St. Gertrude Chicago

All are Welcome

1420 W. Granville,

Chicago, IL 60660

773.764.3621

stgertrude1420@stgertrudechicago.org

www.stgertrudechicago.org

Bulletin for Sunday, May 17, 2026

Ascension/Seventh Sunday of Easter

Thank You to our Catechists!  

Throughout this year, we have been blessed by the dedication, compassion, and faith-filled witness of the many volunteer catechists who generously shared their time and talents with our parish community through Religious Education, OCIA, and Kids Word. Their commitment to helping others grow in faith has made a lasting impact on children, families, and adults alike.

We are deeply grateful for the many volunteers who prepared lessons, shared their faith, prayed with our parishioners, and helped create welcoming spaces for learning and spiritual growth. Through their kindness, patience, and dedication, they helped bring the love of Christ to life within our parish community.

Thank you to all of our catechists and volunteers for your faithful service and generous hearts. May God bless you abundantly for the difference you make in the lives of so many.

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!

Care for Real Collection is May 23-24

St. Gertrude will host a collection drive for Care for Real on May 23-24. 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.

Gym Mass Schedule: Combined Mass in Church on May 24 (No Gym Mass)

On Sunday, May 24, there is no Gym Mass. Please join us for our 10:30 am mass in church.

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

Office Closed on Monday, May 25

Memorial Day is next weekend! Please note, the office will be closed on Monday, May 25.

A communion service will be held at 7:30 am.

Please keep in your prayers the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country, and all the loved ones who continue to carry their memory in their hearts.

Upcoming Youth Group Activities: Car Wash on May 30 and a Hot Dog Sale During the Edgewater Yard & Garden Sale on 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 car wash is planned for Saturday, May 30. Teens will be available to wash cars from 10:00 am-1:00 pm in the parish parking lot at the northwest corner of Thome and Glenwood. The cost is $15 per vehicle.

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.

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

Brewed at St. Gertrude Planned for May 31 

Make plans to stay after the 10:30 am Mass on Sunday, May 31 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!

Heart to Heart & Lending Closet News

The Heart to Heart Lending Closet is blessed by the generosity of people throughout Chicagoland, and right here at St. Gertrude Parish.

Parishioner Joe Donnelly recently donated a brand new wheelchair to the Lending Closet. Within a day, the wheelchair was en route to a young homeless man, a double amputee, who is currently living in a bus shelter. The social worker helping this young man called to thank us for the "Cadillac of a wheelchair" and to let us know how deeply appreciative the young man was.

Thank you to Joe and to all whose continued support of our ministry allows us to help those who call.

(Pictured: Joe Donnelly and Marilyn Klein. Marilyn and Joe, parishioners in their 90s, both spent years as volunteer drivers for Heart to Heart. They continue finding ways to support our Ministry. Do you have time to give? Reach out to the Heart to Heart office at 872.296.2537!)

~ Laurie Hasbrook, Lending Closet Manager

Growing in Faith

“Christ [is seated] far above every principality, authority, power and dominion” Eph.1:21

On this Armed Forces weekend, I remember human moments between people of all faiths:

The picture above is from my third deployment to Iraq on Ash Wednesday 2023. There was no Catholic chaplain at Al-Asad Airbase then, so they’re technically Lutheran ashes. (They welcomed all to their service.) I received the ashes just before meeting with our Muslim Iraqi counterparts nearby, who would greet us with dates, candy, and chai.

On my second deployment to Iraq in 2007, my Humvee passed a destroyed building that clearly had once displayed a Christian cross on top. Surprised, I asked my Iraqi interpreter about it. He paused to think of the right terminology and said, “That’s where the Christians used to store their virgin women. But then the insurgents bombed the building.” Meaning, it was a former convent before the U.S. invasion.

My commander on that deployment was Jewish. He mentioned that Iraq had a thriving Jewish community until they were exiled. Their sacred religious texts were confiscated and later found by U.S. forces at the captured Iraqi intelligence headquarters.



Now that the Middle East is again wracked with uncertain, violent war, I hope we can move beyond fighting over ‘principality, authority, power, and dominion’ and aspire to the ideals written by Brother Hermann Schalück, OFM. Here’s an excerpt:

“All, Muslims, Christians and Members of the People of Israel,

Earnestly aspire to reconciliation…

Lord, have all those of good will from all Religions,

In the North and South, in the East and West, in common responsibility,

Demolish the mountain of misunderstanding...

Fill in the trenches of hatred... and

Make smooth the paths towards a common future.

Make the guns silent in our one world and have, instead, 

The appeals for peace resound ever stronger... 

For all, without distinction.

O Lord, the one God.”

~ Sean Williams 

Easter Flower Offering Envelopes

• For Marilou, Carmelita, and Zanita Velasquez from Joel and Edith Velasquez
• In Memory of John Staggs II from Mary Clare Barker
• In Memory of Sheila Ward from Leon Ward
• In Memory of Feliza and Mylene Velasquez and Enriqueta Vendiola from Joel and Edith Velasquez
• In Memory of The Strubbe & Galoney Families from Marie Galoney
• In Honor and Memory of Sr. Maggie McGinn B.V.M. from Marilyn Klein
• In Memory of Lilder and Albert Sherrod from Pamela Sherrod Anderson
• In Memory of Jon Anderson from Pamela Sherrod Anderson
• In Memory of Billy Tobin from Dorothea and Mike Tobin
• In Memory of Ricardo Binalber
• In Memory of Maria José Fereira de Souza from Ana Ward
• In Memory of Mr. and Mrs. A. Escara
• In Memory of Warren Meintz from Jacalyn Meier
• In Memory of Jeanette Cordero from Cristina Cordero

We are offering an opportunity to celebrate someone in your life, living or deceased, during the Easter season. Please consider making an Easter Flower offering in their name.

Envelopes are available in the back of the Church and may be placed in the collection basket or sent to Rectory. The names of those honored will be published in the bulletin during the Easter season.

Parish Directory Update & Orders — Available Until May 31

We are finalizing our parish directory! If you did not have your photo taken, we invite you to update your household information to ensure your details are included.

Forms are available at the back of the church, or you may submit your information using the QR code or at https://bit.ly/StGertsDirectoryUpdateForm.

If you had your photo taken, a complimentary directory will be provided. For those who did not have a photo taken, you may still purchase a copy of the directory using the same form or online options.



Thank you for helping us create an accurate and complete parish directory!

Come to NCA's Open House on Saturday, May 16



Discover Northside Catholic Academy at our upcoming Open House on Saturday, May 16 from 1:00–3:00 pm.

Families with children enrolling in PreK–8th grade for the 2026-27 school year are invited to tour our campus, meet teachers and current families, and see how NCA forms minds that think, hearts that love, and hands that serve. Children are welcome! Come see what makes our school community so special.

Register on our website: https://www.northsidecatholic.org/admissions/open-houses-play-dates.cfm

Summer Camp at NCA



Looking for an affordable, fun, and enriching summer for your child? Northside Catholic Academy’s Summer Camp offers engaging weekly themes, outdoor play, creative activities, and time with friends.

Open to children ages 3+, our camp is led by caring staff who help each child grow, explore, and have fun. You do not have to be an NCA student to attend! Flexible scheduling and sibling discounts are available.

Learn more and register at https://www.northsidecatholic.org/student-life/summer-camp.cfm.

Ministers of the Word

• Saturday, May 16 at 8:00 pm - Martin Waide, Christine Lincoln
• Sunday, May 17 at 8:00 am - Jay Cook, Suzanne Teberg
• Sunday, May 17 at 10:30 am - Rose Karasti, Ellen Pierce

Eucharistic Ministers

• Saturday, May 16 at 8:00 pm - Kathy Wall
• Sunday, May 17 at 8:00 am - Mary Clare Barker
• Sunday, May 17 at 10:30 am - Tim Love, Michelle Kuehlhorn, Bob Backis

Altar Servers

• Saturday, May 16 at 8:00 pm - cross bearer: Danna Salinas; acolyte: Wyatt Dant
• Sunday, May 17 at 10:30 am - cross bearer: Viviana Love; acolytes: Mary Kate Cashman, Mathios Paulos

Upcoming Mass Intentions


• Monday, May 18: 7:30 am - Communion Service
• Tuesday, May 19: 7:30 am - Petra Romo+
• Wednesday, May 20: 7:30 am - Patricia Meade+
• Thursday, May 21: 7:30 am - Mary Jo Martin+
• Friday, May 22: 7:30 am
• Saturday, May 23: 5:00 pm - Candida Baez+
• Sunday, May 24: 8:00 am; 10:30 am - For the people

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.