St. Gertrude Chicago

All are Welcome

1420 W. Granville, Chicago, IL 60660

773.764.3621

stgertrude1420@stgertrudechicago.org

www.stgertrudechicago.org

Bulletin for Sunday, April 16, 2023

Second Sunday of Easter/Divine Mercy Sunday

Thank you to all who attended our services during Holy Week and on Easter both in-person and online! What a joy it was to get together and celebrate God’s unending love for us.

The past few weeks have required extra time and energy from so many of our volunteers in order to rehearse and then serve at all the services of Palm Sunday, Holy Week, and Easter! Thank you to all of our wonderful and generous cantors, our choir, musicians, and corps of liturgical ministers. They did a magnificent job! 

Great churches don't just happen, they are created and nurtured by active, engaged, and generous parishioners. We appreciate you sharing your time at Church, your talents and helping hands at Mass and parish events, your stewardship, and your prayers. We are  grateful to have you as part of our St. Gertrude family!  

Special thanks to Maria Ugarte for the all the photos from church. Additional images are available at stgertrudechicago.org.

Thank you to our Musicians and Singers from Mary Clare Barker 

A special thanks from the bottom of my heart goes out to all the cantors and musicians who contributed mightily all of Lent and most especially during Holy Week to our Music Ministry at St. Gertrude.

These people gave freely of their precious time and practiced hours to get everything perfect for our evening services. Their musical talents added a profound depth and helped us to pray better.

We are indeed so blessed to have so many wonderfully talented musicians at St. Gertrude who are so willing to share their time and talents. Thank you!

Parish Pastoral Council: Next Meeting is Wednesday, April 19, Town Hall Planned for May, New Members Needed

The PPC’s next meeting is Wednesday, April 19. All 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, contact them at the above email address.

The group also planned another town hall. It will take place on Sunday, May 7 immediately after the 10:30 am Mass in the Gym. 

The PPC is also looking for new members. The PPC’s goal is to be a 

collaborative group who works with the pastor in determining the matters that affect the life of the faith community. If you are interested in this type of service, please email us at stgertrudeparishcouncil@gmail.com.

Youth Group Outing on Saturday, April 22

Teens in the youth group are invited to an outing to downtown Chicago and the Cultural Center next Saturday, April 22.

Please meet at the main door to the church on Glenwood Ave. at 9:00 am. Students should bring money for transportation and lunch.

The youth group is open to anyone in grade 7 and up! Please RSVP to Eloy Escamilla at eescamilla@stgertrudechicago.org by Friday, April 21.

Care for Real Food & Supply Drive in Church on Saturday, April 22 and Sunday, April 23

On Saturday, April 22 (before and after the 5:00 pm Mass) and Sunday, April 23, we will host our monthly collection drive for Care for Real.  

Please consider bringing non-perishable goods and personal hygiene items to donate! Show more love and care, for real.

You can also make a donation online to Care for Real, help with their Amazon Wish list or Chewy Wish List (for pet food), or drop-off your donation at their facility. Information about all of these options can be found here: https://careforreal.org/wishlist/. 

First Communion Information

Families of students making their First Communion at St. Gertrude this spring should keep the following dates in mind:

• Friday, May 12 at 6:30 pm in church - Rehearsal for the Sacrament of Communion 
• Saturday, May 13 at 10:00 am in church - Sacrament of Communion
• Sunday, May 14 at 10:30 am Mass - May Crowning (Students who made their First Communion on Saturday, May 6 are invited to attend the 10:30 am Mass in church wearing their First Communion outfits.)

If you have questions, please contact Eloy Escamilla at eescamilla@stgertrudechicago.org.

This Summer: St. Gertrude’s Youth Group Mission Experience

Attention teens in sixth grade through high school! This summer, from July 10-14, the parish youth group will volunteer with a different Chicagoland organization each day. This is an excellent opportunity to have fun and earn volunteer hours!



There is a $100 fee for the week. A $50 deposit is required at the time of registration. Please note that there are scholarships available!

All participants will receive a t-shirt, water bottle, and a sports drawstring backpack.

To reserve a spot or to get more information, contact Eloy Escamilla at 

eescamilla@stgertrudechicago.org. Please register before Saturday, May 28. 

Growing in Faith

This Sunday is Divine Mercy Sunday. The readings allow us to reflect on the immeasurable mercy of God. The idea of mercy and forgiveness is seen in the Gospel, but what truly struck me was the idea of belief. 

Jesus tells Thomas, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” It’s easy to see and believe in God when times are good, and just as easy to feel like we’ve been abandoned by him when times are tough. 

This resonated most for me during the time when my dad was in hospice and then in his passing. I recall those days not with sadness but with warmth. I saw the face of God, heard His voice, and felt His touch through all the words and gestures of family and friends. 

I am reminded of the last passage from the poem Footprints, “My precious, precious child. I love you, and I would never, never leave you during your times of trial and suffering. When you saw only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.” 



Let us be blessed and believe that God is with us always - good, bad and in between.

~ Jennifer Reyes

Heart to Heart Durable Medical Equipment Lending Closet Report

There is never a dull moment at the Heart to Heart Durable Medical Equipment Lending Closet. Located in St. Gertrude's Ministry Center, we field calls from all over Chicagoland.

Family caregivers, home health aides, physical and occupational therapists, Blue Cross/Blue Shield caseworkers, social workers from CHA senior housing, Stroger Hospital, Rush University Medical Center, Mercy Housing, Thresholds, and The Night Ministry are among the many people reaching out to us.

Recently, we assisted a man recovering from gunshot wounds. Thanks to the generous assistance of parishioner Beth Nelson, a brand-new walker was delivered to Shirley Ryan Ability Lab for this patient. 

As many calls as we get asking for help, we get an equal amount offering donations. Wheelchairs, transport chairs, rollators, standard walkers, knee scooters, canes, crutches, shower chairs, tub transfer benches, commodes, toilet seat risers, toilet safety rails, ice machines, sleep apnea machines, assorted medical supplies and incontinence supplies all find a way to us. Because of this ongoing generosity -- by parishioners, community members and local organizations -- we are able to assist the many people seeking our services. We are grateful to parishioner Linda Jeffers who handles all our donation acknowledgement letters. Thank you one and all!

~ Laurie Hasbrook, Heart to Heart Medical Equipment Lending Closet Manager 

NCA Looking for Feedback on Candidates for Their Leadership Team

You may be aware that Northside Catholic Academy (NCA) is currently actively recruiting for an Executive Director and a Principal to lead the school. Bishop Bartosic has formed a team of stakeholders to interview prospective candidates for the open leadership positions.

The Leadership Transition Committee (LTC) is excited to start meeting with prospective candidates and wanted to give a formal introduction to who we are and our approach to this important work. Included is a link to a document that outlines the mission of the LTC and who we are. 

We also want to hear from you! Here is a link to a survey where you can provide feedback on the types of candidates you think will best fit the needs of NCA. Also in the survey you can indicate your interest in a group listening session, an opportunity for the LTC to hear directly from you. NCA has many stakeholders and we want to make sure everyone is heard throughout this process.

Please keep the LTC in your prayers as we move forward.

Easter Flower Offering Envelopes

We are offering an opportunity to celebrate someone in your life, living or deceased, during the Easter season. Please consider making an Easter Flower offering in their name.

Envelopes are available in the back of the Church and may be placed in the collection basket or sent to Rectory. The names of those honored will be published in the bulletin during the Easter season.

Flower Offering Remembrances

In Memory of/Individual who Honored Them

• Ma’Araceli Frias from Nona T. Frias
• Gonzalo & Sulecia Frias from Nona T. Frias
• Theresa McMahon from Joe McMahon
• Mary Pat Ross from Steve & Anne Hasselbeck
• Deceased member of Slane family from Millie Slane
• Mother and Father from Efrain Cortes
• Mary Ellen Mellon from Jo Anne Joyce
• Deceased of the Laczkowski & Glotkowski families from Jean L. Laczkowski

Ministers of the Word

• Saturday, April 15 at 5:00 pm - Roman Reyes, Joseph McMahon
• Sunday, April 16 at 8:00 am - Marty McDermott, Hallie Burhoe
• Sunday, April 16 at 10:30 am - Martha Mulligan, Stephen Modde

Eucharistic Ministers

• Saturday, April 15 at 5:00 pm - Kathy Wall
• Sunday, April 16 at 8:00 am - Brian DeVarenne
• Sunday, April 17 at 10:30 am - Troy McMillan, Rafael Melendez, Michael Kowalsky

Cantors and Musicians

• Saturday, April 15 at 5:00 pm - Denise Goodman
• Sunday, April 16 at 8:00 am - Mary Clare Barker
• Sunday, April 16 at 10:30 am - Jay Lamble

Altar Servers

• Sunday, April 16 at 10:30 am - cross bearer - Henry Villareal; acolytes - Grace Cashman, Henry Jacobson

Upcoming Mass Intentions

• Monday, April 17: 7:30 am - Living and deceased Torreano Family 
• Tuesday, April 18: 7:30 am - Joe McMahon+
• Wednesday, April 19: 7:30 am - Jason Chaarapata +
• Thursday, April 20: 7:30 am - Communion Service
• Friday, April 21: 7:30 am - Margret Kelly +
• Saturday, April 22: 7:30 am - Purgatorial Society ; 5:00 pm - Blanche Saldanha +
• Sunday, April 23: 8:00 am - People of God ; 10:30 am – Mary Ellen Guerrero +; 10:30 am Gym Mass - Hope Fairclough McGowan+

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, April 17: Acts 4:23-31/Jn 3:1-8 
• Tuesday, April 18: Acts 4:32-37/Jn 3:7b-15
• Wednesday, April 19: Acts 5:17-26/Jn 3:16-21
• Thursday, April 20: Acts 5:27-33/Jn 3:31-36
• Friday, April 21: Acts 5:34-42/Jn 6:1-15
• Saturday, April 22: Acts 6:1-7/Jn 6:16-21
• Sunday, April 23: Acts 2:14, 22-33/1 Pt 1:17-21/Lk 24:13-35

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.