St. Gertrude Catholic Parish

I can’t tell you how exciting it was for me this past weekend. It was Pentecost of course, but the parish used the time as a farewell saga which went on and on, full of great talent, deep sentiment, and a lovely kiss-and-hug. My pulse rate went ballistic and my tear ducts went into overtime. The secretive planning made everything super-sized — from the catered food to the talent show of replays and new stuff, to the great gifts, including a retirement fund check (so big it won’t fit through the bank slot), and a gym full of 500 people who cooled off with fans which had the face of yours truly on one side and a legend on back which said “I’m a Fan of Bill’s.”So I want to thank every one. I know the names of some of the people who did all the work. The staff, including Walter, Peter, Marge and the kids who work in the office, were unbelievable. The maintenance guys (Tom Martin doubles as a rock star) were stretched to the limits. The show people, Carol Clennon Jim Manzardo, Joe Glueckert; the choirs, (thanks Mary and Carol); the crew putting together the social hall/gym and volunteers (thanks Leigh Holzman, Joan Harrington, Jean Sweeney); and all the parishioners who showed such a pleasure for me and such an emotional response at my retirement. I’m so deeply touched.

The Sunday Mass was covered by the Tribune and the Sun-Times. I appreciate their concern for the parish and for me and I thought the articles were well done - I hope to get the thousands of pictures which they took. We have some wonderful connections with both papers. Pam and Jon Anderson, Pat Reardon, Annie Sweeney and some others are both reporters and parishioners. We do get our share and more of the publicity. Some people think that is too much but I’m so proud of the parish that it feels like a parent showing off the kid’s photographs.

I’ll write more next week. Keep in touch.

WK

Filed under: Dear Saint Gertrude