St. Gertrude Chicago

All are Welcome

1420 W. Granville, Chicago, IL 60660

773.764.3621

stgertrude1420@stgertrudechicago.org

www.stgertrudechicago.org

Click here for the print  bulletin

Bulletin for Sunday, March 19, 2023

Fourth Sunday in Lent

Mass Times: Sunday: 8:00 & 10:30 am Mass in Church; 10:30 am Gym Mass; Monday-Friday: 7:30 am (Thursday is a Communion service);

Saturday: 7:30 am & 5:00 pm (No Gym Mass this Sunday, March 19)

Please note: the church building will be closed March 20-28. Weekday and Sunday Mass will take place in the Social Hall.

Reconciliation: 4:15-4:45 pm on Saturday or by appointment.

Office Hours: The Rectory office is open Monday-Friday from 8:30 am-4:30 pm and Saturday from 9:00 am-2:30 pm. 

caucasian male smiling wear priests garb

From Fr. Mike Gabriel

This weekend, the Gospel reading opens with this: “As Jesus passed by, he saw a man born blind. His disciples asked him, 'Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?' Jesus answered, 'Neither he nor his parents sinned, it is so that the works of God might be revealed through him.'”


These words made me think about the story behind my favorite hymn.

I love music, it’s a big part of my life, and I recently read about the author of one of my most favorite hymns, “Blessed Assurance”. I had the song sung at my first Mass of thanksgiving as a newly ordained priest and again at my 25th anniversary of priesthood. Fanny Crosby was the songwriter. When she was a six-week-old baby, she contracted an eye infection. A man posing as a doctor gave her the wrong treatment and within a few days, she was blind. 


I cannot imagine my reaction if that was to happen to me. I assume that I would be bitter, angry to name a few feelings. Instead, Fanny Crosby used the gifts that she had and wrote poems and hymns, 8,000 to be exact, one being “Blessed Assurance”.


Like the man in today’s Gospel, his blindness was not caused by his parents or by any of his sins, but a way that God’s works could be shown. I pray that tragedy never comes into your life, but if it does, remember that everything can be used to praise and glorify God!


Church Building will be Closed —Weekday and Next Weekend’s Masses will be in the Social Hall

Starting this Monday, March 20th, weekday and next weekend's Sunday Vigil/Sunday Masses will be in the Social Hall. This is so that the asbestos abatement can take place. There are letters at the back of church explaining in more detail about this work. Thank you in advance for your cooperation and appreciate your accommodating this inconvenience! 


Volunteers Needed During Holy Week

We are looking for volunteers to help us at the Triduum. Please let me know if you are available! My email is mgabriel@stgertrudechicago.org.


Please remember to keep our candidates for the Easter sacraments in your prayers. 

Parish Calendar of Events


Thursday, March 16

  • 9:00 am & 7:00 pm - Lenten book study in the Ministry Center


Friday, March 17

  • 3:00 & 6:30 pm - Stations of the Cross in Church

 

Sunday, March 19

  • No Gym Mass
  • 1:00 pm - Lenten Reconciliation Service in Church
  • 3:30 pm - United Power gathering at the mayoral forum, Harmony Community Church, 1908 S. 
  • Millard Ave.
  • 4:00 pm - ECRA Interfaith Passover Seder at Emmanuel Congregation


Monday, March 20-Tuesday, March 28

  • Church building closed for repairs. Weekday and Sunday Masses will take place in the Social Hall. 


Tuesday, March 21

  • 3:00 pm - Ignatian Volunteer Corp Virtual Session hosted online by Fr. James Martin, S.J.

 

Wednesday, March 22

  • 7:00 pm - Vicariate II prayer event at Holy Child Jesus, 2324 W. Chase Ave.


Thursday, March 23

  • 9:00 am & 7:00 pm - Lenten book study in the Ministry Center

 

Friday, March 24

  • No Stations of the Cross due to church building closure.
  • 7:00 pm ~ "Three Cheers" play in the Social Hall

 

Saturday, March 25

  • 5:00 Mass in the Social Hall/Care for Real monthly food drive
  • 7:00 pm ~ "Three Cheers" play in the Social Hall


Sunday, March 26

  • Masses will be in the Social Hall
  • Care for Real monthly food drive at all Masses


Palm Sunday, April 2

  • 3:00 pm - Prayer walk around Cook County Jail, starting at Kolbe House, 2434 S. California

Holy Week & Easter Schedule


Palm Sunday, Sunday, April 2

  • 5:00 pm (Saturday, April 1 - Sunday Vigil)
  • 8:00 am
  • 10:30 am Procession (Combined Mass in Church - no Gym Mass)


Holy Thursday, April 6

  • No morning Mass
  • 7:00 pm - Mass of the Lord's Supper

 

Good Friday, April 7

  • No morning Mass
  • 3:00 pm - Living Stations of the Cross
  • 7:00 pm - Veneration of the Cross
  • The Rectory office is closed.


Holy Saturday, April 8

  • No morning Mass
  • 11:00 am - Blessing of Easter baskets
  • 7:00 pm - Easter Vigil Mass


Easter Sunday, April 9

  • 8:00 am
  • 10:30 am in church
  • 10:30 am Gym Mass


Easter Monday, April 10

  • The Rectory office is closed.

Events & Activities at St. Gertrude

listed in chronological order

Lenten Study: The Crucible of Racism by Patrick Saint-Jean, SJ - Thursday Mornings & Evenings During Lent


The Lenten book study this year will continue the work begun last year on racism by Patrick Saint-Jean. We will be reading The Crucible of Racism. In this book, Saint-Jean shows how Ignatian Spirituality and faithful hope can, in fact, change us, the Church, our nation, and the world. 


Study groups will meet weekly in the Ministry Center on Thursday mornings at 9:00 am and Thursday evenings at 7:00 pm until March 30. Each meeting is about one hour. Sign-up sheets are on the tables in the back of the church. We have copies of the book available for $20. For more further information, contact Fr. Mike Gabriel at mgabriel@stgertrudechicago.org.

No Gym Mass This Sunday


This Sunday, March 19, please join us in church for a Combined 10:30 am Mass.


There is no Gym Mass.

Almoners Lenten Ministry - Collection This Sunday



Each weekend during Lent, we have a second collection for the Almoner’s Program. The funds raised are used to purchase $10.00 McDonald gift cards which parishioners can pick up at the weekend Masses and shared with those in need.


Last weekend, we collected $1,280.50! Thank you for your generosity!

United Power for Action and Justice: Mayoral Candidates Forum This Sunday, March 19 


Join United Power members this Sunday from 3:30 - 5:00 pm at Harmony Community Church, 1908 S. Millard Ave., for a public forum with the two mayoral runoff candidates--Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson--to seek their commitments to to rebuild the core neighborhoods of our city with 10,000 affordable homes for working people on the city's South and West sides. 


St. Gertrude's is a founding member of United Power for Action and Justice, an interfaith organization that builds people power for structural changes in greater Chicago. As our parish reflects on structural racism and how to dismantle it this Lent, one opportunity to do so is by standing in solidarity with our brothers and sisters on the south and west sides of the city to build equity, wealth and safety. 


Contact Kate Davis at kate.hibbs.davis@gmail.com or 434.989.6976 for more info.

ECRA Passover Seder on Sunday, March 19


All are invited to attend Emanuel Congregation's second Model Interfaith Seder! This Edgewater Community Religious Association (ECRA) event is a unique opportunity to celebrate the Jewish holiday of Passover with people from different faith backgrounds and learn about the traditions and rituals of this ancient festival.


The Passover style dinner is this Sunday, March 19 from 4:00-5:30 pm. The cost is $25. Please sign up and pay here.

Reminder: Church Building Closed March 20-28


The church building will close on Monday, March 20 through Tuesday, March 28. During this time, the tile that has been covered with carpet will be taken up and disposed of. It is a big undertaking and a expensive one as well.


Weekday and next Sunday's Masses will take place in the Social Hall. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Ignatian Volunteer Corps Online Info Session with Fr. James Martin - Tuesday, March 21


Are you retired or finished raising your family? Do you want to give back, enrich your spiritual life, and build community with other mature adults? Through the Ignatian Volunteer Corps you can make a difference in your community while living out the values of St. Ignatius of Loyola.


As a member of the IVC, you’ll have the opportunity to serve those in need one or two days a week while also participating in spiritual formation in a community of peers who share a commitment to service. Join us March 21, 2023 at 3:00 pm CST for a free virtual information session hosted by IVC supporter and spiritual reflector Fr. James Martin, S.J.


Register to attend this online event at https://ivcusa.org/info/ and learn how you can deepen your faith and make a difference in the world.

Eucharistic Revival: Vicariate II Prayer Event - Wednesday, March 22


The Archdiocese of Chicago is at a pivotal moment of structural and spiritual renewal, and that is a cause for great hope. We take up this effort at a moment in which the United States bishops have launched a Eucharistic Revival.


This convergence reminds us that true renewal of the Church always involves recovering the importance of the Eucharistic celebration as the source and summit of our life as Catholics. From the Eucharistic celebration flows all the Church’s prayers, activities and ministries.


Please join us for the Vicariate II service on Wednesday, March 22 at 7:00 pm at Holy Child Jesus, 2324 W. Chase Ave. to unite in prayer for renewal and revival as we deepen the union with Christ and each other.

Care for Real Food Drive - Saturday, March 25 and Sunday, March 26 in the Social Hall


Fasting, prayer, and almsgiving are the three practices in Lent that help us to shift our gaze to Christ and his suffering.


Fasting is a meaningful way to reflect on our daily life and rebuild our focus outside of ourselves. Yet many individuals and families in Chicago do not have the privilege of intentional fasting during this time. With food shortage, families live every day in a constant fast. This month St. Gertrude will be answering the call to place the needs of others first during this Lent season.  


Next weekend, Saturday, March 25 (before and after the 5:00 pm Mass) and Sunday, March 26, is our monthly collection drive for Care for Real. It will take place in the Social Hall, as the Church building is under construction. 


Please consider bringing non-perishable goods and personal hygiene items to donate! Show more love and care, for real.

Parish Play, Three Cheers, Next Weekend, Friday, March 24 & Saturday, March 25


The St. Gertrude Parish Players are back! This year's original production: "Three Cheers!" will be performed on Friday, March 24 and Saturday, March 25 in the Gym. Doors open at 7:30 pm and the show will start at 8:00 pm.


Join us to see what can happen when a community comes together to welcome back a hero and is rocked when they learn their home and gathering place will be torn down and replaced by a private commercial endeavor.


Admission is $10 per adult and $5 per child. All proceeds go to support your parish community. Parking is available in St. Gertrude's parking lot, located at Thome and Glenwood.

A Lenten Triduum with Bishop Mark Bartosic on March 27, 28, & 29 from 7:00-8:00 pm


Please join us for Triduum of Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction for healing, repentance, and peace at St. Gregory the Great, 5545 N. Paulina. This is the third prayerful journey to unite the faithful regarding the clergy sexual abuse crisis and has been arranged by Vicariate II Catholic laity and the Committee for Healing and Atonement. 


The three-evening events will feature Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction each evening with a form of prayer: scripture, litany, and the rosary. Sign language interpreters will be present. It will be live streamed too on Facebook here


Email vii.taskforce@gmail.com with any questions. 

Stations of the Cross: Friday, March 17, Friday, March 31 & Good Friday


This Friday, we will reflect on the suffering journey of Christ and others in the world. On Friday afternoon at 3:00 pm, we offer the traditional way of the Cross.


At 6:30 pm, we will also have stations of the Cross joining Jesus’ journey recognizing the present struggles and crosses that challenge the modern world.


The Station of the Cross will not be held on Friday, March 24 due to construction in the church. Both the 3:00 pm and the 6:30 pm Station of the Cross will be held on March 31.


On Good Friday, April 7, we will have Living Stations of the Cross at 3:00 pm and Veneration of the Cross at 7:00 pm.

Prayer Walk Around Cook County Jail on Palm Sunday, April 2


The Kolbe House Jail Ministry, part of the Archdiocese of Chicago, is inviting Chicago-area Catholics and any other interested participants to gather outside the Cook County Jail on Palm Sunday, April 2 at 3:00 pm for a 2-mile prayer walk around the Cook County Jail complex. There will be 5 stations along this route.


This event offers us an opportunity to show solidarity with people affected by incarceration. The event will begin and end at Kolbe House, located at 2434 S. California Ave. in Chicago.


The prayers at each of the 5 stations include intentions for the victims of violence, for mercy toward those who have caused grave harm, and for the families of those who are incarcerated. We will pray intentions for healing from trauma, for breaking the bonds of addiction and mental illness, eradicating racism, shining a light on and recognizing the harm caused by the legal system and for “a reimagining of our church and our community, to be one where no one is excluded or deemed unworthy.”


If you have any questions, please contact Pat Sullivan by email at psullivan@stgertrudechicago.org.

Parish News

Pictures from Confirmation


Congratulations to our Confirmed Students!


Congratulations to the young adults of our parish who made their Confirmation on Tuesday, March 14! We are so proud of these teens, who have worked towards receiving this sacrament for two years!

Mass Book Open - Intentions for 2024 Available


The Mass Book for 2024 is open. If you would like a Mass Intention said for a person that needs prayers or in memory of someone who has died, please call the Rectory at 773.764.3621 or stop by the Rectory office during office hours. We’ll help you find an available Mass and prepare a card for you to give to the person or family of the intention. A $20 donation is suggested. 

Growing in Faith


Our readings this Sunday suggest truth will be discovered in unexpected places. In our first reading, God makes the unlikely choice to anoint young David. “Not as man sees does God see, because man sees the appearance but the Lord looks into the heart,” says Samuel.


Our second reading invites us to live as, “children of light”. The Gospel reveals the miraculous power of Jesus to restore sight of an alleged sinner. Young David, children, a sinner? The mystery of salvation is somehow discovered where we would least expect it, our readings seem to suggest.


Perhaps this message is timely? How often do I seek light and truth through the easy and obvious: the emulated celebrity, the powerful politician, or the gold enshrouded cleric. And isn’t Lent and its disciplines of prayers, fasting, and almsgiving to bring us to the foot of the cross where a lowly carpenter born of a single teenage mother dies the disgraceful death of a criminal? Isn’t this the least expected place of all for the redemption of the world?


In a world literally dark and deep in the despair of violence, corruption, and death, it can be hard to find light. Really hard. Maybe I should stop looking for it on Facebook? Perhaps light lies beneath the dark places we think not to look: at the margins, where the poor and despised enjoy the special favor of our loving God.


~ Matt Couture

Recruiting Volunteer Drivers for Heart to Heart


Volunteers are the backbone of Heart to Heart. There are opportunities for volunteering to service the homebound seniors and disabled individuals in our Edgewater/Rogers Park areas.


We need drivers to take members to the grocery store and other errands like Walgreens. In addition, drivers are needed to take members to doctor appointments and mass. Let us know your availability and we will accommodate your schedule.

 

Contact Pat Sullivan at psullivan@stgertrudechicago.org or call 773-973-5464.

Rest in Peace


  • Carmeline DeFranco aunt of Sam Guardino 


Ministers of the Word

  • Saturday, March 18 at 5:00 pm - Roman Reyes, Millie Slane
  • Sunday, Sunday, March 19 at 8:00 am - Marty McDermott, Jacalyn Meier
  • Sunday, March 19 at 10:30 am - Rose Karasti, Debra Novak

Eucharistic Ministers

  • Saturday, March 18 at 5:00 pm - Kathy Wall
  • Sunday, March 19 at 8:00 am - Barb Daly
  • Sunday, March 19 at 10:30 am - Lisa Schneider, Annie Hasselbeck, Steven Hasselbeck

Altar Servers

  • Sunday, Sunday, March 19 at 10:30 am - Cross Bearer - Carter Dant; Acolytes - Henry Villareal, Grace Cashman

Cantors and Musicians

  • Saturday, March 18 at 5:00 pm - Kate Hibbs Davis
  • Sunday, March 19 at 8:00 am - Jim Manzardo
  • Sunday, March 19 at 10:30 am -  Michael Callahan; Denise Goodman- Bb clarinet

Weekly Financial Report


The Finance Committee would like the parish to be more aware of the financial situation of St. Gertrude. To inform all of you, we will be publishing the weekly collections and what has been budgeted for the parish so we can continue our ministries.



March 12, 2023

Sunday Collection Envelopes: $1,553.00

Loose Checks: $1,530.00

Loose Cash/Coins: $916.15

Online Donations: $8,454.94

Total Collected: $12,454.09

   

Budgeted: $10,730.00

Difference: $1,724.09

Year-to-date Collected: $345,127.59

Year-to-date Budgeted: $558,000.00

Difference: -$212,872.41


Almoner's Collection: $1,280.50

Ways to Help Our Parish: Amazon Smile, Text to Give, GiveCentral, PayPal, and Amazon Smile


Visit smile.amazon.com and select St. Gertrude Parish as your charity of choice. From then on, connect to Amazon through smile.amazon.com and St. Gertrude will automatically benefit as your charity of choice.


We have set up a "Text to Give" option through GiveCentral. Parishioners are welcome to text the word Donate to 1.773.741.9505 to make a donation via phone. 


To access our PayPal link, please visit our parish website and donate from there. GiveCentral offers parishioners the option of one-time gifts or weekly contributions. 


For more information on text to give or to sign up for online giving, please email Eduardo Soto at esoto@stgertrudechicago.org.

Donate via GiveCentral
Donate via PayPal

Upcoming Mass Intentions


  • Monday, March 20: 7:30 am - Living and deceased Torreano family members
  • Tuesday, March 21: 7:30 am - Peggy Sue Riordan †
  • Wednesday, March 22: 7:30 am - Patrick Hamilton† 
  • Thursday, March 23: 7:30 am - Communion Service
  • Friday, March 24: 7:30 am - Purgatorial Society
  • Saturday, March 25: 7:30 am - Living and deceased Torreano family members; 5:00 pm - Caprice Boylan † 
  • Sunday, March 26: 8:00 am - Phyllis Mahoney †; 10:30 am - Mickey Resch †; 10:30 Gym Mass – Roy Lipscomb & Mary Grover † 



( indicates the person is deceased) 

Daily Scripture Readings

Click HERE for the daily readings for Masses. Here is the list of readings for this week for parishioners that prefer to look them up:


  • Monday, March 20: 2 Sm 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16/Rom 4:13, 16-18, 22/Mt 1:16, 18-21, 24a or Lk 2:41-51a
  • Tuesday, March 21: Ez 47:1-9, 12/Jn 5:1-16  
  • Wednesday, March 22: Is 49:8-15/Jn 5:17-30
  • Thursday, March 23: Ex 32:7-14/Jn 5:31-47
  • Friday, March 24: Wis 2:1a, 12-22/Jn 7:1-2, 10, 25-30
  • Saturday, March 25: Is 7:10-14; 8:10/Heb 10:4-10/Lk 1:26-38
  • Sunday, March 26: Ez 37:12-14/Rom 8:8-11/Jn 11:1-45 or 11:3-7, 17, 20-27, 33b-45

Please Keep the Following People in Your Prayers

  • Zara Bradley 
  • Lilly Buie
  • Aida Calvopina 
  • KC Conway
  • Ann Collins Dole
  • Luke Fitzgerald
  • Gina Heidkamp
  • Maria Hertl
  • Bernice Kiedysz
  • Marilyn Klein
  • Patricia Meade
  • Janice McCulley
  • Karey Myers
  • Richard Seitz 
  • Elinora E. Tolentino
  • Manuel & Norma Viray
  • Leon Ward
  • Janet Wittenberg
  • Yyes Yoza

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.

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