St. Gertrude Chicago

All are Welcome

1420 W. Granville, Chicago, IL 60660

773.764.3621

stgertrude1420@stgertrudechicago.org

www.stgertrudechicago.org

Bulletin for Sunday, October 8, 2023

27th Sunday in Ordinary Time

From Fr. Mike Gabriel

Can you believe that we are already in the month of October? Every October is Respect Life month. All around us, we see an epidemic of violence. Almost every day, another shooting on a street or in a mall or school. Wars all over the world, like the Ukraine. So many other ways of life are being disrespected, from the moment of conception to death. Pray especially this month for all life.



Thank You for Your Support of our Chicago Marathon Weekend Fundraiser

Let me stop and not go another moment forward without saying to all of you, ”Thank You!” There are so many who do so much for St. Gertrude. A special thank you to all who have or plan to support our Soles of the Parish Fun Run this Saturday and/or Fr. Mike’s participation in the Chicago Marathon on Sunday.

This weekend's fundraisers benefits our Heart-to-Heart ministry. We truly are at our best when we put ourselves into action to show God’s love and mercy.

Interested in joining the fun by walking, running, or helping out? Go to https://stgertrudechicago.org/2023-marathon-fundraiser to register and see Saturday morning's schedule, from the start times to the pep rally! And all those running the marathon are invited to attend this Saturday's 5:00 pm Mass for a special blessing.

2023 Synod

Last Sunday at the Masses, we used special prayers for the 2023 Synod. What is the Synod? It is a gathering of clergy and laypeople held October 4-29 to discuss hot-button issues ranging from sexual abuse to LGBTQ inclusion and female ordination. The emphasis of the synod is on communion, participation, and mission.

The synod is the result of a two-year process that started in September 2021, when the

Catholic faithful from all around the world met in their parishes to discuss the questions posed by the synod. The syntheses of those conversations were then sent to their respective bishops’ conferences.

There will be 464 participants at the synod and 365 will have the right to vote. For the first

time, laypeople will be full voting members of the synod, compared with earlier synods where only bishops had the right to vote. An unprecedented number of women, 54, will

also attend.

It is impossible to predict what will emerge from the synod, but we pray it will be guided by the Holy Spirit. But the process that led to the event offers some insights into the

expectations of participants and observers.

Book Club, Monday, October 9

On Monday, October 9, the book club will discuss Via Negativa by Daniel Hornsby at 7:00 pm in the Ministry Center. The premise of the book centers around a priest who embarks on a fateful journey with a pistol in his pocket and an injured coyote in his backseat.

Contact Lea Cloninger at 773.973.2465 or Sue Benjamin at 773.551.8401 with questions.

Parish Pastoral Council Meeting is October 11

The Parish Pastoral Council welcomed three new members, Ed Butler, Gordon Hannon, and Krista Chinchilla-Patzke.

The next meeting is Wednesday, October 11 at 7:00 pm in the Ministry Center.

If you would like to discuss anything with the PPC, please email stgertrudeparishcouncil@gmail.com. 

Women's Friendship Club Gathering is Thursday, October 12

St. Gertrude Women's Friendship Club meets monthly on the second Thursday of every month in the Ministry Center. The gathering begins at 11:30 am, attendees should bring their own (brown bag) lunch.

Dessert is provided!

Altar Server Training - Thursday, October 12

Students in 5th grade and up are invited to become altar servers! There is a training session planned for Thursday, October 12th at 6:00 pm.

Please note, serving as an altar server does qualify for Confirmation service hours.

Contact Eloy Escamilla at eescamilla@stgertrudechicago.org with questions. 

Growing in Faith

“If we don’t approach the word of God with humility, we historically make things horribly worse.”

In the readings today, Jesus goes a little “Old Testament” on the priests and the elders. Both Isaiah and Jesus tell an effective story:  bad guys, good guys, a story of violence and we know who the good guy is!

For Isaiah, in the first reading, it’s the friend who plants the vineyard; for Jesus, it's the landowner. The good guy in both is  generous, hardworking and creative. He provides a beautiful vineyard in which  tenants can find work and fruit to share.

But, either the tenants refuse to care for the vineyard, or worse still, criminally attack the owner's son! What is the message? Both say: Don’t think even for a minute that what has been given to you, can’t be taken away from you. Even Jesus puts it very clearly and bluntly.

For generations now, and probably forever we  hear these stories and don't realize we're the priests and the elders. We’re the tenants. We’re the ones who need to straighten up. No, we take it upon ourselves to figure out who the bad guys are so we can make things right: We’ll be the instruments of God’s justice and vengeance!

Jesus constantly reminds his disciples that we’re not very bright. Sometimes gently as the father to the older brother of the prodigal son, sometimes more forcefully when he has  to re-attach an ear severed in violence, Jesus teaches us: If we don’t approach the word of God with humility, we historically make things horribly worse.

~ Mark Kollar

Domestic Violence Information

Domestic violence is common, affecting millions of people in the United States each year. Data from CDC’s National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS) indicate about 1 in 4 women and nearly 1 in 10 men have experienced contact sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetime and reported some form of IPV-related impact.

Common signs of abusive behavior in a partner include:

• Telling you that you never do anything right.
• Showing extreme jealousy of your friends or time spent away from them.
• Preventing or discouraging you from spending time with friends, family members, or peers.
• Insulting, demeaning, or shaming you, especially in front of other people.
• Preventing you from making your own decisions, including about working or attending school.
• Controlling finances in the household without discussion, including taking your money or refusing to provide money for necessary expenses.
• Pressuring you to have sex or perform sexual acts you’re not comfortable with.
• Pressuring you to use drugs or alcohol.
• Intimidating you through threatening looks or actions.
• Insulting your parenting or threatening to harm or take away your children or pets.
• Intimidating you with weapons like guns, knives, bats, or mace.
• Destroying your belongings or your home.

Domestic Violence Resources: The Archdiocese of Chicago's Domestic Violence Outreach has a list of resources, available here: https://pvm.archchicago.org/human-dignitysolidarity/domestic-violence-outreach.

The St. Gertrude website has a domestic violence information page and a click-away button in the event someone is monitoring computer use. Here is the link: https://stgertrudechicago.org/domestic-violence-help. 

House of the Good Shepherd Fundraiser



The Sisters of the Good Shepherd have been serving Chicago since 1859 and founded one of the city's first domestic violence programs in 1980.

The House of the Good Shepherd is unique among domestic violence shelters; beyond physical safety, mothers are immersed in a program that sets the foundation for their new lives. In an atmosphere of love and compassion, our families are connected with resources based on their needs, inclusive of legal assistance, education, medical services, childcare and employment. The majority of women who complete the program leave with

permanent housing, savings, and employment and receive long-term support.

The House of The Good Shepherd Women's Board provides a vital source of funding through its annual event, "The Glow of Hope." Its fundraising, volunteering, and advocacy efforts have helped the House serve more than 6,000 mothers and their children.

Please consider attending or donating to this fundraiser. An Afternoon in Paris will take place on Sunday, November 5 at the Four Seasons Hotel. There will be cocktails and a silent auction at noon, with brunch and a live auction at 1:00 pm. Fr. Charles Dahm, the Archdiocesan Director of Domestic Violence Outreach, will be the keynote speaker.

You can also stand with the courageous women and children whom the House of the Good Shepherd serves by donate a gift certificate, an item, or an experience for our auction! Please email tina.abello@hotmailorlebermicloud@icloud.com or go to https://www.hgschicago.org/glow-of-hope-event for information.

Help Needed with Baptismal Classes and with our Live-Streaming Team

We are looking for help with our monthly pre-baptismal sessions, held for new parents and guardians planning to have their child/children baptized at our parish. The classes are typically held on a Monday evening and last around 45 minutes.

Every Sunday, our 10:30 am mass in church is live-streamed by volunteers. Team members using a phone provided by St. Gert's, as well as a camera stand. We'll show volunteers how to go live on Facebook and troubleshoot any issues during the service.

Please reach out to Eloy Escamilla at eescamilla@stgertrudechicago.org with questions or if you can help. 

Kids Word Available at 10:30 am Masses

Kids Word has resumed during the 10:30 am Mass in church. This program offers children aged 4-7 years-old an age-appropriate Gospel message and do fun, scripture-based activities such as coloring or crafts in the Rectory.

Children are invited by the celebrant to come to the altar before the readings and are returned to church before the petitions.

Join the Choir! 



Are you interested in joining St. Gertrude’s choir? We'd love to have you!

Rehearsals are held on Thursdays from 7:00-9:00 pm in church. The choir sings at the 10:30 am Mass in church.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Kathryn at kflynn@stgertrudechicago.org.

Ministers of the Word

• Saturday, October 7 at 5:00 pm - Joseph McMahon, Kathleen Dawson
• Sunday, October 8 at 8:00 am - Marty McDermott, Jennifer Kiedaisch
• Sunday, October 8 at 10:30 am - Troy McMillan, Rose Karasti

Eucharistic Ministers

• Saturday, October 7 at 5:00 pm - Kathy Wall
• Sunday, October 8 at 8:00 am - Barb Daly
• Sunday, October 8 at 10:30 am - Lisa Schneider, Bob Backis, Steven Monti

Cantors and Musicians

• Saturday, October 7 at 5:00 pm - Tim Dowling
• Sunday, October 8 at 8:00 am - Kathryn Flynn
• Sunday, October 8 at 10:30 am - Katherine Viviano

Altar Servers

• Sunday, October 8 at 10:30 am - Carter Dant, cross bearer; Dominic Rubino, Henry Jacobson, Acolytes

Upcoming Mass Intentions

• Monday, October 9: 7:30 am - Richard Slowinski+
• Tuesday, October 10: 7:30 am - Jeanne Hasbrook+
• Wednesday, October 11: 7:30 am - Purgatorial Society
• Thursday, October 12: 7:30 am - Communion service
• Friday, October 13: 7:30 am - Living and deceased parents of St. Gertrude parishioners
• Saturday, October 14: 7:30 am - Pat & Ralph Veccie+; 5:00 pm - Theresa Cenar+; 7:00 pm - Hermandad Tridium+
• Sunday, October 15: 8:00 am - Amy Leagans +, Warren Walker+; 10:30 am in church - Bill O’Toole; 10:30 am Gym Mass – Patricia Meade

If you would like to add a name to the prayer list, please contact the Rectory at 773.764.3621 or email stgertrude1420@stgertrudechicago.org. Names will remain on the list for three weeks. After that time, please renew the name using same contact information.