FROM OUR PASTOR

Dear St. Charles Parishioners:

The season of Advent calls us to preparation. While we need to make plans for gift giving and family gatherings, we also need to look to our hearts. It is a season of reconciliation, making way for the Prince of Peace. Mending fences is what the Sacrament of Reconciliation is all about; restoring and healing relationships. We celebrate God’s gracious healing within the church community because other believers encourage us on the road to peace. The priest is called to offer concrete signs of Christ’s unconditional love and the Church’s acceptance.

We have invited 8 priests to celebrate forgiveness on Dec. 18. Come and bring your friends and family,

Shalom, Peace, Paz,

RCIA NEWS

The RCIA catechumens and candidates are continuing to learn and deepen their faith. Please remember to keep them in your prayers as they proceed on their journey.

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.

PARKING AVAILABLE AT GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY

George Mason 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.

We are working on a “one-way” traffic flow in the Church parking lot to avoid parking difficulties. Please be patient with us during this transition. Thank you for your cooperation!

This Week's Readings & Mass Intentions

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2000

7:30Parishioners

9:00Kathleen S. McCarthy

11:00 Rose & Frank D’Ambrosio by Mario D’ Ambrosio

1:00Maria Esther Cuadra by Luiz Ortiz & family

Readings: Baruch 5:1-9;Philippians 1:4-6,8-11; Luke 3:1-6

Monday, December 11:

9:00Bishop Vincent MacCauley

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

Readings: Isaiah 35:1-10; Luke 5:17-26

Tuesday, December 12:

9:00Robert Somma by Joe Frascone

Readings: Zechariah 2:14-17; Luke 1:26-36

Wednesday, December 13:

9:00 Mildred Lewis by Veronica Ricks

Readings: Isaiah 40:25-31; Matthew 11:28-30

Thursday, December 14:

9:00Roger P. Marquis

Readings: Isaiah 41:13-20;Matthew 11:11-15

Friday, December 15:

9:00Venson Chu by the Chu family

Readings: Isaiah 48:17-19;Matthew11:16-19

Saturday, December 16:

9:00Frankie Ray Martinez by Gloria Mora

5:00Sister Elizabeth Marion Murray, S.C by

Marcia Rachy and Sandra Utter

Readings: Sirach 48:1-4,9-11; Matthew 17:10-13

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

SOCIAL JUSTICE CORNER

INTERFAITH VIGIL FOR AIDS VICTIMS IN AFRICA

On Tuesday, December 12 at 7pm, there will be an interfaith vigil at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington to pray for the children and families in Africa affected by AIDS. The Church is located at 4444 Arlington Blvd. For more information please call 703-892-2565.

SPONSOR OF THE WEEK: Our Special Thanks to Harry Wilhelm, Jr. and Company for their support.

Ministry

“A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart, and can sing it back to you when you’ve forgotten the words”.

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 at 703-527-0608.

300 CLUB

Congratulations to our 300 Club winners for the month of October! They are: Elizabeth Allenchey; Sr. Margaret Cook; Francis Duffy; Donald Garcia; and Genie Norris Murphy. Anyone who would like to participate in the 300 Club should call the school at 703-527-0608. Membership fees are $60 for 12 months. Payments can be made annually, semi-annually or quarterly. Thank you for supporting Catholic education.

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!

GIVE THE GIFT OF TIME TO HOMELESS PEOPLE THIS ADVENT

Arlington street people’s Assistant Network (A-SPAN) operates an Emergency Winter Shelter near Clarendon metro from November through March. Forty men and women are fed and sheltered each night. Volunteers are needed to assist staff—either serving dinner, staying overnight or serving breakfast. This would be a great Advent activity for groups of friends from St. Charles. As we prepare ourselves for Jesus’ birth in our midst, let us remember his own “homeless” entry into our world. Let us do our part to “make room at the Inn…” For more information contact Micheline Toussaint at the parish office or ASPAN at 703-820-4357 ext. 15.

DAWN MASSES

The Filipino American community of St. Charles would like to invite all parishioners to a series of dawn masses on Dec. 16-24, 2000 at 5:00a.m. This nine day Novena Masses is in celebration of the Christmas season as traditionally observed in the Philippines. Come once, twice or to all nine Masses for an early start before Christmas. You will find it spiritually refreshing and fulfilling.

IN OUR PARISH

HAVE FAITH IN US…

…Or at least find it more easily. The Web Team is excited to unveil the new Faith section on your parish website so that you can quickly find the spiritual and religious information you want on www.stcharleschurch.org. You’ll also find special reflections for Advent and the complete list of Advent events at the Parish. Visit us this week and let us know what you think by emailing webteam@stcharleschurch.org.

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.

CHRISTMAS CAROLING

Neighborhood E will go Christmas Caroling on Friday, December 15, at 7pm. We will meet at Peg Hogan’s, 513 N. Ivy St, and gather for cookies at Clo Caluta’s afterwards. Bring a gift for a child and join us for an evening of fun as we carol throughout the neighborhood. We will stop at Sullivan House and would like to know of any seniors or homebound residents who might like a visit from us. So let us hear from you. Please call Pat Horner at 703-524-5437 to R.S.V.P or for more information
Web bonus: Neighborhood Advent Events

CHURCH SUPPORT

• Last Week’s Collection: $16,119.00
• Last Week’s Tithe of $ 1,611.90 was for our sisters parishes in Cavaillon & Gros Marin, Haiti.

Revised/reviewed December 8, 2000