Social Groups at St. Gertrude

To get involved or to learn more about the groups below, contact the Rectory at 773.764.3621 or email stgertrude1420@stgertrudechicago.org. We will contact a representative of the group and ask them to get back to you.

Men from our parish community keep fit and enjoy each other’s company with basketball games. Meetings:

• Sundays for men 35 and older, 4:00 pm
• Mondays for men 21 and older, 8:30 pm

This group meets monthly to discuss good books. Books help us to understand ourselves and others better and to have more insight into other people’s lives and cultures. Reading together gives us a broader understanding and appreciation of the books we choose. Books are selected from suggestions of the members and from lists of worthwhile books from other sources. Mostly we read fiction, but sometimes choose non-fiction, memoirs, and even plays. We read a mix of classics, good current fiction, and some specifically religious books. We try to include books from other cultures and to have a mix of male and female authors. All are welcome, whether it’s every month or every now and then. Contact the Rectory or Mary Grover for the current list of books. Meetings: 

• The second Monday of each month at 7:30 pm in the Ministry Center

The Knitting Group invites all knitters and crocheters to join us for fun and blanket square-making! No experience is necessary! Meetings: 

• The second Wednesday of the month at 7:00 pm in the Ministry Center.

Makko ho means looking straight forward-physically, mentally, and spiritually. In addition to the four seated poses of Makko ho, the group practices abdominal breathing and work to improving posture. All ages and abilities are welcome. The fee is $15 per class or five sessions for $65. Meetings: 

• Saturdays 10:00-11:00 am in the Ministry Center

Marriage Encounter encourages married couples to enhance their communication. With the support of a continuing group, couples deepen their commitment to a strong and healthy marriage while reinforcing traditional family values. Meetings:

• The second Saturday of each month, with rotating locations among the homes of the group members.

“St. Gertrude Presents” produces plays. In the production of a play, participants share the experience of working with and appreciating individuals of different temperaments, occupations, and talents. In this way, we come to actualize Jesus’ teaching that we are many parts, but one body. Meetings: 

• Rehearsals begin six weeks before a production.

The poet Mark Strand said, “Poetry is about slowing down. You sit and you read something, you read it again, and it reveals a little bit more, and things come to light you could never have predicted.” That’s what we find as we meet monthly to read and discuss poetry; usually focusing on work by one or two poets each time. The choice of what poet to read is decided by group consensus. We average 5-10 people at each meeting. New participants are welcome. Meetings:

• The third Monday of each month at 7:30 pm in the Ministry Center. 

All the women of the parish are invited to come to this monthly social gathering. Ladies bring snacks and wine, discuss a topic, hear from a speaker, or go to an event or activity as a group. 

Meetings: 

• Once a month in the evening. Locations vary.

This a group for senior women. They gather to discuss a topic, hear from a speaker, go on an outing, and have fun together. Meetings: 

• Once a month on Thursdays at noon. Locations vary.