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 28, 2024

Fifth Sunday of Easter

From Fr. Mike Gabriel

“This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad.”

When I think of Easter, this is one of the first phrases that come to mind. It is actually the refrain for the responsorial psalm on Easter Sunday. The phrase remains for me a reminder of what Easter is about, not only on Easter Sunday, but throughout the Easter Season.

I mention that because each year, I find it sometimes difficult to hold on to the focus of Easter. It’s a long season, stretching for almost two months. And it always seems that once we’ve survived Lent, and celebrated Easter, it just feels like it is time to move on. Yet,  Pentecost is coming, but we’ll deal with that when we get there. How do we continue to celebrate Easter for all those weeks?

What is strange is that Advent and Lent don’t seem to present the same challenge. While both are shorter than the Easter season, it seems that it’s just easier to keep the energy 

going. That said, Christmas and Easter are a bit more significant in most of our lives.

So if this is the day the Lord has made, how do you keep rejoicing week after week after week?

If we’re talking about the exultant joy of the first believers as they discovered that the tomb was empty, I don’t think anyone could maintain that. But perhaps there is a 

quieter kind of rejoicing, not quite so overflowing with emotion. This is the day that the Lord has made. This is true of Easter Sunday, but it is also true of each and every day of our lives. There would be no day had not our God loved us enough to pour forth the fruits of 

creation.

What this means is that no matter what happens today, or tomorrow, or the day after, it is a day that the Lord has made. He has had a hand in each day from the very 

beginning. No matter what I make of this day, no matter what choices I make, no matter what I accomplish, it is still a day that the Lord has made. What if something happens that doesn’t make me feel like rejoicing? Then I recall what Jesus went through to get to that Easter day that the Lord has made. In this way, I connect whatever is happening to what God accomplished through the death and the rising of Jesus. No matter what, that is the cause to rejoice.

Bravo-Bravo-Bravo

Last Saturday, the curtain closed on “Light, Camera, Action!” Thank you to the St. Gertrude Players, who once again gave us a toe-tapping night of entertainment. So many need to be applauded, not just the St. Gertrude players, but the many behind the scenes. Thanks for another great night of entertainment.

Thanks also to the Guadalupanos for the wonderful spread of Dulce Pan and coffee after mass last Sunday. Your kindness is deeply appreciated. Remember, everyone is invited to come participate in the bilingual rosary every Friday night in the Ministry Center. With May approaching (the month of the Rosary), please attempt to come at least one Friday night.

Thursday, April 25

• 6:00-8:00 pm - Confirmation Retreat II in the Ministry Center

Friday, April 26

• 7:00 pm - Guadalupanos Rosary Group (Grupo del Rosario de Guadalupanos) in the Ministry Center

Saturday, April 27

• Care for Real Food & Supply Drive in church after 5:00 pm mass
• 7:30 pm - Edgewater Singers Present A Measure of Peace, Ebenezer Lutheran Church, 1650 W. Foster Ave.

Sunday, April 28

• Care for Real Food & Supply Drive in church after the 8:00 am and 10:30 am masses

Tuesday, April 30

• 6:00 pm - Altar server training in church

Friday, May 3

• 7:00 pm - Guadalupanos Rosary Group (Grupo del Rosario de Guadalupanos) in the Ministry Center

Saturday, May 4

• RSVP deadline for teens interested in participating in the Youth Group car wash
• Before/after the 5:00 pm - donations for Care for Real to help asylum seekers accepted in the back of church

Sunday, May 5

• Before/after the 8:00 an 10:30 am masses - donations for Care for Real to help asylum seekers accepted in the back of church
• After the 10:30 am Gym Mass- Town Hall

Friday, May 10

• 6:30 pm - Communion Mass practice in church
• 7:00 pm - Guadalupanos Rosary Group (Grupo del Rosario de Guadalupanos) in the Ministry Center

Saturday, May 11

• 10:00 am - First Communion Mass

Sunday, May 12

• Catholic Charities – Mother’s Day second collection
• 10:30 am - May Crowning during mass in church

Monday, May 13

• 7:00 pm - Book Club in the Ministry Center

Confirmation Information: Second Retreat is Thursday, April 25

There is a second Confirmation Retreat planned on Thursday, April 25 for students that made their Confirmation in March of 2024. It will be in the Ministry Center from 6:00 - 8:00 pm.

Questions? Contact Eloy Escamilla at eescamilla@stgertrudechicago.org. 

Guadalupanos Rosary Group (Grupo del Rosario de Guadalupanos) on Friday Evenings

All are welcome to attend the weekly Rosary group held on Friday evenings at 7:00 pm.

The bilingual gathering is held in the dining room of the Ministry Center, located at 6214 North Glenwood Avenue.

Our Monthly Care for Real Food and Supply Drive is April 27-28

Our next monthly Care for Real Food and Supply Drive is Saturday, April 27 and Sunday, April 28. Donations can be dropped off in church before and after masses.

Here are some of their needs: 

Baby care:

• Diapers (any/all sizes, but especially 4, 5, and 6)
• Baby wipes

Personal care:

• Menstrual pads
• Shampoo/conditioner
• Individually wrapped toilet paper rolls
• Body wipes
• Soap/deodorant/lotion/razors
• Toothbrushes/toothpaste/mouth wash

Food items:

• Ramen or ready-to-eat noodles
• Peanut butter/jelly
• Protein bars

Care for Real also accepts donations of non-perishable foods, full-sized toiletries, unopened and unexpired dog and cat food, reusable bags, clean plastic and paper bags, Black hair care products, formula, paper towels, and more.

Thank you for helping our neighbors in need!

Altar Server Training - Tuesday, April 30

Students in 5th grade and up are invited to become altar servers! There is a training session planned for Tuesday, April 30th at 6:00 pm in church. It should last about an hour.

Please note, serving as an altar server does qualify for Confirmation service hours.

Email eescamilla@stgertrudechicago.org with questions. 

Our Monthly Asylum Seeker's Food and Supply Drive is May 4-5

On Saturday, May 4 and Sunday, May 5, we will host a food and supply drive for asylum seekers. Items needed for migrants include: 

• Protein bars
• Ramen or other instant noodles 
• Snack size chips and crackers
• Juice boxes
• Fruit cups
• Menstrual pads *most urgent
• New underwear (all genders and sizes)
• Shampoo/conditioner
• Body wipes
• Bar soap

Thank you for helping our neighbors in need!

News from the PPC - May 5th Town Hall, Join the PPC

The Parish Pastoral Council will be hosting a Town Hall on Sunday, May 5 after the 10:30 am mass in the gym. To enrich our gathering, please review the Strategic Plan found on our website.

Are you called to leadership? The Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) is looking for new members. If you are interested in joining please complete the INTEREST FORM or scan the QR code. There are also paper copies in the back of church. The deadline for submission is May 10. If you would like to nominate someone for the PPC, please email stgertrudeparishcouncil@gmail.com.

First Communion Parent Info

First Communion celebration is approaching, and families with students making their First Communion need to know/do several things before this important celebration takes place. 

• Some parents have not sent the Sacramental Request Form. Please fill it out and send it to Eloy Escamilla at eescamilla@stgertrudechicago.org.
• If you have not paid the registration fee for the 2023-2024 catechetical year, this is the time to do it. Notice that there is a sacramental fee as well. All payments can be done by check or online.
• Your child will practice the reception of Holy Communion on Sunday, April 28 and Sunday, May 5 during her/his regular Sunday session. Please bring your child on time for those two important sessions. 
• On Friday, May 10, there will be a First Communion practice at 6:30 pm. Please be on time.
• Our parish's First Communion Mass is Saturday, May 11 at 10:00 am. No photos are allowed before and/or during mass, but rather after the service.
• On Sunday, May 12, there is a May Crowning celebrated at the 10:30 am mass in church. All communicants should participate in the Crowning of Blessed Mary in their First Communion finery.

First Communion Attire

The attire for First Communion is simple, age appropriate, and should not distract from the focus of receiving the Sacrament. 

• For boys, please wear any color suit or slacks and dress shirt.
• Girls usually wear white dresses, but it any color can be worn. Veils are optional, but should not block the face. Gloves can be worn, but not while receiving Holy Communion.
• While sitting in the pew (and especially when going up for Communion) children should not hold bibles, rosaries, flowers, etc.

Next Book Club is is Monday, May 13

Please join the book club in the Ministry Center on Monday, May 13 at 7:00 pm. We will discuss The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb, and we would love new voices and opinions.

On Monday, June 10, our group will talk about Deacon King Kong by James McBride.

There are many copies of both books available at the Chicago Public Library.

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

Youth Group Event - Car Wash

We are considering having a car wash fundraising event on Saturday, May 18 from 10:00am-1:00 pm. If your teen in grades six and up (or even you!) wants to volunteer, please contact Eloy Escamilla at eescamilla@stgertrudechicago.org before May 4th.

If we have enough volunteers, we definitely would go ahead with our plan.

Snacks will be provided. 

Teen Youth Mission Experience Planned for Summer

Teens in sixth grade through high school are invited to take part in St. Gertrude's Youth Mission Experience, planned for the week of July 22-26. The group will volunteer with a different Chicagoland organization each day. 

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.

Heart to Heart Lending Closet News

The Lending Closet is in the midst of SPRING SHARING! Volunteers are needed to help pack and label boxes of medical supplies that we are sharing with Project C.U.R.E. (which ships supplies to clinics in need worldwide).

PLEASE e-mail or call the Lending Closet manager Laurie Hasbrook at lhasbrook@stgertrudechicago.org or 773-973-5464 ext. 115 if you can volunteer for hour or two.

Growing in Faith

“I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit….If you remain in me and my words remain in you…By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.” John 15: 5–8

The Gospel of John is full of remarkable stories like the gospel reading this Sunday. John puts it together for us beautifully and poetically. In many of his stories he writes about signs, deeds and remarks that often reveal a key precept: The Father is in Jesus and Jesus is in us, through his words and through the Eucharist.

KC Conway, my friend and fellow parishioner, and I were bantering about this gospel passage and she fondly recalled a childhood memory: a huge “vascular” grapevine in her grandmother’s garden. Each year, this vine would produce loads of fruit—bunches of gorgeous grapes--for her family.

John uses the powerful and accessible metaphor of vine, branches and fruit to help us make an imaginative link to Jesus and the Eucharist. So, to take John’s symbolic image further: Jesus, the vine, is a big vascular system with many branches. Those branches are well pruned, nourished by the “blood” of the vine, and bear fruit. The fruit of that vine becomes the wine of his blood. Through the bread and wine, he remains in us and we in him. 

Have I taken this too far? I don’t know, but when I read John’s stories I reconnect with Jesus in such a profound way. 

~ Claire Conley 

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

• Caskie Family
• Peter Steenveld by Joanne Steenveld
• John and Elizabeth by Pat O’Neal
• Groleau Karasti by Rose Karasti
• Slane and Quinn families by Millie Slane
• Mary Ellen Mellon & JoAnne Joyce by Bernard Joyce
• The deceased of the Strubbe-Galoney family by Marie Galoney
• Gonzalo, Sabrina, and Celi Frias by Maria Frias
• Larry McCauley by Marilyn Klein

St. Francis Catholic Worker House of Hospitality



St. Francis House is a home offering hospitality in the tradition of the Catholic Worker movement, located in the Uptown neighborhood at 4652 N. Kenmore.

All are welcome to come by for dinner any Monday at 6:00 pm! Curious about this tradition? Read about in the Chicago Catholic at https://rb.gy/10e7pw. 

NCA Summer Camp 



Wildcat Camp strives to provide a safe, engaging experience with a variety of recreational, educational, athletic, and fine arts programs at an affordable price!

Join us for:

• Arts & Crafts
• Snacks
• Sports
• Field Trips
• and MUCH MORE!

Register at https://bit.ly/49CGPmH.

Eucharistic Ministers

• Saturday, April 27 at 5:00 pm - Michelle Kuehlhorn
• Sunday, April 28 at 8:00 am - Kathryn Stimac
• Sunday, April 28 at 10:30 am - Michael Kowalski, Patrick Robinson, Debra Novak

Upcoming Mass Intentions



• Monday, April 29: 7:30 am - Purgatorial Society
• Tuesday, April 30: 7:30 am - People of God
• Wednesday, May 1: 7:30 am - Pat Kelly+
• Thursday, May 2: 7:30 am - Communion Service
• Friday, May 3: 7:30 am - Joseph Shields+
• Saturday, May 4: 7:30 am - People of God; 5:00 pm - Blanche Saldanha+
• Sunday, May 5: 8:00 am - Ricardo Manalo; 10:30 am - Patricia Messearger; 10:30 am Gym Mass - People of God

New Parishioners

• Joseph Regan

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.