FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK
The Red Cross had to cancel their Blood Drive last weekend because
they had an accident with their van. I appreciate the many members who
signed up and hope that another opportunity can be arranged.
This coming Wednesday our Social Justice and Outreach volunteers come
together for an appreciation dinner. Call Dan Marrin for more information;
703-527-8189.
Join me at Etz-Hayim, Hebrew Congregation on Arlington Blvd. for an
interfaith service for Thanksgiving on the evening of November 26.
Peace,
BAPTISMAL PREPARATION
Baptismal instruction in English will be offered on Thursday November
20th, at 7:00 PM in the Parish Library. To register please call the
Parish Office, 703-527-5500.
INTERFAITH THANKSGIVING SERVICE
This year's Interfaith Thanksgiving Service will be hosted by Congregation
Etz Hayim (formely Arlington-Fairfax Jewish Congregation) at 7:00 PM
on Wednesday, November 26. The service will feature musical presentations
by the St. Charles Folk Group, led by Natalie Le, and a choir from Wilson
Blvd. Christian Church. For more information, contact Janice Lent at
jlent0322@aol.com or (202) 366-6200 (days). For directions to the synagogue,
see www.etzhayim.net.
Thanks in advance for your help in publicizing the Thanksgiving service!
YOUNG ADULT'S NEWS
Before you celebrate Thanksgiving with your family and friends, join
your friends at C'YA (St. Charles Young Adults) for a Thanksgiving feast
on Sunday the 23rd after the 6 PM Mass. There will be turkey, but we
ask everyone to bring a dish or $5 contribution. RSVP soon, so we can
work out who brings what. RSVP to either Tita Ponce (aponce98@yahoo.com
(703) 908-9157 or Nick Baric (nbaric67@msn.com).
Questions? Contact Tita. Please bring a non-perishable item for the
food pantry as well!
SPONSOR OF THE WEEK: Our thanks to Mark J. Monaco, Immigration
Attorney for his support.
MASS INTENTIONS
SUNDAY, November 16, 2003:
7:30 Dennis Costa by Joseph Frascone
9:00 Thomas Bender by Carolyn Gretzinger
11:00 Bernard English by English Family
1:00 José Cruz Jr. by Sus Padres
6:00 Parishioners
Readings: Daniel 12:1-3; Hebrews 10:11-14,18; Mark13:24-32
Monday, November 17, 2003:
9:00 Eva DiGiammarino by Joseph Frascone
7:30 (Arlington Detention Center) for the Inmates
Readings: 1 Maccabees 1:10-15,41-43,54-57,62-64; Luke 18:35-43
Tuesday, November 18, 2003:
9:00 Mabel Nichoson by Elizabeth P. McDonald
Readings: 2 Maccabees 6:18-31; Luke 19:1-10
Wednesday, November 19, 2003:
9:00 Tiffany Werthmann by The Werthmann Family
Readings: 2 Maccabees 7:1,20-31; Luke 19:11-28
Thursday, November 20, 2003:
9:00 Mary Serra
Readings: 1 Maccabees 2:15-29; Luke 19:41-44
Friday, November 21, 2003:
9:00 Shirley Ruppert Knoll by George Ruppert
Readings: 1 Maccabees 4:36-37,52-59; Luke 19:45-48
Saturday, November 22, 2003:
9:00 Robert Somma by Joseph Frascone
5:00 Teresa Burruto by Camille Burruto
Readings: 1 Maccabees 6:1-13; Luke 20:27-40
PLEASE PRAY FOR
Please remember to keep in your prayers, those who are sick and those
who suffer, especially: Diane Herbst, Celia Coronado, Josephine Meuse,
Ly King, Kathleen Hauke, Sandra Winter, Balmira Santos, Gibson Cameron,
Jon Jones, William Frederick, and Nancy Pope. Let us also pray for those
who have died: Msgr. James McMurtrie and Kathleen Selario.
"MY TIME IN IRAQ"
On Sunday night, November 23, please join us for a special talk from
Dennis Warner. Mr. Warner is a longtime member of our parish and co-organizer
of our 2002 September
11 Mass. He worked for humanitarian aid in Iraq before, during,
and after the major combat. Dennis was the water specialist for the
Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) that journeyed throughout Baghdad
during and after the conflict. He
shares his experience, moral and religious conflicts, and his thoughts
with us on Sunday, in the cafeteria after the 6 pm mass. All are invited
for this special night of witness.
SCHOOL NEWS
Did you know…St. Charles Students raised $845 in the MiniWalk for
the Homeless, and Fifth Grade students have "adopted" homebound
pen pals and enjoy writing letters to and receiving responses from some
of our elderly parishioners. If you know someone who would enjoy receiving
letters from one of our students, please call the school office.
Class space still available in selected grades…new students welcome.
Tell your friends and co-workers about St. Charles School…fully
accredited and dedicated to excellence in education and to assisting
parents in fulfilling their God-given responsibility of educating their
children spiritually, intellectually, ethically, socially and physically.
Call the school office for information or check our website www.stcharles.k12.va.us
Urgently Seeking Alumni…Are you a St. Charles School grad or know
someone who is? We are updating our alumni list. Please send alumni
addresses, email addresses, phone numbers or any information on how
to contact St. Charles alumni to the school office (phone: 703-527-0608;
email: office@stcharles.k12.va.us).
Congratulations to our 300 Club Winners!
September: 1st Place: Margaret DeCoursey, 2nd Place: Francis Duffy,
3rd Place: Marianne Duffy
October: 1st Place: Margaret & Tom Leckey, 2nd Place: Viola Muller,
3rd Place: Mary Jane Biddle
Join the 300 Club today so you can be a winner! Call the school office
for information, 703-527-0608, School Email: office@stcharles.k12.va.us
ADVENT MATERIALS
Advent begins in two weekends. In order to make this time of preparation
more meaningful, our youth will be selling advent candles, wreaths,
and calendars after Masses next weekend. Starting next Sunday, Advent
reflection booklets will be available at Church entrances. Please take
one booklet per household.
YOUTH NEWS
Workcamp 2004…Mandatory information meeting for all interested
youth (current 8th -12th graders) and their parents this Thursday, November
20 at 7:30 PM in the Cafeteria. Workcamp will be the best week of your
summer as you serve others through making basic home repairs, meeting
new people, and growing closer to Christ. This year St. Charles will
offer one, maybe two options for Workcamp. We definitely will send a
group of teens to Montgomery, WV, July 25-31, 2004. Depending on interest,
we also may participate in the Diocesan Workcamp in Montross, VA, June
26-July 2, 2004. For more information or if you have questions, please
contact Anne Marie Kaufmann at 703-527-5500, x19 or akaufmann@stcharleschurch.org.
IN OUR PARISH
MINISTRY/NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS
The St. Charles Parish Council is pleased to highlight several recent
activities sponsored by parish ministries.
Community Life
- Circle of Caring sponsored
the 5th Annual Mass of Remembrance on November 3. Two bereavement
sessions, conducted by Jean Sweeney and Volunteer Tom Chirdo, were
held for two weeks before the Mass.
- The Marriage Share Circle
launched an eight-part monthly series on establishing a vision for
marriage. November's topic is "Marriage Goals."
Social Justice
- Honored Mental Health Awareness Week and the local efforts of Clarendon
House.
- Initiated a strategy for strengthening participation and collaboration
with the Latin American Community on justice and education.
- Held discussions with new Social Justice volunteers to develop
an AIDS orphans and vulnerable children ministry in Africa.
Thanks very much to our volunteers in all of our ministries and neighborhoods
who do so much to build the Reign of God's love at St. Charles!
THIS WEEK ON YOUR PARISH WEBSITE…
Visit your Parish website, www.StCharlesChurch.org this week to check
out Thanksgiving traditions
you can start with your family or friends, as recommended by the
Mom's Ministry. Plus, you'll find favorites like the celebrant's
schedule, Fr. Creedon's homilies,
and back issues of the bulletin. Treat your soul
by participating in your online Catholic community.
GOBBLE GOBBLE GOBBLE
Come on all you turkeys, Thanksgiving is around the corner and it's
time to stuff Fran's turkey again. Please stop by the Cafeteria after
the 7:30, 9, and 11:00 am Masses and make a contribution to help buy
turkeys and fixing to feed 20 needy families in our neighborhood. Checks
should be made payable to Fran Hobbs. Thank you.
- Last Week's Collection (November 9, 2003) was $18,114.00.
- Last Week's Tithe of $1,666.49 was for St. Charles Outreach.
- This Week's Tithe is for our sister parishes in Cavaillon &
Gros Marin, Haiti
- Next Week's 2nd Collection is for the Campaign for Human Development.
Campus Facilities:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: How many floors does the Community Center have?
A: The Community Center has three levels—a first and second floor
plus a mezzanine level.
Q: What spaces are included in the Community Center?
A: The Community Center's first floor includes: a social hall that seats 200
with an additional lobby area, full-service kitchen and handicapped-accessible
toilet rooms; a bride's room; Information Kiosk/office; one meeting room, two
rooms equipped with child-size furniture and a technology center. The multipurpose
hall/gymnasium, which includes a stage and accommodates seating for up to 500
people, a warming kitchen and the youth center/meeting room are found on the
second floor. The mezzanine level features a facilities administration office
and a balcony that overlooks the gym. An elevator runs between the three levels.
Q: What will the interior spaces look like?
A: Given its proximity and direct access to the sanctuary, the Community
Center's color scheme (paint, flooring, carpeting, etc.) will complement that
of the church. In addition, an Art Subcommittee is developing recommendations
for appropriate sacred objects (crosses, saints' statues, etc.) and other art
that will be displayed in the Community Center. One project that is already
underway is to celebrate our parish's diversity by soliciting cash gifts to
purchase "Flags of the Nations" to hang from the gym rafters. Learn
how you can participate in the Flag project.
Q: What hours will the Community Center be open?
A: The Parish Community Center will be open daily. Bilingual personnel will
staff the "Information Kiosk," located on the Community Center's first
floor. They also will be in charge of security and provide access to meeting
rooms.
Q: What security and safety protocols are in place for the Community Center?
A: Safety and security are priority concerns. Personnel, who will staff
the Community Center's Information Kiosk during the hours that the Center is
open, are well versed in security procedures. There will be controlled access
to the building, and intercoms will be installed in all Community Center meeting
spaces to enable emergency and non-emergency communications with Information
Kiosk personnel.
Q: When is the official opening of the new Community Center?
A: A special Mass to mark the official opening of the Parish Community
Center will be celebrated on Friday, January 30, 2004, at 7:00 p.m. followed
by a dedication, reception and open house. The Open House will continue after
every Mass on the weekend of January 31-February 1, 2004, to provide parishioners
with the opportunity to tour the Community Center.
Q: Will the hours of the Parish Office and School change?
A: Any changes to the Parish Office hours have not yet been determined.
With respect to the School, in February 2004, it is proposed that all after-school
activities, including the Extended Day program, be held in the Community Center
to enable the school building to close at 4:00 p.m. on weekdays. The School's
new weekend hours are still under review; however, it has been established that
it will be available to host religious education classes on Sundays.
Q: How can my parish ministry reserve a meeting room in the Community Center,
the Parish Office and/or the School?
A: The parish is developing a computerized calendaring system, which
supports scheduling requests via e-mail. A reply message confirming the room
reservation will be sent to the requester by Parish staff. The confirmed activity
and corresponding meeting time and place will be posted on an enhanced electronic
parish calendar, which will be accessible on the parish Web site (www.stcharleschurch.org).
Those who do not have access to the Internet can make room reservation requests
at the Community Center's Information Kiosk or via telephone or fax to the Community
Center office.
Q: Can I rent the social hall and/or other Community Center/campus facilities
for my wedding reception, corporate retreat or intramural sporting event?
A: First preference for the use of the Community Center and other campus
facilities is accorded to parish ministry and school activities. The Campus
Facilities and Oversight Committee, which is part of the parish's Stewardship
Ministry, is developing "guidelines for facilities use," which will
include procedures for space rental. These guidelines will be available in early
2004.
Q: Will there be a fee for facilities rental?
A: There will be no charge for the use of facilities for school and parish
ministry functions. Fees for non-parish functions are still to be determined;
however, information on any applicable fees will be included in the guidelines
for facilities use.
Q: I have noticed evidence of construction in the chapel and the sanctuary.
Are there other facilities changes underway?
A: Yes. A fire sprinkler system has been installed in the chapel and
sanctuary. Three glass windows between the sanctuary and the "Upper Room"
are under construction. These windows and newly-installed speakers in the Upper
Room will provide a suitable environment for Mass overflow. A "bridge"
from the Upper Room to the Community Center has been erected to permit handicapped
access to the Upper Room. In addition, cable/wiring to connect the telecommunications
systems in the Community Center and the parish and school offices will be installed
soon. A local office network (LAN) has been established to link the computer
systems in all buildings.
Q: What types of handicapped access are planned?
A: An elevator has been installed in the Community Center which will
allow access to the gym level, the mezzanine level, the Upper Room of the church
and the second floor of the school. In addition, the main doors to the Community
Center (ramped from the parking lot) are designed to be handicapped accessible.
Q: What changes have occurred to the parking lot?
A: The parking lot has been repaved and re-striped.
Q: What are the plans for landscaping?
A: The landscaping subcommittee of the Parish Community Center Committee,
in conjunction with MTFA Architecture, has developed a landscaping plan for
the new Community Center. The group also made recommendations for the landscaping
in the Gretta Creedon Meditation Garden, which will be located between the Convent
and the Community Center. Sister Benedict has graciously allowed the parish
to plan this garden even though it will remain mainly a private garden for Sister
and her dog, Joe, for as long as she is in residence at the convent.
Q: What is the cost of the Community Center and how will it be paid?
A: The complete cost of the Community Center is $5.2 million. Two successful
fund-raising campaigns ("Build the Spirit" and "Rooted in Faith
~ Forward in Hope") and a diocesan line of credit have brought about the
progress achieved thus far. In the fall of 2003, the parish marked a crucial
point in its building program and began repaying its diocesan loan. The loan
must be repaid in monthly installments over a seven-year period.
Q: Is the parish still accepting pledges and contributions in support of
the Community Center?
A: Yes. Our "Building Fund" provides parishioners with the
opportunity to support the Community Center and our ongoing capital needs, including
upgrades to our 50-year old church and school facilities. A "Building Fund"
envelope is included in parishioners' monthly envelope packets. On the first
Sunday of each month, a second collection is offered for the parish's Building
Fund.
Q: I made a pledge to the Build the Spirit Capital Campaign but I am not
sure how much I have paid to date. How can I obtain my pledge payment status?
A: In January 2004, you will receive a letter from the Build the Spirit
Capital Campaign providing you with your pledge status as of December 31, 2003.
Q: How will Community Center contributors be recognized?
A: A "Book of Appreciation," a permanent honor roll of individuals/families
who have contributed at least $100 to the Build the Spirit Capital Campaign,
will be mounted in the Community Center. Special gifts made in memory of a loved
one can be recognized by listing the loved one's name (in lieu of the donors)
in the Book. Donations to other special funds, such as the Father Casey Memorial,
will be acknowledged also. A letter to confirm each Build the Spirit donor's
entry for the Book of Appreciation will be sent soon. Whether or not they wish
to be listed in the Book, Build the Spirit donors are asked to respond to the
letter in a timely manner.
Do you have further questions?
Send an e-mail to: council@stcharleschurch.org
