St. Gertrude Chicago

All are Welcome

1420 W. Granville,

Chicago, IL 60660

773.764.3621

stgertrude1420@stgertrudechicago.org

www.stgertrudechicago.org

Bulletin for Sunday, August 10, 2025

19th Sunday in Ordinary Time

This Tuesday, August 12 is Book Club



The book club will discuss Life After Life: a Novel by Kate Atkinson on Tuesday, August 12. The gathering is now held at 6:30 pm in the Ministry Center, located at 6214 N. Glenwood Ave. 

New voices and opinions are welcome! Contact Lea Cloninger at 773.213.0509, or Sue Benjamin at 773.551.8401 with questions.

Friendship Club is This Thursday, August 14

The St. Gertrude Women's Friendship Club meets monthly on the second Thursday of every month in the Ministry Center, 6214 N. Glenwood Ave.

The gathering begins at 11:30 am, and attendees should bring their own (brown bag) lunch.

Assumption of the Virgin Mary is Friday, August 15

This holy day of obligation is celebrated this Friday, August 15. Mass will be held at 7:30 am and again at 6:30 pm. 

Guadalupanos Rosary Group (Grupo del Rosario de Guadalupanos) on Friday Evenings

All are warmly invited to take part in our weekly 

Rosary group, held every Friday evening at 7:00 pm.

This bilingual gathering takes place in the Ministry Center dining room at 6214 N. Glenwood Ave.

Whether you're new to the Rosary or have prayed it for years, you're welcome to join us in this peaceful time of prayer and reflection.

"Brewed at St. Gertrude" Social Event - Next Gathering is Sunday, August 24

Please join us on Sunday, August 24, for another "Brewed at St. Gertrude" parish hospitality event after the 10:30 am mass. Held in the Social Hall, all are welcome to come for pastries, beverages, and to enjoy each other’s company. 

St. Gertrude’s Commonweal Action Group to Meet on Sunday, August 24

St. Gertrude’s Commonweal Action will meet again on Sunday, August 24, in the Social Hall following the 10:30 am Mass and Brewed at St. Gertrude hospitality gathering. The meeting will last approximately 90 minutes.

At our July 20 meeting, we adopted the following mission statement: To be a passionate voice and face of Christianity that brings Catholic teaching on social justice and love of neighbor to the public square.

We have launched several projects—and we need the input and energy of many parishioners. Please join us!

Our current initiatives include:

• Drafting a letter in support of Catholic bishops who are opposing the administration’s unchristian policies on deportation and the cruel treatment of immigrants.

• Facilitating the attendance of our parishioners at rallies and other protests under a Commonweal Action of St. Gertrude’s banner.

We are also planning a forum featuring an expert speaker to discuss the impact of recent healthcare legislation in the United States.

All are welcome!

Heart to Heart Is Going on Vacation!

Though we love being of service to our friends and neighbors in need of durable medical equipment or a ride, even Laurie and Sr. Susan need a break every once in a while.

Sr. Susan will be away the week of August 10 (meaning that she will be unavailable August 12 and 14); she will be back at her desk on Tuesday, August 18.

Laurie will be away between August 27 and September 3 (so she'll be out of the office on August 28 and September 2). The Lending Closet will re-open on Thursday, September 4.

We're hoping that you are enjoying all the delights and bounty of summer! Thank you, always, for your support of Heart to Heart and the Lending Closet.

Change in Dates of Communion Services

Beginning August 18, 7:30 am Communion Services will be held on Monday mornings instead of Thursdays.

Thank you for understanding!

Registration for Religious Education Now Open! How to Sign Your Child Up for 2025-2026 School Year

Register your child for the 2025-2026 Religious Ed school year! Classes are held on Sundays from 9:15-10:15 am on the St. Gertrude campus. They will begin on September 7.

Here's how to sign up for classes:

1. Go to https://stgertrudechicago.org/religious-education-news and fill out a registration form.
2. Email it to Eloy Escamilla at eescamilla@stgertrudechicago.org.
3. Pay the fee for the 2025-2026 school year ($230 for one child and an additional $40 for each student from the same family.) Please note, children making their First Communion/Reconciliation or their Confirmation will also need to pay a $75 sacramental fee.

Looking for more information? A handbook and Religious Ed calendar is available in both English and Spanish. Questions can also be emailed to Eloy Escamilla. 

Substitute Catechists Needed to Teach Religious Education This School Year

We are looking for catechists to be substitute teachers in our parish’s Religious Ed program and Kids Word! Catechists don't have to be professional teachers. Most are parents and parishioners who enjoy kids and are willing to help them grow in a personal relationship with God, participate in the sacraments, and develop a mature conscience, and integrate faith in all areas of their lives.

Please consider offering your time and talents to help our young people learn about and grow in their faith. If you have any questions, please reach out to Eloy Escamilla, Pastoral Associate, Religious Education and Youth Ministry, at eescamilla@stgertrudechicago.org or call 773.764.3621. 

Growing in Faith

Most of us have had the experience of struggling to stay awake while driving on the highway late at night. It sure helps to have a friend in the passenger seat. A lively conversation can carry you all the way from Kalamazoo to Chicago.

That’s how I think of my membership in the St. Gertrude community over the years. Not that I’m fighting drowsiness—but that it’s like one long conversation that engages me and keeps my eyes open. One long conversation—a good one. One that can keep a person on the road for the long run.

We have lots to talk about. Every Sunday, we listen to the same stories together. We think about what they mean in our lives. Sometimes we talk about them in faith-sharing groups or over coffee, but most often they simply seep into the ebb and flow of our lives—births and deaths, celebrations and sorrows, and all the ordinary stuff in between.

Along the way, we try to keep each other awake. We remind ourselves of the road we’re on. After all, we are joined together in the common cause of following that path. The way is illuminated by the shared stories—of the Gospels and of our life experiences—that guide us.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us to be prepared and vigilant at all times. He doesn’t want us falling asleep at the wheel. Because driving alone can be perilous, it’s a good thing we’ve been given companions for the road.

~ Bob Raccuglia

Interested in Becoming Catholic?

The OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, formerly called RCIA) is a process by which adults learn more about the Catholic Church. This free program begins in the fall and meets until Pentecost.

Many people who begin OCIA are non-Catholics seeking to become Catholic or at least to explore whether Catholicism might be a good home. Those who complete the process and decide to become Catholic are initiated into the Church at the Easter Vigil Mass on Holy Saturday. Others who take OCIA are already Catholic but want a deeper understanding of their faith foundation.

The OCIA process does not ask those who have been baptized in another faith to give up their denominational experiences. Rather, the OCIA process seeks to add new colors and designs to their existing faith life tapestry. In addition to attending Mass, the OCIA process includes weekly gatherings of breaking open the Word of God, sharing our stories, and learning about our faith traditions.

Classes begin in September.

If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about the OCIA process at St. Gertrude, contact Eloy Escamilla at eescamilla@stgertrudechicago.org or call the Rectory at 773.764.3621. 

New Parishioners

•  The Macarthy Family
• John and Eileen Sviokla

Ministers of the Word

• Saturday, August 9 at 5:00 pm - Roman Reyes, Millie Slane
• Sunday, August 10 at 8:00 am - Mary Clare Barker
• Sunday, August 10 at 10:30 am - Eric Ameyaw, Patrick Robinson

Eucharistic Ministers

• Saturday, August 9 at 5:00 pm - Kathy Wall
• Sunday, August 10 at 8:00 am - Barb Daly
• Sunday, August 10 at 10:30 am - Annie Hasselbeck, Stephen Hasselbeck, Rafael Melendez

Upcoming Mass Intentions

• Monday, August 11: 7:30 am - Patricia Kelly+
• Tuesday, August 12: 7:30 am - Joe "Terry" Shields+
• Wednesday, August 13: 7:30 am - Elena Rivera+
• Thursday, August 14: 7:30 am - Communion service;
• Assumption of the Virgin Mary - Friday, August 15: 7:30 am - Ricardo Martinez+; 6:30 pm - People of St. Gertrude
• Saturday, August 16: 7:30 am - Donald Nydeck; 5:00 pm - Nancy Kelly Kohl+
• Sunday, August 17: 8:00 am - John Skaggs+; 10:30 am - Elena Rivera+

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.