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 15, 2024

The Third Sunday of Advent

From Fr. Mike Gabriel

Rejoice! Rejoice! Today is the Third Sunday of Advent when we light the rose candle.

Traditionally this Sunday has been called Gaudete Sunday, the Sunday of joy. Throughout the liturgy, you will hear in our prayers and readings, “Rejoice!” Why? Because the Lord is near. The joyful good news is that everyone is welcomed and loved by God, who has come to save us and put joy into our hearts, where often there is sadness and despair. Share that joy with all you encounter this coming week.

This Sunday after the 10:30 Masses, all are welcome to “Brewed at St. Gertrude“ hospitality in the Social Hall, featuring the Heavenly Horns brass quintet, coffee, cocoa, and pastries. It's a great way for all of us to get into the Christmas spirit.

This Monday, December 16th, we will host a Deanery Reconciliation service at 7:00 pm. There will be many confessors who speak a variety of different languages.

We are still accepting gift cards in increments of $20 for our Giving Tree program. These

cards can come from Target, Aldi, or even a Ventra Card. We also welcome $10 gift cards to McDonald's or Dunkin' Donuts.

Also, on Saturday, December 21st, St. Gertrude is hosting the Longest Night Homeless Persons' Remembrance. There will be a vigil at 4:00 pm to remember those who have died, followed by a 5:00 pm liturgy.

I hope you have received the parish Christmas letter! If not, there are some at the back of the Church.

Let’s make this Christmas a special one by joining as one family, bringing light to all, especially to those who have struggled this year. Remember, it is great to invite others to join you when coming to one of our Christmas masses!

St. Gertrude's Christmas Schedule

Christmas Eve

Tuesday, December 24

• Rectory office closed
• 5:00 pm Family Mass
• 8:00 pm Caroling 
• 8:30 pm Mass 

Christmas Day

Wednesday, December 25

• Rectory office closed
• 8:00 am Mass
• 10:30 am Mass
• No Gym mass

Thursday, December 26

• 7:30 am Mass

New Year's Eve

Tuesday, December 31

• 7:30 am Mass
• 5:00 pm - Mass

New Year's Day - Mary, Mother of God

Wednesday, January 1

• Rectory office closed
• 10:30 am Mass

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.

"Brewed at St. Gertrude" Hospitality Event Planned for this Sunday, December 15 to Feature our Parish's Heavenly Horns Brass Quintet, Pastries, and More

Save the date for our first monthly parish hospitality event, "Brewed at St. Gertrude," this Sunday, December 15th. Following the 10:30 am church and gym masses, come to the Social Hall for pastries, coffee, tea, and hot cocoa.

St. Gertrude's very own "Heavenly Horns" will be there to help everyone get into the holiday spirit with a selection of festive brass music.

All are welcome, new and long-time parishioners, families, and visitors! We would love for the entire parish to be there! 

Buy Your Trees, Garland, and Wreaths from St. Gert’s This Weekend

St. Gertrude is 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.

Last Day for Delivery is This Saturday

Deliveries will be offered for a $6 fee on Saturday, December 14 from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm. The greenery team will reach out to notify you when to expect your order. 

In-Person Sales

Greenery will also be sold at the playlot on the west side of the Social Hall, 1401 W. Granville Avenue on December 15 and December 22, 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.

7th & 8th Grade Students: 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. 

Meeting on Monday, December 16 for Parents of 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.

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.

Giving Tree Deadline is December 20

The Giving Tree Program is winding down. 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, Aldi, Dunkin' Donut, or 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, Centro 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.

Christmas Eve Pageant Practice Planned for Saturday, December 21

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

"Longest Night" Homeless Persons' Remembrance on Saturday, December 21 - 4:00 pm Prayer Vigil and 5:00 pm Mass

The National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day takes place each year on the longest night of the year. At this time, we remember the brothers and sisters we have lost in the past

year due to homelessness — the person at the intersection we used to see all the time, the person who lived in the tent in the park that is now empty, the person in the sleeping bag we drove past on Lower Wacker Drive who isn’t there anymore — and we recommit to not letting this be the start of another year of growing homelessness.

Because December 21st falls on a Saturday this year, our remembrance will be included in the 5:00 mass, preceded by a prayer vigil at 4:00 pm. All are welcome. We invite you to join us in remembering those who are so often forgotten, except by their Creator.

Care for Real Collection is December 21 and December 22

Our monthly Care for Real drive is December 21 and 22. 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.

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. 

Heart to Heart Christmas Schedule

The Heart to Heart and Lending Closet offices will be closed for Christmas on Tuesday, December 24 and Thursday, December 31.

Laurie and Sr. Susan are so grateful for the volunteers, donors, and all the friends and members of our community. You have shown us what Incarnation -- Jesus being born among us -- is all about. We wish everyone much joy during this season of light and love.

Growing in Faith

The third Sunday of Advent, also known as Gaudete Sunday, is a day to rejoice. The church takes a break from the penitential violet colors. We rejoice that we are halfway through the Advent season and that much closer to the birth of Christ.

The readings remind us to rejoice in all circumstances over what God has done and what God will accomplish. In the Gospel, John's preaching leads to an eager anticipation of what God is about to do. Like the crowds in the Gospel, we might respond to the church by asking “what should we do?” How can we find joy in the midst of preparation, or more importantly, what place does joy have where happiness is already so hard to come by? But, as the popular Christmas carol starts out, “Joy to the world! The Lord has come!” The third Sunday of Advent offers us a foretaste of that joy. Zephaniah has God expelling his enemies, turning gloom into gladness, singing and exulting with His people. Let us give thanks on this Gaudete Sunday. May we find comfort in the divine assurance that joy will always win out.

Try “snacking on joy” as Washington Post columnist Richard Sima puts it. Savor little bites of joy found in the ordinary: A compliment from a stranger, a smile from a child, a particularly delicious meal, a breakthrough at work. 

As St. Paul commands in his letter to the Philippians, “Rejoice in the Lord. I shall say it again: Rejoice!"

~ Steve Monti

Catechist Needed

Our Confirmation catechist recently needed to step down to address health issues. We are now in urgent need of a new Confirmation teacher.

If you can help, please contact Eloy Escamilla at eescamilla@stgertrudechicago.org.

Thank you for Contributing to the Second Collection for Retirement Fund for Religious Last Weekend

Our women and men religious offer gratitude. A sister shares, “I thank the Lord for all who give. I don’t think we would make it without them.”

Thank you for giving to the Retirement Fund for Religious last week. Your donation makes a difference in the lives of elderly women and men religious. To learn more about how your gift helps, visit retiredreligious.org. 

Edgewater Singers Holiday Concert is Saturday, December 14

The Edgewater Singers will perform their annual Holiday concert on Saturday, December 14th at 7:30 pm. The performance will be held at the beautiful Ebenezer Lutheran, located at 1650 W. Foster Ave.

We look forward to sharing fun, seasonal music, and hope to see you there!

Eucharistic Ministers

• Saturday, December 14 at 5:00 pm - Tim Harrington
• Sunday, December 15 at 8:00 am - Kathryn Stimac
• Sunday, December 15 at 10:30 am - Sarah Millar, Lisa Schneider, Steven Monti

Upcoming Mass Intentions

• Monday, December 16: 7:30 am - Pat Veccie+; 7:00 pm - Deanery Advent Reconciliation Service
• Tuesday, December 17: 7:30 am - Larry McCauley+
• Wednesday, December 18: 7:30 am - Jeff Thomas
• Thursday, December 19: 7:30 am - Communion Service
• Friday, December 20: 7:30 am - Eileen McGuire+
• Saturday, December 21: 7:30 am - Mary Amelse+; 5:00 pm - Joseph & Isabelle Laczkowski+, Jean Laczskowski
• Sunday, December 22: 8:00 am - Peter & Mary Tunney+; 10:30 am - Mark Schreiner+ ; 10:30 am Gym Mass - Maggie McSweeney+

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.