St. Gertrude Chicago

All are Welcome

1420 W. Granville,

Chicago, IL 60660

773.764.3621

stgertrude1420@stgertrudechicago.org

www.stgertrudechicago.org

Bulletin for Sunday, July 19, 2026

16th Sunday in Ordinary Time

This Week's Readings

It can be discouraging to look at the world and see so much division, violence, and injustice. We often wonder why God allows evil to exist and why those who cause harm seem to flourish.

Jesus speaks directly to that question in today's Gospel. In the parable of the wheat and the weeds, the servants want to remove the weeds immediately. But the landowner tells them to wait, knowing that pulling up the weeds too soon could also destroy the wheat. God's perspective is different from ours. Where we are quick to judge or act, God is patient, always allowing room for growth, healing, and conversion.

The first reading reminds us that God's strength is revealed through mercy. Unlike human power, which often seeks control or revenge, God's authority is rooted in compassion and love. Paul adds that even when we struggle to know what to pray or how to respond to life's challenges, the Holy Spirit is already at work within us.

Rather than focusing on the weeds around us, Jesus calls us to cultivate the good. Every act of kindness, forgiveness, and welcome helps God's kingdom grow. We may not be able to change the whole world, but we can choose each day to reflect God's mercy in our own corner of it.

The kingdom of heaven grows one faithful act at a time. By trusting God's wisdom, extending grace to others, and allowing the Spirit to guide us, we become part of the harvest God is patiently bringing to life.

Join Us for the Rosary at St. Gerts 

Guadalupanos Rosary Group (Grupo del Rosario de Guadalupanos) on Friday Evenings 

All are welcome to attend the bilingual weekly Rosary group held on Friday evenings at 7:00 pm in the dining room of the Ministry Center, located at 6214 North Glenwood Avenue.

Recitation of the Holy Rosary after 7:30 am Mass

Additionally, the Rosary is said every Monday through Friday in the church right after the 7:30 am Masses/Communion services. Please consider joining us in church—we would love to have you!

Wednesday Mornings: Resting in God’s Presence

Take time each Wednesday to pause, pray, and reflect. Our contemplative prayer group meets at 9:00 am in the Ministry Center Chapel (6214 N. Glenwood Ave.) for silent prayer, Scripture reflection, and spiritual reading.

Whether you're new to contemplative prayer or have years of experience, all are welcome.

For more information, contact Karen Spear at kspear@marian.edu.

Care for Real Collection Next Weekend 

Please support our neighbors in need by bringing nonperishable food and other essential items to our Care for Real Collection after all Masses on July 25–26. 

For the most up-to-date list of needed items and links to Care for Real's social media pages, visit linktr.ee/cfrchicago. 

Thank you for your generosity! 

Conversation: What is My Relationship with God? August 18th – 7:00 to 8:30 pm

Please consider joining in a thoughtful, reflective conversation with others as we reflect upon God’s presence and, perhaps, God’s absence in our lives.

Am I satisfied with my relationship with God? Have there been times when that relationship has been a source of comfort and peace? Have there been times when God has seemed absent?

Am I always doing the talking/asking or do I take time to be still and quiet, to listen to what God is saying to me? What ways have I found to deepen my relationship with God?

Each of us has their own answer to these and to similar questions. Come and share your insights, your struggles, and your hopes as we listen and learn from one another.

We will gather in the courtyard between the church and Ministry Center on Tuesday, August 18 from 7:00pm – 8:30 pm. If you are able, please bring your own chair. (Rain location: Ministry Center Chapel)

~ Sponsored by the Adult Spirituality and Formation Committee

Brewed at St. Gertrude Returns in September

Brewed at St. Gertrude will take a summer break during July and August. We look forward to gathering again for coffee, conversation, and fellowship after the 10:30 am Mass beginning in September.

Have a wonderful summer, and we'll see you then!

Religious Education Registration Opens in August

Registration for the 2026–2027 Religious Education program opens in August! We welcome children and families to grow in faith together through engaging classes, prayer, and community.

Classes meet on Sundays from 9:15–10:15 am on the St. Gertrude campus and begin in September.

Tuition for the 2026–2027 school year is $230 for the first child and $40 for each additional child from the same family. Families registering a child who was baptized at another church should provide a copy of the child's baptismal certificate.

Registration may be completed online or in person by appointment.

For questions, please contact Eloy Escamilla at eescamilla@stgertrudechicago.org.

Interested in Becoming Catholic or Completing Your Sacraments?

Registration for the 2026–2027 Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) process will open in August.

OCIA (formerly known as RCIA) is the process through which adults learn about the Catholic faith and discern whether they are called to become members of the Catholic Church.

Many participants are people who have never been baptized or who were baptized in another Christian tradition and are interested in exploring the Catholic faith. Others are baptized Catholics who have not yet received the Sacraments of Eucharist or Confirmation, or who simply want to deepen their understanding of their faith.

The OCIA journey is one of prayer, learning, reflection, and community. Through weekly gatherings, participants explore Scripture, share their faith stories, learn about Catholic beliefs and traditions, and participate in the life of the parish. Those who are ready to enter the Catholic Church receive the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil.

Classes will begin in September.

If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about OCIA at St. Gertrude, contact Eloy Escamilla by calling the Rectory at 773.764.3621 or emailing eescamilla@stgertrudechicago.org.

Growing in Faith

How do I ever forget this? The Holy Spirit, who hovered over the dawn of creation (Genesis 1:2) and who delves even the deep things of God (1 Corinthians 2:10), who hovered over Jesus in the waters of Baptism (Matthew 3:16), also lives in us, is our advocate (1 Corinthians 3:16), and teaches us how to pray as we ought, interceding for us with inexpressible groanings according to the perfect will of God (Romans 8:26–27). Wow!

I failed as a host for quite a while. I didn’t say, “Good morning!” I didn’t say, “What shall we do today?” Now I welcome the Holy Spirit as a guest, and we’re developing a relationship that has another dimension added to worshipping the Spirit of God. Now I read Scripture more often, pray and listen more intently for a response, and acknowledge throughout the day the gentle nudges that bring better outcomes.

I find the Holy Spirit filling my heart with love and courage and driving out fear, as the Spirit did at Pentecost. I find myself using my gifts to build up the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12). For the times I have no words, for the painful mysteries of death and suffering, for the remorse of my sin, and for deep joys like marriage and children, I look to the Spirit to intercede with inexpressible groanings according to God's will (Romans 8:26–27).

~ Bernie O’Connor

2027 Mass Intentions Book Now Open

The 2027 Mass Intentions book is now open. If you would like to request a Mass intention for a loved one, please contact the Rectory office. If you would like to request a Mass intention for a loved one, please call, email (jcarrillo@stgertrudechicago.org), or come to the office (1420 W. Granville) during regular business hours.  

A suggested donation of $10 per Mass intention is requested. To provide as many families as possible the opportunity to schedule intentions, requests are limited to 10 Mass intentions per household each year.

Music for Mass This Summer

This graphic outlines the Mass parts we will be using throughout the summer to help everyone participate with confidence.

The opening, offertory, communion, and closing hymns will continue to be posted on the hymn board before Mass and announced as the liturgy begins. Thank you for joining in prayer and song as we worship together each week.

Liturgical Ministry Training This September

Share your gifts and become more involved in the celebration of the Mass by serving in one of our liturgical ministries.

Training for Lectors and Eucharistic Ministers will be held on Monday, September 21, at 6:30 pm in the church. Youth and adults are invited to attend.

Altar Server training will take place on Monday, 

September 28, at 6:30 pm in the church. Students in 4th grade and older are welcome.

To learn more, contact Eloy Escamilla at eescamilla@stgertrudechicago.org.

Rest in Peace

• Heneill R. Fitzpatrick, funeral Saturday, July 25 at 10:00 am
• Eileen Schrager, funeral Saturday, August 15 with visitation at 9:00 am and Mass at 11:00 am

New Parishioners

• Jasmine Moore and Liliana Hernandez
• Nicole Sotelo and David Heimann

Baptisms

• Robin Sigismund Preston, son of Rory Preston & Sydney E. Smith
• Violet Balderas, daughter of Jose R. Balderas Hidalgo & Georgiana Moise

Ministers of the Word

• Saturday, July 18 at 5:00 pm - Joseph McMahon, Patrick Reardon
• Sunday, July 19 at 8:00 am - Jacalyn Meier, Mary Clare Barker
• Sunday, July 19 at 10:30 am - Ellen Pierce, Eric Ameyaw

Eucharistic Ministers

• Saturday, July 18 at 5:00 pm - Kathy Wall
• Sunday, July 19 at 8:00 am - Anthony Myers
• Sunday, July 19 at 10:30 am - Bob Backis, Rafael Melendez, Sarah Millar

Altar Servers

• Sunday, July 19 at 10:30 am - cross bearer: Jason Ameyaw; acolytes: Angel Garcia, Wyatt Dant

Upcoming Mass Intentions


Monday, July 20: 7:30 am - Communion Service

Tuesday, July 21: 7:30 am

Wednesday, July 22: 7:30 am

Thursday, July 23: 7:30 am

Friday, July 24: 7:30 am - 7:30 am - JoAnne Joyce+

Saturday, July 25: 5:00 pm

Sunday, July 26: 8:00 am; 10:30 am

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.