St. Gertrude Chicago

All are Welcome

1420 W. Granville,

Chicago, IL 60660

773.764.3621

stgertrude1420@stgertrudechicago.org

www.stgertrudechicago.org

Bulletin for Sunday, September 14, 2025

Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

A Full Week Ahead at St. Gertrude!

There’s a wonderful variety of opportunities to connect, pray, and grow together at St. Gertrude in the coming days. Our parish is blessed with so many ways to live out our faith, and this week offers something for everyone—whether you’re seeking quiet prayer, fellowship, or meaningful activities for young people.

On Friday, September 12, our Guadalupanos Rosary Group will gather in the Ministry Center. This weekly time of prayer and reflection is a chance to pause, turn our hearts to Mary, and lift up the many needs of our world. If you’ve never attended before, consider stopping in—you’ll find a warm welcome and a supportive space for prayer.

On Saturday, September 13, our youth group will head to the Lincoln Park Zoo. These outings are not just about fun (though they are that, too!), but also about helping our young people build friendships, grow in faith, and see God’s presence in the beauty of creation. All students in grades 7 and up are invited to join.

On Thursday, September 18, students in grades 5 and up are invited to altar server training. Serving at the altar is a meaningful way for young people to draw closer to the Mass, learn about the beauty of our liturgy, and take on an important role in our parish. If your child has been considering this ministry, now is the perfect time to get started.

Finally, next weekend we celebrate the return of the 10:30 am Gym Mass! This liturgy has long been a beloved tradition at St. Gertrude, bringing parishioners together in a vibrant, family-friendly way to worship and share the Eucharist.

Taken together, these events remind us of what makes our parish community so special: prayer, fellowship, service, and worship. We hope you’ll find a way to join in this week—there’s a place here for everyone.

Compassion in Action: $4,210 Donated for Gaza Relief

Last weekend, all parishes in the Archdiocese participated in a special collection to help ease the suffering of our Palestinian brothers and sisters. The funds raised were designated for the Catholic Near East Welfare Association and Catholic Relief Services. Both organizations have the infrastructure, local partners, and personnel needed to deliver aid quickly where it is most needed.

As always, St. Gertrude parishioners responded with remarkable generosity. A total of $4,210.97 was donated.

Thank you to everyone who contributed. Your  support provides not only material assistance but also serves as a powerful sign of compassion and solidarity with those who may feel forgotten in their time of greatest need.

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.

St. Gertrude’s Youth Group Heads to Lincoln Park Zoo This Saturday

The St. Gertrude Youth Group is planning an outing to the Lincoln Park Zoo on Saturday, September 13, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. The group will travel together by CTA.

All students in grades 7 and up are invited to join. Email Eloy Escamilla at eescamilla@stgertrudechicago.org with any questions.

Training to Become an Altar Server Lector is Thursday, September 18; Lector Training is Thursday, September 25 

Would you like to play a more active role in our parish liturgy? This September we’re offering training for two important ministries:

• Altar Server Training: Thursday, September 18 at 6:30 pm in the church. Open to students in grades 5 and up.
• Lector Training: Thursday, September 25 at 6:30 pm in the church. Open to youth and adults who wish to proclaim God’s Word.

Both roles are a meaningful way to grow in faith and serve our parish community. All are welcome!

Gym Masses to Begin Again Next Sunday, September 21

Next weekend, the Gym Mass returns to its regular 10:30 am time!

This more relaxed Mass is held in the Gym at 1401 West Granville Avenue. 

In Two Weeks, Fr. Sergio Romo to Be Installed as Pastor of St. Gertrude

We are delighted to announce that Fr. Sergio Romo will be formally installed as pastor of St. Gertrude Parish on Sunday, September 28, at the 10:30 am Mass, with Bishop John S. Siemianowski presiding. All are welcome.

The Installation Mass is a beautiful sign of stability and unity, marking the beginning of a new chapter of shared ministry. As pastor, Fr. Sergio will continue to lead our parish family in prayer, service, and mission, helping us live out our faith with joy and commitment.

Brewed at St. Gertrude Afterwards—Please Consider Bringing Treats to Share!

After Mass, please join us in the Social Hall for our monthly hospitality gathering, Brewed at St. Gertrude, as we celebrate this meaningful moment together.

To make the gathering even more festive, we invite you to bring a treat to share—a plate of cookies, a family specialty, brownies, a favorite snack, or anything you enjoy will add to the celebration.

Care for Real Collection Drive is September 27-28

Our next collection for Care for Real is at the end of the month - September 27and 28 - before and after masses.

Care for Real reports that they have been seeing longer lines at distributions lately, but have met the demand for food every single time thanks to generous donors like you!

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! 

Growing in Faith

This time of year is often the busiest and most overwhelming for moms of school-aged children. As the absolute crush of September begins, it's hard to think of anything but school forms, daily schedules, activities, supplies, etc.

It's easy to feel unique and misunderstood, but when Jesus was walking among us, Jesus jumped into all of our chaos and human experiences. No stone was left unturned. The chaos of a busy month would have been high class problems and pales in comparison to the pain of hanging by nails on a cross, but the point is, Jesus knows.

God is not a leader who sits on the top of the humanity pyramid. God holds us all on his shoulders at the bottom of the upside-down pyramid. Great leaders are always a paradox - blending humility with strength of character, insuring everyone in the pyramid above them thrives within their unique strengths and weaknesses.

Jesus was the ultimate leader - experiencing the human condition in all its glory, pain, torture and perfection. Showing us our capabilities has no limit if God is the center of our world. Our reality is so much greater than our human-made plans if we follow God's will for us. If we are part of the pyramid God leads, sitting in our unique place among history, following God's lead, we will play a part in something so much greater than we will ever know.

~ Kari Robbins

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

Brewed at St. Gertrude, our monthly hospitality following the 10:30am 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.

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.

Registration is Still Open for Religious Ed Classes: It's Not Too Late to Sign Up!

Interested in signing your child up for the 2025-2026 Religious Ed school year? It's still possible! 

Classes are held on Sundays from 9:15-10:15 am on the St. Gertrude campus. Here's how to sign up for classes:

1. Go to https://stgertrudechicago.org/religious-education-news and fill out a registration form.
2. Email it to Eloy Escamilla at eescamilla@stgertrudechicago.org.
3. Pay the fee for the 2025-2026 school year ($230 for one child and an additional $40 for each student from the same family.) Please note, children making their First Communion/Reconciliation or their Confirmation will also need to pay a $75 sacramental fee.

Looking for more information? A handbook and Religious Ed calendar is available in both English and Spanish. Questions can also be emailed to Eloy Escamilla. 

Kid Word is Available at the 10:30 am Masses: Children Will Gather in the Baptistry

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.

Classes will take place in the newly renamed Junior Disciples Room (formerly the baptistry with glass doors), located at the back of the church just off the vestibule. 

Children will be 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.

Substitute Catechists Needed to Teach Religious Education This School Year

We are looking for catechists to be substitute teachers in our parish’s Religious Ed program and Kids Word! Catechists don't have to be professional teachers. Most are parents and parishioners who enjoy kids and are willing to help them grow in a personal relationship with God, participate in the sacraments, and develop a mature conscience, and integrate faith in all areas of their lives.

Please consider offering your time and talents to help our young people learn about and grow in their faith. If you have any questions, please reach out to Eloy Escamilla, Pastoral Associate, Religious Education and Youth Ministry, at eescamilla@stgertrudechicago.org or call 773.764.3621. 

Interested in in Learning More About the Catholic Faith?

The OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, formerly called RCIA) is a process by which adults learn more about the Catholic Church. This free program begins in the fall and meets until Pentecost.

Many people who begin OCIA are non-Catholics seeking to become Catholic or at least to explore whether Catholicism might be a good home. Those who complete the process and decide to become Catholic are initiated into the Church at the Easter Vigil Mass on Holy Saturday. Others who take OCIA are already Catholic but want a deeper understanding of their faith foundation.

The OCIA process does not ask those who have been baptized in another faith to give up their denominational experiences. Rather, the OCIA process seeks to add new colors and designs to their existing faith life tapestry. In addition to attending Mass, the OCIA process includes weekly gatherings of breaking open the Word of God, sharing our stories, and learning about our faith traditions.

Classes begin in September.

If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about the OCIA process at St. Gertrude, contact Eloy Escamilla at eescamilla@stgertrudechicago.org or call the Rectory at 773.764.3621. 

This Saturday, September 13: People’s Mass for Justice + Peace — Faith Rising

This is a moment for political holiness - the call to follow in the footsteps of the prophets, saints, and movement leaders who came before us, teaching us that nonviolent action can achieve a world more reflective of God’s love. Today, we take up that same call. On September 13th at 10:00 am outside of the Great Lake Naval Base, we invite you to gather with us for an outdoor People’s Mass in prayerful resistance, united in our commitment to justice, mercy, and liberation.

Park and meet us at the Great Lakes Metra Station.

We encourage you to carpool or join us on a bus:

• Our Lady of Mount Carmel - Melrose Park: 8:00 am
• San Oscar Romero - San Miguel: 8:00 am
• St. James - Wabash 8:30 am

Please wear comfortable shoes, and bring water and umbrellas. Wear your CSPL t-shirts and/or buttons! Bring signs with Catholic and faith-rooted messaging, and your rosaries or other symbolically meaningful items.

Please RSVP on Facebook, and share the Facebook event along with a personal invitation to as many friends and family members as you can. You can also print and/or email this flyer with all the details.

Ignatian Volunteer Corp: An Evening of Song with Dan Schutte

Join us for an unforgettable evening of music and inspiration as Ignatian Volunteer Corps (IVC) Chicago celebrates 25 years of service to the Chicagoland community.

Renowned liturgical composer and songwriter Dan Schutte—best known for beloved hymns such as Here I Am, Lord—will lead a special concert at Holy Name Cathedral on Thursday, September 25. The evening begins with a reception at 5:00 pm, followed by the concert at 7:00 pm.

Tickets are just $25, with sponsorship opportunities available to support IVC’s mission of service and spiritual growth.

Don’t miss this joyful celebration of faith, music, and community!

To purchase tickets or learn more about sponsorship, visit www.ivcusa.org/chicago-schutte or scan the QR code.

Ministers of the Word

• Saturday, September 13 at 5:00 pm - Christine Lincoln, Patrick Reardon
• Sunday, September 14 at 8:00 am - Jay Cook, Jennifer Kiedaisch
• Sunday, September 14 at 10:30 am - Rose Karasti, Lily Benham

Eucharistic Ministers

• Saturday, September 13 at 5:00 pm - Kathy Wall
• Sunday, September 14 at 8:00 am - Hallie Burhoe
• Sunday, September 14 at 10:30 am - Carlos Barragan, Annie Hasselbeck, Stephen Hasselbeck

Upcoming Mass Intentions

• Monday, September 15: 7:30 am - Communion Service
• Tuesday, September 16: 7:30 am - The deceased of the Kelly family
• Wednesday, September 17: 7:30 am - Elio Rossi+
• Thursday, September 18: 7:30 am - Donald Nyderek+
• Friday, September 19: 7:30 am - Ricardo Martinez+
• Saturday, September 20: 7:30 am - Daniel McCarthy+; 5:00 pm - Antoinette G. Linke+
• Sunday, September 21: 8:00 am - Julienne Fouche+; 10:30 am - John Staggs+; 10:30 am Gym - 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.