Bulletin for Sunday, October 16, 2022
29th Sunday in Ordinary Time
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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
Special Masses This Weekend: On Saturday, October 15 at 10:00 am, there will be a Mass of Hope and Healing for survivors of clergy sexual abuse. On Sunday, October 16, the Feast Day of El Señor de Los Milagros (Our Lord of the Miracles) will be celebrated at 12:00 pm. (This Mass will be live streamed.)
Reconciliation: 4:15-4:45 pm on Saturday or by appointment.
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From Fr. Rich
Palliative & Hospice Care Presentation
After the 10:30 am Mass on Sunday, Heart to Heart is offering a presentation on Palliative Care and Hospice Care -- how they differ and complement each other. If you have aging parents, or if you are now in your “golden” years, I encourage you to consider attending this informative presentation.
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While we all might hope that when we come to our final days we will be without pain, all our family will be around us in our own home, etc., the reality is more frequently going to involve serious medical care, perhaps as residents of an in-patient facility so we can receive the attention we need, and so on.
And so often, when our bodies begin to fail us, this “undoing” can cause pain and suffering. So having an awareness of palliative care is so very important. I’m sure we have all read some of the articles on studies done in the past decade about the importance of keeping people out of pain as much as is possible.
And then, when it becomes clear to the medical folks that there really is nothing more they can do but keep us comfortable, hospice care makes that possible.
Most of us don’t like to look at that future moment but gaining this kind of knowledge from experienced people can be such a help to make informed and compassionate decisions when that is necessary.
Presentation of First Communion Candidates - This Sunday, October 16
Congratulations to the girls and boys who are being presented today as they enter into the final, formal preparation for receiving their First Holy Communion in the spring. Please keep them and their teachers and parents in your prayers.
Our Lord of the Miracles Mass
At noon on Sunday, the Hermandad group of the new shrine in church, Our Lord of the Miracles, will celebrate their annual festival with a special mass with Bishop Bartosic. Everyone is welcome!
An article explaining the traditions is below.
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Conversation with Michael O’Loughlin
This Thursday at 7:00 pm, everyone is invited to the conversation with author, Michael O’Loughlin about his recent book, Hidden Mercy: AIDS, Catholics, and the Untold Stories of Compassion in the Face of Fear. This is a jointly sponsored event with St. Gertrude Parish and Loyola University. The event is in the McCormick Lounge Coffey Hall at Loyola.
Thank You to the Finance Council
I want to thank the members of the Parish Finance Council who have been such good reviewers of the parish’s finances -- always checking the Budget and the Annual Report and giving honest feedback and looking to the future for what is best for the parish. Marty McDermott is the Chair of the Finance Council, and the other members are Paul Elue, Colleen Shoemaker, Jim Duros, and our Business Manager, Eduardo Soto.
Parish Service Awards: Seeking Nominations for Recognition
Every year at our Thanksgiving Day Mass, we present the St. Gertrude Parish Service Awards to parishioners who have been giving generous service through a parish ministry or volunteer activity. Awards are given in the areas of Youth Ministry, Human Concerns, Education, Parish Life, Prayer & Worship, and Lifetime Service.
Please consider any parishioner you feel should be recognized for her or his outstanding service to the parish and the broader community and email your nomination(s) to me at: rprendergast@stgertrudechicago.org. The deadline for nominations is Saturday, October 22.
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Repair, Renew, Refresh Update
Last year, parishioners contributed over $200,000 in the Repair, Renew Refresh campaign to address five projects that needed to be dealt with in the parish facilities. This is another update in how those projects are coming along.
Completed:
1. Rebuilding the entrance stairways to the Parish Hall main entrance, and the south (accessible) entrance to the church.
2. Establishing the St. Gertrude Catholic Education Support Fund to assist parish families with children enrolled at NCA.
3. Installation of new handrails to provide accessibility for anyone stepping up from the main floor of church into the sanctuary, and from the main floor of the sanctuary onto the altar platform.
Still in process:
1. Re-carpeting the church. The carpet has been ordered and should be installed in about seven weeks -- hopefully by Thanksgiving.
2. Exterior repairs to the church and rectory roofs from some long-term damage, and the damage from February’s severe snowstorm. This includes repairing and replacing certain sections of roofing, and all the interior water damage in both buildings.
This part of the campaign has been partially done with new scuppers and downspouts to help the drainage from the church and rectory buildings. And we hope to see the roof repairs completed before winter. Like so many places, having enough workers has been a problem with the roofing company. Once the repairs are completed, then the interior work can be done.
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First Lord of Miracles Mass at St. Gertrude Church - Sunday, October 16 at Noon
In Lima, Peru, homage to the Peruvian Shrine of Our Lord of Miracles (El Señor de los Milagros) is known as one of the largest Catholic processions in the world. It is venerated for three days every October and attended by thousands. Devotees pray to the Lord for miracles for health, relationships, jobs, or any life challenge.
This devotion began in 1687 after the original image of our Lord, painted by an African slave, remained unscathed after a high magnitude earthquake in 1655 destroyed everything. This was the first miracle. Over the past 43 years, thousands have attended the Chicago annual Mass and procession. There are countless testimonials of miracles to this day.
In 1979, the Lord of Miracles Mass and procession was established by six founders at Our Lady of Lourdes Church. Teresa Mazzarri, the visionary, dreamt of God telling her to establish the procession in Chicago. Teresa told her sister, Vicky Ugarte, husband Cesar Ugarte, Cesar’s sister, Mercedes Ugarte, and family friends Felix Galvez and Luis Galvez, Sr. The group established the Hermandad of El Señor de los Milagros (Brotherhood of the Lord of Miracles) as a nonprofit in Illinois with a founding board of 19 members, who were their closest friends and who shared the common vision of strong faith in the Lord. In 1981, the Shrine moved from Our Lady of Lourdes to St. Ignatius Church where it has been housed for 41 years. Today, Mr. Luis Galvez Sr. is the only surviving founder.
There are many Lord of Miracles Brotherhoods throughout the U. S. and in the world. Maria Luisa Ugarte, niece of visionary Teresa Mazzarri, niece of Mercedes Ugarte and daughter of Cesar & Vicky Ugarte has been filming a documentary to record the Chicago history while Mr. Luis Galvez Sr., the only surviving founder, is writing the book of the Chicago history. These community leaders plan to assure continuity of this very important cultural tradition in the Peruvian community of Chicagoland.
Thank you to Fr. Rich and St. Gertrude Parish for welcoming us and for supporting the continuity of our mission of spirituality. We will honor the Lord through prayer groups and spiritual retreats in addition to the annual celebration. All are welcome to our ministry!
~ Maria Luisa Ugarte
Sunday’s Mass will be live-streamed at https://www.facebook.com/stgertrudechicago. There will not be a procession this year. El Señor de Los Milagros (Our Lord of the Miracles) shrine will temporarily be located in back of church. Its permanent home will be on the south wall just outside the shrine of the Little Flower (St. Therese of Lisieux).
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Growing in Faith: True Grit
The usually enthusiastic disciples of Jesus sometimes felt discouraged. He told them a parable about the necessity to pray continuously and never lose heart. In this story, there is a widow who seeks from a callous, dishonest judge a just decision for her against her adversary. For a long time, the judge refuses to listen, but eventually he gives in because he fears she will never leave him alone. The gritty persistence of the widow wins the day.
We get discouraged. We want a more just world, not one full of refugees fleeing poverty and violence. Not one where children are hungry. We want peace, not shootings in our streets and the threat of nuclear war. We want harmony in our families and communities.
Jesus reminds his followers that if even an uncaring judge will eventually render justice, how much more will God, whose whole being is Mercy and who hears the cry of the poor, answer our prayers if we exercise the true grit that is the virtue of Hope.
It may appear naïve to believe in the face of seemingly contrary evidence that “the arc of history is long, but it bends toward justice,” but the alternative of hopelessness only empowers the forces of injustice. Instead, Jesus counsels, keep praying, don’t lose heart, and work to make the kind of world that you are praying for a reality. God, who loves us, is less likely to abandon us in times of trouble than in times of ease.
~ Bob Raccuglia
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Upcoming Events
Listed in Chronological Order
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Mass of Hope and Healing for Survivors of Clergy Sexual Abuse - Saturday, October 15 at 10:00 am
A Mass of HOPE and Healing will be celebrated on Saturday, October 15 at 10:00 am, here at St. Gertrude. This Mass is open to all and especially to all survivors of clergy abuse and their families.
We will gather to ask the Lord for the gift of healing and peace for all who have suffered abuse.
The Mass will be livestreamed on our parish Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/stgertrudechicago.
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Fill out our Parish Survey! Listening Session Sunday After the 10:30 am Gym Mass
The Pastoral Parish Council (PPC) invites you to fill out a survey, linked below, by scanning the QR code in the image, or filling out a paper survey in church.
Members of the Parish Pastoral Council will be available at the following Mass times to listen to parishioners:
- Sunday, October 16 - 10:30 am Gym Mass
- Sunday, October 23 - 10:30 am
- Saturday, October 29 - 5:00 pm
*Please note, Fr. Mike has also provided two listening sessions for parishioners this week in the above column.
Survey Link
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From Fr. Mike: Upcoming Parish Listening Sessions
We are all very aware that we are in transition here at St. Gertrude’s. The Parish Council and the Pastoral Staff are looking at ways we can move forward as a parish and continue to grow and meet the challenges before us.
Of course, we cannot do this alone. To start with, we need to hear from you in ways that can help us move forward and grow as a parish community. The Parish Council will be putting out a parish survey, and I would like to offer some time each week for the rest of this month as listening sessions. These times will vary so that we can accommodate most of you. They can be individually or small group. This coming week’s times are Monday, October 17 from 5:00-7:00 pm and Tuesday, October 18 from 5:00-7:00 pm. You do not need to make an appointment, just come to the Parish office.
Please remember the focus of these listening sessions is not about the past, but how we move forward into the future and grow. How do we overcome some of the obstacles that we face as a faith community, poverty, racism, and apathy. Hope to see you.
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Upcoming Peace & Justice Ministry Meeting - Monday, October 17
The Peace and Justice Ministry will have a planning meeting on Monday, October 17 at 2:30 pm in the Ministry Center.
Email Fr. Mike at mgabriel@stgertrudechicago.org with questions.
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Online Retreat for LGBTQ+ Catholics to Help Heal and Reconcile - First Gathering is Wednesday, October 19
Calling all persons of Catholic faith who identify as LGBTQ+! This retreat serves to examine what it means to be both Catholic and LGBTQ+ in an increasingly diverse socioreligious context. Steeped in biblical tradition, the retreat offers safe and sacred space for authentic sharing and personal vulnerability, a judgment-free zone! If your experience has been that the Church does not welcome persons of LGBTQ+ identity, then this retreat is for you. Please join us for what is sure to be a life-affirming experience of God’s unconditional love!
In this five-week series, we will:
- Encounter our true humanity through Jesus’ true divinity, and vice versa.
- Examine specific texts from Sacred Scripture, both Old and New Testaments, that help us understand God’s salvific act in the Incarnation of His Son.
- Cultivate and nurture personal relationship with Jesus by engaging in rich, meaningful discussion.
- Develop an informed conscience and realize our authentic identity through Sacred Scripture and Catholic Church teaching
The retreat will be held over Zoom on five Wednesdays, October 19, October 26, November 2, November 9, and November 16. There are two time slots each session - in the morning from 10:00 am-12:00 pm, and in the evening from 6:30-8:30 pm.
There is a $75 fee for all five sessions, scholarships are available. Visit
https://www.aglochicago.org/retreat for more information and to register.
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The Yale Whiffenpoofs to Perform on Thursday, October 20
Join the Yale Whiffenpoofs for an evening of music featuring Chicago's own Dania Baig on Thursday, October 20 at St. Gertrude's church. The event begins at 8:00 pm with doors opening at 7:30 pm.
Tickets are $45 for priority seating, $15 for general admission, and $5 for children and students.
Masks are not required but are encouraged. Vaccinations are strongly encouraged.
The Whiffenpoofs are the country's oldest collegiate a cappella group. Founded over a hundred years ago, the Whiffenpoofs have been singing around the country (and the world!) delighting audiences with a wide variety of a cappella music.
Click here to purchase tickets
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More News from the Pastoral Parish Council (PPC): Help Needed for International Dinner in November, Next Meeting is Thursday, October 20
An International Dinner will be hosted in November as part of the the St. Gertrude Feast Day celebration. Rita Elue will be head up the event, please contact her at ritaelue@gmail.com to help.
The next PPC meeting is Thursday, October 20. Meetings are held in the Ministry Center from 7:00 pm-8:30 pm and are open to parishioners.
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Catholic Charities Discussion Planned on Domestic Violence and its Warning Signs on Saturday, October 22
On Saturday, October 22 from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm, Catholic Charities of Chicago and OSF Little Company of Mary Medical Center will host a free discussion on Domestic Violence and It's Warning Signs.
The event will feature a panel discussion, as well as representation from law
enforcement, social services, and counseling resources will be present, along with domestic violence survivors who will share their stories. Register online at osfhealthcare.org or by calling 708.229.5047.
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Domestic Violence Information
Domestic violence is common, affecting millions of people in the United States each year. Data from CDC’s National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS) indicate about 1 in 4 women and nearly 1 in 10 men have experienced contact sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetime and reported some form of IPV-related impact.
Common signs of abusive behavior in a partner include:
- Telling you that you never do anything right.
- Showing extreme jealousy of your friends or time spent away from them.
- Preventing or discouraging you from spending time with friends, family members, or peers.
- Insulting, demeaning, or shaming you, especially in front of other people.
- Preventing you from making your own decisions, including about working or attending school.
- Controlling finances in the household without discussion, including taking your money or refusing to provide money for necessary expenses.
- Pressuring you to have sex or perform sexual acts you’re not comfortable with.
- Pressuring you to use drugs or alcohol.
- Intimidating you through threatening looks or actions.
- Insulting your parenting or threatening to harm or take away your children or pets.
- Intimidating you with weapons like guns, knives, bats, or mace.
- Destroying your belongings or your home.
Domestic Violence Resources: The Archdiocese of Chicago's Domestic Violence Outreach has a list of resources, available here: https://pvm.archchicago.org/human-dignitysolidarity/domestic-violence-outreach.
The St. Gertrude website has a domestic violence information page and a click-away button in the event someone is monitoring computer use. Here is the link: https://stgertrudechicago.org/domestic-violence-help.
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Presentation of Confirmation Candidates - Sunday, October 23
The Presentation of the Confirmation Candidates will be next Sunday, October 23 at the 10:30 am Mass in church. Those students to be Confirmed on March 5, 2023 must be present along with their families.
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World Mission Sunday – Next Sunday, October 23
Let us celebrate our call to proclaim Christ to the whole world! We join Catholics around the globe to pray and give generously to support the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, which was founded 200 years ago by Blessed Pauline Jaricot.
Next weekend’s second collection is for World Mission Sunday which supports over 1,100 mission dioceses with the greatest needs. Please be generous.
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Mass of Remembrance - Saturday, November 5
Our annual Mass of Remembrance will be Saturday, November 5th at 5:00 pm. If you have lost a loved one in the past year (November 2021-present) and would like to have them remembered, please email Maria Garcia at mgarcia@stgertrudechicago.org by Friday, October 21.
Additionally, all are welcome to bring framed photos and small mementos to place on our memorial altar/Ofrenda table that will be in church during the month of November.
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Musicians Needed for Feast Day Cabaret Night
As part of our parish feast day celebration we would like to have a Cabaret Night on Saturday, November 12 from 7:00-9:00 in the gym.
We are looking for about 10-11 music acts to perform for a MAXIMUM of 10 minutes. Besides musicians, we need a decorating and set up committee, and a clean up committee.
People wishing to help out should contact Mary Clare Barker at mcbarker@stgertrudechicago.org.
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Volunteer Drivers Needed for Heart to Heart
Volunteers are the backbone of Heart to Heart. We are in special need for drivers to take seniors and disabled individuals to Mass. With the winter coming on, this need will increase.
Contact Pat Sullivan at psullivan@stgertrudechicago.org or call 773.973.5464.
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It's Not Too Late to Sign Up for Religious Education Classes!
It is not too late to enroll your children for Religious Education. And please remember, any child preparing for reception of a sacrament (First Reconciliation, First Communion, Confirmation) must be in Religious Education for two years prior to receiving any sacrament.
Click here for Religious Ed forms
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Kid's Word Offered at 10:30 am Mass in Church
Kid’s Word has resumed during the 10:30 am Mass in church. This program offers children aged 4-7 years-old an age-appropriate Gospel message and do fun, scripture-based activities such as coloring or crafts in the Rectory.
Children are invited by the celebrant to come to the altar before the readings and are returned to church before the petitions.
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Hurricane Ian Relief
Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA), the official domestic relief agency of the U.S. Catholic Church, launched a dedicated disaster donation page with 100 percent of the monies raised going to support people impacted by Hurricane Ian and served by their local Catholic Charities agencies.
There will be a special collection in church for hurricane relief within a few weeks. If you wish to donate immediately, you can go online to the CCUSA website: https://lp.catholiccharities.us/Hurr_Ian.
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RCIA: A Journey of Faith - Classes Open to All | |
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The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is a process by which adults learn more about the Catholic Church. Interested participants are still welcome to sign up!
If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about the RCIA process at St. Gertrude, contact me at eescamilla@stgertrudechicago.org or call the Rectory at 773.764.3621. The RCIA meeting schedule is available at https://bit.ly/RCIACalendarUpdated.
~ Eloy Escamilla, Pastoral Associate
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Meet Tim Love of Parish Pastoral Council (PPC)
The PPC is a unique, collaborative body made up of faith-filled men and women who work with the pastor in determining the matters that affect the life of the faith community. Recent bulletins have shared information about all the lay members of the PPC.
Tim Love has been a St. Gertrude parishioner since moving to Edgewater with his wife, Lisa Love, in 2011. Since then, the Loves have baptized both their daughters – Viviana and Emilia – at St. Gertrude, and Viviana recently made her first communion.
Tim works as Executive Director for Equity & Compliance at Loyola University, where he promotes safety and inclusion for all students and employees. Tim was called to service on the Parish Council to help foster a community that welcomes and embraces all people at St. Gertrude’s, especially new parishioners and neighbors, young parents, and those seeking a faith community that is truly inclusive and rich with diversity.
Tim looks forward to serving the St. Gertrude community in this new role, and looks forward to meeting you at an upcoming Mass or parish event!
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Rest in Peace
- Jeanette Hasbrook, mother of Laurie Hasbrook
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Jane Elizabeth Shields, mother of Jim, Eugene, Daniel and Theresa Ann
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National Estate Planning Awareness Week is October 17-23, 2022
Do you have an estate plan? If not, now is the perfect time to contact an estate planning professional to begin the process. If you already have a plan in place, it’s a good time to review it and make any needed modifications.
Please prayerfully consider remembering our parish when you update your estate plans. These gifts help us to build a solid foundation for the Catholic formation of future generations. For more information, visit myimpact.archchicago.org/resources or contact Eduardo Soto at esoto@stgertrudechicago.org.
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Schedule for Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, & Cantors | |
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Ministers of the Word
- Saturday, October 15 at 5:00 pm - Kathleen Dawson, Jayne Deiters
- Sunday, October 16 at 8:00 am - Mark Kollar, Hallie Burhoe
- Sunday, October 16 at 10:30 am - Rose Karasti, Victoria Healy
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Eucharistic Ministers
- Saturday, October 15 at 5:00 pm - Tim Harrington
- Sunday, October 16 at 8:00 am - Barb Daly
- Sunday, October 16 at 10:30 am - Sarah Millar, Steve Monti, Rafael Melendez
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Cantors
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Saturday, October 15 at 5:00 pm - Amir Ghazaleh
- Sunday, October 16 at 8:00 am - Jon Blake
- Sunday, October 16 at 10:30 am - Michael Callahan
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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.
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Monday, October 17: 7:30 am - Living & deceased Torreano family members
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Tuesday, October 18: 7:30 am - Chuck Nankivell & Matt Hapeman
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Wednesday, October 19: 7:30 am - Purgatorial Society
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Thursday, October 20: 7:30 am - Communion Service
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Friday, October 21: 7:30 am - Living & deceased parents of parishioners
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Saturday, October 22: 7:30 am - Living and deceased Torreano family members; 5:00 pm- Ron Wilcynski +
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Sunday, October 23: 8:00 am - John McCall +; 10:30 am - Parishioners of St. Gertrude; 10:30 am Gym Mass - Louis O. Ruiz +
(+ indicates the person is deceased)
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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, October 17: Eph 2:1-10/Lk 12:13-21
Tuesday, October 18: 2 Tm 4:10-17b/Lk 10:1-9
Wednesday, October 19: Eph 3:2-12/Lk 12:39-48
Thursday, October 20: Eph 3:14-21/Lk 12:49-53
Friday, October 21: Eph 4:1-6/Lk 12:54-59
Saturday, October 22: Eph 4:7-16/Lk 13:1-9
Sunday, October 23: Sir 35:12-14, 16-18/2 Tm 4:6-8, 16-18/Lk 18:9-14
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Please Pray for our Parishioners and Friends
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- Pamela Sherrod Anderson
- Ryan Bach
- Zara Bradley
- Sharon Brown
- Lilly Buie
- Maggie Callaway
- Aida Calvopina
- KC Conway
- Connie Cool
- Caloy Desembrana
- Ann Collins Dole
- Christine Frisoni
- Shirley Marie Gonzales
- Gina Heidkamp
- Maria Hertl
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- Bernice Kiedysz
- Marilyn Klein
- Steve Laslo
- Sheila McGuire
- Dean Mattoni
- Larry McCauley
- Molly Morris
- Karey Myers
- Richard Seitz
- Peggy Stoffel
- Elinora E. Tolentino
- Manuel & Norma Viray
- Leon Ward
- Ken & Vyes Yoza
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