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 18, 2025

Fifth Sunday of Easter

From Fr. Mike Gabriel

“Peace that is unarmed is disarming.”

“God loves all of us unconditionally, and as a Church we must be open to everyone.”

“In God’s hands, without fear-united hand in hand with God and each other.”

These are some of the first words spoken to the world by Pope Leo XIV.

Sound familiar? Yes—our Gospel today echoes this very message:

“I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. This is how all will know that you are my disciples—if you have love for one another.”

With everything happening in our world, this message needs to be heard and lived more than ever. We must disarm the hatred that seems to be growing in our communities and our country. One would think that after thousands of years, we would have learned that hatred and war are not the answer—but rather peace, love, and prayer.

As we gather at the table as companions of Jesus, we should also be mindful of those who are not at the table—those who are excluded or without community. As Catholics, we recognize Jesus in the breaking of the bread. We should be eager to invite others to the feast God has prepared and ensure that all feel genuinely welcomed.

One of the things that most draws me to St. Gertrude’s is our commitment to the idea that “All Are Welcome.” I’ve heard many people say they came here because they felt truly welcomed—regardless of their background or circumstances. I believe that it’s not just the banners that hang outside our doors, but the love and acceptance practiced inside that make this place special.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the trademark of every Christian was simply this: “See how they love one another.”

This Weekend, Join us for Our Monthly "Brewed at St. Gertrude" Social Events After the 10:30 am Masses

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! 

Last Weekend for Cradles to Crayons Clothing Drive

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.  

Book Club Gathering is This Tuesday, May 20

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.

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.

Collection Drive for Care for Real is May 24-25

Our next collection drive for Care for Real is next weekend!

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.  

A Celebration of 20th Century Women Composers Planned for Thursday, May 29 Performed by Mary Clare Barker

Please join us in church on May 29 at 7:00 pm in church for a free concert! The event will feature compositions from Amy Beach, Florence Price, Marian McPartland, and Dana Suesse, noted 20th century female musical trailblazers.

Mary Clare Barker, an accomplished pianist will perform.

All are welcome!

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!

Religious Ed and Kids Word is Over! Thank You to our Teachers

The end of the catechetical year has arrived, with Religious Education, RCIA, and Kids Word coming to an end on Sunday, May 4th. 

This year was indeed a successful year, with 19 teens confirmed in March from our Religious Ed program and 18 children celebrating their First Communion last weekend. Kids Word has kept the same average of kids per Sunday.

We are so grateful to all our volunteer catechists who generously gave their time and talents to our children. They include:

From Kids Word:

• Rosalie Sullivan 
• Gisela Rosales 

From Religious Education:

• Melinda Banahene 
• Dorothea Tobin 
• Dinh Quoc 
• Rose Isaily 
• Susanne Stryczek
• Steven Monti 
• Brad Collins
• Liam Benham 
• Lily Benham 

Adult Faith Formation Commission Forming

One of the “hungers” identified in the St. Gertrude Parish Strategic Plan is that of developing and supporting opportunities for ongoing adult faith formation in our parish. 

If you are interested in being part of a group whose mission will be to support current adult faith formation ministries in the parish as well as to discern and develop new possibilities for adult faith formation, please send your name and email address to Bob Backis, PPC Co-Chair, at rjbackis@gmail.com by June 1st.

For more information, please email Bob or call him at 773.510.6553.

An initial meeting of an Adult Faith Formation Commission will be held in June.

Growing in Faith

Love one another. ~ John 13:34-35

Who exactly is “one another?” We can easily love and grieve for our brothers and sisters who suffer needlessly from gratuitous acts of cruelty and oppression. We can love migrants, the world’s poor, people of color, and the LGBTQ community—and do so rightly. But how do we love those who suffer without hating their tormentors? How do we resist the seductive power of righteous indignation that deepens, darkens, and reseals the Easter tomb within us? For me, this is the glamour of evil we reject when renewing our baptismal vows.

I have to remind myself, over and over again, that the person I despise most in this world is as beloved by God as I am. I remember an image from my childhood—a wonderful mother who lived down the block from us. When her boys were having a particularly vicious fight, she would grab them in her arms and hold them until they stopped squirming. They had to tolerate being embraced together until they could embrace one another. Maybe this is what God does: embraces us together, uncomfortably close, as love sometimes is.

When I think of our dear Pope Francis, this is the practice he inspires: Be kind to everyone. Tell the truth without weaponizing it. Look for ways to help. And when I cannot love someone as I should, I remember how much God loves them—and how God holds us in a tight embrace until we can embrace one another.

~ KC Conway

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 17 at 5:00 pm - Roman Reyes, Joseph McMahon
• Sunday, May 18 at 8:00 am - Hallie Burhoe, Mary Clare Barker
• Sunday, May 18 at 10:30 am - Bob Backis, Steven Monti

Upcoming Mass Intentions

• Monday, May 19: 7:30 am - Pope Leo XIV
• Tuesday, May 20: 7:30 am - Patricia Meade+
• Wednesday, May 21: 7:30 am - Phedera Jean-Pierre+
• Thursday, May 22: 7:30 am - Communion Service - Mary Tunney+
• Friday, May 23: 7:30 am - Sr. Mary Melady, OSB+
• Saturday, May 24: 7:30 am - Fr. Sergio Romo; 5:00 pm - Patricia McKee+
• Sunday, May 25: 8:00 am - ; 10:30 am - Mark Schreiner+; Donald Hasselbeck+; 10:30 am Gym mass - People of God

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.