Bulletin for Sunday, December 11, 2022
The Third Sunday of Advent
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Mass Times: Sunday: 8:00 & 10:30 am Mass in Church; 10:30 am Gym Mass; Monday-Friday: 7:30 am (Thursday is a Communion service);
Saturday: 7:30 am & 5:00 pm
Reconciliation: 4:15-4:45 pm on Saturday or by appointment.
Advent Reconciliation - Sunday, December 11 at 1:00 pm
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From Fr. Rich
The Gospel passage today concludes with that extraordinary statement by Jesus about John the Baptist, “Amen, I say to you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” (Matthew 11:11)
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The magnitude of the change Jesus is ushering in is contained in that bold statement. History is at a turning point. All that came before was preparation for this moment. For from this day onward, our citizenship is in heaven. And nothing and no one can take it from us.
The assurance of our salvation is the starting point for all Christians. We are not starting in some bottomless pit of sinfulness, wondering what might befall us. We have already been redeemed, our sins forgiven, our place in heaven guaranteed. THAT is our starting point. And from there we will go, where? We’re not starting from any position of deficit. Our foundation is what Jesus has already done for us.
With that in mind, what Good News can we bring to family, friends, neighbors? How do we share the love God has already bestowed upon us? In this season of gift-giving, the greatest gifts we can give can never be purchased, only shared freely from our hearts and souls -- the gifts of love, forgiveness, hope. Let us be generous in sharing those with others, just as God has already shared them with us!
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Advent Reconciliation This Sunday at 1:00 pm
Everyone is invited to the Advent Reconciliation Service today, Sunday, December 11th at 1:00 pm in church. This service is a time for listening to scripture, singing hymns, spending time in a guided reflection/examination of conscience, and celebrating the forgiveness of our sins through absolution. It usually lasts about 45 minutes. Please join us!
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Good News/Inconvenient News
On Friday December 9, the initial rolls of padding for the new church carpeting arrive. And on Monday, December 12, the installers will be here to begin removing the old church carpeting and installing the new carpet! This may take 7-8 workdays. The installers will usually begin at 9:00 am daily, but on days when there are funerals, they won’t start until 11:00 am or even a little later.
They will do the installation in sections, so hopefully only one portion of the church will be unusable at any one time. Please be tolerant as we go through this process! Thanks!
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Retirement Fund For Religious
The Retirement Fund for Religious collection is taken up this weekend. This collection helps fund the retirement and health care for the women and men religious who served so faithfully with such little payment in our schools and parishes. Now they need our help to assist in covering their retirement, especially with health care costs. Please be generous.
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Next Sunday: Fr. Rich's Retirement Celebration
Please join us on Sunday, December 18 as we thank Fr. Rich for his many years of service as a priest and especially his time at St. Gertrude.
The 10:30 am combined Mass in church will celebrate his retirement. After each Mass, he will visit with parishioners and friends in the back of the church. Please be sure to stop by and have some sweets from the bakery at Misericordia!
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Upcoming Events
Listed in Chronological Order
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Holiday Schedule at St. Gertrude Parish
Advent Reconciliation Service
Sunday, December 11th
4th Sunday of Advent/Fr. Rich's Retirement Mass (Sunday)
Saturday, December 17th
Sunday, December 18th
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8:00 am & 10:30 am* (live-streamed); No Gym Mass
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*Fr. Rich's retirement will be celebrated
Christmas Eve
Saturday, December 24th
- 5:00 pm - For families with children (live-streamed)
- 8:00 pm - Vigil Mass - Adult choir & instruments (choral music from 7:30 pm - 8:00 pm)
Christmas Day
Sunday, December 25th
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8:00 am & 10:30 am (live-streamed); No Gym Mass
Feast of the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
New Year’s Eve, Saturday December 31st
New Year's Day, Sunday, January 1st
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8:00 am & 10:30 am (live-streamed); No Gym Mass
Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord
Saturday, January 7th
Sunday, January 8th
- 8:00 am & 10:30 am in church (live-streamed); 10:30 am Gym Mass
Please note, there will be a combined bulletin for Sunday, December 25 and January 1. Content should be emailed to news@stgertrudechicago.org by 9:00 am on Friday, December 16.
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Edgewater Singers Holiday Concert - This Saturday, December 10
The Edgewater Singers will host their annual holiday concert this Saturday, December 10 at 7:30 pm. The performance, “Out of Darkness, Light”, is being held at St. Gertrude’s Church.
As always, the concert is free and appropriate for all ages.
We strongly encourage the audience to wear masks during the performance.
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Our Advent Reconciliation Service is Sunday, December 11
This Sunday, December 11th, at 1:00 pm in church, we will celebrate our Advent Reconciliation. Please join us for this special service of scripture, hymns, and guided reflection, offering us some “quiet in the midst of the storm” as we celebrate the forgiveness of our sins in preparation for the celebration of Christmas.
Everyone is welcome. This service usually lasts about 45 minutes.
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Compassionate Friends Worldwide Candle Lighting for the Loss of a Child Service - Sunday, December 11 at 6:45 pm
The Compassionate Friends Worldwide Candle Lighting service for the loss of a child will be hosted by Queen of All Saints parish (6280 N. Sauganash Avenue, Chicago) on Sunday, December 11th.
At 7:00 pm local time, family and friends around the globe unite in lighting candles for one hour to honor the memories of any child of any age who has died.
Our simple gathering begins at 6:45 pm and includes a short service, readings and music. All are welcome to participate in part or all of the service, which will also be livestreamed on the parish website at www.qasparish.org.
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Essay Contest for Students in 7th & 8th Grade - Deadline is THIS Monday, December 12
Students interested in the contest should write an essay explaining what is the most important contribution that Christians can make to society. Entries should be 500-600 words. Spelling and grammar count!
The top three winners will receive gift cards and have their essays published online and in the bulletin.
Entries must be submitted online or postmarked by Monday, December 12, 2022. Email essays (preferred method) to eescamilla@stgertrudechicago.org or mail them to Eloy Escamilla, 1420 W. Granville, Chicago, IL 60660.
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NCA Open House Planned for December 14
Northside Catholic Academy will be hosting an Open House on Wednesday, December 14th from 9:00 -11:00 am.
Start your child's path to great discovery at NCA!
For more information, please contact Jacob Utz at jutz@ncaschools.com or call 773.743.6277 ext. 201.
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Donate to our Giving Tree Program Until Next Sunday, December 18
The Giving Trees are in the back of church! As we have been doing since the pandemic, we will again be asking for gift cards, rather than gifts. This allows flexibility for individuals to get what they need. The benefactors of the Giving Tree collections will be Care for Real and the St. Gertrude Refugee and Immigrant Ministry.
Care for Real is asking for gift cards in $20.00 increments to Target, Jewel, and Walmart. They are also asking for Ventra passes. The Refugee Ministry is requesting $20 gift cards to Target. We are also asking for $10 McDonald’s gift cards to provide immediate meals for those who request them.
When you bring your gift cards to church, there are two boxes on a table in front of the Blessed Mother’s Shrine in the front of church. One of the boxes indicates it is for Care for Real, and one for The Parish Refugee Committee. Please place your gift cards into whichever outreach you are supporting. The McDonald’s gift cards can be placed in either box. The last chance to donate gift cards will be Sunday, December 18th at noon.
We hope that in this most joyous of seasons you will be able to support the Giving Tree program. Each gift card will allow others to be able to have a blessed and happy Christmas celebration.
If you have any questions please reach out to the Giving Tree Program coordinator Joe McMahon at jpmgmu@aol.com or at 708.525.5051.
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The Longest Night of the Year: Homeless Persons Memorial Vigil - Wednesday, December 21
Please join members of the Peace & Justice Ministry on Wednesday, December 21, the first night of winter, the longest night of darkness, to remember those who have died while homeless.
They die alone - in tents, shelters, and on the streets. On this evening, we will mourn their passing.
The Vigil will be held at 7:00 pm in St. Gertrude's church.
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Christmas Eve Pageant at 5:00 pm Mass: Practices Scheduled for Participants
As is our tradition during the Gospel at the Christmas Eve 5:00 pm Family Mass, the kids from St. Gertrude parish will act out the Christmas story.
Two practices for the Christmas Family Pageant have been scheduled - Wednesday, December 14 and Thursday, December 22 at 6:30 pm in Church.
We do have angels, kings, shepherds, and some little animals costumes. However, participants are welcome to bring their own costumes.
Children ages 5 and older, and adults are still welcome to be a part of this event and help organize it. (If you have a young baby and are interested in performing as Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, let us know!)
Please contact me at eescamilla@stgertrudechicago.org if you and/or your children are interested in being a part of this special Mass.
~ Eloy Escamilla
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PreCana Class at St. Gertrude on January 21, 2023
Are you an engaged couple planning on getting married at St. Gertrude? Couples that have established a connection with Fr. Rich (or another priest) are invited to attend St. Gertrude’s PreCana course on January 21, 2023.
This full day, in-person gathering is dedicated to considering your life together as a married couple. Led by a facilitator couple from St. Gertrude, the session begins at 9:00 am and features presentations, prayers, and discussions with your partner and 5-10 other couples. Lunch and snacks are provided.
Couples can register for the January session by calling the Rectory office at 773.764.3621or by filling out an online form at https://stgertrudechicago.org/marriage.
The cost of PreCana is covered by the church fee couples planning a wedding at St. Gertrude are charged.
Additional PreCana classes at St. Gertrude will be offered on April 15, 2023 and September 9, 2023.
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Save the Date! Our Parish Cabaret Night Will be Held on Saturday, January 28
Our rescheduled Cabaret Night has a new date - Saturday, January 28. It will be held from 7:00-9:00 pm in the gym.
People wishing to perform or help with set up or breakdown should contact Mary Clare Barker at mcbarker@stgertrudechicago.org.
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Request for Heart to Heart Lending Closet Donations
The Heart to Heart Lending Closet is looking for donations of wheelchairs, transport chairs, and rollators to loan to those in need.
If you know of anyone no longer using this equipment, please contact either Laurie Hasbrook or Pat Sullivan at the Heart to Heart office at 773.973.5464 or email heart2heart@stgertrudechicago.org.
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Help Needed with Collecting Food for Care for Real
We have all felt the uptick in food prices in recent months and while this is not pleasant, for the vast majority of us we are still able to put food on the table and pay our rent. Sadly, there are many families in Edgewater who cannot make this statement.
Greg Gross, the director of Care for Real, outlined the dire situation that many families are facing on a weekly basis. On a recent day, Care for Real served 295 families in one day. On the same date last year, they served 156 families. They now serve over 1,300 families per week.
And while the need continues to escalate, unfortunately there has been a decrease in the amount of food they receive from their suppliers. Care for Real used to receive 7,500 pounds of food a week from Chicago Food Depository. Now they receive 5,200 pounds; that is two TONS less than what they used to receive.
The need in our community is great and the need is very real. I would like to propose as a parish that we have a monthly food drive for Care for Real. We would need a few adults to organize this (get bins out, collect the food after Masses, notify the parish with an article in the bulletin which weekend we are collecting, and coordinate with Care for Real any special needs for a particular month, etc.)
It would not involve a lot of time and effort and hopefully if this is a regular operation, we can arrange things with Care for Real for them to pick up the food. A few adults along with perhaps some teen help could really make a big difference in our community.
Please consider getting involved in this ministry and if you are so inclined, please contact Mary Clare Barker at mcbarker@stgertrudechicago.org. Thank you for your prayerful consideration.
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Growing in Faith
In this week’s Gospel, St. John the Baptist, in prison and soon to be beheaded, writes to Jesus—not to ask him to save his life, but to seek confirmation that Jesus is the Messiah. If Jesus is not the one, John the Baptist is prepared to wait for another!
The proof Jesus offers him of His divinity is: healing those who are deaf, blind, and lame; raising the dead to life; and proclaiming good news to the poor. This is a daring and transgressive program, which Jesus acknowledges by saying, “Blessed is the one who takes no offense at me.”
No offense taken by St John! Even as a baby in St Elizabeth’s womb, he understood that Jesus was the Messiah, and leapt for joy at His approach. St John the Baptist followed the path of the Messiah wherever it led—to the desert preaching in a camel suit, in a river baptizing sinners, to a prison awaiting his beheading.
Jesus pointed out that people sought out St John the Baptist— more bracing than a reed blowing in the wind, more arresting than a rich man in luxurious clothes. He was a wild man in the desert who spoke the unvarnished truth at all times—mesmerizing and liberating! He lived with humility, a rare spiritual gift.. St John the Baptist pointed to the Messiah, saying: Jesus is coming, prepare yourself for this miracle. And here, Jesus points back to St John, to show us a model of integrity.
- Ruth Giles Ott
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Rest in Peace/Upcoming Funerals
Irene Mac, mother of George Mac
- Gravesite service at Rosehill Cemetery on Friday, December 16 at 10:00 am.
Michael D. Groark
- Visitation on Saturday, December 17, St. Gertrude, 9:00 am, Memorial Mass at 10:00 am.
John Francis "Jack" Manion, nephew of Heidi Schlumpf and Ed Butler
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Schedule for Altar Servers, Ministers of the Word, Eucharistic Ministers, & Cantors | |
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Ministers of the Word
- Saturday, December 10 at 5:00 pm - Susan McKeon, Millie Slane
- Sunday, December 11 at 8:00 am - David Sullivan, Mark Kollar
- Sunday, December 11 at 10:30 am - Tim Love, Rose Karasti
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Eucharistic Ministers
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Saturday, December 10 at 5:00 pm - Kathy Wall
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Sunday, December 11 at 8:00 am - Barb Daly
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Sunday, December 11 at 10:30 am - Ray Sousa, Debra Novak, Carlos Barragan
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Altar Servers
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Sunday, December 11 at 10:30 am - Cross Bearer - Henry Villareal; Acolytes - Dominic Millar, Emily Stecky
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Cantors and Musicians
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Saturday, December 10 at 5:00 pm - Bernie O’ Connor
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Sunday, December 11 at 8:00 am -Jon Blake
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Sunday, December 11 at 10:30 am - Matt Heimer; Flute-Dana Sullivan; Clarinet-Denise Goodman; Hand bells: Fran Guenette, Anne Mc Murray
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Legacy Gifts for Our Parish
Please consider one of the greatest acts of stewardship an individual can make by establishing an estate plan. These gifts help us to build a solid foundation for the Catholic formation of future generations. A well-coordinated estate plan typically includes: (1) financial power of attorney, (2) will, (3) beneficiary designations, (4) charitable beneficiary designations and (5) health care documents, such as a living will and a health care power of attorney.
Create or update your estate plans today by contacting your estate attorney and financial advisor. For more information, please contact Eduardo Soto at esoto@stgertrudechicago.org or visit giving.archchicago.org/cga.
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The Illinois Tax Credit Scholarship Program Match has Begun! Double Your Impact Today!
Every dollar donated and designated to NCA through Empower Illinois after December 1, 2022 will be matched!
The funds received will help fund a child's education. You receive 75% back in state tax credit on any donation you make, it is really that simple!
To learn how to donate, click here.
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Ways to Help Our Parish: Amazon Smile, Text to Give, GiveCentral, PayPal, and Amazon Smile
Visit smile.amazon.com and select St. Gertrude Parish as your charity of choice. From then on, connect to Amazon through smile.amazon.com and St. Gertrude will automatically benefit as your charity of choice.
We have set up a "Text to Give" option through GiveCentral. Parishioners are welcome to text the word Donate to 1.773.741.9505 to make a donation via phone.
To access our PayPal link, please visit our parish website and donate from there. GiveCentral offers parishioners the option of one-time gifts or weekly contributions.
For more information on text to give or to sign up for online giving, please email Eduardo Soto at esoto@stgertrudechicago.org.
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Monday, December 12: 7:30 am - Purgatorial Society
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Tuesday, December 13: 7:30 am - Living & deceased parents of St. Gertrude parishioners
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Wednesday, December 14: 7:30 am - Jacqueline Elwood †
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Thursday, December 15: 7:30 am - Communion Service
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Friday, December 16: 7:30 am - Pat Veccie †
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Saturday, December 17: 7:30 am - James Moxness and Max Hazel; 5:00 pm – Emmett McKee†
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Sunday, December 18: 8:00 am - Living & deceased Torreano family members; 10:30 am - Joseph & Isabelle Laczkowski †
(+ indicates the person is deceased)
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Click HERE for the daily readings for Masses. Here is the list of readings for this week for parishioners that prefer to look them up:
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Monday, December 12: Zec 2:14-17 or Rv 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab/Lk 1:26-38 or Lk 1:39-47 (690A), or any readings from the Common of the Blessed Virgin Mary (707-712)
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Tuesday, December 13: Zep 3:1-2, 9-13/Mt 21:28-32
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Wednesday, December 14: Is 45:6c-8, 18, 21c-25/Lk 7:18b-23
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Thursday, December 15: Is 54:1-10/Lk 7:24-30
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Friday, December 16: Is 56:1-3a, 6-8/Jn 5:33-36
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Saturday, December 17: Gn 49:2, 8-10/Mt 1:1-17
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Sunday, December 18: Is 7:10-14/Rom 1:1-7/Mt 1:18-24
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Please Pray for our Parishioners and Friends
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- Pamela Sherrod Anderson
- Zara Bradley
- Sharon Brown
- Lilly Buie
- Aida Calvopina
- KC Conway
- Luke Fitzgerald
- Gina Heidkamp
- Maria Hertl
- Mary Horan
- Bernice Kiedysz
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- Marilyn Klein
- Sheila McGuire
- Larry McCauley
- Karey Myers
- Richard Seitz
- Bernadette Stanis
- Elinora E. Tolentino
- Manuel & Norma Viray
- Leon Ward
- Yyes Yoza
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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. | | | | |
