St. Gertrude Chicago

All are Welcome

1420 W. Granville,

Chicago, IL 60660

773.764.3621

stgertrude1420@stgertrudechicago.org

www.stgertrudechicago.org

Bulletin for Sunday, December 1, 2024

The First Sunday of Advent

From Fr. Mike Gabriel

Whether you are young or old, we have all heard the phrase, “Ready or not, here I come!”

Today we start the Advent season, the beginning of the telling of our salvation history. We all know Christ came as a baby a few thousand years ago. He died and rose again, and since His resurrection, generation after generation has been awaiting his promise of coming

again.

Advent is not just remembering the past, or a baby in a manager, but also being reminded of its promises for the future, the second coming.

We are reminded as we bless our wreath today, and light our first candle which symbolizes

HOPE, that we need to search for Christ everywhere and in everything that we do.

So, to answer the question, ready or not? No, we are not ready, but we are working on it.

Giving Tree Info

The Giving Tree Program has started. Once again, we will be asking for gift cards rather than gifts and in increments of $20. These cards can be from Target, Jewel, Walmart, even a Ventra card. Any way you can help is appreciated!

What has changed this year is who will be benefiting from the Giving Tree drive. Care for Real has made other plans for this holiday season, so we will be assisting the Refugee and Immigrant Ministry, St. Oscar Romero, Catholic Charities and RefugeeOne. The parish is also asking for $10 McDonald’s gift cards to provide immediate meal assistance for those who request it.

Please place the gift cards in the boxes at the front of church, by the statue of Mary by December 20.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving Day Mass is at 9:00 am/Office Closed Thursday and Friday

We hope Thanksgiving Day is a wonderful one for you and your loved ones.

We are so grateful for our wonderful parishioners and neighbors who make our neighborhood and city a better place. And we thank those that are able to volunteer their time at St. Gertrude. We are so lucky to have you!

The rectory office will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, November 28 and Friday, November 29. Mass on Thanksgiving will be held at 9:00 am and 7:30 am on Friday. 

Ceremony of Healing and Reconciliation Planned for Sunday, December 1 at 11:45 am (Please Note the New Time!)

Thank you to those who attended the listening sessions regarding the search for our new pastor. If you were unable to attend a session, the QR code and the paper surveys in the back of church will be available until December 1.

The Parish Pastoral Council will host a Ceremony of Healing and Reconciliation on Sunday, December 1 at 11:45 am (please note the updated time) in the Ministry Center. Let us prepare the way for the Lord on the first Sunday of Advent. Join us for a prayerful opportunity focused on reconciliation to launch the new liturgical year. Together we will lay the heaviness of these past months and the heaviness we may carry to God so we may open our hearts to God’s healing grace.

Order Your Trees, Garland, and Wreaths from St. Gert’s Annual Greenery Sale! 

St. Gertrude is once again hosting our annual Christmas greenery sale, with a limited number of balsam pine trees, wreaths, and garland available for purchase. Our Christmas greenery sale is a great opportunity for parishioners to get ready for the holidays while supporting St. Gertrude ministries. 

Each 6’ Christmas tree is $55. Three different sized wreaths are available—the 18” wreath is $25, the 24” is $27, and the 36” is $35. Garland is also available for $40 per 5’ length. 

Order Online

Purchase greenery online at https://bit.ly/StGertsChristmasGreenery or by scanning the QR code.

Order via Paper Form

A paper order form is available for download at https://stgertrudechicago.org/christmas-greenery.

Forms and checks or cash can be dropped off at the Rectory office, 1420 W. Granville Ave or placed in the mail slot in the side (west) red door next to the Rectory side yard if the Rectory office is closed.

Checks should be made out to St. Gertrude. Please note "Greenery" in the memo line. 

Deliveries

Deliveries will be offered for a $6 fee. They will take place on Saturday, December 7 and Saturday, December 14 from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm. The greenery team will do their best to accommodate your preferred delivery date and will reach out to notify you when to expect your order. 

Please note, the boundaries for deliveries are north to Oakton, south to Irving Park, and east of the North Shore Channel.

In-Person Sales

Greenery will also be sold at the playlot on the west side of the Social Hall, 1401 W. Granville Avenue, on the first four Sundays of December: the 1st, 8th, 15th, and 22nd from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm. Only cash and checks will be accepted for in-person purchases.

Questions? Contact St. Gertrude Business Manager Eduardo Soto at esoto@stgertrudechicago.org or call the Rectory at 773.764.3621.

This Tuesday is Giving Tuesday

This Tuesday, December 3, is Giving Tuesday, a global day dedicated to giving back. People all over the world celebrate the true reason behind this holiday season, showing generosity, compassion, and love to those in need. 

St. Gertrude is a parish that is truly dedicated to helping others. Whether it be through reaching out to teens through our youth group, caring for our seniors with our Heart to Heart program, collecting food for Care for Real, or committing to sponsoring a refugee family, our community of faith shows love to others every single day. 

If you are inspired to take part in this day-long donation campaign, please consider supporting St. Gertrude and making a donation here.

Every donation will make a difference!

Thank you!

Care for Real Collection for Asylum Seekers is Next Weekend

Our monthly Food & Supply Drive for asylum seekers is December 7 and 8. Please place nonperishable items in the bins at the back of church before and after mass times.

This month, Care for Real is urgently seeking donations of diapers in sizes 2-6, baby wipes, juice boxes, thermal layers (all sizes) gently used coats (all sizes), hand warmers, lotions and hand soap, shampoo and body wash, adult incontinence under bed pads. If you’re able, please consider helping us keep these supplies in stock. 

Our collection drive for Care for Real is always the fourth calendar weekend every month, and our asylum seekers’ collection is the first weekend of each month. 

Second Collection for Retirement Fund for Religious is December 7 and 8

Dear Friends in Christ,

On the Second Sunday of Advent, parishes throughout our Archdiocese will participate in the Retirement Fund for Religious collection, an annual appeal that benefits nearly 24,000 elderly sisters, brothers, and religious order priests nationwide.

I am grateful for the significant influence that women and men religious, both past and 

present, have had on our individual faith journeys. Their faithful and devoted service has 

impacted our archdiocese, inspiring and guiding us as we continue to grow in faith.

We are called to recognize that most senior vowed religious worked many years for little pay, leaving their religious communities with a shortage of retirement savings. Rising healthcare costs and decreased income compound the challenge to meet day-to-day needs for aging members, including their medical expenses, nursing assistance and other necessities.

Your generous contributions to the Retirement Fund for Religious provide vital financial 

support, enabling religious communities to care for their aging members.

I am aware that you are frequently asked to support many worthy causes. I invite you to contribute what you can at masses the weekend of December 7-8. Most importantly, please keep all our men and women religious in your prayers. Rest assured that they are praying for you.

May God's abundant blessings be upon you and your loved ones during this Holy Season of Advent. With kind regards I remain,

Sincerely yours in Christ,  

Cardinal Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago

RCIA Rite of Welcoming and Acceptance is Sunday, December 8

On Sunday, December 8 at the 10:30 am Mass, our church will celebrate the Rite of Welcoming and Acceptance for RCIA members:

• Graciela Adame
• Cynthia Ann Arnold 
• Olivia Yolanda Flores
• Jorge Garcia 
• Linda Grande 
• Glen Huisman 
• Paul Daniel Mendez
• Anne-Marie Sara St. Germaine 

Through the Rite, the church welcomes those who have been baptized in another faith or baptized Catholic as a child but never catechized in the Catholic faith, into the process of full communion with the Church.

The Rite of Acceptance recognizes the Catechumen's decision to begin the process of becoming a member of the Catholic Church through Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation.

Feast of the Immaculate Conception - Monday, December 9

We will celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on Monday, December 9. Please note, the Feast day is not a holy day of obligation.

Mass will be held at 7:30 am and 8:30 am. The rectory office will be open.

Book Club Gathering is Tuesday, December 10

The book club will discuss The Wind Knows My Name: A Novel by Isabel Allende on Tuesday, December 10. Please note, we now meet on the second Tuesday of the month! The gathering is at 7:00 pm in the Ministry Center, located at 6214 North Glenwood Avenue.  

We would love new voices and opinions!

Contact Lea Cloninger at her new number, 773.213.0509, or Sue Benjamin at 773.551.8401 with questions.

Friendship Club is Thursday, December 12

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

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

Youth Group Event is Planned for Saturday, December 14

Attention students in 7th grade and up! Save the date! On December 14, we've planned an afternoon of Christmas card-making and cookie decorating. We'll gather in the Ministry Center from 1:00-3:00 pm.

Please reach out to Eloy Escamilla at eecamilla@stgertrudechicago.org for more information.

Parent Meeting for Students Making Their First Communion in 2025

On Monday, December 16, parents of children planning to make their First Communion in Spring of 2025 are asked to attend a meeting at 6:00 pm in church. 

Materials for the Sacrament of Reconciliation will be distributed and details about what to expect for the January 27 service will be shared.

For more information, contact Eloy Escamilla at 

eescamilla@stgertrudechicago.

7th & 8th Grade Students Invited to Participate in our Essay Contest - Entries Due December 16

Students in the 7th and 8th grade are invited to take part in our annual essay contest. Participants should write an essay based on this prompt: The Importance of Forgiving Others.

Entries should be 450 words. Spelling and grammar count!

The top three winners will receive gift cards and have their essays published online and in the bulletin.

Entries must be submitted online or postmarked by Monday, December 16, 2024. Email essays (preferred method) to eescamilla@stgertrudechicago.org or mail them to Eloy Escamilla, 1420 W. Granville, Chicago, IL 60660. 

Deanery 2B Advent Reconciliation Service Planned for Monday, December 16

St. Gert's will host a deanery-wide reconciliation service on Monday, December 16 at 7:00 pm.

There will be many priests on hand speaking a variety of languages to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation with participants.

Christmas Eve Pageant at 5:00 pm Mass: Children & Adults Needed

As is our tradition during the Gospel at the Christmas Eve 5:00 pm Family Mass, the kids from St. Gertrude parish will act out the Christmas story.

We are looking for children ages 5 and older to participate in this charming production, and adults to help organize or be part of the event. 

Contact me at eescamilla@stgertrudechicago.org if you and/or your children are interested in being a part of this special Mass. Thank you!

~ Eloy Escamilla

An Update from the Refugee & Immigrant Ministry



As we look back on this year, we have an opportunity to reflect with gratitude for all we have been given, and to marvel at the resilience of the human spirit, which can give us all hope.

You may recall that we are partnering with RefugeeOne to sponsor refugees, and back in July, welcomed a new family. This is a young Catholic family, originally from Venezuela, who were in Ecuador before coming here; mother, father, a school-aged daughter, and very young son. We've heard an update on how they are doing. The dad, a trained barber, has been working in a barbershop since September. He's earning an income for his family and practicing a profession he loves. The mom is attending English classes at RefugeeOne and caring for their son.

This family was recently referred to Refugee One's Home Visiting program, which is a trauma-informed program that focuses on child development and cultivating caregiving

relationships through guidance from a trained Home Visitor on RefugeeOne’s Wellness team. Their Home Visitor meets with them 2-3 times per month and works together with

parents in identifying and nurturing developmental growth. 

The family’s daughter began school in a grade appropriate for her age this year, and a member of RefugeeOne's youth team attended her Parent Teacher Conference (PTC) just a couple of weeks ago to check in on her progress and see how they could best continue to support her. At the PTC, her teachers shared that she is building strong social connections with peers, which has been instrumental in improving her communication skills. She has made progress in English acquisition and is doing well reading in both English and Spanish, though sometimes spelling and phonics can be difficult (understandably so!)

Her teachers shared that in just her first 10 weeks here in CPS, she has shown determination in the classroom, a positive attitude and growing self-confidence— we’re excited to see where this takes her.

As you can see, RefugeeOne is a great partner with comprehensive wrap around services to help the families fully integrate into their new life. They even have a partnership with Bikes & Music to provide bikes and helmets, and they have an annual Winter Gear Drive to

provide winter coats and gear (which is definitely necessary this weekend.)

I'll also share that Bishop Seitz expressed gratitude for the US Catholic community's

contributions to refugee resettlement on behalf of USCCB.

None of this would be possible without your support, prayers, and generosity, since it takes commitment and funds to bring all this together. So, on behalf of the ministry, thank you for everything you are doing. We are tentatively planning to highlight our Ministry at all the masses the weekend of January 19.

On behalf of the Refugee and Immigrant Ministry, with gratitude,

~ Denise Goodman

Growing in Faith: Longing for the Light

Our two teenagers are typical city kids. Between their CTA passes and their bikes, they can get themselves pretty much anywhere, and they take advantage of that freedom to meet with friends, shop and go to the gym after school and on weekends.

But this time of year, when the sun goes down earlier and earlier, we don't want them riding public transportation or walking home alone in the dark. This means either an earlier curfew—or lots of driving on the part of the parents. 

For this and for many reasons, our family finds ourselves longing for the light—and counting the days until Dec. 21 when the daylight hours will start increasing again. In addition to literal darkness, we all have our emotional or spiritual "darknesses" that come into our lives. And this year, our country seems to be experiencing a collective "seasonal affective disorder," with darkness descending on our government and other institutions.

We are all longing for the light.

Although we don't know the official birthdate of Jesus, the church wisely put the celebration of Christmas—the literal inbreaking of Light into the world through the Incarnation—around the time of the Winter Solstice, with Advent falling during those days leading up to the shortest day of the year (at least in the northern hemisphere).

May we use this time to acknowledge the darkness in our lives and in our world and to pray for the coming of the Light. 

~ Heidi Schlumpf

Weekly Caregiver-Toddler Playdates at NCA on Mondays

Looking after your child/children or caring for a little one? You're invited to our weekly get-together for caregivers and toddlers! Held at Northside Catholic Academy, 6216 N. Glenwood, every Monday morning from 9:30 - 10:30 am, the hour is filled with a story, craft, and sing-along for kids, and adult interactions for the grown-ups.

RSVP to gmalfatti@ncaschools.com.

NCA "Preparing Our Hearts for Christmas" Benefit Concert Planned for Saturday, December 7

All are welcome to attend NCA's parent 

organization sponsored holiday performance on Wednesday, December 13!

Join the NCA community as they embrace the holiday spirit with joyous musical offerings from internationally acclaimed soprano, Kelci Kosin, baritone, Matthew Kosin, and friends.

The holiday cheer will begin at 6:00 pm with wine, cheese, and jazz, with the concert beginning at 6:30 pm in church. The event is free, but donations are appreciated. All proceeds will directly support Northside Catholic Academy student scholarships.

Visit https://bit.ly/NCAChristmasConcert for more info and to RSVP!

Worldwide Candle Lighting for the Loss of a Child is Sunday, December 8

The Elizabeth Ministry of Queen of All Saints parish will host the annual Compassionate Friends Worldwide Candle Lighting service on Sunday, December 8th at 6:45 pm in Queen of All Saints basilica, 6280 N. Sauganash Avenue, Chicago.

The Compassionate Friends is an organization supporting grieving families in all fifty states and across thirty countries. Every second Sunday in December, families and friends around the globe unite in lighting candles to honor the memories of children of any age who have died, at any time, for any reason. Everyone is welcome to participate in this non-denominational service of prayer and music as we remember children who have gone too soon.

Email elizabethministry.qas@gmail.com with questions, or to request the name of a loved one to be read during the service. Find more information about The Compassionate Friends organization and grief support at compassionatefriends.org.

Find more information about Queen of All Saints at www.qasparish.org.

Rest in Peace

• Mark Schreiner, son of Therese Schreiner

Eucharistic Ministers

• Saturday, November 30 at 5:00 pm - Tim Harrington
• Sunday, December 1 at 8:00 am - Josephine Delgado
• Sunday, December 1 at 10:30 am - Carlos Barragan, Bob Backis, Stephen Modde

Upcoming Mass Intentions

• Monday, December 2: 7:30 am - Michael Cannon+
• Tuesday, December 3: 7:30 am - Patricia Campion+
• Wednesday, December 4: 7:30 am - Marie Roti+
• Thursday, December 5: 7:30 am - Communion Service
• Friday, December 6: 7:30 am - Pierre Betts+
• Saturday, December 7: 7:30 am - Mary Regina (Gina) Heidkamp-Hajduch; 5:00 pm - Rolano Albrillo
• Sunday, December 8: 8:00 am - Tricia Hernandez; 10:30 am - Thomas Kalas + ; 10:30 am Gym Mass - Tim O’Toole+

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.