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 7, 2024

The Epiphany of the Lord

From Fr. Mike Gabriel

“Me and my drum.” What if that really is all you have? What if you and your drum are the only gifts you have to offer to a King?

For some reason, out of all the carols that have been surrounding us, the tune that has kept getting my attention this Christmas is “The Little Drummer Boy.” It’s more about Epiphany than Christmas. Not exactly a classic in the traditional sense, it was written just in 1941, becoming famous when recorded (by the Trapp Family Singers) in 1955.

With others bringing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, he was there, ragged and poor, holding only his drum. And we don’t even know if he was any good! Maybe he was so bad at playing his little drum that the ox and lamb were struggling to keep time with him, and even Mary was a little sorry that she had nodded. Maybe he wasn’t all that tall or handsome or particularly witty, clever, or entertaining in any way. Still, he stood there, in the presence of the King, and played his drum. 

How often do we look at what we have or who we are, or what we do, and shrink back into the corner, afraid to approach the King? How often have we felt that because it isn’t perfect, or unique, or better than every other one, it somehow will not please? 

What if all I had was just “me and my drum”, and I went ahead and played. “Then he smiled at me . . . me and my drum.” I didn’t play that well. I’m not that good. My drum is old and beat up. Why did he smile at me and my drum? Perhaps it was because I simply played my best for him. Perhaps it was because he loved and cherished me before I even picked up a drumstick. Perhaps he smiled just at the sight of his beloved one, come to visit, come to listen, to learn, to worship. “I played my best for him.” In that beating of one’s drum, and the smile offered in return, do we not discover the meaning of mercy? Unearned, undeserved, still came the smile of approval, of acceptance, of communion.  

St. Paul shared that it is precisely in this way that Christ proves his love for us, that while we were still sinners, he died for us. While we were still sinners, he emptied himself, embracing humanity in humility, taking on our human nature, born of the Virgin, dying, and then rising so that we might live, while we were still sinners. Mercy. “Me and my drum.” Maybe it’s enough.

Thank You!

My first year as administrator/pastor of St. Gertrude really flew by. In completing one year and beginning another, it seems appropriate to reflect on blessings we have received and to give thanks.

I would like to thank in a special way all of you who bless us with the gift of your presence, Sunday after Sunday. And I am so grateful for all our ministers who go the extra mile by showing up when scheduled, and arranging their holiday plans to serve at one of our Masses, for the decorating elves who beautify our church, our choir and all who helped us make such beautiful music, week after week and especially at Christmas; to all who give so generously to our weekly collection; and for the pastoral staff who have been working double time, especially this year.

Thank you to Maria Ugarte, Maribel Bawa, and Fr. Paul for the photos!

Book Club Planned for Monday, Jan. 8

Please join us in the Ministry Center on Monday, January 8 at 7:00 pm. We will discuss Muriel Spark's book, Girls of Slender Means, and would love new voices and opinions.

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

Women’s Friendship Club Luncheon is This Thursday

The Women’s Friendship Club will gather for lunch at The Greenhouse Inn Restaurant at Misericordia on Thursday, January 11 at 11:30 am.

The restaurant is located at 6300 N. Ridge 

Avenue. More information about it can be found here.

Please call Marie Galoney at 773.743.4838 if you have any questions! 

Parent Meeting for First Communion Students/Confirmation Candidates on Monday, January 22

On Monday, January 22, there is a mandatory meeting of both parents of students making their First Communion in 2024 and those making their Confirmation this year too.

Please meet in the church at 6:00 pm.

Contact Pastoral Associate Eloy Escamilla at eescamilla@stgertrudechicago.org with questions.

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.

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. 

Thank You to our Christmas Pageant Participants

We are so grateful to the many children and families who participated in our Christmas Eve pageant at the 5:00 pm Mass! The angels, shepherds, sheep, kings, donkey, Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus were so charming - we appreciate their time coming to the rehearsal and for making Christmas so special.

Thank you!

~ Eloy Escamilla, Pastoral Associate

Our Greenery Sale Results

Thanks so much to those parishioners and neighbors that purchased trees, wreaths, and garland this holiday season! A total of $2,034.20 was raised after costs and will go to support St. Gertrude's ministries.

Special thanks to Robert Clark, who generously volunteered as our delivery driver.

~ Eduardo Soto, Business Manager

Growing in Faith: Pope Francis on the Feast of Epiphany

“On the feast of the Epiphany, as we recall Jesus’ manifestation to humanity in the face of a Child, may we sense the Magi at our side, as wise companions on the way. 

Their example helps us to lift our gaze towards the star and to follow the great desires of our heart. They teach us not to be content with a life of mediocrity, of “playing it safe”, but to let ourselves be attracted always by what is good, true and beautiful… by God, who is all of this, and so much more! And they teach us not to be deceived by appearances, by what the world considers great, wise and powerful. We must not stop at that. It is necessary to guard the faith.

Today this is of vital importance: to keep the faith. We must press on further, beyond the darkness, beyond the voices that raise alarm, beyond worldliness, beyond so many forms of modernity that exist today. We must press on towards Bethlehem, where, in the simplicity of a dwelling on the outskirts, beside a mother and father full of love and of faith, there shines forth the Sun from on high, the King of the universe. By the example of the Magi, with our little lights, may we seek the Light and keep the faith. May it be so.”

Rest in Peace

• Pete Ballard, husband of Carolyn (Carrie), father of Maya and Hayden

New Parishioners

• Maureen Butler & Javier Rojas 
• Susan A. Tario 

Ministers of the Word

• Saturday, January 6 at 5:00 pm - Millie Slane, Roman Reyes
• Sunday, January 7 at 8:00 am - Art Lyons, Jennifer Kiedaisch
• Sunday, January 7 at 10:30 am - Sarah Millar, Joe Dunne

Eucharistic Ministers

• Saturday, January 6 at 5:00 pm - Mary Cook
• Sunday, January 7 at 8:00 am - Mary Clare Barker
• Sunday, January 7 at 10:30 am - Michael Kowalsky, Steven Monti, Lisa Schneider

Cantors

• Saturday, January 6 at 5:00 pm - Kathryn Flynn
• Sunday, January 7 at 8:00 am - Jon Blake
• Sunday, January 7 at 10:30 am - Katherine Viviano

Altar Servers

• Sunday, January 7 at 10:30 am - Carter Dant, cross bearer; Eva Mueller and Abby Thomson, acolytes

Upcoming Mass Intentions

• Sunday, January 7: 8:00 am - Sheila McGuire+; 10:30 am in church - Margaret Baker+, Nancy Feys Dunne+; 10:30 am Gym Mass - Jim White+
• Monday, January 8: 7:30 am - Purgatorial Society
• Tuesday, January 9: 7:30 am - Tresa McGeary+
• Wednesday, January 10: 7:30 am - Bernice Kiedysz+
• Thursday, January 11: 7:30 am - Communion Service
• Friday, January 12: 7:30 am - Pete Ballard+
• Saturday, January 13: 7:30 am - Pete Ballard+; 5:00 pm - JoAnn Joyce+

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.