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 7, 2025

23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

From Fr. Sergio

Dear Parishioners and Friends of St. Gertrude,

For almost two years now, we have seen the terrible destruction that the war in Gaza has wrought. As unsettling as images of entire neighborhoods being reduced to rubble may be, they don’t compare to the more disturbing images of emaciated Palestinian children dying from lack of food, water, and medical supplies. Noncombatants—especially children—have unjustly borne the terrors of this war.

There is a place and a time for civil discussions of culpability and of steps toward an equitable, just, and peaceful resolution, and I encourage all people of goodwill to take part in those. But, at this moment, the most urgent response needed is charity, so as to relieve the suffering of those most acutely affected.

How can we respond to something happening half way around the world? Our hands feel tied by the seemingly impossible logistics and the complicated geopolitical climate that rules our world. To begin with, we can pray for a change of heart in the leaders who are causing so much death and destruction. Our prayer is that their hearts may be open to see that their present path only leads to an endless cycle of violence. May God enlighten them to the way of true and lasting peace.

The other thing we can do is to help those already on the ground in Gaza administering crucial care. To that effect, Cardinal Cupich has asked for all parishes in the Archdiocese of Chicago to take up a special collection this weekend to aid those suffering in Gaza. These funds will go to two organizations already at work there: the Catholic Near East Welfare Association (CNEWA) and Catholic Relief Services (CRS). They have the infrastructure and personnel to quickly distribute aid. What they need more of, however, is financial support to be able to purchase food, water, clothing, and medical supplies.

We may want to do more, such as conducting clothing and food drives. But those things take time, and shipping costs are prohibitive. Monetary donations can get aid the fastest to the people who need it now.

Please join me in praying for peace in Gaza, and in contributing towards this most important cause. If you were not prepared to participate in the second collection at Mass this weekend, you may make an online donation at our parish’s GiveCentral page.

Thank you for your generosity. May God bless you abundantly.

Yours in Christ,

Fr. Sergio

Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership Planned for This Saturday, September 6



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

Their monthly meeting is planned for Saturday, September 6 from 1:30-3:00 pm in the Ministry Center. 

Come together with other parishioners 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 CSPA. 

All are welcome!  

Care for Real Collection Drive for Asylum Seekers is September 6-7

Our monthly collection for asylum seekers is September 6 and 7 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!  

Religious Ed Classes Start Sunday: It's Not Too Late to Sign Up!

Register your child for the 2025-2026 Religious Ed school year! Classes are held on Sundays from 9:15-10:15 am on the St. Gertrude campus. They will begin this Sunday, September 7.

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 Returns on September 7: 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 for this school year will begin on Sunday, September 7. They 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.

Book Club Gathering is This Tuesday, September 9  



Join us for a discussion of Groundskeeping by Lee Cole on Tuesday, September 9 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).

Friendship Club is This Thursday, September 11 

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.

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

Trainings Become a Lector or Altar Server Offered Later This Month

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!

Weekly Gym Masses Begin Again on September 21

In two weeks, the Gym Mass will return to its regular 10:30 am time!

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

Fr. Sergio Romo to Be Installed as Pastor of St. Gertrude in September

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—Treat Donation Welcome!

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.

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.

Growing in Faith

The first principle and foundation of St. Ignatius ends with this declaration: “I want and I choose what better leads to the deepening of God’s life in me.”

St. Ignatius calls us to make a close relationship with God the goal of our lives. In today’s Gospel, Jesus told the multitudes that we are called to the same thing: putting God first, before everyone and everything. Can we put our relationship with Jesus before family and friends? I often examine myself about the many distractions I place ahead of my commitment to Him. Am I willing to give up my pursuit of fun, my harboring of resentments, my giving in to irritation, my zoning out on TV? Do these pursuits lead to the “deepening of God’s life in me”?

In the Gospel, Jesus emphasizes the importance of preparation: laying a strong foundation and knowing the cost before beginning to build. For me, continually asking for God’s grace has made all the difference. The saints encourage this as well. St. John Bosco tells us, “Do you want our Lord to give you many graces? Visit Him often.” When I need patience before an encounter, I ask for God’s grace. If I need strength, I ask. I visit Him often. Anne Lamott reminds us, “To summon grace, say ‘Help,’ and then buckle up. Grace finds you exactly where you are.” He always responds.

I hope Jesus will see this as proper preparation and accept me as His disciple.

~ Dorothea Tobin

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.

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 Becoming Catholic?

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. 

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.

New Parishioner

• Brandon Kilcoyne

Ministers of the Word

• Saturday, September 6 at 5:00 pm - Art Lyons, Millie Slane
• Sunday, September 7 at 8:00 am - Kathryn Stimac, Hallie Burhoe
• Sunday, September 7 at 10:30 am - Patrick Robinson, Edie Sheridan

Eucharistic Ministers

• Saturday, September 6 at 5:00 pm - Roman Reyes
• Sunday, September 7 at 8:00 am - Tim Love
• Sunday, September 7 at 10:30 am - Michael Kowalsky, Troy McMillan, Ellen Pierce

Upcoming Mass Intentions

• Monday, September 8: 7:30 am - Communion Service; James Nolan+
• Tuesday, September 9: 7:30 am - Judith Paterson+
• Wednesday, September 10: 7:30 am - Donald Nyderek+
• Thursday, September 11: 7:30 am - The deceased of the O'Reilly family
• Friday, September 12: 7:30 am - Daniel McCarthy+
• Saturday, September 13: 7:30 am - Ricardo Martinez+; 5:00 pm - Hal Mann+
• Sunday, September 14: 8:00 am - John Staggs+; 10:30 am - Julienne Fouche+

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.