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 8, 2024

The Second Sunday of Advent

From Fr. Mike Gabriel

This is indeed a busy time of year as advertising ramps up, calendars fill, and the “to-do” list grows longer. It’s so easy to get caught up in the frenzy of the season.

But let’s remember that it’s Advent—a season that invites us to be still and ponder the mysterious ways God has chosen to break into our world and our lives. It’s a season of wonder at God’s incomprehensible love for humanity, and a season for hope, because God fulfills His promises. I love that image.

Mary and Joseph certainly held and treasured a secret that first Advent. Mary carried that secret within her—a truth known to few. Let’s not allow the busyness of these next few weeks to keep us from letting Advent truly be Advent. Carve out time to nurture the secret gift within yourself. Read the daily Scriptures or a daily inspiration. Spend a few moments at the start of your day asking for eyes of wonder to see God’s presence, or at the end of your day reflecting on where God was present.

Don’t let the gift of Advent become just another exercise in busyness. Here are some ways to make Advent a meaningful season:

• We are asking for gift cards in increments of $20 for our Giving Tree program. These cards can come from Target, Jewel, Aldi, even a Ventra card. Or $10 gift cards to McDonalds, or Dunkin Donuts. We will be helping the Refugee and Immigrant Ministry, Centro Romero, Catholic Charities and RefugeeOne.
• This Saturday, NCA is hosting a benefit concert after the 5:00 pm mass. 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 youth group will be gathering on Saturday, December 14th to make Christmas cards and cookies. 
• Our Deanery Reconciliation will be hosted here on Monday, December 16th at 7:00 pm. There will be many priests available from neighboring parishes to help accommodate a variety of different languages.
• On Saturday, December 21st, St. Gerts will host the Longest Night Homeless Person’s Remembrance. There will be a vigil at 4:00 pm to remember those who have died, followed by mass at 5:00 pm.

Care for Real Collection for Asylum Seekers is This 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.

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

Women and men religious have spent their lives serving others in prayer, ministry, education and care for those in need—usually for little or no pay.

Today, their religious communities do not have enough retirement savings. As they age, they require essential care and medications. Please support them by giving to the Retirement Fund for Religious. Your donation makes a difference for nearly 25,000 senior men and women religious. 

Please give generously.

Trees, Garland, and Wreaths for Sale This Sunday in Person (and Online!)

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.

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 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 following Sundays, December 8, 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.

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.

"Brewed at St. Gertrude" Hospitality Event Planned on 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," next 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! 

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.

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.

Giving Tree Deadline is December 20

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, 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 Person’s 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.

Growing in Faith

“Take off your robe of mourning and misery” - so begins today’s readings. That’s probably good advice in these times that too often feel mournful and miserable. But -- with the news coming at us-- it may be easier said than done. I find myself thinking of Pope John 23rd’s invitation to do so, if “only for today.”

Only for today, I will seek to live the livelong day positively without wishing to solve the problems of life all at once.

Only for today, I will have no fears. In particular, I will not be afraid to enjoy what is beautiful and to believe in goodness. 

“Indeed,” as the saint puts it, ”For 12 hours this is something I can certainly do.”

Enjoying what is beautiful, and believing in goodness, one day at a time, is what the Advent season invites us to do. Each day we get a new chance. We open a window. We prepare the way of the Lord. 

On this journey, with its oh-so-winding path (nobody told me there’d be days like these) we are made confident by the reassurances of St Paul in his letter to us (from prison): “the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it.” “God is my witness.”  

Tis the season to take off that robe of mourning and misery and heed the prophet’s call: To put on the cloak of justice and the splendor of glory from God forever - at least for today.

~ Madeleine Philbin

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.

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.

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.

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!

New Parishioners



• Efrain Cortes
• Ivon Muniz
• Paul Ross
• Susan Sarran
• Karen Spear
• Isabella Strode

Rest in Peace



• Mary Amelse
• Arlene Kaspik
• Maggie McSweeney
• Marie Schonberger

Eucharistic Ministers

• Saturday, December 7 at 5:00 pm - Kathy Wall
• Sunday, December 8 at 8:00 am - Barb Daly
• Sunday, December 8 at 10:30 am - Annie Hasselbeck, Stephen Hasselbeck, Michelle Kuehlhorn

Upcoming Mass Intentions

• Monday, December 9: 7:30 am - Mary Amelse+; 8:30 am - NCA mass
• Tuesday, December 10: 7:30 am - Purgatorial Society
• Wednesday, December 11: 7:30 am - Arlene Kaspik+
• Thursday, December 12: 7:30 am - Communion Service
• Friday, December 13: 7:30 am - Shabon Glover
• Saturday, December 14: 7:30 am - Maggie McSweeney; 5:00 pm - Richard Cenar, Sr+
• Sunday, December 15: 8:00 am - Michael Cannon+; 10:30 am - Jacqueline Elwogd+ ; 10:30 am Gym Mass - Marie Schonberger+

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.