St. Gertrude Chicago

All are Welcome

1420 W. Granville,

Chicago, IL 60660

773.764.3621

stgertrude1420@stgertrudechicago.org

www.stgertrudechicago.org

Bulletin for Sunday, May 11, 2025

Fourth Sunday of Easter

From Fr. Mike Gabriel

I started writing this just a few days before the Conclave begins. Ironically, I am meeting for the second time with Fr. Sergio Romo, our new pastor, as we begin taking the necessary steps to ensure a smooth transition.

In time, Fr. Sergio will share more about himself. In the meantime, I ask that you please keep him in your prayers—along with all those who are being transferred to new assignments and especially those who will be ordained to the priesthood on May 17th. I am confident that Fr. Sergio will receive the same warm welcome I experienced in this parish family where “All Are Welcome.”

I will be celebrating my final Masses at St. Gertrude the weekend of June 7th and 8th. Fr. Sergio will officially begin his ministry on July 1st and will celebrate Masses starting July 5th.

I firmly believe that when we trust in God and listen to the Holy Spirit, we have nothing to fear. Yes, change can be difficult—but God is good and always leads us into new and meaningful chapters of our journey.

I invite all of you to join me in praying for our parish: 

Heavenly Father, we thank You with hopeful hearts. As leadership changes, grant us wisdom and courage for new beginnings. Bless Fr. Sergio with discernment and humility. May he lead with integrity and compassion. We are grateful for all who have served at St. Gertrude’s in the past. Help our community remain united and supportive, fostering understanding and cooperation. Guide us in building a future that reflects Your love and justice. Amen.

Pope Leo XVI

Let’s also keep our new Pope in our prayers, asking the Holy Spirit to guide him as he leads the Church by living the Gospel and inspiring others to follow his example. 

Never lose hope—the Risen Lord is alive and with us always.

First Communion

One of the great joys of the Easter season is welcoming our second graders to the Lord’s Table for their First Holy Communion. For many good reasons—especially because sacraments are meant to be celebrated by the community—we invite these children and their families to be a special part of the Mother’s Day May Crowning at the 10:30 am Mass on May 5th. In doing so, they will feel the love and support of our parish, and we will be renewed in our love for the Eucharist through their childlike joy, eagerness, and excitement.

Do you remember your First Communion? I do. It was sixty years ago today, and it remains the center and greatest treasure of my life.

First Communion is THIS Saturday, May 10!

We are so proud of the children from our Religious Ed program and NCA communities, Holy Child Jesus, St. Jerome, Mary Mother of God, and St. Gertrude, who will make their First Communion on Saturday!

They worked so hard and we are blessed to have their loving presence at our parish. 

We are especially thankful for educators from NCA and teachers from our Religious Education Program, for their kind and patient instruction.  

Please continue to hold the First Communicants in your prayers as they experience the unfolding mystery of the Sacrament of Communion.

• Joshua Albores
• James T. Baravetto
• Aria E. Baum
• Greta Bauer
• Simon H. Brown
• David Castro
• David Dalsky
• Adaora C. Ezemoka
• Vincent Gullo
• Eliot Leung
• Diego M. Hernandez
• Elise Hupke
• Raven Krupa
• Noelle D. Lassus
• Hunter Lew

• Emmett R. McCarthy
• Milani C. Medina
• Astrid M. Milkovic
• Colin Mitchell
• Brandon Montenegro
• Angelica R. Ott
• Lucas R. Paez
• Anastasia L. Perez
• Shay M. Reyes
• Catherine Robinson 
• Adriana L. Rosales
• Jack Sora
• Julia Thomson
• Ada Werner

From Cardinal Cupich: Catholic Charities May 11th Mother's Day Collection

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

Mother’s Day celebrates the mothers and mother figures in our lives who are essential to the future of our communities and to the fullness of God’s plan for human life.

Helping mothers in need is central to our faith and to the mission of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago. Your donation to the Mother’s Day Collection for Catholic Charities is critical to this urgent work.

Catholic Charities was founded over a century ago as the charitable arm of the Church. 

Every year their dedicated staff accompanies 60,000 mothers and families in Cook and Lake counties, providing food and nutrition; housing and financial assistance; services for new and expecting mothers; counseling; and support for survivors of domestic violence. This is only possible through the generosity of our Archdiocesan community. 

Each spring I encourage you to support the work of Catholic Charities. Your support 

creates stability in families for generations. May we always be inspired by the mothers in our lives who provide an example in promoting unity, providing encouragement, and demonstrating how the Lord teaches us to listen to the Spirit of Jesus working in our lives. 

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Cardinal Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago

Combined Mass in Church THIS Sunday, May 11/May Crowning Planned

There will be a combined 10:30 am Mass in the church this Sunday, May 11. Please note that there will be no Gym Mass that day.

Our annual May Crowning will also take place during this Mass. All are welcome to bring flowers to place before the statue of Mary.

Students who received their First Communion on Saturday, May 11 should attend the 10:30 am Mass in church wearing their First Communion finery.

Weekly Cradles to Crayons Clothing Drive in Church After Mass

One of our parish teens is hosting a clothing drive benefiting Cradles to Crayons through May 18. A collection bin will be in the church foyer.

Cradles to Crayons aims to alleviate the nationwide issue of childhood poverty by addressing the clothing insecurity problem in the U.S. right now. Clothing insecurity is not one of the three insecurities covered by government safety programs, but it is an important insecurity to recognize. Without adequate or appropriate clothing, children can face barriers to participating in life and can feel unvalued. They don’t have shoes that fit, or coats warm enough to get through the Chicago winter, or clothes that fit them right.

Any children's clothing or child-appropriate adult-sized clothing in good condition is welcome. The most-needed items are:

• NEW underwear and sock in all sizes
• Boys pants in all sizes
• Girls t-shirts in all sizes

Help us get kids the clothing they need in order to feel safe, warm, and valued by donating!

Questions? Email annastecky22@gmail.com.

Deadline for our Summertime Youth Mission Experience is This Tuesday, May 13

The deadline for this summer's Mission Experience is fast approaching! Registration is due by Tuesday, May 13.

All parish teens going into seventh grade through high school are invited to take part in St. Gertrude's Youth Mission Experience, taking place June 23–27. The group will volunteer with a different Chicago organization each day.

This is a great opportunity to have fun while earning volunteer hours!

The cost for the week is $100, with a $50 deposit due at registration. Scholarships are available.

All participants will receive a T-shirt, water bottle, and drawstring sports backpack.

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

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

All are welcome to attend the weekly Rosary group held on Friday evenings at 7:00 pm.

The bilingual gathering is held in the dining room of the Ministry Center, located at 6214 North Glenwood Avenue.

The Next "Brewed at St. Gertrude" Social Gathering is Sunday, May 18

Please join us on Sunday, May 18th, 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! 

Book Club Gathering is Tuesday, May 20 (Meeting the 3rd Week of May This Month)

The book club will discuss When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi. This month, the group will meet on the third Tuesday of May, the 20th. 

The gathering is at 7:00 pm in the Ministry Center, located at 6214 North Glenwood Avenue.  

We would love new voices and opinions!

Contact Lea Cloninger at her new number, 773.213.0509, or Sue Benjamin at 773.551.8401 with questions.

Collection Drive for Care for Real is May 24-25

Our next collection drive for Care for Real is May 24-May 25.

Care for Real is urgently seeking donations of 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.  

Upcoming Youth Group Activities: A Car Wash and a Hot Dog Sale

The parish youth group has two upcoming events: a car wash and a hot dog sale. All proceeds will go towards youth group activities.

The car wash is planned for Saturday, May 31. Teens will be available to wash cars from 10:00 am-1:00 pm in the parish parking lot. The cost is $15 per vehicle.

The Edgewater Yard and Sidewalk Sale is Saturday, June 7 from 9:00 am-5:00 pm. Our parish youth group will sell pop and hot dogs to attendees in the parish parking lot from 10:00 am-2:00 pm.

If your teen in grades six and up is interested in joining our youth group, please contact Eloy Escamilla at eescamilla@stgertrudechicago.org.

Father Mike Gabriel’s Retirement Celebration Planned for June 8; Volunteers Needed

After years of dedicated service, Father Mike Gabriel is heading into a well-deserved retirement—and we want to send him off with all the love and gratitude he deserves!

Please join us on Sunday, June 8 for a special celebration following the 10:30 am Mass. We'll gather in the Social Hall for hospitality, fellowship, and a chance to personally thank Father Mike for his years of ministry, guidance, and compassion.

To make this event a success, we are looking for volunteers to assist with the following:

• Set-up & clean-up in the Social Hall
• Staffing during the event, including monitoring food and beverages
• Baking for our sweet treats table

If you are able to lend a hand, please contact Michael Kowalsky at mkowalsky@rcn.com or call 773.633.6692.

Thank you in advance for your help—and we look forward to celebrating together!

Growing in Faith

My son was born ten years ago at St. Francis Hospital—the same hospital where my own mother gave birth to me twenty years earlier.

After 24 hours of labor and a slight detour into the NICU, Milo was ready to come home. The saintly NICU nurse, Lisa, showed me those tricky swaddling techniques one last time before ushering us to the door. She called out, “You have a new boss now!” before leaving us to face the world.

What a profound impact those words would have on me. My new boss. My focus. My life no longer my own—and just as any deep calling or purpose will elicit, my life felt connected to something Greater, something Important, something Beyond. I left that hospital with a piece of heaven in my arms, feeling both terrified and elated for the new Life my boss would provide.

I imagine Jesus’ mother felt similarly when her life was altered forever. God called Mary to something Greater too, without offering her the slightest clue where the journey would lead. Mary must have felt that classic motherly combo—terrified and elated—when she chose to trust God with her “yes.” And she did trust God: during the panic in the Temple, the bad manners at Cana, and the ultimate heartache of the Cross.

What has this profound trust in God looked like in our own lives? Through the diaper changes and tantrums, the heartaches and heart swells, can we feel God pulling us through?

~ Ellen Buttitta

Heart to Heart Ministry: Mother's Day Reflection

As we honor our mothers today, we remember Mary, our Blessed Mother, who watched in agony as her own child died.

For mothers who, like Mary, have experienced the death of a child, Mother's Day can be difficult. At Heart to Heart we honor those mothers who have so generously reached out to us to donate medical equipment once used by a loved one who has died.

Gabriella, whose son Juan Carlos died last month from a chronical medical condition after being cared for at home for all of his 26 years, reached out to our Lending Closet to donate medical supplies and equipment that once aided Juan Carlos.

We are honored to be able to share it with those who will benefit. We hold Gabriella, mothers in our own parish, and mothers worldwide who have lost children especially close to our hearts today.

~ Laurie Hasbrook

Easter Flower Offerings

• In memory of Helen and Andrew Galoney from Marie Galoney 
• In memory of: Beatrice "Trixie" Muchman from Marilyn Klein
• In memory of Mary A. Pierce and John A. Pierce from Ellen Pierce
• In memory of Pope Francis from Marilyn Klein 
• In memory of the Charles Strubbe Family from Marie Galoney 

We are offering an opportunity to celebrate someone in your life, living or deceased, during the Easter season. Please consider making an Easter Flower offering in their name.

Envelopes are available in the back of the Church and may be placed in the collection basket or sent to Rectory. The names of those honored will be published in the bulletin during the Easter season.

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.

Ministers of the Word

• Saturday, May 10 at 5:00 pm - Patrick Reardon, Roman Reyes
• Sunday, May 11 at 8:00 am - Rob Sierzega, Mary Clare Barker
• Sunday, May 11 at 10:30 am - Rose Karasti, Eric Ameyaw

Upcoming Mass Intentions

• Monday, May 12: 7:30 am - Phedera Jean-Pierre+
• Tuesday, May 13: 7:30 am - Beatrice Muchman+
• Wednesday, May 14: 7:30 am - Pascual Gusmanos+
• Thursday, May 15: 7:30 am - Communion Service
• Friday, May 16: 7:30 am - Sr. Jean Moylan+
• Saturday, May 17: 7:30 am - Patricia Gabriel+; 5:00 pm - Miriam+ and Margot+ Grande
• Sunday, May 18: 8:00 am - Mary Jo Martin+; 10:30 am - Elizabeth Nanovic+

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.