Bulletin for Sunday, October 1, 2023
26th Sunday in Ordinary Time
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From Fr. Mike Gabriel
Special thanks to Kathy Osberger, parishioner and author of I Surrender: A Memoir of Chile's Dictatorship, 1975, for her talk last week at St. Gert's. We are so grateful she shared her very personal reflections on her memoir of Chile's dictatorship and her account of the many heroic acts of faith by religious and laity.
We still have a few copies of her book available in the rectory if you like to get one.
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Next Weekend is our Chicago Marathon Weekend Fundraiser!
We are so excited about our Chicago Marathon Fundraiser next week!
There are two events that make up our Chicago Marathon Weekend. Our Soles of St. Gertrude parish 3K fun run and walk (and a pep rally to show our support of Fr. Mike Bradley's run) will take place on Saturday, October 7.
Then on Sunday, October 8, Fr. Mike Bradley will lace up his running shoes for his 50th marathon!
Please consider being a part of these fundraisers! Information on how to help is below.
Soles of St. Gertrude Parish 3K Fun Run and Walk
We extend a warm invitation to all parishioners and Edgewater residents to join us next Saturday, October 7 as we gather for a morning of fun, community, and generosity. Our schedule is:
- 8-8:45 am - Warm up and stretch exercises.
- 8:55 am - Opening prayer
- 9:00 am - Runners will take off
- 9:30 am - Walkers will take off
- 9:45 am - Those who will be doing a walk around the block.
- 10:30 am - Pep Rally to show our support for Fr. Mike Bradley.
- 5:00 pm Mass - There will be a blessing at Mass for all those participating in the Chicago Marathon.
We truly need all the support we can get to make this event a success. I encourage all of you to unite in support of St. Gertrude Parish and its mission to serve those in need. Sign up in the back of church using a paper registration form or register online at https://bit.ly/StGerts3K.
Please note, those who have already registered can pick up their t- shirts after Mass this weekend. And those who are interested in purchasing one can still get one for $15. Register after Mass today or online at the link in the previous paragraph.
Fr. Mike's Chicago Marathon Efforts
Fr. Mike Bradley will run the Chicago Marathon on Sunday, October 8, and is raising funds specifically for our Heart to Heart ministry. Please consider supporting his efforts by donating online at https://bit.ly/FrMikeRuns or via a check at church or dropped off at the Rectory. (Add Fr. Mike's name in the memo line if you are writing a check.)
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This Week's Marathon Minute by Fr. Mike Bradley
Have you ever come in last – in a classroom election? When being chosen for a basketball
team? In anything? Let me tell you about my last place finish in a marathon.
Some years ago, I signed up for a marathon traversing rural roads through several villages in
central Wisconsin. The race organizers and other participants were so friendly and welcoming.
In fact, there were only 50 of us signed up, and so there were opportunities to interact with other runners as we ran the 26.2 miles. I struck up conversations with several runners who ran at my pace. One of them was an amazing young lady who was very athletic and enthusiastic throughout the run – and she was 5 months pregnant!
After running 22 miles I “hit the wall” and had to slow down considerably. Eventually, I crossed the finish line, but I was the very last runner to do so! I was pleasantly surprised that my new friend and her husband (and other runners) were waiting at the finish line to greet me! I was reminded of Ecclesiastes 9:11 - the “race is not always to the swift or the battle to the strong… but time and chance happen to them all.”
Coming in last place taught me to laugh at myself!
~ Father Mike Bradley
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Events & Activities at St. Gertrude
listed in chronological order
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Donations Needed for Asylum Seekers - Collections on September 30 and October 1
A collection for asylum seekers will be held on Saturday, September 30 and Sunday, October 1. These donations will be sent to Care for Real, who is providing support to families sheltering at the Broadway Armory in addition to feeding neighbors in need.
Please place items from the list below in the bins at the back of church for delivery to Care for Real.
Items needed for neighbors and asylum seekers include:
- Baby wipes
- Diapers size 4-6
- Pull-ups
- All toiletries
- Menstrual pads
- Ready-to-eat items like granola bars, tuna or chicken salad cracker packs, individual milk boxes
Thank you for your generosity!
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2023 Feast of St. Francis: The Way of St. Francis: Seeking Peace and Justice for All Creation
St. Scholastica Monastery
7430 N. Ridge Boulevard, Chicago or Zoom
Wednesday, October 4, 2023 at 7:00 pm
For more information or to register in person, contact Sr. Patricia Coughlin, OSB, at patcoughlinosb@sbcglobal.net. To register for the virtual event, email webcoordinatorosb@osbchicago.org.
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Pet Blessing Planned for Sunday, October 8
The Feast of St. Francis of Assisi is Tuesday, October 4. As we do each year, there will be Blessing of the Pets next Sunday at 11:30 am on the steps of the church.
Please join us with your furry (or scaly!) loved ones!
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It's Not Too Late to Sign Up for Religious Education Classes! No Class October 8
Registration is still open for our Religious Education program! Religious Ed registration forms can be found at https://stgertrudechicago.org/religious-education-news. Forms in Spanish are also available on our website.
There will be no Religious Ed classes held on Sunday, October 8.
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Book Club, Monday, October 9
On Monday, October 9, the book club will discuss Via Negativa by Daniel Hornsby at 7:00 pm in the Ministry Center. The premise of the book centers around a priest who embarks on a fateful journey with a pistol in his pocket and an injured coyote in his backseat.
Contact Lea Cloninger at 773.973.2465 or Sue Benjamin at 773.551.8401 with questions.
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Parish Pastoral Council Member News; October Meeting Date Announced
The Parish Pastoral Council welcomed three new members, Ed Butler, Gordon Hannon, and Krista Chinchilla-Patzke.
The next meeting will be on Wednesday, October 11 at 7:00 pm in the Ministry Center.
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Women's Friendship Club Gathering is Thursday, October 12
St. Gertrude Women's Friendship Club meets monthly on the second Thursday of every month in the Ministry Center. The gathering begins at 11:30 am, attendees should bring their own (brown bag) lunch.
Dessert is provided!
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Altar Server Training - Thursday, October 12
Students in 5th grade and up are invited to become altar servers! There is a training session planned for Thursday, October 12th 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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Thank you for Supporting Care for Real; Our Next Food & Supply Drive is October 21-22
Thank you to the many people that brought supplies for Care for Real last weekend!
Our next supply drive is October 21-22.
You can still give to Care for Real! Make a donation on their website, https://careforreal.org/wishlist, or drop off items at 5341 N. Sheridan Road from 12:00-3:00 pm Monday-Friday.
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Youth Group Outing to Great America
Last Saturday, September 23, St. Gert's youth group went to Great America! Thank you to chaperones and to the students that attended!
Interested in joining our parish youth group? All Teens in grade 7 and up are welcome!
For more information, email Eloy Escamilla at eescamilla@stgertrudechicago.org.
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Growing in Faith: May we all be Channels of Peace
Remember what it was like when you were asked, "What are you going to be when you grow up?" Did you know, could you answer? Did it change from grade school, high school, college? Have you worn many hats, changed careers, or are still open to new possibilities? Who and where are you now? What's life like?
Today's readings give us some answers to living life today. St. Paul tells us to have the same attitude that is in Christ Jesus. Be obedient, trusting, humble, caring, thoughtful, loving person. St. Francis of Assisi was that.
He was a joyful, fun loving, peaceful, loving man. Besides all the stories about the wolf, the leper, flowers, sun, moon, Francis found God everywhere and in everyone. His Church was all of creation, his school was the market-place, his need for a place for prayer was a cave, a hillside where his love, learning, following Jesus led him to the mystery of God. It is said he would look everyone in the face and be amazed at the face of God looking back at him.
His simple way of life is outlined in his Peace Prayer. May we all be channels of peace.
~ Sister Kathryn Stimac, OSF
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October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month: Available Resources
For many, home is a place of love, warmth, and comfort. It’s somewhere that you know you will be surrounded by care and support, and a nice little break from the busyness of the real world. But for millions of others, home is anything but a sanctuary. The U.S. Department of Justice estimates that 1.3 million women and 835,000 men are victims of physical violence by a partner every year. And during the pandemic, domestic abuse incidents have skyrocketed.
Archdiocese of Chicago's Domestic Violence Outreach
The Archdiocese of Chicago's Domestic Violence Outreach has a list of resources, including hotlines and service agencies. It can be found here.
St. Gertrude's Domestic Violence Resource Page
The St. Gertrude website has a Domestic Violence information page and a click-away button in the event someone is monitoring computer use. It lists specific information on abusive relationships, including:
- Where to Start
- Organizations that Provide Housing
- Legal Help
- Spanish-Speaking Assistance
- Asian, Arabic, & Korean Assistance
- LGBTQ Help
- Help for Teens & Young Adults
- Help Securing the Safety of Pets
- What Does Abuse Look Like?
- How to Help a Friend or Family Member
- Emotional Abuse
- Why Do People Stay in Abusive Relationships?
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House of the Good Shepherd Fundraiser
The Sisters of the Good Shepherd have been serving Chicago since 1859 and founded one of the city's first domestic violence programs in 1980.
The House of the Good Shepherd is unique among domestic violence shelters; beyond physical safety, mothers are immersed in a program that sets the foundation for their new lives. In an atmosphere of love and compassion, our families are connected with resources based on their needs, inclusive of legal assistance, education, medical services, childcare and employment. The majority of women who complete the program leave with
permanent housing, savings, and employment and receive long-term support.
The House of The Good Shepherd Women's Board provides a vital source of funding through its annual event, "The Glow of Hope." Its fundraising, volunteering, and advocacy efforts have helped the House serve more than 6,000 mothers and their children.
Please consider attending or donating to this fundraiser. An Afternoon in Paris will take place on Sunday, November 5 at the Four Seasons Hotel. There will be cocktails and a silent auction at noon, with brunch and a live auction at 1:00 pm. Fr. Charles Dahm, the Archdiocesan Director of Domestic Violence Outreach, will be the keynote speaker.
You can also stand with the courageous women and children whom the House of the Good Shepherd serves by donate a gift certificate, an item, or an experience for our auction! Please email tina.abello@hotmailorlebermicloud@icloud.com or go to https://www.hgschicago.org/glow-of-hope-event for information.
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Holy Spirit Renewal Recollection
This Saturday, September 30, the St. Gregory Charismatic Prayer Group will host the Holy Spirit Renewal Recollection in St. Gregory's Gym, 1609 W. Gregory St., from 9:30 am-4:00 pm.
The event will feature guest speakers Fr. Bob Miller and Dr. Mark Nimo, snacks, and lunch.
For more information, please reach out to Gloria Limos at 773.744.3318, Lynne Acance at 847.331.2646, or email St.GregoryCharismaticPrayerGroup@yahoo.com.
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Domestic Violence Survivors' Mass is Saturday, September 30
Please save the date for the 8th Annual Domestic Violence Survivors' Mass at beautiful Holy Name Cathedral, located at 735 N. State Street in downtown Chicago.
Mass will be held at 5:15 pm and live-streamed on Holy Name Cathedral's website, holynamecathedral.org. Free parking is available in the parking garage at 14 W. Superior, on lower level 1 or lower level 2. Bring your parking ticket with you to the Cathedral to validate your parking ticket in the Cathedral vestibule. There is a maximum of two hours of parking, with a steep fee if exceeded.
We hope you can join us to pray for an end to domestic violence!
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Kids Word Available at 10:30 am Masses
Kids Word has resumed during the 10:30 am Mass in church. This program offers children aged 4-7 years-old an age-appropriate Gospel message and do fun, scripture-based activities such as coloring or crafts in the Rectory.
Children are invited by the celebrant to come to the altar before the readings and are returned to church before the petitions.
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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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Baptisms
- Sophie Amaya Diaz
- Natalia Perez
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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 30 at 5:00 pm - Jennifer Kiedaisch, Millie Slane
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Sunday, October 1 at 8:00 am - David Sullivan, Kathryn Stimac
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Sunday, October 1 at 10:30 am - Bob Backis, Eric Ameyaw
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Eucharistic Ministers
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Saturday, September 30 at 5:00 pm - Kathleen Dawson
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Sunday, October 1 at 8:00 am - Hallie Burhoe
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Sunday, October 1 at 10:30 am - Rafael Melendez, Annie Hasselbeck, Stephen Hasselbeck
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Cantors and Musicians
- Saturday, September 30 at 5:00 pm - Paula Dempsey
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Sunday, October 1 at 8:00 am - Kate Davis
- Sunday, October 1 at 10:30 am -Jon Blake
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Altar Servers
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Sunday, October 1 at 10:30 am - Mary Cashman, cross bearer; Jayson Ameyaw, Wyatt Dant, Acolytes
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Financial Report from Last Weekend
September 23-24
Sunday Collection Envelopes: $2,167.00
Loose Checks: $550.00
Loose Cash/Coins: $764.94
Online Donations: $4,792.06
Total Collected: $8,274.00
Budgeted: $10,000.00
Difference: $1,726.00
Year-to-date Collected FY 2024: $122,792.46
Year-to-date Budgeted FY 2024: $386,400.00
Difference: -$263,607.54
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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, October 2: 7:30 am - Sam Bethia
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Tuesday, October 3: 7:30 am - Purgatorial Society
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Wednesday, October 4: 7:30 am - Living and deceased parents of St. Gertrude parishioners
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Thursday, October 5: 7:30 am - Communion Service
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Friday, October 6: 7:30 am - People of God
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Saturday, October 7: 7:30 am - People of God; 5:00 pm - Hector Gancedo
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Sunday, October 8: 8:00 am - Richard J. Kerwer, Sr. +; Rosario Batungbakal (80th birthday); 10:30 am in church - Joseph & Michael Lackowski +; 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. | | | | |
