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 12, 2024

Seventh Sunday of Easter/Ascension Sunday

From Fr. Mike Gabriel

Congratulations to those who will make their First Communion this Saturday! Let us keep them in prayer and continue to make sure they know there is away a place at the table. 

I am very glad that so many of you came out to the parish meeting last Sunday morning. I thank you for listening as I told as much of the story as I was free to share. Of, course I was disappointed at a few things that I was accused of. But at least some got to say what they wanted to express.

It was obvious as some people spoke, many of their wounds go deeper than just this issue we are facing right now. As a community we have and will continue to support all of you with empathy and understanding. 

Some people may be saying - yes, I was heard and listened to, but the situation hasn’t been resolved to my satisfaction.  

Circumstances such as this one have many components - and we are bound by the same HR policies as any company would be. So, yes, some of your questions cannot be answered, and we need to move forward as a united community.

This is what makes the parish family of St. Gertrude work. We embrace differences and celebrate our uniqueness with love and respect.  

Every action, no matter how small, ripples through our community’s soul. We can choose to spread hatred, injury, doubt, despair, darkness, and sadness. Or we can be channels of love, pardon, faith, hope, light, and joy. 

As in the past few weeks, you are welcome to come in and talk to me. I have been and will continue to be open to all of you.

Happy Mother’s Day! This Sunday, we celebrate Mother Day and honor those women who have mothered us. 



My mother past away 26 years ago on May 8th. Each day, I realize how blessed I am to have had a mother who did many noble things to raise my siblings and myself. No matter what problems we faced in life, we would go to my mother, and we still do in prayer. I still feel that I don’t let her know how much I appreciate all that she has done for me and continues to do for me. I have been so fortunate. So, thank you Mom, for always being there for me. No matter what the circumstances, I know that you will be there for me ready to help with open arms.

I know many of you have the same feelings. Let us all show our appreciation to our moms, both living and deceased, and to those who show us motherly love. Thank you to the many other women who do so many noble things for all of us. Happy Mother’s Day from your daughters and sons!

Pentecost

Next week is the Feast of Pentecost, the day we are reminded of the Holy Spirit working in our lives. We also mark it as the birthday of the Church.

To celebrate this wonderful feast, we will continue to celebrate after church outside for coffee, juice, and sweets provided by the Misericordia Sweets on Wheels bakery truck. This will be after the 10:30 am mass. Please plan on celebrating with each other. 

Friday, May 10

• 6:30 pm - Communion Mass practice in church
• 7:00 pm - Guadalupanos Rosary Group (Grupo del Rosario de Guadalupanos) in the Ministry Center

Saturday, May 11

• 10:00 am - First Communion Mass
• Catholic Charities – Mother’s Day second collection

Sunday, May 12

• Catholic Charities – Mother’s Day second collection
• 10:30 am - May Crowning during mass in church

Monday, May 13

• 7:00 pm - Book Club in the Ministry Center

Friday, May 17

• 7:00 pm - Guadalupanos Rosary Group (Grupo del Rosario de Guadalupanos) in the Ministry Center

Saturday, May 18

• 10:00 am-1:00 pm - Youth group car wash

Sunday, May 19

• Pentecost
• Combined 10:30 am mass in church (no Gym mass)
• Misericordia’s Sweets on Wheels outside of church after the 10:30 am mass

Guadalupanos Rosary Group (Grupo del Rosario de Guadalupanos) on Friday Evenings

All are welcome to attend the weekly Rosary group held on Friday evenings at 7:00 pm.

The bilingual gathering is held in the dining room of the Ministry Center, located at 6214 North Glenwood Avenue.

First Communion is THIS Saturday, May 11!

We are so proud of the children from our Religious Ed program and NCA communities, Holy Child Jesus, St. Jerome, Mary Mother of God, and St. Gertrude, who will make their First Communion on Saturday!

They worked so hard and we are blessed to have their loving presence at our parish. 

We are especially thankful for Teresa Boyd and Mara Brecht from NCA and Dorothea Tobin, Suzanne Striczek, Melinda Banahene, Sandra Francis, Matilda Adeboye, and Hoang Do from our Religious Education Program, for their kind and patient instruction.  

Please continue to hold the First Communicants in your prayers as they experience the unfolding mystery of the Sacrament of Communion.

First Communion Class of 2024

Second Collection for Catholic Charities is This Weekend

Being a mom today can be hard, especially when struggling to make ends meet.

At Catholic Charities, we help mothers across Cook and Lake counties overcome challenges and find stability all year round-so they and their children can thrive. We accompany anyone in need, serving nearly 375,000 individuals and families annually. 

Gail’s Story

Family Self-Sufficiency is one of Catholic Charities most effective and beloved programs. Gail* is a 2019 graduate from the program. She shared, “When I first started, my exact thoughts were, ‘This is a program for people trying to keep it together’.

It challenges the participant to set goals and make game plans to achieve them while creating a custom work plan that caters to the specific life circumstances.” She goes on to say, “To date, I have accomplished every goal that my case worker and I set.” 

Since leaving the program, Gail continues to work toward goals based on the near- and long-term needs for her children and herself.  

*Name changed to protect privacy

Please support the Second Collection on Mother’s Day, May 12th or anytime at https://www.catholiccharities.net/give/fy24sp/.

May Crowning Planned for This Sunday, May 12

Our annual May Crowning is Sunday, May 12 at the 10:30 am mass in church!

Students who made their First Communion on Saturday, May 11 should attend the 10:30 am Mass in church wearing their First Communion finery.

All are welcome to bring flowers to place before our statue of Mary!

Book Club is Monday, May 13

Please join the book club in the Ministry Center on Monday, May 13 at 7:00 pm. We will discuss The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb, and we would love new voices and opinions.

On Monday, June 10, our group will talk about Deacon King Kong by James McBride.

There are many copies of both books available at the Chicago Public Library.

Contact Lea Cloninger at 773.973.2465 or Sue Benjamin at 773.551.8401 with questions.

Next Saturday: Car Wash Hosted by our Parish Youth Group

A car wash is planned for next Saturday, May 18! Teens will be available to wash cars from 10:00 am-1:00 pm in the parish parking lot. The cost is $15 per vehicle.

All parishioners and neighbors are encouraged to support our teens! Proceeds will go towards youth group activities. 

Register for the Catholic Writers Guild Conference

The Catholic Writers Guild will hold its annual live conference Tuesday, May 28 - Thursday, May 30, 2024, in conjunction with the Association of Catholic Publishers meeting at the Holiday Inn O'Hare, 5615 N. Cumberland Ave, Chicago, IL 60631.

This three-day event for beginning and published writers features keynote speakers, panelists, and opportunities for mentorship, podcast appearances, and critiques of your work in progress.

For the full schedule and to sign up, visit CatholicWritersGuild.org/live-conference.

Going to the Edgewater Yard and Sidewalk Sale? Visit our Youth Group's Hot Dog Stand!

The Edgewater Yard and Sidewalk Sale is Saturday, June 1 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 10:00 am-2:00 pm.

Funds raised will go towards youth group activities. Please come out and support our parish teens! 

Commonweal Dialogue Returns This June!

After a two-year hiatus, Commonweal Dialogue is returning to St. Gertrude’s Parish this June!

Commonweal Dialogue provides opportunities for civil and cordial conversation about topics of contemporary concern at the intersection of faith and politics.

We plan to meet several times a year and to alternate Sunday afternoon tea parties with Friday evening wine and pizza events in the hope that as many people as possible will be able to participate. The readings we have selected we believe will encourage meaningful and enlightening conversation.

The first meeting will be held on the evening of Friday, June 14 at 6:30 pm in the backyard of John Williams, 1305 West Glenlake in Chicago. Details on the topic to follow.

Please RSVP so we know how much pizza to buy! Email Denise DeBelle at ddebelle@gmail.com, John Williams at joolikar@gmail.com, or Verna Foster at vfoster@luc.edu.

Teen Youth Mission Experience Planned for July

Our youth mission experience is planned for the week of July 22-26. Teens in our parish youth group, in sixth grade through high school, are invited to volunteer with a different Chicagoland organization each day. 

There is a $100 fee for the week. A $50 deposit is required at the time of registration. Please note that there are scholarships available!

All participants will receive a t-shirt, water bottle, and a sports drawstring backpack.

Deadline - June 8

To reserve a spot or to get more information, contact Eloy Escamilla at eescamilla@stgertrudechicago.org.

Religious Ed and Kids Word is Over! Thank You to our Teachers

The end of the catechetical year has arrived, with Religious Education, RCIA, and Kids Word coming to an end last Sunday, May 5th. 

This year was indeed a successful year, with 24 teens confirmed in March and 24 children celebrating their First Communion this weekend. Kids Word has kept an average of 15 kids per Sunday, and RCIA is closing with one neophyte and two newly confirmed. 

We are so grateful to all our volunteer catechists who generously gave their time and talents to our children. They include:

Kids Word:

• Rosalie Sullivan 
• Alex Campuzano
• Gisela Rosales 

Catechists:

• Melinda Banahene
• Dorothea Tobin 
• Sandra Francis 
• Matilda Adeboye
• Suzanne Stryczek 
• Hoang Do
• Steven Patzke 
• Steven Monti

We also are saying goodbye to three catechists who won't be with us next year. Sandra Francis (3rd Grade) is graduating from medical school and she is moving out of the state; Sister Matilda (4th Grade) is moving back to her country after graduation as well; and Mr. Hoang (6th grade) is completing his Ministry Practicum and moving to Spain. We thank them for their ministry and for being part of our team. 

Registration for the 2024-25 school year opens in mid-July.

Thank you all for supporting our Religious Education Program!

~ Eloy Escamilla

Volunteers Needed for the Lending Closet

The Lending Closet is in the midst of SPRING SHARING! Volunteers are needed to help pack and label boxes of medical supplies that we are sharing with Project C.U.R.E. (which ships supplies to clinics in need worldwide).

Please e-mail or call the Lending Closet manager Laurie Hasbrook at lhasbrook@stgertrudechicago.org or 773-973-5464 ext. 115 if you can volunteer for hour or two.

Growing in Faith

Two angels appear to the apostles, who are standing and staring at the sky, agog, as Jesus bodily ascends to the Father. The angels ask, “Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking up at the sky?” Despite 40 days of in-the-flesh instruction, the apostles are shocked that Jesus bodily ascended into heaven. They had asked him if God’s plan included restoring the Kingdom of Israel. Jesus told them that was none of their business. Their job was to wait for the Holy Spirit and to be witnesses to all the world. 

I wonder if the apostles were disappointed by this response. Being God’s agents of instantaneous social reorganization seems easier than being a prayerful witness.

The Blessed Mother is a perfect, loving witness who treasures mystery and holds it in her heart. She sees us as we are and understands our purpose. I never doubt that her maternal love surrounds me, never hesitate to ask for her help. My confidence is rooted in the Wedding Feast at Cana, when Mary arranged for Jesus to miraculously save a bridal couple from humiliation. Mary helps with things that seem small to others but are big to you. Mary is present for those who suffer, as she was for Jesus at Calvary, step by agonizing step. She is tender enough and strong enough for any human occasion.

I have asked Mary for help in catching fly-balls in a youth softball game, and also in being a better mother.  Happy Mother’s Day! 

~ Ruth Giles Ott

Easter Flower Offering Envelopes

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.

Flower Offering Remembrances

In Memory of/Individual who Honored Them

• Caskie Family
• Peter Steenveld by Joanne Steenveld
• John and Elizabeth by Pat O’Neal
• Groleau Karasti by Rose Karasti
• Slane and Quinn families by Millie Slane
• Mary Ellen Mellon & JoAnne Joyce by Bernard Joyce
• The deceased of the Strubbe-Galoney family by Marie Galoney
• Gonzalo, Sabrina, and Celi Frias by Maria Frias
• Larry McCauley by Marilyn Klein
• Billy Tobin by Mike and Dorothea Tobin

NCA Summer Camp 



Wildcat Camp strives to provide a safe, engaging experience with a variety of recreational, educational, athletic, and fine arts programs at an affordable price!

Join us for:

• Arts & Crafts
• Snacks
• Sports
• Field Trips
• and MUCH MORE!

Register at https://bit.ly/49CGPmH.

Rest in Peace

• William McGuire
• John Somer

Eucharistic Ministers

• Saturday, May 11 at 5:00 pm - Kathy Wall
• Sunday, May 12 at 8:00 am - Barb Daly
• Sunday, May 12 at 10:30 am - Michael Kowalsky, Annie Hasselbeck, Steven Hasselbeck

Upcoming Mass Intentions



• Monday, May 13: 7:30 am - Loretta Donnelly+
• Tuesday, May 14: 7:30 am - Purgatorial Society; Pascual Gusmanos
• Wednesday, May 15: 7:30 am - People of God
• Thursday, May 16: 7:30 am - Communion Service
• Friday, May 17: 7:30 am - Laura Linke+
• Saturday, May 18: 7:30 am - Mary Jo Martin+; 5:00 pm - Patricia McKee+
• Pentecost Sunday, May 19: 8:00 am - Marie and Michael Adler+; 10:30 am - Fr. Mike's 40th anniversary (There is a 10:30 am combined mass in church - there is no Gym Mass.)

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.