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 27, 2025

17th Sunday in Ordinary Time

From Fr. Sergio

It’s been almost a month since my arrival at Saint Gertrude, so I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for the warm reception I have received. Having been at my previous parish for 16 years meant having to say goodbye to many relationships that had been formed throughout that time. While that has definitely not been an easy thing to do, I’ve been encouraged by the many people I’ve met and the excitement of new relationships to be built at Saint Gertrude. I try very hard to remember people’s names, but you may have to help me by reminding me several times.

At my first Mass at Saint Gertrude, I gave a little introduction of myself, but I know many could not be there, so for their benefit, I’ll introduce myself once again. My name is Sergio Romo. You can call me Sergio or Fr. Sergio, but please refrain from calling me Fr. Romo, which to me is a little too formal.

I am the oldest of seven children, born on the southeast side of Chicago to parents who emigrated to the United States from Mexico. My father passed away in 2003 after a long battle with lupus. My mother still lives in my childhood home. Except for a sister who lives in northwest Indiana, the rest of my siblings still live on the south side of Chicago.

My awareness of my vocation to the priesthood began at an early age, which led me to attend Quigley South, the archdiocesan high school seminary. I then attended Niles College Seminary of Loyola University and St. Mary of the Lake University, Mundelein Seminary. I was ordained a priest by Joseph Cardinal Bernardin in 1993. My previous assignments have included parish ministry in Belmont Cragin, Logan Square, Schaumburg, Lakeview, and seminary work at the archdiocesan college seminary.

Beyond parish ministry, my interests also include gardening, cooking, and traveling. I also love to ride my bike for leisure and exercise. Look out for a bright orange bike and a rider wearing orange gear (please wave hello and give way). I also like to make art in various media. Lately, I’ve been studying iconography and writing/painting icons. In time, I will share with you some of my creations.

For now, I look forward to sharing in our faith together. This is what interests me the most—walking together on the journey to our heavenly God. Along the way, we will learn more about each other—not just our hobbies and interests, but more importantly, how God has loved us.

~ Fr. Sergio

Care for Real Collection Drive is This Weekend, July 26-27

Our collection drive for Care for Real is this Saturday, July 26 and Sunday, July 27 before and after masses to support our neighbors in need.

The image shares Care for Real’s most needed items this week.

Please visit https://careforreal.org/wishlist/ to see what else 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.  

Volunteers Needed on Thursdays

Additionally, Care for Real urgently needs volunteers in Rogers Park for the new extended food distribution on Thursdays from 3-6pm. Apply to volunteer at www.careforreal.org/volunteer to sign up for a shift!

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

All are warmly invited to take part in our weekly 

Rosary group, held every Friday evening at 7:00 pm.

This bilingual gathering takes place in the Ministry Center dining room at 6214 N. Glenwood Ave.

Whether you're new to the Rosary or have prayed it for years, you're welcome to join us in this peaceful time of prayer and reflection.

Book Club Gathering is Tuesday, August 12 - Please Note New Time

The book club will discuss Life After Life: a Novel by Kate Atkinson on Tuesday, August 12. The gathering is now held at 6:30 pm in the Ministry Center, located at 6214 N. Glenwood Ave. 

New voices and opinions are welcome! Contact Lea Cloninger at 773.213.0509, or Sue Benjamin at 773.551.8401 with questions.

Friendship Club is Thursday, August 14

The St. Gertrude Women's Friendship Club meets monthly on the second Thursday of every month in the Ministry Center, 6214 N. Glenwood Ave.

The gathering begins at 11:30 am, and attendees should bring their own (brown bag) lunch.

Growing in Faith

Each Sunday, I try to find the “golden thread” the Church uses to connect the readings. These threads are often themes, images, or messages that unite the Hebrew Scriptures, the early Church, and the life of Jesus in the Gospel.

This Sunday, Abraham persistently questions God, hoping to understand how many innocent people it would take for God to spare Sodom and Gomorrah. In the Gospel, the disciples ask Jesus, “Teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” Jesus brings it all together by encouraging us to ask God for the Holy Spirit.

Asking for help can be tough. Our fear of being seen as weak or inadequate can keep us from reaching out—to God, to family, or to our community. But today’s readings invite us to ask. God knows us completely, including our intentions.

There’s one major hurdle: do we believe God can do it? In the busyness of life and the chaos of the world, it can feel like God is powerless. But that mindset makes God small. Abraham and Jesus knew how big God truly is. Their boldness in asking reflected their deep trust in God’s limitless power.

So I invite you to consider: How big is my God? When we ask our God—who is greater than anything we can imagine—we will receive.

~ Steven Patzke

Register Your Children for the 2025-2026 Religious Ed School Year in August!

Registration for the 2025-2026 Religious Ed school year will open in August!

Classes are held on Sundays from 9:15-10:15 am on the St. Gertrude campus. They will begin in September.

The goal of the Religious Education program at Saint Gertrude is to teach children to listen for and respond to God's invitation to love. 

In class, students and teachers work to: 

• Understand that everyone is loved and treasured by God.
• Live the lessons of Jesus Christ - loving God with your whole heart and loving your neighbors as yourself.
• Build a deeper personal relationship with God through prayer and reflection.
• Learn to pray as an individual and as part of a community. 
• Discover ways to love and serve others in our day-to-day lives. 
• Appreciate what it means to be part of a welcoming, loving community that cares for and respects people from all walks of life.
• Deepen their knowledge of the Catholic tradition.

The fees for the 2025-2026 school year are $230 for one child and an additional $40 for each student from the same family. Children making their First Communion/Reconciliation or their Confirmation will also need to pay a $75 sacramental fee.

Questions should be emailed to Eloy Escamilla at eescamilla@stgertrudechicago.org. 

Interested in Becoming Catholic?

The OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, formerly called RCIA) is a process by which adults learn more about the Catholic Church. This free program begins in the fall and meets until Pentecost.

Many people who begin OCIA are non-Catholics seeking to become Catholic or at least to explore whether Catholicism might be a good home. Those who complete the process and decide to become Catholic are initiated into the Church at the Easter Vigil Mass on Holy Saturday. Others who take OCIA are already Catholic but want a deeper understanding of their faith foundation.

The OCIA process does not ask those who have been baptized in another faith to give up their denominational experiences. Rather, the OCIA process seeks to add new colors and designs to their existing faith life tapestry. In addition to attending Mass, the OCIA process includes weekly gatherings of breaking open the Word of God, sharing our stories, and learning about our faith traditions.

Classes begin in September.

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

St. Gert's Parish Garden Continues to Bless Our Community

Thanks to the dedication of our garden volunteers and the warm summer weather, our parish garden continues to thrive! Last week, we harvested another beautiful batch of lettuce, a variety of herbs, and even a few peppers—the first of the season!

These fresh veggies were donated to Care for Real’s food pantry, where they were shared with neighbors in need.

If anyone has interest in helping water or harvest, please contact Max Schweikert at maxschweikert41@gmail.com.

Free Summer Nights Concert Series in Edgewater

Enjoy free live music every Wednesday evening this summer in the beautiful garden behind the Edgewater Historical Society Museum (5358 N. Ashland Ave.). These weekly concerts feature talented local musicians and offer a great opportunity to relax, connect with neighbors, and make new friends.

The concerts are family- and pet-friendly, and take place from 6:00 to 8:00 pm through August 20.

Upcoming performances:

• July 30 – Inversion (Jazz)
• August 6 – John Neafsey (Blues Guitar)
• August 13 – 3-4 The Road
• August 20 – Tony Richards

Bring a lawn chair and enjoy a summer evening of music and community!

New Parishioners

•  Robert & Suzanne Teberg

Rest in Peace

• Elena Rivera

Ministers of the Word

• Saturday, July 26 at 5:00 pm - Art Lyons, Christine Lincoln
• Sunday, July 27 at 8:00 am - Rob Sierzega, Hallie Burhoe
• Sunday, July 27 at 10:30 am - Rafael Melendez, Rose Karasti

Eucharistic Ministers

• Saturday, July 26 at 5:00 pm - Kathy Wall
• Sunday, July 27 at 8:00 am - Josephine Delgado
• Sunday, July 27 at 10:30 am - Steven Monti, Carlos Barragan, Michael Kowalsky

Upcoming Mass Intentions

• Monday, July 28: 7:30 am - Elena Rivera+
• Tuesday, July 29: 7:30 am - Meka Glover
• Wednesday, July 30: 7:30 am -Roberto V. Cabrera, Jr. +
• Thursday, July 31: 7:30 am - Communion service
• Friday, August 1: 7:30 am - Peter and Mary Tunney+
• Saturday, August 2: 7:30 am - John Staggs+; 5:00 pm - Shannon Boylan+
• Sunday, August 3: 8:00 am - Ricardo Martinez+; 10:30 am - John Skaggs+

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.