St. Gertrude Chicago

All are Welcome

1420 W. Granville,

Chicago, IL 60660

773.764.3621

stgertrude1420@stgertrudechicago.org

www.stgertrudechicago.org

Bulletin for Sunday, November 10, 2024

32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

From Fr. Mike Gabriel

Next weekend, we will be celebrating the Feast of St. Gertrude, our parish's patron saint. Like the early Christian community who embraced their new life and faith, so do we.

The heart and soul of our parish is being welcoming; we want to keep that alive. As we celebrate this spirit next weekend, think of someone you know who might just need that extra invite to come to church with someone.

We will be celebrating the Sacrament of Anointing at all the masses next weekend. The anointing is for anyone who is suffering, short term or chronic illness, or anything in between. It may be physical, psychological, or emotional health issues.

Other Upcoming Events: CCHD and a Blood Drive

On November 16th-17th , we will welcome Ed Jacobs, who will be speaking on behalf of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development. There are envelopes at the back of Church this weekend for the second collection, planned for the weekend of November 23rd-24th.

Next Sunday, November 17, we will also be hosting a blood drive after the masses.

The Future of St. Gertrude Parish

As you will see below in the article from the Parish Council, they are holding some listening sessions and opportunities for you share qualities you would like to see in the next pastor and the future direction of our parish.

I'd like to add this thought as you put your thoughts together as St. Gertrude’s moves forward. It is hard to believe that it has been just two months since we had terrible hurricanes and wildfires, in the midst of wars popping up all around us. And as I write this, it's at the end of a political campaign, and the list goes on. II find myself overwhelmed with all the brutalities and tragedies in this world.

The flip side of all this is the realization of how many aspects of our lives we depend on others, people we know, and people we never will meet and will never know. The reality is we are truly in this together. That is how we survive. We need one another. As human beings we are created as social creatures, and we live and breath and move in community with others.

There is a radical individualism which infects our society, our politics, and our communities, and it scares me. It betrays itself in the concern for me and mine to the exclusion of all others. We so easily tend to see others as threats to my getting what I want, rather than people with whom I share the goods of this earth. At the heart of church’s teaching about a just society is the idea of the “common good.” It affirms that we are all created in the image and likeness of God.

Veterans Day is November 11

Thank you to veterans and those presently serving our country in the military. Your service

protects our democracy and freedom, in which we are forever grateful. Please keep them all in our prayers.

Weekly Caregiver-Toddler Playdates at NCA

Looking after your child/children or caring for a little one? You're invited to our weekly get-together for caregivers and toddlers! Held at Northside Catholic Academy, 6216 N. Glenwood, every Monday morning from 9:30 - 10:30 am, the hour is filled with a story, craft, and sing-a-long for kids, and adult interactions for the grown-ups.

RSVP to gmalfatti@ncaschools.com.

Book Club Gathering is Tuesday, November 12 (New Meeting Day!)

The book club will discuss The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Dare on Tuesday, November 12. Please note, we now meet on the second Tuesday of the month! The gathering is at 7:00 pm in the Ministry Center, located at 6214 North Glenwood Avenue.  

We would love new voices and opinions!

Contact Lea Cloninger at her new number, 773.213.0509, or Sue Benjamin at 773.551.8401 with questions.

Women's Friendship Club Gathering on November 14

St. Gertrude Women's Friendship Club meets monthly on the second Thursday of every month in the Ministry Center. The gathering begins at 11:30 am, attendees should bring their own (brown bag) lunch. Dessert is provided!

Their next gathering is Thursday, November 14. Consider yourself invited!

Parish Council Listening Sessions Scheduled

The parish pastoral council (PPC) would like to thank everyone that came out and participated at the town hall on October 27 and the pre-election prayer service on November 4.

We are currently in the process of a pastoral search. The PPC will be hosting listening sessions on the following dates/times:

• Thursday, November 14 from 7:00-8:00 pm in the Ministry Center
• Sunday, November 17 from 11:30 am-1:00 pm in the Gym
• Tuesday, November 19 from 8:15-9:30 am in the Ministry Center

We ask that you reflect on the following questions:

• What three (or more?) qualities would you like to see in a new pastor?
• What are the top three (or more?) priorities you see for the new pastor.
• If there were one thing you would want the new pastor to know about St. Gertrude's, what would that be?

If you are unable to attend a session, please complete the survey found in the back of church or you can scan the QR code.

Commonweal Dialogue Event Planned for Friday, November 15

All interested parishioners and friends are invited to the next Commonweal Dialogue Friday night conversation. Planned for Friday, November 15 from 6:30-8:30 pm, the topic is After the Election: Catholics, Political Parties, and the Way Forward. It will be held in the Ministry Center.

Wine and pizza will be served! Please rsvp to one of the co-chairs listed below so that we will have enough pizza.

All are welcome!

Denise DeBelle (ddebelle@gmail.com)

Verna Foster (vfoster@luc.edu)

John Williams (joolikar@gmail.com)

Parish Blood Drive Planned for Sunday, November 17

The next blood drive at St. Gertrude Church is Sunday, November 17 from 8:00 am–1:00 pm. The Vitalant Bloodmobile will be located on Glenwood Avenue in front of the entrance to St. Gert's. 

Blood donors are greatly needed in our area to help local patients. Every blood donation can save up to 3 lives in our community!

Please prepare for your donation by eating well and hydrating before your appointment. Additionally, bring ID.

To schedule your donation, scan the QR code in the image, call Vitalant at 877.258.4825 or register online at vitalant.org and use code ORD00591. Walk-ins are welcome!

ECRA Interfaith Thanksgiving Service - Sunday, November 24 at Ebenezer Lutheran

The Edgewater Community Religious Association (ECRA) is an interfaith association of religious organizations who work toward fostering friendships and understanding of other faiths, nurture a thriving and just neighborhood, and create solutions to local problems.

ECRA hosts an annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service benefiting Care for Real that bring together Catholics, Baptists, Lutherans, Methodists, Presbyterians, as well as our friends from the Jewish, Muslim, and Hindu faith.

All are invited to this year's service on Sunday, November 24 from 2:00-4:00 pm , hosted this year at Ebenezer Lutheran Church, 1650 W. Foster Ave.

Attendees are encouraged to share their bounty with the food insecure in our neighborhood. Visit https://careforreal.org/wishlist/ to see Care for Real's wish list! A reception will follow the service.

Order Your Trees, Garland, and Wreaths from St. Gert’s Annual Greenery Sale! 

St. Gertrude is once again hosting our annual Christmas greenery sale, with a limited number of balsam pine trees, wreaths, and garland available for purchase. Our Christmas greenery sale is a great opportunity for parishioners to get ready for the holidays while supporting St. Gertrude ministries. 

Each 6’ Christmas tree is $55. Three different sized wreaths are available—the 18” wreath is $25, the 24” is $27, and the 36” is $35. Garland is also available for $40 per 5’ length. 

Order Online

Purchase greenery online at https://bit.ly/StGertsChristmasGreenery or by scanning the QR code.

Order via Paper Form

A paper order form is available for download at https://stgertrudechicago.org/christmas-greenery.

Forms and checks or cash can be dropped off at the Rectory office, 1420 W. Granville Ave or placed in the mail slot in the side (west) red door next to the Rectory side yard if the Rectory office is closed.

Checks should be made out to St. Gertrude. Please note "Greenery" in the memo line. 

Deliveries

Deliveries will be offered for a $6 fee. They will take place on Saturday, December 7 and Saturday, December 14 from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm. The greenery team will do their best to accommodate your preferred delivery date and will reach out to notify you when to expect your order. 

Please note, the boundaries for deliveries are north to Oakton, south to Irving Park, and east of the North Shore Channel.

In-Person Sales

Greenery will also be sold at the playlot on the west side of the Social Hall, 1401 W. Granville Avenue, on the first four Sundays of December: the 1st, 8th, 15th, and 22nd from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm. Only cash and checks will be accepted for in-person purchases.

Questions? Contact St. Gertrude Business Manager Eduardo Soto at esoto@stgertrudechicago.org or call the Rectory at 773.764.3621.

Youth Group Visit to the National Museum of Mexican Art

On Saturday, November 2, the youth group visited the National Museum of Mexican Art.

The teens viewed exhibitions capturing the wide range of Mexican cultural expressions and art forms, from ancient to modern and on both sides of the U.S. - Mexican border. It was a great afternoon!

Growing in Faith: God’s Hands are Our Hands

The wonderful first reading from 1 Kings this weekend is a reminder that not only will God provide for us, he provides through us.  

We have this simple story of the poor widow in Zarephath. She is met by Elijah, who asks her for water and then a bit of bread. She and her son are starving and she only has a “handful of flour…and a little oil” which she thinks will be their last meal. Elijah asks her to go and make a cake for him from the flour and oil she has at home. And when she does, her oil and flour never run out for a year. Like the loaves and the fishes, God’s providence is manifested. But in this story, it is Elijah who is the agent of God’s providence.  

My friend, Terry, told me about a Mexican playwright named Wilberto Canton who wrote a play called Nosotros somos Dios, which translated means We are God. And it is about someone who stood up to protect those he loved. His life was sacrificed in the act of stepping forward. He, through his actions, was the agent of God’s providence.  

I believe God doesn’t work through smoke and mirrors. He works through us. Each of us have stories in our lives of miracles that have happened. I was in a car accident years ago that should have killed me. Instead, it changed my life; but not without the intervention of many “agents” along the way.

“God’s Hands are Our Hands.” Amen. 

~ Claire Conley

Thank you for Supporting Care for Real

Thank you to the many parishioners who dropped off donations for Care for Real this weekend for asylum seekers and two weekends ago for our other neighbors in need!

We are so grateful for your help supporting them as they work to provide food and much-needed supplies to our neighbors who are struggling.   Our collection drive for Care for Real is always the fourth calendar weekend every month, and our asylum seekers’ collection is the first weekend of each month. 

Eucharistic Ministers

• Saturday, November 9 at 5:00 pm - Kathy Wall
• Sunday, November 10 at 8:00 am - Kathryn Stimac
• Sunday, November 10 at 10:30 am - Rafael Melendez, Annie Hasselbeck, Stephen Hasselbeck

Upcoming Mass Intentions

• Monday, November 11: 7:30 am - All those who have served in the military
• Tuesday, November 12: 7:30 am - Frank Stryczek, Jr.+
• Wednesday, November 13: 7:30 am - June Gerdes+
• Thursday, November 14: 7:30 am - Communion Service; Alan Jackson
• Friday, November 15: 7:30 am - Purgatorial Society
• Saturday, November 16: 7:30 am - Lillian McCall+; 5:00 pm - George Cenar, Sr.+
• Sunday, November 17: 8:00 am - Carol Shields; 10:30 am - Juanita Tallo+, Ramon Rosales; 10:30 am Gym Mass - People of God

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.