FROM OUR PASTOR

Dear St. Charles Parishioners:

Our parish social justice committee sponsors two opportunities this fall to learn more about Faithful Citizenship. This is a guide our National Conference of Catholic Bishops has provided to the Catholic community to promote reflection on the Presidential Campaign in the light of gospel values and the social teachings of our church. The Catholic Church believes in the separation of church and state and the legitimate autonomy of conscience especially when addressing political issues in a pluralistic democracy. However, we believe that many areas of public policy have an ethical dimension. Wherever issues touch on the sacredness of human life or threaten the dignity of the human person, people of faith are called to a principled response.

Please note the time and place for the presentations listed in today’s bulletin [jump to dates] and plan to participate.

Remember the words of Pope Paul the VI, “If you want peace, work for justice.”

YOUTH NEWS

Youth traveling to Rome for World Youth Day leave this Saturday, August 12! We would like to thank all parishioners for their ongoing support – both spiritual and financial. Please continue to keep all of the pilgrims in your prayers during these next ten days.

MOM-N-ME

Looking for a fun activity to do with your baby, toddler or pre-schooler? Join other moms and kids every Thursday at 10:00 AM in the Parish Library. Call Marybeth Connelly at 703-645-0033 for more information.

CATHOLIC LIFE IN ANGOLA, AFRICA

On Monday, August 14, at 7:30 PM in the Parish Library, former parishioner Christina Huth will present a slide show on her impressions of the Catholic country of Angola. She has been working there for the last year at the American Embassy. All are welcome, and refreshments will be provided. R.S.V.P. to Lee Beaston at 703-528-4351.

FOCUS ON FREEDOM

In celebration of the Year of Jubilee, the Children of God’s Love Prayer Group is dedicating its August 7 meeting to discussing freedom. Join in at 7:30 PM in the Chapel.

SPONSOR OF THE WEEK: Our special thanks to The Law Offices of Colleen Duffy Kiko for their support. Thank you!

SUNDAY, AUGUST 6, 2000:

7:30 Cameron Diamond (L) by Michael and Deborah Urban
9:00 Manuel Coelho Santos by Belmira Santos
11:00Parishioners
1:00Hortencia Donoso by Blanca Dordeiro

Readings: Daniel 7:9-10,13-14; 2 Peter 1:16-19; Mark 9:2-10

Monday, August 7:

9:00 Dorothy DeLeon by Camille Burruto
7:30 (at the Arlington Detention Center) for the Inmates

Readings: Jeremiah 28:1-17; Matthew 14:13-21

Tuesday, August 8:

9:00 Melvin J. Cunningham by Helen Naber

Readings: Jeremiah 30:1-2,12-15,18-22; Matthew 14:22-36

Wednesday, August 9:

9:00 Felicitas Farrales by Tito Farrales

Readings: Jeremiah 31:1-7; Matthew 15:21-28

Thursday, August 10:

9:00 James Damian Roberts

Readings: 2 Corinthians 9:6-10; John 12:24-26

Friday, August 11:

9:00 Michael Spaulding (L) by Michael and Deborah Urban

Readings: Nahum 2:1,3; 3:1-3,6-7; Matthew 16:24-28

Saturday, August 12:

9:00 Irene Mack by Kerry Mack
5:00 Carmen Saldana by Marcia Rachy and Sandra Utter

Readings: Habakkuk 1:12-2:4; Matthew 17:14-20

Please remember to keep in your prayers, those who are sick and those who suffer, especially: Kathy & Mike Burke, Gene Biedscheid, Jill Hasty, Ralph Bruno, Eileen Bruno, Michael Rontaler, Helena Guziczek, Josephine Hilton, Barbara Cronin, , Robert Howe, Judy Birt, Margaret Tappen and Rodney Barnes. Let us also pray for those who have died, especially: Bea Caffarina.

SOCIAL JUSTICE CORNER

“If you want peace, work for justice.” – Pope Paul VI. Mark your calendars for the following dates where we as Catholics can explore the many moral/ethical issues being decided in the November elections. On Saturday, September 23, Catholic Charities is sponsoring a “Faithful Citizenship” workshop at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Alexandria. On Sunday, October 22 from 3-6 PM, an Election 2000 workshop will be held here at St. Charles. Please call Micheline Toussaint, Social Justice Minister at the Parish Office for more information, 703-527-5500 x13.

Ministry

The life of the fetus must be protected, defended and nurtured in the mother’s womb because of its inherent dignity, a dignity which belongs to the embryo and is not something conferred or granted by others, whether the genetic parents, the medical personnel or the state.

- Pope John Paul II, April 3, 2000 Discourse to Congress “Fetus as a Patient”

SCHOOL NEWS

St. Charles School is in dire need of new furniture for the front entrance. Please contact Sr. Benedict Kesock, the principal of the school, at 703-527-0608 if you can help. Thank you.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS

Religious Education Registration: Registration forms are available at Church entrances and the Parish Office for Religious Education programs from Kindergarten through High School. Please register earlier, as some programs will be filled at a first come, first serve basis. If you have any questions or need more information as to which program will best suit your child, please call Anne Marie Kaufmann at 703-527-5500 x19.

Volunteer Teachers Needed: The grade-based (K-6) Sunday classes need volunteer teachers. If you love children and your faith, please consider helping out with religious education. Teams of two teachers will work together for each grade level. All materials are provided with the religious education textbook series. Each week, there will be a small amount of preparation time prior to class. Also, there will be three training/planning meetings during the year. If you are interested in volunteering, please complete a volunteer form (available at Church entrances and the Parish Office) or call Anne Marie.

MASTER CATECHIST TRAINING PROGRAM

The Master Catechist Training Program seeks experienced catechists who are ready to deepen their knowledge and develop skills to lead catechist training sessions. The program provides spiritual formation and doctrinal grounding based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Graduates are certified by the Office of Catechetics to provide catechist enrichment and training in parishes throughout the Arlington Diocese. Applications are now being accepted for classes beginning in September. To pick up an application or to obtain further information, please contact the Parish Office at 703-527-5500 or the Office of Catechetics at 703-841-2554.

RCIA NEWS

If you are considering starting the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA), you are invited to attend an informational session on Tuesday, August 29 at 7:30 PM in the Parish Library. Come and meet RCIA team members and bring your questions.

Looking for a way to get involved in your parish? We are looking for sponsors and team members for RCIA. No experience needed!

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.

As many of you know, Jennifer Cole has taken a teaching position in Rome and will be leaving in less than one week. St. Charles wishes to thank her for the many years of service she has given this community. We have been blessed by her enthusiasm and dedication to our teens, her commitment to uphold the sanctity of life, her participation in the liturgy as a lector, Eucharistic minister, and Prayers of the Faithful writer, and her genuine love of and desire to share her Catholic faith with others. While we will miss Jen, we know her many gifts will be a blessing to the families, children and teens she will serve in Rome. We wish her the best and pray that God grant her strength, courage and wisdom in continuing to serve Him, and that her heart might be joyful and open to take in all that Rome has to offer.

HOT DOG! (AND HAMBURGERS)

On August 12th at 4 PM, the C’YA Servant Team will be serving up BBQ fare in an attempt to raise money for upcoming C’YA activities. All are encouraged to come (hungry) for an afternoon of good food and fun. The cost is $10 at the door (gate).

Location: John Sonderman’s house (back yard), 211 N. Wakefield, Arlington.

R.S.V.P. to Larry Prikockis 703-312-9463 alaric@ljcp.com by August 10.

THEOLOGY ON TAP

If you’re in your 20’s or 30’s, join C’YA for Theology on Tap at Whitlow’s on Wilson (just a few blocks from the Clarendon Metro) on Tuesday, August 8, from 7-9 PM. Enjoy a beer and burger with friends and listen to a dynamic speaker. TOT is sponsored by the Arlington Diocese. Call Andrea at 703-841-2550 for more details on TOT, or call Larry at 703-312-9463 for more info about C’YA.

WEB HEADS MEET THIS TUESDAY

The parish Web Team, the creative bunch making www.stcharleschurch.org possible, meets this Tuesday, August 8 at 7:30 PM in the Memorial Room of the Church. Join us as we review the results of our parish web site poll that is still underway. If you haven’t voted yet, log on and do so today! And why not e-mail a friend this week and mention our web address? Contact Mark D. Alves at webteam@stcharleschurch.org or 703-528-0694.

• Last Week’s Collection: $15,141.00
• Last Week’s Tithe of $1,514.10 is for OAR and Good News Jail Ministry.
• This Week’s Tithe is for Housing.
• Next Week’s Tithe is for Covenant House.

Revised/reviewed August 1, 2000