FROM OUR PASTOR

Dear St. Charles Parishioners:

2001 offers all of us a new year and a fresh opportunity. The parish will select an architect and engineer in January to give shape to our dreams for the future of St. Charles. The living stones that create this building are the generous people of the parish. I know that you will sustain the effort with your prayer and support in the months ahead. We will provide opportunities to review projected plans with you in open forum. Buildings are only an external sign of growth. St. Charles develops it response to God’s call through the willingness of each household to live out the Gospel values. We manifest that offering especially in the vitality of our liturgy and in the strength of our educational programs. God also calls us to bring faith to our environment. I bring to your attention two dates in January. On the 20th during Christian Unity week, we will celebrate the memory of Martin Luther King by recognizing the African American Heritage at the 5 PM Liturgy. The Mass will be followed by a panel discussion of “Unity in Diversity: dealing with religious and cultural differences”. On January the 29th, you are invited to join our Social Justice Committee for Catholic Lobby Day in Richmond. I serve as Chair of the VA Inter-faith Center for Public Policy and will offer the Prayer for the General Assembly at 12 Noon on the 29th.

With blessings for a Happy New Year!

ADDITIONAL 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 plans for 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!

PLEASE NOTE: the Parish Office will be closed on Friday, December 29, Sunday December 31, 2000 and Monday January 1. 2001. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

This Week's Readings & Mass Intentions

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2000

7:30 Parishioners

9:00 Susan Johnson by Ed & Mary Biddle

11:00 Estelita Panceles & Teresita Doce by Linda Perez

1:00 Angela Campbell by Susana Moncayo

Readings: 1 Samuel 1:20-22, 24-28; 1 John 3:1-2,21-24; Luke 2:41-52

Monday, January 1: The Blessed Virgin Mary

9:00 Jose Chan by Bobby & Kathy Chan

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

Readings: Numbers 6:22-27; Galatians 4:4-7; Luke 2:16-21

Tuesday, January 2:

9:00 The Mother of Heidi Mekee by Kevin Hilton

Readings: 1 John 2:22-28; John 1:19-28

Wednesday, January 3:

9:00 Mildred Lewis by Veronica Ricks

Readings: John 2:29-3:6; John 1:29-34

Thursday, January 4:

9:00 Special Intention by Thomas Eiden Norman

Readings: 1 John 3:7-10; John 35-42

Friday, January 5:

9:00 Harold Morgan by Betsy Moyer

Readings: 1 John 3:11-21; John 1:43-51

Saturday, January 6:

9:00 Adam Smith by Kitty Smith

5:00 Ralph Bruno by the Gathering group

Readings: 1 John 5:5-13; Mark 1:7-11

PLEASE PRAY FOR

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

SOCIAL JUSTICE CORNER

OUR FOOD PANTRY IS FOODLESS

Over the past month our donated food items have helped feed over fifty hard-working, but poor people. Your help is always needed to keep our pantry shelves stocked, but right now we ask you to give generously--the shelves are almost completely bare. Any non-perishable items you could give would be most appreciated! Thank you all so very much for reaching out to the hungry right here in our neighborhood. Please bring your donations to the Parish Office. May God Bless you!

SPONSOR OF THE WEEK: Our Special Thanks to Utility Service Express for their support.

Ministry

Human beings were not made for solitude…[They] grow to the extent they enter into relationships with others, fully discovering themselves only in ‘a sincere giving of self…’ Purely functional relationships are not enough for human beings. They need interpersonal relationships that are rich in inner depth, gratuitousness and self-sacrifice. Fundamental among these are the relationships created in the family: husband and wife, and between them and their children.

--Pope John Paul II, homily October 15, 2000

HIGH SCHOOL PLACEMENT TEST FOR EIGHTH GRADERS

Any eighth grader who may be interested in a Catholic high school, but were unable to take the High School Placement Test in December, here is your chance to retake the test on Saturday, January 6, 2001 (Snow day – January 20, 2001) at 8:30 am – 12noon. The test will be given at these following locations: Bishop Ireton High School, Alexandria; Bishop O’Connell High School, Arlington; Notre Dame Academy, Middleburg; and Paul VI High School, Fairfax. The cost of the test is $20.00 dollars. Students desiring to take the test must submit a High School Placement Test Registration Form to the test site no later than Wednesday, January 3, 2001. A $20.00 fee should accompany the form.

COME OUT FOR AN EVENING OF DINNER AND DANCING

The annual POLKA PARTY DINNER DANCE to benefit the Dina Ryan-Jane Houston Memorial Scholarship Fund of St. Charles School will be held Saturday, January 27, 2001, at the Edward Douglas Council knights of Columbus, 5115 Little Falls Road, Arlington. Dinner service will begin at 7:00PM. The band of Mike Surratt and the Continentals will provide the music for 8:00 to 12:00. Tickets are $25 per person, so please make your reservations early to Melissa at 703-266-4932!

ENGLISH CLASSES!

If you are interested in learning English, please join us on Sunday, January 7th at 11:15 AM, here at St. Charles. Volunteer teachers, aides, and coordinators are also needed. Please call Sally O’Dwyer at 703-534-9805 ext. 222 from 9 AM to 1 PM. Se habla espanol.

HAITI NEWS

Would you like to share your holiday cheer with the children in our sister parishes in Haiti? The St. Charles Haiti committee representatives will be making their annual trip to Cavillon and Gros Marin in early 2001 and will be taking equipment for the schools. Your donation will help us provide a few additional gifts for the schools. Please make your check out to St. Charles Haiti Committee and give it to Micheline at the Parish Office. Call Leslie at 703-525-5647 or Monica at 703-528-4359 with any questions! We will also be collecting letters from Godparent sponsors for the kids. Drop them off at the Rectory. Thanks

IN OUR PARISH

MAKE THE PARISH WEBSITE PART OF YOUR NEW YEAR

The Parish Web Team invites you to make www.stcharleschurch.org part of your new year by visiting us each week. Keep in touch with parish news, see photos from events and find out what’s going on. And for you newcomers, the website can help show you what makes St. Charles a special place and how you can get involved. The Web Team wishes you a blessed 2001.--webteam@stcharleschurch.org.

HELP WANTED

FISH (For Immediate Sympathetic help) is looking for someone to help coordinate the program. FISH coordinates rides for people needing to get to medical appointments who don’t have access to transportation. Contact Norma Jimeno-Canales at 703-532-0702 if interested.

VAN RIDES TO CHURCH

Are you aware that there is a van that transports elderly parishioners to Church every Sunday for the 11AM. Mass? There is room for a few more passengers! Contact Norma Jimeno-Canales at 703-532-0702 if interested.

COME LET US ADORE HIM!!

Exodus Youth Services, Inc., brings help and hope to the needy through Christ. Be an active partner in combating the chaos of inner-city neighborhoods. Consider offering your prayers, making a financial donation, or volunteering your time so that the light of Christ can continue to shine brightly in the hearts of Exodus’ clients. Your contribution will help support programs like our Catholic catechesis for children, our senior citizen drop-in-center, KINDNET-a-network of kids helping kids, and social services as well as holiday gifts and meals. Your support in the past has been a tremendous help. Please consider helping exodus again. For more information contact Marques at 703-748-2356, or send donations to Exodus youth Services, PO Box 9444, McLean, VA 22102.

CHURCH SUPPORT

• Last Week’s Collection: $ 8,357.50
• Last Week’s Christmas Collection: $16,927.50
• Last Week’ Tithe of $835.75 was for St. Charles Outreach.
• This Week’ Tithe is for Project Lazarus.
• Next Week’s Tithe is for our sister parishes in Cavaillon & Gros Marin, Haiti.

Revised/reviewed December 28, 2000