St. Gertrude Chicago

All are Welcome

1420 W. Granville,

Chicago, IL 60660

773.764.3621

stgertrude1420@stgertrudechicago.org

www.stgertrudechicago.org

Bulletin for Sunday, June 7, 2026

Corpus Christi/The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ

Corpus Christi: A Gift Beyond Understanding

This weekend we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, traditionally known as Corpus Christi. It is a day that invites us to pause and reflect on one of the greatest gifts Jesus has given us: Himself in the Eucharist.

Throughout history, many people have struggled to fully understand the mystery of Christ's Real Presence in the Eucharist. Even a faithful priest named Peter of Prague wrestled with doubts nearly 800 years ago. While celebrating Mass, he witnessed a Eucharistic miracle that renewed his faith and eventually led to the establishment of this feast for the entire Church.

While most of us will not experience such extraordinary signs, we are invited to encounter Christ in a profound way each time we gather for Mass. The Eucharist nourishes our souls, strengthens our relationship with Jesus, unites us as one community of faith, and reminds us of the promise of eternal life.

In a world that often leaves us hungry for meaning, connection, and hope, the Eucharist 

remains God's answer. At every Mass, Jesus invites us to come to His table, receive His love, and be transformed by His presence.

As we celebrate Corpus Christi, may we approach the altar with renewed wonder and gratitude, asking God to deepen our faith in the Eucharist and strengthen our desire to 

follow Christ more closely each day.

Upcoming Youth Group Activity: Hot Dog Sale During the Edgewater Yard & Garden Sale This Saturday, June 6

The parish youth group has two upcoming events: a car wash and a hot dog sale. All proceeds will go towards youth group activities.

The Edgewater Yard and Sidewalk Sale is Saturday, June 6 from 9:00 am-5:00 pm. Our parish youth group will sell pop and hot dogs to attendees in the parish parking lot from 11:00 am-2:00 pm. All proceeds will go towards youth group activities.

If your teen in grades six and up is interested in joining our youth group, please contact Eloy Escamilla at eescamilla@stgertrudechicago.org.

Gym Mass Update: No Gym Mass This Sunday, June 7

This weekend, there will be no Gym mass. All are invited to attend the 10:30 am mass in church.

Please note, the final Gym Mass of the school year will be held on Father's Day, Sunday, June 21.

Care for Real Collection is This Weekend

St. Gertrude will host a collection drive for Care for Real on June 6-7. Our Care for Real collections takes place on the first and fourth weekend of each month.

SNAP is one of the most effective ways to address food insecurity in the United States. However, as eligibility requirements change, many of our neighbors—especially seniors and others without exemptions—are at risk of losing their benefits. New requirements to work or volunteer 80 hours per month and report this to the state can be difficult to meet, increasing the risk of food insecurity.

As a result, Care for Real anticipates a growing need for their services. For more information, including current needs and ways to give, please visit https://linktr.ee/cfrchicago or follow their Facebook and Instagram pages.

We are grateful for your continued generosity in supporting Care for Real as they provide food and essential supplies to neighbors in need.

Book Club is Tuesday, June 9

Join us for a discussion of The Reason I Jump by Naoki Higashida at 6:30 pm at the Ministry Center, 6214 W. Glenwood. New participants are always welcome!

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

Join our Weekly Wednesday Contemplative Prayer Group

Would you like to deepen your prayer life? Do you already have a regular prayer practice but would like to pray and reflect on spiritual readings and scripture in a group? A new contemplative prayer group at St. Gertrude has been formed!

Contemplative prayer is silent prayer that opens up us up to awareness of God’s presence by stilling our bodies and our minds. If you haven’t prayed contemplatively before (Centering Prayer, Christian meditation, etc.), we will offer guidance.

We’ll meet weekly each Wednesday at 9:00 am in the chapel of the Ministry Center. Come as you are and as you are able.

For more information, contact Karen Spear at kspear@marian.edu.

Friendship Club is This Thursday, June 11

The St. Gertrude Women's Friendship Club meets monthly on the second Thursday of every month in the Ministry Center, 6216 North Glenwood Avenue.

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

Join Us for the Rosary at St. Gerts 

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

All are welcome to attend the bilingual weekly Rosary group held on Friday evenings at 7:00 pm in the dining room of the Ministry Center, located at 6214 North Glenwood Avenue.

Recitation of the Holy Rosary after 7:30 am Mass

Additionally, the Rosary is said every Monday through Friday in the church right after the 7:30 am mass. Please consider joining us in church—we would love to have you!

Second Collection on June 13-14 for Priests’ Health and Retirement

Priests have dedicated their lives to ministry, serving our needs as Catholics from the moment we are baptized until we receive last rites before entering eternal life. A second collection on June 13-14 will provide for the health and well-being of 365 active and 251 retired archdiocesan priests.

Your generosity to this special collection directly impacts both the many active and retired archdiocesan priests who we have come to rely on throughout our lives.

As we’re all aware, healthcare and retirement costs continue to rise, so there is an urgent need for your gifts to this fund. Your generosity will not only ensure the health and well-being of our priests, but also support their ability to continue meaningful work in our parishes and communities.

Next Weekend: An Afternoon of Music featuring Piano and Saxophone Planned for June 14

Mark your calendars! On June 14 at 1:00 pm, shortly after the 10:30 am Mass, our Music Director, Jonathan Hannau, will present a concert of music for piano and saxophone alongside his longtime collaborator and friend, Richard Brasseale.

The program will feature original compositions by both Jonathan and Richard, a piece by legendary Chicago-based composer George Flynn, and a dazzling, virtuosic sonata by Japanese composer Takashi Yoshimatsu.

The concert is free, though donations to the artists are welcome! 

A Note About Weekday Masses June 15-18, 2026



Priests serving in the Archdiocese of Chicago will gather for their biennial convocation from June 15 through June 18. This gathering is an important and necessary time of spiritual renewal for the priests, so they can better serve the People of God.

Cardinal Cupich has asked all priests to clear their schedules, so that they can fully participate in this experience. Consequently, during these four days, there will not be weekday Masses at St Gertrude Parish. However, as is customary on Mondays at our parish, there will be a Communion service on each of those days. In cases of a pastoral emergency, parishioners can contact our parish staff who will make whatever referral is appropriate.



The people of the Archdiocese can support all the priests of the Archdiocese of Chicago in several ways. Their patient understanding of scheduling changes is very important. Even more important is the prayerful support they extend to priests who have prayed for them and with them.

As the priests gather for their convocation know that they bring you and your families in their hearts to this important time of prayer and reflection.  

The Office is Closed on Friday, June 19 in Honor of Juneteenth

Juneteenth is a federal holiday in the United States, commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African-Americans and is also often observed for celebrating African-American culture. Originating in Galveston, Texas, it has been celebrated annually on June 19 in various parts of the United States since 1865. The rectory office will be closed.

Mass will be held at 7:30 am.

Parish Garden Growing Strong

On Memorial Day, a wonderful crew of dedicated women came together to help plant our vegetable gardens and remove the daylilies along the Ministry Center wall. Their hard work and enthusiasm have helped prepare our gardens for a fruitful growing season.

In the courtyard along the Ministry Center wall, we planted seven tomato plants, baby carrots, bell peppers, jalapeño peppers, cayenne peppers, and pumpkins. Over in the garden along the alley, we were delighted to discover that many of our herbs survived the brutal winter, including oregano, parsley, thyme, sage, and cilantro.

We also added two more tomato plants, several varieties of lettuce, beans, and cucumbers. It's exciting to see the gardens taking shape, and we look forward to watching everything grow throughout the summer.

Thank you to everyone who volunteered their time and energy to help beautify our parish grounds and cultivate this year's harvest. Enjoy these photos from our Memorial Day planting day!

~ Mary Clare Barker

Growing in Faith

Today’s Gospel has always challenged me. When I hear, “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day,” I’m prone to think about that promise from Jesus in a metaphorical sense, viewing the Eucharist as a symbol rather than Jesus’ true Body and Blood.

As I’ve grown older, I find myself thinking more about my mortality. I reflect on questions about life, death, and what awaits us after we die. It comforts me to know that God is with me through this journey. I had the opportunity to visit Italy with my family last year while my son, John, studied in Rome. I was moved and inspired by the many ways I sensed God on this trip—through nature, art, architecture, and wonderful people from around the world. Through these experiences, I sensed God’s desire to be close to me.

While reflecting on today’s Gospel, I’ve thought about Jesus’ words to His disciples: “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him.” I’ve also thought about how God reveals Himself in tangible, sensory ways, like what I experienced in Italy. It’s often easier for me to see God in those experiences and not as easy to comprehend God being with me through my receiving Jesus’ actual Body and Blood. Yet if Jesus’ invitation means that God and Jesus will be within me in such an intimate way, then every time I participate in the Eucharist, I’ll be grateful that God is indeed with me.

~ Bill McCormick

New Parishioners



• Hannah Kim and Bria Brooks

Ministers of the Word

• Saturday, June 6 at 5:00 pm - Christine Lincoln, Millie Slane
• Sunday, June 7 at 8:00 am - Rob Sierzega, Mary Clare Barker
• Sunday, June 7 at 10:30 am - Tim Love, Sarah Millar

Eucharistic Ministers

• Saturday, June 6 at 5:00 pm - Tim Harrington
• Sunday, June 7 at 8:00 am - Hallie Burhoe
• Sunday, June 7 at 10:30 am - Rafael Melendez, Lisa Schneider, Hellen Pierce

Altar Servers

• Sunday, June 7 at 10:30 am - cross bearer: Diarmuid McKeon ; acolytes: Adaobi Okoli, Viviana Love

Upcoming Mass Intentions


• Monday, June 8: 7:30 am - Communion Service
• Tuesday, June 9: 7:30 am - Lillian McCall+
• Wednesday, June 10: 7:30 am - Art Jacobsen+
• Thursday, June 11: 7:30 am - Glenn & Mary Jo Martin+
• Friday, June 12: 7:30 am - Edward Kelly+
• Saturday, June 13: 5:00 pm - Patricia Meade+
• Sunday, June 14: 8:00 am; 10:30 am - Edward Kelly+; Gym mass - Mary Greene+

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.