St. Gertrude Chicago

All are Welcome

1420 W. Granville,

Chicago, IL 60660

773.764.3621

stgertrude1420@stgertrudechicago.org

www.stgertrudechicago.org

Bulletin for Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024

From Fr. Mike Gabriel

He is not here; for he has been raised!

Easter blessings to all of you. May the Risen Christ live always in your heart.

I found myself pondering what I remember most of past Easter’s celebrations. I clearly remember foot washing and be transported to the Garden of Gethsemane and then the crucifixion. But Easter?

Maybe a Hallelujah chorus or a nice Easter floral arrangement I recall, but memories of past Easters seems to be vague. Then it dawned on me that the most important part of Easter is not necessarily Easter itself, but what comes before and after. Christ's Passion before, and his resurrection appearances, followed by the empty tomb, the after. The cross marked that transition in our lives from darkness to hope, despair into hope, and the past into the future.

This Lent, we have had many different opportunities at our disposal to be able to

recognize the passion of Christ but even more to recognize the light of Christ. The light

of Christ will guide our steps today and into the future. That what we need to remember,

that we will walk together in the living Christ.

Happy Easter!

St. Gertrude Parish: All are Welcome - and All Means All!

St. Gertrude extends a special welcome to those who are single, married, divorced, LBGQT, rich, poor, y no habla ingles. We offer special welcome to those who are young and old, or who have a crying baby. We welcome you if you can sing like Andrea Bocelli, or more like me, who just tries.

We don’t care if you're more Catholic than the pope or haven’t been in church since little Timmy’s baptism. We extend a special welcome to those who are over 60, but not grown up yet, and to teenagers who are growing up too fast. We welcome starving artist, tree huggers, latte sippers, vegetarians, and junk food eaters. We welcome those who are in recovery and those who are still addicted.

We welcome you if your having problems or down in the dumps. We’ve been there too. We welcome those who don’t like “organized religion”. We offer a special welcome to those who think the earth is flat, those who work too hard, those who don’t work, can’t spell, or came because grandma is in town.

We welcome those who could use a prayer right now, or thought you were on Clark Street, not Granville, and are here by mistake. We welcome those who are inked, pierced, or both. We welcome those who laugh at this, as well as those who gasped. We welcome tourists, seekers, doubters, and bleeding hearts with all our hearts. We welcome YOU!

~ Father Mike Gabriel

We are St. Gertrude!

Whether you are new to our parish or a long-time parishioner, we are so grateful you are here celebrating Easter with us.

Our parish's mission is to be a caring, compassionate faith community bringing the Gospel of the Lord into the world as we gather to worship God, serve others, are educated in our faith, and work for justice.

Our ministries include: 

Care for Real: St. Gertrude helped start this food, clothing, and pet pantry, and our parish continues to actively support its mission to serve the Edgewater community.

ECRA: The Edgewater Community Religious Association (ECRA) is an interfaith association of religious organizations who work toward fostering friendships and understanding of other faiths, nurture a thriving and just neighborhood, and create solutions to local problems. ECRA hosts events and discussions that bring together Catholics, Baptists, Lutherans, Methodists, Presbyterians, as well as our friends from the Jewish, Muslim, and Hindi faith.

Garden & Compost Project: This seasonal project combines composting and a vegetable garden. Parishioners lease a composting bucket and deposit appropriate materials in the parish’s compost bin. The compost is then used to fertilize our vegetable garden, tended to by volunteers, that feeds patrons of Care for Real and the St. Thomas of Canterbury soup kitchen.

Gym Mass: Music and short parishioner reflections after the homily engage participants in the celebration of our faith. Fellowship, coffee, and refreshments follow this 10:30 am Mass held in the Gym.

Heart to Heart: Serving seniors in Edgewater, volunteers provide friendly visits, well-being phone calls, assistance with grocery shopping, and transportation to church, events, and medical appointments. Heart to Heart also oversees the Lending Closet of durable medical equipment for people all over Chicago.

Kids Word: During the 10:30 am Mass, children in kindergarten through fourth grade are invited to participate in age-appropriate activities, reflections, and lessons from the Bible.

Music Ministry: Saint Gertrude’s incredible music adds praise through song to each Mass and help us strengthen our social bonds through concerts and programs.

Ministry of Praise: Homebound parishioners unable to participate in parish life contribute their gift of prayer for the intentions of the parish.

Religious Education and Sacramental Preparation: Children from grades 1-8 nourish and deepen their relationship with God through prayer and reflection, learn about being a disciple of Jesus, and what it means to be part of a community of faith.

R.C.I.A.: The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults program guides men and women interested in exploring the meaning and traditions of our faith and prepares them to become Catholic.

Peace and Justice Committee: This parish group focuses on the injustices in our world, and to be a parish not only of statements and prayers but one of action, where God’s love, justice, and mercy can grow.  

Refugee and Immigrant Ministry: Working with Catholic Charities, this group sponsors newly arrived refugees, providing both financial and emotional support as they settle into their new lives in Chicago.

Youth Group: Teens of the parish gather to have fun, talk about what’s important to them, go to events and outings, and work on service projects, including mission trips.

Additionally, the St. Gertrude's has so many other areas where active parishioners provide help and find community. They include Eucharistic Ministers, event photographers, the live-stream team, ushers, lectors, altar servers, sacristans, greeters, and counting teams. There are also parish advisory groups, book groups, the Guadalupanos Rosary Group, PreCana and FOCCUS leaders, the pre-baptismal team, bulletin reflection writers (Growing in Faith), sandwich makers, parish advisory groups, the Men's Faith Group, Spiritual Directors, blood drive organizers, the environment committee, the St. Gertrude Parish Players, the Friendship Club, Men's basketball, the Midwest Workers Association, Kolbe House Jail Ministry, and the Coalition of Spiritual and Public Leadership.

We appreciate everyone that is a part of St. Gertrude! Thank you to our parishioners for helping where they can, and we invite newcomers and those looking to build community to be more active in groups that resonate with you.

~ Fr. Mike Gabriel

Thanks to all Parish Volunteers and Staff Members! 

All of the services beginning with Palm Sunday through Easter Sunday require a great commitment of time and energy from many of our ministries. Thank you to all those who have come out for extra rehearsals, for volunteering to minister at a number of services, to be flexible in covering where most needed. 

Our choir, cantors, and instrumentalists; the Ministers of Communion and Ministers of the Word, ushers, photographers, the live-stream coordinators, sacristans, and our hardworking staff -- THANK YOU for making our services during Holy Week so beautiful! 

Holy Thursday, March 28

• No morning Mass
• 7:00 pm - Mass of the Last Supper (live-streamed on Facebook)
• Collection for the Catholic Extension Society

Good Friday, March 29

• No morning Mass
• The Rectory office is closed. 
• 12:00 -3:00 pm - Eucharistic Adoration
• 3:00 pm - Living Stations of the Cross
• 7:00 pm - Commemoration of the Lord’s Passion and Veneration of the Cross (live-streamed on Facebook)
• Second collection for the Pontifical Good Friday Collection for the Holy Land  

Holy Saturday, March 30

• No morning Mass
• 11:00 am - Blessing of Easter Baskets 
• 7:00 pm - Easter Vigil (live-streamed on Facebook)

Easter Sunday, March 31

• 8:00 am - Mass in church
• 10:30 am - Mass in church (live-streamed on Facebook)
• 10:30 am - Gym Mass

Easter Monday, April 1

• The rectory office is closed.

Saturday, April 6 and Sunday, April 7

• Food and supply drive for Care for Real/Asylum seekers
• French patisseries for sale after Masses by nuns from the Fraternite of Notre Dame/St. Roger Abbey

Monday, April 8

• The 2025 Mass Intentions book opens
• 7:00 pm - Book Club in the Ministry Center

Sunday, April 14

• 12:30-3:30 pm - Paper shredding event in the parish parking lot
• 12:30-2:30 pm NETWORK Election workshop at St. Gertrude in the Social Hall

Friday, April 19 and Saturday, April 20

• 8:00 pm - Lights, Camera, Action parish play (doors open at 7:30 pm)

Watch our Live-Streams

• Live-streamed services can be viewed at https://www.facebook.com/ stgertrudechicago
• No Facebook account is needed to view live-streams.
• Live-streams typically begin a few minutes prior to the service and can be found by scrolling down our Facebook page.

Second Collections on Holy Thursday and Good Friday

Catholic Extension Society Collection on Holy Thursday

On Holy Thursday, we will have a second collection for the Chicago-based Catholic Extension Society. The group works in solidarity with people in America's poorest regions to build up vibrant and transformative Catholic faith communities by providing resources to develop leaders, ministries, and facilities, while inviting more people across our country to invest in this work.

Catholic Extension Society is a papal society that is answering Pope Francis' call to go out to America's "peripheries." Since their founding in 1905, they have helped with the construction and repair of over 13,000 churches, and today, through the generosity of donors and parish partners, they support the ministries and leaders in 87 dioceses of the United States and its territories. Information about the organization can be found at https://www.catholicextension.org/.

Pontifical Good Friday Collection

At the Good Friday service, we will have a second collection for the Pontifical Good Friday Collection, which helps Christians in the Holy Land. Your support helps the church minister in parishes, provide Catholic schools and offer religious education. The Pontifical Good Friday Collection also helps to preserve sacred shrines. For more information, visit www.myfranciscan.org/good-friday.

Living Stations of the Cross Held on Good Friday

On Good Friday, March 29, the parish youth group will perform Living Stations of the Cross at 3:00 pm.  

This is a powerful and prayerful experience and we encourage all parishioners to consider attending and witnessing scenes of what our Lord endured before He gave His life for us on the cross. 

Pictured: Living Stations done by youth group members in 2019. 

At the Easter Vigil on Saturday, March 30, our parish's Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) group will become full members of the Catholic Church. We ask that you keep them in your prayers as they prepare to celebrate the Easter Sacraments.

Members (pictured above in alphabetical order) include Salwa Fadhil, Adrean Herrera, and Ilse Vielma. Additionally, Gabriela Santos Van Stedum (not pictured) from our Religious Ed program will receive the three sacraments of initiation.

Please consider attending and providing an atmosphere of love and support! 

French Nuns to Sell Baked Goods Next Weekend

Nuns from the Fraternite of Notre Dame/St. Roger Abbey will sell handmade, organic French patisseries made with quality ingredients after Masses all weekend! Tables with their treats will be set up in the back of Church.

Proceeds from sales will go to support their soup kitchen, food pantry, and other charities in some of Chicago's neediest areas.

Our Monthly Asylum Seeker's Food and Supply Drive is April 6-7

On Saturday, April 6 and Sunday, April 7, 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
• Gloves (only, no scarves, other winter wear, etc.)
• New underwear (all genders and sizes) *most urgent
• Shampoo/conditioner
• Body wipes
• Bar soap

Thank you for helping our neighbors in need!

2025 Mass Intentions Book to Open

The Mass Intentions book for 2025 will open on Monday, April 8.  

If you would like a Mass Intention said for a person that needs prayers or in memory of someone who has died, please call the Rectory at 773.764.3621 or stop by the Rectory office at 1420 West Granville Avenue during office hours. We’ll help you find an available Mass and prepare a card for you to give to the person or family of the intention. 

A $20 donation is suggested.  

Book Club is Monday, April 8



Please join the book club in the Ministry Center on Monday, April 8 at 7:00 pm. The group will talk about The Man Who Broke out of Auschwitz to Warn the World by Jonathan Freeland. The Chicago Public Library has multiple copies of the book. 

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

Workshop Planned for Sunday, April 14: Informed, Engaged, and Committed: Being a Catholic Multi-Issue Voter

Catholic social teachings and tradition provide us with a framework for living responsibly and building a just society.

This workshop will take a deeper look at how Catholics view the many issues that we're invited to consider as we head into election season. Workshop participants will then begin to explore and practice concrete tools to help have respectful conversations about hard topics and practice sharing about a vision of multi-racial inclusive society where all have what they need to thrive - no exceptions.

On Sunday, April 14, join trainers from NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice and justice-seekers from around the Chicago area for a workshop. Lunch is provided between 12:00-12:30 pm, and the workshop will be held from 12:30-2:30 pm.

There is a suggested donation of $15. Please do not let cost prevent you from attending this workshop. Register at https://www.mobilize.us/network/event/613472/.

Community Shredding Event Planned for Sunday, April 14

Need a safe way to get rid of old papers and documents? On Sunday, April 14 from 12:30-3:30 pm, 606 Real Estate is hosting a community shredding event in St. Gertrude’s parking lot, located at 6236 N. Glenwood. 



There is a limit of two file boxes/bags per person, per trip. Only paper items can be securely disposed of, no cardboard, staples, or paper clips are allowed. 

Save the Date! Our Parish Play is April 19-20!

Every year, parish members write an original play that is complemented by a mix of songs ranging from showtunes and oldies to more contemporary hits.

Lights, Camera, Action is centered around a local theater trying to survive and hold onto its roots.

The event will be in the Social Hall, with the show beginning at 8:00 am, with doors opened at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children. Snacks and beverages (including beer and wine) will be available at our concession stand. This year, there will also be a 50/50 raffle, with $1 per ticket or $5 for six tickets.

Teens are Encouraged to be a part of St. Gertrude’s Youth Mission Experience This July!

Students in sixth grade through high school are welcome to attend our Youth Mission Experience! The week-long event take place July 22-26. The group will volunteer with a different Chicagoland organization each day, earning service hours and having fun.

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.

Easter Message from Cardinal Cupich

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, 

The resurrection of Jesus stands at the center of our faith. We believe, as Saint Paul says, that Jesus “died for our sins and rose for our justification.” He entered the very darkest corners of human existence, took our pain, suffering, and death upon himself, and then drew us into the fullness of risen life.

As we celebrate the Lord’s resurrection this Easter 2024, we are clearly aware of those dark corners of human existence that Jesus took upon himself. With troubled hearts, we watch war and violence unfold in the Holy Land, in Ukraine, in parts of Africa, and in our own city of Chicago. We know the crippling effects of climate change and the natural disasters that have affected so many people throughout the world. We struggle with the social and political polarization that threatens our life together. 

We step back from all of this, and we can surely affirm that we need the transforming 

and life-giving power of the Resurrection. We also stand together as a church, a synodal 

church, that journeys together and reclaim our faith and trust in the power of the Risen Lord who makes all things work for the good for those who love him. We stand together in our often broken and wounded world to witness hope to all humanity, to proclaim that God’s life and not death will have the last word.

May this feast of Easter be a graced moment to rediscover and reclaim our great faith 

and hope in Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, who goes before us and leads us home.

Sincerely yours in Christ, 

Cardinal Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago

Growing in Faith

Our Lenten journey culminates in Jerusalem where in the end Jesus suffers his passion and death. Yet in our Easter observance we celebrate that Calvary was not the end. Today’s gospel tells how Mary Magdalen comes to the tomb “while it was still dark” and finds evidence of the Risen Christ. As John wrote in the very beginning of his gospel, it is a story of “a light that the darkness could not overcome.”

The final message of our faith is one of hope. Richard Rohr writes: “The true meaning of the raising of Jesus is that God will turn all our human crucifixions into resurrection.” Easter becomes not a one-time event but the ongoing presence of the Resurrected Christ in us and in our world.

If God is to turn the human crucifixions of suffering humankind into resurrection, it will be through us. We are called to dispel the darkness where we find it. “You are the light of the world,” Jesus said. We participate in the resurrection by comforting the sorrowful, welcoming the refugee, feeding the hungry, fighting injustice, working for peace. In every situation where we respond with active love to alleviate the passion and crucifixion of others, we ourselves can be signs of resurrection.

I think that’s the best way that we can celebrate Easter.

~ Bob Raccuglia

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.

Easter flower remembrance: the Caskie family.

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: Be a Part of Something Greater 



The best way to learn about Northside Catholic Academy and to see if it’s the right fit for your family is to walk through our halls and visit our classrooms. We encourage prospective parents to discover first-hand what makes NCA a Blue Ribbon School. We accept applications up to one year in advance.

Private admissions tours are available by 

appointment. Please contact Brad Gschwendtner at bgschwendtner@ncaschools.com or 773.743.6277 with any questions about our admissions process or to schedule a tour.

Eucharistic Ministers

• Holy Thursday at 7:00 pm - Maria Ugarte, Troy McMillan
• Good Friday, March 29 at 7:00 pm - Lisa Schneider, Annie Hasselback, Stephen Hasselbeck
• Holy Saturday, March 30 at 7:00 pm - Tim Harrington
• Easter Sunday, March 31 at 8:00 am - Kathryn Stimac
• Easter Sunday, March 31 at 10:30 am - Rafael Melendez, Annie Hasselbeck, Stephen Hasselbeck

Singers and Musicians

• Holy Thursday at 7:00 pm - Kate Davis, soprano; James Casey, violin; David Herr, violin; Ronald Chambers, cello; Khoa Truong, piano; Kathryn Flynn, Director of Music; St. Gertrude Choir
• Good Friday, March 29 at 7:00 pm - Christine Cummins, Soprano; Kathryn Flynn, Mezzo-Soprano; Eric Mason, Tenor; Avery Sujkowski, Bass
• Holy Saturday, March 30 at 7:00 pm - Matt Heimer, Tenor; Jo Sison, Violin; James Casey, Violin; Ronald Chambers, Cello; Augustine Melecio, Trumpet; Kathryn Flynn, Director of Music/Pianist 
• Easter Sunday, March 31 at 8:00 am - Catarine Hancock, Mezzo-Soprano; Augustine Melecio, Trumpet; Nathan Perez, Trombone; Kathryn Flynn, Director of Music/Pianist 
• Easter Sunday, March 31 at 10:30 am - Catarine Hancock, Mezzo-Soprano; Augustine Melecio, Trumpet; Nathan Perez, Trombone; Kathryn Flynn, Director of Music/Pianist; St. Gertrude Choir

Upcoming Mass Intentions

• Sunday, March 31: 8:00 am - Parishioners of St. Gertrude; 10:30 am in church - Parishioners of St. Gertrude; 10:30 am Gym Mass - Parishioners of St. Gertrude
• Monday, April 1: 7:30 am - People of God
• Tuesday, April 2: 7:30 am - Joseph Lopez+
• Wednesday, April 3: 7:30 am - Mary Elizabeth Buttitta+
• Thursday, April 4: 7:30 am - Communion Service
• Friday, April 5: 7:30 am - Purgatorial Society
• Saturday, April 6: 7:30 am - People of God; 5:00 pm - Caprice Boylan+

New Parishioner

• Marie Tarallo

Rest in Peace

• Karey Myers

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.