Parish Life

For 2,000 years, the heart of a parish is the Eucharist, but the parish family is the body that makes it a unique and vibrant community with an exciting parish life.

 Our parish offers a variety of ways to be part of that communal family in addition to the celebration of the sacraments. With so many ways to be part of parish life, you'll want to stay informed by reading the weekly bulletin and downloading the myParish app from the Apple store or Google Play. You can check the parish calendar for a list of events and mass schedules.

List of Services

    Parish Ministries

    • Liturgical & Worship

      Altar Servers (Acolytes)

      Assist the priest at the altar during Mass.

      Lectors (Ministers of the Word)

      Proclaim the Scripture readings during the liturgy.

      Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion

      Assist in distributing the Eucharist during Mass or take it to the sick and homebound.

      Music Ministry

      Cantors, choir members, and instrumentalists who lead the congregation in song and worship

      Ushers and Greeters

      Welcome parishioners, assist with seating, take up collections, and manage the flow of traffic during Communion.

      Sacristans

      Manage the preparation of the liturgical vessels, bread, wine, and vestments for Mass

    • Faith Formation & Education

      Catechists (Faith Formation)

      Teach religious education to children and teenagers.

      OCIA (formerly RCIA)

      The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, a ministry for adults preparing to enter or fully enter the Catholic Church.

      Youth Ministry

      Organizing spiritual, social, and service activities for middle and high school students.

      Bible Study & Prayer Groups

      Small communities that meet to study Scripture and pray together.

    • Service, Charity, & Outreach

      St. Gertrude the Great Outreach

      Providing direct assistance - food, rent, utilities - to the needy in the local community

      Respect Life

      Promotes the sanctity of life from conception to natural death, often supporting crisis pregnancy centers and adoption advocacy

      Prison Ministry

      Visiting and ministering to the spiritual needs of inmates

      Bereavement

      Providing support, comfort, and funeral planning assistance to grieving families.

      Hospital/Homebound

      Visiting, praying with, and bringing Communion to those in nursing homes, hospitals, or confined to their own homes.

    • Parish Life, Hospitality & Administration

      Pastoral & Finance Council

      Advisory boards made up of lay members who help the pastor manage the parish's spiritual direction and financial resources.

      Altar & Rosary Society

      Hosting various events after Mass, planning parish festivals.

      Knights of Columbus 3389

      Organization that promotes and supports the mission of St. Gertrude's Catholic Church.

      Maintenance & Grounds

      Volunteers or staff who help clean the church, tend to the landscaping, or handle repairs.

    Stay Informed