FROM OUR PASTOR

Dear St. Charles Parishioners:

Faithful Citizenship is in the news as Catholics join with other Americans in electing a new President.

I would like to make the following points. Our Bishops warn against any endorsement of candidates or partisanship. They challenge all to vote but believe that the church cannot tell people who to vote for. They ask for serious reflection on all issues in the light of the dignity of the human person and the sacredness of life. They lift up four concerns: life, family, social justice and global solidarity. Mission Sunday provides a focus on solidarity this weekend.

A workshop on the Bishops statement is offered here on October 22nd.

Faithful Citizenship is also exercised locally and throughout the year. SALT offers a workshop at Queen of Peace on October 28 AM and the Northern Virginia Interfaith Coalition for Justice offers a workshop at Heritage Presbyterian, Mt. Vernon on October 18 PM. Both groups advocate for justice in the Old Dominion. Call Micheline Toussaint at 703-527-5500 for details.

JOIN OUR OKTOBERFEST ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21ST!

Peace for Jerusalem!

RCIA NEWS

The inquiry phase of RCIA has begun. This is a period of discernment and learning more about the Catholic Church. Please pray for the adults embarking on this journey to become full, active, participating members of the Catholic Church. Also, we are looking for sponsors, team members and dismissal leaders for RCIA. For more information please contact Stacey Greene at 703-522-9467 or Sgreene715@aol.com.

PARKING AVAILABLE AT GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY

George Mason University has made available to St. Charles parishioners, 75 parking spaces on their surface lot during Sunday Masses. The parking lot entrance is located on Kirkwood between Fairfax Drive and Washington Blvd. Please note that George Mason also uses the lot during these times and cannot be responsible for any property loss or damage. In the spirit of cooperation, we thank them for their consideration.

BISHOP O’CONNELL HIGH SCHOOL

OPEN HOUSE

Today, Sunday October 15, 2000 at 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM: A co-educational college preparatory high school, celebrating 43 years of service to Catholic education. You are invited to visit the school, talk with our teachers, and find our how we can help your child achieve higher academic standards.

This Week's Readings & Mass Intentions

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2000

7:30Lila Cerna and Efraim Gutierrez by Gustavo and Lila Vega

9:00 Parishioners

11:00 Fr. Edmund Kollar (former Pastor of St. Charles)by St. Charles staff

1:00 Virgen Rosa Mistica by Maria Daniela Paez

Readings: Wisdom 7:7-11; Hebrews 4:12-13; Mark 10:17-30

Monday, October 16:

9:00 Rodrigo Azores by Kathy and Bobby Chan

7:30 (at the Arlington Detention Center) for Inmates

Readings: Galatians 4:22-24,26-27,31-5:1; Luke 11:29-32

Tuesday, October 17:

9:00 Thanksgiving by Mario D’ Ambrosio

Readings: Galatians 5:1-6; Luke 11:37-41

Wednesday, October 18:

9:00 James Macary by Laura Fitch and family

Readings: 2 Timothy 4:10-17b; Luke 10:1-9

Thursday, October 19:

9:00 Dorothy Sweeney by Jean Sweeney

Readings: Ephesians 1:1-10; 2 Luke 11:47-54

Friday, October 20:

9:00 Thanksgiving by Savery Gradoville

Readings: Ephesians 1:11-14; Luke12: 1-7

Saturday, October 21:

9:00 Dannah Gellina (L) by Araceli Simbulan

5:00 John Dwight Evans by Rosa Evans

Readings: Ephesians1: 15-23; Luke12:8-12

Please remember to keep in your prayers, those who are sick and those who suffer, especially: Joseph Lewis, Maude “Peggy” Egerton, Deborah Egerton, Michael Ann Dean, John Biddle, Andrew Niland, Colleen White, Rodney Barnes, Kathy & Mike Burke, Gene Biedscheid, Eileen Bruno, Glyne Goodridge, Judy Birt, Mary McLaren, Maria Segarra Hines, Sr. Margaret Ann Cook, and Orion Bress and. Let us also pray for those who have died, especially: Margaret Tappen and Jill Hasty.

SOCIAL JUSTICE CORNER

CONFERENCE ON BRAIN INJURIES

“Journey towards independence” is an annual conference providing support and information to family and friends of brain injury survivors. Please join us on October 20-21 at George W. Johnson Center at George Mason University. Please call 703-548-4048 ext.320. Also, Catholic Charities is sponsoring its 12th Annual Separation and Divorce Conference on November 4, 2000 at St. Timothy’s parish, in Chantilly. Contact Catholic Charities at (703) 841-2531 to register.

SPONSOR OF THE WEEK: Our Special Thanks to Arlington & Rose Hill Florists for their support.

Ministry

Our responsibility is to measure every party and platform by how its agenda touches human life and dignity.

-NCCB Administrative Committee, “Faithful Citizenship: Civic Responsibility for a New Millennium”

ADULT EDUCATION

First Monday Adult education Series presents “Multiculturalism in the Church” with Fr. Joe Donders from the Washington Theological Union. Join other adults in the parish on Monday, November 6 at 8 p.m. in the Church.

YOUTH NEWS

All 7th and 8th graders are invited to On The Way to share an hour and a half of faith and fun. On The Way meets from 7-8:30 p.m. on Sundays in the Upper Room. A calendar of events is available at church entrances.

All high school youth are invited to WAY where the wise and the young spend time together to talk about their faith, reach out to others in need, and have fun! Meetings are Sundays, 7-9p.m. in the Youth Room. Also, remember to bring your permission slips and money for the HAYRIDE and CAMPFIRE scheduled for October 29! Calendars and permission slips are available at Church entrances.

Letter to the Pope student essay contest is open to all 7-12 graders. Winners will be published in Maryknoll magazine and will receive monetary awards. Look for guidelines and entry forms at Church entrances or stop by the parish Office.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

Diocesan Catechetical Conference on November 11, 2000 is open to all catechists and parishioners interested in deepening their faith and learning techniques for passing on that faith to our children. Look for packets at the circle entrances to the Church or call Anne Marie at 703-527-5500, ext.19 for more information. Please register early, as registration for workshops is limited and taken on a first come, first served basis.

Help Needed…Calling all artists and calligraphers to create materials and posters for children ages 3-12 in the Atrium religious education classes. If you are talented with arts and crafts, painting, or calligraphy and would like to share your gifts, please call Anne Marie at 703-527-5500, ext.19.

YOUNG ADULT CONFERENCE

Are you in your 20’s or 30’s, single or married and interested in learning more about your Catholic Faith? Don’t miss the First Diocesan Young Adult Conference. This one-day event will take place on November 4, 2000 at St. Mark’s Parish in Vienna beginning at 9:30 AM. Bishop Loverde will be the keynote speaker. Pick up a registration form by visiting www.YA2000.org. Early Bird Registration ends October 27th. Questions? Contact the Office for Family Life at 703-841-2549.

IN OUR PARISH...

OKTOBERFEST 2000

Oktoberfest is next week! Make sure your calendars are marked for October 21st for a full day of fun. You may bring your yard sale items and /or help sort items today after Mass and Monday – Thursday, 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM at the Youth Center. You may leave Krafthaus items at the school during school hours. Please bring your bake sales item all day Friday or early Saturday to school. If there are any teenagers that need volunteer hours, please contact us, we have lots for you to do. If you haven’t turned in your raffle tickets yet, now is the time. And for those of you who feel they can sell more tickets, you can pick up more at the school or rectory. If you need more information or would like to volunteer, please call Mike and Sabra Flaherty at 703-920-2689. Thank you for your support! Feel the Spirit!!

WEEKEND RETREAT FOR PEOPLE FACING SERIUOS ILLNESS

A retreat specially planned for men and women facing serious illness will be held at the Dominican retreat house in McLean, Virginia, on December 8, 9, and 10, 2000. A team of doctors, nurses, priests, sisters and helpers will be present around – the – clock. Scheduling allows plenty of time for rest and reflection. This retreat is offered free of charge. Registration closes November 29. Please call as soon as possible. Dominican retreat: (703) 356-4243, or Doug Sebek (703) 860-4929.

WEBHEADS ASSEMBLE ON TUESDAY

The Web Team, the creative bunch making www.stcharleschurch.org possible, will host their monthly meeting this Tuesday, October 17 at 7:30 in the memorial room of the church. Please join us if you’ve thought about helping with the parish website. We’re also looking for volunteers with digital cameras to take pictures of the church, ministries and volunteers. E-mail us at webteam@stcharlechurch.org. Don’t forget to visit to the site this week to see what’s new!

SLOW, SLOW, SLOW!!!

When driving through our parking lot, especially when dropping off or picking up your child, PLEASE, SLOW DOWN! Fortunately, no accidents have occurred, however, we have had several close calls. The safety of our children is extremely important. Please observe a five mile an hour speed limit. Thank you.

CHURCH SUPPORT

• Last Week’s Collection: $13,129.50
• Last Week’s Tithe of $1,312.95 was for Borromeo Housing, Inc. (BHI).
• This Week’s Tithe is for St. Charles Outreach.
• Next week’s 2nd Collection is for World Missions.

Revised/reviewed October 11, 2000