St. Gertrude Chicago

All are Welcome

1420 W. Granville, Chicago, IL 60660

773.764.3621

stgertrude1420@stgertrudechicago.org

www.stgertrudechicago.org

Bulletin for Sunday, December 17, 2023

Third Sunday of Advent

From Fr. Mike Gabriel

Many refer to this Sunday as “Pink Sunday”. The real term is Gaudete Sunday, from the Latin word meaning “rejoice.” This Sunday encourages us to rejoice in anticipation of the ever-nearing celebration of Christ’s birth. 

Update on our Newest Parishioners 

As you may have read in last week’s bulletin, our parish is hosting a family from Venezuela. Many have inquired about how they are doing and how we can assist them.

Miguel and Angie and their two children are slowly getting a bit more settled. The Immigrant and Refugee Ministry will have a member to serve as a liaison, working with the family, finding out their needs, as well as helping them settle into their new home. 

Christmas is bound to be a little difficult in their hearts, especially being separated from family and friends. Let us ask the Prince of Peace to bring peace and comfort to them.

Special thanks to the members of the Refugee Committee who were able to get this family so quickly situated. 

Giving Tree Donations

Thank you to all of you who have participated in our Giving Tree this year! This coming week, we will send the gift cards off to Care for Real and to the Refugee Committee. We will leave the boxes up until next Sunday, December 24th, in case someone hasn’t had the chance to give yet.

Upcoming Events

Today is the Parish Advent Reconciliation service at 1:00 pm.

The Longest Night is this coming Thursday, December 21 at 6:00 pm. We will remember and honor the homeless who have died while living on the streets. 

Christmas and New Year’s Schedule

We’ll have our usual 8:00 am and 10:30 am Mass times on Sunday, December 24 and Sunday, December 31; however, there are no Gym Masses.  

St. Gertrude's Christmas Schedule

Christmas Eve

Sunday, December 24

• 5:00 pm Family Mass (live-streamed) - Music by the Dunne family & Jennifer Dunne students
• 7:30 -8:00 pm Choral music (live-streamed)
• 8:00 pm Vigil Mass (live-streamed) - St. Gertrude Choir (Matt Heimer, Cantor), Jim Szmurlo, Trumpet & Violin, JT O’Toole, Double Bass

Christmas Day

Monday, December 25

• 8:00 am - Kathryn Flynn, Mezzo-Soprano, Mary Horan, Piano, John Horan, Guitar, TBD, Violin
• 10:30 am (live-streamed) - Kathryn Flynn, Mezzo-Soprano & Piano, JT O’Toole, Double Bass, Jo Sison, Violin, Augustine Melecio, Trumpet
• Rectory office closed

Tuesday, December 26

• Rectory office closed
• 7:30 am - Mass

New Year's Eve

Sunday, December 31

• 5:00 pm - Mass

New Year's Day - Mary, Mother of God

Monday, January 1

• Rectory office closed
• 8:00 am - Mass
• 10:30 am - Mass (live-streamed)

Last Weekend to Buy Greenery! In-Person Sales Happening This Sunday

This is the final weekend of St. Gertrude’s annual Christmas greenery sale. An 18” wreath is $25, the 24” is $27, and the 36” is $35. Garland is also available for $40 per 5’ length. Trees have sold out.

Purchase In-Person or Order Online & Pick-Up on Sunday

Greenery will be sold at the playlot on the west side of the Social Hall, 1401 W. Granville Avenue this Sunday, December 17 from 11:30 am-1:00 pm. Only cash and checks will be accepted for in-person purchases.

Purchase wreaths and garland online at https://bit.ly/StGertsChristmasGreenery. Orders can be picked-up in person on Sunday, December 17 at the playlot.

St. Gertrude's Giving Tree Program: Donation Deadline Extended

The Giving Trees are in the back of Church. We will again be asking for gift cards, rather than gifts. This allows flexibility for individuals to get what they need. The benefactors of the Giving Tree collections will be Care for Real and the St. Gertrude Refugee and Immigrant Ministry.

Care for Real is asking for gift cards in $20.00 increments to Target, Jewel, and Walmart. They are also asking for Ventra passes. The Refugee Ministry is requesting $20 gift cards to Target. We are also asking for $10 McDonald’s gift cards to provide immediate meals for those who request them.

There are two boxes at the front of church, by the statue of Mary. One will be for Care for Real and one for the Refugee Ministry. Please place your gift cards into whichever organization you would like to support. The McDonald’s gift cards can be placed in either box. The last chance to donate gift cards has been extended to Sunday, December 24.

We hope that in this most joyous of seasons you will be able to support the Giving Tree program. Each gift card will allow others to be able to have a blessed and happy Christmas celebration.

If you have any questions, please reach out to the Giving Tree Program coordinator Joe McMahon at jpmgmu@aol.com or at 708.525.5051.

Our Advent Reconciliation Service is This Sunday, December 17



On Sunday, December 17, at 1:00 pm in church, we will celebrate our Advent Reconciliation. Please join us for this special service of scripture, hymns, and guided reflection, offering us some “quiet in the midst of the storm” as we celebrate the forgiveness of our sins in preparation for the celebration of Christmas.

Everyone is welcome. This service usually lasts about 45 minutes.

7th & 8th Grade Students Invited to Participate in our Essay Contest: Deadline is December 18

Students in the 7th and 8th grade are invited to take part in our annual essay contest. Participants should write an essay in response to this question: What is your role as a Christian Catholic to obtain world peace?

Entries should be 500-600 words. Spelling and grammar count!

The top three winners will receive gift cards and have their essays published online and in the bulletin.

Entries must be submitted online or postmarked by Monday, December 18, 2023. Email essays (preferred method) to eescamilla@stgertrudechicago.org or mail them to Eloy Escamilla, 1420 W. Granville, Chicago, IL 60660. 

Advent Journey with Jesus: New Bible Study Classes Offered - All are Welcome to our Monday, December 18 Classes

Please join Fr. Paul Àdajà for a special Advent-focused Bible study on Mondays! The session will take place in the Ministry Center on December 18 from 10:00-11:00 am and again from 7:00-8:00 pm. Attendees are encouraged to read the assigned passages beforehand and come with their bibles. 

On Monday, December 18, the topic is John the Baptist, Jesus, and Me and the reading is Luke 1:59-66; Luke 2: 1-7.

Questions? Email Fr. Paul at padaja@stgertrudechicago.org.

Longest Night of the Year: Homeless Persons Memorial Vigil is Thursday, December 21

On Thursday, December 21st, the first night of winter and the longest night of darkness, we will gather to remember those who have died while homeless. They die alone - in tents, shelters, and on the streets. On

this evening, we will mourn their passing at 6:00 pm in church.

We hope you can join us.

Christmas Eve Pageant Practice Set for Saturday, December 23

As is our tradition during the Gospel at the Christmas Eve 5:00 pm Family Mass, the kids from St. Gertrude parish will act out the Christmas story.

If you have signed up to participate, please note that there will be a practice next Saturday, December 23rd at 11:00 am in the Church.

No Gym Mass Until January 2024

There is no Gym Mass on Sunday, December 24, Christmas Day, or Sunday, December 31.

Please join us in church for the 10:30 am Mass.

A Message from Heart to Heart

The Heart to Heart and Lending Closet offices will be closed for Christmas on Tuesday, December 26 and Thursday, December 28.

Laurie and Sr. Susan are so grateful for the volunteers, donors, and all the friends and members of our community. You have shown us what Incarnation -- Jesus being born among us -- is all about. We wish everyone much joy during this season of Light and Love.

You're Invited to An Evening of Romance

Save the date! St. Gertrude's Marriage Ministry is planning a special evening for couples on Saturday, February 10. The night will celebrate, renew, and strengthen your sacred commitment to your life partner. 

All couples are welcome, but space is limited!

The night will start off with Mass, followed by cocktails, appetizers, dinner, and dancing. Dim lighting, romantic decorations and great food will set the mood for an evening for you and your partner to reconnect and socialize with other couples in the Social Hall.

The cost is $125 per couple and includes dinner, beer, and wine. Tickets will be sold beginning December 18th at the rectory. Gift certificates are available - this would be a great Christmas present!

For more information, contact mgabriel@stgertrudechicago.org or spatterson@stgertrudechicago.org. 

Growing in Faith

Thomas Merton, the great Trappist mystic and writer, says, “The Advent mystery is the beginning of the end of all in us that is not yet Christ.” 

Those Trappists don’t mess around. How do we spot that which is not yet Christ in us?

There is a homeless woman who stays under the viaduct on Glenlake Avenue by Whole Foods. My warm, comfy bed is two blocks from her cold cardboard mattress. When I jog by her, I feel that which is not yet Christ in me.

At the Armory on Broadway, I see all those little kids trudging behind their moms, aimless, tired, and stuck. When I drive by, I feel that which is not yet Christ in me.

Isaiah has the best advice. He says to go to the poor, the brokenhearted, the captives, and the prisoners. Stand with and for them. Then the part in you that is not yet Christ will move. 

So, we should go to the peripheries. Put those most counted out in the center of our consciousness. When we extend ourselves to the poor, the marginalized,  and the suffering, then room for God’s Providence is created between us, beneath us, and before us. 

Then there will be more Christ in us. The Incarnation will happen again.

See you under the viaduct.

~John Horan

Thank you for Contributing to the Second Collection for Retirement Fund for Religious Last Weekend

Our women and men religious offer gratitude. A sister shares, “I thank the Lord for all who give. I don’t think we would make it without them.”

Thank you for giving to the Retirement Fund for Religious last week. Your donation makes a difference in the lives of elderly women and men religious. To learn more about how your gift helps, visit retiredreligious.org. 

Baptisms

• Iker Gel Diaz Adame
• Agnes Marie Sjors

Rest in Peace

• Edward Simon, Jr. (click for info)

Ministers of the Word

• Saturday, December 16 at 5:00 pm - Susan McKean, Roman Reyes
• Sunday, December 17 at 8:00 am - Jennifer Kiedaisch, Kathryn Stimac
• Sunday, December 17 at 10:30 am - Martha Mulligan, Mary Clare Barker

Eucharistic Ministers

• Saturday, December 16 at 5:00 pm - Tim Harrington
• Sunday, December 17 at 8:00 am - Marty McDermott
• Sunday, December 17 at 10:30 am - Tim Love, Annie Hasselbeck, Stephen Hasselbeck

Cantors and Musicians

• Saturday, December 16 at 5:00 pm - Kathryn Flynn
• Sunday, December 17 at 8:00 am - Jim Manzardo
• Sunday, December 17 at 10:30 am - Matt Heimer

Altar Servers

• Sunday, December 17 at 10:30 am - Cross bearer - Owen Craft, Acolytes - Mary Kate Cashman, Xavier Lassus

Upcoming Mass Intentions

• Monday, December 18: 7:30 am - Living and deceased parents of St. Gertrude parishioners
• Tuesday, December 19: 7:30 am - Larry McCauley+
• Wednesday, December 20: 7:30 am - Gabrielle Albarillo
• Thursday, December 21: 7:30 am - Communion Service; 10:00 am - Sacred Heart Christmas Mass
• Friday, December 22: 7:30 am - Purgatorial Society
• Saturday, December 23: 7:30 am - Cecila Onyibor; 5:00 pm - Peter & Mary Tunney+
• Sunday, December 24: 8:00 am - Edith Ellero; 10:30 am in church - Joseph & Isabelle Laczkowski+; 10:30 am Gym Mass - People of God

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.