Dear Parishioners, The St. Gertrude parish church campus is clear of mostly all the debris, but the buildings continue to be dried out and gutted at this time. The grassy areas and the festival grounds are still in a state of "mess" due to all the trucks and vehicles that have cut up and rutted the grounds. The disaster response company has secured the back gate with a lock of their own to secure the property from Old Spanish Trail, and, so even I don't have access to that key nor access via a vehicle to the back property, and there is no reason at this time for anyone to have to have access by way of the back gate. I inform you all of this because I want to emphasize again that all of the St. Gertrude buildings, with the exception of the "Catfish shed," are unusable and uninhabitable at this time due to severe rainwater intrusion of Hurricane Ida. As of today, the religious education building, the Fr, Mac building, and the church are being gutted, and the gutting of the rectory will begin probably this week. Maria Matherne has taken care of removing all the important church files, records, and all other vital office contents, and I have removed important and vital items from the sacristy and the church, and they are stored in two units of the Paradis Mini Storage. I have had to remove all of my personal belongings to my mother's house in Reserve where I will be staying indefinitely. With that being said, NO Masses, prayer services, or gatherings, are being held on the property for safety reasons at this time. St. Anthony's and Holy Family in Luling are certainly nearby options for Mass, along with St. Mary's and St. Hilary's in Raceland. But that doesn't mean that St. Gertrude's is a closed or suppressed parish just because we can't use the church or the hall or gather on the campus right now. We still have financial obligations even though we can't have Masses, funerals, CCD classes, and hall and pavilion rentals for quite a while. We are still a parish community even though we have suffered this devastating blow. So I gently remind you again to please continue your contributions, especially at this time when we need it most, even though you are temporarily attending Mass elsewhere. Parish financial support still applies for us and for all parishioners of churches that have been badly damaged. Again, please mail your envelopes to 17292 Hwy 631, DA, LA 70030 and they will be safely delivered by the post office. PLEASE DO NOT USE the mail slot at the rectory because no one is there to receive them at this time. Thank you all very much for your attention to this matter. Lastly, I will undergo surgery for cervical (neck) spinal stenosis this Tuesday, Sept. 28 at East Jefferson Hospital, and will have to wear a neck brace/collar for six weeks and will not be able to drive for about the same length of time. I will spend my recuperation time at my mother's in Reserve. After a couple of weeks, if you would need to speak to me about an urgent matter involving St. Gertrude parish, you may call me on my cell phone at 504-442-9299. For emergencies and/or if you need the services of a priest, please call Holy Family, St. Anthony's, or Holy Rosary, and they will be able to help you. Since nothing will be happening at St. Gertrude's for a number of months ahead at least, this is a good time for me to have this surgery and time for recovery. I am glad that covid and Hurricane Ida didn't delay this surgery since my doctor told me that I needed to have surgery sooner than later. Let us continue to put our faith, hope, and trust in the Lord Jesus - with God, all things ae possible. Our Lady of Prompt Succor, hasten to help us! St. Gertrude the Great, pray for us! Fr. Ray Hymel

New Rectory Hours In the future, Maria will be in the rectory on Tuesday and Wednesday, 9 am to 2 pm. If you require a date or time beyond this window, please leave a message for Maria on Option #1 and she will get back to you.

St. Gertrude has weekly Adoration on Thursday in the Mornings following 8AM Mass for approximately 1 to 1 1/2 hours in the Chapel! We also have Monthly Adoration at night on the First Thursday of the Month at 6PM with Confession, Music, followed by Mass! Join us for the hour of power, for Jesus is the powerhouse! He is all that we need.

Blessing of the Fleet will take place on Sunday, May 2nd this year between the two bridges! There will be live Music, Food, and Fun! Hope to see everyone!

Beginning this week, Maria will be at the rectory on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 9AM to 3PM. Monday’s will be devoted to records and financial books. As always for emergencies you should call the rectory any time or day for assistance from Fr. Ray or Maria.

Have your visited us on Facebook? Check us out. We have daily meditations, scripture verses of the day, Saints of the Day, reminders of upcoming events, important Catholic topics, videos, and more! It is a great way to stay informed! Like us and we will always be there!

St Gertrude’s St Vincent de Paul Society wishes to thank the wonderful parishioners and friends for their generous support of money and non-perishable items. The donation baskets are still located in the rear of the church for those who wish to donate. We offer special thanks to our Bingo Committee and Bingo players who donate items to the food pantry weekly. As always our people are willing to extend a hand to our brothers and sisters in need. We provide assistance to anyone needing help, no matter what religion, race or background. Whether you live in St. Charles or Lafourche, you are part of our family when in need. We continue to provide assistance to our community in need. We generally help with food baskets for people in need monthly, Food for Seniors (currently providing between 20-30 food boxes monthly), holiday food baskets, and general assistance as needed. We are always looking for additional members. It doesn’t require a great deal from any one person. Please consider joining this group of hard working parishioners. Our meeting are posted in the bulletin. Special thanks for the latest donations for during these times, we are continuing to assist people weekly with food from the Food Pantry!

Make St. Gertrude Catholic Church your home! Registration Forms are located in the rear of the church which can be placed in the collection or you can call or stop by the rectory and register your family! Be part of the One, Holy, Apostolic Catholic Church! Come Home!