St. Gertrude Chicago

All are Welcome

1420 W. Granville,

Chicago, IL 60660

773.764.3621

stgertrude1420@stgertrudechicago.org

www.stgertrudechicago.org

Bulletin for Sunday, February 15, 2026

The Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

From Fr. Sergio

The sage advice that many of my seminary professors told their students preparing to be pastors was this: don’t make any changes to the parish in your first year. The wisdom behind that advice lies in the reality that it takes time for a new pastor to learn everything there is to know about his new parish, like the people, the parish’s history, its culture, etc. Only with that knowledge can a pastor truly make an informed decision.

Aside from a few minor changes I have made, I have mostly been observing and listening to what parishioners have to say—not just about the parish, but more importantly, about their personal faith lives. I’ve been impressed by many of the things I have learned thus far, and I feel blessed and honored to have been chosen by Cardinal Cupich to be pastor of St. Gertrude Parish. With about five more months left before the completion of my first year, there are many more things I have yet to learn.

Last week, we published information about the Disciple Maker Index (DMI), which the Archdiocese of Chicago has asked all parishes to participate in. Thankfully, the DMI dovetails nicely with my goal of learning and understanding the parish and the people who have made it their spiritual home. As we enter the holy season of Lent, a time for reflection and renewal, the DMI may also prove to be a useful tool for parishioners to gauge where they’re at spiritually. In addition, the DMI will be helpful to parish leadership and myself as we discern how we can continue to help parishioners strengthen their spiritual lives. Please keep in mind that all parishioner information is confidential. At the conclusion of the time allotted for the survey, we will share the reports from the DMI with the parish, once parish leadership has had a chance to study the results.

You can find information on how to access the survey below and on our website. Please be sure to take 10–15 minutes to fill out the survey. The more people who respond to the questions, the better we will be able to assess what our next steps as a parish should be. Equally important, your participation in the DMI may help you this Lent to grow in your relationship with Christ. Ultimately, it is the Holy Spirit who guides us, both individually and collectively as a parish, to greater and more faithful discipleship. Let’s take every opportunity of the DMI and all that the season of Lent has to offer.

Lent: A Call to Change

Lent begins this week with Ash Wednesday, a sacred season that calls us to reflect, repent, and renew our commitment to the Gospel. As we receive ashes and hear the words, “Repent and believe in the Gospel,” we are reminded that Lent is not just a ritual, but is a time to choose love, forgiveness, and a life more closely aligned with Christ.

Listed below are many opportunities to support your Lenten journey. Let us begin this pilgrimage together on Ash Wednesday and allow this holy season to transform our hearts.

The Season of Lent: Ash Wednesday is February 18



Ash Wednesday, February 18

• 7:30 am - Distribution of ashes (no Mass)
• 8:30 am - Mass and distribution of ashes
• 12:00 pm - Distribution of ashes (no Mass)
• 6:30 pm - Mass and distribution of ashes

Lenten Season Mediation Series: Music, Stillness, Solidarity                                     

We live in incredibly troubled times. Injustice after injustice and a stream of never ending tragedies show through social media algorithms designed to distract us. It is difficult to digest it all, let alone find a moment of stillness to reflect and potentially act on it.

This year we bring back “Music, Stillness, Solidarity”. It will happen every Friday night from February 20 to March 27. From 6:00-6:30 pm, St. Gertrude's will be open as a safe space where ALL are welcome to come, sit, pray, and meditate as we navigate these realities as a community.

Contemplative music will be played through the duration of the time to help guide and promote reflection on the day. 

Stations of the Cross

Each Friday at 3:00 pm during Lent, we will offer a traditional Way of the Cross.

Another Stations of the Cross will be held at 6:30 pm on Fridays after our Lenten Meditation: Music, Stillness and Solidarity. These Stations of the Cross will have a social justice theme:

• February 20: Social Justice
• February 27: Through the Eyes of the Youth
• March 6: LGBTQ+
• March 13: Refugees and Migrants
• March 20: Through the Eyes of Mary
• March 27: TBD 

Sacrament of Reconciliation Opportunities

Every Saturday from 4:00-4:45 pm, private confession is available. There is also a communal confession for all the parishes in our deanery (Deanery 2B) on Monday, March 23 at 7:00 pm at the St. Nicholas campus of St John XXIII Parish in Evanston.

Almoners Lenten Ministry

Our parish's Almoners’ Program will be held again from February 21-March 29. Each weekend, a second collection will be held, with funds used to distribute McDonald's cards to those who are in need. At the end of each Mass, those wishing to participate in distributing cards to the needy will be invited to come forward, receive the cards, and be given a blessing as they go out in this charitable outreach. 

Lenten Simple Suppers

Simple Suppers are returning for Lent on Thursdays evenings! Beginning February 26, parishioners are invited to meet in the Social Hall, 1401 W. Granville Ave., at 6:00 pm for dinner.

Each week, a different parish group will host the event. The schedule is:

• Thursday, February 26: Parish Pastoral Council
• Thursday, March 5: Adult Basketball Social Ministry
• Thursday, March 12: St. Gertrude's choir
• Thursday, March 19: Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership
• Thursday, March 26: TBD

Lenten Spirituality Sessions (Immediately after the Simple Suppers)

This Lent, the Adult Spirituality and Formation Committee offers five opportunities to explore together the mystery of our Lenten journey. All sessions, except for session three, will take place from 7:00 pm – 8:15 pm in the Social Hall, following our Simple Supper, which begins at 6:00 pm. You are welcome to attend any or all sessions. Please come to Simple Supper and the Lenten series – and bring a friend! 

• Thursday, February 26 – Prayer: The First Pillar of Lent – Sr. Wendy Cotter, CSJ
• Thursday, March 5 – Finding the Sacred On Our Lenten Journey – Patrick T. Reardon
• Thursday, March 12 – Return Again To The Land of Your Soul: An Evening of Contemplative Music - Jonathan Hannau
• Thursday, March 19 - Fasting: The Second Pillar of Lent – Chris Countryman
• Thursday, March 26 - Almsgiving: The Third Pillar of Lent – panel of St. Gertrude parishioners

Here is the description for the first session, Prayer: The First Pillar of Lent with Sr. Wendy Cotter, CSJ:

When we think of preparing for Holy Week and Easter, one of the three great themes of Lent is Prayer. Sr. Wendy, Professor Emeritus of the New Testament and First Generation Christianity at Loyola University Chicago, will share some of Jesus’ encouraging counsel to us about our prayer from the heart, and also what the Gospels tell us were times when Jesus felt a special need to pray. We will have an opportunity to share our thoughts with one another, to reflect on our own experiences of prayer, and on how prayer touches our own lives and transforms the world.

Daily Mass

• Daily Mass: 7:30 am - Monday-Friday (No Saturday am Mass)
• Sunday Mass: 8:00 am, 10:30 am Church, 10:30 am Gym Mass; 5:00 pm - Saturday (Sunday Vigil)

Please Make Your Gift to the 2026 Annual Catholic Appeal: Together We Bring Light

Many families in our parish should have received the Annual Catholic Appeal mailing from Cardinal Cupich. On behalf of those served by the ministries of the parishes and 

schools that receive funding from the Appeal, we thank you for your gifts. Please return your response as soon as possible.

The Annual Catholic Appeal offers us an opportunity to join with others and affirm that “together we bring light.” In addition to providing for ministries and services throughout the archdiocese, the Appeal also funds services that are of great help here in our parish.

As we consider God’s many gifts to us, we should also reflect our gratitude by using and sharing those gifts. Your financial support for the work of our parish, our archdiocese, and the Church throughout the world is one way to express that gratitude. Please make a donation as you are able to the 2026 Annual Catholic Appeal.

Combined 10:30 am Mass in Church This Sunday, February 15

This Sunday, there is a combined10:30 am Mass due to the Annual Catholic Appeal. There is no Gym Mass.

Rectory Office Closed on February 16

Presidents Day is celebrated on Monday, February 16. Because of the long weekend, there are no Religious Ed classes on February 15.

The Rectory office will be closed on Monday, February 16. A Communion service will be held at 7:30 am.

Another Collection Drive for Care for Real is is Next Weekend

St. Gertrude has its monthly collection drive for our neighbors in need on February 21-22! In addition to info in the image, you can visit https://linktr.ee/cfrchicago for information about donating and links to their Facebook and Instagram pages to see what they are specifically looking for at this time. 

Please place nonperishable items in the bins at the back of church.

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

We are so grateful for your help supporting Care for Real as they work to provide food and much-needed supplies to our neighbors who are struggling. 

Brewed at St. Gertrude Planned for Next Sunday, February 22

After the 10:30 am masses on Sunday, February 22, all are invited to our monthly “Brewed at St. Gertrude” hospitality event in the Social Hall, featuring pastries, coffee, tea, and hot cocoa.

All are welcome—new and long-time parishioners, families, and visitors!

Save the Date! The Catholic Faith We Profess: Reflections on the Nicene Creed Scheduled for Sunday, February 22

On Sunday, February 22, in the Social Hall after Brewed at St. Gertrude’s (approximately 12:15 pm), Fr. Peter Bernardi, SJ, will lead a presentation and discussion on the Nicene Creed, which Catholics and other Christian communities have professed for 1,700 years. Fr. Peter will discuss why we continue to profess the Nicene Creed, what controversies moved the Council of Nicaea to promulgate the Creed, and how the Creed expresses and safeguards the basic beliefs of our Catholic faith.

Please plan on being present for an informative and engaging reflection on the Nicene Creed. All are welcome!

Presented by the Adult Spirituality and Formation Committee

Teens Invited to Join St. Gertrude’s Youth Mission Experience

Parish teens are invited to participate in St. Gertrude’s Youth Mission Experience, taking place June 22–26. Open to students entering seventh grade through high school, this weeklong experience offers teens the chance to serve alongside Chicagoland organizations while growing in faith, friendship, and community.

Participants will enjoy meaningful service, have fun together, and earn volunteer hours. The cost for the week is $125.

To reserve a spot or learn more, please contact Pastoral Associate Eloy Escamilla at eescamilla@stgertrudechicago.org.

Growing in Faith

In our readings today, we are told, “If you choose, you can keep the commandments; they will save you.” It would seem keeping to those 10 commandments would be a simple effort given the great reward of salvation. But we all know it can be a challenge and requires strong faith and guidance to stay on course.

While I always work at living those commandments, I struggle at times to reconcile that with the guidance provided by the larger institutional church. The message of “all are welcome” has not always been at the forefront of my church’s message. That did cause me to take a break from the church.

Fortunately, some 20 years ago, I met the man who would become my husband. He is responsible for my giving the church another chance. Together, we discovered St. Gertrude’s and the amazing pastoral team who fully embraced us and provided encouragement to become more involved in the parish.

Discovering this amazing faith community has given me the strength to remain part of an institution that still struggles to fully accept me. I continue to work hard at living by the commandments that Jesus gave us, with faith that those shepherding his church will someday truly accept everyone—as we all work together at living the life that Jesus has asked of us. My faith continually guides me to live in a way that will afford the opportunity to fully see “what God has prepared for those who love him.”

~ Michael Kowalski

Join Our Choir!

Do you enjoy singing? Are you still looking for a New Year’s resolution? Do you see yourself leading the congregation in song—or perhaps joining a choir that is fun, engaging, and sings in four parts?

I warmly encourage you to consider joining the St. Gertrude Music Program! Our choir rehearses regularly on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 pm and sings weekly at the 10:30 am Mass. No prior choir experience is necessary; however, singers should be able to hold a melody. Whether you read music or learn by ear, you are welcome to join us.

If you are interested in serving as a Cantor and leading the congregation in song, an audition is required, and training will be provided.

If singing isn’t your thing but you play an instrument, I invite you to consider joining our ensemble—we are always happy to welcome additional instrumentalists.

Music is essential to the life of the Church, and this parish’s rich musical tradition is deeply near and dear to me. If you have questions or would like to learn more, please feel free to speak with me after Mass or email me at jhannau@stgertrudechicago.org.

~ Jonathan Hannau, Music Director

Volunteers Needed to Help with Live-Streaming Sunday Masses

We are looking for assistance with live-streaming our 10:30 am Sunday masses. The process is simple, you do not have to have a technical background, a special camera or phone, just a willingness to help. 

Contact Eloy Escamilla at eescamilla@stgertrudechicago.org for more information.

Catholic LGBTQ+ Retreat Scheduled for March 6-8 in Racine, Wisconsin

"Walking Together, Walking With Christ" is a weekend-retreat which focuses on the roles of LGBTQ+ people in a synodal church. The facilitator is Brian Flanagan, Ph.D., the John Cardinal Cody Chair of Catholic Theology at Loyola University Chicago. The program will be held from Friday to Sunday, March 6-8, 2026, at the Siena Retreat Center, 5637 Erie Street, Racine, Wisconsin.

The retreat is sponsored by New Ways Ministry, a 49-year old Catholic group which promotes ministry, justice, and reconciliation with LGBTQ+ people. The program is designed for LGBTQ+ people, family members, friends, and pastoral ministers. All are welcome. 

For more information and to register, click here.

New Parishioners

• Chrysa Fuemmler
• Thalia Gaffney
• The Kaney family
• Lisa Pellerito
• Valerie Youakim

Ministers of the Word

• Saturday, February 14 at 5:00 pm - Joe Tomasello, Christine Lincoln
• Sunday, February 15 at 8:00 am - Rob Sierzega, Hallie Burhoe 
• Sunday, February 15 at 10:30 am - Anthony Myers, Eric Ameyaw

Eucharistic Ministers

• Saturday, February 14 at 5:00 pm - Roman Reyes
• Sunday, February 15 at 8:00 am - Mary Clare Barker
• Sunday, February 15 at 10:30 am - Bob Backis, Michael Kowalsky, Steven Monti 

Altar Servers

• Saturday, February 14 at 5:00 pm - cross bearer: Danna Salinas; acolytes: Esteban Campuzano, Angel Garcia
• Sunday, February 15 at 10:30 am - cross bearer: Adaobi Okoli; acolytes: Jayson Ameyaw, Mathios Paulos  

Upcoming Mass Intentions

• Monday, February 16: 7:30 am - Communion Service
• Tuesday, February 17: 7:30 am - People of God
• Ash Wednesday, February 18: 8:30 am - St. Gertrude parishioners; 6:30 pm - St. Gertrude parishioners
• Thursday, February 19: 7:30 am - Purgatorial Society
• Friday, February 20: 7:30 am - Mary Lou O'Toole+ & Bobby Udrow+
• Saturday, February 21: 5:00 pm - Geoffrey Penar+
• Sunday, February 22: 8:00 am - Mary Jo Martin+; 10:30 am - Betty Taylor+; 10:30 am Gym - Edith Herbin+

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.