FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK
Dear St. Charles Parishioners,
"Heartflet compassion, kindness, humility and patience."
This is a season when society permits us to spend time with family.
During the year a thousand needs pull us in different directions. Perhaps
one of our new year's resolutions should be to resist! Saying yes to
family means saying no to other priorities. Every so often I hear about
people who sacrifice promotion for time with family. Perhaps they are
the exception. They know that success cannot be narrowly defined. Life's
most important values and lessons are learned in the crucible of intimate
relationship.
Christ came among us in the company of Mary and Joseph. Let us appreciate
family members, especially the older and younger ones, who share our
journey.
Thanks for sharing so generously with your spiritual family during
the Holidays.
PARKING
Please note that Midas (across the street from the Church on Washington
Blvd.) allows parking on Sundays ONLY! Cars will be towed on any other
day.
PLEASE NOTE… The Parish Office will be closed at Noon on
Wednesday, December 24th through Friday, December 26th in observance
of Christmas. The office will re-open on Saturday, December 27th.
Bulletin Article submissions for Sunday, January 4th are due no later
than 9:00 AM on Tuesday, December 23rd (instead of Friday, the 26th.)
Thank you for your cooperation.
SPONSOR OF THE WEEK: Our thanks to Tony's Kitchen for their
support.
SUNDAY, December 28, 2003:
7:30 Suzanne DiGiammarino by Joseph Frascone
9:00 Michael Gallagher by Mary Biddle
11:00 Parishioners
1:00 Juan Cesar Ugaz by Rina Ugaz
6:00 Emily Cella by Suzanne Burke
Readings: Sirach 3:2-6,12-14; Colossians 3:12-21; Luke 2:41-52
Monday, December 29, 200:
9:00 Ivene Chodaniewicz
7:30 (Arlington Detention Center) for the Inmates
Readings: 1 John 2:3-11; Luke 2:22-35
Tuesday, December 30, 2003:
9:00 Joseph P. Whearty
Readings: 1 John 2:12-17; Luke 2:36-40
Wednesday, December 31, 2003:
9:00 Joseph R. Frascone
Readings: 1 John 2:18-21; John 1:1-18
Thursday, January 1, 2004:
10:00 Mary Patrick by Bob & Michele Patrick
Readings: Numbers 6:22-27; Galatians 4:4-7; Luke 2:16-21
Friday, January 2, 2004:
9:00 James Beall by Helena & Teresa Moreno
Readings: 1 John 2:22-28; John 1:19-28
Saturday, January 3, 2004:
9:00 Louis Negro by Danny Bessey
5:00 Michael Zurzolo by Camille Burruto
Readings: 1 John 2:29-3:6; John 1:29-34
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,
Veronica Ricks, Regina Heise, Edgardo Bunuan, Mrs. Denis Laroche, Katie
Spasaro, and Rosemarie Rothe. Let us also pray for those who have died.
SOCIAL JUSTICE NEWS
Due to inclement weather, Catholic Charities December 13-14 Christmas
collection will sustain a substantial shortfall. At time in which the
Agency is recovering from last year's severe revenue reduction, your
help is more important than ever. If you were unable to make your donation
last week, please make a contribution this week or in the near future.
RESPECT LIFE MINISTRY
"…it must be noted also that a well-formed Christian conscience
does not permit one to vote for a political program or an individual
law which contradicts the fundamental contents of faith and morals."
(Doctrinal Note on Some Questions regarding the Participation of Catholics
in Political Life).
NURSERY NEWS
The St. Charles Borromeo nursery is now open for both the 9:00 and 11:00
AM Masses. We have committed volunteers that are there every Sunday
to watch your children. Please feel free to stop by the nursery after
either Mass to meet Shannyn Peterson, the 9:00 am volunteer, or Ryan
Taylor and Amy Wyckoff, the 11:00 am volunteers. The nursery is located
in the Memorial Room, and accepts children between the ages of 1 and
4. If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Rose
Holliday, the Nursery Coordinator at 703-522-8336. Hope to see you there!
PASTORAL COUNSELING SERVICES
We are happy to announce a new intern on board. Fr. Emmanuel Nnadozie
will be joining our counseling team, which now consists of Jean Sweeney,
LPC and Carl Ripley, residency counselor. Fr. Emmanuel was ordained
in 1981 in the Claretian Congregation in his homeland, Nigeria. Ten
yeas later he joined the Carmelite Order. His major work has been seminary
formation and retreat work. Emmanuel is presently in the clinical training
program of Loyola College's Pastoral Counseling department. He is open
to doing short term counseling (January-May) with young adults discerning
their job/life directions, or any persons who are looking to transform
their current relationships. He has experience with addictions and depression,
and a rich Carmelite spirituality. Fr. Emmanuel will be in the office
on Saturday's beginning on January 10. Call Jean for appointments. (703)
527-5500 x15. Fee range from $45 to $15.
DISCOVER YOURSELF!
January 10th there will be a Seminar with Fr. Emmanuel Nndozie from
2:30-4:30, in the Parish Library. This seminar will be psycho-spiritual
education and reflection on what it means to "Know Thyself"
and what that means for our human growth, spiritual development, and
who we are called to be. Come and begin your New Year in the "Growth"
direction. $10.00 fee. Register with Jean at 703-527-5500 x15.
IN OUR PARISH
PARISH CHRISTMAS PARTY
Fr. Creedon, Fr. Mendez, Fr. Whitestone, Sr. Benedict, the Parish and
School Staff and the Parish Council cordially invite you to the Parish
Christmas Party on Sunday, December 21 from 2:00 - 5:00 PM. We begin
with Posadas/Looking for Lodging sponsored by Neighborhood F. A reception
and volunteer awards presentation follows in the School Cafeteria. Please
come and celebrate the spirit of the season!
MAKE THE PARISH WEB SITE 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, read
Fr. Creedon's homilies and find
volunteer opportunities. And for you newcomers, our 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 2004. If you'd like
to be part of our team by helping with creating web pages or by taking
digital photos at parish events, contact webteam@stcharleschurch.org.
COME HOME FOR NEW YEARS
If you are a Catholic who has been away from the Church, we invite you
to be an active part of us again. Please join us for our Coming Home
discussion series, hosted by Father Gerry Creedon. This two part series,
to be held on January 17 and 24 after the 5 PM Mass in the Chapel, will
give you the opportunity to ask questions about your Catholic faith
and talk with other returning Catholics. Please extend this invitation
to friends and family members. No registration is required. For more
information, see the flyer at the back of the church, or call Anna LaNave,
at (703) 916-8746.
- The Collection for (Sunday, December 14th) was $13,150.50
- The 2nd Collection for (Sunday December 14th) was $5,010.00 and
was for the Catholic Charities Christmas Collection.
- This Week's Tithe is for Project Lazarus.
- Next Week's Tithe is for Hogar Hispano.
