St. Gert's parish ministries and Community life
There are so many ways to get involved at St. Gertrude! Click to go to:
Sacramental life ministries
Marriage
Congratulations on your engagement! If you are interested in getting married at St. Gertrude, please click here for information.
PreCana & FOCCUS
PreCana
This full day, in-person gathering is dedicated to considering your life together as a married couple. Led by a facilitator couple from St. Gertrude, the session begins at 9:00 am and features presentations, prayers, and discussions with your partner and 5-10 other couples.
Contact: Matt bluramblr@yahoo.com & Emily Brett monnelel@yahoo.com
FOCCUS (Facilitate Open Couple Communication, Understanding, and Study)
As a key step in marriage preparation, FOCCUS© Pre-Marriage Inventory is a 156-item questionnaire used by engaged couples with a trained FOCCUS facilitator. Taking the inventory results in a personalized FOCCUS© Couple Report that helps target discussion on topics important to marital success. FOCCUS assesses nineteen categories to
help couples sort the challenges and strengths they are bringing into marriage.
Contact: Jennifer Reyes: jlreyes6901@yahoo.com
Sacramental Prep Programs
These programs are available for children for the sacraments of baptism, Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation. Please contact our pastoral associate.
Contact: Eloy Escamilla: eescamilla@stgertrudechicago.org
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is a process by which adults learn more about the Catholic Church and seeks to add new colors and designs to their existing faith life tapestry. In addition to attending Mass, the RCIA process includes weekly gatherings of breaking open the Word of God, sharing our stories, and learning about our faith
traditions.
Contact: Eloy Escamilla: eescamilla@stgertrudechicago.org
Liturgy and Worship ministries
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.
Contact: Eloy Escamilla: eescamilla@stgertrudechicago.org
Art & 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.
Contact: Fr. Mike Gabriel: mgabriel@stgertrudechurch.org
Eucharistic Ministers and Ministers of the Word
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. 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.
Contact: Eloy Escamilla: eescamilla@stgertrudechicago.org
Kids Word
Also known as Children's liturgy of the word, kids word takes place on Sunday mornings during the 10:00 am mass. For children K-4th grade that introduces stories and themes from the bible.
Contact: Eloy Escamilla: eescamilla@stgertrudechicago.org
Liturgical Dancers (adult & youth)
The liturgical dancers are women and children in the parish who use movement and gesture to pray and to expand our community experience of prayer.
Contact: Dorothea Tobin: dorothea1412@yahoo.com OR Jackie Blake
Meetings: per event
Music Ministry
Cantors
Cantors help lead the congregation in song at all weekend Masses. Training is provided.
Adult Choir
The Choir sings at the weekly 10:30 am Sunday Mass, as well as on Christmas Eve, Holy Week, Easter and other Holy
Days/Feast Days, as requested.
Contact: Kathryn Flynn: kflynn@stgertrudechicago.org
Live-Streaming Help
The live streaming of Mass started as a response to the COVID-19 protocols for gathering together. Even after these protocols were relaxed, we have continued to broadcast the 10:30 am Mass every Sunday, as well as other special Masses through out the year.
Our ability to join as community both in person and via the live stream keeps us connected. What started as an answer to a problem has become a ministry and a way of being of service to others.
We are looking for assistance with these live-streams! The process is simple, you do not have to have a technical background, a special camera or phone, just a willingness to help.
Contact: Eloy Escamilla: eescamilla@stgertrudechicago.org
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.
Contact: Eloy Escamilla: eescamilla@stgertrudechicago.org
St. Gertrude Gym Mass
Mass is celebrated Sundays at 10:30 am in the Gym from September through June. 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. All are welcome!
Contact: Pam khoranbu@yahoo.com and Kevin Horan-Bussey busseyfamily@yahoo.com
Welcome Committee/Ushers
This committee will provide greeters and ushers to help foster a sense of hospitality, ensuring that every parishioner, both longstanding and new, feels a genuine connection to our faith community.
Contact: Tim Love: tim.1love@gmail.com
Prayer & Spiritual Reflection
Edgewater Community Religious Association (ECRA)
At St. Gertrude Catholic Church Church, our mission is to empower individuals and families to grow in their faith and become active members of our community. We strive to love God, love people, and make a difference in the world.
Growing in Faith
The Growing in Faith Committee is responsible for the column of our parish bullein devoted to adult faith formation and faith-sharing through parishioner-written reflections, The Committee recruits writers through the parish to write for
the weekly bulletin column. The Committee needs help planning each week's themes and recruiting writers. Please join us!
Contact: Claire Conley 773-802-2580 (call or text)
Guadalupanas
This is a Latino group that gathers together to pray the rosary. The group is open to new members.
Contact: Luvia Mora: 772-262-7962 and Gisela Rosales: 773-507-2650
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
Contact: Allen astryczek@sbcglobal.net and Suzanne Stryczek suzannestryczek@sbcglobal.net
Men’s Faith Group
Men gather for prayer, scripture reading, faith sharing, and light snacks. All are welcome.
Contact: Allen Stryczek astryczek@sbcglobal.net
Ministry of Prayer
This ministry invites those who are unable to otherwise participate in the life of our community to contribute their gift of prayer for the intentions of the parish. Ministers of Prayer, praying at home, use written guide sheets, provided on a
monthly basis.
Contact: Sr. Susan Quaintance, OSB: squaintance@stgertrudechicago.org
Ministers of Care
These specially trained parishioners bring Communion, as well as the thoughts and prayers of our parish, to those who are unable to attend Mass on a regular basis.
Sr. Susan Quaintance, OSB: squaintance@stgertrudechicago.org
Spiritual Direction
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.
Contact: Carol Ann Munro: carolannmunro@comcast.net; Lori Dressel: lorijdressel@gmail.com
Women’s Scripture Study
Scripture study designed for women to grow spiritually in the knowledge and grace of Jesus Christ, and to realize that one of the ways God speaks to us is through His word.
Contact: Suzanne Stryczek suzannestryczek@sbcglobal.net
Social Justice & Human Concerns
Blood Drive
Blood drives are conducted quarterly throughout the year on Sundays from 8:30 am - 1:00 pm. in collaboration with Vitalant.
Contact: Pat Knowles or Karen Griebel 773-326-7590
Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership (CSPL)
The CSPL is a multi-racial, multi-ethnic, multi-generational spiritually-rooted organization that labors to transform racial, economic, social and environmental systemic structures through grassroots coalition building, community organizing,
and liberative formation.
Contact: Michelle Nickerson mnickerson@luc.edu, Kathleen Maas Weigert kmaasweigert@luc.edu OR Gabriel Lara
Heart to Heart
This is a community program that serves older adults living in Edgewater. Volunteers provide friendly visits and phone calls, assistance with grocery shopping, and transportation to church, medical appointments and social events.
Orientation and training provided; volunteers must maintain ongoing VIRTUS certification.
Contact: Sr. Susan Quaintance, OSB: squaintance@stgertrudechicago.org
Medical Equipment Lending Closet
The Lending Closet is a clearinghouse for durable medical equipment (e.g., walkers, rollators, wheelchairs crutches, raised toilet seats, etc.) The Lending Closet also has a supply of adult incontinence supplies. Donations are gratefully
accepted. Equipment must be in clean and good condition. There is no cost or geographic boundary for accessing services. The Lending Closet is located in the Ministry Center.
Contact: Laurie Hasbrook: lhasbrook@stgertrudechicago.org 773-973-5464
Refugee and Immigrant Ministry
We are a ministry that seeks to embrace our newly arrived neighbors in any way we can. Our main approach has been to partner with a refugee resettlement organization (Catholic Charities or Refugee One) to sponsor families. With the
arrival of the asylum seekers we are also working with other local resources (the alderperson, other local churches, etc.) to address their needs. We know commitment can be difficult in these busy times, so we try to make sure the
opportunities to help are focused and time-limited. For instance, we may ask for help for a 3 hour window to settle the apartment before arrival of a new family, or we may ask someone to step up and help organize a donation event (we've
collected school supplies, winter clothes, and diapers in the past).
Contact: Denise Goodman dmg321@comcast.net, Chris James, OR Jim Manzardo
Sandwich Makers
Two volunteer groups regularly prepare meals which are donated to Epworth Homeless Shelter.
Contact: Sr. Susan Quaintance, OSB: squaintance@stgertrudechicago.org
Social Justice Committee
As people of faith, we are commissioned to call out many of the injustices in our world. There is an urgent need now more than ever for us to be a church not only of statements and prayers but one of action, where God’s love, justice,
and mercy can grow. We are looking for people who would be willing to be part of this committee, to help focus on specific injustices and to facilitate parish social justice activities.
Contact: Carol Ann Munro: carolannmunro@comcast.net
Parish Advisory Groups
Parish Pastoral Council
The council advises the pastor on issues related to the overall direction and functioning of the parish and its mission.
Are you called to leadership? The Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) is looking for new members. If you are interested in joining please complete the INTEREST FORM. There are also paper copies in the back of church. The deadline for submission is May 10. If you would like to nominate someone for the PPC, please email stgertrudeparishcouncil@gmail.com.
Contact: stgertrudeparishcouncil@gmail.com
Finance Committee
The finance committee is responsible for the oversight of the parish's finances, budget preparation, expenditure approval, and any corresponding financial matters.
Contact: Eduardo Soto: esoto@stgertrudechicago.org
Education
Book Club
Meets monthly to discuss a mix of classics and current fiction.
Contact: Lea Cloninger 773.973.2465 OR Sue Benjamin 773.551.8401
Northside Catholic Academy (NCA)
Northside Catholic Academy serves the parishes of St. Gertrude, St. Gregory, St. Henry, St. Ignatius, St. Jerome, and St. Margaret Mary in the neighborhoods of Andersonville, Edgewater, and Rogers Park. NCA offers a challenging, diversified curriculum within a nurturing environment for children in pre-K-8.
Contact: Brad Gschwendtner bgschwendtner@ncaschools.com
Religious Education
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.
Contact: Eloy Escamilla: eescamilla@stgertrudechicago.org
Social Life
Fall/Spring Play
In the production of a play/musical participants share the experience of working with and appreciating individuals of various backgrounds and life experiences. Rehearsals begin 6 weeks before a production. Those with limited time can
sign up for an extra chorus group. All ages and skill levels welcome.
Contact: Mike Tobin (Fall): mtobin@vantageleadership.com or 312.543.2934 Therese Schreiner (Spring): 773-620-6743
Men’s Basketball
Men keeping fit and enjoying each other's company in the St. Gertrude's Gym. New players are always welcome. For men 35 and older only please. We generally meet Sunday at 3:00 PM and Tuesdays at 8 pm. However, due to school activities using the gym, the times are subject to change on a week to week basis, so please contact us before attending.
Contact: Jose Lamas: 773.988.8477 - jlamas@lamistar.com, Pat Reardon: 773-458-5481 - airvermeer@gmail.com OR
David Fisk: 773-905-2257
Parish Garden
This seasonal project combines composting and a vegetable garden. Parishioners lease a composting bucket and deposit appropriate materials in the parish’s compost bin. The compost is then used to fertilize our vegetable garden, tended to by volunteers, that feeds patrons of Care for Real and the St. Thomas of Canterbury soup kitchen.
Contact: Mary Clare Barker maryclarebarker@gmail.com OR Max Schweikert
Women’s Friendship Club
Senior women of the Parish meet for friendship, growth, and enjoyment. Members develop a sense of belonging and self-worth while meeting new friends and enjoying the life God has given us.
Contact: Charlotte Sullivan 773-743-5112
Youth Group
For youth of the parish 7th grade and up to develop friendship and community
Contact: Eloy Escamilla: eescamilla@stgertrudechicago.org OR Jen Reyes: jlreyes6901@yahoo.com