St. Gertrude Chicago

All are Welcome

1420 W. Granville,

Chicago, IL 60660

773.764.3621

stgertrude1420@stgertrudechicago.org

www.stgertrudechicago.org

Bulletin for Sunday, October 26, 2025

30th Sunday in Ordinary Time

November is the Month of Remembrance

Altar of Remembrance/Book of the Dead:

If you would like to honor or remember a deceased loved one, you are invited to bring a photo to the Altar of Remembrance, located in front of the St. Therese shrine in the front of church. 

Photos may be placed on the tables at any time, and should be picked up Thanksgiving weekend. Be sure to add your phone number to the back of all images! 

In the back of the church, next to the baptistry, will be the Book of the Dead. Everyone is invited to inscribe the name of their deceased loved ones into the book. These names will be read during the Masses of Remembrance.

Masses of Remembrance:

Each year, during the month of November, we remember in a special way all those who have died in our parish, as well as parishioners’ loved ones that have passed away. At the masses on Saturday, November 1 (5:00 pm) and Sunday, November 2, we will read the names of those in the Book of the Dead, as well as those who have died this past year (November 2024-November 2025).

Parish Photo Directory

It’s time for a new St. Gertrude photo directory! Photography sessions will take place December 18–20. Every participating household will receive a complimentary 8x10 portrait and a free parish directory. You’ll be able to view your photos immediately and have the option to purchase additional portraits—perfect for keepsakes or holiday gifts.

Appointments can be made after Mass or online at schedule.ucdir.com (Church code: IL 457, Password: photos). Questions? Email Jen Reyes at stgertrudeparishcouncil@gmail.com.

The Rosary at St. Gertrude: Friday Evenings and after the 7:30 am Masses

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.

Recitation of the Holy Rosary after 7:30 am Mass

Additionally, the Rosary is said every Monday through Saturday in the church right after the 7:30 am mass. Please consider joining us in church—we would love to have you!

Care for Real Collection Drive is This Weekend; Collection for Asylum Seekers is Next Weekend

Our next collection drive for Care for Real is October 25 and 26 before and after masses. 

Please visit https://linktr.ee/cfrchicago for information about donating and links to their Facebook and Instagram pages to see what they are specifically looking for at this time.  

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. 

October "Brewed at St. Gertrude" is Sunday

Please join us on Sunday, October 26 for another "Brewed at St. Gertrude", our monthly parish hospitality event! 

These gathering are held following the 10:30 am church and gym masses in the Social Hall and feature 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! 

Refugee One Presentation Planned for This Sunday, October 26 after the Brewed at St. Gertrude Event

St. Gertrude’s Refugee and Immigrant Ministry is a partner of Refugee One, a Chicago-based non-profit that welcomes hundreds of refugees who have fled war, violence, and persecution around the globe to the U.S.

RefugeeOne not only equips refugees with the skills needed to survive, but provides a full range of coordinated services that empower refugees to build the foundation for a flourishing life in Chicago.

Refugee One’s Sally Schultz will give a talk about the current challenges of refugee resettlement, her organization's services and how people can help.

All are welcome immediately following the “Brewed at St. Gertrude” gathering on October 26 in the Social Hall. The talk is anticipated to begin at 12:15 pm and last around 20 minutes.

Special Event: Program, "Catholic Social Teaching in the Past and the Present Moment" Planned for November 5

All are invited to a special event discussing Catholic Social Teaching in the Past and the Present Moment on Wednesday, November 5 at 7:00 pm in St. Gertrude’s Social Hall.

This engaging program will feature two of our own parishioners—Heidi Schlumpf and Michelle Nickerson (pictured above)—both professors at Loyola University, published authors, and past speakers at St. Gertrude’s.

Join us for an evening of reflection, dialogue, and inspiration as we consider how the Gospel’s call to justice continues to shape our Church and our world today.

Parish Play Planned for Saturday, November 8 to Benefit Heart to Heart

All are invited to attend a play benefiting Heart to Heart! For one night only, Saturday, November 8, the St. Gertrude Parish Players will perform a Mike Tobin production, Nazareth Revelation, a Canadian cowboy love story with bandits and a train robbery.

The performance will take place in the Gym, located at 1401 West Granville Avenue, at 7:00 pm. More information about ticket prices will be shared closer to the event date. 

We hope to see you at this festive event featuring the many talented parishioners of St. Gertrude!

Book Club Gathering on Tuesday, November 11

Join us for a discussion of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel The Known World by Edward P. Jones on Tuesday, November 11 at 6:30 pm at the Ministry Center, 6214 W. Glenwood. New participants are always welcome!

For questions, contact Lea Cloninger (773.213.0509) or Sue Benjamin (773.551.8401).

Online Discussion on Rerum Novarum with Greg Pierce Planned for November 12: Free Copies of the Newly Updated Encyclical Available

In 1891, Pope Leo XIII issued an encyclical titled Rerum Novarum (“Of New Things”), a groundbreaking document that responded to the social upheavals of the Industrial Revolution. Confronted with growing inequality, poor working conditions, and the rise of both socialism and unrestrained capitalism, Pope Leo XIII offered a Catholic vision of social justice rooted in the dignity of work, the rights of laborers, and the responsibilities of employers.

Rerum Novarum became the foundation of modern Catholic social teaching, inspiring later papal documents and shaping the Church’s commitment to justice, fair wages, and the common good for more than a century.

Greg Pierce—former long-time St. Gertrude parishioner, publisher of ACTA Publications, community organizer, and author—will host a Zoom presentation and discussion on this historic encyclical and its enduring relevance today.

As Greg writes, “One of the things to observe about the new pope is his choice of papal name: Leo XIV. His decision clearly links his papacy to the long tradition of Catholic social teaching that began with his namesake, Pope Leo XIII, and his 1891 encyclical Rerum Novarum.”

Greg has published an updated edition of Rerum Novarum that uses inclusive language, making this important document more accessible and meaningful for today’s North American, English-speaking readers.

Join Greg for this engaging Zoom discussion on Wednesday, November 12, from 7:00–8:15 pm. Participants will receive a free copy of the encyclical to read in advance.

To register and receive the Zoom link, contact Gail Smith at 312.315.9896 or gailbeth316@yahoo.com.

Women's Friendship Club Gathering on November 13

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 13. Consider yourself invited!

Adult Faith Formation: Ways to Warm Your Heart and Feed Your Soul Planned for December

Are you hungry for a deeper connection with God and community? With all the negative news in the world, have you lost your appetite? Do you find yourself worn thin by unhealthy outside influences? Do you yearn for a more profound faith connection with God and a deeper understanding of one's spiritual purpose? Do you desire to strengthen your relationship with God, but don’t know how or where to start?

St. Gertrude is beginning Adult Formation sessions with the goal of warming your heart and feeding your soul. We will start with a three-part Advent series on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 pm on December 3, 10, and 17. Save the dates on your calendar and look for more detailed information describing the upcoming Advent events in our weekly bulletins.

There are so many different ways we can connect with God, both individually and in community. We hope to offer opportunities for meditation, film and book discussions, bible studies, retreats, as well as other events that will fill you with hope, love, and peace. 

We look forward to you joining us—in community—on a faith filled journey.

-St. Gertrude Adult Spirituality and Faith Formation Committee 

Curious about Events and Activities at St. Gertrude?

Upcoming events are listed on the home page and in our Events calendar, found under the News/Programs heading!

The calendar also lists mass times and weekly activities.



Wondering about some of our social activities or prayer groups? Our Parish Ministries page, found under our Get Involved heading, shares various ways to get involved in the parish, and our Contact Us page has details on each member of our staff.

Growing in Faith

“The Lord is a God of justice, who knows no favorites.”

That is the first line we hear in our first reading today. Yet America today still festers with the disease of racism. For many of us, we see this racism on display in our very neighborhoods as federal agents go after individuals because of the color of their skin.

Two weeks ago, agents waited outside of a mass at St. Jerome’s Church due to the many Spanish speakers in attendance. And perhaps most disgusting of all, the very government officials supporting these racist raids call themselves Christians.

To me, the message of the Bible has always been, above all, to love thy neighbor unconditionally and to help those most in need. Both the first reading and the responsorial psalm affirm that God “hears the cry of the oppressed,” that God “hears the cry of the poor.” To me, being a Catholic has always meant helping the oppressed and the poor just as Jesus did. It has never meant being the oppressor.



A little over a month ago, I attended a rally where the speaker spoke of the need to end the suffering in Gaza, of the need to ensure that the minimum wage is a living wage, and to reduce the wealth gap in America. As a Catholic, this message resonated deeply with me. Because, as we see in our readings and psalms today, it is essential to help those who are suffering, those who are oppressed, and those who are poor.

~ Kieran Blake 

Thank You for Your Generosity on World Mission Sunday



A sincere thank you for your loving support to bring the hope of Christ to every corner of the earth on World Mission Sunday. Your gifts contribute to the Church’s heroic efforts to comfort, teach, build and share the blessed hope of Christ with all.

Together, our parish raised $1,428.00 to benefit the Pontifical Mission Society for the Propagation of the Faith, overseen by Pope Leo XIV. Our theme this year, Missionaries of Hope Among All Peoples, reminds us that, not only are we to share Christ with our neighbors at home, but also with those who live in every part of the world. 

Thank you for your compassion and care for the universal church! 

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month 

An excellent resource for learning about and getting help with domestic violence is the National Domestic Violence Hotline.

You can reach the hotline at 800-799-7233. The organization also offers a text option—just text START to 88788 to connect with someone who can help.

For additional information, safety planning tools, and resources, visit their comprehensive website at thehotline.org.

Music Ministry Announcement: Hymnals Update

The music ministry of St. Gertrude’s has an exciting announcement! After much thought and careful consideration, we have decided to transition to GIA’s Gather, 4th Edition hymnal. Not only is this hymnal more sustainable and aligned with our mission to care for the planet, but it is also one of the most diverse and inclusive hymnals available—qualities that best reflect St. Gertrude’s dynamic and eclectic community. We are thrilled to begin using this new resource at the start of the new liturgical year on November 30, the First Sunday of Advent.

Now, we need your help and support! Outfitting the congregation with a complete set of new hymnals and musical resources is a significant investment, but it is one that will serve us for many years to come. We have purchased 315 hymnals to replace the current ones and are asking for your generosity in helping us cover the cost.

Each hymnal costs approximately $26, and you may donate as many as you wish. Every hymnal you give can be dedicated in memory of a loved one or in honor of your family or friends. To donate, visit Give Central, or send a check payable to St. Gertrude’s. (Please be sure to note that your donation is for hymnals, whether giving online or by check.) If you donate via Give Central and would like to make a dedication, please email Jonathan with that information. 

Your generosity and commitment to St. Gertrude’s are vital to our success, and anything you contribute toward the purchase of these new hymnals will be deeply appreciated.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for considering a donation. If you have any questions or need more information, please contact our Music Director, Jonathan Hannau, at jhannau@stgertrudechicago.org or 773.764.3621 ext. 22.

Tag Us on Social Media!

Attending the Pet Blessing or any of our social events? Tag us on Instagram (@stgertrudeinchicago) or Facebook (@stgertrudechicago) so we can share the joy of our community together.

National Vocation Awareness Week

National Vocation Awareness Week will be celebrated in our country November 2-8, 2025. Please ask our Lord for more dedicated, holy priests, deacons, and consecrated men and women. 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.

Rest in Peace

• Phyllis Raine

Ministers of the Word

• Saturday, October 25 at 5:00 pm - Pat Reardon, Millie Slane
• Sunday, October 26 at 8:00 am - Jay Cook, Mary Clare Barker
• Sunday, October 26 at 10:30 am - Eric Ameyaw, Bob Backis

Eucharistic Ministers

• Saturday, October 25 at 5:00 pm - Tim Harrington
• Sunday, October 26 at 8:00 am - Hallie Burhoe
• Sunday, October 26 at 10:30 am - Ellen Pierce, Patrick Robinson, Carlos Barragan

Upcoming Mass Intentions

• Monday, October 27: 7:30 am - Communion Service
• Tuesday, October 28: 7:30 am - People of God
• Wednesday, October 29: 7:30 am - Greg Wall+
• Thursday, October 30: 7:30 am - Purgatorial Society
• Friday, October 31: 7:30 am - Sheila McGuire+
• Saturday, November 1: 7:30 am -  Deceased members of the Gusmanos family+; 5:00 pm - Deceased loved ones of St. Gertrude parishioners
• Sunday, November 2: 8:00 am - Deceased loved ones of St. Gertrude parishioners; 10:30 am - Sergio Romo, Sr.+; 10:30 am Gym - Deceased loved ones of St. Gertrude parishioners

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.