St. Gertrude Chicago

All are Welcome

1420 W. Granville,

Chicago, IL 60660

773.764.3621

stgertrude1420@stgertrudechicago.org

www.stgertrudechicago.org

Bulletin for Sunday, January 28, 2024

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

From Fr. Mike Gabriel: Parish Lenten Activities

Friends, in just a few short weeks, February 14 to be exact, is Ash Wednesday and the beginning of the sacred season of Lent. 

Lent is a time of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. This period of deep reflection and spiritual growth provides us with an opportunity to deepen our connection with the Lord Jesus. 

I would like to encourage everyone to really go deep with this Lent and plan ahead how you are going to make this season more meaningful in your lives. 

Here are a few suggestions: Start of each week by reading the Growing in Faith column in our bulletin. These reflections are written by parishioners and share some great thoughts.

Each Friday during Lent, there will be Eucharistic Adoration from noon until 3:00 pm. Mark your calendars so that you can participate in Stations of the Cross each Friday. Walk in the footsteps of Jesus and be reminded of God’s love for us and the sacrifice that was made to save us. At 3:00 pm, we will offer a traditional Way of the Cross. Another Stations of the Cross will be held at 6:30 pm on Fridays with a social justice theme. On Good Friday, March 29, our Youth Group will lead a Living Stations of the Cross.  

We will be having a special Lenten Retreat/Bible Study series, led by Father Paul. The title will be The Silence of God: Finding God in a Void. It will held on Wednesdays during Lent. There will be a morning session at 10:00 am and be held again at 7:00 pm. Just before this Lenten program will be Simple Suppers, which will start at 6:00 pm.

If it has been a while since you have last celebrated the Sacrament of  Reconciliation, every Saturday from 4:00-4:45 pm, private confession is available. A parish communal reconciliation has been planned for March 17, and a deanery an Reconciliation Service for all parishes of Deanery 2B Monday of Holy Week (Monday, March 25 at 7:00 pm), at (Saint Ita) Church of Mary, Mother of God Parish.

Another good exercise is to block 15 minutes a week during Lent for private prayers.

Our parish's Almoners’ Program will be held again. Each weekend, a second collection will be held, with funds used to distribute McDonald's Cards to those who are in need. At the end of each Mass, those wishing to participate in distributing cards to the needy will be invited to come forward, receive the cards, and be given a blessing as they go out in this charitable outreach. 

Wear something purple during Lent, it will make people think twice and maybe give you an opportunity to gently and kindly speak to someone about what your faith means to you. 

These are just a few ways we can deepen our Lenten experiences.

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.

St. Gertrude Super Bowl Tamale Benefit for Midwest Workers Association: Place Your Orders THIS Weekend

This Saturday, January 27and Sunday, January 28, Midwest Workers Association (MWA) will be taking orders of tamales after Mass for their annual Super Bowl Tamale Benefit. MWA volunteers will return on Sunday, February 11 to deliver the tamales. Please note, Saturday Mass attendees, please come on Sunday to pick up your tamales. MWA volunteers will be at the 8:00 am and

10:30 am Masses.

The tamale benefit generates critical support for MWA’s Winter Survival Campaign, which includes door-to-door membership canvasses, utility bill advocacy to avert utility shutoffs and restore service, winter-watch phoning, and warm clothing distributions.

If you are interested in ordering tamales, please stop by their table at the main church entrance, or call their office at 773.285.0485. Supporters can place orders by the half dozen, for chicken in green sauce, cheese & jalapeno (vegetarian), or black bean & cactus (vegan). The homemade tamales are available for a suggested donation of $10 for a half dozen or $20 for a dozen.

Groups of volunteers are urgently needed to play a role in making tamales from February 5 through February 10, as well as participating on MWA’s membership canvasses and benefit advocacy sessions. Speak with an MWA volunteer about how you can play an ongoing role in MWA’s Winter Survival Campaign.

Care for Real Food & Supply Drive is This Weekend

Our next donation drive will be before/after Masses this weekend, Saturday, January 27 and Sunday, January 28.

Care for Real has a big need for baby care and personal care supplies. Below are the most needed items for each category. 

Baby care:

• Size 3, 4, 5, and 6 diapers
• Baby wipes
• Pull ups (all sizes)

Personal care:

• Menstrual pads
• Body wipes
• Bar soap
• Body wash
• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Toilet paper
• Toothbrushes/toothpaste

Additionally, you can go to Care for Real's website, https://careforreal.org/wishlist, to make a donation, drop off items at 5341 N. Sheridan Road from 12:00-3:00 pm Monday-Friday. 

Catholic Schools Week Begins Sunday: Open House at NCA Planned

Sunday is the start of Catholic Schools Week, a time when we remember the great asset we have in our Catholic schools. We are blessed with excellent schools and faithful families here at NCA School. We want to do all that we can to keep our school strong for the generations to come and to encourage the faith lives of those who will follow us. And thank you to the faculty and staff at NCA for their hard work and loving guidance! 

This Sunday, January 28 there is an open house at the NCA Primary School Campus at 6216 N. Glenwood Ave. from 10:30 am -2:30 pm. All parishioners and neighbors are welcome to attend! 

Reconciliation for First Communion Candidates - Monday, January 29

Please keep the young students of our parish in their prayers as they prepare for their First Reconciliation on Monday, January 29 at 6:30 pm in church.

Contact Eloy Escamilla, our Pastoral Associate for Religious Education and Youth Ministry, at eescamilla@stgertrudechicago.org if you have questions.

Collection for Asylum Seekers is February 3 and 4

The following items are most needed by newly-arrived neighbors. New and gently used are preferred by Care for Real so they can give with dignity. 

• Thermals (men and women)
• Gloves (all sizes, all genders)
• Winter boots (adult sizes, all genders)
• Adult coats (no wool, please) (all sizes)
• Hand warmers
• Menstrual pads
• Body wipes
• Diapers (all sizes, but especially 4, 5, & 6)
• Juice boxes, shelf stable snacks (protein packed), soup cups or ramen, meals and soups in pop-top cans or pouches (no condensed, please). 

We appreciate the support!

You're Invited to An Evening of Romance

Save the date! St. Gertrude's Marriage Ministry is planning a special evening for couples on Saturday, February 10. The night will celebrate, renew, and strengthen your sacred commitment to your life partner. 

All couples are welcome, but space is limited!

The night will start off with Mass, followed by cocktails, appetizers, dinner, and dancing. Dim lighting, romantic decorations, and great food will set the mood for an evening for you and your partner to reconnect and socialize with other couples in the Social Hall.

The cost is $125 per couple and includes dinner, beer, and wine. Tickets are available at the rectory. Gift certificates are available!

For more information, contact mgabriel@stgertrudechicago.org or spatterson@stgertrudechicago.org. 

Book Club Planned for Monday, February 12

Please join us in the Ministry Center on Monday, February 12 at 7:00 pm. We will discuss Octavia E. Butler's book, Kindred, and would love new voices and opinions.

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

Lenten Simple Supper Planned for Late February

The Parish Pastoral Council will be hosting the first Simple Supper of Lent on Wednesday, February 21 at 6:00 pm in the Ministry Center. 

More info will be shared in the bulletin soon!

The Silence of God: Finding God in a Void: Lenten Retreat/Bible Study Program

Please join Fr. Paul Àdajà for a special Bible study during Lent! The sessions will be held twice on Wednesdays, at 10:00-11:00 am and again from 7:00-8:00 pm, on the following dates: 

• February 21
• February 28
• March 6
• March 13
• March 20

Additional details will be shared in coming bulletins. 

Questions? Email Fr. Paul at padaja@stgertrudechicago.org.

Save the Date! NCA's Soiree is Saturday, March 2

The 2024 NCA Soiree will be held on Saturday, March 2 at Loyola University with food, drinks, dancing and a live auction. 



Tickets can be purchased at ncasoiree.com, where we're also selling tickets for the Grand Raffle. Three winners of the Grand Raffle will receive either $1,000, $2,000, or a $3,000 prize and the buyer does not need to be present at the event to win. 

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

Attention teens in sixth grade through high school! This summer, from July 22-26, 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.

Growing in Faith

This Sunday's gospel passage makes me wonder: How do we know who to listen to? How do we navigate the many sources of information and opinion in our world?

Earlier in Mark’s gospel, Mark tells us that Jesus came to Galilee to proclaim that the kingdom of God is at hand. In today's passage Mark says, “the people were astonished at his teaching” because of the authority with which Jesus spoke. Jesus was his own source of authority, unlike the scribes who deferred to the authority of the law. He was authentic. Jesus's teaching about the kingdom of God seems to stand on its own.

There are plenty of people in the world who claim to speak with authority, whether it is deserved or not. Some just want to be popular. When he confronts the man with the unclean spirit, Jesus shows that he is not interested in being endorsed as the Holy One of God by just anyone. Jesus is choosy about who follows him.

The people listening to Jesus that day also were amazed when he demonstrated genuine concern for others. Jesus helps the man with the unclean spirit instead of avoiding him. We should be suspicious of those who are self-serving.

We follow Jesus because we believe he is more than his message. But Jesus does give us reason to listen to him. He is authentic, he is not out to win popularity contests, he demonstrates concern for others. How do those we listen to measure up to Jesus’ example and message?

~ Kevin Horan-Bussey 

Please Make Your Gift to the 2024 Annual Catholic Appeal: Together at the Table

Many families in our parish will be receiving the Annual Catholic Appeal mailing from Cardinal Cupich. On behalf of those served by the ministries, parishes, and schools that receive funding from the Appeal, we thank you for your gifts. Please return your response as soon as possible. The Annual Catholic Appeal offers a wonderful opportunity to answer the call “Together at the table.” In addition to providing for ministries and services throughout the archdiocese, the Appeal also funds services that are of great help here in our parish. For example, Appeal funds support several ministries at St. Gertrude.

As we contemplate God’s many gifts to us, we should also reflect on our gratitude. Your financial support for the work of our parish, our archdiocese, and the Church throughout the world is one way to express this gratitude. Please give what you can to the 2024 Annual Catholic Appeal.

Ministers of the Word

• Saturday, January 27 at 5:00 pm - Kathleen Dawson, Patrick Reardon
• Sunday, January 28 at 8:00 am - Jennifer Kiedaisch, Jay Cook
• Sunday, January 28 at 10:30 am - Eric Ameyaw, Martha Mulligan

Eucharistic Ministers

• Saturday, January 27 at 5:00 pm - Tim Harrington
• Sunday, January 28 at 8:00 am - Kathryn Stimac
• Sunday, January 28 at 10:30 am - Bob Backis, Tim Love, Lisa Schneider

Cantors

• Saturday, January 27 at 5:00 pm - Paula Dempsey
• Sunday, January 28 at 8:00 am - Denise Goodman
• Sunday, January 28 at 10:30 am - Matt Heimer

Altar Servers

• Sunday, January 28 at 10:30 am - Henry Villareal, cross bearer; Camille Boquiren, and Jayson Ameyaw, acolytes

Upcoming Mass Intentions

• Sunday, January 28: 8:00 am - Pete Ballard+; 10:30 am in church - Joyce Ryley+; 10:30 am Gym Mass - Mary Cronin+
• Monday, January 29: 7:30 am - Mary Shepeck
• Tuesday, January 30: 7:30 am - Living and deceased parents of St. Gertrude parishioners
• Wednesday, January 31: 7:30 am - People of God
• Thursday, February 1: 7:30 am - Communion Service
• Friday, February 2: 7:30 am - Purgatorial Society
• Saturday, February 3: 7:30 am - Joseph Terry Shields+; 5:00 pm - Nancy Kelly Kohl+

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.