Ann Lukey, nee Gutting, has been a St. Gertrude parishioner and one of our most vocal cheerleaders for 64 years. When her husband, Frank, passed away he asked her to keep traveling and get active at St. Gertrude again and she kept her promise faithfully as is shown by her efforts in leading several works of love: she leads the daily rosary prayer before 11:30am Mass, she is part of the Circle of Prayer Ministry, she has made 800 rosaries delivered to military services, Youth 2000, the past Catholic Women‘s Conference, etc. She is also part of the Fun Bunch Group and bakes delicious cookies for the novices and priests for their birthdays, she says it is her "privilege to bake for them, it‘s my way of greeting them and making them feel at home, show appreciation." Ann used to be a Eucharistic Minister and Greeter but since she can‘t stand too long she has had to stop these two activities.

Saint Gertrude Church has had something special taking place amongst all of us for many years! The "Fun Bunch," a group of seniors, gathers regularly for fellowship and education. Whether they meet for lunch, host a guest speaker, or are off on an outing, these dynamic parishioners are having a great time!

According to one of the group’s co-chairpersons, Pat Schoo, "the Fun Bunch started in 1988 with several senior citizens meeting with the pastor, Father Vincent Wiseman, O.P., in the parish center for lunch and a program. We were so fortunate to have wonderful friends who volunteered to be the first leaders of our group. Regrettably, some of them have passed away. People like Peg DeCenso and her sister Betty McLaughlin were two of the first leaders we had and Irene Wahl prepared the lunch we enjoyed for years by cooking and baking it in her home. Terry Sullivan did the finances for a while and his wife, Bea Sullivan, was an original member as well. Then, Joyce Meiners, who has been a parishioner for over 56 years, and who started the preparations for the Day of Reflection held each March during Lent, relieved Peg as our leader for a number of years and had catered luncheons. Other initial members included Lois