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 9, 2025

32nd Sunday of Ordinary Time

The Latest News at St. Gertrude

This Saturday: A Parish Play to Benefit Heart to Heart

Everyone is invited to a special performance benefiting Heart to Heart! On Saturday, November 8, the St. Gertrude Parish Players will present Nazareth Revelation—a Mike Tobin production featuring a Canadian cowboy love story filled with bandits, romance, and a daring train robbery.

The performance will be held in the Gym at 7:00 pm. Join us for an evening of fun and fellowship in support of a great cause!

A huge thank-you to everyone who helped make this a success — from our writer, Mike Tobin, to our amazing actors and behind-the-scenes crew. We are so grateful!

Heart to Heart and the Medical Lending Closet do incredible work here in Edgewater and across Chicago, touching the lives of so many. We’ll share more next week about the event and this wonderful parish ministry, but please know how thankful we are for such a supportive community!

If you’d like to support this vital ministry, please consider making a donation at givecentral.org/event/606.

Announcements in the Bulletin, E-Blasts, at Church, and Posted on Social Media

We’ve recently received a few questions about how information about parish events, updates, and neighborhood or Archdiocesan activities is shared. Here’s a quick overview:

Bulletins and Daily Reflections/Updates

Almost all of our information is gathered from our bulletins. Information is sent to stgertbulletin@yahoo.com, and should arrive about 10 days before the Sunday you’d like your announcement to appear. Early submissions are appreciated, as bulletin size can vary week to week, and both a print and e-bulletin are produced.

If you’ve signed up for our daily reflections, we include upcoming parish events or activities right after the prayers.

Announcements at Mass

We typically limit in-church announcements to three upcoming events, giving priority to parish-run activities happening over the next week. These are kept brief, as details such as times and locations can be found in the bulletin.

Social Media

We've been more active on social media, posting about everything on the bulletin and sharing some of our partners' posts too. Please consider following us on Instagram(@stgertrudeinchicago) or Facebook(@stgertrudechicago).

People's Mass Last Weekend at the Broadview Detention Center

More than 30 St. Gertrude parishioners, along with Fr. Sergio, came out to the People’s Mass outside the Broadview Detention last Saturday. Special thanks to the Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership (CSPL), especially the St. Gertrude team, for organizing this demonstration our love and solidarity with our immigrant brothers and sisters.

Photos courtesy of Deb Winarski.

Veterans Day is Tuesday, November 11

On this Veterans Day, we offer our heartfelt thanks to all who have served and to those currently serving in our nation’s military. Your courage and sacrifice protect the blessings of freedom that we hold dear.

May God bless our veterans and all who wear the uniform in service to others. Let us keep them—and their families—in our prayers, asking the Lord to watch over them and grant them peace.

The Rectory office and Heart for Heart will be open.

Book Club Gathering on Tuesday, November 11

Join us for a discussion of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel The Known World by Edward P. Jones on Tuesday, November 11 at 6:30 pm at the Ministry Center, 6214 W. Glenwood. New participants are always welcome!

For questions, contact Lea Cloninger (773.213.0509) or Sue Benjamin (773.551.8401).

Online Discussion on Rerum Novarum with Greg Pierce Planned for November 12: Free Copies of the Newly Updated Encyclical Available

In 1891, Pope Leo XIII issued Rerum Novarum (“Of New Things”), the landmark encyclical that launched modern Catholic social teaching on the dignity of work, workers’ rights, and the common good.

Former St. Gertrude parishioner Greg Pierce will host a Zoom discussion on its ongoing relevance on Wednesday, November 12, 7:00–8:15 pm. Greg recently published an updated, inclusive-language edition of the document, making it more accessible for modern readers. Participants will receive a free copy of the encyclical.

To register and receive the Zoom link, contact Gail Smith at 312.315.9896 or gailbeth316@yahoo.com.

Women's Friendship Club Gathering on November 13

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 13. Consider yourself invited!

Celebrate the Feast of St. Gertrude at our "Brewed at St. Gertrude" Next Sunday, November 16 

Join us on Sunday, November 16 as we celebrate the Feast of St. Gertrude! Like any family gathering, we’ll come together to share food, connect with one another, and look with hope toward the future.

After the 10:30 am mass in church (there is no Gym mass), all are invited to our monthly “Brewed at St. Gertrude” hospitality event in the Social Hall, featuring pastries, coffee, tea, and hot cocoa. All are welcome—new and long-time parishioners, families, and visitors!

Catholic Campaign for Human Development: Working on the Margins - Second Collection November 22-23

The annual Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) collection will take place the weekend before Thanksgiving. For more than 50 years, CCHD has partnered with community organizations to address the root causes of poverty in the United States.

By supporting groups that help people help themselves, CCHD works to break the cycle of poverty—an effort that lies at the very heart of our faith. Through CCHD grants, community members come together to create jobs, improve neighborhoods, keep schools safe and enriching for children, and raise up future leaders right here in the Archdiocese of Chicago.

The Next Care for Real Collection is November 22 and 23: SNAP Benefits and Food Pantries 

Our Care for Real collection drive is November 22 and November 23 before and after masses. 

Please note, our food-insecure neighbors, and Care for Real, are in urgent need of support. As of November 6, funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will only be partially funded for November.

According to the  U.S. Department of Agriculture, which oversees SNAP, this means that recipients will only receive about 50% of their usual monthly benefits in November, and it may be delayed. In Illinois alone, this impacts 1.9 million residents and food pantries like Care for Real are now facing an overwhelming surge in demand. Feeding America notes that for every one meal provided by food pantries, SNAP provides nine, underscoring that pantries alone cannot fill the gap. 

Please visit https://linktr.ee/cfrchicago for information about donating and links to their Facebook and Instagram pages to see what they are specifically looking for at this time.  

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.

We are so grateful for your help supporting Care for Real as they work to provide food and much-needed supplies to our neighbors who are struggling. 

ECRA Interfaith Thanksgiving Service - Sunday, November 23 at St. Andrew Greek Orthodox Church

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 23 from 3:00 pm, hosted this year at St. Andrew Greek Orthodox Church, located at 5649 N. Sheridan Rd. 

If you are able, please bring canned goods or a cash donated to share with our local food pantry, Care for Real.

Thanksgiving Weekend Office Closures

The Rectory office will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, November 27, as well as Friday, November 28. Mass will be held at 10:00 am.

The Heart to Heart office will be closed on Thanksgiving Day too.

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. 

In-Person Sales

Greenery will also be sold at the playlot on the west side of the Social Hall, 1401 W. Granville Avenue, on November 30, December 7, December 14, and December 21 from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm. Only cash and checks will be accepted for in-person purchases.

Online Orders and Paper Forms

The option to purchase greenery online or via paper forms will be available soon.

Deliveries

Deliveries will be offered for a $6 fee. They will take place on Sunday, December 7 and Sunday, December 14 from noon - 4:00 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.

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

Parish Photo Directory: Sign Up to Get Your Family Portrait Taken!



It’s time for a new St. Gertrude photo directory!

Photography sessions will take place December 18–20. Every participating household will receive a complimentary 8x10 portrait and a free parish directory.

You’ll be able to view your photos immediately and have the option to purchase additional portraits—perfect for keepsakes or holiday gifts.

Appointments can be made after Mass or online at schedule.ucdir.com (Church code: IL 457, Password: photos).

Questions? Email Jen Reyes at stgertrudeparishcouncil@gmail.com.

7th & 8th Grade Students: Essay Contest Entries Due December 22

Students in the 7th and 8th grade are invited to take part in our annual essay contest. Participants should write an essay based on this prompt: What is the impact of Christianity on human rights?

Entries should be 500-550 words. Spelling and grammar count!

The top three winners will receive gift cards and have their essays published online and in the bulletin.

Entries must be submitted online or postmarked by Monday, December 22, 2025. Email essays (preferred method) to eescamilla@stgertrudechicago.org or mail them to Eloy Escamilla, 1420 W. Granville, Chicago, IL 60660. 

Growing in Faith: Standing up for the Poor: Jesus’ Protest in the Temple

In the Gospel today, Jesus protests the mockery of God’s temple by the wealthy, powerful religious authorities who had turned the holy place of God’s reassuring love and faithfulness into a marketplace.

It was all about money. Birds or animals raised according to the Torah could only be purchased with the Tyrian shekel, which had a higher silver content. So people had to exchange their money—and they were already so poor! Jesus was inflamed, and he turned over all those tables, and the money went flying! God’s temple is a place of prayer for everyone.

This week, on November 10, we celebrate the feast day of Pope Leo the Great (440–461), a champion of the poor, who exhorted: “It is but godly and just that we too should help others with that which the Heavenly Father has mercifully bestowed on us. For there are full many who have no fields, no vineyards, no olive-groves, whose wants we must provide out of the store which God has given.” (Homily 16)

And how can we not think of our own Pope Leo XIV, the missionary to Peru’s poorest, who was himself inspired by Pope Leo XIII, “the Pope of the Workers”? This week, may we rededicate ourselves to stand up for the poor—in words and in loving actions of respectful care.

~ Sister Wendy Cotter, CSJ, Ph.D

Help Needed on our Sandwich Making Team

Our St. Gertrude Sandwich-Making Team is looking for an additional member to help prepare 35 bag lunches for our neighborhood Epworth Homeless Shelter. The group meets on the third Tuesday of each month, October through May, at 10:00 am in the Ministry Center.

Each group member purchases one item—bread, cheese, lunch meat, fruit, or chips—and brings it to the meeting, where the lunches are assembled. The item you are responsible for rotates monthly. Each session takes less than an hour.

If you are interested in helping on a regular basis, please contact Cecie Murphy at 773-338-3165 (h) or cmurphy@luc.edu.

Congratulations to Joe Donnelly, an Edgewater Treasure!

Longtime parishioner Joe Donnelly was recognized last weekend by the Edgewater Historical Society as a 2025 Living Treasure of Edgewater.

Edgewater Living Treasures are residents who have made a difference—some in profound, transformative ways, and others through small but meaningful acts that have enriched the well-being of the Edgewater community. Their contributions are not motivated by personal gain, but by a desire to serve others—whether by creating beauty, fostering harmony, helping the less fortunate, or encouraging grassroots involvement.

In addition to his many contributions to the Edgewater community, Joe has been an incredible volunteer here at St. Gertrude. He helped found the Refugee Committee, has been active with Helping Hands sandwich-making, at funerals, as a Eucharistic Minister, Minister of Care, and a Heart to Heart volunteer. Joe’s generosity of spirit and willingness to lend a hand have blessed our parish in countless ways.

Congratulations, Joe—and thank you for your outstanding service!

Music Ministry Announcement: Hymnals Update

The music ministry of St. Gertrude’s has an exciting announcement! After much thought and careful consideration, we have decided to transition to GIA’s Gather, 4th Edition hymnal. Not only is this hymnal more sustainable and aligned with our mission to care for the planet, but it is also one of the most diverse and inclusive hymnals available—qualities that best reflect St. Gertrude’s dynamic and eclectic community. We are thrilled to begin using this new resource at the start of the new liturgical year on November 30, the First Sunday of Advent.

Now, we need your help and support! Outfitting the congregation with a complete set of new hymnals and musical resources is a significant investment, but it is one that will serve us for many years to come. We have purchased 315 hymnals to replace the current ones and are asking for your generosity in helping us cover the cost.

Each hymnal costs approximately $26, and you may donate as many as you wish. Every hymnal you give can be dedicated in memory of a loved one or in honor of your family or friends. To donate, visit Give Central, or send a check payable to St. Gertrude’s. (Please be sure to note that your donation is for hymnals, whether giving online or by check.) If you donate via Give Central and would like to make a dedication, please email Jonathan with that information. 

Your generosity and commitment to St. Gertrude’s are vital to our success, and anything you contribute toward the purchase of these new hymnals will be deeply appreciated.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for considering a donation. If you have any questions or need more information, please contact our Music Director, Jonathan Hannau, at jhannau@stgertrudechicago.org or 773.764.3621 ext. 22.

November is the Month of Remembrance

Each November, we take time to honor and pray for all who have gone before us—our parishioners, their family members, and friends who have died.

Altar of Remembrance and Book of the Dead

To honor a deceased loved one, you are invited to bring a photo to the Altar of Remembrance, located in front of the St. Thérèse shrine at the front of the church. Photos may be placed on the tables at any time and should be picked up Thanksgiving weekend. Please write your phone number on the back of each image.

In the back of the church, near the baptismal font, you will also find the Book of the Dead. All are welcome to inscribe the names of deceased loved ones in the book.

Banned Books Week Quiet Read-A-Long This Monday, November 10

Even though Banned Books Week officially takes place in October, we believe there’s never a wrong time to celebrate the freedom to read. Join us on Monday, November 10 from 7:00 to 8:00 pm for a Quiet Read-A-Long at St. Scholastica Monastery.

Bring a favorite book—especially one that’s been challenged or banned—and enjoy an hour of peaceful reading in community. You’re also welcome to bring a snack to share. Need ideas? Visit the American Library Association’s list of the Top 10 Most Challenged Books at www.ala.org/bbooks.

Please RSVP to Sr. Susan Quaintance at subprioress@osbchicago.org or 773.764.2413 ext. 231.

Book Discussion Featuring Kristin Grady Gilger – My Son, the Priest: A Mother’s Crisis of Faith – on Tuesday, November 12

Loyola University's Hank Center is hosting a a special conversation with Kristin Grady Gilger, author of My Son, the Priest: A Mother’s Crisis of Faith, on Tuesday, November 12, from 7:00–8:30 pm at the Hank Center, 1032 West Sheridan Road, in the Information Commons, 4th Floor.

This powerful memoir tells the true story of a young man’s journey to become a Jesuit priest—told through the eyes of his mother, a fallen-away Catholic grappling with her son’s calling. Honest, intimate, and often irreverent, the book explores faith, family, and reconciliation, offering a rare glimpse into Jesuit formation while tackling difficult questions about the Church’s history, its treatment of women, and the meaning of faith in modern life.

Living with Grief Workshop on Saturday November 22

How do you anticipate and want to move through winter and the holidays in a way that honors both your grieving and your loved one? Where presently do you find strength, understanding, and encouragement as you experience the many feelings your loved one’s absence has awakened within you?

Join others who are also grieving the death of their loved one in a safe, understanding, non-judgmental space. Connect and share stories, explore ways of living with and without your loved one, and find ways to honor them.

An in-person grief workshop is being offered by parishioner Jim Mandardo, Board Certified Hospital Chaplain and licensed professional counselor (LPC). The program is Saturday, November 22 from 9:00 am to 10:30 am at the Center for Grief Recovery and Therapeutic Services, 1261 W. Loyola Ave.

The entrance is close to the Loyola Red Line stop. Street parking is available in the neighborhood and a $5 parking garage is available on Arthur.

The cost is $25 and is limited to 20 participants. Coffee, bagels, and fruit will be provided.

Please RSVP to Jim Manzardo at 773.274.4600 or j.manzardo@griefcounselor.org.

Ministers of the Word

• Saturday, November 8 at 5:00 pm - Patrick Reardon, Joe Tomasello
• Sunday, November 9 at 8:00 am - Kathryn Stimac, Kevin Kodowaki
• Sunday, November 9 at 10:30 am - Anthony Myers, Anne-Marie St. G

Eucharistic Ministers

• Saturday, November 8 at 5:00 pm - Roman Reyes
• Sunday, November 9 at 8:00 am - Mary Clare Barker
• Sunday, November 9 at 10:30 am - Troy McMillan, Ellen Pierce, Michelle Kuehlhorn

Upcoming Mass Intentions

• Monday, November 10: 7:30 am - Communion Service
• Tuesday, November 11: 7:30 am - All those who have served in the military; Carrillo family
• Wednesday, November 12: 7:30 am - Frank Stryczek, Jr.+
• Thursday, November 13: 7:30 am - Sheila Ward+
• Friday, November 14: 7:30 am - 50th wedding anniversary of Myra Johnson and Art Lyons
• Saturday, November 15: 7:30 am - Lillian McCall+; 5:00 pm - George Cenar, Sr.+
• Sunday, November 16: 8:00 am - Deceased of the Shields family; 10:30 am - Eufrocina Benites+

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.