FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK
Dear St. Charles Parishioners,
The Pope's World Day of Peace Statement calls the war on Iraq a violation
of International law. It is important that the happiness at the capture
of Saddam and a definitive end to his brutal reign does not translate
into support for war when, at least in the Pope's view, there are other
means for resloving conflict that we must pursue. The alternatives to
the use of force are outlined in his statement. I have insured that
our website carry the entire text for your study and reflection.
Our hearts and prayers are with the service men and women of our country
as they place their lives in jeopardy and with all the victims of terror
and war in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Holy Land.
As we begin a new year, let us pray in the Pope's words to Mary Queen
of Peace "Listen to the cry of pain of the war victims, of the
victims of the many forms of violence that bathe the earth in blood.
Dispel the shadows of sorrow and loneliness, of hatred and revenge.
Open to forgiveness the minds and hearts of all!"
Thanks to all your lavish Christmas giving to the needy and to the
church.
RESPECT LIFE COMMITTEE MEETING
The Respect Life Committee will meet Wednesday, January 7th, at 7:30
PM in the Memorial Room to finalize plans for the Respect Life Prayer
Vigil and the March for Life coming up this month. For more information
contact Grace Sims at moshimoshi@starpower.net
or 703-528-5522.
RESPECT LIFE PRAYER VIGIL & MARCH FOR LIFE
January brings us two blessed events: Join the Respect Life Committee
for a Prayer Vigil Saturday, January 17 in the Church from 7:30-10:00
PM to pray an end to abortion and healing for those whose lives it touches.
We will say the Rosary and the Chapel of Divine Mercy, along with the
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and quiet prayer. Then join the
Respect Life group for the March for Life on the Mall January 22, marking
the 31st anniversary of Roe v. Wade. You can meet in the parish's library
at 9:30, go to 10:00 AM, Pro-Life Mass at St. Thomas More, and return
at 11:15 to welcome the marchers, enjoy coffee, and depart at noon (Metro)
for the March. Call Becky at 703-524-4658.
CONTEMPLATIVE WAY
Meets in the Chapel on the Second Tuesday of the Month, January 13th,
at 7:30 PM for practices of silence and spiritual growth.
SUNDAY, January 4, 2003:
7:30 Parishioners
9:00 Frances Miraglia by David A. Lamdin
11:00 Marco Antonio Villamizar by The Hittle Family
1:00 Manuel Ercilla Yañez by Familia Ortiz
6:00 Carl Nykaza (L) by Devon Nykaza
Readings: Isaiah 60:1-6; Ephesians 3:2-3a,5-6; Matthew 2:1-12
Monday, January 5, 2004:
9:00 Elsie Spinatolice by Elissa M. Ewalt
7:30 (Arlington Detention Center) for the Inmates
Readings: 1 John 3:22-4:6; Matthew 4:12-17,23-25
Tuesday, January 6, 2004:
9:00 Vicente Valle by Luisa Valle
Readings: 1 John 4:7-10; Mark 6:34-44
Wednesday, January 7, 2004:
9:00 Louise A. Monavon
Readings: 1 John 4:11-18; Mark 6:45-52
Thursday, January 8, 2004:
10:00 Marco Antonio Villamizar by The Hittle Family
Readings: 1 John 4:19-5:; Luke 4:14-22a
Friday, January 9, 2004:
9:00 June Langan, Mother of Linda & Michael Kildea by Dennis, Theresa,
and Carlini
Readings: 1 John 5:5-13; Luke 5:12-16
Saturday, January 10, 2004:
9:00 Warren Kirby by Casey & Mark Weiser
5:00 Miriam Burke Dean by Cathleen O'Brien
Readings: 1 John 5:14-21; John 3:22-30
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, Rosemarie Rothe, Conrad Rehill, Sr. Bert Cruz, Emilio Tanzo,
and Agnes Pagdilo. Let us also pray for those who have died: Gordon
Brigham, Martin E. McCavitt, and Maria Violeta Cuevas.
SOCIAL JUSTICE NEWS
Due to inclement weather, Catholic Charities December 13-14 Christmas
collection sustained a substantial shortfall. At a 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.
SPONSOR OF THE WEEK: Our thanks to Tony's Kitchen for their support.
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).
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.
ARLINGTON AREA SCHOOLS HOSTING KINDERGARTEN INFORMATION
Parents with children entering kindergarten in September 2004 are invited
to "Kindergarten Information Night" to be held from 6:30-8:30
PM on Tuesday, January 20, at Arlington Central Library, 1015 N. Quincy
Street, Arlington.
The evening will begin with a "Meet the Principals and Teachers"
open house at 6:30 PM followed by an information session at 7:00 PM.
Principals and teachers from seven Catholic Schools in the Arlington,
Alexandria and Falls Church area will greet parents. The open house
and information sessions will provide opportunities for parents to learn
what to expect from the kindergarten experience in Catholic Schools.
During the Information session, Sr. Karl Ann Homberg, Assistant Superintendent
of School for the Diocese of Arlington, will touch on the following:
- The Diocesan kindergarten curriculum
- Area elementary school options
- Inclusion of all faiths in a Catholic setting
- Before and after-school programs
- Registration requirements and procedures
- Tuition assistance programs
- School visit schedules
Kindergarten Information Night is sponsored by the Office of Catholic
Schools and the following schools: St. Ann, St. Agnes, St. Charles,
Corpus Christi, St. Rita, St. Thomas More, and Queen of Apostles. There
is no admission for the event and all members of the public are invited.
Information will be available in Spanish and English. For more information,
contact Allis Hanley at 703-573-4570.
HEAR YE! HEAR YE! HEAR YE!
Mark your calendars for the annual St. Charles Parish Town Halls on
Sunday, January 25 at noon in English and 2:00 PM in Spanish. Both events
will take place in Benedict Hall in the new Parish Community Center.
Come for a sneak peak and hear a report on the new facility!
Members of the Parish Council and the Campus Facilities and Oversight
Committee will be available to answer your questions. Please join us!
CONGRATULATIONS!
Congratulations to the winners of our parish's annual volunteer awards,
which were presented at a special ceremony during the Parish Christmas
Party on December 21:
The Glyne Goodridge Award:
Peter Dirr
Bert Sweigart
The St. Charles Borromeo Award:
George and Teresa Reyes
The Parish Web Team
Mark Alves, Larry Prikockis, Co-Chairs and
Jose Dominguez Urosa, Spanish-language Content Coordinator
The Glyne Goodridge Award, named in memory of Glyne Goodridge, recognizes
exceptional contributions in the area of outreach. The St. Charles Borromeo
Award, inaugurated in 2002, honors outstanding contributions to parish
life.
Thanks very much to our winners and all our volunteers who offer time,
talent and treasure in building the Reign of God's love at St. Charles!
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.
- The Collection for (Sunday, December 22, 2003) was $19,408.50.
- Last Week's Tithe for Project Lazarus was $1,785.58.
- Last Week's 2nd Collection for Catholic Charities was $2,260.00.
- This Week's Tithe is for Hogar Hispano.
- Next Week's Tithe is for St. Charles Outreach.
- Next Week's 2nd Collection is for our Building Fund.
