All Are Welcome
St. Gertrude Parish in Chicago
Our parish strives to be a community, growing in faith, that welcomes all and brings Christ’s love to others.
Here is the Latest News:
Mass Times/Rectory Hours
Upcoming Events & Activities
Upcoming Events & Activities
Upcoming Events & Activities
Upcoming Events & Activities
Upcoming Events & Activities
Our Mission & Values
Upcoming Events & Activities
Our Parish Pastoral Council is Looking for New Members
Our Parish Pastoral Council is Looking for New Members
Our Parish Pastoral Council is Looking for New Members
Our Parish Pastoral Council is Looking for New Members
This Weekend's Bulletin
Our Parish Pastoral Council is Looking for New Members
Support St. Gertrude Parish & our Ministries
Support St. Gertrude Parish & our Ministries
Our Parish Pastoral Council is Looking for New Members
Support St. Gertrude Parish & our Ministries
Lending Closet Needs
The Lending Closet is in great need of shower chairs, shower transfer benches, and rollator walkers.
If you have any to donate, please reach out to Laurie Hasbrook, Lending Closet manager, at lhasbrook@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.
2025 Mass Intentions Book Now Open
The Mass Intentions book for 2025 is now open.
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.
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 pm, 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.
First Communion Parent Info/Meeting Monday, April 22 in church
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.
- This Monday, April 22, there is a parent meeting in the church at 6:00 pm. Parents will pick up the First Communion banner kit and all questions regarding First Communion will be answered.
- If your child was not baptized in St. Gertrude, we will need a copy of the baptismal certificate. The very last day you can present such a copy is April 22 during the parent meeting.
- 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.
Confirmation Information
Families of Confirmation students, please note there is a second Confirmation Retreat planned for Thursday, April 25 in the Ministry Center from 6:00 - 8:00 pm.
Questions? Contact Eloy Escamilla at eescamilla@stgertrudechicago.org.
Edgewater Singers Spring Concert is Saturday, April 27
Please join the Edgewater Singers for Spring 2024
concert, “A Measure of Peace.” The event is April 27at 7:30 pm at Ebenezer Lutheran Church, 1650 W. Foster Ave, Chicago IL 60640.
We hope to see you there!
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.
News from the PPC - May 5 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.
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.
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.
Teens, Join St. Gertrude’s Youth Mission Experience This July!
If you are sixth grade through high school, you 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.
An Update from the Immigrant & Refugee Ministry
February 4 Update on Family Sponsored By our Ministry
I know you are all wondering how Miguel, Angie, and their kids are doing.
We are so grateful for all your support and prayers. As some of you may have known, Angie's sister, her husband and two kids were in a different shelter. We've been working to reunite the families and the great news is that we've been successful in doing so. This will help everyone, as the kids will have more support to overcome the stress and trauma of this move, and the adults can now share child care responsibilities, meaning that all four can work.
We have two requests: Angie needs the services of a dentist. So far we have been unable to find one who will do pro bono work. We are investigating Stroger, but if you know of anything please let me know to forward to Father Mike, or write Father Mike directly. Also, all four adults seek work of any kind.
Next, here is a press release from the City of Chicago: New Shelter Stay Policy, Additional Landing Zone Personnel and New Regulatory Measures
There are a lot of new restrictions and limitations that I'll summarize at the bottom. You can see why it was a blessing we could support an extended family at St. Ignatius, and why so much more needs to be done to ensure that their asylum hearing and various documents are moving along.
I think that's everything for now. Thank you for being a light to the world!
On behalf of the Refugee and Immigrant Ministry committee,
~ Denise Goodman
Some changes to highlight from the City's press release:
- Rental assistance has been reduced from 6 months to 3 months for newly qualifying families.
- Shelter residents who arrived to shelter on or prior to 11/16/2023, will maintain eligibility to apply for rental assistance.
- Shelter residents who arrived to shelter on or after 11/17/2023, will not be eligible for rental assistance.
- All families are now receiving a 60-day notice to leave their current shelter. This process happened in waves.
- Families who arrived in shelter prior to 7/31/2023 have already received their 60-day notice.
- Later arrivals who entered shelter between 7/31/2023 - 11/16/2023 will begin receiving 60-day notices on 2/1/2024.
- All new arrivals to shelter on or after 11/17/2023 will receive a 60-day notice upon intake.
- Families who do not have other housing options at the end of their 60-day notice must return to the migrant Landing Zone in the West Loop to place a new shelter request.
- All migrant families continue to be eligible for public aid benefits (Medicaid, WIC, etc.) through IDHS, health care access through Cook County Health, and school registration for children.
- City-provided legal services and case management will be available to help individuals apply for Temporary Protected Status, Employment Authorization Documents (EADs), and Asylum.
- For those who have arrived after November 17, 2023, there is NO months of rental support.
before/after pics of Masonry Stone Work Completed on the Church Building
Scroll down for Parish news
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 Somethings 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.
Spiritual Directors/Companions Available
Last weekend, Lori Dressel and Carol Ann Munro were in church to discuss the benefits of a spiritual director and companion.
If you've been searching for a deeper relationship with God or wanted to seek God’s help in making you might consider meeting with a spiritual director/companion.
Carol Ann and Lori offer confidential one-on-one sessions at St. Gertrude and the opportunity to slow down and take time to reflect on your experience of life, God’s action and grace in your daily routines and connect deeply to “the Spirit hidden in the depths of your soul.“ (T. Merton)
In meeting with a spiritual director, a person learns to pay attention to God’s personal communication, to respond to this personally communicating God, to be open to intimacy with God, and to live out the richness of the relationship that results from this intimacy.
If you are interested in this, contact Lori Dressel at lorijdressel@gmail.com or Carol Ann Munro at carolannmunro@comcast.net.
Rest in peace notices & funeral information
Sra. Lina Santos Godinez
- grandmother of Eloy Escamilla
Bob Kustusch
- Info available here
Nancy Adele Maloney
- Info available here
Sheila Zirves
- sister of Tim Harrington, info available here
Therese Goode
- Sister of Rich Goode
Charles R. Tobin
- Husband of Dale A. Fahnstrom
Mary Elizabeth Buttitta
- Daughter of Peter and Nancy Buttitta