St. Gertrude Chicago

All are Welcome

1420 W. Granville,

Chicago, IL 60660

773.764.3621

stgertrude1420@stgertrudechicago.org

www.stgertrudechicago.org

Bulletin for Sunday, April 21, 2024

Fourth Sunday of Easter

From Fr. Mike Gabriel

As we continue to move away from Christ’s 

Resurrection, we start to understand what happened to Jesus and to the Church over Christ triumph over death.

As we look back to the second week of Easter in that locked room where the disciples were feeling hopeless, then find themselves renewing their friendship with the Risen Lord. 

Today, we encounter the Good Shepherd, who really knows his flock, and they know him. The image of the shepherd reminds us of that intimate relationship of compassion that Jesus has with his people.

Jesus also reminds the disciples that he knows them and they him and that he loves each of them with a personal love, treating them each as if they were the only ones who existed for him. This is the same message for each of us, Jesus knows us and we him and he has a 

personal love for each of us.

Today is also Vocation Awareness Sunday. Priests and Religious are encouraged to share their “call” with others. I ask all of you to join with the people around the world and myself to pray that the Church may be provided with the leaders needed to do its work.

We all know at the present there is a critical shortage- at least in the traditional sense of priest and religious and we pray others answer that call.

I am often amazed that many do not include themselves or family in this prayer. They often others pray earnestly for more young people to become priest and religious but exclude their children or grandchildren, expecting and assuming someone else to answer this call. And of course, the bigger problem, a much wider one, for too long, a much there been a too narrow meaning of the word vocation. We tended to limit the call to just priest and religious.

But the fact is every one of us have a vocation, as a spouse, parent, teacher, doctor, 

waitress, or salesperson, etc. We should also be praying and asking ourselves, “Am I 

spending my energies on a real vocation? Am I doing what God wants me to be doing? Am I giving witness to others of Christ? Am I trying to make this world a better place for all God’s people?"

Thank you to the Guadalupanos Rosary Group (Grupo del Rosario) for hosting coffee after Sunday's 10:30 am mass in church. They invite everyone to join them every Friday night at 7:00 pm in the Ministry Center to say the Rosary in English/Spanish.

Friday, April 19

• 7:00 pm - Guadalupanos Rosary Group (Grupo del Rosario de Guadalupanos) in the Ministry Center

Friday, April 19 and Saturday, April 20

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

Monday, April 22

• 6:00 pm - Parent meeting for First Communion parents in church
• Baptismal certificates due for First Communion students

Thursday, April 25

• 6:00-8:00 pm - Confirmation Retreat II in the Ministry Center

Friday, April 26

• 7:00 pm - Guadalupanos Rosary Group (Grupo del Rosario de Guadalupanos) in the Ministry Center

Saturday, April 27

• Care for Real Food & Supply Drive in church after 5:00 pm mass
• 7:30 pm - Edgewater Singers Present A Measure of Peace, Ebenezer Lutheran Church, 1650 W. Foster Ave.

Sunday, April 28

• Care for Real Food & Supply Drive in church after the 8:00 am and 10:30 am masses

Tuesday, April 30

• 6:00 pm - Altar server training in church

Friday, May 3

• 7:00 pm - Guadalupanos Rosary Group (Grupo del Rosario de Guadalupanos) in the Ministry Center

Saturday, May 4

• RSVP deadline for teens interested in participating in the Youth Group car wash

Sunday, May 5

• After the 10:30 am Gym Mass- Town Hall

Friday, May 10

• 6:30 pm - Communion Mass practice in church
• 7:00 pm - Guadalupanos Rosary Group (Grupo del Rosario de Guadalupanos) in the Ministry Center

Saturday, May 11

• 10:00 am - First Communion Mass

Sunday, May 12

• 10:30 am - May Crowning during mass in church

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.

Save the Date! Our Parish Play is THIS Weekend, 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 opening 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: Second Retreat is Thursday, April 25

There is a second Confirmation Retreat planned on Thursday, April 25 for students that made their Confirmation in March of 2024. It will be in the Ministry Center from 6:00 - 8:00 pm.

Questions? Contact Eloy Escamilla at eescamilla@stgertrudechicago.org. 

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. 

Youth Mission Experience Planned for July

Teens in sixth grade through high school 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.

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.

Growing in Faith

“I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

Last year, my husband and I went on a pilgrimage in Abruzzo, Italy, where we met a shepherd, Nunzio Marcelli, who has a flock of almost 1,700 sheep, lambs, and goats. Nunzio is a large, rugged man with a rough outward appearance, but his eyes and voice are soft and soothing.

As a young man, though he had obtained a college degree and could have run his parents’ successful shopkeeper business, Nunzio felt called to pursue the meaningful lifelong work of sheep farming in the manner that it has been done for centuries. His love for the animals is evident in the habitat he created and the ways he cares and speaks about them. Nunzio embodies what it means to be a good shepherd.

Every year, Nunzio spends months in the mountains sleeping and eating in a rustic cabin with no modern conveniences while his sheep graze on pristine grasslands. “Shepherds must keep watch constantly over their flock …. because there are always wild pigs, bears, and wolves lurking about.”

Nunzio sacrificed a conventional life for the life of a shepherd and his devotion to his sheep is plain to see.

I think there are many modern-day good shepherds in this world that may not be thought of initially as shepherds. People who are dedicated to and passionate about their professions and the people they care for such as medical and health care professionals, food relief workers, first responders, volunteers in troubled regions like Gaza. With a shepherd’s devotion, they lay down their lives for us sheep.

~ Elaine Cerny 

Photo: Nunzio Marcelli, Shepherd in Abruzzo, Italy

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.

Flower Offering Remembrances

In Memory of/Individual who Honored Them

• Caskie Family
• Peter Steenveld by Joanne Steenveld
• John and Elizabeth by Pat O’Neal
• Groleau Karasti by Rose Karasti
• Slane and Quinn families by Millie Slane
• Mary Ellen Mellon & JoAnne Joyce by Bernard Joyce
• The deceased of the Strubbe-Galoney family by Marie Galoney
• Gonzalo, Sabrina, and Celi Frias by Maria Frias

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 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.

Eucharistic Ministers

• Saturday, April 20 at 5:00 pm - Tim Harrington
• Sunday, April 21 at 8:00 am - Mary Clare Barker
• Sunday, April 21 at 10:30 am - Troy McMillan, Annie Hasselbeck, Stephen Hasselbeck

Upcoming Mass Intentions



• Monday, April 22: 7:30 am - Living and deceased parents of St. Gertrude parishioners
• Tuesday, April 23: 7:30 am - Nancy Adele Maloney+
• Wednesday, April 24: 7:30 am - Antoinette G. Linke+
• Thursday, April 25: 7:30 am - Communion Service
• Friday, April 26: 7:30 am - Sheila Zirves+
• Saturday, April 27: 7:30 am - Sra. Lina Santos Godinez+; 5:00 pm - Hal Mann+
• Sunday, April 28: 8:00 am - Salinas family; 10:30 am - Animas Bendidasde nacion de gracias be Vellencilla Miranda; 10:30 am Gym Mass - Mary Elizabeth Buttitta+

New Parishioners

• Alice Kearney Alwin and family
• Paula Donato

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.