St. Gertrude Chicago

All are Welcome

1420 W. Granville,

Chicago, IL 60660

773.764.3621

stgertrude1420@stgertrudechicago.org

www.stgertrudechicago.org

Bulletin for Sunday, August 9, 2026

19th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Religious Education Registration Now Open

Registration for the 2026–2027 Religious Education program is open! We welcome children and families to grow in faith together through engaging classes, prayer, and community.

Classes begin in September.

Families can find the Religious Education calendar, parent handbook, registration forms, and tuition payment information in English and Spanish on our website at stgertrudechicago.org/religious-education. Registration may also be completed in person by appointment.

For questions, please contact Eloy Escamilla at eescamilla@stgertrudechicago.org.

Book Club is Tuesday

Join the St. Gertrude Book Club on Tuesday, August 11, at 6:30 pm in the Ministry Center, 6214 N. Glenwood Ave., as we discuss Mercy Street by Jennifer Haigh.

New members are always welcome, and we would love to hear your perspectives! For more information, contact Lea Cloninger at 773.213.0509.

Wednesday Mornings: Resting in God’s Presence

Take time each Wednesday to pause, pray, and reflect. Our contemplative prayer group meets at 9:00 am in the Ministry Center Chapel (6214 N. Glenwood Ave.) for silent prayer, Scripture reflection, and spiritual reading.

Whether you're new to contemplative prayer or have years of experience, all are welcome.

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

Friendship Club is This Thursday, August 13

The St. Gertrude Women's Friendship Club meets on the second Thursday of each month in the Ministry Center, 6214 N. Glenwood Ave. Gatherings begin at 11:30 am, and participants are invited to bring a brown-bag lunch.

Join us for fellowship, conversation, and friendship!

Courtyard Conversation: What is My Relationship with God? Corrected Date: Wednesday, August 12

We invite you to join us on Wednesday, August 12, for a thoughtful, reflective conversation as we 

reflect upon God's presence and, perhaps, God's absence in our lives. Please note the date for this event has been corrected. 

Am I satisfied with my relationship with God? Have there been times when that relationship has been a source of comfort and peace? Have there been times when God has seemed absent?

Am I always doing the talking/asking or do I take time to be still and quiet, to listen to what God is saying to me? What ways have I found to deepen my relationship with God?

Each of us has their own answer to these and to similar questions. Come and share your insights, your struggles, and your hopes as we listen and learn from one another.

We will gather in the courtyard between the church and Ministry Center from 7:00 – 8:30 pm. If you are able, please bring your own chair. (Rain location: Ministry Center Chapel)

~ Sponsored by the Adult Spirituality and Formation Committee

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 Masses/Communion services. Please consider joining us in church—we would love to have you!

Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership (CSPL)

St. Gertrude is a member of the Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership (CSPL), a Chicago-based organization that puts Catholic social teaching into action.



Upcoming Events

• Wednesday, August 19, 5:30–8 p.m. – CSPL Membership Assembly at Chicago Theological Union (5416 S. Cornell Ave.).
• Saturday, August 29, 1:30–3 p.m. – St. Gertrude CSPL Team Meeting in the Ministry Center. Meet fellow parishioners and learn how to support our parish's social justice efforts.

For more information or to register for the Membership Assembly, contact Jeanne Rattenbury at jeanne.rattenbury@gmail.com. All are welcome!

Next Care for Real Collection is 

August 22-23

Please support our neighbors in need by bringing nonperishable food and other essential items to our Care for Real Collection before and after all Masses on August 22-23.

Our Care for Real collections takes place on the first and fourth weekend of each month. We hope you’ll consider taking part again. 

For the most up-to-date list of needed items and links to Care for Real's social media pages, visit linktr.ee/cfrchicago. 

Thank you for your generosity! 

Growing in Faith

I know there’s a recommendation out there to close each day with something more formal: reviewing your day, noticing where you felt peace or struggle, and giving thanks. For me, however, “reviewing my day” just wakes me up and may even stress me out (what still needs to be done or should’ve been done differently).

No, ’tis better to see what wordless image floats up as I drift off. The clouds. The particular shade of blue in the sky. Flowers along the neighbor’s walkway. The face of a child looking up at me. Huh. Things that I hadn’t even noticed I had noticed during the course of the day. (I’ve come to understand that famous poem—“so much depends upon / a red wheelbarrow / glazed with rainwater / beside the white chickens”—is saying the same thing.) Which is what?

That these images are “the Lord passing by”—the same Lord with Elijah on the mountain in Sunday’s first reading. They are the Lord’s tiny whispering sound, an experience of God’s tangible presence in my life.

May it be so for you, as you drift off to sleep tonight.

- Madeleine Philbin

Interested in Becoming Catholic or Completing Your Sacraments?

Registration for the 2026–2027 Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) process is also open.

OCIA (formerly known as RCIA) is the process through which adults learn about the Catholic faith and discern whether they are called to become members of the Catholic Church.

Many participants are people who have never been baptized or who were baptized in another Christian tradition and are interested in exploring the Catholic faith. Others are baptized Catholics who have not yet received the Sacraments of Eucharist or Confirmation, or who simply want to deepen their understanding of their faith.

The OCIA journey is one of prayer, learning, reflection, and community. Through weekly gatherings, participants explore Scripture, share their faith stories, learn about Catholic beliefs and traditions, and participate in the life of the parish. Those who are ready to enter the Catholic Church receive the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil.

Classes will begin in September.

If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about OCIA at St. Gertrude, contact Eloy Escamilla by calling the Rectory at 773.764.3621 or emailing eescamilla@stgertrudechicago.org.

Music for Mass This Summer

This graphic outlines the Mass parts we will be using throughout the summer to help everyone participate with confidence.

The opening, offertory, communion, and closing hymns will continue to be posted on the hymn board before Mass and announced as the liturgy begins. Thank you for joining in prayer and song as we worship together each week.

Liturgical Ministry Training This September

Share your gifts and become more involved in the celebration of the Mass by serving in one of our liturgical ministries.

Please note that each ministry has its own training date:

• Lector and Eucharistic Minister Training: Monday, September 21, at 6:30 pm in the church. Youth and adults are invited to attend.

• Altar Server Training: Monday, September 28, at 6:30 pm in the church. Students in 4th grade and older are welcome.

To learn more, contact Eloy Escamilla at eescamilla@stgertrudechicago.org.

Scholarships Available at Northside Catholic Academy

NCA is still enrolling students in Pre-K through 8th grade! New scholarship opportunities funded by the Archdiocese of Chicago can help make an NCA education more affordable:

• Transfer Scholarships are available to students entering grades 1–8 who are transferring from a public school. Awards are need-based and renewable.
• Welcome Scholarships are available for up to two years (up to $3,500) for students entering Kindergarten–8 who are transferring from any school. Awards are not based on financial need.
• 

Learn more, schedule a tour, or begin your application at northsidecatholic.org.

Wildcat Street Fest



Celebrate with the NCA community at the Wildcat Street Fest on Saturday, September 12 from 11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. at 6216 N. Glenwood Ave. Enjoy food, drinks, games, entertainment and family-friendly fun while supporting Northside Catholic Academy. Learn more at https://www.northsidecatholic.org/support-nca/street-fest.cfm

NCA Cornhole Classic

Join us Saturday, September 12 at 11:00 a.m. for NCA’s annual Cornhole Classic during the Wildcat Street Fest! Players of all skill levels are welcome.

Registration is $50 per person or $100 per team, with proceeds supporting NCA Athletics and youth sports programs. Parishioners, alumni, neighbors, and all skill levels are welcome to join this entertaining event. Learn more and register at https://www.northsidecatholic.org/parents.

NCA Is Hiring: Part-Time PreK Spanish Instructor



Northside Catholic Academy is seeking a native or fully fluent Spanish speaker to provide engaging Spanish instruction to PreK students for 60 minutes each school day, preferably in the morning. This 10-month position also includes one paid training session each month.

No teaching experience is required. Paid training, curriculum, and materials are provided. Candidates with Latino heritage and cultural knowledge who are excited to share their language and culture with young learners are especially encouraged to apply.

Compensation is $22 per hour. Contact Principal Terese Black at tblack@ncaschools.com for more information.

New Parishioners

• Sandra Marquez
• Georgette and Robert Yammine

Ministers of the Word

• Saturday, August 8 at 5:00 pm - Joseph Tomasello, Jennifer Kiedaisch
• Sunday, August 9 at 8:00 am - Kathryn Stimac, Mary Clare Barker
• Sunday, August 9 at 10:30 am - Edie Sheridan, Theo Fletcher

Eucharistic Ministers

• Saturday, August 8 at 5:00 pm - Kathleen Wall
• Sunday, August 9 at 8:00 am - Hallie Burhoe
• Sunday, August 9 at 10:30 am - Troy McMillan, Ellen Pierce, Patrick Robinson

Altar Servers

• Saturday, August 8 at 5:00 pm - cross bearer: Raiden Cruz
• Sunday, August 9 at 10:30 am - cross bearer: Jayson Ameyaw; acolyte: Adaobi Okoli, Mathios Paulos

Upcoming Mass Intentions


Monday, August 10: 7:30 am - Communion Service

Tuesday, August 11: 7:30 am 

Wednesday, August 12: 7:30 am

Thursday, August 13: 7:30 am

Friday, August 14: 7:30 am - Virginia Daries+

Saturday, August 15: 5:00 pm - Maria del Rosario Gutierrez+

Sunday, August 16: 8:00 am; 10:30 am - Peter Joaquim+ and Alice D'Souza+ 

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.