St. Gertrude Chicago

All are Welcome

1420 W. Granville,

Chicago, IL 60660

773.764.3621

stgertrude1420@stgertrudechicago.org

www.stgertrudechicago.org

Bulletin for Sunday, January 11, 2026

The Baptism of the Lord

The Baptism of the Lord

This Sunday we celebrate the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, which brings the Christmas season to a close and marks the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry. As Jesus comes to the Jordan River to be baptized by John, he stands in solidarity with humanity, choosing to enter fully into our human condition. Though sinless, Jesus steps into the waters to show us the path of humility and obedience to God’s will.

At Jesus’ baptism, the mystery of the Trinity is beautifully revealed. The Son is baptized, the Holy Spirit descends upon him like a dove, and the voice of the Father proclaims, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” This moment affirms Jesus’ identity and mission and prepares him to proclaim the Kingdom of God.

The Baptism of the Lord also invites us to reflect on our own baptism. Through the waters of baptism, we were claimed as God’s beloved children, freed from sin, and welcomed into the life of the Church. As we begin Ordinary Time, this feast reminds us that our baptism is not just a moment from the past, but a lifelong call to live as disciples—listening for God’s voice, trusting in God’s love, and bringing Christ’s light into the world.

Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership (CSPL) Meeting Planned for Saturday, January 10

St. Gertrude is a member of CSPL, the faith-based organization that organized the recent People’s Mass and Eucharistic Procession to the Broadview Detention Center.

Come together with other parishioners on Saturday, January 10, from 1:30-3:00 pm in the Ministry Center to build community and discuss how to help advance our parish's commitments to social justice, human concerns and faith formation through our participation in CSPL. Learn more about CSPL. 

All are welcome! 

Midwest Workers Association Super Bowl Tamale Benefit - Order Tamales This Weekend!

On Saturday, January 10, and Sunday, January 11, volunteers from the Midwest Workers Association (MWA) will be taking tamale orders after Mass for their annual Super Bowl Tamale Benefit.

Tamales will be delivered on Sunday, February 8, after the 8:00 am and 10:30 am Masses. Those who attend Saturday Mass are asked to come on Sunday to pick up their tamales.

This tamale benefit supports MWA’s Winter Survival Campaign, which provides critical assistance to families during the cold months. The campaign includes door-to-door membership canvassing, utility-bill advocacy to prevent shutoffs and restore service, winter-watch phone calls, warm-clothing distribution, emergency food support so families don’t have to choose between heating and eating, and use of MWA’s office as a warming station throughout the season.

To place an order, visit the MWA table at the main church entrance or call their office at (773) 285-0485. Tamales are available by the half dozen in:

• Chicken in green sauce
• Cheese and jalapeño (vegetarian)
• Black bean and cactus (vegan)

There is a suggested donation of$10 per half dozen or $20 per dozen.

MWA also urgently needs volunteers to help make tamales from February 2–7, as well as to assist with membership canvassing and utility-benefit advocacy. Speak with an MWA volunteer at the above number to learn how you can be part of the Winter Survival Campaign.

OCIA Rite of Welcoming and Acceptance is This Sunday, January 11

On Sunday, January 11 at the 10:30 am Mass, our church will celebrate the Rite of Welcoming and Acceptance for OCIA members (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults):

• Antony Moyalan 
• Montserrat Villasenor
• Luis Felipe Adan
• Ashley Faye Minning Kirby
• David Martinez
• Antonio Knudsen
• Santiago Quintana

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.

Parish Photo Directory Date Added: Slots Available on Wednesday, January 14



The remaining parish photo directory session date is Wednesday, January 14. Photos sessions are held in the Social Hall, located on the lower/basement level of 1401 W. Granville.

Appointments can be made online at schedule.ucdir.com (Church code: IL457, Password: photos).

Parishioners for whom this date is not suitable or having issues booking a session are invited to email Jen Reyes at stgertrudeparishcouncil@gmail.com.  

"Brewed at St. Gertrude" is January 18

Please join us on Sunday, January 18 for the first "Brewed at St. Gertrude" of 2026, our monthly parish hospitality event! 

These gatherings are held following the 10:30 am church and gym masses in the Social Hall and feature pastries, coffee, tea, and hot cocoa.

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

Rectory Office Closed on January 19 for MLK Day

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is Monday, January 19. There will be no Religious Ed classes on Sunday, January 18. 

The Rectory office will be closed on Monday, January 19. Mass will be held at 7:30 am.

Support the Church in Latin America: Second Collection Scheduled for January 24-25

For over 50 years, Catholic dioceses in the United States have participated in the bishops’ special annual collection for the Church in Latin America as a sign of solidarity and unity with Catholics in Central and South America and the islands of the Caribbean. For many living in Latin America and the Caribbean, a rising secular culture, difficult rural terrain, and a shortage of ministers make it difficult for people to practice the faith.

Parishioner donations to this collection have supported pastoral ministries like evangelization and catechesis, family ministries, lay ministry training, and the education and formation of priests, deacons, and religious brothers and sisters.

A second collection for the Church in Latin America will take place this weekend, Saturday, January 24 and Sunday, January 25. It is a chance to share the faith with our brothers and sisters in Latin America. You can give at Mass or online HERE.

Care for Real Collection is January 24-25

Our next Care for Real collection drive is January 24-25 before and after masses. 

Please 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.  

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.

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. 

Reconciliation for First Communion Candidates is Wednesday, January 28

Please keep the young students of our parish in their prayers as they prepare for their First Reconciliation on Wednesday, January 28 at 6:30 pm in church.

Contact Eloy Escamilla, our Pastoral Associate for Religious Education and Youth Ministry, at eescamilla@stgertrudechicago.org if you have questions.

Youth Group Bowling Outing

All youth in 7th grade and up are invited to join us for a fun bowling outing on Saturday, January 31. We will depart from St. Gertrude at 11:00 am.

Come enjoy a great day of fellowship, friendly competition, and fun with friends. The cost is $10 per person, and space is limited.

To reserve a spot or for more information, please email Eloy Escamilla at eescamilla@stgertrudechicago.org.

Commonweal Action Healthcare Forum Planned for Sunday, February 1

Healthcare was one of the top concerns expressed by parishioners who responded to the Commonweal Action Survey last spring. In response, Commonweal Action will host a Healthcare Forum at noon on Sunday, February 1, following the 10:30 am Mass. The event will be held in the Social Hall, located on the lower/basement level of 1401 W. Granville.

Speakers will include a representative from Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky’s office and a local medical practitioner. They will discuss recent changes to Medicare, Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act, and vaccination policies.

Coffee and snacks will be served in the Social Hall before the forum begins. The program will last approximately one hour and will include time for questions and discussion.

Please feel free to invite friends. All are welcome.

Growing in Faith

Jesus is a fully adult man when he is baptized by John. He hasn’t said or done anything yet, but the Gospel elsewhere says, “Jesus grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man,” a person fully human.

I love these baptism stories because they show the absolute necessity of how Jesus’ maturity and ministry—like our own authentic spiritual journey—have to begin with an experience of God’s all-embracing and complete love for us. The theologian Henri Nouwen called it “beginning as beloved,” meaning our spiritual journey starts from a place of inherent worth and unconditional love from God, not from striving to earn love or fix flaws. It’s about realizing we are already fully loved, which becomes the foundation for growth, courage, and purpose.

In Jesus’ experience, before he can have anything to say or do, he has to know that he is beloved by God—pleasing to God. Jesus is plunged into the depths of life and death and suffering and love, and is brought out to fully encounter God “coming upon him” and saying, “You are my Beloved! In you I am so pleased.” From that assurance, he now knows where to begin. How can we, in our own lives, better believe in and accept the immense love and delight God has for us? We need those people in our lives who believe in us, take delight in us, affirm us, and call us beloved.

Once we have that straight, nothing can stop us, and no one can take it away from us. And we need to be those words and signs to others—ultimately, our most essential task is to proclaim that eternal message of God that initiates everything good on this earth: we are beloved children of God!

~ Jim Zajakowski Uhll 

Saturday Morning Mass Schedule Change 



Please note that there are no longer Saturday morning Masses. 



We thank you for your understanding and invite you to join us at our other regularly scheduled Mass times.

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.

Northside Catholic Academy Open House This Saturday

NCA will host an Open House on Saturday, January 10 from 11:00 am-1:00 pm at 6216 N. Glenwood Avenue. Take a tour of the school, meet parents and students, and learn more about our community!

Register at https://forms.gle/2RwfKx23LzacVoWW6. All are welcome to attend! 

Walk with the Ignatian Spirituality Project - Chicago Winter Walk Planned for February 8

Join the Ignatian Spirituality Project (ISP) at the Chicago Winter Walk on Sunday, February 8 at Humboldt Park at 9:15 am — a citywide event raising awareness and funds to end homelessness.

ISP walks alongside people rebuilding their lives after homelessness and addiction. Through retreats and spiritual companionship, participants encounter God’s love, find supportive community, and discover that their stories are sacred and their lives have purpose.

Together, we help provide the spiritual and relational foundation that makes lasting recovery possible.

Please register for the event at qrco.de/ww26-isp. Once registered, please go to your dashboard and click “Join, Create or Claim a Team,” then choose “Join a team.” Search for “Jesuit Friends and Family” and click “Join.”

Walk with us — in hope, in community, in God’s love.

New Parishioners

• Yanina Lypovetska, Roman Lypovetskyi, and Nikol Lypovetska

Ministers of the Word

• Saturday, January 10 at 5:00 pm - Patrick Reardon, Millie Slane
• Sunday, January 11 at 8:00 am - Jacalyn Meier
• Sunday, January 11 at 10:30 am - Rafael Melendez, Anne-Marie St. G

Eucharistic Ministers

• Saturday, January 10 at 5:00 pm - Kathy Wall
• Sunday, January 11 at 8:00 am - Kathryn Stimac
• Sunday, January 11 at 10:30 am - Troy McMillan, Lisa Schneider, Patrick Robinson

Altar Servers

• Saturday, January 10 at 5:00 pm - cross bearer: Sammy Kloster; acolyte: Bradley Phelps
• Sunday, January 11 at 10:30 am - cross bearer: Dominic Rubino; acolytes: Adaobi Okoli, Angel Garcia

Upcoming Mass Intentions

• Monday, January 12: 7:30 am - Communion Service
• Tuesday, January 13: 7:30 am - Mary Guinness+
• Wednesday, January 14: 7:30 am - Kathleen Marsh
• Thursday, January 15: 7:30 am - Joe McMahon
• Friday, January 16: 7:30 am - Randy Cruz+
• Saturday, January 17: 5:00 pm - Joseph Battaglia+
• Sunday, January 18: 8:00 am - Mary Shepeck+; 10:30 am - Bernadine Dressel+; 10:30 am Gym - Cheryl Stanton+

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.