St. Gertrude Chicago

All are Welcome

1420 W. Granville, Chicago, IL 60660

773.764.3621

stgertrude1420@stgertrudechicago.org

www.stgertrudechicago.org

Bulletin for Sunday, October 29, 2023

30th Sunday in Ordinary Time

From Fr. Mike Gabriel

This coming week, we celebrate All Saints Day on Wednesday, November 1st and All Souls Day on Thursday, November 2nd.

I wish these two celebrations were further apart in the calendar. Coming one after the other as they do, it’s easy for them to kind of blend one into the other, with each losing its distinctive character.

They are different feasts. All Souls Day is for many people the most important, at least emotionally, since on that day, we remember and pray for people we knew and miss. It is a day for honoring all our loved ones who have died, often marked with visits to cemeteries. We mourn them, and once more commend these loved ones to God’s mercy, in the hope that they rejoice in heaven with Him.

All Saints Day is more about those who are strangers to us, yet who are our ancestors in the faith. Many people who have gone before us have had their sanctity officially recognized by the Church. These are the people we call “Saints”, whom the Church assures us rejoice with God in heaven. They include martyrs and preachers, missionaries, and mystics. Some of them achieved fame during their lives, while others were much more obscure. All are recommended to us as examples of faith, of perseverance, and of hope. Stretching back to the earliest decades of the Church, they are those from

whom we have inherited the gift of faith.

And then there are all the people who fall somewhere in the middle. I’m thinking here of the countless people in the Church whose holiness and faith were recognized by only a few, or who were simply never brought to the attention of the Church.

While there are many, many saints from every century, the Church in no way suggests that only those named “Saint” were particularly holy. There are countless others who are rejoicing with God in heaven, who names have been forgotten to history. This recognition—that the company of holy people extends beyond the listing of official saints — is good news indeed. The fact is that we have probably known people ourselves who might well be saints in their own way, even if they are never recognized by the Church.

The people in our lives who have taught us faith, who have given us examples of selfless service, who have remained faithful even in the face of difficulty — these too are worthy of our respect. They are the ones whose examples can sometimes inspire us the most. In their lives, we also see a possibility of holiness for ourselves — by God’s grace, of course.

Our Mass of Remembrance is next Saturday, November 5th. At the 5:00 pm Mass, come and pray and remember all of our loved ones who have died. May they rest in peace!

Anointing of the Sick: The weekend of the Feast of St. Gertrude, November 11 and 12, we will offer the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick at all the Masses. This sacrament is for everyone suffering from any illness or condition, temporary or chronic, and even for those who simply are feeling the effects of aging.

The Anointing has always been understood to be about comfort and healing of both body and spirit, and every kind of distress- physical, mental, spiritual, emotional, and psychological.

Coat and Suitcase Drive for New Arrivals on Saturday, October 28

Help donate new or like-new coats, suitcases, and luggage locks to new arrivals! The 48th Ward is partnering with Ismaili CIVIC to collect these much-needed resources as we head into the colder months.

Drop off your donations at the Ismaili Jamatkhana parking lot (1124 W. Rosemont) this Saturday, October 28 from 1:00-4:00 pm.

Donations Needed for Asylum Seekers - Collection on November 4 and 5

A collection for asylum seekers will be held on Saturday, November 4 and Sunday, November 5. 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.

This month, the top requests from CFR are things to keep people warm, specifically stretchy gloves, hats, and hand warmers.

Their clients also are in desperate need of toiletries and baby care items. 

Items brought to mass can be dropped off in the back of church. Thank you for your generosity!

Book Club is Monday, November 13

On Monday, November 13, the book club will discuss The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen at 7:00 pm in the Ministry Center.

Contact Lea Cloninger at 773.973.2465 or Sue Benjamin at 773.551.8401 with questions.

Save the date! Our December book club is planned for Monday, December 11. We'll be discussing The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox by Maggie O'Farrell.

Living with Grief Workshop on November 18

How do you anticipate and want to move through winter and the holidays in a way that honors both your grieving and your loved one? Where presently do you find strength, understanding, and encouragement as you experience the many feelings your loved one’s absence has awakened within you?

Join others who are also grieving the death of their spouse/partner, in a safe, understanding, non-judgmental space to connect and share stories, explore ways of living with and without your loved one, and to honor your loved one.

An in-person grief workshop is being offered by parishioner Jim Mandardo, Board Certified Hospital Chaplain and Intern Counselor. The program is Saturday, November 18 from 9:00 am to noon at the Center for Grief Recovery and Therapeutic Services, 1261 W. Loyola Ave. The entrance is two doors east of the corner, one block west of the Loyola Red Line stop.

The cost is $10 and is limited to 20 participants. Coffee, bagels, and fruit will be provided. Masks are optional.

Please RSVP to Jim Manzardo at 773.274.4600 or j.manzardo@griefcounselor.org.

Growing in Faith

“KISS-Keep it simple, stupid!” I first heard this in the 60s and it did not then strike me as the most useful of advice. But as life experiences unfolded, it’s punchy utility began to strike me. And now KISS is an algorithm for most anything in my life. If I am using lots of effort and words to explain something, I probably don’t know what I am talking about! 

In today’s Gospel, Jesus is being tested by the scholars. The Pharisees appear uncomfortable with the KISS rule of thumb. But apparently not Jesus. When he’s asked by a scholar of the law, “which commandment in the law is the greatest”, Jesus keeps it simple.  

Jesus had hundreds of laws to choose from, but he says he can answer the Pharisaical question quite simply. There are two.  Number 1 is love the Lord, your God. Number 2 is Love your neighbor as yourself. Definitely, a KISS answer. 

Jesus gets a bit wordy by then explicating that “the whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments”. But that rounds out the KISS insight and puts it all in proper scholarly/legal context. Like the “scholars”, we all really want more. But there really is a KISS answer: Love. All-encompassing. 

~ John Williams

Safe Travels to Fr. Paul!

Fr. Paul is traveling home to Nigeria to see his family on October 30! It's the first time he's gone home in eight years!

We are so excited for him and hope his visit with his family and friends is wonderful.

Pictured: Fr. Paul with Dorothea Tobin and her granddaughter, Lilia Dorothea Palomino. Photo credit: Laurie Hasbrook

Thank You for Supporting World Mission Sunday

A heartfelt thank you to everyone for your outpouring of support on World Mission Sunday, held last weekend. Our fervent prayers and daily witness to the Gospel are the primary source for the Church's mission. Together, our parish raised $1,551.39 to benefit the Pontifical Mission Society for the Propagation of the Faith.

Your generosity echoes the theme "Hearts on fire, feet on the move," bringing warmth and hope to struggling communities worldwide. Your commitment to the universal mission of the Church is deeply appreciated.

Thank You for Supporting Our Food & Supply Drive for Care for Real

Thank you to the many people that brought supplies for Care for Real last weekend!

Our next supply drive is November 25-26.

You can 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, or bring items to the Asylum Seekers collection in church on November 4-5.

Countdown to St. Gert’s Annual Greenery Sale! 

St. Gertrude will once again host our annual Christmas greenery sale this Christmas season, with balsam pine trees, wreaths, and garland available for purchase. Proceeds benefit St. Gertrude’s ministries. 

An order form will be available in the near future, with options for deliveries as well as dates greenery will be available for sale after the 10:30 am masses.  

Prayer for Peace in the Holy Land



God of our longing,

Remember those who wait

and hope for peace.

​

Hear our prayer and our lament   

for our brothers and sisters

in Israel and Palestine.

​

With them, we share a common story,   

set in a common homeland.

​

Make common also a will to forgive,  

to reconcile,   

to make a just peace

for the sake of the ancestors,

for the sake of the children.

​

Open ears, eyes and hearts

And make a way toward justice

In our war-torn world.

God all merciful,

you dwell in all human hearts

And the Holy Land

is wherever you make your home.

Heal these broken places

where prophets preached

Where Moses and Jesus and Muhammad

kept faith with you.

Be a sure support for those

who work toward reconciliation

And make us all,

however far away,

Steadfast in their cause. Amen 

Prayer from Catholic Relief Services

Rest in Peace

• Bernice Kiedysz

Baptisms

• Nora Lucia Vergara
• Clara Marie Scoles

Ministers of the Word

• Saturday, October 28 at 5:00 pm - Roman Reyes, Millie Slane
• Sunday, October 29 at 8:00 am - Rob Sierzega, Marty McDermott
• Sunday, October 29 at 10:30 am - Anthony Myers, Rose Karasti

Eucharistic Ministers

• Saturday, October 28 at 5:00 pm - Kathy Wall
• Sunday, October 29 at 8:00 am - Kathryn Stimac
• Sunday, October 29 at 10:30 am - Sarah Millar, Troy McMillan, Steven Monti

Cantors and Musicians

• Saturday, October 28 at 5:00 pm - Tim Dowling
• Sunday, October 29 at 8:00 am - Michael Callahan
• Sunday, October 29 at 10:30 am - Matt Heimer

Altar Servers

• Sunday, October 29 at 10:30 am - Wyatt Dant, cross bearer; Henry Villareal, Xavier Lassus, Acolytes

Upcoming Mass Intentions

• Monday, October 30: 7:30 am - Purgatorial Society
• Tuesday, October 31: 7:30 am - Dorothy Bavaro
• All Saints Day, Wednesday, November 1: 7:30 am - Living and deceased parents of St. Gertrude parish; Deceased members of the Gusmanos family; 8;30 am - NCA school mass; 6:30 pm - Deceased members of the Gusmanos family
• Thursday, November 2: 7:30 am - Communion service
• Friday, November 3: 7:30 am - People of God
• Saturday, November 4: 7:30 am - Purgatorial Society; Mass of Remembrance-5:00 pm - Alanna McKee+
• Sunday, November 5: 8:00 am - Bernie Sierzega; 10:30 am in church - People of God; 10:30 am Gym Mass - Ethan Seitzer +

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.