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 5, 2025

27th Sunday in Ordinary Time

The Latest News from St. Gertrude!

Our parish extends heartfelt thanks to everyone who made the reception after Fr. Sergio’s installation last Sunday such a warm, welcoming, and delicious event!

We are grateful to all who contributed baked goods and fruit, and to those who arranged the beautiful flowers. The set-up crew—Jen Reyes, Leigh Holzman, Mary Ellen Rapp, and Carol Clennon—worked hard to make the Social Hall look beautiful. Tim Love and his daughters served coffee and helped wherever needed. Special thanks to Steven Patzche and the Brewed at St. Gertrude team for providing wonderful hospitality!

We also deeply appreciate the clean-up crew—Dorothea Tobin, Laurie Jacob, and everyone who pitched in to clear tables.

Most of all, thank you to each of you who came together to celebrate Fr. Sergio’s installation. Your presence made the day especially joyful.

This Coming Saturday, October 4, is our Annual Pet Blessing

Our annual Pet Blessing is this Saturday at 11:30 am on the church steps. All pets are welcome to receive a special blessing as we celebrate the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi.

This Year's Pet Blessing is Saturday, October 4

The Feast of St. Francis of Assisi is October 4, which this coming Saturday. This year, we will celebrate our Blessing of the Pets on the actual saint's day at 11:30 am on the church steps.

See you with your furry, feathery, and/or scaly loved ones!

Coalition for Spiritual and Public 
Leadership Meeting Planned for Saturday, October 4

St. Gertrude is a member of CSPL, a faith-based organization that brings together people of different ages, ethnicities/races and socio-economic backgrounds across the Chicago area to transform racial, economic, social and environmental systemic structures through grassroots coalition building, community organizing, and liberative formation.

The group meets the first Saturday of each month. Come together with other parishioners on Saturday, October 4 from 1:30-3:00 pm in the Ministry Center to build community and discuss how to help advance our parish's commitments to social justice, human concerns and faith formation through our participation in CSPL. Learn more about CSPL. 

All are welcome! 

Care for Real Collection Drive is October 4 and 5

Our monthly collection for asylum seekers is October 4 and 5 before and after masses. Please place items in the bins at the back of church. Items will be donated to Care for Real who is working hard to help these newly-arrived neighbors.

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. 

Thank you for supporting our neighbors in need!  

Friendship Club is Thursday, October 9 

The St. Gertrude Women's Friendship Club meets monthly on the second Thursday of every month in the Ministry Center, 6214 N. Glenwood Ave. 

The gathering begins at 11:30 am, and attendees should bring their own (brown bag) lunch.

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

All are warmly invited to take part in our weekly 

Rosary group, held every Friday evening at 7:00 pm.

This bilingual gathering takes place in the Ministry Center dining room at 6214 N. Glenwood Ave.

Whether you're new to the Rosary or have prayed it for years, you're welcome to join us in this peaceful time of prayer and reflection.

Book Club Gathering is Tuesday, October 14

Join us for a discussion of The Librarianist by Patrick DeWitt on Tuesday, October 14 at 6:30 pm in the Ministry Center, 6214 N. Glenwood Ave. New participants are always welcome!

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

A Heart to Heart Play is Planned for November!

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, train robbery, and Native People.

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!

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 Via di Francesco is an ancient path in Italy linking Rome and Assisi, following the steps of St. Francis. My husband, Bob, and I, along with friends from our parish, spent five days on a pilgrimage, following markers painted on fences, trees, and posts leading to Assisi.

We climbed rocky paths through olive groves. We discovered an awe-inspiring waterfall and walked beside a soothing mountain stream. We walked on ankle-straining cobblestones into villages on hilltops overlooking mountains. We encountered snails, lizards, lots of barking dogs, and an occasional chicken or goose. The sunsets were magnificent. 

Walking a mountain path can be quite challenging. Each day, I had moments when I complained, groaned, and hoped the mountains heard—especially before a seemingly endless uphill climb in the hot sun. 

Then I would hear a bird singing, and that sweet sound encouraged me to take another step. Or a friend offered to carry my too-heavy backpack. I learned that small steps were easier and got me to the top faster. Somehow, I made it to Assisi.

Each day, I imagined Saint Francis walking this same path. How his constant companionship with nature must have renewed and strengthened him: Mother Earth, Sister Water, Sister Moon, Brother Sun. I walked with wonder, each step an encounter with the immense generosity of the divine displayed in nature. 

St. Francis lived in nature, and for his Feast Day, I want to enrich my connection with creation by paying attention to the trees I pass daily without noticing. Using a plant identification app, I wrote the names of the trees around our parish on paint sticks and hung them gently from branches. Look for them, and let’s learn about the trees that are our constant companions: Sister Tree, Brother Tree.

Take small steps, and listen for the birds singing. 

~ Carolyn Backis

A Message from Father Mike Bradley

A few parishioners have asked if I’m running the Chicago Marathon this month. At the advice of my doctor, I will not be running this year because of a medical condition.

Thank you for all your support and prayers over the years. I wish the very best for all those participating this year! I’ll be among the million spectators cheering you on!

~ Fr. Mike

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.)

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.

St. Gert's Garden: Sharing the Harvest

Last weekend, our parish garden offered another generous yield—fresh green beans, crisp cucumbers, colorful peppers, and ripe tomatoes.

Thanks to the care of our volunteer gardeners, this abundance was gathered and shared with Care for Real, helping provide healthy, homegrown food to our neighbors in need.

Helping Hands Needed with our Brewed at St. Gertrude Social Gatherings

Brewed at St. Gertrude, our monthly hospitality following the 10:30 am Mass, is gearing up for the coming year. Thrilled by the participation of so many parishioners in this gathering, we want to make it a regular event that continues into the near future. 

Would you like to join our ministry team? We seek additional volunteers who can help with one or more of the following: set up, serve, bring food, and/or clean up. Our dedicated crew has been making each hospitality welcoming each month, but could benefit from some more hands! 

Those who are interested in giving a little bit of their time each month are invited to meet following the next Brewed at St. Gertrude on August 24th in the Social Hall. Please feel free to reach out to Steven Patzke at stevenjcpatzke@gmail.com with interest or questions.

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.

New Parishioners

• The Skakun family
• Martin Waide

Ministers of the Word

• Saturday, October 4 at 5:00 pm - Christine Lincoln, Pat Reardon
• Sunday, October 5 at 8:00 am - Hallie Burhoe, Jennifer Kiedaisch
• Sunday, October 5 at 10:30 am - Patrick Robinson, Lily Benham

Eucharistic Ministers

• Saturday, October 4 at 5:00 pm - Tim Harrington
• Sunday, October 5 at 8:00 am - Barb Daly
• Sunday, October 5 at 10:30 am - Michael Kowalsky, Steven Monti, Carlos Barragan

Upcoming Mass Intentions

• Monday, October 6: 7:30 am - Communion Service
• Tuesday, October 7: 7:30 am - Sergio Romo, Sr.+
• Wednesday, October 8: 7:30 am - Manuel Glover+
• Thursday, October 9: 7:30 am - People of God
• Friday, October 10: 7:30 am - Donald Nyderek+
• Saturday, October 11: 7:30 am - Purgatorial Society; 5:00 pm - Theresa Cenar+
• Sunday, October 12: 8:00 am - Bill O'Toole+; 10:30 am - Florence Savia+, Maria Savia+; 10:30 am Gym - John Staggs+

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.