St. Gertrude Chicago

All are Welcome

1420 W. Granville,

Chicago, IL 60660

773.764.3621

stgertrude1420@stgertrudechicago.org

www.stgertrudechicago.org

Bulletin for Sunday, April 6, 2025

The Fifth Sunday of Lent

From Fr. Mike Gabriel

Over the past two weekends, and continuing this weekend, our RCIA Elect have been participating in the Scrutinies. Each week, the Scrutinies help them grow in their understanding of the new life of grace that the Easter sacraments offer. They are called, just as we all are, to recognize the goodness of God and the great hope to which they are being called.

My prayer is that they will also experience the genuine love and care of this community. I invite you to join me in praying that the Lord opens their hearts and souls. Additionally, I encourage as many of you as possible to write them a note or card, letting them know that you are praying for them and are excited to welcome them into the Church as brothers and sisters. Letters can be given to Eloy or me, dropped off at the rectory, or hand-delivered to them on Sunday.

Next week is Palm Sunday, marking the beginning of the holiest week of the year. Next weekend, we will have simple blessings and a procession at both 5:00 pm and 8:00 am services, beginning at the back of the church. At the 10:30 am combined Mass in church, we will try something a little different to enhance the solemnity of the entrance. Everyone will gather inside the church for the blessing of the palms and the reading of the First Gospel. Afterward, the procession will begin, with palms being handed out as you exit the doors by the choir, and then re-entering from the front of the church.

There are also two special collections during Holy Week:

• On Holy Thursday, the second collection will benefit the Catholic Extension Society. This organization works in solidarity with communities in America's poorest regions to build vibrant Catholic faith communities by providing resources for leadership, ministries, and facilities, while encouraging others to invest in this important work.
• On Good Friday, we will have a second collection for the Pontifical Good Friday Collection, which supports Christians in the Holy Land. Your generosity helps fund church ministries, maintain sacred shrines, and provide much-needed assistance to local parishes.



Please consider being as generous as possible.

Care for Real Collection for Asylum Seekers is April 5-6

Our next collection drive for asylum seekers is April 5-6.

Care for Real is urgently seeking donations of hand and toe warmers, gently used coats (all sizes), new socks and underwear, diapers in sizes 4-6, shampoo, hand soap, and adult incontinence briefs.

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.  

Almoners Lenten Ministry - Second Collections/Card Distribution on Sundays

Each weekend during Lent, we have a weekly second collection for the Almoner’s Program. The funds raised are used to purchase $10.00 McDonald gift cards which parishioners can pick up at the weekend Masses and share with those in need.

Last weekend we collected $800.00! Thank you for your generosity! 

Lenten Simple Supper & Scripture Study Planned for Wednesday, April 9 

All are welcome to join us during Lent for Simple Suppers, offered weekly in the Ministry Center at 6:00 pm for dinner, followed by bible study at 7:00 pm.

On Wednesday, April 9, Commonweal Dialogue will organize the Simple Supper, and on April 16, the Porch Prayer group will lead it.

Thank you to those who joined us these past few weeks!

Friday Afternoons: Two Stations of the Cross and Lenten Season Mediation Series: Music, Stillness, Solidarity

On 3:00 pm on Friday afternoons during Lent, we offer a traditional Way of the Cross.

From 6:00-6:30 pm, “Music, Stillness, Solidarity” is held, serving as a safe space where ALL are welcome to come, sit, pray, and meditate as we navigate these realities as a community. Contemplative music will be played through the duration of the time to help guide and promote reflection on the day. 

Another Stations of the Cross is held at 6:30 pm on Fridays with a social justice theme.

On Good Friday, the Youth Group will perform a Living Stations of the Cross.

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.

Another Brewed at St. Gertrude's Parish Social Event Planned for Next Sunday, April 13

Please join us next Sunday, April 13 for a parish hospitality event, "Brewed at St. Gertrude!"

Following the 10:30 am church and gym masses, come to the Social Hall for 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!  

Sacrament of Reconciliation Opportunity on Monday, April 14 at St. Ita

There is a communal reconciliation service for all the parishes in our deanery (Deanery 2B) on Monday, April 14 (the Monday of Holy Week) at 7:00 pm at the St. Ita campus of Mother of God Parish, located at ​5500 N. Broadway.

Priests will be available to hear confessions in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, and French. 

Teens are Invited to Register for St. Gertrude’s Youth Mission Experience 

Parish teens are invited to take part in St. Gertrude's Youth Mission experience this summer from June 23-27. Teens in seventh grade through high school will volunteer with a different Chicagoland organization each day.

This is an excellent opportunity to have fun and earn volunteer hours! There is a $100 fee for the week. A $50 deposit is required at the time of registration. Please note that there are scholarships available! All participants will receive a t-shirt, water bottle, and a sports drawstring backpack.

To reserve a spot or for more information, contact pastoral associate Eloy Escamilla at eescamilla@stgertrudechicago.org. 

The Parish Pastoral Council is Looking for New Members!

The Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) is renewing its search for new members. If you are interested in learning more about the PPC or are interested in joining, please complete this INTEREST FORM. 

Questions or comments for the PPC can be sent to stgertrudeparishcouncil@gmail.com.

Growing in Faith

St. Paul is totally focused on gaining the prize of Jesus Christ, and letting go of everything in that pursuit.  In a similar vein on Ash Wednesday, Father Mike asked us to concentrate not on what we give up, but on what we gain. I think we’re all trying to follow their lead during this Lenten Season. 

Here’s what I’m doing: 

• To be more in communion with Jesus, I am striving to follow the two greatest commandments: to love God above all and to love our neighbors as ourselves. I’m also seeking to follow the advice of St. Peter in his first letter, and the advice of St. Paul in his letter to the Ephesians. 

• To have more time with Jesus in prayer, I’m trying to give up at least some of my distractions. Doomscrolling is at the top of my list.  

• To make better decisions in accord with the heart of Jesus, I’m reading scripture, fasting and abstaining, and giving alms.  

It’s a lot, right? There’s still plenty of road ahead for me. Still, I’m pleased to make progress in the love of God, neighbor, and self. 

I wonder what you’re doing. Whatever it is, let’s encourage one another in our efforts to let go, to make room completely for Christ in us, and for us to be in Jesus Christ. Together with St. Paul, let’s press on to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus.

~ Bernie O’Connor 

New Parishioners

• Angela Andaleon and Paul Nguyen
• Ellen Pierce

Rest in Peace

• Ethel Mullin

Ministers of the Word

• Saturday, April 5 at 5:00 pm - Milie Slane, Christine Lincoln
• Sunday, April 6 at 8:00 am - Hallie Burhoe
• Sunday, April 6 at 10:30 am - Patrick Robinson, Stephen Modde

Upcoming Mass Intentions

• Monday, April 7: 7:30 am - Pascual Gusmanos+
• Tuesday, April 8: 7:30 am - Rose Mary Bradley
• Wednesday, April 9: 7:30 am - Alex Marks
• Thursday, April 10: 7:30 am - Communion Service
• Friday, April 11: 7:30 am - Manuel Glover
• Saturday, April 12: 7:30 am - Mark Scheiner+ 5:00 pm - Cornelius Ward+
• Sunday, April 13: 8:00 am - People of God; 10:30 am - Thomas Colon+

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.