FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK
Dear St. Charles Parishioners,
I write this note from our
sister parish in Cavaillon. Greetings from Pere Jocelyn, Pere St.
Louis (new Pastor of Gros Marin) and their vibrant congregations. Today
I saw the grain mill which your support made possible. It offers industrious
women the means to grind their grain. Beside it was a bakery that provides
them the opportunity to make breads and buns for sale in the market.
We will review their health, economic and spiritual aspirations over
the next few days. In your name, our Haiti committee joins me in extending
our faith, commitment and solidarity.
I encourage your participation in three upcoming events: (1) the Virginia
Interfaith Center for Public Policy's "Mid-Session Legislative
Update" on February 18 at 7:30 PM at the Fairlington Presbyterian
Church in Alexandria; and (2) our Haiti carnaval on February 21 at 6:00
PM.
"WELCOMING RETURNING/INACTIVE
CATHOLICS"
If you are a Catholic who has been away from the Church, we invite you
to be an active part of us again. "Landings" is an eight-week
discussion series, a safe landing place for returning Catholics to explore
their faith and future with the Church. We begin on Ash Wednesday, February
25. If you are interested, please call Anna LaNave at 703-916-8746 or
returning-catholics@stcharleschurch.org.
C'YA NEWS
- Monday February 23 Salsa Night at Clarendon Grill come one come
all. Contact Tita Ponce at aponce98@yahoo.com
or Kelly Moon at Kmoon98@yahoo.com.
- February 27 and February 29 Women's Retreat contact Stacy Lucas
at Stacylucas@hotmail.com.
- Dinner and a movie we are going to see "Miracle" contact
Mary Beth at ochopeeone@aol.com.
- Mardi Gras Party on Saturday, February 21st at 8 PM. Co-hosted
by C'YA and FOCUSSS- (the St. Mary's young adults group in Old Town
Alexandria). Location is the St. Mary's Lyceum at 313 Duke Street.
Admission is $10. Contact Nick at nbaric67@msn.com.
PLEASE NOTE: The Parish and School Offices will be closed on
Monday, February 16, in observance of (Presidents' Day).
MASS INTENTIONS
SUNDAY, February 15, 2004:
7:30 Parishioners
9:00 Joseph Mercadante by Mario D'Ambrosio
11:00 Thanksgiving by Joe & Linda Perez
1:00 Eugenio Cejas by Alicia Soto & Family
6:00 Joseph Fitzmaurice by Gerry & John Welch
Readings: Jeremiah 17:5-8; 1 Corinthians 15:12,16-20; Luke 6:17,20-26
Monday, February 16, 2004:
9:00 Bishop Vincent J. MacCauley, CSC
7:30 (Arlington Detention Center) for the Inmates
Readings: James 1:1-11; Mark 8:11-13
Tuesday, February 17, 2004:
9:00 Bryce Harlow by Ed & Trudy Dervan
Readings: James 1:12-18; Mark 8:14-21
Wednesday, February 18, 2004:
9:00 The Father of Mary Walsh by Joanne McGlinchy
Readings: James 1:19-27; Mark 8:22-26
Thursday, February 19, 2004:
9:00 Anne Millard & Julia Munly by Joanne & Richard Munly
Readings: James 2:1-9; Mark 8:27-33
Friday, February 20, 2004:
9:00 Yranela Absalon& Damucos Family by E. Yranela
Readings: James 2:14-24,26; Mark 8:34-9:1
Saturday, February 21, 2004:
9:00 Paul DiBenedetto, Sr. by Catherine & Timothy Keeler
5:00 Joseph Spasaro by Camille Burruto
Readings: James 3:1-10; Mark 9:2-13
PLEASE PRAY FOR
Please remember to keep in your prayers, those who are sick and those
who suffer, especially: Diane Herbst, Celia Coronado, Lilia Gavin, William
Frederick, Bernard Pohl, Paul Steinmetz, Carol Judy, Richard Hendrick,
Aldamaria Morimello, George Macdonald, Francis Stanley, Margutte Biddle.
Let us also pray for those who have died: Harry J.P. Everly, and Luis
Llerena.
SENIOR'S LUNCH ON ASH WEDNESDAY
On February 25 at 1:00 PM, after the noon Mass, our retired parishioners
and anyone free during the day are invited to eat, drink, and be merry
in the library. Our kindergarten class will sing to us, and our spiritual
leaders will tell the meaning and origin of the ashes. Come one, come
all!
SPONSOR OF THE WEEK: Our thanks to TONY'S KITCHEN for their
support.
RESPECT LIFE MINISTRY
"To claim the right to abortion, infanticide and euthanasia,
and to recognize that right in law, means to attribute to human freedom
a perverse and evil significance: that of an absolute power over others
and against others."
HOW COULD I KEEP FROM DANCING!!
A dream of 30 years is now a reality! Our Parish Center Dedication and
the Polka Party filled me with joy! Thank you all, Father Gerry, parishioners,
parents, faculty, friends and family, and every one who helped me celebrate
my 30 wonderful years at St. Charles with your time, treasure and talent.
Your gifts, your messages, your love and your hugs filled me with awe.
Thank you, especially, for your warm welcoming of my dear families,
both personal and Benedictine. They had a wonderful time and asked me
to express their thanks, also. They know now how blessed I am to live
and work with all of you. The name, Benedict, means "Blessed by
God." Truly, I am.
ST. CHARLES SCHOOL NEWS
Enrollment for School Year 2004-05 has begun for students in Grade K-8.
We offer an excellent Catholic education and extended day program for
those seeking strong academics and spiritual values for their children
at a reasonable price. For more information, call the School Office
(703-527-0608), or check our website www.stcharles.k12.va.us.
Financial aid is available to qualifying families. See the flyer in
today's bulletin to learn more about PSAS, the Diocesan tuition assistance
program. Attend one of the information meetings, where there will be
help available for completing the application form both in English and
Spanish.
Good News! St. Charles will open a Pre-K program beginning in the Fall.
Call the School Office for more information.
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 300 CLUB WINNERS FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY
2004
1st place: Arthur P. Hanket, 2nd place: Billie O'Brien, 3rd place: Maria
J. Santos.
Thank you to all our members for their continued support of the children
of St. Charles School. If you wish to join the fun of being a 300 Club
member, please contact the school at 703-527-0608.
HAITI COMMITTEE
It's Carnaval time! Come celebrate our long connection with out sister
parishes in Haiti. The 5 PM Mass on February 21st will feature Sacred
Heart's Haitian Creole Choir from Washington DC. Immediately afterward
in Benedict Hall is a dinner of authentic Haitian cuisine with warm
Caribbean rhythms and dance to follow! A silent auction includes Accommodations
in Paris and other services from Haiti Committee members. Tickets to
the dinner cost $10 apiece (children under eight years are free) and
will be sold after Mass. All Proceeds benefit our sister parishes. Merci!
IN OUR PARISH
BIENVENIDOS WELCOME BIENVENUE
Fr. Gerry Creedon, Fr. Francisco Mendez and the St. Charles Parish Community
cordially invite all new parishioners to "Welcome Receptions"
on Saturday, February 28 at 6:00 PM or Sunday, February 29 at 7:00 PM
in the St. Charles School Cafeteria. We look forward to meeting and
welcoming you to our parish family.
ST. CHARLES BORROMEO PARISH COMMUNITY CENTER MANAGER
St. Charles Church seeks Manager of Community Center/with gym. Responsibilities
include coordinating operating and special events for parish and school
activities as well as limited community functions. Flexible schedule
should include weekends and evenings. Qualifications: college degree,
computer competency, administrative skills, experience in facilities
and event management, human relationship aptitude, Spanish a plus. Salary
with benefits. Send resume with references to: Parish Office, (Attn:
Center Search Committee), St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 3304
N Washington Blvd., Arlington, VA 22201-4506. (Fax: 703-527-5505) or
(e-mail: stcharleschurch@starpower.net)
PARDON US
On Presidents' Day Weekend, the Web Team asks you to Grant us the favor
taking a Polk around the parish website, www.stcharleschurch.org. We
decided to Fillmore space by Lincoln to other great website for Black
History Month. Be on the cutting-and Coolidge of technology, which
we Taylor each week to meet your needs. Don't beat around the Bush,
but a-Ford yourself of this opportunity today to Pierce through the
Hayes of cyberspace. We're not making this up, dude-it's Truman!
OPERATION RICE BOWL
St. Charles parishioners, students, and parish groups are invited once
again to participate in Operation Rice Bowl this Lent. Rice Bowl contributions
will be used to fund Catholic Relief Services agricultural, health,
and nutrition programs throughout the world. We are called to pray,
fast, learn, and give through Operation Rice Bowl. Please join us in
this program. Rice bowls will be available at the Church entrances next
Sunday.
- Collection for Sunday, February 8, 2004 was $18,220.00.
- Tithe for this week was $1,676.24 for (Crosslink International).
- 2nd Collection for the Building Fund was $5,308.00.
- Collection for Sunday, February 1, 2004 was $17,829.00.
- Tithe for this week was $1,640.27 for St. Charles Outreach/Project
Lazarus.
- 2nd Collection for Arlington Catholic Herald was $2,146.00.
- 2nd Collection for Building Fund was $7,639.25.
What
Are You Giving Up for Lent?
How
about an evening a week to draw closer to Christ?
Beginning March 1, 2004, Lenten Small Groups will meet for six
weeks in homes around St. Charles. In these 90-minute sessions,
parishioners reflect together on the Sunday Scriptures, with the
theme of transforming ourselves and transforming the world. Participating
in a Lenten Small Group is a great way to grow deeper in your faith,
while getting to know your fellow parishioners better.
Most groups will be intergenerational, but C'YA
will be hosting a group especially for Young Adults. Please indicate
your preference when you sign up, as well as any special needs,
for example: can't do stairs, animal allergies, etc.
If you are interested, please contact Kelly Moon at kmoon98@yahoo.com,
or call 703-312-4114.
Volunteers will take signups after all Masses - just inside the
main doors - on February 21-22.
Journey
with others this Lent!
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St. Charles School
Tuition Assistance Information
February 13, 2004
Dear Parishioners and Friends:
Have you thought about sending your child to St. Charles School
but have hesitated because of the cost? The Diocese of Arlington
has a Tuition Assistance Program (PSAS) to help families in need who
qualify with the cost of tuition in Diocesan Catholic Schools. To qualify,
students must meet the following criteria:
- A Baptized Catholic or Convert
- Family resides with the boundaries of the Diocese of Arlington
and is registered and an active member of a Parish, or resides on
a military post and belongs to a military post parish
- Student attends or is accepted by a Catholic school in the Diocese
of Arlington
Interested families are asked to submit an application form, as well
as a $17 processing fee. The deadline for filing an application for
this tuition assistance for School Year 2004-05 is March 10, 2004.
A copy of 2003 Tax Forms must be submitted with the application. Application
forms are available in English and Spanish in the School office.
St. Charles School is conducting two meetings to provide more information
about this tuition assistance program and to provide assistance in completing
application forms. School representatives will be available to assist
in English and Spanish. All personal information will be held strictly
confidential. If you are interested in attending one of these meetings,
please call the school office (703-527-0608). Meetings will be held:
Sunday, February 22 from 2:00 - 4:00 P.M in the School Library
Thursday, February 26th from 5:00 - 6:00 P.M. in the School Library
We invite you and your children to become part of the St. Charles School
family and encourage you to look into this opportunity.
In Him Always,
Sister Benedict Kesock, O.S.B.
Principal
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