Bulletin for Sunday, December 18, 2022
The Fourth Sunday of Advent
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Mass Times: Sunday: 8:00 & 10:30 am Mass in Church; 10:30 am Gym Mass; Monday-Friday: 7:30 am (Thursday is a Communion service);
Saturday: 7:30 am & 5:00 pm
Reconciliation: 4:15-4:45 pm on Saturday or by appointment.
Christmas Eve Mass Times: 5:00 pm & 8:00 pm (music at 7:30 pm)
Christmas Day Mass Times: 8:00 am & 10:30 am
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From Fr. Rich
Sunday’s 10:30 am Mass is my “Retirement Mass”. Welcome to all my relatives who are joining us today, as well as friends and parishioners from some of the parishes in which I have served.
My heart is filled with gratitude to all of you for your many kindnesses to me over the 44 years I have served the Church. I have enjoyed every parish I have served in -- enjoying especially the great diversity present in our Archdiocese -- in race, in language, in socio-economic standings, and every other possible human variation! Part of what makes it so enjoyable is that we come together from different neighborhoods, from different parts of the country and different countries in the world, from very different perspectives on so many things, and somehow, we all worship God together comfortably, with hospitality and welcome always on display.
As I have told many of you, I am moving to my home in St. Joseph, Michigan. And in early January, I am setting off on a four-month road trip which will take me south (to get out of the weather!)
I want to see the Grand Canyon from the ground instead of the air; I am going to wander some in New Mexico and Arizona because they are so beautiful; then on to Palm Springs to spend some time with friends; then further west to visit some of my California cousins; then south again and east all the way to Florida to visit a sister, a nephew, and about a thousand friends who have been saying to me for years, “You have to come see us in Florida.” So, I expect to see them all! Then I will head up the east coast to visit some other relatives, then back to Michigan by the end of April so I will be back in time for a cousin’s daughter’s wedding in May.
THEN is when I will begin to figure out what I want to do as a retired person!
I would like to close thanking our wonderful parish staff. It often takes a visit to another parish to realize how lucky and how blessed we are! Mary Clare Barker, Eloy Escamilla, Laurie Hasbrook, Pat Sullivan, Maria Garcia, Eduardo Soto, Tracy Shields, Andy Mueller, and Tom Martin. Last, and certainly not least -- Fr. Mike Gabriel.
I wish them, and all the parishioners, every blessing as St. Gertrude Parish moves forward, always welcoming any who come to our doors, making them feel the truth that this is everyone’s parish!
May God continue to bless all the members of St. Gertrude!
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Reception for Father Rich After the 10:30 am Mass/Heavenly Horns Performance: After the 10:30 am Mass on Sunday, Fr. Rich will visit with parishioners and friends in the back of the church. Please be sure to stop by and have some sweets from Misericordia’s bakery!
Additionally, another lovely Saint Gertrude tradition will take place during Fr. Rich's retirement celebration. After the 10:30 am Mass, our very own “Heavenly Horns” (Jim Szmurlo, Tona Palomino, Peter Buttitta, Fran Guenette, Nicholas Bussey, and Amir Ghazaleh) will perform. We hope you enjoy the beautiful sounds of the season!
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Growing in Faith:
The Gift of Fr. Rich
I thought I’d take a look at the Readings for this Sunday to see how to connect them to Fr. Rich and to growing in faith. But honestly – I could choose any reading, any day - and it would connect to Fr. Rich and the faith journey. That is one of the things I’ve learned from him: Faith is not compartmentalized, but is lived every day in every aspect of life. (My niece says it this way: He helped me realize I can still be faithful and still be progressive. I don’t have to compromise one for the other.)
It has been a gift to grow in faith with Fr. Rich, through his words (those thoughtful homilies), his deeds (how quick he is to help, how welcoming he is to the little children, the old people, and everyone in-between) - and his laugh.
My sister puts it like this: “He’s the kind of Catholic I want to be when I grow up." Truth is, we are grown up! And as he moves onto his next chapter, we are left with the example he taught us. We send him forth with words from today’s Letter to the Romans, grateful to count ourselves - with him and thanks to him - among those: “Called to belong to Jesus Christ, called to be holy."
Grace and peace to you Fr. Rich.
~ Madeleine Philbin
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Upcoming Events
Listed in Chronological Order
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Holiday Schedule at St. Gertrude Parish
4th Sunday of Advent/Fr. Rich's Retirement Mass (Sunday)
Saturday, December 17th
Sunday, December 18th
- 8:00 am & 10:30 am* (live-streamed); No Gym Mass
- *Fr. Rich's retirement will be celebrated
Friday, December 23
Christmas Eve
Saturday, December 24th
- 5:00 pm - For families with children (live-streamed)
- 8:00 pm - Vigil Mass - Adult choir & instruments (choral music from 7:30 pm - 8:00 pm)
- There is no 7:30 am Mass.
Christmas Day
Sunday, December 25th
- 8:00 am & 10:30 am (live-streamed); No Gym Mass
Monday, December 26
Friday, December 30
Feast of the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
New Year’s Eve, Saturday December 31st
- 5:00 pm (There is a 7:30 am Mass.)
New Year's Day, Sunday, January 1st
- 8:00 am & 10:30 am (live-streamed); No Gym Mass
Monday, January 2
Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord
Saturday, January 7th
Sunday, January 8th
8:00 am & 10:30 am in church (live-streamed); 10:30 am Gym Mass
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Last Day to Buy Greenery is This Sunday from 11:30 am-1:00 pm
The final day of our annual Christmas greenery sale is this Sunday, December 18. Located at the playlot on the west side of the Social Hall, 1401 W. Granville Avenue, the sale will run from 11:30 am-1:00 pm. Only cash and checks will be accepted.
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Reminder: Last Day to Donate to our Giving Tree Program is This Sunday, December 18
The Giving Trees gift cards should be dropped off into the two boxes on a table in front of the Blessed Mother’s Shrine in the front of church. One of the boxes indicates it is for Care for Real, and one for The Parish Refugee Committee. Please place your gift cards into whichever outreach you are supporting. The McDonald’s gift cards can be placed in either box. The last chance to donate gift cards will be this Sunday, December 18th at noon.
If you have any questions please reach out to the Giving Tree Program coordinator Joe McMahon at jpmgmu@aol.com or at 708.525.5051.
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The Longest Night of the Year: Homeless Persons Memorial Vigil - Wednesday, December 21
Please join members of the Peace & Justice Ministry on Wednesday, December 21, the first night of winter, the longest night of darkness, to remember those who have died while homeless.
They die alone - in tents, shelters, and on the streets. On this evening, we will mourn their passing.
The Vigil will be held at 7:00 pm in St. Gertrude's church.
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Christmas Eve Pageant at 5:00 pm Mass: Practice Scheduled for Participants
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.
A second practice for the Christmas Family Pageant has been scheduled - Thursday, December 22 at 6:30 pm in Church.
We do have angels, kings, shepherds, and some little animals costumes. However, participants are welcome to bring their own costumes.
Children ages 5 and older, and adults are still welcome to be a part of this event and help organize it. (If you have a young baby and are interested in performing as Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, let us know!)
Please contact me at eescamilla@stgertrudechicago.org if you and/or your children are interested in being a part of this special Mass.
~ Eloy Escamilla
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Christmas Eve Caroling Before 8:00 pm Mass
Please consider coming to our 8:00 pm Christmas Eve Mass a little earlier to enjoy the festive sounds of the season. At 7:30 pm, there will be a mini program of piano, trumpet, flute and choral arrangements of Christmas music along with opportunities for the congregation to join in singing some favorite carols.
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Religious Ed News: Upcoming Days Off
There will be no Religious Ed classes held on Sunday, December 25, Sunday, January 1, and Sunday, January 15.
Click here for the 2022-2023 Religious Ed calendar.
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PreCana Class at St. Gertrude on January 21, 2023
Are you an engaged couple planning on getting married at St. Gertrude? Couples that have established a connection with Fr. Rich (or another priest) are invited to attend St. Gertrude’s PreCana course on January 21, 2023.
This full day, in-person gathering is dedicated to considering your life together as a married couple. Led by a facilitator couple from St. Gertrude, the session begins at 9:00 am and features presentations, prayers, and discussions with your partner and 5-10 other couples. Lunch and snacks are provided.
Couples can register for the January session by calling the Rectory office at 773.764.3621or by filling out an online form at https://stgertrudechicago.org/marriage.
The cost of PreCana is covered by the church fee couples planning a wedding at St. Gertrude are charged.
Additional PreCana classes at St. Gertrude will be offered on April 15, 2023 and September 9, 2023.
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Save the Date! Our Parish Cabaret Night Will be Held on Saturday, January 28
Our rescheduled Cabaret Night has a new date - Saturday, January 28. It will be held from 7:00-9:00 pm in the gym.
People wishing to perform or help with set up or breakdown should contact Mary Clare Barker at mcbarker@stgertrudechicago.org.
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Request for Heart to Heart Lending Closet Donations
The Heart to Heart Lending Closet is looking for donations of wheelchairs, transport chairs, and rollators to loan to those in need.
If you know of anyone no longer using this equipment, please contact either Laurie Hasbrook or Pat Sullivan at the Heart to Heart office at 773.973.5464 or email heart2heart@stgertrudechicago.org.
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Help Needed with Collecting Food for Care for Real
We have all felt the uptick in food prices in recent months and while this is not pleasant, for the vast majority of us we are still able to put food on the table and pay our rent. Sadly, there are many families in Edgewater who cannot make this statement.
Greg Gross, the director of Care for Real, outlined the dire situation that many families are facing on a weekly basis. On a recent day, Care for Real served 295 families in one day. On the same date last year, they served 156 families. They now serve over 1,300 families per week.
And while the need continues to escalate, unfortunately there has been a decrease in the amount of food they receive from their suppliers. Care for Real used to receive 7,500 pounds of food a week from Chicago Food Depository. Now they receive 5,200 pounds; that is two TONS less than what they used to receive.
The need in our community is great and the need is very real. I would like to propose as a parish that we have a monthly food drive for Care for Real. We would need a few adults to organize this (get bins out, collect the food after Masses, notify the parish with an article in the bulletin which weekend we are collecting, and coordinate with Care for Real any special needs for a particular month, etc.)
It would not involve a lot of time and effort and hopefully if this is a regular operation, we can arrange things with Care for Real for them to pick up the food. A few adults along with perhaps some teen help could really make a big difference in our community.
Please consider getting involved in this ministry and if you are so inclined, please contact Mary Clare Barker at mcbarker@stgertrudechicago.org. Thank you for your prayerful consideration.
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Help Needed with Baptismal Classes
We are looking for a volunteer(s) for pre-baptismal talks.
A pre-baptismal talk is done once a month and is delivered to those who will be baptized in the Catholic Church, typically parents of babies and young children.
If interested, please contact Eloy Escamilla at eescamilla@stgertrude.org for details.
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Baptisms
- Logan Aaron, son of Robert and Pascale Johnson
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Ministers of the Word
- Saturday, December 17 at 5:00 pm - Art Lyons, Susan McKeon
- Sunday, December 18 at 8:00 am - Jacalyn Meier, Mark Kollar
- Sunday, December 18 at 10:30 am - Bob Backis, Troy McMillian
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Eucharistic Ministers
- Saturday, December 17 at 5:00 pm - Maria Ugarte
- Sunday, December 18 at 8:00 am - Hallie Burhoe
- Sunday, December 18 at 10:30 am - Annie Hasselbeck, Steven Hasselbeck, Ray Sousa
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Altar Servers
- Sunday, December 18 at 10:30 am - Cross Bearer - Emily Stecky; Acolytes - Henry Jacobson, Grace Cashman
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Cantors and Musicians
- Saturday, December 17 at 5:00 pm - Amir Ghazaleh
- Sunday, December 18 at 8:00 am -Jon Blake
- Sunday, December 18 at 10:30 am - Rob Schroeder; Dana Sullivan-flute; Jim Szmurlo-trumpet; Amir Ghazaleh-trombone
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The Illinois Tax Credit Scholarship Program Match has Begun! Double Your Impact Today!
Every dollar donated and designated to NCA through Empower Illinois after December 1, 2022 will be matched!
The funds received will help fund a child's education. You receive 75% back in state tax credit on any donation you make, it is really that simple!
To learn how to donate, click here.
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Ways to Help Our Parish: Amazon Smile, Text to Give, GiveCentral, PayPal, and Amazon Smile
Visit smile.amazon.com and select St. Gertrude Parish as your charity of choice. From then on, connect to Amazon through smile.amazon.com and St. Gertrude will automatically benefit as your charity of choice.
We have set up a "Text to Give" option through GiveCentral. Parishioners are welcome to text the word Donate to 1.773.741.9505 to make a donation via phone.
To access our PayPal link, please visit our parish website and donate from there. GiveCentral offers parishioners the option of one-time gifts or weekly contributions.
For more information on text to give or to sign up for online giving, please email Eduardo Soto at esoto@stgertrudechicago.org.
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Upcoming Mass Intentions
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Monday, December 19: 7:30 am - Living & deceased Torreano family members
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Tuesday, December 20: 7:30 am - Cecilia Onyibor †
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Wednesday, December 21: 7:30 am - Living & deceased parents of St. Gertrude parishioners
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Thursday, December 22: 7:30 am - Communion Service
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Friday, December 23: 7:30 am - Peter & Mary Tunney †
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Christmas Eve, Saturday, December 24: 5:00 pm – Parishioners of St. Gertrude; 8:00 pm - Parishioners of St. Gertrude
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Christmas Day, Sunday, December 25: 8:00 am - Parishioners of St. Gertrude; 10:30 am - Parishioners of St. Gertrude
(† indicates the person is deceased)
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Click HERE for the daily readings for Masses. Here is the list of readings for this week for parishioners that prefer to look them up:
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Monday, December 19: Jgs 13:2-7, 24-25a/Lk 1:5-25
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Tuesday, December 20: Is 7:10-14/Lk 1:26-38
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Wednesday, December 21: Sg 2:8-14 or Zep 3:14-18a/Lk 1:39-45
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Thursday, December 22: 1 Sm 1:24-28/Lk 1:46-56
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Friday, December 23: Mal 3:1-4, 23-24/Lk 1:57-66
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Saturday, December 24: Morning: 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16/Lk 1:67-79; Christmas Vigil: Is 62:1-5/Acts 13:16-17, 22-25/Mt 1:1-25 or 1:18-25; Night: Is 9:1-6/Ti 2:11-14/Lk 2:1-14
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Sunday, December 25: Is 52:7-10/Heb 1:1-6/Jn 1:1-18 or 1:1-5, 9-14
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- Pamela Sherrod Anderson
- Zara Bradley
- Sharon Brown
- Lilly Buie
- Aida Calvopina
- KC Conway
- Luke Fitzgerald
- Gina Heidkamp
- Maria Hertl
- Mary Horan
- Bernice Kiedysz
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- Marilyn Klein
- Sheila McGuire
- Larry McCauley
- Karey Myers
- Richard Seitz
- Bernadette Stanis
- Elinora E. Tolentino
- Manuel & Norma Viray
- Leon Ward
- Yyes Yoza
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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. | | | | |
