Bulletin for Sunday, July 30
& Sunday, August 6, 2023
17th Sunday in Ordinary Time & Transfiguration of the Lord
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From Fr. Mike
Around this time of the year, the first of August, excitement and chaos begin to fill the air. Soon, many things will be starting up again, NCA, Religious Education, RCIA, choir, to name just a few. Lots of things are happening here at St. Gertrude’s, so hang on!
We pay tribute to two Jubilarians, Rev. Bill Creed who celebrating 60 years in the Society of Jesus and Sister Kathryn Stimac, who has been a part of the Joliet Franciscan Sisters for 66 years. Their vocations are a symbol of God’s love for all of us. Thank you both for your dedication and the love you have shown us!
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Soles of the Parish
As you may have read in the last bulletin and in this one, we are organizing a Marathon Weekend, October 6-8. Our Soles of the Parish fun run and walk is being planned for Saturday, October 7!
Early registration will start in two weeks. Get your friends and family ready to sign up and have fun!
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Fireside Chats
Special thanks to Stephanie Clark, who led an insightful discussion on gender identity at our July talk.
Please join us for the next Fireside chat, planned for Wednesday, August 16 at 7:00 pm. The topic is immigration.
“I was a stranger and you welcomed me” ~ Matthew 25:35
The Catholic faith tradition has a long, rich history of hospitality and respect for the stranger or alien.
The Church call us to a vision of unity in diversity as part of the parish life by helping immigrants, migrants, refugees and people on the run from injustices.
Here are a few articles you might like to read prior to the discussion:
I also recommend reading a wonderful book called Solito: A Memoir by Javier Zamora.
Author Event Planned
Parishioner Kathy Osberger has a book coming out August 18th, titled I Surrender A Memoir of Chile's Dictatorship, 1975. On Thursday, September 21, we will host an author event, with Kathy speaking about her book and time in Chile during the reign of military dictator General August Pinochet and her experiences at the hands of Chile's secret police.
Her book will be available for sale at a reduced price in two weeks in the back of church, with a portion donated to St. Gertrude’s.
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Events & Activities at St. Gertrude
listed in chronological order
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Donations Needed for Asylum Seekers - Collections on the August 6-7/Updated List of Needed Below
We are so appreciative of the many parishioners who dropped off donations to asylum seekers these past few weeks! Thank you so very much for your generosity.
Donations of the following items can be left in the back of church before and after Masses on the first Weekend of the month, August 6-7.
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Children's, women's & men's underwear (S/M/L - NEW ONLY).
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Children's, women's, men's tennis/athletic shoes (NEW ONLY, nothing larger than a men's 9).
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Rolling suitcases (new or like-new).
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Strollers in LIKE NEW condition
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Sanitary napkins (NO tampons).
- Diapers size 3T, 4T, 5T.
- Children's scooters, bike helmets
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We are NOT accepting food, or clothing.
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Book Club - Monday, August 14
On Monday, June 12, the book club will discuss The Shack: Where Tragedy Confronts Eternity by William P. Young.
Save the date! The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai will be discussed at the September 11 book club.
We would love new voices and opinions!
Contact Lea Cloninger at 773.973.2465 or Sue Benjamin at 773.551.8401 with questions.
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Altar Server Training - Thursday, August 24
Students in 5th grade and up are invited to become altar servers! There is a training session planned for Thursday, August 24th 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.
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Care for Real Food & Supply Drive - August 26-27
Thank you so much to those who donated to our monthly Food & Supply Drive.
Our next collection for Care for Real is the weekend of August 26 and August 27.
Special needs requested by Care for Real will be shared in the next bulletin.
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PreCana Class Offered at St. Gertrude on Saturday, September 9
Pre Cana classes at St. Gertrude are primarily intended for couples getting married at St. Gertrude. Before registering you must speak with Father Mike Gabriel about your planned wedding at St. Gertrude or receive consent to attend if you are getting married at a different parish.
This full day, in-person gathering on Saturday, September 9 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. Lunch and snacks are provided.
Couples can register for the September session by calling the Rectory office at 773.764.3621or by filling out an online form at https://stgertrudechicago.org/marriage.
The cost of PreCana is covered by the church fee couples planning a wedding at St. Gertrude are charged.
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Golden Wedding Anniversary Mass – September 17
Congratulations to all of the couples celebrating 50 years of marriage this year! The Golden Wedding Anniversary Mass is scheduled to be held on Sunday, September 17, 2023 at 2:30 pm. The Mass will be celebrated at Holy Name Cathedral, 735 North State Street, Chicago, IL 60654.
Please register by September 15, 2023. Click here for information & to register.
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Help Needed to Plan our Parish’s New Event: Marathon Weekend - October 6-8!
We are organizing a very special fundraising event the weekend of the Chicago Marathon! Fr. Mike Bradley has committed to running his 50th marathon and we will celebrate this incredible achievement with a weekend full of fun activities.
We are still planning an event for Friday, October 6. But on Saturday, October 7, we will hold a 3K Soles of the Parish walk and run with parishioners encouraged to participate, followed by a pep rally for Fr. Mike and all of the other marathon participants, and a special blessing at the 5:00 pm Mass. Additionally, we’ll sell special t-shirts to commemorate this weekend of fun.
All funds will go to Heart to Heart and other parish ministries.
We do have some amazing parishioners who have volunteered to help and I'm so grateful for them. But I am looking for extra hands to plan and also to assist with organizing sponsorships opportunities. Send me an email at mgabriel@stgertrudechicago.org if you can pitch in!
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St. Gertrude Class of 1973's 50th Reunion Planned for October 14
Attention all St. Gertrude Class of 1973 members! It has been 50 years and time for us to celebrate, reminisce, and reconnect.
We are trying to contact our entire class but are missing several people. If you have not heard from us and have interest in attending, please contact me at vic.rigs@comcast.net or 847.899.8146. If you are not from our class but are related to or are friends with someone who is, please share my information with them.
Thank you and I hope to see you on October 14!
-Vicki Vallely Righeimer
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Spiritual Directors/Companions Available
Are you searching for a deeper relationship with God? Have you wanted to seek God’s help in making a major decision, but haven’t been quite sure how to do it? Would you like to connect to your purpose in life? Would you like to explore the spiritual dimensions of the issues, struggles and “stuck” places in your life?
You might consider meeting with a Spiritual Director/Companion.
We are blessed to have two spiritual directors/companions in our parish who offer confidential one-on-one sessions at St. Gertrude’s. Spiritual Direction provides 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.
“Within each of us dwells the desire to find meaning beyond the moment… To discover our true selves, to grow closer to God, and to each other. A Spiritual Director can help you satisfy that longing.” ~ Spiritual Directors International
If you are interested in learning more about spiritual direction contact Lori Dressel lorijdressel@gmail.com, or Carol Ann Munro carolannmunro@comcast.net.
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Registration Open for our 2023-2024 Religious Ed Program
Registration is now 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 at https://bit.ly/RelEd2023-2024 and 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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Interested in Becoming Catholic?
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is a process by which adults learn more about the Catholic Church. This free program begins in the fall and meets until Pentecost.
Many people who begin RCIA are non-Catholics seeking to become Catholic or at least to explore whether Catholicism might be a good home. Those who complete the process and decide to become Catholic are initiated into the Church at the Easter Vigil Mass on Holy Saturday. Others who take RCIA are already Catholic but want a deeper understanding of their faith foundation.
The RCIA process does not ask those who have been baptized in another faith to give up their denominational experiences. Rather, the RCIA process 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.
Classes begin in September.
If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about the RCIA process at St. Gertrude, contact Eloy Escamilla at eescamilla@stgertrudechicago.org or call the Rectory at 773.764.3621.
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Growing in Faith
My amazing niece, Anna, was married this summer. And because she’s such a superb planner, she gave much thought to every detail of that weekend. One of those details that I liked especially was her request to the wedding guests: please put all mobile phones and recording devices aside during the ceremony. Instead of looking through the camera lens of an iPhone 12, the couple wanted people to witness the ceremony in real time, versus record for posterity.
I wonder whether our lives haven’t been skewed by the pandemic worlds of cell phone Cameras, Zooms & Social Media postings. Are we in attendance at meaningful events or are we recording them? How do we just
BE HERE NOW and experience the rich, beautiful moments that are marked with our presence at important life occasions? We are so lucky that we are now gathering again in numbers, but our sense of ‘what is important in front of us’ may need a little re-tweaking.
Which reminds me of Peter at the Transfiguration. You gotta love Peter! He misses the point again and again…just like the rest of us. Instead of experiencing the awesome moment, Peter wants to make tents for Jesus, Moses and Elijah!! Recently, Pat Reardon said: “What if Peter had an iPhone at the Transfiguration?!” Whoa! I think, if Peter whipped out his iPhone to capture the moment, a lightening bolt would’ve fried that phone faster than you coulda said, “Lordy!”
So, the message? Pay attention and be present. That’s it.
-Claire Conley
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St. Gertrude Parish Garden
We harvested some very large radishes this week , a few more beans, some green peppers, and a bunch of herbs and shared them with Care for Real and St. Thomas of Canterbury's soup kitchen. And our tomatoes should be ripening soon!
Thank you so much to Max Schweikert for leading the efforts on the garden project and Mary Clare Barker for her help too!
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The Chosen: A Spiritual Reflection Retreat
If you are a fan of The Chosen, the first-ever multi-season television show about Jesus starring Catholic actor Jonathan Roumie as Jesus, or have heard great things about it and have been thinking about checking it out, you may be interested The Chosen: A Spiritual Reflection Retreat offered at Bellarmine Jesuit Retreat House in Barrington, October 6-9.
There are fliers about the retreat on the tables at the back of the church. If you have questions or would like additional information, contact Hallie Burhoe at hdburhoe@comcast.net or Carol Ann Munro at carolannmunro@comcast.net.
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After six years of parish restructuring, the majority of our parishes are now poised to focus and invest in spiritual renewal. It is an exciting moment for us, as an Archdiocesan family, while we move forward with renewed commitment to Christ's call to renew His Church.
Our spiritual renewal must be both personal and communal, marked by a fresh and ongoing encounter with Jesus, a deep sense of belonging nurtured through relationships and a commitment to bold sharing as we intentionally share the gift of our faith.
Are you ready to share Christ's love with others and create a parish of belonging?
Meaningful Connections Create Trust
It is human nature to seek connection, which involves trust. While that takes time, any meaningful conversation is a start.
Ask the Holy Spirit to show you when there's an opportunity for a deeper conversation that could lead to sharing your faith story with someone - it might help them encounter God in their own lives.
Not sure what to share? Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- If I could thank God for just one moment in my life it would be ______ and why?
- If I could thank God for just one person I’ve encountered on my faith journey it would be _______ and why?
- If I had to tell someone why I am Catholic/a believer I would have to say….
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Rest in Peace
Josephina Hernandez
Jo Anne Joyce
Mary McKean
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Baptisms
- Chloe Loise Michele Garcia
- Basil Patrick Hermes
- Bronwen Ellen Preston
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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, July 29 at 5:00 pm - Jayne Deiters, Joseph McMahon
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Sunday, July 30 at 8:00 am - Rob Sierzega, Jay Cook
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Sunday, July 30 at 10:30 am - Rafael Melendez, Rose Karasti
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Saturday, August 5 at 5:00 pm - Patrick Reardon, Millie Slane
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Sunday, August 6 at 8:00 am - Marty McDermott, Art Lyons
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Sunday, August 6 at 10:30 am - Anthony Myers, Eric Ameyaw
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Eucharistic Ministers
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Saturday, July 29 at 5:00 pm - Mary Cook
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Sunday, July 30 at 8:00 am - Barb Daly
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Sunday, July 30 at 10:30 am - Tim Love, Annie Hasselbeck, Michael Kowalsky
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Saturday, August 5 at 5:00 pm - Kathleen Dawson
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Sunday, August 6 at 8:00 am - Barb Daly
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Sunday, August 6 at 10:30 am - Maria Ugarte, Rafael Melendez, Troy McMillan
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Cantors and Musicians
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Saturday, July 29 at 5:00 pm - Paula Dempsey
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Sunday, July 30 at 8:00 am - Denise Goodman
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Sunday, July 30 at 10:30 am - Dana Sullivan
- Saturday, August 5 at 5:00 pm - Bernie O'Connor, Mary Horan, voice, John Flynn, djembe, John Horan, guitar
- Sunday, August 6 at 8:00 am - Jim Manzardo
- Sunday, August 6 at 10:30 am - Amir Ghazaleh, trombone, John Flynn, djembe
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Altar Servers
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Sunday, July 30 at 10:30 am - cross bearer - Carter Dant
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Financial Reports from July 15-16 and July 22-23
July 15-16
Sunday Collection Envelopes: $2,653.00
Loose Checks: $385.00
Loose Cash/Coins: $568.26
Online Donations: $5,118.77
Total Collected: $8,725.03
Budgeted: $10,000.00
Difference: -$1,274.97
Year-to-date Collected: $28,714.51
Year-to-date Budgeted: $386.400.00
Difference: -$357,685.49
July 22-23
Sunday Collection Envelopes: $2,401.00
Loose Checks: $455.00
Loose Cash/Coins: $758.63
Online Donations: $4,247.65
Total Collected: $7,862.28
Budgeted: $10,000.00
Difference: -$2,137.72
Year-to-date Collected: $36,576.79
Year-to-date Budgeted: $386,400.00
Difference: -$349,823.21
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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, July 31: 7:30 am - Roxanne Faurot +
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Tuesday, August 1: 7:30 am - Peter & Mary Tunney +
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Wednesday, August 2: 7:30 am - Purgatorial Society
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Thursday, August 3: 7:30 am - Communion Service
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Friday, August 4: 7:30 am - Living & deceased parents of St. Gertrude parishioners
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Saturday, August 5: 7:30 am - People of God; 5:00 pm - Greg Wall +
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Sunday, August 6: 8:00 am - People of God; 10:30 am Mass in church – Jim Corbett, Sr. +, Jack Degnan +, Kevin Corbett +
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Monday, August 7: 7:30 am - Augusto Batungbakal +, CFD Lt. Victor H. Strubbe +
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Tuesday, August 8: 7:30 am - Barbara Stopa +
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Wednesday, August 9: 7:30 am - Delores Marie Winslow +
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Thursday, August 10: 7:30 am - Communion Service; Kathryn Smith +
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Friday, August 11: 7:30 am - Purgatorial Society
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Saturday, August 12: 7:30 am - Living & deceased parents of St. Gertrude parishioners; 5:00 pm - Hal Mann +
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Sunday, August 13: 8:00 am - Isabel Morrissey; 10:30 am Mass in church – Elue family
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Please Keep the Following People in Your Prayers | |
- Carlos Barragan
- Zara Bradley
- Lilly Buie
- Aida Calvopina
- Claire Conley
- Denise DeBelle
- Ann Collins Dole
- 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
- Karey Myers
- Donald Nyderek
- Richard Seitz
- Elinora E. Tolentino
- Manuel & Norma Viray
- Leon Ward
- Janice Wittenberg
- Yyes Yoza
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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. | | | | |
