Bulletin for Sunday, October 30, 2022
31st 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
There is no Gym Mass on Sunday, October 30. There is a combined 10:30 am Mass in Church.
Reconciliation: 4:15-4:45 pm on Saturday or by appointment.
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From Fr. Rich
Welcome the Stranger: Your Support Honors Jesus' Call
Asylum seekers — men, women, and children — are arriving in Chicago. Will you welcome the stranger? We are the body of Christ alive in this world. The stranger is hungering and thirsting — Christ is presenting himself to us in their need. We are called to respond with faith and love.
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Thousands of people are fleeing violence, political oppression, and overwhelming poverty in Central and South American countries. Since early September, parishes, priests, religious sisters and brothers, church ministries, and Catholic Charities have shown an outpouring of concern for these travelers.
These brothers and sisters in need have revealed to us the fragility, strength, and sacredness of our shared humanity. In turn, they are experiencing the love of Christ through the compassion of volunteers and employees.
Over 3,000 asylum seekers arrived in Chicago by mid-October, and a coordinated Catholic response is underway so we can maximize our collective impact. We are providing pastoral care and considering options such as transitional shelter and parish-family sponsorship opportunities.
How You Can Help
Make a financial donation at Mass next weekend, November 5th & 6th. A second collection will directly support our collective response. Catholic Charities is serving as the central collection point for donations, which can also be made online at www.catholiccharities.net or by calling 312.655.7525.
Join response efforts by contacting Tori Bawel at Catholic Charities at WelcomeTheStranger@catholiccharities.net.
Pray for our brother and sister asylum seekers arriving in Chicago. Pray for these mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, that they are welcomed and embraced with Jesus' compassion — and pray that those serving them are sustained by God's grace.
We will keep you informed, and welcome your questions, support, and prayer.
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Pastor's Column
“Christian Nationalism” is a term we hear more often on the new these days. It is a catch-all phrase containing within its scope many different groups here in our nation, but also in other parts of the world, which is a cover for some far right wing extremism, including White Supremacy and a call to “restore” the nation to its once-upon-a-time greatness -- or at least what those who belong to it want to identify as those once supposed golden days of anti-Black, anti-minority laws and patterns of behavior that rendered this nation far from being “land of the free, home of the brave” -- unless you were white.
These are nothing more or less than organized hate groups hiding under a banner that falsely identifies them as followers of the Christian faith pursuing the good of the nation. In fact, it is the same charade hate groups have used for years. I believe it was Samuel Johnson who captured this idea so perfectly when he said, “Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel.” So, it is not a surprise that Christian Nationalists love to wrap themselves in the flag.
Last week, former President Trump again joined his friends in this movement while spewing hate-filled comments that were anti-Semitic. One way you can often identify those who are part of this movement is that there is, in nearly everything they talk about, a constant us vs. them mentality. There is always an enemy who doesn’t look like us, believe like us, etc.
Those who belong to these hate groups don’t only spew hate-filled words, they are also very prone to violence against anyone who isn’t like them.
On this weekend before Halloween, let us be more insistent about taking off the masks and costumes of groups whose titles sound like something we would be interested in joining, and expose them for their hatreds and hypocrisy. Christian Nationalists are NOT followers of Jesus Christ, nor do they have the true character of the nation’s best interest at heart.
Congratulations
Parishioner Joy Cunningham was recently named to a seat on the Illinois Supreme Court. Congratulations and best wishes to Joy as she assumes these new duties.
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A Letter from Cardinal Cupich: Help for Asylum Seekers
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
The sudden and unexpected influx of men, women and children seeking asylum to U.S cities, including Chicago, over recent weeks has presented our community with significant challenges but also significant opportunities to share God’s message of compassion and joy. The plight of these asylum seekers, most of whom are fleeing violence, political oppression and crushing poverty in their home countries causes us grave concern, but I am convinced that this is a moment for us to join together in a mission of love and mercy.
Over 3,000 asylum seekers arrived in our city as of mid-October. Almost all the migrants we have welcomed report that they plan to stay in the Chicago area and will need support to reestablish their lives. Unlike other migrants, most do not have relatives in the States with whom they can live and learn as they build new lives.
The Catholic community has shown an outpouring of compassion as churches, religious
congregations, and other ministries have opened their doors, and Catholic Charities has deployed a team to connect people with loved ones and conduct initial needs assessments. Across the Church, many parishes have responded, and more help is needed. We have mobilized to create a coordinated Catholic response to assist asylum seekers so we might maximize the impact of our assistance as we bear witness to our faith. A working group has gathered to evaluate opportunities to serve. We are
considering several options including transitional shelter, parish sponsorships, and pastoral care for asylum seekers.
In support of these efforts, parishes throughout the Archdiocese will hold a second collection for asylum seekers at all Masses celebrated the weekend of November 5-6. The commitment of faithful Catholics like you will help ensure the success of this mission. Please consider giving to this collection or giving directly to Catholic Charities which will serve as a central gathering point for donations. You can make a donation to this effort by following a link on the Catholic Charities website: www.catholiccharities.net, by emailing donations@catholiccharities.net, or by calling 312.655.7525.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Cardinal Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago
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Upcoming Events
Listed in Chronological Order
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Fill out our Parish Survey! Listening Session this Saturday, October 29 After the 5:00 pm Mass
The Pastoral Parish Council (PPC) invites you to fill out a survey, linked below, by scanning the QR code in the image, or filling out a paper survey in church.
Members of the Parish Pastoral Council will be available on Saturday, October 29 after the 5:00 pm Mass to listen to parishioners.
Survey Link
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All Saints Day (November 1) & All Souls Day (November 2) Mass Times/Ofrenda
This Monday is Halloween (Eve of All Hallows) and ushers us into the Month of Remembrance. All Saints Day is a Holy Day of Obligation. Masses for the Holy Day will be a Vigil Mass at 6:30 pm on Halloween, Monday, October 31, and on Tuesday, November 1, Masses will be at 7:30 am and the NCA Mass at 8:30 am.
Mass on All Souls Day, Wednesday, November 2, is at 7:30 am.
We also invite you to bring a photo or other small item for the Altar of Remembrance (the Ofrenda) which will be in front of the Blessed Mother’s shrine in the front of church. Items may be placed at any time, and you can pick them up Thanksgiving weekend.
Next to the Ofrenda is the Book of the Dead. Everyone is invited to inscribe the name of your loved ones into the Book of the Dead and they will be remembered in a special way throughout November.
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All Saints Day at St. Gertrude
All Saints Day is a day we recognize those who are known to God as saints, not only those canonized by the Church. Therefore, All Saint’s Day celebrates all faithful followers of Jesus throughout history.
At the side altar, that of St. Theresa, we will have on display some relics of Saints that we have here at St. Gertrude as well as some thoughts about present and future saints.
This is a great opportunity to spend some time asking the Saints for guidance and a great teaching tool for all.
~ Fr. Mike Gabriel
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Parish Service Awards: Seeking Nominations for Recognition by Tuesday, November 1
Every year at our Thanksgiving Day Mass, we present the St. Gertrude Parish Service Awards to parishioners who have been giving generous service through a parish ministry or volunteer activity. Awards are given in the areas of Youth Ministry, Human Concerns, Education, Parish Life, Prayer & Worship, and Lifetime Service.
Please consider any parishioner you feel should be recognized for her or his outstanding service to the parish and the broader community and email your nomination(s) to me at rprendergast@stgertrudechicago.org. Or you can fill out the nomination form linked below and put it in the Sunday collection or drop it off at the Rectory. Please send your nomination in by Tuesday, November 1.
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Mass of Remembrance - Saturday, November 5 at 5:00 pm
Each year, during the Month of Remembrance, November, when we celebrate the feasts of All Saints and All Souls - we remember in a special way all those who have died in our parish and families in the past year. This special Rite of Remembrance will take place immediately after the homily at the 5:00 pm Mass on November 5th. In this simple ritual, the names of each of those who had died in each month is called out and a candle with their name is lit. After the names of those who died in one month are read, the congregation sings a refrain. Families and loved ones are encouraged to come forward after Mass and take home the candle with their loved one’s name on it.
If you have any family members or friends who died in the past year, including outside of the city/country, and we do not already have their name, please call 773.764.3621 or email mgarcia@stgertrudechicago.org at the Rectory office and ask that their name and the month in which they died be added to the list.
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Parish Teens: Interested in Going to Lisbon, Portugal for World Youth Day? Meeting on Sunday, November 6
St. Gertrude parish would like to send a group to World Youth Day 2023 in Lisbon, Portugal. Students age 14 and older are invited to an information meeting on Sunday, November 6 at 11:30 am in the Ministry Center.
Students aged 14 and up are welcome to attend.
Additional upcoming youth group gatherings are Saturday, December 10 and Sunday, January 22.
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Countdown to Christmas and St. Gertrude’s Annual Greenery Sale!
St. Gertrude will once again host our annual Christmas greenery sale, with a limited
number of balsam pine trees, wreaths, and garland available for purchase. Proceeds benefit St. Gertrude’s ministries.
An order form will be available next week. Buyers will be able to purchase the items using an online link, or by sending or dropping off cash or a check to the Rectory office. A delivery option will be available.
Greenery will also be sold on Sunday, November 27, Sunday, December 4, Sunday, December 11, and Sunday, December 18 from 11:30 am-1:00 pm at the playlot on the west side of the Social Hall, 1401 W. Granville Avenue. Only cash and checks will be accepted for in-person purchases.
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Feast Day International Dinner Planned for Friday, November 11
It's time to celebrate this year's International Night! This fun, free, annual event is usually held in the Social Hall, with parishioners bringing their favorite or ethnic dishes to share. If you are interested in bringing your unique main dish/appetizer/side dish/dessert (this could be one or a variety of food), here's what you need to do or know:
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The event is Friday, November 11 at 6:30 pm.
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Decide which favorite/ethnic food to share with 20 people (optional).
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Email Rita Elue your favorite dish(es) to bring at ritaelue@gmail.com.
We hope you can join us!
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Canceled - Feast Day Cabaret Night on Saturday, November 12
Due to a scheduling conflict with a sports event in our gym, our Cabaret Night has been canceled. Thank you to everyone that agreed to sing and help out, we appreciate it!
We hope to reschedule the event in the new year.
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Thank You to our New Altar Servers
We are so grateful to the following students who signed up and completed training to be altar servers! We appreciate their time and willingness to help out at our Masses.
- Ethan Craft
- Alise Veleta
- Henry Jacobson
- Carter Dant
- Grace Cashman
- Emily Stecky
- Clare McCarthy
- Enrique Villareal
- Katherine Dunning
- Adonai Agdubai
- Mariyam Agdubai
- Dominic Millar
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Hidden Mercy Author Visit
Last Tuesday, St. Gertrude jointly sponsored an author visit with Loyola University. Michael O’Loughlin read from and discussed his most recent book, Hidden Mercy: AIDS, Catholics, and the Untold Stories of Compassion in the Face of Fear, about the heroism of individuals who quickly and quietly responded to the AIDS crisis of the 1980's.
Thank you to all who attended!
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Whiffenpoofs Concert at St. Gertrude
On Thursday, October 20, the Yale Whiffenpoofs performed at St. Gertrude. The group is the country's oldest collegiate a cappella group. Founded over a hundred years ago, the Whiffenpoofs have been singing around the country (and the world!) delighting audiences with a wide variety of a cappella music.
The Whiffenpoofs also performed a few songs with former members, including parishioner and St. Gertrude cantor Matt Heimer.
A wonderful time was had by all!
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Clothing Needed for Residents of All American Village Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
The following items are needed for residents of All American Village Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, located at 5448 N. Broadway.
- Men's clothing. All sizes. Large sizes are especially needed.
- Women's clothing. All sizes.
- Soap, shampoo, lotions, and cologne.
- Winter coats, sweaters, scarves, gloves, hats, earmuffs, boots, shoes, and socks. All sizes.
- Magazines on history, nature, sports, Chicago sports, fishing, boating, and mechanics.
- Games and puzzles.
All clothing should be new or gently used, clean and folded. All American has 144 residents; most residents are men.
Please deliver your donations directly to the All American door attendant any day of the week from 9:00 am-6:00 pm. All bags and packages should have administrator Mary Claussen's name on them, please call her at 773.334.2224 if you have questions while delivering items.
If you have questions prior to delivery, call Edgewater Village Chicago at 773.382.0764, or email info@evchicago.org.
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Volunteer Drivers Needed for Heart to Heart
Volunteers are the backbone of Heart to Heart. We are in special need for drivers to take seniors and disabled individuals to Mass. With the winter coming on, this need will increase.
Contact Pat Sullivan at psullivan@stgertrudechicago.org or call 773.973.5464.
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RCIA: A Journey of Faith - Classes Open to All | |
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The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is a process by which adults learn more about the Catholic Church. Interested participants are still welcome to sign up!
If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about the RCIA process at St. Gertrude, contact me at eescamilla@stgertrudechicago.org or call the Rectory at 773.764.3621. The RCIA meeting schedule is available at https://bit.ly/RCIACalendarUpdated.
~ Eloy Escamilla, Pastoral Associate
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Financial Gifts to our Parish
If your family's needs are being met, please be a light to others by considering a gift through your individual retirement account (IRA) in support of our parish. By naming St. Gertrude as a beneficiary, you'll provide crucial financial support to our parish and the entire value of your gift will be transferred to us free from federal estate and income tax. It costs
nothing to change the beneficiary on your retirement plan and will mean everything to our future parish community.
Please consult your IRA administrator for more information, or Eduardo Soto at esoto@stgertrudechicago.org.
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Schedule for Altar Servers, Ministers of the Word, Eucharistic Ministers, & Cantors | |
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Ministers of the Word
- Saturday, October 29 at 5:00 pm - Jayne Deiters, Millie Slane
- Sunday, October 30 at 8:00 am - David Sullivan, Sr. Kathryn
- Sunday, October 30 at 10:30 am - Steve Monti, Sarah Millar
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Eucharistic Ministers
- Saturday, October 29 at 5:00 pm - Kathy Wall
- Sunday, October 30 at 8:00 am - Barb Daly
- Sunday, October 30 at 10:30 am - Bob Backis, Annie Hasselbeck, Steve Hasselbeck
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Altar Servers
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Sunday, October 30 at 10:30 am - Cross Bearer - Grace Cashman; Acolytes - Ethan Craft, Henry Jacobson
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Cantors
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Saturday, October 29 at 5:00 pm - Kate Hibbs Davis
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Sunday, October 30 at 8:00 am - Jon Blake
- Sunday, October 303 at 10:30 am -Michael Laus
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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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Monday, October 31: 7:30 am - Living & deceased parents of St. Gertrude parishioners
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Tuesday, November 1: 7:30 am - Living & deceased Torreano family members
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Wednesday, November 2: 7:30 am - Lupe & Baltazar Silva
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Thursday, November 3: 7:30 am - Communion Service
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Friday, November 4: 7:30 am - Almo Mazardo +
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Saturday, November 5: 7:30 am - Purgatorial Society; 5:00 pm – Alanna McKee +, St. Gertrude Class of 1982
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Sunday, November 6: 8:00 am - Parishioners of St. Gertrude; 10:30 am - Dorothy Miller +; 10:30 am Gym Mass - Jeanne Hasbrook+
(+ indicates the person is deceased)
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Click HERE for the daily readings for Masses. Here is the list of readings for this week for parishioners that prefer to look them up:
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Monday, October 31: Phil 2:1-4/Lk 14:12-14
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Tuesday, November 1: Rv 7:2-4, 9-14/1 Jn 3:1-3/Mt 5:1-12a
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Wednesday, November 2: Any readings from no. 668 or from the Masses for the Dead
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Thursday, November 3: Phil 3:3-8a/Lk 15:1-10
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Friday, November 4: Phil 3:17—4:1/Lk 16:1-8
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Saturday, November 5:Phil 4:10-19/Lk 16:9-15
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Sunday, November 6: 2 Mc 7:1-2, 9-14/2 Thes 2:16—3:5/Lk 20:27-38 or 20:27, 34-38
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Please Pray for our Parishioners and Friends
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- Pamela Sherrod Anderson
- Ryan Bach
- Zara Bradley
- Sharon Brown
- Lilly Buie
- Aida Calvopina
- KC Conway
- Luke Fitzgerald
- Gina Heidkamp
- Maria Hertl
- Mary Horan
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- Bernice Kiedysz
- Marilyn Klein
- Steve Laslo
- Sheila McGuire
- Larry McCauley
- Karey Myers
- Richard Seitz
- Elinora E. Tolentino
- Manuel & Norma Viray
- Leon Ward
- 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. | | | | |
