All Are Welcome
St. Gertrude Parish in Chicago
Our parish strives to be a community, growing in faith, that welcomes all and brings Christ’s love to others.
Here is the Latest News:
Mass Times/Rectory Hours
It's time for a new Parish Photo Directory!
It's time for a new Parish Photo Directory!
It's time for a new Parish Photo Directory!
It's time for a new Parish Photo Directory!
It's time for a new Parish Photo Directory!
Medical Lending Closet
It's time for a new Parish Photo Directory!
Upcoming Events & Activities
Upcoming Events & Activities
Upcoming Events & Activities
Upcoming Events & Activities
Events Calendar
Upcoming Events & Activities
This Weekend's Bulletin
Helping our Immigrant Brothers and Sisters
Thank you to the Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership
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.
Catholic Social Teaching in the Past and the Present Moment - Wednesday, November 5
All are invited to a special exploring Catholic Social Teaching in the Past and the Present Moment on Wednesday, November 5 at 7:00 pm in St. Gertrude’s Social Hall.
This engaging program will feature two of our own parishioners—Heidi Schlumpf and Michelle Nickerson (pictured above)—both professors at Loyola University, published authors, and past speakers at St. Gertrude’s.
Join us for an evening of reflection, dialogue, and inspiration as we consider how the Gospel’s call to justice continues to shape our Church and our world today.
A Heart to Heart Play is Planned for THIS Saturday, November 8!
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.
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
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!
Our Parish Feast Day Celebration - and the Next "Brewed at St. Gertrude" - is 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.
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.
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.
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.
The Rosary at St. Gertrude: Friday Evenings and after the 7:30 am Masses
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.
Recitation of the Holy Rosary after 7:30 am Mass
Additionally, the Rosary is said every Monday through Saturday in the church right after the 7:30 am mass. Please consider joining us in church—we would love to have you!
Adult Faith Formation: Ways to Warm Your Heart and Feed Your Soul Planned for December
Are you hungry for a deeper connection with God and community? With all the negative news in the world, have you lost your appetite? Do you find yourself worn thin by unhealthy outside influences? Do you yearn for a more profound faith connection with God and a deeper understanding of one's spiritual purpose? Do you desire to strengthen your relationship with God, but don’t know how or where to start?
St. Gertrude is beginning Adult Formation sessions with the goal of warming your heart and feeding your soul. We will start with a three-part Advent series on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 pm on December 3, 10, and 17. Save the dates on your calendar and look for more detailed information describing the upcoming Advent events in our weekly bulletins.
There are so many different ways we can connect with God, both individually and in community. We hope to offer opportunities for meditation, film and book discussions, bible studies, retreats, as well as other events that will fill you with hope, love, and peace.
We look forward to you joining us—in community—on a faith filled journey.
-St. Gertrude Adult Spirituality and Faith Formation Committee
It's time for a new Parish Photo Directory!
Sign Up for a St. Gertrude Photo Directory Photography Session
It’s time for a new St. Gertrude Photo Directory! Photography sessions will be held December 18–20. Every participating household will receive a complimentary 8x10 portrait and a free parish directory. You can view your photos immediately and purchase additional prints—perfect for keepsakes or holiday gifts.
Appointments can be made after Mass or online at schedule.ucdir.com (Church Code: IL457, Password: photos).
If you are able to volunteer to assist with sign ups or the day of photography, please click HERE to review available slots.
Questions? Email Jen Reyes at stgertrudeparishcouncil@gmail.com.
PARISH NEWS
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.
Communion Services Now Held on Mondays at 7:30 am
Communion Services will be held on Monday mornings at 7:30 am instead of Thursdays.
Thank you for understanding!
Helping Hands Needed with our Brewed at St. Gertrude Social Gatherings
Brewed at St. Gertrude, our monthly hospitality following the 10:30am Mass, is gearing up for the coming year. Thrilled by the participation of so many parishioners in this gathering, we want to make it a regular event that continues into the near future.
Would you like to join our ministry team? We seek additional volunteers who can help with one or more of the following: set up, serve, bring food, and/or clean up. Our dedicated crew has been making each hospitality welcoming each month, but could benefit from some more hands!
Those who are interested in giving a little bit of their time each month are invited to meet following the next Brewed at St. Gertrude on August 24th in the Social Hall. Please feel free to reach out to Steven Patzke at
stevenjcpatzke@gmail.com with interest or questions.
Lending Closet News: Thank You to the Jewish Voice for Peace
At the conclusion of their 18-day water-only hunger strike—calling for an end to U.S. funding of Israel’s genocide in Gaza and for the immediate resumption of humanitarian aid—Jewish Voice for Peace–Chicago gifted two newly purchased transport chairs to the Lending Closet.
Transport chairs are of tremendous help for families caring for loved ones at home and are among the most requested items in the Lending Closet.
Thank you, JVP–Chicago!
~ Laurie Hasbrook, Lending Closet Manager
Heart to Heart News: Ministry of Prayer
Did you know that despite your being homebound or physically inactive, there is a special and valued ministry here at St. Gertrude which we invite you to consider? There are no meetings, no dues or calls required; yet as a participant you will have a valued connection to the parish life by enriching others and yourself through your own dedicated, daily prayer time!
It works like this: We provide you with a monthly prayer sheet that has some of the prayer petitions taken from the "Prayer Wall" in the back of our church. As one of our prayer angels, you will include these petitions in your daily prayers; thereby becoming an unseen blessing for so many!
Please contact Sr. Susan Quaintance at Heart to Heart at 773.973.5464 or squaintance@stgertrudechicago.org. We welcome your interest in this caring ministry.
Rest in peace notices & funeral information
Phyllis Raine
It's time for a new parish photo directory!
Photography sessions will be held December 18–20. Every participating household will receive a complimentary 8x10 portrait and a free parish directory.