FROM OUR PASTOR

Dear St. Charles Parishioners:

Dr. Susan Timoney from the Faculty of Holy Trinity College will give a presentation on “Wellsprings of the Spirit” at 8 PM, St. Charles Church on Monday evening. I encourage all volunteers to take this opportunity to be renewed spiritually. She will focus on the mission and vocation of the laity in the church today and what sustains their unique ministry. Dr. Timoney is Vice President of Education for Parish Services, a theological school for the laity. For those who are considering retirement, I would urge you to consider the possibilities for a “new Career”.

The Parish Development Committee and I have offered a contract for Schematic Design to MTFA Architecture, Inc. to assist us in the first phase of architectural planning for our new facilities. Michael Foster and his company offer the skills and vision that will enable us to build on the great work already done. I thank all who have brought us to the brink of this historic work by ministries, especially our school, as we move forward.

“Build the Spirit!”

HAITI NEWS

Haiti is preparing for the inauguration of the President-elect Jean Bertrand Aristide on February 7th following an April 2000 election which was marked with controversy. Political party representatives have recently made threats of violence against 100 people who have reportedly opposed the incoming president. Several international human rights organizations have expressed concern for the safety of these 100 people, which include religious leaders of the Catholic Church, as well as prominent journalists. The government authorities have been urged to condemn acts of intimidation and safeguard the laws which protect basic freedoms of expression. As a result of the current civil unrest, St. Charles Haiti Committee has postponed their annual trip to our sister parishes until later this Spring.

PARISH OFFERTORY ENVELOPES

The Parish Offertory Envelopes have several purposes. They provide you with a convenient way to support your Parish and allow the Parish Office to keep track of your contributions to provide you with a tax statement at the end of each year. Without your name, address, and the clearly stated amount of your donation, we are unable to accurately track your contribution. We prefer that you use the envelopes; however, donations in check form are also credited to individual registrations. Please note: If you are not a registered parishioner, your donations can not be recorded. IF YOU HAVE CONTRIBUTED $250.00 OR MORE TO THE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN, YOU WILL RECEIVE A SEPARATE LETTER FROM THE CAMPAIGN. Thank you!

SPONSOR OF THE WEEK Our Special Thanks to Clover Plumbing for their support.

This Week's Readings & Mass Intentions

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2001

7:30 Parishioners

9:00 Bernard A. English by Mary English

11:00 Madeline McGlinchy by the Strasser family

1:00 Aurelia de Moncayo by Susana Moncayo

Readings: Isaiah 6:1-2a,3-8; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11; Luke 5:1-11

Monday, February 5:

9:00 Ethel Blanchete & Arthur B. Mackie by Susanne Mackie

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

Readings: Genesis 1:1-19; Mark 6:53-56

Tuesday, February 6:

9:00 Joseph Barbieri by the Rubinger family

Readings: Genesis 1:20-2:4a; Mark 7:1-13

Wednesday, February 7:

9:00 Louise Beiggs by Kathy Etzel

Readings: Genesis 2:4b-9,15-17; Mark 7:14-23

Thursday, February 8:

9:00 Anne Hughes Millard by Joanne & Dick Munly

Readings: Genesis 2:18-25; Mark 7:24-30

Friday, February 9:

9:00 Gino Giacomangeli by the Rubinger family

Readings: Genesis 3:1-8; Mark 7:31-37

Saturday, February 10:

9:00 Josephine Hilton by Brian Francis

5:00 Ralph Bruno by Camille Burruto

Readings: Genesis 3:9-24; Mark 8:1-10

Please remember to keep in your prayers, those who are sick and those who suffer, especially: Kent Wilson, Joe Frascone, Michael Ann Dean, Gene Biedscheid, Eileen Bruno, Glyne Goodridge, Judy Birt, Sr. Margaret A. Cook, Dominic Ojarsa, Irene Widlitz, Page Clark and Charmaine Toussaint. Let us also pray for those who have died, especially: Dorothy Efner.

SOCIAL JUSTICE CORNER

ALZHEIMERS IN THE LATINO COMMUNITY

On Sunday, February 18 at 2:00 PM, there will be a presentation in the Upper Room on “Alzheimers and the Latino Community.” The presentation will be in Spanish – all are welcome!

NON-VIOLENCE SERIES

Due to popular demand, we will be running the 8-week series on Non-Violence/Peacemaking again! Dates are still being determined. Contact Micheline Toussaint at 703-527-5500 x13 if interested.

CHRIST HOUSE REMINDER

All those who provide food for Christ House, please note that February is here and food deliveries need to be made on Thursday, February 15th. Procedures are the same as last year. If you have questions, please call Jan Martin at 703-528-0736. Thanks!

Ministry

Human life cannot be seen as an object to do with as we please, but as the most sacred and inviolable earthly reality. There can be o peace when this most basic good is not protected. It is not possible to invoke peace and despise life.

- Pope John Paul II, Message for World Day of Peace, Jan. 1, 2001

ST. CHARLES SCHOOL: 300 Club

Congratulations to our 300 Club winners for the months of November and December! They are: Katherine Nestor, Viola Muller, Ken and Marie Milo, Linda Goodman and Nabalis Nieves for the month of November. The December winners are: John Regan, Theresa Good, Craig Pritcher, Mary Lawler and Henrietta Smith. 300 Club dues can be sent to the School Office at 3299 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22201. Dues are still $60-annually, $30-semi-annually, $15-quarterly or $5-monthly. Thank you for supporting Catholic education.

YOUTH NEWS

Reminder that Confirmation Class begins tonight at 6:00 PM in the Parish Library.

On The Way invites all 7th and 8th graders to its meeting tonight from 7-8:30 PM in the Upper Room

WAY invites all high school aged youth to its meeting tonight from 7-9 PM in the Youth Room.

Attention all parishioners... Mark March 31 on your calendar for the Spaghetti Dinner Fund-raiser sponsored by On The Way. All money raised will go toward the Capital Campaign in helping to build our new Parish Center. Dinner will be served from 6-9 PM in the School Cafeteria. Stay tuned for more details…

ADULT CONFIRMATION

Adult Confirmation classes will begin in several weeks. If you are interested in being confirmed and would like more information or to register for classes, please call Bruce Tomaso at 703-527-2815 or Anne Marie Kaufmann at 703-527-5500 x19.

CELEBRATE THE SPIRIT IN YOUR MARRIAGE!

Married couples are invited to renew their vows at the 5:00 PM Mass on February 17 followed by a candlelight dinner in the Cafeteria. The atmosphere will be romantic and who knows, you may be serenaded by Fr. Creedon! Babysitting will be provided during the Mass and dinner. RSVP by February 12 by calling Marc and Lisa Michaels at 703-237-1895. Please include how many will be coming and let us know if you are celebrating a special anniversary this year!

BUILD THE SPIRIT IN YOUR MARRIAGE THIS YEAR!

Plan to attend a Marriage Encounter Weekend on any of the following dates and turn your good marriage into a great one! Upcoming weekend dates are: Feb. 16-18, March 23-25, April 27-29 and June 22-24. Look for yellow brochures at the Church entrances or call Lisa and Marc Michaels for more information at 703-237-1895.

WEB TEAM MEETS THIS TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 6

Following up on Sunday’s Web Mass, the Web Team will meet this Tuesday, February 6 at 7:30 PM in the Memorial Room. Join the team of volunteers making www.stcharleschurch.org possible. Our main agenda item will be planning our goals and related budget for the next fiscal year. What should you parish web site look like in the future? Let us know at webteam@stcharleschurch.org. If you missed the Web Mass, check the site for complete coverage.

UPCOMING - HEALING MASS FEBRUARY 12 – HERE

Have you suffered loss? Perhaps a friend or family member has died, or you have lost a child in miscarriage or abortion. Perhaps you have lost physical abilities or your dreams for life because of accident of illness, or you have experienced pain and loss by divorce. You may have wondered “where is God in all of this?” Sadness, fear, anger, guilt are just part of the mix of feelings people experience as part of their grieving. COME TO A MASS OF HEALING for our losses - Monday, February 12th at 7:30 PM. Fr. Francisco and Fr. Gerry are the celebrants.

SINGLES 40 & OVER OUT THERE?

Is there any interest in forming a group for 40’s or 50’s singles at St. Charles? If you are in your 40’s or 50’s and single (as in separated/divorced/widowed/never married/with or without children/whatever!) and think this sounds worth exploring, please call Kathleen at ThreeBruegs@aol.com or call 703-533-0578. Let’s get a group together to consider the possibilities and go from there.

ASSISTANT TEACHERS NEEDED

Assistant Volunteer teachers are needed for English classes on Sundays at St. Charles. No Spanish language skills required. Classes start on February 4th. Please call Salvador D’Itri at 703-516-7516 for information.

• Last Week’s Collection: $16,072.00
• Last Week’s 2nd Collection of $4,768.50 was for the Church in Latin America.
• This Tithe is for our sister parishes in Cavaillon & Gros Marin, Haiti.
• Next Week’s Tithe is for the Philippine Medical Mission.

Revised/reviewed January 30, 2001