FROM OUR PASTOR

Dear St. Charles Parishioners:

This weekend, we support the Campaign for Human Development, major project of the U.S. Church to combat poverty. It fosters self-help groups and community organizations by helping low income people to achieve greater participation and equity. Fr. Chuck McCoart administers the local funding for regional poverty groups. While the good economy has improved life for many citizens, it has created an even greater struggle for those whose incomes have not matched rising costs, especially in the area of housing.

Come celebrate an Interfaith Thanksgiving Service at Community United Methodist Church at Key Blvd. and Bryan Street at 7:30 PM on November 22nd.

Mark December 4th on your calendar. The First Monday Adult Ed Series will be presented by myself on the theme of “Reconciliation”. In the light of the Vatican Document “Dominus Iesus”, I will consider where we are with interfaith dialogue. I will also have a fresh look at the conscience and law questions as well as the social aspects of sin and forgiveness.

Build the Spirit!

RCIA NEWS

On November 19th, 2000 two rites will take place at the 9:00 a.m. Mass: The Rite of Acceptance and The Rite of Welcoming. The Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens is an important rite, which marks a stage of growth in the faith journey. The Rite of Welcoming is where those who are seeking to complete their Christian initiation through the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist will be welcomed into our church community. Please join with us as we celebrate these important rites and keep the candidates and catechumens of Saint Charles in your prayers.

FOR YOUR SPIRITUAL GROWTH

Please join us at The Dominican Retreat House, a lovely place in McLean, VA on the following dates: Nov. 17-19: Silent Retreat – All are invited. Dec. 1-3: Silent Retreat – women. Please Call 703-356-4243 for reservation information.

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS THANKSGIVING DAY DINNER

The Knights of Columbus, Council #2473-5115 Little Falls Road in Arlington, invites the needy and at-home-alone parishioners to be their guests for Thanksgiving dinner. It will be served in the main hall from 1:00 to 3:00 PM on November 23. The Knights will also deliver a hot turkey dinner to shut-ins. Transportation can be provided, if needed, from the church or another designated place. Return transportation is also available. For further information, please call Paula or John Cormany at (703) 876-4654.

FROM THE PARISH OFFICE: Baptismal Preparation previously scheduled for November 26th has been rescheduled for December 10th. Please call the Parish Office to register.

This Week's Readings & Mass Intentions

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2000

7:30 Parishioners

9:00 John Hackett by Patti Donnelly

11:00 Tiffany Werthmann by the Werthmann family

1:00 Pablo Prieto by Maria Prieto

Readings: Daniel 12:1-3; Hebrews 10:11-14,18; Mark 13:24-32

Monday, November 20:

9:00 Venson Chu by the Chu family

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

Readings: Revelation 1:1-4;2:1-5a; Luke 18:35-43

Tuesday, November 21:

9:00 Sabastian Raj by Annabelle Ryan

Readings: Revelation 3:1-6,14-22; Luke 9:1-10

Wednesday, November 22:

9:00 Former Pastors and Parochial Vicars of St. Charles

Readings: Revelation 4:1-11; Luke 19:11-28

Thursday, November 23:

9:00 Louis Hackett & Family (L) Gloria T. Mora

Readings: Revelation 4:1-10; Luke19:41-44

Friday, November 24:

9:00 Julia Muller by Viola Muller

Readings: Revelation 10:8-11; Luke 19:45-48

Saturday, November25:

9:00 Joseph A. Reid Jr. by Theresa Di Santis

5:00 Virginia A. Rua by Marcia Rachy & Sandra Utter

Readings: Revelation 11:4-12; Luke 20:27-40

Please remember to keep in your prayers, those who are sick and those who suffer, especially: Joe Frascone, Leye Chrzanawski, Michael Ann Dean, Fugiang Wang, Walter Zimmermann, John Biddle, Andrew Niland, Colleen White, Gene Biedscheid, Eileen Bruno, Glyne Goodridge, Judy Birt, Maria Segarra Hines, Jeanette Moore, Rita Coleman, Monica Svete, and Sr. Margaret Ann Cook. Let us also pray for those who have died, especially: Anthony Wadell, Catherine Teevan Feord, Josephine Hilton and Maude “Peggy” Egerton.

SOCIAL JUSTICE CORNER

ADVOCACY WORKS FOR HUNGRY PEOPLE!

Before Congress paused for the Nov. 7 elections, it gave hungry people some important victories, approving the full $435 million U.S. share of debt relief for poor countries and $1.5 billion of Food Stamp Program improvements from the Hunger Relief Act. Thanks to all who wrote letters and made phone calls!!

SPONSOR OF THE WEEK: Our Special Thanks to Mc Enearney Associates Inc. for their support.

Ministry

When human beings stop seeing life as a gift from GOD, they see it as a gift from God, they see it as something over which they have authority and control. And then, they are in the gravest danger.

--J. Augustine DiNoia, O.P., “A Tale of Three Encyclicals”

ST. CHARLES SCHOOL

Dear Friends in Christ, My apologies for this belated Oktoberfest update. On behalf of Sabra and Mike Flaherty and the Oktoberfest Committee, we would like to extend a heartfelt THANK YOU to all parents that participated! This year’s Oktoberfest was the most successful to date. For all of you that volunteered your time, brought in items for the yard sale and silent auction and sold raffle tickets…your efforts paid off – big time! This year’s Oktoberfest grossed $20,000.00! You should all be very proud of your accomplishment! This could not have been done without all of you. The winners of the Oktoberfest raffle are: 1st prize: Sean McCaffrey; 2nd prize: Tome Ryan; 3rd prize: Kathy Pirollo; 4th prize: Josefina DeGalbis; and 5th prize: Mike Kimble. – Sr. Benedict Kesock, O.S.B.

EXTENDED DAY PROGRAM: St. Charles School Extended Day Program is looking for responsible individuals to help staff the afternoon portion of the program. Please call Lisa at the School on 703-527-0608.

GIANT BONUS CARD PROGRAM: From November 5, 2000 until March 31, 2001, Giant grocery stores are running the Bonus Card program just like the Safeway stores Bonus Card program! Please get your Giant Bonus Card and designate ID# 2192 for St. Charles School. St. Charles School will then receive points to purchase computers, physical education equipment and many other useful items for our students. You can also sign up online at www.giantfood.com. It’s very quick and easy. Happy shopping and thanks for lending a helping hand to our students!

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS

Religious Education Classes: Atrium, Grades K – 6, On The Way, and WAY will not meet next Sunday, November 26. Happy Thanksgiving.

Advent: “Meditations for Advent” booklets will be available next weekend at Church during Advent. Please take one per family.

HIGH SCHOOL PLACEMENT TEST

Any 8th graders who want to apply to Diocesan high schools must take a Placement Test. The test date is Saturday, December 2, 8:30 a.m. – 12 noon. Testing locations include Bishop Ireton and Bishop O’Connell. Registration forms and more information are available in the Parish Office or call the Office of Catholic Schools at 703-841-2519. Registration deadline is Wednesday, November 29, 2000.

IN OUR PARISH...

FEAST OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE

All parishioners are invited to celebrate the Feast of our lady of Guadalupe on Saturday, December 9, 2000. Join us for the Bi-lingual Mass at 5:00 PM followed by a Fiesta in the Cafeteria with food, songs and dancing from our Latin American Community. Come with the family and be a part of this traditional celebration

ECUMENICAL EVENT

The traditional Interfaith Thanksgiving Service for central Arlington will be on Wednesday evening, November 22 at 7:30 PM. Our host congregation this year is the Community United Methodist Church, located at the intersection of Key Blvd. & Bryan Street. Saint Charles Borromeo Folk Group will participate, as usual. A sizeable group of our parishioners usually attend. The number of participating congregations & Churches has increased this year to nine, including: 7th Day Adventist, Baptist, Christian, Episcopal, Jewish, Methodist, Presbyterian, & Catholic. If you haven’t attended, do join our neighbors; if you have do return.

DON’T BE A TURKEY VISIT THE PARISH WEBSITE!

Here’s something to be thankful for—your parish web site www.stcharleschurch.org. Start with the latest headlines, fill up on the calendar and bulletins, find out who’s saying Mass next week and dig into volunteer opportunities. Don’t forget to leave room for dessert—tasty photos from recent events. The Web Team wishes you and your loved ones a blessed Thanksgiving.

SOMETHING WORTH LIVING FOR

Please join us on the following two events to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of the four US women killed in El Salvador: Thursday, November 30, 7PM at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 36th & O St. NW, in the Trinity Theatre. And also on Saturday, December 2, 7PM at Trinity College Chapel, 125 Michigan Ave., NE, where special guests: Jon Sobrino, SJ, Jesuit Community of El Salvador and Melinda Roper, MM, Former President of the Maryknoll Sisters will be at both events. For more information contact www.Rtfcam.org, or call 202–529–0441.

CHURCH SUPPORT

• Last Week’s Collection: $14,573.50
• Last Week’s Tithe of $1,457.35 was for our sister parishes in Cavaillon and Gros Marin, Haiti.
• This Week’s 2nd Collection is for the Campaign for Human Development.
• Next Week’s Tithe is for Hunger.

Revised/reviewed November 15, 2000