Bulletin for Sunday, August 27, 2023
21st Sunday in Ordinary Time
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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. The Gym Mass will resume in the fall.
Reconciliation: 4:15-4:45 pm on Saturday or by appointment.
Office Hours: The Rectory office is open Monday-Friday from 8:30 am-4:30 pm and Saturday from 9:00 am-2:30 pm. The office is closed on Labor Day.
Heart to Heart Contacts: Sr. Susan Quaintance, OSB/Director/872-296-2537; Laurie Hasbrook/Lending Closet/773-973-5464
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From Fr. Mike
It is hard to believe that summer is over, and children are back in school! I have no idea where the summer went. I do ask that you join me in praying for the children as they go back to school.
Loving Lord, we give our children into your hands, as they set off on a new year, a new journey of
discovery. We pray for their safety. We pray for the teachers and staff that they are granted patience.
May all children be kind and accepting of one another through this new school year. Amen.
Fireside Chat
Thank you to all of you who participated in our last Fire Pit discussion and immigration, and to our special speaker, who gave us much to think about and pray for.
Welcome Back, Fr. Lucas Sharma!
On September 3, at the 10:30 am Mass, Father Lucas Sharma S.J. will celebrate a Mass of thanksgiving here at St. Gertrude’s.
Father Lucas was ordained in 2022 and resides in San Diego. Fr. Lucas participated
in the 10:30 am Mass while studying at Loyola. We wish him all the best and give him all our prayers!
Sole of the Parish: Parish Run
Yes, I know many of you are putting off registering for the October 7th Soles of the Parish 3k Fun Run and Walk, but now is really the time. This way you can concentrate on getting in shape. You can register online, or forms are at the back of the church. You can also find additional information and sign up online for this event at https://bit.ly/StGerts3K.
Fr. Mike Bradley will also be running the Chicago Marathon on Sunday, October 8. We are seeking sponsorships for Father Mike, with all proceeds going to our Heart-to-Heart ministry. You can sponsor Fr. Mike Bradley online as well by visiting https://bit.ly/FrMikeRuns.
Pastor Installation Delayed
We're going to delay my installation as a pastor until later this year. I'll be off for some surgery and want to make sure I'm fully healed before we come together as a faith community to celebrate our parish.
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Events & Activities at St. Gertrude
listed in chronological order
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This Weekend - Food & Supply Drive for Care for Real
Our next drive will be on August 26 & 27.
Special needs requested by Care for Real include:
- Granola bars/protein bars
- Individual servings of children/tuna and crackers
- Protein drinks
- Pop top soups, chili, and pasta
- Size 5 and 6 diapers
- Menstrual pads
Thank you in advance for your generosity!
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Parish Youth Group Cookout Planned for This Sunday, August 27
Parish youth group members as well as teens in 7th grade and up are welcome to attend a youth group cookout! The BBQ will take place in the backyard after the 10:30 am Mass on Sunday, August 27.
Please RSVP to Eloy Escamilla at
eescamilla@stgertrudechicago.org.
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Join the Choir! Social & Rehearsal Planned for Thursday, August 31
Are you interested in joining St. Gertrude’s choir? Kathryn Flynn, our new music director, is planning a social and rehearsal on Thursday, August 31!
The social will be from 6:00-7:00 pm in the Rectory dining room, followed by practice from 7:00-9:00 pm.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Kathryn at kflynn@stgertrudechicago.org.
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Donations Needed for Asylum Seekers - Collections on Sept. 2-3/Updated List of Needs Below
We are so appreciative of the many parishioners who dropped off donations to asylum seekers these past few weeks! Thank you so very much for your generosity.
In addition to feeding neighbors in need, Care for Real is providing support to families sheltering at the Broadway Armory. Please place items from the list below in the bins at the back of church for delivery to Care for Real:
- Diapers sizes 4, 5 and 6
- Pull-ups
- Baby wipes
- Clean children’s in-season clothing and new or very gently shoes (that they can wear right now)
- Feminine sanitary pads (no tampons, please)
- Individual, pre-packaged, ready to eat food and snacks (granola bars, tuna kits, jerky, etc.)
- Shampoo/conditioner
- Black hair care
- Body wash
- Bar soap
- Incontinence briefs
- Women’s leggings
- Men’s jeans and pants
Thank you for your generosity!
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PreCana Class Offered at St. Gertrude on Saturday, September 9
Pre Cana classes at St. Gertrude are primarily intended for couples getting married at St. Gertrude. Before registering you must speak with Father Mike Gabriel about your planned wedding at St. Gertrude or receive consent to attend if you are getting married at a different parish.
This full day, in-person gathering on Saturday, September 9 is dedicated to considering your life together as a married couple. Led by a facilitator couple from St. Gertrude, the session begins at 9:00 am and features presentations, prayers, and discussions with your partner and 5-10 other couples. Lunch and snacks are provided.
Couples can register for the September session by calling the Rectory office at 773.764.3621or by filling out an online form at https://stgertrudechicago.org/marriage.
The cost of PreCana is covered by the church fee couples planning a wedding at St. Gertrude are charged.
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Countdown to Classes! Religious Ed Begins Sunday, September 10
Registration is now open for our 2023-2024 Religious Education program! Classes will begin on Sunday, September 10, with in-person instruction held on Sunday mornings from 9:15-10:15 am.
Religious Ed registration forms can be found on our website at https://stgertrudechicago.org/religious-education-news. Forms in Spanish are also available on our website. Please note that students must receive two years of preparation in order to make these sacraments.
The fees for the 2023-2024 school year are $210 for one child and an additional $30 for each student from the same family. Tuition can be paid online at https://bit.ly/StGertsRelEdTuition.
An additional sacramental fee of $65 is required for children making their First Communion and First Reconciliation, or their Confirmation. That fee can be paid at https://bit.ly/StGertsSacramentalFee.
Completed forms and any questions about the program should be emailed to Eloy Escamilla at eescamilla@stgertrudechicago.org. Please register before the start date.
Interested in becoming a substitute catechist teacher? Contact Eloy Escamilla at the above email address.
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Kids Word Returns on Sundays at 10:30 am Masses Beginning September 10
On Sundays during the 10:30 am Mass in church, children aged 4-7 years-old are invited to attend Kids Word to hear an age-appropriate Gospel message and do fun, scripture-based activities such as coloring or crafts in the Rectory.
Children will be invited by the celebrant to come to the altar before the readings and will return to church before the petitions.
Email eescamilla@stgertrudechicago.org for details.
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Misericordia Family Fest—Sunday, September 10
Family Fest, Misericordia’s largest fundraising event of the year brings our families, friends and neighbors together for a day of celebration.
This is the 41th annual Family Fest and will take place from 11:00 am-6:00 pm at 6300 N. Ridge Blvd. Proceeds support Misericordia’s programs for children and adults with developmental disabilities.
The festivities include food and drink, a cash raffle, children's games, games of chance, in-crowd entertainers, a car raffle, Misericordia art, a live & silent auction, bingo, a quilt raffle, and clowns.
Live entertainment on the main stage will feature Finbarr Fagan, the Shannon Rovers, the Heartzingers, the Heartbreakers, the Chancey Brothers, and In Spite of Ourselves. Dr. Mark and the Sutures, as well as Andrew Blomquist will perform in the North Tent.
Tickets are available online at https://www.misericordia.com/store/fest-tickets/ and at the door.
Visit Misericordia's Family Fest page at https://www.misericordia.com/events/family-fest-2023/ or call 773.273.2768 for more information.
Misericordia is looking for volunteers at the event as well as in the days leading up to the Fest. This one-day event takes approximately 2,000 volunteers to pull it off and your help would be greatly appreciated. Shifts are generally broken down into 2 ½ -3 hours. Sign up online at https://www.misericordia.com/events/family-fest-2023/.
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Book Club - Monday, September 11
On Monday, September 11, the book club will discuss The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai.
We would love new voices and opinions!
Contact Lea Cloninger at 773.973.2465 or Sue Benjamin at 773.551.8401 with questions.
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St. Teresa of Avila Seminar at St. Gregory’s Held September 11-November 13
On Monday evening from September 11-November 13, St. Gregory the Great will host a weekly seminar on Carmelite Spanish mystic and doctor of the Church, St. Teresa of Avila.
Led by Fr. Bob Sprott, the group will read her two great works, The Interior Castle and The Way of Perfection.
The seminars will be held from 6:00-8:00 pm in St. Gregory’s Msgr. Klasen Building, 1609 W. Gregory. There is a suggested donation of $40.
For more information and to register, visit https://www.stgregoryhall.org/teresa.html.
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Golden Wedding Anniversary Mass – September 17
Congratulations to all of the couples celebrating 50 years of marriage this year! The Golden Wedding Anniversary Mass is scheduled to be held on Sunday, September 17, 2023 at 2:30 pm. The Mass will be celebrated at Holy Name Cathedral, 735 North State Street, Chicago, IL 60654.
Please register by September 15, 2023. Click here for information & to register.
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Parishioner Author Event Planned for Thursday, September 21
Parishioner Kathy Osberger has a book that came out this month, titled I Surrender A Memoir of Chile's Dictatorship, 1975.
On Thursday, September 21 at 7:00 pm in the Social Hall, St. Gertrude parish and the Chicago Religious Leadership Network on Latin America (CRLN) are partnering to host an author event, with Kathy speaking about her book and time in Chile during the reign of military dictator General August Pinochet and experiences at the hands of Chile's secret police.
Her book will be available for sale at a reduced price this weekend in the back of church, with a portion donated to St. Gertrude’s.
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Interested in Becoming Catholic?
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is a process by which adults learn more about the Catholic Church. This free program begins in the fall and meets until Pentecost.
Many people who begin RCIA are non-Catholics seeking to become Catholic or at least to explore whether Catholicism might be a good home. Those who complete the process and decide to become Catholic are initiated into the Church at the Easter Vigil Mass on Holy Saturday. Others who take RCIA are already Catholic but want a deeper understanding of their faith foundation.
The RCIA process does not ask those who have been baptized in another faith to give up their denominational experiences. Rather, the RCIA process seeks to add new colors and designs to their existing faith life tapestry. In addition to attending Mass, the RCIA process includes weekly gatherings of breaking open the Word of God, sharing our stories, and learning about our faith traditions.
Classes begin in September.
If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about the RCIA process at St. Gertrude, contact Eloy Escamilla at eescamilla@stgertrudechicago.org or call the Rectory at 773.764.3621.
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Growing in Faith
But, who do YOU say that I am?
Who Christ is for me has evolved over time. Thank God!
The seeds were planted in eighth grade confirmation class when Mr. & Mrs. Clements moved our seats into a circle and made it clear in words and action that “God is Love!”
I’ve been told that I cannot separate myself from this Love! (Rom 8:39)
And so, I began my journey to discover this for myself.
I experience Christ as Infinite Love, an energy flow that is in and through and as everything. I know that I “swim” in this Love all the time! So, when I am not experiencing this Love (and I remember!), I take a deep breath and connect to Spirit and allow God to reveal this Love to me in whatever I am experiencing. I become present to Christ in this moment of my ordinary life. This has the power to transform the situation and me. In this moment, nothing is missing. It helps to create a safe, non-judgmental space for myself and others, as well as for new possibilities to rise.
I believe Jesus told his disciples not to tell others what they have come to know about Him, so that others would discover Christ for themselves! I am so grateful for my teachers and guides who have helped me along the way to discover Christ for myself.
Centering Prayer (a form of Contemplative Prayer) has really helped me ground myself in this Love and Presence. Stay tuned for more information about a Centering Prayer experience at St. Gertrude’s Parish. If you are interested or if you would like more information, please contact me at lorijdressel@gmail.com.
~ Lori Dressel
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New Parishioners
- Rochelle Hernandez
- Martha Kachmaryk
- Ilse Vielma & Khoa Truong
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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, August 26 at 5:00 pm - Roman Reyes, Kathleen Dawson
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Sunday, August 27 at 8:00 am - Kathryn Stimac, Marty McDermott
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Sunday, August 27 at 10:30 am - Troy McMillan, Martha Mulligan
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Eucharistic Ministers
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Saturday, August 26 at 5:00 pm - Mary Cook
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Sunday, August 27 at 8:00 am - Brian DeVarenne
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Sunday, August 27 at 10:30 am - Debra Novak, Michael Kowalsky, Steven Monti
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Cantors and Musicians
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Saturday, August 26 at 5:00 pm - Kathryn Flynn
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Sunday, August 27 at 8:00 am - Kate Davis
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Sunday, August 27 at 10:30 am - Michael Callahan
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Altar Servers
- Sunday, August 27 at 10:30 am - Carter Dant
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Financial Reports from August 12-13 and August 19 & 20
August 12-13
Sunday Collection Envelopes: $2,695.00
Loose Checks: $470.00
Loose Cash/Coins: $698.46
Online Donations: $6.876.13
Total Collected: $10,739.59
Budgeted: $10,000.00
Difference: $739.59
Year-to-date Collected: $65,889.41
Year-to-date Budgeted: $386.400.00
Difference: -$320,510.59
August 19-20
Sunday Collection Envelopes: $2,676.00
Loose Checks: $665.00
Loose Cash/Coins: $718.00
Online Donations: $5,490.42
Total Collected: $9,549.42
Budgeted: $10,000.00
Difference: -$450.58
Year-to-date Collected FY 2024: $75,438.83
Year-to-date Budgeted FY 2024: $386.400.00
Difference: -$310,961.17
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Estate Planning
Q: Who Needs an Estate Plan?
A: Everyone.
Your estate includes everything you own, regardless of size. If you want your assets to be
given to the people and charities you care deeply about after your passing, then it is
important for you to establish a formal estate plan. Not only will it give you peace of mind,
but your loved ones will also appreciate not having to make tough, stressful decisions during an already tough time.
There are five key elements to an effective estate plan: (1) financial power of attorney, (2) will, (3) beneficiary designations, (4) charitable beneficiary designations and (5) health care documents, such as a living will and a health care power of attorney.
Please consult an attorney and financial advisor when creating your estate plan. For more information, please contact Eduardo Soto at 773.764.3621, esoto@stgertrudechicago.org, or visit myimpact.archchicago.org/resources.
To request the free guide, “Tips for Creating an Effective Estate Plan,” please contact Deacon Greg Vogt, Philanthropy Officer, Archdiocese of
Chicago at 312.995.0686 or gvogt@archchicago.org.
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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, August 28: 7:30 am - Violet Abeyta +
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Tuesday, August 29: 7:30 am - Purgatorial Society
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Wednesday, August 30: 7:30 am - Living and deceased parent of St. Gertrude parishioners
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Thursday, August 31: 7:30 am - Communion Service
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Friday, September 1: 7:30 am - Peter and Mary Tunney +
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Saturday, September 2: 7:30 am - Juanita Gusmanos +; 5:00 pm - Jonathan Reed +
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Sunday, September 3: 8:00 am - Rose Donovan + and family; 10:30 am – People of God
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Please Keep the Following People in Your Prayers | |
- Carlos Barragan
- Zara Bradley
- Lilly Buie
- Maggie Callaway
- Aida Calvopina
- Claire Conley
- Denise DeBelle
- Ann Collins Dole
- 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
- 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. | | | | |
