St. Gertrude Chicago

All are Welcome

1420 W. Granville,

Chicago, IL 60660

773.764.3621

stgertrude1420@stgertrudechicago.org

www.stgertrudechicago.org

Bulletin for Sunday, March 15, 2026

The Fourth Sunday of Lent

Congratulations to Our Newly Confirmed Teens! 

On Tuesday, March 10, teens from our Religious Education program and NCA made their Confirmation. We are so proud of their hard work and dedication!

May they continue to grow in God's love.  

Photo courtesy of Jonathan Hannau

• Enzo Agboton
• Jayson Ameyaw
• Mariano Barragan III
• Isabella Barrera
• Liam Benham
• Lillian Benham
• Ethan Bernal
• Oisin Bhutia
• Braden Blake
• Thomas Burns
• Esteban Campuzano
• Madeleine Carpio
• Mary Kate Cashman
• Fiorella Angelique Chapa
• Murphy Cooper
• Olivia Daleo
• Esteban Diaz

• Colin Flaherty
• Sofia Fuentes
• Margaret Fulkerson
• Alessandra Garcia
• Alexis Garcia
• Angel A. Garcia
• Uri Garcia
• Everett Gray
• Helena Ind
• Agnes Lacy
• Javier Lassus
• Aiden Lew
• Guilayne Lopez
• Vivienne Marinelli
• Maeve McGowan
• Milani C. Medina 
• Stella Rose Mikovic
• Jonathan Monroy 

• Katherine Montesdeoca
• Frankie Muller
• Adeline Nader
• Maddox Neubauer
• Tri-Lam Nguyen
• Stephanie Nunez
• Audrey Okoye
• Alexis Perez
• Carlos Perez
• Vadhir Perez
• Meg Pyka
• Maria Romero
• Bennett Salvatore
• Vivienne Skukan
• Connor Szafoni
• Enrique Villareal
• Rose Wyman

Friday, March 13

• 8:00 am - Rosary and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament begins
• 3:00 pm - Stations of the Cross (traditional)
• 6:00-6:30 pm - Music, Stillness, Solidarity in church (quiet contemplation offered with music) 
• 6:30 pm - Stations of the Cross (social justice theme: Refugees and Migrants) 
• 7:00 pm - Guadalupanos Rosary Group
• Benediction and Closing of Exposition

Saturday, March 14

• 4:15-4:45 pm - Sacrament of Reconciliation available
• Second Collection for our Almoner’s Program

Sunday, March 15

• Second Scrutiny
• Second Collection for our Almoner’s Program
• No Gym Mass

Thursday, March 19

• 6:00 pm - Simple Supper in the Ministry Center 
• 7:00 pm - Lenten Spirituality Session: Fasting: The Second Pillar of Lent with Chris Countryman

Friday, March 20

• 8:00 am - Rosary and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament begins
• 3:00 pm - Stations of the Cross (traditional)
• 6:00-6:30 pm - Music, Stillness, Solidarity in church (quiet contemplation offered with music) 
• 6:30 pm - Stations of the Cross (social justice theme: through the eyes of Mary) 
• 7:00 pm - Guadalupanos Rosary Group
• Benediction and Closing of Exposition

Saturday, March 21

• 4:15-4:45 pm - Sacrament of Reconciliation available 
• 5:00 pm - Mass
• Second Collection for our Almoner’s Program
• Care for Real Collection before/after Masses

Sunday, March 22

• Third Scrutiny
• Second Collection for our Almoner’s Program
• Care for Real Collection before/after Masses
• After the 10:30 am Masses - Brewed at St. Gertrude parish hospitality event in the Social Hall

Monday, March 23

• 7:00 pm - Deanery Bilingual Lenten Reconciliation Service at St. Nicholas campus of St John XXIII Parish, 806 Ridge Avenue, Evanston

Thursday, March 26

• 6:00 pm - Simple Supper in the Ministry Center
• 7:00 pm - Lenten Spirituality Session: Almsgiving: The Third Pillar of Lent with a Panel of St. Gertrude Parishioners

Friday, March 27

• 8:00 am - Rosary and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament begins
• 3:00 pm - Stations of the Cross (traditional)
• 6:00-6:30 pm - Music, Stillness, Solidarity in church (quiet contemplation offered with music) 
• 6:30 pm - Stations of the Cross (theme: The Way of the Cross for Our Time) 
• 7:00 pm - Guadalupanos Rosary Group
• Benediction and Closing of Exposition

Saturday, March 28

• 4:15-4:45 pm - Sacrament of Reconciliation available
• Second Collection for our Almoner’s Program

Palm Sunday, March 29

• 8:00 am - Mass
• 10:30 am - Combined Mass and Palm Sunday Procession (No Gym Mass)

Holy Thursday, April 2

• No morning Mass
• 7:00 pm - Mass of the Lord's Supper (live-streamed)
• Special collection for the Catholic Extension Society
• Adoration - church open until midnight

Good Friday, April 3

• No morning Mass
• The Rectory office is closed.
• 3:00 pm - Living Stations of the Cross performed by the parish youth group
• 7:00 pm - Commemoration of the Lord’s Passion and Veneration of the Cross (live-streamed)
• Special collection for the Pontifical Good Friday Collection for the Holy Land

Holy Saturday, April 4

• No morning Mass
• No Sacrament of Reconciliation
• 11:00 am - Blessing of Easter baskets
• 8:00 pm - Easter Vigil Mass (live-streamed)

Easter Sunday, April 5

• 8:00 am - Mass in church
• 10:30 am - Mass in church
• 10:35 am - Overflow Mass in the Gym

Fridays During March: Prayers for World Peace, Rosaries, Stations of the Cross, Mediation

As hostilities in Iran continue to unfold, these actions have already escalated into a wider conflict with no clear end in sight. In troubling times such as these, we turn to God in prayer.

Throughout the Fridays of March, St. Gertrude Parish will observe special days of prayer for world peace. On these Fridays, the church will remain open from 7:30 am to 7:30 pm so that parishioners may spend time in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament.

Our regularly scheduled Lenten activities on Fridays will continue as planned:

• 7:30 am – Daily Mass
• 8:00 am – Rosary and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
• 3:00 pm – Stations of the Cross (traditional)
• 6:00 pm – Musical Meditation: Music, Stillness, Solidarity
• 6:30 pm – Stations of the Cross (social justice-themed: March 20: Through the Eyes of Mary; March 27: The Way of the Cross for Our Time)
• 7:00 pm – Bilingual Rosary
• 7:30 pm – Benediction and Closing of Exposition

Because someone must be present in prayer during Exposition, we are asking for volunteers to spend 30 minutes or one hour in the church. If you are able to help, please add your name to the sign-up sheet located at the back of the church.

*In the event of a funeral, Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will be temporarily suspended until the funeral has concluded. The church will remain open and accessible for private prayer during that time.

Sacrament of Reconciliation - Saturdays at 4:15 pm; Lenten Communal Confession Next Monday, March 23 (in Evanston)

Every Saturday from 4:15-4:45 pm, private confession is available. 

There is also a Bilingual Lenten Reconciliation Service 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.

No Gym Mass This Sunday, March 15

Please note, this weekend there is no Gym Mass. Please join us in church at the 10:30 am Mass.

Additionally, there is no Gym Mass on Palm Sunday, March 29.

Almoners Lenten Ministry - Sundays During Mass

Our parish's Almoners’ Program will be held again from through 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 - Thursdays at 6:00 pm

Lent is better together! Join us on Thursdays at 6:00 pm in the Social Hall (1401 W. Granville Ave.) for our beloved Lenten Simple Suppers.

Each week, a different parish group hosts:

• March 12 – St. Gertrude’s Choir
• March 19 – Coalition for Spiritual & Public Leadership
• March 26 – NCA

Come for a simple meal, meaningful conversation, and community. All are welcome—bring a friend!

Lenten Spirituality Sessions - Thursdays Immediately after the Simple Supper

This Lent, the Adult Spirituality and Formation Committee is offering opportunities to explore the mystery of our Lenten journey. All sessions take place in the Social Hall, 1401 W. Granville Ave., from 7:00 pm – 8:15 pm 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!

On Thursday, March 19th, we will explore Fasting: The Second Pillar of Lent with Chris Countryman. Fasting is a spiritual practice that can be found in our Judeo-Christian heritage at least as far back as the Exodus. It is part of many Christian paths today. We will discuss some of these paths and how fasting is part of the journey. We will also discuss the practical experience of fasting and its effects on the lives of those who fast. 

Chris Countyman is a former Pastoral Associate and hospital chaplain. He has fasted one day a week off and on over the last 50 years. Chris brings both a spiritual and a scientific perspective to our reflection on fasting.

The final session will be on Thursday, March 26. We will discuss Almsgiving: The Third Pillar of Lent with a panel of St. Gertrude parishioners.

"Brewed at St. Gertrude" Gathering Next Sunday, March 22

Please join us on Sunday, March 22, for a parish hospitality event, "Brewed at St. Gertrude!" Following the 10:30 am church and gym masses, come to the Social Hall for 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! 

"Catholic Social Teaching in the Past and the Present Moment" Follow-Up Discussion Planned for Sunday, March 22

All are invited to a follow-up discussion of Catholic Social Teaching in the Past and the Present Moment on Sunday, March 22. It will be held just after the Brewed at St. Gertrude gathering in the Social Hall.

This engaging program will feature two of our own parishioners—Heidi Schlumpf, senior correspondent for Commonweal, and Michelle Nickerson, a Professor of History at Loyola University Chicago, —both published authors and past speakers at St. Gertrude’s.

Join us for an afternoon of reflection, dialogue, and inspiration as we consider how the Gospel’s call to justice continues to shape our Church and our world today.

Collection Drive for Care for Real is March 28-29

St. Gertrude has its monthly collection drive for our neighbors in need on March 28-29! 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. 

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.

What are the Scrutinies?



This Sunday, we continue the “Scrutinies.” These are special rites for the women and men who have been meeting weekly to explore their faith and their movement into the Catholic Church on Holy Saturday.

On the third, fourth, and fifth Sundays of Lent each year, we call these candidates and catechumens forward and invite them to reflect upon their past lives and commit themselves to repentance as they continue this spiritual journey to a new life. We celebrate these rites publicly in order for all of us, already baptized and confirmed Catholics, to reflect upon our own lives and how we have or have not lived up to the promises made at our own baptisms.

And, like these searchers, we also are invited to reject whatever has been sinful in our lives, leading us away from the Lord. We ask God’s help to cleanse us of our sins and follow the true path of Our Lord’s Gospel.

Growing in Faith

In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul writes, “You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.” These days, it can be hard to see the light — and be the light — and to trust that God is at work. When we’re afraid for the state of the world, can the light of our faith guide our hearts?

Several recent experiences remind me that light and God are everywhere:

• During these especially unstable times, I see rich goodness in people who are professing and giving witness to their faith, publicly and quietly. It is their work that makes goodness possible in so many ways. They help awaken all of us.
• At my friend Ed’s memorial service, many stories about Ed’s faith reminded me that we each find our own path to the Spirit.
• I get support from hearing about people who have a practice or discipline of connecting and relating to other people and of reaching for and praying to God.
• I hear an ongoing call to practice humility. Can I listen with love and openness until I understand people with whom I disagree? We cannot ever stop building connections until God and love are alive everywhere.

Faith requires trust. I feel the power of God’s love when I am reassured by those around me that I am who I need to be, even with the darker parts of me. I know I have light and faith and love deep inside me. I need to let them out.  

Let’s learn to share with each other who we are and let our love grow in the world. Let’s stay alive inside and out, and let’s not hide our light under a bushel basket.

~ Cathy Shiel-Reardon

Rest in Peace

Michael Browne, loving brother of Annie (George) Furman and Mary and Peggy Browne.

Visitation, Thursday, March 26, 2026, from 4:00-8:00 pm at Haben Funeral Home & Crematory, 8057 Niles Center Rd., Skokie.

Additional Visitation, Friday, March 27, from 9:30 am until time of Mass of Christian Burial, 10 a.m., at St. Gertrude Catholic Church, 1420 W. Granville Ave., Chicago.

Ministers of the Word

• Saturday, March 14 at 5:00 pm - Millie Slane, Martin Waide 
• Sunday, March 15 at 8:00 am - Rob Sierzega, Kathryn Stimac 
• Sunday, March 15 at 10:30 am - Liam Benham, Anne-Marie St. G. 

Eucharistic Ministers

• Saturday, March 14 at 5:00 pm - Tim Harrington
• Sunday, March 15 at 8:00 am - Steven Monti
• Sunday, March 15 at 10:30 am - Rafael Melendez, Michael Kowalsky, Troy McMillan 

Altar Servers

• Saturday, March 14 at 5:00 pm - cross bearer: Carter Dant; acolytes: Wyatt Dant, Brennan Robbins 
• Sunday, March 15 at 10:30 am - cross bearer: Oscar Lassus; acolytes: Javier Lassus, Adaobi Okoli 

Upcoming Mass Intentions

• Monday, March 16: 7:30 am - Communion Service
• Tuesday, March 17: 7:30 am - John and Lillian McCall+
• Wednesday, March 18: 7:30 am - Marty Maurer+
• Thursday, March 19: 7:30 am - Cheryl Veccie+
• Friday, March 20: 7:30 am - Peggy Sue Riordan+
• Saturday, March 21: 5:00 pm - People of God
• Sunday, March 22: 8:00 am - Bob Radycki; 10:30 am - Jack Taylor+; 10:30 am Gym - Michael Browne

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.