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 6, 2024

27th Sunday in Ordinary Time

From Fr. Mike Gabriel

As we began this beautiful month of October, we enter the final weeks of the election season. I strongly encourage several things for everyone.

First, be sure you are registered to vote, and if not, please get on it. Second, make sure you do vote. The number of registered voters who do not exercise this privilege is staggering and alarming. Be as informed as possible. Fourth, and perhaps most importantly, pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit. And then VOTE!

Catholic Workers We welcome the Catholic Workers this weekend and congratulate St. Francis House on their 50th anniversary! 

Pilgrimage to Rome

The “Beacon of Hope” Pilgrimage to Rome on March 15, 2025 is on! There will be another meeting on Monday night, October 7, at 6:30 pm at the Rectory, 1420 W. Granville. If interested, join us there or contact me at mgabriel@stgertrudechicago.org.

New Music Director

I am happy to announce we have a new Music Director, Jonathan Hannau. He will start on October 14th. More will be shared in next weekend's bulletin. 

Fr. Mike Bradley Runs for Heart to Heart

How many were surprised to see in last weekend's bulletin that Fr. Mike Bradley is running another marathon? He is willing to pray for any intention that you may have as he runs his 52nd marathon. 

If you like to show your support to Fr. Mike Bradley and his run, all donations will go to Heart to Heart ministries. See his article below for details!

Parish Town Hall

Remember to mark your calendar for the parish Town Hall, planned for October 27, following the 10:30 am masses. Gathering as a community is so important, especially as we plan for a new pastor coming in to serve St. Gertrude’s. 

Pet Blessing This Weekend

This weekend, on Sunday, October 6th, we will have our annual pet blessing in honor of St. Francis of Assisi right after the 10:30 am Mass.

Have a great first week of October! Renew and work for respect for all and look for ways to honor and rely on Mary.

Take in the beauty and the opportunity this month to do the kinds of things that really matter and know that God’s reward is more than you can imagine. As always, it’s not what we say, but what we do. So do what Jesus does—love, serve, and give your best.

May God bless you and fill you with peace and joy. In God’s love.

~ Fr. Mike

Fr. Mike Bradley to Run the Chicago Marathon for Heart to Heart!

The Bank of America Chicago Marathon takes place on October 13th, and along with 50,000 other participants, several Saint Gertrude parishioners and I are prepping for the 26.2 miles.

I've had a couple medical setbacks during recent times. However, because of the prayers of many people, I'm able to lace up my shoes and run my 22nd Chicago Marathon. This will be my 52nd marathon overall.   

I’m asking you to consider making a donation to Heart-to-Heart, our parish’s outreach to the senior citizens and shut-ins of the Edgewater community, regardless of religious affiliation. Heart-to-Heart operates a lending closet with household medical equipment for those in need, and our volunteers provide rides to the doctor and other errands for those who have limited access. Your support for Heart-to-Heart is a real blessing, and your prayers will enable me to reach the finish line on October 13th.

Please send me your prayer intentions at mbradley2222@yahoo.com, and I will pray for your prayer requests as I run/walk the 26.2 miles of the marathon.

With heartfelt appreciation of your prayers and support,

~ Father Mike Bradley

This Weekend: Catholic Worker Movement Celebrating 50 Years! National Gathering at St. Gertrude October 4-6

Since 1974, St. Francis House, located in the Uptown neighborhood at 4652 N Kenmore Ave., has been a home of hospitality in the tradition of the Catholic Worker movement.

To mark their 50th anniversary, they are hosting a Catholic Worker National Gathering and Celebration at St. Gertrude parish from October 4-6, 2024!

For more information, please visit francishousechicago.org or email sfh.chicagocw@gmail.com, or just come by for dinner any Monday at 6:00 pm.

Collection for Asylum Seekers is October 5 and 6

Our monthly collection for asylum seekers is October 5 and 6. Please place nonperishable 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.

Items needed for neighbors and asylum seekers include:

Ready to eat meals:

• Canned meals (pop-tops only) like chunky soup, pasta, chili
• Soft granola bars
• Protein bars
• Cheese & cracker packs (shelf stable)
• Juice boxes
• Protein shakes (shelf stable)
• Snack size chips and crackers
• Applesauce & fruit cups
• Peanut butter/jelly

Baby Care:

• Baby wipes
• Size 4, 5, and 6 diapers
• Pull Ups (all sizes)

Personal Care:

• Shampoo/conditioner
• Body wash
• Deodorant
• Toothbrushes
• Body wipes

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.

Additionally, you can visit www.careforreal.org/wishlist to shop Care for Real's Amazon or Target wish lists to shop-to-donate today. Donations can also be dropped off between 12:00-3:00 pm every Monday-Saturday at the back entrance of 5339 N. Sheridan. 

Pet Blessing Planned for Sunday, October 6

The Feast of St. Francis of Assisi is Friday, October 4. As we do each year, there will be Blessing of the Pets on Sunday, October 6, held after the 10:30 am Mass.  

Please join us with your furry (or scaly!) loved ones! 

Book Club Gathering is Tuesday, October 8 (New Meeting Day!)

The book club will discuss The Lake House by Kate Morton on Tuesday, October 8. 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 is October 10

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!

Follow-Up Discussion with Author and Parishioner Michelle Nickerson on Friday, October 11 

On Friday, October 11th at 6:30 pm, Commonweal Dialogue will continue the discussion of longtime parishioner, Loyola professor, Fulbright Scholar, and historian Michelle Nickerson’s new book, Spiritual Criminals: How the Camden 28 Put the Vietnam War on Trial and its relevance for current political protests. 

This gathering of Commonweal will be held in the first-floor chapel of the Ministry Center, 6214 North Glenwood Ave. Please RSVP for the October 11 gathering to to John Williams at oolikar@gmail.com or Denise DeBelle at ddebelle@gmail.com so we are sure to have plenty of pizza and wine!

Parish Town Hall Planned for Sunday, October 27

The Parish Pastoral Council asks that you reserve the date for a Call to Action Town Hall on October 27.

This meeting will be held in the Gym after the 10:30 am masses; and will review how to operationalize the strategic plan. 

Save the Date - Upcoming Youth Group Events

Attention students in 7th graders and up! Save the date! On Saturday, November 2, you are invited to join us as the youth group visits the National Museum of Mexican Art.

On this field trip, you will be able to visit exhibitions capturing the wide range of Mexican cultural expressions and art forms, from ancient to modern and on both sides of the U.S. - Mexican border. This is a very exciting cultural experience amidst of the Day of the Dead Celebration!

Additionally, on December 14, we've planned an afternoon of Christmas card-making and cookie baking and on January 11, we'll go ice skating.

Please reach out to Eloy Escamilla at eecamilla@stgertrudechicago.org for more information.

Kids Word Available at 10:30 am Masses

On Sundays during the 10:30 am Mass in church, children aged 4-7 years-old are invited to attend Kids Word to hear 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 will return to church before the petitions.

Email eescamilla@stgertrudechicago.org for details.

Growing in Faith: Celebrating the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi

“Not to hurt our humble brethren is our first duty to them, but to stop there is not enough. We have a higher mission – to be of service to them wherever they require it.” ~ St. Francis 

A young doe makes eye contact through branches, almost motionless, but for flaring nostrils and a shiver of muscle along her flank. She may have a fawn nearby. She may want to eat my phlox. I try to remain as still as she. There’s chipmunk on my foot eating bird seed. We all startle a little when a blue jay raids the feeder for peanuts and returns to the sky so like himself. Every gasp of wonder is the vernacular of our good God’s vast imagination.

What does it mean to serve these creatures? To feed them and allow them to browse in our world is something, but not the big thing. We must love the wild world that sustains them. What we love, we can save, for them and for us. Our souls need the nourishment and wonder of wild worlds as our fellow creatures need their wild homes. What a blessing to allow ourselves to be tamed in the service of this creation and to be filled with wonder and gratitude.

Today, we return a great favor by blessing our fellow creatures, and by extension, our God, who has made all things well.

~ KC Conway

Eucharistic Ministers

• Saturday, October 5 at 5:00 pm - Kathy Wall
• Sunday, October 6 at 8:00 am - Hallie Burhoe
• Sunday, October 6 at 10:30 am - Michelle Kuehlhorn, Steven Monti, Patrick Robinson

Upcoming Mass Intentions

• Monday, October 7: 7:30 am - People of God
• Tuesday, October 8: 7:30 am - Victor Reyes+
• Wednesday, October 9: 7:30 am - People of God
• Thursday, October 10: 7:30 am - Communion Service
• Friday, October 11: 7:30 am - John Reilly+
• Saturday, October 12: 7:30 am - Mary Monaghan+; 5:00 pm - Theresa Cenar+
• Sunday, October 13: 8:00 am - Patricia Meade+ 10:30 am - Edith Flores; 10:30 am Gym Mass - Billy Tobin+

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.