Bulletin
for December 3, 2006
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First Sunday of Advent
FROM OUR PASTOR
"Let us all our hearts prepare for Christ to come and
enter there."
Dear St. Charles Parishioners,
This Advent theme focuses on the dwelling of Christ among us at Christmas. Let us prepare around the Advent wreath in our households. To assist you in your prayer we ask you to take home a refection booklet on the first Sunday of Advent. The parish will host Evening Prayer every Tuesday in the Chapel and on Dec 18 all are invited to a Parish Reconciliation Service/Confession.
At a time when our society devotes itself anew to consumerism, the
church challenges us to prepare for Emmanuel through simplifying our
lives and shedding our excess. Giving takes many forms at St Charles...
I appreciate the outpouring of support for Fr Charles as he prepares to return to Nigeria. Come and visit with him after the Masses on the 16th and 17th.
We continue to expand our outreach to his continent at the Conversations with Creedon, 7pm Dec 3 when we consider how we may assist AIDS orphans in Kenya.
While we look overseas we also serve locally. Through Catholic Charities' Collection Dec 9/10 we extend our support to the disadvantaged of our diocese and on the following weekend remember the needs of our own parish. Our parish in turn gives the poor at Christmas through our Giving Tree project.
May Christ find a dwelling among us when he comes,
With Advent Hope,
Gerry Creedon
Highlights at St. Charles: Nov. 25 - Dec. 3
- Sun. Dec 3 1st Sunday of Advent - Light the 1st Candle
- Breakfast with Santa
8:00am Benedict Hall
- AIDS Ministry sells hand-made scarves after the 9 & 11am
- Latin American Community Coordinators Meeting 11am Library
- Conversation with Creedon: Susan Weissert, Maryknoll Sisters
AIDS Task Force, will lead a discussion how we can all work to
combat AIDS and assist those suffering from it. 7:00pm. Benedict
Hall
- 6pm Youth Mass
Sun. Dec 3 1st Sunday of Advent - Light the 1st Candle Breakfast with
Santa 8:00am Benedict Hall AIDS Ministry sells hand-made scarves after
the 9 & 11am Latin American Community Coordinators Meeting 11am
Library Conversation with Creedon: AIDS in Africa -- How you can make
a difference. 7pm in Benedict Hall
- Mon. Dec 4 Infant Baptismal Preparation 7:30pm Room 103
- Tue.Dec 5 Advent Evening Prayer 7:30-8:30pm Chapel
- Wed. Dec 6 Respect Life Committee
Meeting 7:00pm Memorial Rm
- Thur. Dec 7 Parish Council Meeting 6:00pm Room 103
- Thur. Dec 7 Immaculate Conception vigil Mass -- Bilingual at 7:30pm
- Fri. Dec 8 HOLY DAY -- Immaculate Conception Mass time: 9am, noon,
7:30pm.
- Fri. Dec. 8 Senior Tea and Lunch after the noon Mass in Benedict Hall
- Sun. Dec 10 2nd Sunday of Advent --Light the 2nd Candle
- Sun. Dec. 10 Simplicity Sunday-stop by Benedict Hall to learn about alternative Christmas gifts
- Sun. Dec 10 Parish celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe at the 1pm Mass with the Fiesta Following in the Gym
- See the Parish online calendar for more
details and events or a list
of highlighted events
Don't forget to take your Advent Booklet! One per
household please.
MASS SCHEDULE
(Daily
Readings from US Bishops' website)
SUNDAY, December 3, 2006: First Sunday of Advent
7:30am Rosalie Monaco (L) by Mark Monaco
9:00am Libra "Libby" & Rocco Nisco by Holly Rathel
& Derek Nisco
11:00am Parishioners
1:00pm Hugo Montes by Juana Fernandez
6:00pm Alice Schum by Lawren Zimmerman
Readings:Jer 33:14-16; 1 Thes 3:12-4:2; Lk 21:25-28,34-36
Monday, December 4, 2006: St. John of Damascus
9:00am Brain Whitehorn by Sara Hebeler
7:30pm (Arlington Detention Center) for the Inmates
Readings: Is 2:1-5; Mt 8:5-11
Tuesday, December 5, 2006:
9:00am Leo Fitzpatrick (L) by Jan & George MacDonald
Readings: Is 11:1-10; Lk 10:21-24
Wednesday, December 6, 2006: St. Nicholas
9:00am Lorell Davies by Manoatl Family
Readings: Is 25:6-10a; Mt 15:29-37
Thursday, December 7, 2006: St. Ambrose
9:00am Maxima Farrales by Tito Farrales
Readings: Is 26:1-6; Mt 7:21,24-27
7:30pm Maruja Villamizar by St. Charles Staff
Readings: Gn 3:9-15,20; Eph 1:3-6,11-12; Lk 1:26-38
Friday, December 8, 2006: The Immaculate Conception
9:00am James C. Dean by Margaret Dean
12:00 Noon Mary Clare Jaswinski by Sirotniak Family
7:30pm Michael Copeland by his Mother
Readings: Gn 3:9-15,20; Eph 1:3-6,11-12; Lk 1:26-38
Saturday, December 9, 2006: St. Juan Diego
9:00am Nora Gallagher by Ed & Mary Biddle
Readings: Is 30:19-21,23-26; Mt 9:35-10:1,6-8
Vigil for Sunday: 2nd Sunday of Advent
5:00pm Frank Sachavanki by John Sach
Readings: Bar 5:1-9; Phil 1:4-6,8-11; Lk 3:1-6
Pray for those who are sick: Paul Steinmetz, Eileen Speorl, Edgar Vallejo, Maria Cristina Dixon, Michael and Mary Catherine Kern Herdoiza, Riz Samora, Ron Kolstad, The Teem Family, Josefina de la Viňa, John Shirley, Gloria Ferrer, Didier Chesneau, Margaret Finocchiaro and Diane Herbst. Let us also pray for those who have died, especially: Gabriela Sotelo.
FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
The Feast of the Immaculate Conception is a Holy Day of Obligation. The schedule of Masses is Thursday, December 7, Vigil Mass at 7:30 pm. Friday, December 8, 9:00am, 12 Noon and 7:30pm
SENIOR LUNCHEON
Remember December 8 is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.
Please plan to join Fr. Creedon and Father Jack O'Hara for lunch after
the Noon Mass. Prior to the Mass, we will have materials in Benedict
Hall at 11:00 to make the Posadas for Advent. A potluck lunch
will follow the Mass. We will provide the ham and ask that you
bring a salad, side dish, or dessert to share. Please contact
Norma Jimeno-Canales at 202-531-8189 to let her know you will be coming.
We arranged for a guest speaker from GrandDrivers will give us suggestions
to keep Virginia's roads safe for everyone. Don't miss this great
event!
THE 10TH ANNUAL ST. CHARLES
SIMBANG GABI
Come and join us for this wonderful Christmas tradition of 9 novena
Masses from Dec. 16 to 24 that ushers in the birth of Christ. See why
people have been waking up on cold December mornings to come to mass
at 5am -- yes, 5am -- for the past 10 years. A 400- year old tradition
in the Philippines, the Masses are in English-with a few carols and
prayers in Tagalog. But no matter the language of your birth, when we
all sing and pray from our hearts, we will all realize how truly universal
our faith is. We hope to see you there!
CHRISTMAS FLOWERS
The Parish Office is now accepting donations for Christmas flowers.
If you wish to have a loved-one remembered, please include his or her
name with your donation. Envelopes are found at the Church entrances
or you may use a blank envelope marked "Christmas flowers".
Both can be dropped in the Sunday collection basket or at the Parish
Office. The list of those remembered will be published on Christmas
Day, so please have your donations and names turned in by Monday, Dec
18th.
MOM'S MINISTRY
Meals Needed The MOM'S ministry attempts to coordinate making a few
meals for some of the new moms and dads in the parish. It's a wonderful
way to make a family's day! Contact Marcia at 703-979-8651 or marciamarciamarcia@att.net
Volunteer Needed We are looking for someone to schedule Mom's Night
Out and other activities for parish Moms, as well as coordinate with
the parish office and other ministries. For more details, please contact
Beth Dowd at 703-558-0302 or bdowdcgo@aol.com
SCRIPTURE COURSE OFFERED AT ST. CHARLES
'Contemporary Issues in Old and New Testament Interpretation' By Dr.
Joseph E. Jensen Catholic Biblical Association of America
MONDAYS, 7:30-9:30pm starting JANUARY 8th for 8 Weeks (1/8, 1/22, 1/29,
2/5, 2/19, 2/26, 3/5, 3/12) COSTS: $ 290 +10% discounts for Seniors
or Spouses $20 Registration Fee See the web or flyer for more info or
call Bill Tobin 703-941-4329 CCDIofVA@aol.com
BIRTHDAY PARTY FOR BABY JESUS
The Daughters of St. Paul bookstore invite you to a Birthday Party for
Baby Jesus, Fri, Dec 8th 3pm to 6pm & Sat, Dec 9th, 11am to 4pm.
First Christmas story time, songs, prizes, birthday cake and picture
taking with the Christ child (costumes provided). Info 703-549-3806.
We're located at 1025 King St. Alexandria, VA 22314 (on the corner of
Henry St. which is Rt. 1 South).
CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE |
Sat Dec 23 |
Vigil for 4th Sunday of Advent Mass at 5pm |
Sun Dec 24
Christmas Eve starts at sundown |
4th Sunday of Advent
Masses at 7:30am, 9am, 11am (English)
& 1pm (Spanish) No 6pm Mass--see below
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Sun Dec 24
(no 7:30pm or 10pm) |
Christmas Eve
5pm Mass in the Church (English)
5pm Mass in the Gym (English)
9pm Mass in the Church
(9pm Mass will incorporate some Spanish) |
Mon Dec 25 |
Christmas Day
Masses at 10am (English) & 1pm (Spanish)
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Sat Dec 30 |
Vigil for Sunday: Mass at 5pm (English) |
Sun Dec 31 |
Feast of the Holy Family (reg Sunday Mass Schedule)
Masses at 7:30am, 9am, 11am and 6pm (all in English)
& 1pm (Spanish) |
Mon Jan 1 |
Feast of Mary the Mother of God - 9am Mass only
(obligation has been lifted for the Arlington Diocese) |
YOU'RE GUIDE TO A MORE MEANINGFUL ADVENT
Jesus is coming and your parish website, www.stcharleschurch.org, is
ready to help you prepare. Visit us for the complete list of parish
Advent events and a selection of prayer resources to help make this
your best Advent ever. Take a break from the commercial pressure of
the season and connect to Christ. Reflection on your relationship with
our Savior through an online prayer, try a new reflection to go with
your Advent wreath or join the e-mail prayer
tree to support others in need at Christmas.
WIRELESS SOUND SYSTEM UPGRADE FOR THE HEARING IMPAIRED
St. Charles is currently working to improve the wireless sound system
for our parishioners who are hearing impaired. The upgrade will enable
the personal audio receiver to transmit the wireless signal directly
to a hearing aid equipped with a "T" (Telephone) Switch. We
currently need one or two volunteers who have this "T" switch
on their hearing aid to help us test the upgrade. If you are willing
to assist us with this testing, please call 703-676-1394 or e-mail Robert.K.Wear@SAIC.com
including your name, and the Mass you usually attend. Bob will contact
you directly to make arrangements for you to try the system out.
NEW TO THE AREA?
Are you a young adult in your 20s or 30s, married or single, who would
like to get connected with other young adults? There are two email lists
you may want to join. The first is for St. Charles. Just send a blank
email to cyalist-subscribe@topica.com.
There is also the diocesan Young Adult Ministry's information-packed
and up-to-date e-newsletters! Including parish events, retreats, educational
series, dances, hikes, canoe trips, festivals, picnics, and our very
own Theology on Tap program. Contact Mary-Rose Lombard, Coordinator
of Young Adult Ministry, at 703/841-2550 or yam@arlingtondiocese.org
.
BREAKFAST WITH SANTA IS HERE!
Breakfast with Santa takes place TODAY (Sunday, December 3) from 8:00
a.m.-12:30 p.m. in Benedict Hall. In additional to Santa's favorite
pancakes, enjoy sausage, apple sauce, coffee and orange juice. The price
for a large breakfast is $6.00; a small breakfast costs $4.00. No reservations
are required. Plus, you can take a picture with Santa and his family
and do some Christmas shopping at the Silent Auction. Proceeds will
benefit St. Charles School.
CONVERSATIONS WITH CREEDON
Sunday, Dec 3, 7pm Benedict Hall Catherine Nanfuka Will share stories
on her recent return from Uganda. She will share on the AIDS crisis
and what we can do to help All are welcome. Refreshments provided
ST. CHARLES CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS FOR SALE
St. Charles Christmas ornaments will be for sale this weekend after
5:00, 9:00, 11:00 and 6 pm Mass. Ornaments are $10.00 and proceeds will
help pay for the On the Way Retreat. Get yours today, on sale the weekend
only!
ADVENT EVENING PRAYER
Mark your calendars now to come and relax for an hour a week. Tuesdays
December 5, 12, and 19 7:30-8:30pm in the Chapel. Music, silence, prayer...
Come and rest. "Let us all our hearts prepare for Christ to come
and enter there."
PREPARING TO SAY GOOD BYE TO FR. CHARLES
Fr. Charles Ukwe, OP will be heading back to Nigeria at the end of December
to teach at a seminary there. Come and celebrate! Saturday, December
16 6:30pm Posada event presented by the children - GYM 7:30pm Wine &
cheese reception for Fr. Charles (please bring a dessert) Sunday, December
17 We will celebrate with Fr. Charles after each of the Sunday Masses
All Are Welcome! Folks are already asking what they can give Fr. Charles
as a way to say "thank you". Bottom line...cash or check (made
out to Fr. Charles or St. Charles) is always a winner. By the way, due
to your generosity, he has enough computers! No more are needed. Thank
you!
GIVING TREE
Now is the time to take a tag or two or more from our Christmas Giving
Tree in the Church. During Advent, we remember those less fortunate
and connect with those in need. The gifts you buy help the homeless,
immigrants and families in crisis who are unable to give their families
some of the joy of Christmas. Please attach the tag and return (wrapped
or unwrapped) gifts to the Church and place them under the Tree or at
the Parish Office no later than Dec 16th. Gifts will be distributed
on Dec 17th. Cash & check donations payable to "St. Charles
Church" need to be marked for the Giving Tree and left at the Parish
Office. All donations are tax deductible. Call Maria for receipt. To
volunteer or questions, call Maria McAhron at 703-628-6251, mail mariamcahron@yahoo.com.
Thanks!
FAMILY LEGAL SERVICES NEEDED
We have a parishioner who is in urgent need of family legal services.
Her income is low, she has five children and is struggling to maintain
adequate medical care for one disabled child. If you or anyone you know
can offer legal assistance, please call the Parish Office and ask for
Jo-Ann Duggan, Social Services Coordinator. Thanks.
RETREAT FOR THE SERIOUSLY ILL
The Dominican Retreat House in McLean is sponsoring their retreat for
the seriously ill from December 8-10. contact them at info@dominicanretreat.org
703- 356-4243.
CATHOIC CHARITIES COLLECTION DEC 9/10
It is important for us to remember that, without your assistance, many
in our diocese will go wanting this season. Last year, our diocesan
Catholic Charities assisted nearly 25,000 people through its soup kitchen,
food pantry, hypothermia shelter, rent and utilities assistance, services
for the elderly, counseling, aid to women in crisis pregnancies, adoption
and foster care programs, immigrant assistance, aid to the disabled,
parish social ministry, and prison ministry. The annual second collection
for Catholic Charities will take place on the weekend of Dec. 9-10.
Bishop Loverde remains grateful for your generous support last year
and prays that you can continue to be generous this year.
ROOTED IN FAITH-FORWARD IN HOPE
The capital campaign for our parish and the diocese, achieved unprecedented
success thanks to your prayers and financial support. Thank you for
your commitment to fulfilling your pledge.
PARISH
SUPPORT
Last Week's Collection (Nov 26, 2006) was $17,023.00 Last Week's Tithe
of $1,566.12 was for our Sister Parishes in Haiti. This Week's Tithe
is for Project Lazarus. This Week's 2nd Collection is for our Building
Fund. Next Week's 2nd Collection is for Catholic Charities.
