FROM OUR PASTOR

Dear St. Charles Parishioners:

Thanksgiving celebrations this past week with the parish at a lovely 9 AM Mass, at the local Methodist Church and with some friends, gave me the opportunity to thank the Lord. I am especially grateful that I have had the opportunity to serve in this active, diverse and generous parish.

On Thursday, I visited with Annabelle, one of our homebound older members. She had been released from the hospital with an incapacitating leg problem. She was finishing a thanksgiving meal that our Hospitality Committee had prepared in the Cafeteria. It was another reminder that St. Charles is a parish that looks outward and remembers.

As Advent approaches, we prepare ourselves for the first year of a new millennium. Christ’s coming will be celebrated by concrete steps to better house the people and programs of this growing community through a new Parish Community Center. This weekend at the Masses, we make it easy for all who have waited to join our Capital Campaign to pledge their support.

Come, build the spirit!

P.S. Join me on Monday at 8 PM in the Church for a presentation on “The Many Faces of Reconciliation”.

NEIGHBORHOOD D’S CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION

Tonight’s December 3rd, the night for Neighborhood D’s Advent/Christmas celebration. Please join us at 7:30PM in the Randolph Towers Party Room, located at 4001 N. Ninth Street, between Randolph and Quincy Streets. Although not required, you may bring a snack to share with your fellow neighbors, a toy for tots, or food items for St. Charles food pantry. Everyone welcomed. Questions? Call Monica Bastion at 703-528-4359.
Web bonus: Neighborhood Advent Events

ADVENT PRAYER SERVICE

Step away from busy preparations to reflect on the coming gift of new life. Join the mom’s ministry for a quiet time of prayer and reflection on the longing in our hearts on December 14th, at 7:30 in the Chapel.

KEEPING ADVENT IN CONTEMPLATION WITH MARY

Come hear Fr. DeMartino as he shares with us ways to grow in holiness during his 3-part Advent Series sponsored by the Diocese of Arlington Young Adult Ministry Office and hosted by Blessed Sacrament Parish in Alexandria. The series will start with Mass at 7:45PM, Q&A 8:30PM, & Social 8:45. Confessions will be available. Questions? Please email yam@arlingtondiocese.org or call Andrea at 703-841-2549. This program is open to Young Adults (20s – 30s), Single & Married.

This Week's Readings & Mass Intentions

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2000

7:30 Special Intention by Dale Labbe-Anhut

9:00 Parishioners

11:00 Joseph Paul Di Santis III by Theresa Di Santis

1:00 Mercedes Rodriguez by Clara Rodriguez

Readings: Jeremiah 33:14-16; 1 Thessalonians 3:12-4:2; Luke 21:25-28,34-36

Monday, December 4:

9:00 Bishop Vincent MacCauley, CSC

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

Readings: Isaiah 2:1-5; Matthew 8:5-11

Tuesday, December 5:

9:00 Joseph Hagarty by Patrick J. Kennedy

Readings: Isaiah 11:1-10; Luke 10:21-24

Wednesday, December 6:

9:00 James Macary by Laura Fitch & family

Readings: Isaiah 25:6-10a; Matthew 15:29-37

Thursday, December 7:

9:00 Antionette Vella by Randall & Jennifer Budden

7:30 Thomas Weiser by Mark & Casey Weiser

Readings: Isaiah 26:1-6; Matthew 7:21,24-27

Friday, December 8: Immaculate Conception of Mary

9:00 Michael F. Copeland by Eileen Morton

12:00 Alice Francis by Jean Sweeney

7:30 Herbert Arey by George Macdonald

Readings: Genesis 3:9-15,20; Ephesians 1:-3-6,11-12; Luke 1:26-38

Saturday, December 9:

9:00 Venson Chu by the Chu family

5:00 the Burruto family (L) by Camille Burruto

Readings: Isaiah 30:19-21,23-26; Matthew 9:35-10:1,6-8

Please remember to keep in your prayers, those who are sick and those who suffer, especially: Annabelle Ryan, Walter Gonzales, Mable, McGarth, Bert Sebben, Paul Steinmetz, Joe Frascone, Michael Ann Dean, Fugiang Wang, John Biddle, Andrew Niland, Colleen White, Gene Biedscheid, Eileen Bruno, Glyne Goodridge, Judy Birt, Maria Segarra Hines, Jeanette Moore, and Ann Cook. Let us also pray for those who have died.

SOCIAL JUSTICE CORNER

FOOD PANTRY: Thank you all for your past contributions of food for the poor. Though we may not have food drives on our minds, we still have hungry neighbors around us. Empty food baskets are placed at the Church entrances. They are left there for each of you to give food items to those struggling to feed themselves and their families. We can provide love and support to the poor with gifts of food. Canned goods, non-perishable items such as cereal, rice, cooking oil and peanut butter are always needed. Please be generous. Please contact the Parish Office for further information.

SPONSOR OF THE WEEK: Our Special Thanks to Clarendon Grill for their support.

YOUTH NEWS

On The Way (grades 7 & 8) and WAY (grades 9-12) invite you to tonight’s meetings. On The Way meets from 7-8:30 PM n the Upper Room, and WAY meets from 7-9 PM in the Youth Center. Stay tuned for service opportunities and Christmas celebrations this month!

Youth service opportunity on Saturday, December 9 from 9 AM to 12 PM. An elderly woman in our area needs help with outdoor cleaning, indoor cleaning, and minor housing repairs. If you are interested in lending a helping hand, call Anne Marie at 703-527-5500, ext. 19. Also, we are asking for small money donations to help cover the cost of cleaning and repair supplies.

YOUTH MASS next Sunday, December 10 at 6 PM in the Chapel. Come a little early to practice new songs. Also, we will have a special duet by one of our very own WAY members and her brother. If you want to greet, read, bring up gifts, or share your musical talents, sign up at WAY or On The Way.

ADULT EDUCATION

The third in our Monday night Adult Education Speaker Series will feature our very own Fr. Gerry Creedon. This discussion on Reconciliation will include the biblical call to reconciliation, the sacrament of penance in light of a renewed concept of sin and law, and contemporary challenges to confession especially in the area of inter-faith relationships in light of Dominus Iesus. Join us Monday, December 4 at 8 PM in the Church for a thoughtful presentation and discussion.
Web bonus: Text of Dominus Iesus

Advent reflection booklets “Saying Yes to God” are available at Church entrances. These booklets will take you day by day through a prayerful and guided look at the Advent season. Please take only one book per family in order to allow for the greatest number of parishioners to participate in this spiritual journey.

CHRISTMAS CAROLING

Neighborhood E will meet at Peg Hogan’s (513 N. Ivy Street) to go Christmas Caroling on Friday, December 15th at 7 PM. Please call Pat Horner at 703-524-5437 for more information or to RSVP. Join the fun!

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA

TODAY … In the School Cafeteria!!! Come have breakfast with Santa, Mrs. Clause and an Elf. Enjoy pancakes, sausage, applesauce, orange juice and coffee. A large breakfast is only $6.00 and a small is $4.00. Plus, all those children who have breakfast will receive a gift from Santa! So come and join in the fun! (From 8 AM to 12:30 PM)

UNITED WAY DESIGNATION

Please consider donating to Borromeo Housing, Inc. through the United Way Campaign by entering #8412 as your designated agency. Thank your for all your support!

WEBHEADS MEET THIS TUESDAY

The Web Team meets this Tuesday, December 5 a 7:30 PM for our monthly meeting and a Christmas party. Past contributors and prospective volunteers are welcome to join us in the Memorial Room, which is next to the Crying Room. We can now call www.stcharleschurch.org an award-winning site, due to a recent honor we received. Check our site this week to learn everything going on for Advent at St. Charles, along with Advent reflections when you’re ready for some quiet time with Jesus. Tell us what you think about your parish site by e-mailing webteam@stcharleschurch.org.

NEW BREAKING BREAD HYMNALS

With the coming of Advent, we initiate the use of our new “Breaking Bread” hymnals. We ask that they be used with care. Thank You!

Ministry

PRAYER VIGIL

Take time out of the hectic holidays and join us in honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe, protectress of the unborn. The Respect life Committee is sponsoring a prayer vigil on December 7, 2000 from 8:45PM to 10:45PM, following the Vigil mass for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception which is at 7:30PM, to pray for an end to abortion and for help and healing for those whose lives have been touched by it. We will say Rosary and Divine mercy Chaplet, and have time for quiet prayer. We will also have exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. It is not too early to start thinking about the March for Life on January 22, 2001. If you have any questions, please call Becky at 703-524-4658 or Jenny at 703-532-5457.

ST. CHARLES SCHOOL

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.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS

Adult Education: The third in our Monday night Adult Education Speaker Series will feature our very own Fr. Creedon for a discussion on Reconciliation, both looking at our own conscience and examining the need for reconciliation among peoples and faiths with some reflection on Dominus Jesus. Join us Monday, December 4th at 8PM in the Church for a thoughtful presentation and discussion.

RCIA NEWS

On November 19, the RCIA catechumens and candidates participated in the Rite of Acceptance and the Rite of Welcoming. These individuals are continuing to learn and deepen their faith. Please keep them in your prayers during this important time. We are still seeking sponsors, team members and dismissal leaders. For more information please contact Stacy Greene at 703-522-9467 or Sgreene715@aol.com

CHRISTMAS FLOWERS

The Parish Office is now accepting donations for Christmas Flowers. If you wish to have a loved-one remembered, please include his or her name with your donation. For your convenience, there are envelopes available at the Church entrances or you may place your donation and the name of your loved-one in a plain envelope. Both may be dropped in the Sunday collection basket or you can stop by the Parish Office. The list of those remembered will be published on Christmas Day, so please have your donations and names to the Parish Office by Tuesday, December 19th. Thank you!

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

THE GIVING TREE

This is the last Sunday to choose tags from the Giving Tree for this year. Please remember those who are less fortunate than most of us her at St. Charles. These gifts help the homeless, the abandoned, as well as those who may have just hit a rough spot in their lives. Please return all gifts, with the tag firmly attached, by next Sunday, December 10th, so that they may be distributed in time for the holidays. Your generosity is, as always, greatly appreciated. Should you have any questions, or wish to help, please contact Ann or John Breslin at 703-525-0041. Thank you!

SENIOR TEA WITH THE PASTOR: December 8

Please mark your calendars for the next Senior Tea, December 8th. We’ll celebrate our Lady’s Immaculate Conception with Mass a noon followed by a visit with Fr. Creedon in the Library. Please join us!

CATHOLIC CHARITIES CHRISTMAS COLLECTION

December 9-10, 2000, has been designated Catholic Charities collection weekend in the Diocese of Arlington. Proceeds received from this annual effort will be allocated to various programs, including: adoption, foster care, crisis pregnancy counseling, family and individual counseling, elderly services, emergency assistance, homeless shelter, soup kitchen, immigration assistance, English as a Second Language, prison ministry, and services for the disabled. Your donations have been, and will continue to be one of the primary sources of funding for Catholic Charities. Last year, your contributions were overwhelmingly generous and helped over 35,000 people. Hopefully, with your help, the members of the Arlington Diocese will be able to match that good will, as the demands for basic human and spiritual services have increased. When you receive the brochure for the Christmas Collection please read it carefully, reflecting upon its content. Then prayerfully decide on the extent to which you can respond. Please be as generous as you can. The services Catholic Charities provides are available to all in need.

CHURCH SUPPORT

• Last Week’s Collection: $13,310.00
• Last Week’s Tithe of $1,331.00 was for Hunger.
• This Week’s Tithe is for our sister parishes in Cavaillon &Gros Marin, Haiti.
• Next Week’s 2nd Collection is for Catholic Charities’ Christmas Collection.

Revised/reviewed November 30, 2000