St. Gertrude Chicago

All are Welcome

1420 W. Granville, Chicago, IL 60660

773.764.3621

stgertrude1420@stgertrudechicago.org

www.stgertrudechicago.org

Click here for a print version of the bulletin

Bulletin for Sunday, November 13, 2022

33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time/Bulletin for the Celebration of the Feast of St. Gertrude

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, November 13. There is a combined 10:30 am Mass in Church.

Reconciliation: 4:15-4:45 pm on Saturday or by appointment.

The Rectory office is open Monday-Friday from 8:30 am-4:30 pm and Saturday from 9:00 am-2:30 pm.

From Fr. Rich

Happy Feast of St. Gertrude!

As we celebrate our patroness this weekend, let us keep in mind the presence of Christ’s heart beating in all humanity and expand our definition of family to all our sisters and brothers throughout Creation.

Next Sunday is the Feast of Christ the King which concludes the church’s liturgical year. We see the year drawing to a close in today’s Gospel passage about expectations of anticipating the end of the world.

In the vision of nations rent apart, and society divided we might well see reflections in our own time and place. Through it all, Jesus comforts his followers and assures them they have no need to worry because God is in charge and will bring us all home to heaven.

All of these apocalyptic readings at the end of the Church’s year are also invitational for each of us to reflect upon our own inevitable ending and how we best use whatever time we have between then and now.

The month of November is also our Month of Gratitude in which we celebrate Thanksgiving. The spirit of gratitude is what propels us to share what we have with those in need.

Please check two articles in this bulletin which are part of how we are invited to respond to the needs of those in our community. The first is the article on the Parish Food Drive organized by our teens for the weekend before Thanksgiving - November 19-20. The article contains a link to the list of the foods that are most in need.

The second article is about the Giving Tree which will be in the back of church starting next weekend. Again, this year we are asking for gift cards. Please check the article for the specific “asks”.

Parish Feast Day Weekend

The feast of St. Gertrude is November 16th. We will celebrate our parish feast day this weekend at all the Masses. We are celebrating the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick at every Mass.

Anyone who is suffering from any current or chronic ailment is welcome to come forward for the Anointing. Whether the ailment is of body, mind, or soul, you are worthy to receive this sacrament which forgives our sins and strengthens us to bear whatever our burdens may be.

Biography of our Patroness, St. Gertrude

St. Gertrude the Great was born in Germany and chose to follow the Lord by pursuing a vocation as a Benedictine nun. Her deep relationship with the Lord in prayer led to her being hailed as one of the great mystics of the 13th century. She was a notable early devotee of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and urged prayer and tender sympathy towards the souls in Purgatory.

In 1281, 25-year-old Gertrude experienced her first series of visions that would continue until the day she passed away. Her visions altered her life and she saw this moment as her new birth. Her priorities turned away from secular teachings and focuses more on studying Scripture and theology.

Throughout her life, Gertrude produced numerous writings, although only a few still exists today. One of her longest surviving works is The Herald of Divine Love. Her other works include her collection of Spiritual Exercises and Gertrudian Prayers.

Visit https://bit.ly/StGertrudeBiography for St. Gertrude’s full biography.

Giving Tree Program

In time for the Christmas season, the Giving Trees will again be in the back of Church beginning Thanksgiving weekend (November 26-27). Like last year, 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.

Beginning November 26, during each Mass, there will be two boxes at the back of church. 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 will be Sunday, December 18 at noon.

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.

Upcoming Events

Listed in Chronological Order

Order From 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. Our Christmas greenery sale is a great opportunity for parishioners to get ready for the holidays while supporting St. Gertrude ministries.

Each 6’ Christmas tree is $45. Three different sized wreaths are available—the 18” wreath is $20, the 24” is $22, and the 36” is $30. Garland is also available for $35 per 5’ length.

Buyers can purchase items online at https://bit.ly/ChristmasGreenery. A paper order form is available at https://stgertrudechicago.org/christmas-greenery. Forms and checks or cash can be dropped off at the Rectory office, 1420 W. Granville Ave or placed in the mail slot in the side (west) red door next to the Rectory side yard if the Rectory office is closed. Orders can also be sent to NCA to the attention of Eduardo Soto. Checks should be made out to St. Gertrude. Please note "Greenery" in the memo line.

Deliveries will be offered for a $3 fee. Deliveries will take place from 10:00 am-2:00 pm on Saturday, December 3, Sunday, December 4, Saturday, December 10, and Sunday, December 11. The greenery team will do their best to accommodate your preferred delivery date and will reach out to notify you when to expect your order.

Please note, the boundaries for deliveries are north to Oakton, south to Irving Park, and east of the North Shore Channel.

In-Person Sales

Greenery will also be sold at the playlot on the west side of the Social Hall, 1401 W. Granville Avenue on Sunday, November 27, Sunday, December 4, Sunday, December 11, and Sunday, December 18 from 11:30 am-1:00 pm. Only cash and checks will be accepted for in-person purchases.

Questions? Contact St. Gertrude Business Manager Eduardo Soto at esoto@stgertrudechicago.org

or call the Rectory at 773.764.3621.

Order Greenery Online!

Click here for paper greenery order form

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:

The event is Friday, November 11 at 6:30 pm.
Decide which favorite/ethnic food to share with 20 people (optional).
Email Rita Elue your favorite dish(es) to bring at ritaelue@gmail.com.

We hope you can join us!

November 13-19 is Catholic Schools Week

This is Discover Catholic Schools Week (November 13-19). This week helps schools connect with prospective families, donors, educators and other community

members.

If you have been interested in NCA (Northside Catholic Academy) and would like to learn more, perhaps even considering NCA for your children’s school, this would be a great week to connect and find out more about this excellent Catholic school.

You can reach NCA via phone at 773.743.6277 or at https://www.northsidecatholic.org.

Peace & Justice Ministry Meeting is This Wednesday, November 16

The next Peace & Justice Ministry meeting will be held on Wednesday, November 16th at 2:30 pm in the Ministry Center. We will be planning a Longest Night Homeless Memorial Service to remember those on the streets or in shelters who have died during the past year.

If you cannot attend but are interested in helping, email Fr. Mike Gabriel at mgabriel@stgertrudechicago.org.

Join Loyola's Hank Center for a Film Screening and Panel Discussion of Unguarded on Wednesday, November 16

All are welcome to attend a free upcoming screening of the new documentary, Unguarded, on Wednesday, November 16th at 7:00 pm at Loyola's Damen Cinema, located in the Gentile Arena, 6511 N. Sheridan Rd.

Unguarded tells the story of successful restorative justice work in Brazil and America through the experience of Association for the Protection and Assistance of the Convicted (APAC). The film takes us inside the walls of APAC, the revolutionary Brazilian prison system centered on the full recovery and rehabilitation of the person. Watch the trailer for the film here.

A discussion with a panel of experts will follow the film. This panel will feature:

Simonetta D'Italia-Wiener: Unguarded's Director and Producer
T.J. Berden: Unguarded's Producer and Loyola Alumnus
Phil Whittington: Criminal Justice and Criminology Graduate School Alumnus
The Hon. Thomas More Donnelly: Loyola School of Law

For more details, visit https://bit.ly/UnguardedatLoyola.

Click for a Unguarded flyer

Parish Pastoral Council Meeting on Thursday, November 17

The next PPC meeting is Thursday, November 17.

Meetings are held in the Ministry Center from

7:00 pm-8:30 pm and are open to parishioners.

If you would like to discuss anything with the PPC, please email us at

stgertrudeparishcouncil@gmail.com.

Second Collection for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development - Next Weekend, November 19-20

The annual Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) collection will take place next weekend, November 20-21. For 50 years, CCHD has been working in partnership with community organizations to address the root causes of poverty in the United States.

CCHD promotes organizations that help people help themselves. Their mission to break the cycle of poverty is now more important than ever, as the COVID-19 pandemic has compounded the disparities in resources experienced by the poor and vulnerable. CCHD organizations are responding promptly in this time of extraordinary need.

CCHD grantees create jobs, improve neighborhoods, keep schools safe and enriching for children, and raise leaders of the future right here in the Archdiocese of Chicago.

Click here for more information and to donate. Parishioner Ed Jacobs will be presenting the needs of CCHD again this year.

Food Drive Organized by Parish Teens on November 19 & 20

On Saturday, November 19 and Sunday, November 20, our parish teens will host a food drive for Care for Real! Parishioners are asked to donate peanut butter, nuts, tuna, canned chicken and fruits, soups. You can also check out Care for Real’s full list of needs at https://careforreal.org/wishlist/ or by scanning the QR code in the above image.

Donations should be dropped off in the baptistry. All donations will be received after Mass. Confirmation candidates and members of our parish youth group will sort the items prior to dropping them off at Care for Real. Thank you in advance for your generosity!

All are Invited to the Annual ECRA Interfaith Thanksgiving Service - Sunday, November 20

The Edgewater Community Religious Association (ECRA) is an interfaith association of

religious organizations who work toward fostering friendships and understanding of other

faiths, nurture a thriving and just neighborhood, and create solutions to local problems.

ECRA hosts an annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service benefiting Care for Real that bring

together Catholics, Baptists, Lutherans, Methodists, Presbyterians, as well as our friends from the Jewish, Muslim, and Hindi faith.

All are invited to attend this service on Sunday, November 20 at 3:00 pm, hosted this year at Northshore Baptist Church, 5244 N. Lakewood Ave. Those who attend in person are encouraged to be vaccinated and to wear a face mask.

Attendees are encouraged to share their bounty with the food insecure in our

neighborhood. Scan the code above to see Care for Real's wish list! A reception will follow the service.

St. Gertrude's Thanksgiving Day Mass/Office Hours/No Religious Ed Classes That Weekend

Our parish Thanksgiving celebration will be at the 10:00 am Mass on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 24.

As part of our Thanksgiving celebration, the recipients of the Parish Service Awards will be recognized.

Please note, the Rectory office will be closed on Thanksgiving Day and Friday, November 25.

There are no Religious Ed classes on Sunday, November 27.

Parish News

The Ofrenda

We invite you to bring a photo or other small item for the Altar of Remembrance the Ofrenda) which is 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.

Telephone Visit Ministry - Recruiting Volunteers

Do you have a busy schedule, but your faith is calling you to action? Join the Heart to Heart Telephone Visit Ministry. Phone visits are a huge benefit for homebound individuals. Winter is around the corner making it difficult for the sick and elderly to get around. It just takes one check in call a week to visit with your assigned Heart to Heart member.

Contact Pat Sullivan at 773.973.5464 or email at psullivan@stgertrudechicago.org.

Heart to Heart Volunteer Luncheon Recognition

The Heart to Heart volunteer recognition lunch took place in the Ministry Center Chapel on Saturday, October 29. There was great attendance, delicious food and thoughtful sharing. Again, we thank all of our volunteers, who don't necessarily have the time; they just have the heart.

~ Pat Sullivan

What Causes Depression?

The exact cause of depression is unknown. It may be caused by a combination of genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors. Everyone is different‚ but the following factors may increase a person’s chances of becoming depressed:

Having blood relatives who have had depression.
Experiencing traumatic or stressful events, such as physical or sexual abuse, the death of a loved one, or financial problems.
Going through a major life change‚ even if it was planned.
Having a medical problem, such as cancer, stroke, or chronic pain.
Taking certain medications. Talk to your doctor if you have questions about whether your medications might be making you feel depressed.
Using alcohol or drugs.

Source: Center’s for Disease Control and Prevention

Growing in Faith

What is it that does not allow us to see another as a model of life?

When I was a child I used to have lots of people who were my role models. I’d say that I ‘wanted to be like my uncle’ or someone else I admired. I felt safe with those people I highly regarded.

Then, gradually, I became someone who wanted to succeed in life. I forgot my admiration for other people. Somehow that natural appreciation vanished without my being aware of it. Material things, professional achievements, even becoming older, might have been factors. But I stopped regarding other people as models for my life.

I later realized that I no longer noticed the kindness of those who sought any type of help, or the braveness of those who searched for a new beginning. I no longer appreciated, or imitated, the transparency of a child.

I must neither forget nor deny to myself, that everyone is unique: so unique, that the presence of God is found in that very uniqueness. It’s that uniqueness that makes us “different” before others at the same time. And it’s important to realize that those most vulnerable ones often become models of courage, simplicity, humbleness, creativity, kindness, and compassion.

This Sunday, Paul invites us to see the uniqueness of everyone so we can continue finding God’s presence among us. He goes further and asks us to strive to do our best to become worthy of emulation for the way we are.

~ Eloy Escamilla

Rest in Peace

Julie Wons, beloved wife of Mike and loving mother of Liam and the late Jake, devoted daughter of Leonard and Dawn (Kmet) Lauricella, cherished sister of Sue and the late John Lauricella.

A Tax-Savvy Way to Support St. Gertrude

When you donate appreciated securities or mutual funds to our parish, you can reduce or even eliminate federal capital gains taxes on the transfer. You may also be entitled to a federal income tax charitable deduction based on the fair market value of the securities at the time of the transfer. For more information about donating stock or securities, please contact your financial advisor.

To make a stock donation to St. Gertrude, please visit archchicago.org/stockgiftform

and complete the electronic Letter of Intention form. Once you have submitted the form, you will receive a confirmation email with detailed instructions for you to complete your gift.

If you have any questions, please contact Karen Whitehead, Archdiocese of Chicago at 312.534.7461 or

kwhitehead@archchicago.org.

Schedule for Altar Servers, Ministers of the Word, Eucharistic Ministers, & Cantors

Ministers of the Word

Saturday, November 12 at 5:00 pm - Patrick Reardon, Jayne Deiters
Sunday, November 13 at 8:00 am - Jacalyn Meier, Marty McDermott
Sunday, November 13 at 10:30 am - Bob Backis, Michelle Kuelhorn

Eucharistic Ministers

Saturday, November 12 at 5:00 pm - Tim Harrington
Sunday, November 13 at 8:00 am - Brian DeVarenne
Sunday, November 13 at 10:30 am - Annie Hasselbeck, Steven Hasselbeck, Ray Sousa

Altar Servers

Sunday, November 13 at 10:30 am - Cross Bearer - Dominic Millar; Acolytes - Grace Cashman, Adonai Agdubai

Cantors

Saturday, November 12 at 5:00 pm - Paula Dempsey
Sunday, November 13 at 8:00 am - Jon Blake
Sunday, November 13 at 10:30 am - Michael Callahan; John Horan-guitar; Dana Sullivan-flute; Brass players for 10:30 Mass include Tona Palomino-trumpet, Jim Szmurlo-trumpet, Amir Ghazaleh -trombone, Fran Guenette-euphonium

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.

Donate via GiveCentral

Donate via PayPal

Upcoming Mass Intentions

Monday, November 14: 7:30 am - Lillian McCall
Tuesday, November 15: 7:30 am - Maggie Callaway
Wednesday, November 16: 7:30 am - Living & deceased parents of St. Gertrude parishioners
Thursday, November 17: 7:30 am - Communion Service
Friday, November 18: 7:30 am - Richard J. Kerwer Sr. +
Saturday, November 19: 7:30 am - Alan Zimmerman +; 5:00 pm – George Cenar Sr. +
Sunday, November 20: 8:00 am - Living & deceased Torreano family members; 10:30 am - Nancy Quinn Jaskowiak +; 10:30 am Gym Mass - Colin McGeary +

(+ indicates the person is deceased)

Daily Scripture Readings

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:

Monday, November 14: Rv 1:1-4; 2:1-5/Lk 18:35-43
Tuesday, November 15: Rv 3:1-6, 14-22/Lk 19:1-10
Wednesday, November 16: Rv 4:1-11/Lk 19:11-28
Thursday, November 17: Rv 5:1-10/Lk 19:41-44
Friday, November 18: Rv 10:8-11/Lk 19:45-48
Saturday, November 19: Rv 11:4-12/Lk 20:27-40
Sunday, November 20: 2 Sm 5:1-3/Col 1:12-20/Lk 23:35-43

Bernice Kiedysz
Marilyn Klein
Steve Laslo
Sheila McGuire
Larry McCauley
Karey Myers
Richard Seitz
Elinora E. Tolentino
Manuel & Norma Viray
Leon Ward
Yyes Yoza

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.