St. Gertrude Chicago

All are Welcome

1420 W. Granville,

Chicago, IL 60660

773.764.3621

stgertrude1420@stgertrudechicago.org

www.stgertrudechicago.org

Bulletin for Sunday, November 3, 2024

31st Sunday in Ordinary Time

From Fr. Mike Gabriel

The beauty of autumn, filled with abundant harvests, brilliant colors, and magnificent cloud formations, is one thing that many of us can agree on.

This Tuesday, November 5 is Election Day. This election season has left many feeling anxious, hopeless, and heartsick. Many of us are obsessively scrolling through the latest polling averages, overwhelmed by campaign ads about the threats to our democracy, and paralyzed with worry about this election.

This campaign season has gone too far. It has caused a even deeper division in our country. To start healing in our country and in our homes, we must start by being servants for others and to grow closer in our relationship with God.

What should we do?

Here at St. Gertrude’s, we are gathering to pray for our country on the eve of this election. We are aware that we come from varied backgrounds and ideologies that may have put us at odds with family and friends. This is a opportunity to be united, be one.

Please come and invite a friend to join us in prayer on Monday, November 4^th at 6:30 pm for a pre-election prayer service in church. Come hear God's words of peace, hope, and unity. It will also be live-streamed on the parish's Facebook page.

Let us use the gifts of prayer and peace to speak of hope and life, and to give a future to the poor and brokenhearted. Let us use the gifts we have received to build the kingdom of God here on earth. And let us pray for the Spirit to renew us and unite us in Christ. 

New Pastor Search

Last weekend, I was contacted by the Priest Placement Board, as the search of a new pastor continues. They will be meeting with the leadership teams of the parish, (Pastoral Staff, Parish Council and Finance Board) to see the hopes and direction of St. Gertrude’s. The Parish Council will soon come up with ways you can share your hopes for the parish's future. 

Info for All Saints Day (November 1) and All Souls Day (November 2)

All Saints Day, Friday, November 1, is a Holy Day of Obligation. Masses for the Holy Day will be at 7:30 am, 8:30 am (NCA school Mass), and 6:30 pm.

All Souls Day, is Saturday, November 2. Mass is at 7:30 am and we will have our parish's Mass of Remembrance at the 5:00 pm mass. We will light a candle especially for those who died this past year.

Fr. Mike Bradley and Laurie Hasbrook to be Recognized as 2024 Edgewater Treasures on Saturday, November 2!

On Saturday, November 2, Fr. Mike Bradley and Laurie Hasbrook, along Dr. Jamal Husain, will be recognized as 2024 Living Treasures of Edgewater! The event will be at 1:00 pm at the Edgewater Public Library, 6000 N. Broadway. Light refreshments will be served.

We hope you can join us to celebrate these amazing people!

Parish Play Planned for This Saturday, November 2 to Benefit Heart to Heart

The St. Gertrude Players are staging a new play on Saturday, November 2nd, at 7:00 pm in the Gym.  

The play, "Two Trillion At Least," tells the exciting tale of the Pope's trip to outer space! (The title refers to how many galaxies there are in the Universe.)

Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for children.

Care for Real Collection for Asylum Seekers is This Weekend

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.

Please place nonperishable items in the bins at the back of church before and after mass times. Special needs this month include diapers in any sizes.

National Vocation Awareness Week

National Vocation Awareness Week will be celebrated in our country November 3-9, 2024. Please ask our Lord for dedicated women and men to consider religious life and the priesthood. May they be inspired by Jesus Christ, supported by our faith community, and respond generously to God’s gift of vocation.

Find out about upcoming vocations events, ways to discover God’s will, and more at vocations.archchicago.org.

Weekly Caregiver-Toddler Playdates at NCA

Looking after your child/children or caring for a little one? You're invited to our weekly get-together for caregivers and toddlers! Held at Northside Catholic Academy, 6216 N. Glenwood, every Monday morning from 9:30 - 10:30 am, the hour is filled with a story, craft, and sing-a-long for kids, and adult interactions for the grown-ups.

RSVP to gmalfatti@ncaschools.com.

Pre-Election Prayer Service to be Held on Monday, November 4 

All are welcome to attend a pre-election prayer service on Monday, November 4 at 6:30 pm. The event can also be viewed online via the parish's Facebook page.



Hosted the Parish Pastoral Council, the event will be held in church. 

Book Club Gathering is Tuesday, November 12 (New Meeting Day!)

The book club will discuss The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Dare on Tuesday, November 12. Please note, we now meet on the second Tuesday of the month! 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.

Women's Friendship Club Gathering on November 14

St. Gertrude Women's Friendship Club meets monthly on the second Thursday of every month in the Ministry Center. The gathering begins at 11:30 am, attendees should bring their own (brown bag) lunch. Dessert is provided!

Their next gathering is Thursday, November 14. Consider yourself invited!

Parish Blood Drive Planned for Sunday, November 17

The next blood drive at St. Gertrude Church is Sunday, November 17 from 8:00 am–1:00 pm. The Vitalant Bloodmobile will be located on Glenwood Avenue in front of the entrance to St. Gert's. 

Blood donors are greatly needed in our area to help local patients. Every blood donation can save up to 3 lives in our community!

Please prepare for your donation by eating well and hydrating before your appointment. Additionally, bring ID.

To schedule your donation, scan the QR code in the image, call Vitalant at 877.258.4825 or register online at vitalant.org and use code ORD00591. Walk-ins are welcome!

Order Your Trees, Garland, and Wreaths from St. Gert’s Annual Greenery Sale! 

St. Gertrude is once again hosting our annual Christmas greenery sale, with a limited number of balsam pine trees, wreaths, and garland available for purchase. Our Christmas greenery sale is a great opportunity for parishioners to get ready for the holidays while supporting St. Gertrude ministries. 

Each 6’ Christmas tree is $55. Three different sized wreaths are available—the 18” wreath is $25, the 24” is $27, and the 36” is $35. Garland is also available for $40 per 5’ length. 

Order Online

Purchase greenery online at https://bit.ly/StGertsChristmasGreenery or by scanning the QR code.

Order via Paper Form

A paper order form is available for download at https://stgertrudechicago.org/christmas-greenery.

Forms and checks or cash can be dropped off at the Rectory office, 1420 W. Granville Ave or placed in the mail slot in the side (west) red door next to the Rectory side yard if the Rectory office is closed.

Checks should be made out to St. Gertrude. Please note "Greenery" in the memo line. 

Deliveries

Deliveries will be offered for a $6 fee. They will take place on Saturday, December 7 and Saturday, December 14, times are TBA. The greenery team will do their best to accommodate your preferred delivery date and will reach out to notify you when to expect your order. 

Please note, the boundaries for deliveries are north to Oakton, south to Irving Park, and east of the North Shore Channel.

In-Person Sales

Greenery will also be sold at the playlot on the west side of the Social Hall, 1401 W. Granville Avenue, on the first four Sundays of December: the 1st, 8th, 15th, and 22nd from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm. Only cash and checks will be accepted for in-person purchases.

Questions? Contact St. Gertrude Business Manager Eduardo Soto at esoto@stgertrudechicago.org or call the Rectory at 773.764.3621.

Growing in Faith

The gospel reading this weekend is a very familiar one — and with good reason.

An expert on Jewish law and belief asks Jesus which of the commandments is the most important. This is a potentially tricky question because there are hundreds of

laws that govern Jewish life. This expert, however, isn’t trying to trip up Jesus but is honestly seeking wisdom.

Jesus responds by quoting first from the Book of Deuteronomy: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all

your strength.”

And then he links that law with another from the Book of Leviticus: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

All of the laws and all of the commandments, not only of Judaism but also of

Christianity, come down to this: Love God and love your neighbor. It’s that simple.

How do you love your neighbor? Well, first off, see your neighbor as the human being

that they are. It means putting yourself in their shoes to try to understand how they

are trying to live life. And listening to them, hearing them when they talk about their

hopes and dreams.

It’s about trusting your neighbor, trusting that your neighbor is trying to do the right

thing, just as you are trying to do the right thing.

Forget about the us-and-them poison that demonizes your neighbor. Remember that,

when it comes to the teachings of Jesus, we are all “us.” There is no “them.”

~ Patrick T. Reardon

Heart to Heart Volunteer Spotlight: Linda Jeffers

We are so grateful for Linda Jeffers! Linda handles our Lending Closet correspondence, helping us thank those who keep us well stocked! She also prepares all of the thank you letters to Fr. Mike Bradley's Marathon donors.

Thank you, Linda, for your time! We are so glad to have you as a part of our team.

Eucharistic Ministers

• Saturday, November 2 at 5:00 pm - Mary Cook
• Sunday, November 3 at 8:00 am - Hallie Burhoe
• Sunday, November 3 at 10:30 am - Carlos Barragan, Rafael Melendez, Michelle Kuehlhorn

New Parishioners

• Thomas Cook
• Chike Nwabuo
• Eileen Holland

Upcoming Mass Intentions

• Monday, November 4: 7:30 am - Lourenca Soares
• Tuesday, November 5: 7:30 am - People of God
• Wednesday, November 6: 7:30 am - Brian Hickey+
• Thursday, November 7: 7:30 am - Communion Service
• Friday, November 8: 7:30 am - People of God
• Saturday, November 9: 7:30 am - People of God; 5:00 pm - Alanna McKee
• Sunday, November 10: 8:00 am - Tim Giles+; 10:30 am - Kathryn Worthen; 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.