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 2, 2025

The Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

From Fr. Mike Gabriel

On March 11, nine parishioners from St. Gertrude will be doing a pilgrimage to Rome. The idea of going on a pilgrimage or journey is really the theme of Lent for all of us. We are all being invited to be on a pilgrimage or journey to accepting the love of God more fully and living the love out.

All our lives are a pilgrimage or journey of faith--moving us from within to expand our love and the ability to forgive.

Like Jesus, we are beginning right here, in our own homes, church, country, and then move beyond our own comfortable familiarity to explore and expand God's love.

Lent is a penitential season--a time for each of us to confront our own sinfulness so we can move beyond the imprisoning limits. Love is about forgiving. It is a choice we must make.

Listed below are numerous opportunities to assist everyone on their journey, including

daily mass, Almoners, Lenten booklets, mediation, Sacrament of Reconciliation, and Stations of the Cross, to name of few, and of course, a Lenten attitude!

Let’s together start this pilgrimage this Wednesday, March 5, Ash Wednesday.

Here are three things to start this pilgrimage with:

1. Abstinence from meat on Ash Wednesday and every Friday in Lent.
2. Fasting on Ash Wednesday, by having only one full meal.
3. Fasting from sarcasm, criticism, negativity, judgmentalism, self-righteousness, cynicism, self-centeredness, self-absorption, and intolerance.

The Season of Lent



Ash Wednesday, March 5

• 7:30 am - Mass with distribution of ashes
• 8:30 am - NCA Mass with distribution of ashes
• 12:00 pm - Prayer and distribution of ashes
• 6:30 pm - Mass with distribution of ashes

Almoners Lenten Ministry

Our parish's Almoners’ Program will be held again. 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. 

Sacrament of Reconciliation Opportunities

Every Saturday from 4:00-4:45 pm, private confession is available. There is a communal confession for all the parishes in our deanery (Deanery 2B) on Monday, April 14 (the Monday of Holy Week) at 7:00 pm at the St. Ita campus of Mother of God Parish.

Little Black Books

A limited number of Little Black Books of Lenten Reflections have been kindly donated by a parishioner. These small books offer daily six-minute meditations on the Passion.

Lenten Season Mediation Series: Music, Stillness, Solidarity                                     

We live in incredibly troubled times. Injustice after injustice and a stream of never ending tragedies show through social media algorithms designed to distract us. It is difficult to digest it all, let alone find a moment of stillness to reflect and potentially act on it.

You are invited to a new series titled “Music, Stillness, Solidarity” every Friday night from March 7 to April 11. From 6:00-6:30 pm, St. Gertrude's will be open as a safe space where ALL are welcome to come, sit, pray, and meditate as we navigate these realities as a community.

Contemplative music will be played through the duration of the time to help guide and promote reflection on the day. 

Lenten Simple Suppers & Scripture Study

Simple Supper and Bible Study are returning for Lent on Wednesdays. Beginning March 12, parishioners are invited to meet in the Ministry Center, 6214 N. Glenwood Ave., at 6:00 pm for dinner, followed by bible study at 7:00 pm. Each week, a different parish group will host the event. The schedule is:

• March 12: Parish Pastoral Council (PPC)
• March 19: Northside Catholic Academy (NCA)
• March 26: Men's Basketball
• April 2: Music Ministry
• April 9: Commonweal Dialogue
• April 16: Porch Prayer Group

Stations of the Cross

Each Friday at 3:00 pm during Lent, we will offer a traditional Way of the Cross.

Another Stations of the Cross will be held at 6:30 pm on Fridays after our Lenten Meditation: Music, Stillness and Solidarity. These Stations of the Cross will have a social justice theme:

• March 7 - Walk the Stations with stories of immigrants
• March 14 - Walk the Stations about social justice
• March 21 - Walk the Stations with the LGBQT community 
• March 28 - Walk the Stations about social justice
• April 4 - Walk the Stations through the eyes of Mary

Daily Mass

• Daily Mass: 7:30 am - Monday-Saturday
• Sunday Mass: 8:00 am, 10:30 am Church, 10:30 am Gym Mass; 5:00 pm - Saturday (Sunday Vigil)

Annual Catholic Appeal: Together We Bring Hope

Our parish is conducting our campaign for the Annual Catholic Appeal. Please remember 

that the Annual Catholic Appeal is much different than a one-time special collection. It is a pledge campaign where you can make a gift payable in installments. 

The new Annual Catholic Appeal theme, “Together we bring hope,” is an important theme as we prayerfully consider our support for the Appeal but also important for embracing the life that the Lord wants us to live. Each pledge makes a difference! All parish communities participate in the campaign and the gifts of many enable our parishes, schools and ministries to deliver needed services.

Thank you for your prayerful consideration and generous response. To make your gift, you can complete the mail-in giving envelope available at church or make a gift online at annualcatholicappeal.com.

Care for Real Collection for Asylum Seekers is Scheduled for This Weekend, March 1-2

Our next collection drive for asylum seekers March 1-2. Care for Real is urgently seeking donations of hand and toe warmers, gently used coats (all sizes), new socks and underwear, diapers in sizes 4-6, shampoo, hand soap, and adult incontinence briefs.

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.  

Teens are Invited to Register for St. Gertrude’s Youth Mission Experience 

Parish teens are invited to take part in St. Gertrude's Youth Mission experience this summer from June 23-27. Teens in seventh grade through high school will volunteer with a different Chicagoland organization each day.

This is an excellent opportunity to have fun and earn volunteer hours! There is a $100 fee for the week. A $50 deposit is required at the time of registration. Please note that there are scholarships available! All participants will receive a t-shirt, water bottle, and a sports drawstring backpack.

To reserve a spot or for more information, contact pastoral associate Eloy Escamilla at eescamilla@stgertrudechicago.org. 

The Parish Pastoral Council is Looking for New Members!

The Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) is renewing its search for new members. If you are interested in learning more about the PPC or are interested in joining, please complete this INTEREST FORM. 

Questions or comments for the PPC can be sent to stgertrudeparishcouncil@gmail.com.

Volunteers Needed!



Several months ago, we began the transition process of welcoming a new pastor. However, this transition involves much more than just one person—it represents a shift in the mission and direction of our parish.

As part of this process, we have been reflecting on who we are as the parish of St. Gertrude’s, what our mission is, and the role we play in our neighborhood and the broader world.

This transition also includes some very practical changes. The pastoral staff has been taking on increasing responsibilities, and they have been doing an excellent job. However, they cannot carry this weight alone—they need your help.

We need more volunteers to sustain the programs and ministries we currently offer and to continue moving forward, no matter who the pastor may be.

Here are a few immediate areas where your assistance is needed:

• Baptismal Preparation: We offer a monthly class for families having their babies baptized for the first time.
• Live Streaming: The 10:30 am Mass is live-streamed to bring the liturgy into the homes of those who cannot attend in person.
• Choir: The choir is looking for singers and musicians. Rehearsals are on Wednesdays at 7:00 pm. All voices are welcome.
• Heart to Heart Ministry: This outreach program offers aid and support to older adults in need.
• Church Environment:/Decoration: As we approach Lent and Easter, there is need for assistance making the church look beautiful.

Please consider getting involved in one of these ministries. If you have any interest in any of these ministries, please reach out to Fr. Mike Gabriel at mgabriel@stgertrudechicago.org

Growing in Faith: Online Lenten Resources

Looking for ways to make your Lenten journey as meaningful as possible? Here are a few online resources that may help.

IgnatianSpirituality.com: The website offers several Lenten resources including: 

• A “read-along” retreat based on Pope Francis’ new book, On Hope. From Ash Wednesday through Holy Week, you will be reading and reflecting on the pope’s message of how “God’s love can grace each of us with a lasting and sustaining hope, no matter how dark and confusing our situation.”

• The Ignatian Workout for Lent: An Online Retreat. This program challenges you to become a spiritual athlete, offering weekly prayers and action.

• Living Lent Daily. Inspired by the Jubilee Year theme “Pilgrims of Hope,” this daily email series introduces saints of pilgrimage as examples of faith to encourage your spiritual growth. 

Paxchristiusa.org: Connecting the suffering Christ with those who struggle from famine, war and violence, Return to me with all your heart: Reflections for Lent 2025 features reflections for every day by Ralph McCloud, recipient of Pax Christi USA’s Eileen Egan Peacemaker Award. It is available as a booklet ($5) or as a download for your e-reader.

Maryknollus.org: At this website, you can sign up for free Lenten Reflection Guides for individuals and for families, available in English or Spanish.

Blessings on your Lenten Journey!

~ Growing in Faith Committee

Virgin de Guadalupe Celebration

The Guadalupanos are thankful and grateful to St. Gertrude and Fr. Michael Gabriel for letting them celebrate the Virgin de Guadalupe mass on December 12th. It brought joy and a sense of togetherness during this celebration.



Next NCA Monthly Caregiver-Toddler Playdates on Monday, March 10

Looking after your child/children or caring for a little one? You're invited to our next monthly get together for caregivers and toddlers! The gathering will be held on March 10, as well as April 7 and May 12 at Northside Catholic Academy, 6216 N. Glenwood, from 9:30-10:30 am.

Each hour is filled with story times, crafts, and free play for little ones. Caregivers must attend.

RSVP to gmalfatti@ncaschools.com. 

Loyola University's The Hank Center for The Catholic Intellectual Heritage Invites You to Envisioning a Livable Future on Tuesday, March 11

Join Loyola's University for a free online serial symposium in collaboration with John Carroll University marking the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis' encyclical, Laudato Si'. The event will be held via Zoom from 4:30-5:45 pm CST.

The topic is the Political Economy of Climate Change. A synopsis of the discussion is: How do we move from what Pope Francis has called an “economy that kills” both people and planet to an economy that is truly sustainable and just? What are the levers of such a system change, and what are the obstacles to it?

An additional session will be held on Wednesday, April 9. Registration is required for each session. Visit https://www.luc.edu/ccih/conferences/archive/laudatosiat10series.shtml for more information and to sign up.

Baptisms

• Addison Grace Skokna
• Thomas Francis Sheridan

Ministers of the Word

• Saturday, March 1 at 5:00 pm - Millie Slane, Christine Lincoln
• Sunday, March 2 at 8:00 am - Rob Sierzega
• Sunday, March 2 at 10:30 am - Tim Love, Edie Sheridan

Upcoming Mass Intentions

• Monday, March 3: 7:30 am - Purgatorial Society
• Tuesday, March 4: 7:30 am - People of God
• Wednesday, March 4: 7:30 am - Adolf Gabriel
• Thursday, March 5: 7:30 am - Communion Service - Greg Wall+
• Friday, March 6: 7:30 am - Maria Silva+
• Saturday, March 8: 7:30 am - Jim Ness+; 5:00 pm - Darlene Durso-Clark
• Sunday, March 9: 8:00 am - Mary Lou O'Toole+ & Bobby Udrow+; 10:30 am - Mary Jo Martin+; 10:30 am Gym - Edith Herbin+

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.