St. Gertrude Chicago

All are Welcome

1420 W. Granville,

Chicago, IL 60660

773.764.3621

stgertrude1420@stgertrudechicago.org

www.stgertrudechicago.org

Bulletin for Sunday, July 12, 2026

15th Sunday in Ordinary Time

The Divine Sower

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus tells the familiar parable of the sower, but the story is about much more than seeds. It invites us to look honestly at the condition of our own hearts. At different moments in life, we may recognize ourselves in each type of soil. Disappointments can harden us, making it difficult to hear God’s voice. Worries, busy schedules, and competing priorities can crowd out the space where faith grows. Sometimes our enthusiasm fades when following Christ becomes challenging.

The good news is that our hearts are never beyond God’s care. Just as a gardener prepares the earth before planting, God patiently works within us, breaking through what has become hardened, removing what prevents growth, and creating room for new life. Every time we gather for Mass, pray with Scripture, or open ourselves to God in quiet reflection, the Divine Sower is at work again, offering grace with remarkable generosity.

Jesus reminds us that faith is meant to bear fruit. When God’s word takes root, it becomes visible in acts of kindness, forgiveness, compassion, generosity, and hope. Those small, faithful choices strengthen our families, enrich our parish, and bless our wider community.

This week, take a few moments each day to ask, “Lord, how are You preparing the soil of my heart?” Then trust that the One who never stops sowing will continue the good work He has begun in you.

Lending Closet Closed Until July 16

The Heart to Heart Lending Closet will be temporarily closed on July 9 and 14 and will reopen on Thursday, July 16.

During this time, donations and equipment requests will be paused. Thank you for your understanding, and we look forward to serving you again when we reopen. 

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!

Book Club is Tuesday

Join the St. Gertrude Book Club this Tuesday, July 14, at 6:30 pm in the Ministry Center, 6214 N. Glenwood Ave., as we discuss Six Days in Bombay by Alka Joshi.

On Tuesday, August 11, the group will review 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 Thursday, July 16

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!

Care for Real Collection: July 25–26 

Please support our neighbors in need by bringing nonperishable food and other essential items to our Care for Real Collection after all Masses on July 25–26. 

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! 

New Event Announced: A Courtyard Conversation: What is My Relationship with God? August 18th – 7:00 to 8:30 pm

Please consider joining in a thoughtful, reflective conversation with others as we reflect upon God’s presence and, perhaps, God’s absence in our lives.

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 on Tuesday, August 18 from 7:00pm – 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

Brewed at St. Gertrude Returns in September

Brewed at St. Gertrude will take a summer break during July and August. We look forward to gathering again for coffee, conversation, and fellowship after the 10:30 am Mass beginning in September.

Have a wonderful summer, and we'll see you then!

Growing in Faith

“As we wait for adoption” are haunting words St. Paul offers in today’s second reading.

My wife and I have the weighty privilege of welcoming foster children into our family, children who truly know what it is to wait for adoption. Throughout Paul’s writing, the distinction of being an heir is made in relation to our status in the family of God.

In Galatians, Paul writes, "So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God" (4:7). I never thought much of that word—heir—until we fell in love with our foster children and saw what it was to not be an heir, to not only have family who provide love and care, but to be without lineage. I am 52, and I still depend on the long line of family for security, wholeness, and identity. What would it be like to navigate the world without family? With only the state and its contracted agents stepping into the quasi-role?

To be without these, heir-less, is perhaps a reality St. Paul understood. As an orphan groans from the depths for a family to belong to, so we too groan to belong to the Beloved Community, to be adopted into the community that extends love and belonging not through transaction but by covenant.

While we ache for the foster children we love, and all those who have no family—and need to join Jesus in the work to ensure justice and care—we can trust the promise that all eventually find a home in the divine family.

~ Matthew Couture

2027 Mass Intentions Book Now Open

The 2027 Mass Intentions book is now open. If you would like to request a Mass intention for a loved one, please contact the Rectory office. If you would like to request a Mass intention for a loved one, please call, email (jcarrillo@stgertrudechicago.org), or come to the office (1420 W. Granville) during regular business hours.  

A suggested donation of $10 per Mass intention is requested. To provide as many families as possible the opportunity to schedule intentions, requests are limited to 10 Mass intentions per household each year.

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.

Edgewater Glen Garden Walk – Sunday, July 12

Come explore the beautiful gardens of East Edgewater Glen on Sunday, July 12, from 12:00 to 5:00 pm, rain or shine! This annual event showcases the creativity and hard work of local gardeners in the 1200 -1300 blocks of Edgewater Glen—all within an easy walking distance.

To attend the garden walk, please visit the registration table at the corner of Norwood St. and Glenwood Ave. The fee of $10 per person will get you a map of all the participating gardens. Electronic payment accepted, cash or check preferred.

New Parishioners

• The Copolnix family

Ministers of the Word

• Saturday, July 11 at 5:00 pm - Roman Reyes, Millie Slane
• Sunday, July 12 at 8:00 am - Kathryn Stimac, Anthony Myers
• Sunday, July 12 at 10:30 am - Rose Karasti, Sarah Millar

Eucharistic Ministers

• Saturday, July 11 at 5:00 pm - Tim Harrington
• Sunday, July 12 at 8:00 am - Hallie Burhoe
• Sunday, July 12 at 10:30 am - Steven Monti, Lisa Schneider, Michelle Kuehlhorn

Altar Servers

• Sunday, July 12 at 10:30 am - cross bearer: Adaobi Okoli; acolytes: Wyatt Dant, Angel Garcia

Upcoming Mass Intentions


Monday, July 13: 7:30 am - Communion Service

Tuesday, July 14: 7:30 am

Wednesday, July 15: 7:30 am

Thursday, July 16: Frederick Gusmanos+

Friday, July 17: 7:30 am - Marie Lannon+

Saturday, July 18: 5:00 pm

Sunday, July 19: 8:00 am; 10:30 am

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.