FROM OUR PASTOR

Dear St. Charles Parishioners:

This weekend, the second collection will go toward our Diocesan Mission in the Dominican Republic. Since I had the good fortune to be selected by Bishop Keating to found our Missions in Banica and Pedro Santana, this outreach has a special place in my heart. Fr. Pat Posey now carries on the leadership of those missions with the assistance of Brazilian sisters, a peace corps worker and the dedicated lay leaders from the communities. The Mission seeks to foster “Integral development”, the spiritual and material development of a remote, underserved community, populated largely by subsistence farmers. Their life is complicated by months of severe drought each year as well as the lack of the basic infrastructure we take for granted. However, the strength of the mission comes from the faith commitment and the deep love Dominicans have for a Church that represents life, hope and justice in their lives. Through the Missionary Co-op Collection we stand in solidarity with our sisters and brothers.

Paz y Bien estar,

HAITIAN PRIESTS WILL BE HERE IN AUGUST

The priests from our sister parishes in Haiti – Pere Jocelyn Musalier of Cavaillon and Pere Marquis Charles of Gros Marin – were planning to visit us this weekend, but have had to reschedule. They plan to be with us sometime at the end of August. Stay tuned for exact dates. We continue to keep them in our prayers.

In reverence for the solemnity and sanctity of Mass and out of respect for fellow members in the congregation, we would like to request that all cellular telephones and beepers be turned off during the celebration of Mass.

POSTING OF BANNS

Gerardo Belices Sotomayor and Karla Rodriguez Bonetti will be married on Oct. 21, 2000 at the Church of Our Lady of Fatima in Monterrey, Mexico.

SPONSOR OF THE WEEK: Our special thanks to Utility Service Express, L.L.C. Plumbing Services for their support. Thank you!

SUNDAY, JULY 23, 2000:

7:30 Parishioners
9:00 Charles Montavon by Louise Montavon
11:00 Burt Howard (L) by Theresa Raymundo
1:00 Mauricio Zarceño by St. Charles Parish

Readings: Jeremiah 23:1-6; Ephesians 2:13-18; Mark 6:30-34

Monday, July 24:

9:00 Melvin J. Cunningham by Helen Naber
7:30 (at the Arlington Detention Center) for the Inmates

Readings: Micah 6:1-4,6-8; Matthew 12:38-42

Tuesday, July 25:

9:00 Dino, John, Walter, Marcello, Theresa, Joel, Rose and Peter (L) by a friend

Readings: 2 Corinthians 4:7-15; Matthew 20:20-28

Wednesday, July 26:

9:00 Joey Harper (L) by Theresa Raymundo

Readings: Jeremiah 1:1,4-10; Matthew 13:1-9

Thursday, July 27:

9:00 A very special need of Savery M. Gradoville

Readings: Jeremiah 2:1-3,7-8,12-13; Matthew 13:10-17

Friday, July 28:

9:00 Manuel Papa Soza by Oliver Ryan

Readings: Jeremiah 3:14-17; Matthew 13:18-23

Saturday, July 29:

9:00 Isabelle O’Bready by Mario D’Ambrosio
5:00 The Keppel Family (L) by Patricia M. Connally

Readings: Jeremiah 7:1-11; John 11:19-27

Please remember to keep in your prayers, those who are sick and those who suffer, especially: Kathy & Mike Burke, Gene Biedscheid, Glyne Goodridge, Jill Hasty, Ralph Bruno, Eileen Bruno and James Kern, Michael Rontaler, Rocky Weaver, John Spasaro, Helena Guziczek, Josephine Hilton, Barbara Cronin, Bea Caffarina, Robert Howe and Alicia Petta. Let us also pray for those who have died, especially: Deloris Gunn, Vina S. Oczytko, Maria Baudrit and Henry Kirsch.

SOCIAL JUSTICE CORNER

“Thank you,” from Catholic Relief Services! Because of the generous contribution we and our fellow Catholics have made, Catholic Relief Services (CRS) has been able to assist millions of people in Central American countries in their recovery from the devastation of Hurricane Mitch in 1998. CRS’ initial response included emergency food distributions, medicines, tents, water, and rebuilding homes and bridges. Looking forward, CRS is now involved in long-term recovery and development programs in El Salvador, Nicaragua, Guatemala and Honduras. Please keep our brothers and sisters in Central America in your prayers.

Christ House Drivers Christ House needs drivers to deliver food to the shelter once every other month on the third Friday. Delivery is anytime between 8 AM and 2 PM. Call Jan Martin at 703-528-0736 for details.

Ministry

The pro-life movement is one of the most positive aspects of American public life, and the support given it by the bishops is a tribute to your pastoral leadership. Despite the generous efforts of so many, however, the idea that elective abortion is a “right” continues to be asserted. Moreover, there are signs of almost unimaginable insensitivity to the reality of what actually happens during an abortion, as evidenced in recent events surrounding so-called “partial-birth abortion.” This is a cause for deep concern. A society with a diminished sense of the value of human life at its early stages has already opened the door to a culture of death.

- Ad limina address of Pope John Paul II to bishops of California, Nevada and Hawaii, Oct. 2, 1998

PHILIPPINE MEDICAL MISSION (PMM)

PMM thanks the St. Charles Community for its generous tithe of $1,421.80. Together with the funds raised from the Filipino Communtiy and outside the parish, a total of $3,570.00 was sent to the foundation of Our Lady of Peace Mission in the Philippines. The money will help fund a three-day medical mission in Minoan, Leyte. With your generosity, some 300 people are hoped to be treated.

YOUTH NEWS

Youth traveling to Rome for World Youth Day leave in less than one month! We would like to thank all parishioners for their ongoing support – both spiritual and financial. Through your generosity and fundraising efforts, we have raised $13,620. That leaves us $6,840 short of our goal. If you are able to help us reach our goal, please consider making a donation. For more information, call Anne Marie Kaufmann at 703-527-5500 x19.

RCIA NEWS

Are you thinking about joining the Catholic Church? Do feel called to be baptized? Do you feel called to be confirmed in the Catholic Church? There will be two informational sessions – Tuesday, August 1 and Tuesday, August 29, both beginning at 7:30 PM in the parish library. You are invited to come and find out more about the Rite of Christian Intiation for Adults (RCIA). Regular meetings will begin Tuesday, September 5.

Do you want to go on a journey that will deepen your faith and touch your life in a meaningful way? You don’t even have to leave Virginia! We are looking for sponsors and team members to journey with adults interested in joining the Catholic Church. No experience necessary!

Contact Stacy Greene at 703-522-9467 or 703-527-5500 for more information or to indicate interest. You may also e-mail her at SGreene715@aol.com.

FREEDOM ACTION for the JUBILEE

"Begin this year by reviewing which areas in your life are holding you back from experiencing God’s true freedom. Make a conscious effort to affect change where you can, in order to experience the freedom to which you are called."

IN OUR PARISH!

Many, many thanks to Fr. Creedon, Fr. Mendez, Sr. Benedict, past and current members of the parish council and pastoral team and the entire St. Charles community for the beautiful concelebrated Mass and wonderful reception (with delicious food and specially composed songs!) on July 9. I am most grateful for your kindness. I also appreciate the lovely gifts of the framed picture of the Jubilee cross and the special inscription and the Tiffany china vase. It has been a special blessing for me to serve on the parish council and the interim working group with so many talented people. I thank each one of them and all parishioners of St. Charles for your support and trust over the last three and one-half years. Please be assured of my continued prayers for our community.

Build the Spirit!

Carolyn M. Gretzinger,
Parish Council Chair (1997-2000)

NEIGHBORHOOD F PICNIC

Neighborhood F will hold its annual picnic on Sunday, July 30, from 3:30 PM to 6:30 PM at Lubber Run Park. If your last name begins with: A-H, please bring an appetizer; I-N, please bring a main course; O-Z, please bring a dessert. If you have any questions, please call Sabra Flaherty at 703-920-2689. We hope to see you there!

FREE PHOTOS AND CALENDARS

Summer vacations are here, but your parish Web Team remains hard at work. Log onto www.stcharleschurch.org and you’ll find photos and stories from the parish’s tribute to Carolyn Gretzinger and the parish council, the complete parish calendar all the way to June 2001, and the chance to vote in our web site poll. Plus, if you’re out of town, you can catch up on any parish bulletins you may have missed. Spread the word about our parish web site! It’s the hi-tech yet low-key way to share your faith.

• Last Week’s Collection: $14,094.00
• Last Week’s Tithe of $1,409.40 is for St. Charles Outreach.
• This Week’s 2nd Collection is for the Diocesan Mission in the Dominican Republic.
• This Week’s Tithe is for our sister parishes in Cavaillon and Gros Marin, Haiti.
• Next Week’s Tithe is for OAR and Good News Jail Ministry.

Revised/reviewed July 24, 2000