious Ed Parent Packet has been updated here. 

Reminder: 7th & 8th Grade Families Need to Pick-up Bibles from the Rectory
Families of our seventh and eighth-grade students are asked to stop by the Rectory in the near future to pick up the bibles we ordered for them. The parish office is open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 am-2:30 pm and 8:30-11:30 am on Sunday.Here are our Parishioner Guidelines for Visiting the Rectory. 

Please call before you come! 

This Tuesday, January 12, we will welcome back our Religious Ed students after a much-needed break. I hope your family's time off was restful.

The start of the new year is also an ideal time to check in with families about the Religious Education program. Are things going well with classes? If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, I'm happy to hear from you. Please reach out to me via email at kchears@stgertrudechicago.org  or call the Rectory at 773.764.3621. 

Correction/Update to the Religious Ed Class Calendar
There is a correction to the Religious Ed school calendar. Our spring break will take place over Holy Week and the Tuesday after Easter.  

So there are classes on Tuesday, March 23, with a break on March 30 and April 6. Classes resume on Tuesday, April 13. Our Religious Ed Parent Packet has been updated here. 

Reminder: 7th & 8th Grade Families Need to Pick-up Bibles from the Rectory
Families of our seventh and eighth-grade students are asked to stop by the Rectory in the near future to pick up the bibles we ordered for them. The parish office is open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 am-2:30 pm and 8:30-11:30 am on Sunday.Here are our Parishioner Guidelines for Visiting the Rectory. Please call before you come!