Bulletin for Sunday, September 17, 2023
24th Sunday in Ordinary Time
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Mass Times: Sunday: 8:00 & 10:30 am Mass in Church; 10:30 am Gym Mass; Monday-Friday: 7:30 am (Thursday is a Communion service); Saturday: 7:30 am & 5:00 pm. The Gym Mass will resume this Sunday, September 17.
Reconciliation: 4:15-4:45 pm on Saturday or by appointment.
Office Hours: The Rectory office is open Monday-Friday from 8:30 am-4:30 pm and Saturday from 9:00 am-2:30 pm.
Heart to Heart Contacts: Sr. Susan Quaintance, OSB/Director/872-296-2537; Laurie Hasbrook/Lending Closet/773-973-5464
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From Fr. Mike With Heartfelt Gratitude
I am back, and I want to thank all of you for your prayers and get well wishes, I am so grateful. I want to thank the parish staff who have gone the extra mile while I have been away, and especially for all their hard work kicking off many ministries last weekend, including Religious Education classes, RCIA, Children's Liturgy of the Word, and choir.
While recovering from surgery, I have had to chance to take a walk around a lot. While walking and reflecting, I been thinking about Pope Francis' Laudate Si which calls us to be God’s stewards and loving caretakers of the earth and its resources. In Laudate Si the call is for us to care for the earth and one another.
Through out this coming fall season, I encourage you to spend time in prayer and thoughtfulness, reflecting on simple ways that you can answer the call to be a better
steward of God's creation. This may mean picking up garbage on the street, using less electricity, intentionally participating in composing, or purchasing products made from recycled material. This also includes being more appreciative while interacting with friends, family, and strangers.
(Father Mike is pictured with his father, Adolph.)
Pet Blessing
October 4th is the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of ecology. While speaking of St. Francis of Assisi, I wanted to share that we will be having blessing of animals on Sunday, October 8th at noon on the steps of the church.
Spiritual Companions - Thank you to Lori and Carol Ann
Last weekend, the parish had the opportunity to meet Lori Dressel and Carol Ann Munro. I hope those of you who are ready take advantage of either of them being a companion on your spiritual Journey. St. Gertrude's is truly blessed to have them as a resource for parishioners.
Register for the Soles of the Parish Fun Walk & Run
Our October 7th 3K is quickly approaching! Please sign up for the event ASAP! Info and a link to register is in an article below.
Author Event Planned for Thursday, September 21
This Thursday, September 21 at 7:00 pm in the Social Hall, St. Gertrude parish and the Chicago Religious Leadership Network on Latin America (CRLN) are partnering to host an author event, with parishioner Kathy Osberger speaking about her book, I Surrender: A Memoir of Chile's Dictatorship, 1975, and her time in Chile during the reign of military dictator General August Pinochet and experiences at the hands of Chile's secret police. I hope to see you there!
Fraud Alert
Finally, I wanted to share that Fr. Paul has asked me to share that there is a fraudulent email being sent to parishioners indicating that he is in need of money. This is a scam, please don't open these types of emails.
This Weekend: Seminarian Education Collection
This is Seminarian Sunday: Please pray for vocations! The second collection is for seminarians. Please be as generous as possible.
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This Week's Marathon Minute by Fr. Mike Bradley
During marathons, I wear a jersey with my name stenciled across my chest. Occasionally, this
leads to surprising developments. A few runners have expressed amazement that a Catholic priest is running alongside them. I’m sometimes asked – during a marathon -- to hear a fellow runner’s confession.
Some years ago, shortly after the halfway marker (about 14 miles), a runner, who was from Ireland, asked me to hear his confession. He explained that he needed to be absolved of his sins – so that he could run faster! I agreed to hear his confession – but I told
him to hurry up. We still had 12 miles to go, and I didn’t want to lose time.
On other occasions, I’ve heard confessions waiting in line for a marathon to begin. God’s grace abounds!
~ Father Mike Bradley
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From Fr. Mike Bradley
The Bank of America Chicago Marathon takes place on October 8th, and along with 45,000 other participants, several Saint Gertrude parishioners and I are prepping for the 26.2 miles.
My most recent marathon was a do-it-yourself event in our Edgewater neighborhood, back in October of 2020, when the regular Chicago marathon had been canceled. Since November of 2020, after experiencing medical setbacks and a surgery, and under doctor’s orders, I had to curtail my running.
However, because of the prayers of many people, I’m able to lace up my shoes and run my 50th marathon. I’m also pleased to be part of this year’s “Soles of Saint Gertrude Parish,” which includes a fun run/walk on October 7th and other activities for our “Marathon Weekend.”
I’m asking you to consider making a donation to Heart-to-Heart, our parish’s outreach to the senior citizens and shut-ins of the Edgewater community, regardless of religious affiliation. Heart-to-Heart operates a lending closet with household medical equipment for those in need, and our volunteers provide rides to the doctor and other errands for those who have limited access. Your support for Heart-to-Heart is a real blessing, and your prayers will enable me to reach the finish line on October 8th.
Please send me your prayer intentions at mbradley2222@yahoo.com, and I will pray for your prayer requests as I run/walk the 26.2 miles of the marathon.
With heartfelt appreciation of your prayers and support,
~ Father Mike Bradley
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Our Marathon Weekend Parish Fundraiser: How to Help
Our parish fundraiser is just a few short weeks away! There are a few ways to help:
Soles of St. Gertrude Parish 3K Fun Run and Walk - Saturday, October 7
The time is NOW to sign up to participate in our 3k Fun Run and Walk! You can register online or fill out registration forms at the back of the church. You can also find additional information and sign up online for this event at https://bit.ly/StGerts3K.
A pep rally for Fr. Mike and all of the other runners will take place after the run, and a special blessing will be given at the 5:00 pm Mass. Please consider attending this, even if you are unable to participate in the Fun Run & Walk!
The event also needs volunteers! Sign up to help at the above link.
T-shirts are available for $15. Orders can be placed at https://bit.ly/StGerts3K.
Sponsor Fr. Mike's Chicago Marathon Efforts - Sunday, October 8
Fr. Mike Bradley will run the Chicago Marathon on Sunday, October 8. We are seeking sponsorships for Father Mike, with all proceeds going to our parish ministries. You can sponsor him online at https://bit.ly/FrMikeRuns or make a donation with a check at church or dropped off at the Rectory. Please add Fr. Mike's name in the memo line.
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Events & Activities at St. Gertrude
listed in chronological order
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Register for Religious Ed Classes!
Registration is still open for our 2023-2024 Religious Education program! Classes will begin on Sunday, September 10, with in-person instruction held on Sunday mornings from 9:15-10:15 am.
Religious Ed registration forms can be found on our website at https://stgertrudechicago.org/religious-education-news. Forms in Spanish are also available on our website. Please note that students must receive two years of preparation in order to make these sacraments.
The fees for the 2023-2024 school year are $210 for one child and an additional $30 for each student from the same family. Tuition can be paid online at https://bit.ly/StGertsRelEdTuition.
An additional sacramental fee of $65 is required for children making their First Communion and First Reconciliation, or their Confirmation. That fee can be paid at https://bit.ly/StGertsSacramentalFee.
Completed forms and any questions about the program should be emailed to Eloy Escamilla at eescamilla@stgertrudechicago.org. Please register before the start date.
Interested in becoming a substitute catechist teacher? Contact Eloy Escamilla at the above email address.
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Kids Word Available at 10:30 am Masses
On Sundays during the 10:30 am Mass in church, children aged 4-7 years-old are invited to attend Kids Word to hear an age-appropriate Gospel message and do fun, scripture-based activities such as coloring or crafts in the Rectory.
Children will be invited by the celebrant to come to the altar before the readings and will return to church before the petitions.
Email eescamilla@stgertrudechicago.org for details.
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Second Collection for Seminarian Education Fund This Weekend
The Seminarian Education Fund provides support for the training and education of men studying for priesthood in the Archdiocese of Chicago. The fund helps to cover the cost to educate each archdiocesan seminarian as they proceed through the various stages of formation before ordination as a priest for Chicago.
During Masses on Saturday, September 16 and Sunday, September 17, there will be a second collection for this fund. Your generosity supports these men answering God’s call to a life of service for the Archdiocese of Chicago.
Please give today at archchicago.org/seminarianfund.
Please support the men seeking to answer God’s call to a life of service as a priest for the Archdiocese of Chicago.
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The Gym Mass Returns This Sunday, September 17
On Sunday, September 17, the Gym Mass will return at its regular 10:30 am time! This more casual Mass is held at 1401 West Granville Avenue.
The 2023 Gym Mass schedule is posted on our parish website at https://stgertrudechicago.org.
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Parishioner Author Event Planned for Thursday, September 21
Parishioner Kathy Osberger has a book that came out this month, titled I Surrender A Memoir of Chile's Dictatorship, 1975.
On Thursday, September 21 at 7:00 pm in the Social Hall, St. Gertrude parish and the Chicago Religious Leadership Network on Latin America (CRLN) are partnering to host an author event, with Kathy speaking about her book and time in Chile during the reign of military dictator General August Pinochet and experiences at the hands of Chile's secret police.
Her book will be available for sale at a reduced price this weekend in the back of church, with a portion donated to St. Gertrude’s.
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Youth Group Trip to Great America Planned for Saturday, September 23
Parish teens in 7th grade and up are invited to a youth group outing to Great America on Saturday, September 23.
We will depart from St. Gertrude at 1 pm and leave to return home at 7:30 pm. There is free bus transportation!
Interested? Contact Eloy Escamilla at eescamilla@stgertrudechicago.org or Jennifer Reyes at jlreyes6901@yahoo.com.
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Care for Real Food & Supply Drive on September 23-24
Our next donation drive will be Saturday, September 23 and Sunday, September 24.
Items needed for neighbors and asylum seekers include:
- Baby wipes
- Diapers sized 4-6
- Pull-ups
- All toiletries
- Menstrual pads
- Ready-to-eat items like granola bars, tuna or chicken salad cracker packs, individual milk boxes
Additionally, you can go to Care for Real's website, https://careforreal.org/wishlist, to make a donation, drop off items at 5341 N. Sheridan Road from 12:00-3:00 pm Monday-Friday.
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Growing in Faith
Have you ever had a heated discussion and spent the next few days in an intense internal monologue crafting how you’ll give that person their comeuppance when next you meet, only to find that it never even registered on their radar? Been there, done that.
The writers of today’s readings knew a little something about that too. Wrath and anger, hugged tight to oneself, take energy, and misdirected energy at that. It is easy to feel aggrieved, and to seek blame. It’s harder to see ourselves as the person causing harm, which unfortunately also happens. And being forgiven ourselves is linked to our capacity to forgive others. Both forgiving and being forgiven require humility, the first because we have to give up our need to be ‘right’, and the latter because we need to recognize when we are truly wrong, to acknowledge our complicity and need to be forgiven.
When we open ourselves to be merciful we suddenly become aware of all the mercies, large and small, given to us. God’s mercy for us is not contingent on some behavior or proportional to what we do, it is unconditional and complete. We are called to do no less for each other. There is no room in God’s kingdom to demonize another person just
because we disagree. Thomas Jefferson said, “When angry, count ten before you speak; if very angry, a hundred.”
The Lord is kind and merciful, slow to anger… I’ll keep working to slow down.
~ Denise Goodman
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Spiritual Directors/Companions Available
Last weekend, Lori Dressel and Carol Ann Munro were in church to discuss the benefits of a spiritual director and companion.
If you've been searching for a deeper relationship with God or wanted to seek God’s help in making you might consider meeting with a spiritual director/companion.
Carol Ann and Lori offer confidential one-on-one sessions at St. Gertrude and the opportunity to slow down and take time to reflect on your experience of life, God’s action and grace in your daily routines and connect deeply to “the Spirit hidden in the depths of your soul.“ (T. Merton)
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.
If you are interested in this, contact Lori Dressel at lorijdressel@gmail.com or Carol Ann Munro at carolannmunro@comcast.net.
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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.
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St. Gertrude Immigrant and Refugee Ministry
As summer winds down, I wanted to give you some updates related to our local neighbors who have migrated here seeking asylum and a better life, and to offer some additional broad viewpoints, as well as some ways to help.
As you know, Laurie Hasbrook has been part of the rapid response network of volunteers working on the many needs of asylum seekers at Broadway Armory, Leone Beach, High Ridge YMCA, and police stations. Care for Real is accepting donations from the parish for the asylum seekers and the current needs are updated regularly in the bulletin.
A lot of these important and necessary interventions have been ad hoc, and I hoped to learn more about a coordinated response from our local officials. The office of the 48th ward alderperson, Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth, sent me this link that aggregates opportunities for material support and volunteering. I'm told it's updated regularly:
Next, I was sent a few brief Ted talks to listen to - they are really something:
We are all still learning a lot about the best way to help. As of today our specific parish response is centered on the donations, but we continue to look at ways we might have a direct impact on bettering the experience of these people who have endured so much already.
Thank you for all you do, for your prayers, and your support.
On behalf of the Refugee and Immigration Committee,
~ Denise Goodman
The next food and supply drive for asylum seekers is September 30-October 1.
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Ministers of the Word, Eucharistic Ministers, Cantors, Musicians, & Altar Servers for This Weekend | | |
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Ministers of the Word
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Saturday, September 16 at 5:00 pm - Joseph McMahon, Kathleen Dawson
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Sunday, September 17 at 8:00 am - David Sullivan, Marty McDermott
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Sunday, September 17 at 10:30 am - Eric Ameyaw, Rafael Melendez
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Eucharistic Ministers
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Saturday, September 16 at 5:00 pm - Roman Reyes
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Sunday, September 17 at 8:00 am - Barb Daly
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Sunday, September 17 at 10:30 am - Steven Monti, Annie Hasselbeck, Stephen Hasselbeck
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Cantors and Musicians
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Saturday, September 16 at 5:00 pm - Jim Manzardo
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Sunday, September 17 at 8:00 am - Kathryn Flynn
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Sunday, September 17 at 10:30 am - Kate Davis
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Altar Servers
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Sunday, September 17 at 10:30 am - Ethan Craft, cross bearer; Grace Cashman, Owen Craft, Acolytes
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Financial Report from Last Weekend
September 9-10
Sunday Collection Envelopes: $3,435.00
Loose Checks: $400.00
Loose Cash/Coins: $885.95
Online Donations: $10,087.37
Total Collected: $14,808.32
Budgeted: $10,000.00
Difference: $4,808.32
Year-to-date Collected FY 2024: $104,485.93
Year-to-date Budgeted FY 2024: $386.400.00
Difference: -$281,914.07
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Please Remember St. Gertrude in Your Will or Trust
When considering which charities to include in your will or trust, we hope you will remember
St. Gertrude. A bequest can be made to our parish using the following language:
“I give [insert specific dollar amount, or percentage of net or residuary] to The Catholic Bishop of Chicago, Tax ID #36-2170826, a corporation sole located in Chicago, Illinois, to be used for the benefit of St. Gertrude located in Chicago, Illinois. However, if St. Gertrude ceases to exist in its current form, then to the new parish or parishes erected in its stead.”
Please consult an attorney and financial advisor when drafting your will or trust. For more information, visit giving.archchicago.org/bequest or contact Eduardo Soto at 773-764-3621 or esoto@stgertrudechicago.org.
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Ways to Help Our Parish: Amazon Smile, Text to Give, GiveCentral, PayPal, and Amazon Smile
Visit smile.amazon.com and select St. Gertrude Parish as your charity of choice. From then on, connect to Amazon through smile.amazon.com and St. Gertrude will automatically benefit as your charity of choice.
We have set up a "Text to Give" option through GiveCentral. Parishioners are welcome to text the word Donate to 1.773.741.9505 to make a donation via phone.
To access our PayPal link, please visit our parish website and donate from there. GiveCentral offers parishioners the option of one-time gifts or weekly contributions.
For more information on text to give or to sign up for online giving, please email Eduardo Soto at esoto@stgertrudechicago.org.
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Upcoming Mass Intentions
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Monday, September 18: 7:30 am - Living and deceased parent of St. Gertrude parishioners
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Tuesday, September 19: 7:30 am - People of God
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Wednesday, September 20: 7:30 am - Antoinette G. Linke+
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Thursday, September 21: 7:30 am - Communion Service
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Friday, September 22: 7:30 am - People of God
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Saturday, September 23: 7:30 am - Purgatorial Society, Juanita Gusmanos; 5:00 pm - Patricia Meade+
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Sunday, September 24: 8:00 am - People of God; 10:30 am in church - People of God; 10:30 am Gym Mass – People of God
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Please Keep the Following People in Your Prayers | |
- Carlos Barragan
- Zara Bradley
- Lilly Buie
- Hallie Burhoe
- Maggie Callaway
- Aida Calvopina
- Claire Conley
- Denise DeBelle
- Ann Collins Dole
- Connie Engelmohr
- Mr. and Mrs. Emin Euman
- Luke Fitzgerald
- Gina Heidkamp
- Maria Hertl
- Erica Maria Kast
- Bernice Kiedysz
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- Marilyn Klein
- Ignacio Lopez
- Janet McCulley
- Jack McDermott
- Nancy Michael
- Andy Mueller
- Karey Myers
- Donald Nyderek
- Claude Poulsen
- Richard Seitz
- Willy Spalla
- Elinora E. Tolentino
- Manuel & Norma Viray
- Leon Ward
- Janice Wittenberg
- Yyes Yoza
- Joel Pozzi Zio
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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. | | | | |
