St. Gertrude Chicago

All are Welcome

1420 W. Granville,

Chicago, IL 60660

773.764.3621

stgertrude1420@stgertrudechicago.org

www.stgertrudechicago.org

29th Sunday in Ordinary Time

October 18, 2026

Thank You, Fr. Mike Bradley!

Congratulations to Fr. Mike Bradley on completing his 23rd Chicago Marathon in 6:57:22, running in support of Saint Gertrude Parish’s Heart to Heart ministry!

A heartfelt thank-you to Fr. Mike for his dedication and generosity, and to everyone who donated, purchased a T-shirt, or cheered him on. Your support makes a difference!

It’s not too late to donate! Heart to Heart serves residents in Edgewater and nearby neighborhoods, providing transportation to grocery stores, medical appointments, and church, as well as friendly phone calls and pastoral visits. The ministry also operates the Heart to Heart Lending Closet, providing durable medical equipment to individuals, families, and social service agencies throughout Chicagoland. This ministry couldn't exist without the support of people like you!

Thank you, Fr. Mike, for putting your faith into action! And thank you to everyone who helped make this fundraiser a success!

This Weekend is World Mission Sunday: 
One in Christ, United in Mission

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, 

This year marks the 100th celebration of World Mission Sunday, a day set apart for prayer, reflection and contributing to the Church’s mission of evangelization. This year’s theme—one in Christ, united in mission—was chosen by Pope Leo XIV and it invites us to rediscover the profound unity we share in Christ through baptism. Pope Leo explains, “The more united we are in Christ, the better able we will be to carry out together the mission that he entrusted to us.”

We also recognize that the Archdiocese of Chicago, through The Society for the Propagation of the Faith, has been organizing global mission support for 100 years. We are proud to say that, over the past century, our communities have engaged in forming missionary awareness and promoting a network of prayer and charity that connects our local church with communities in need throughout the world. 

On World Mission Sunday, we stand in solidarity with ad gentes missionaries serving in 1,130 mission dioceses in areas that are often challenging, poor, conflict-ridden or remote. These missionaries depend on our prayers and financial support to continue proclaiming Christ and building His Church. Our donations generously given through this pontifical collection help missionaries share the greatest treasure we can offer: Christ himself and his Gospel.

Let us pray for the gift of young people and adults who will follow the example of our own Pope Leo XIV and leave everything behind to follow Christ, even to the ends of the earth. May we always place Christ at the center of our lives and our communities so that the whole world may believe. Wishing you every blessing, with kind regards, I remain,

Sincerely yours in Christ, 

Cardinal Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago 

Gym Mass Happening This Weekend

There WILL be Gym Masses on October 18 and October 25.

Due to the priest shortage, the 10:30 am Gym Mass schedule is planned one week in advance. Please check the e-bulletin for the most current schedule, or contact the parish office at 773-764-3621, Monday–Friday, 8:30 am–4:30 pm, or email news@stgertrudechicago.org.

We look forward to gathering with you!

This Sunday, October 18: Brewed at St. Gertrude

Make plans to stay after the 10:30 am Mass this Sunday, October 18 for “Brewed at St. Gertrude,” our monthly gathering for coffee and community in the Social Hall. It’s a wonderful chance to slow down, connect, and enjoy some time together.

We’ll have a selection of pastries along with coffee, tea, and hot cocoa. Everyone is welcome—whether you’ve been part of the parish for years or are just getting to know the community, we’d love to have you join us!

Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership: Listening Sessions

St. Gertrude is a member of CSPL, the Chicago-based organization that has led the internationally recognized effort to minister to migrants detained at the Broadview Detention Center. CSPL helps people understand their faith differently and empowers them to act boldly to improve lives and communities.

A small team of St. Gertrude parishioners is conducting 1:1 conversations with others in our church community to learn about the social justice issues they care about. The purpose is to determine which issues we might best respond to as a parish and as part of CSPL. If you would like to participate, please contact Jeanne Rattenbury: jeanne.rattenbury@gmail.com. 

Poetry Pilgrims: Next Online Meeting is Monday, October 19

Poetry Pilgrims will meet on Monday, October 19, at 7:30 pm via Zoom to read and discuss the poetry of Wendell Berry.

New members are always welcome, and no literary expertise is necessary. If you have a passion for—or even a curiosity about—poetry and how this particularly rich form of language can impact your life, please join us.

We learn from the poets and poems selected for each session, as well as from one another’s observations and insights. We meet for about an hour and a half on the third Monday of each month.

For more information, please contact Rose Marie Anichini at irma71@aol.com.

Save the Date: Forum on Magnifica Humanitas

Join Commonweal Action/Commonweal Dialogue on Friday, October 23, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm in the Social Hall for an evening of timely and thought-provoking discussion on Pope Leo’s recent encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, which explores humanity and artificial intelligence.

Professor Joseph Vukov, Associate Professor of Philosophy and Associate Director of the Hank Center for the Catholic Intellectual Heritage at Loyola University Chicago, will lead the forum and discuss the importance and implications of the encyclical for all of us as we navigate the rapidly changing world of artificial intelligence.

You are encouraged to read Magnifica Humanitas before the forum. Read the encyclical on the Vatican website. Come anyway if you don't have time to read it!

Be prepared for an enlightening evening with timely and lively discussion. Pizza and wine will be served, and contributions to share are gratefully welcomed.

Share What You Can: Care for Real Collection Planned for October 24-25

Our community has an ongoing opportunity to put compassion into action. Next weekend, please bring nonperishable food and other essential items to the Care for Real Collection before or after any Mass at St. Gertrude.



Throughout the year, St. Gertrude partners with Care for Real by holding collections on the first and fourth weekends of each month. These regular collections allow us to respond to changing needs in our neighborhood and ensure that families and individuals have access to basic necessities.

Not sure what to bring? For Care for Real’s current wish list and links to its social media pages, visit linktr.ee/cfrchicago.

Thank you for sharing what you can. Every donation, large or small, is a reminder to our neighbors that they are cared for and not alone.

November is the Month of Remembrance

Altar of Remembrance/Book of the Dead 

Beginning next weekend, we invite you to bring a photo for the Altar of Remembrance, which will be located in front of the St. Thérèse Shrine at the front of the church. Photos may be placed at any time and can be picked up Thanksgiving weekend. 

Please include your phone number on the back of each photo.

The Book of the Dead will be located there. Everyone is invited to inscribe the names of their deceased loved ones in the book. These names will be read during the Mass of Remembrance.

Mass of Remembrance on All Souls Day

Each year, during the month of November, we remember in a special way all those who have died in our parish, as well as the deceased loved ones of our parishioners. On All Souls Day, Monday, November 2, we will celebrate a special Mass at 6:30 p.m. During the Mass, we will pray for everyone inscribed in the Book of the Dead, as well as the names of those who have died in the past year (November 2025 to the present).

Growing in Faith: The Beatitudes

Each beatitude begins with the words “blessed are those...” But the Greek word behind that translation literally means to be “enlarged” or “fulfilled.” So perhaps the beatitudes make us “blessed” because they awaken our spiritual potential.



But what is our potential? Today’s reading from the first letter of John tells us: “We are God’s children now; what we shall be later has not yet been revealed…When it is revealed, we shall be like God.” It’s as if we have a latent seed of God in us! The beatitudes invite us to grow that seed till we become “like God” as fully as we can.

Those “poor in spirit” are enlarging their capacity to receive God’s grace and share that grace with others. They let go of thinking they can “do it all by themselves.”

“Those who mourn” grieve the ways they have stunted the life that God offers. Their grief calls them to conversion and inspires them to serve others generously.

“The meek” have grown beyond aggression and violence by developing patience, humility and gentleness in their personal relationships and in society at large.

Those “who hunger and thirst for righteousness” seek both personal moral integrity and commitment to seek justice in the world.

The “pure of heart” have discovered God’s unconditional love and are learning to see God in all things.

The “peacemakers” cultivate peace in their own hearts and seek ways to foster peace with their neighbors, their country, and their world.

Jim Neafsey

Domestic Violence: How We Can Help

Domestic violence affects millions of people and can take many forms, including physical abuse, emotional manipulation, threats, and financial control. Those experiencing abuse may feel frightened, isolated, or unsure where to turn for help.

We can make a difference by listening without judgment, believing survivors, and reminding them that the abuse is not their fault. Rather than pressuring someone to leave an abusive relationship, offer support, respect their privacy, and help them find resources when they are ready.

As a community, we can foster an environment where survivors feel safe seeking help and know they are not alone.

For confidential support, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-SAFE (7233), text START to 88788, or visit thehotline.org.

Upcoming Changes to Our Parish Bulletin

We are excited to announce some upcoming changes to the St. Gertrude parish bulletin. In the coming weeks, we will be transitioning to a new printing company, LPI.

As part of this transition, the back page of our bulletin will feature advertisements from local businesses. This will help offset the cost of printing and allow us to continue providing a quality weekly bulletin to our parish community.

If you own or operate a local business, we invite you to consider advertising in our bulletin. It’s a wonderful way to support St. Gertrude while connecting your business with members of our parish community.

Interested in learning more? Please email news@stgertrudechicago.org, and we will put you in contact with LPI for additional information.

We are grateful to our parishioners and local businesses for supporting St. Gertrude and helping make our bulletin possible each week.

New Parishioners

• Mikaila Chamblee-Barbaza and Roland Barbaza
• Kimberley Danna and Benjamin, Rachel, and Joel Mulick
• Margaret Gonzalez

Ministers of the Word

• Saturday, October 17 at 5:00 pm - Roman Reyes, Joseph Tomasello
• Sunday, October 18 at 8:00 am - Jennifer Kiedaisch, Kathryn Stimac
• Sunday, October 18 at 10:30 am - Arthur Lyons, Theo Fletcher

Eucharistic Ministers

• Saturday, October 17 at 5:00 pm - Millie Slane
• Sunday, October 18 at 8:00 am - Peter Morin
• Sunday, October 18 at 10:30 am - Mary Clare Barker, Michael Kowalsky, Lisa Schneider

Altar Servers

• Saturday, October 17 at 5:00 pm - cross bearer: Carter Dant; acolyte: Wyatt Dant, Raiden Cruz
• Sunday, October 18 at 10:30 am - cross bearer: Camille Boquiren; acolytes: Micah Boquiren, Diarmuid McKeown

Upcoming Mass Intentions


• Monday, October 19: 7:30 am - Communion Service
• Tuesday, October 20: 7:30 am - Bob Gallagher+
• Wednesday, October 21: 7:30 am - Emmanuel Onyibor+
• Thursday, October 22: 7:30 am
• Friday, October 23: 7:30 am - John McCall+
• Saturday, October 24: 5:00 pm - Fr. William Kenneally+
• Sunday, October 25: 8:00 am; 10:30 am - Ramon Rosales+; Gym Mass - Joseph Terry Shields

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.