28th Sunday in Ordinary Time
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK
Dear St. Charles Parishioners,
We are now a mere three weeks away from a historic election. Feelings
are running high, and supporters of both sides are doing what they can
for their candidates. Last week someone put brochures that looked like
the US Conference of Catholic Bishops' Faithful Citizenship document,
on cars in the parking lot and neighborhood. They were neither authorized
by the diocese or the parish. I want to remind everyone that St. Charles
takes the ideals of Faithful Citizenship very seriously. We want to
register voters, which is allowed, and to help educate voters on issues
of Catholic teaching. However, we will never tell you who to vote for.
We also follow the policies of the Virginia Catholic Conference which
state, in part that distribution of partisan literature is not allowed,
candidates for political office may not be endorsed or opposed through
any Church channel, and that voters guides or election-related materials
other than those prepared by the VCC or the USCCB may not be distributed.
I am working with staff and volunteers to help shepherd us through the
political season. If you want to learn more about Catholic teaching
and the election, I encourage you to visit the US Bishops' site www.faithfulcitizenship.org.
On this Sunday evening at 7 PM I will host Conversations with Creedon
on "The Food Crisis and Our Spiritual Hunger." I welcome all
to gather and reflect on how being called to be bread for the world
takes on many dimensions.
Feel the Spirit!
Gerry Creedon
Highlights at St. Charles Oct. 13 - 26, 2008
- Sun., Oct. 12 - No Sunday or Monday religious education classes
for children
- Sun., Oct. 12 - Giving
Tree registrations at 2 PM in Room 103
- Sun., Oct. 12 - Conversations with Creedon 7 PM in Benedict
Hall
- Sun., Oct. 12 - Cookies
for Kairos prison retreat cookie donations due today; jeansween@hotmail.com
- Mon., Oct. 13 - Columbus Day: Office Closed; no Monday religious
education for children
- Sat., Oct. 18 - Oktoberfest
dinner & party after the 5pm Mass, Gym
- Sun., Oct. 19 - Latin American Community Leaders meeting;
smoncayo@stcharleschurch.org,
11:00am, Parish Library.
- Sun., Oct. 19 - Breast Awareness Workshop; jdduggan@stcharleschurch.org,
2 PM, Room 103
- Sun., Oct. 19 - Pizza
& Beer gathering for Young Adults in their 20s and 30s; adultfaith@stcharleschurch.org,
7 PM, Benedict Hall.
- Mon., Oct. 20 - SALT Leadership Group meeting; R7a8more@cox.net,
7:30 PM, Parish Library.
- Tues., Oct. 21 - Philippine Medical Mission meeting; vanettelagera@yahoo.com,
6:30pm, Room 104
- Sat., Oct. 25 - Catholic Underground; yam@arlingtondiocese.org,
7:30 PM, Church & Gym.
- Sun., Oct. 26 - Monthly Pre-Cana; mhartf@arlingtonva.us,
7 PM, Benedict Hall.
See the Parish online calendar for more
details and events or a list of
highlighted events
MASS OF REMEMBRANCE
The annual Mass of Remembrance will be held on Monday, November 3, 2008
at 7:30 PM. This Mass will provide an opportunity to come together with
other members of our community who have lost a loved one and remember
all who have gone before us in faith. Please plan to join us for this
special Mass and a reception to follow in Benedict Hall.
+ MASS SCHEDULE AND READINGS +
(Daily
Readings from US Bishops' website)
Sunday, October 12, 2008: 28th Sunday In Ordinary Time
7:30am Sal Amato by Jo & Eugene Burns
9:00am Nicasio Ignacio (L) by Rosario Ignacio
11:00am Franklin L. Stroud by Megan's Vincent Dennis
1:00pm Georgina Prieto by Susana Moncayo
6:00pm Parishioners
Readings: Is 25:6-10a; Phil 4:12-14,19-20; Mt 22:1-14
Monday, October 13, 2008:
9:00am June Connors by Carol & John Shottes
7:30pm (Arlington Detention Center) for the Inmates
Readings Gal 4:22-24,26-27,31-5:1; Lk 11:29-32
Tuesday, October 14, 2008:
9:00am Lucrecia Llamado by Tito Farrales
Readings: Gal 5:1-6; Lk 11:37-41
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
9:00am Tim Russert by Dolores Hasting
Readings: Gal 5:18-25; Lk 11:42-46
Thursday, October 16, 2008:
9:00am Anna Pristic by Michele & Bob Patrick
Readings: Eph 1:1-10; Lk 11:47-54
Friday, October 17, 2008:
9:00am Carson Ho by Maria Ho
Readings: Eph 1:11-14; Lk 12:1-7
Saturday, October 18, 2008: St. Luke, Evangelist
9:00am Thanksgiving (L) by Gabrielle Ravanera
Readings: 2 Tm 4:10-17b; Lk 10:1-9
Vigil for Sunday: 20th Sunday In Ordinary Time
5:00pm Shirley Bessey by Elizabeth O'Reilly
Readings: Is 45:1,4-6; 1 Thes 1:1-5b; Mt 22:15-21
Pray for those who are sick, especially: Marie Lane, Michael
Rigney, Vito Giannuzzi, Sofia Mancini, Ron Buckholt, Sheila E. Quinlin,
Marta Johnson, Sara Goody, Roberta Kline, Mary Anne Spasaro, Connor
Cozoli, Lucille O'Keefe, Richard Massey, Margaret Finocchiaro, Grace
Elizabeth Perkins, the Lozano triplets, Maria Segarra-Hines, Margie
Barba.
SENIOR BRUNCH AND FLU SHOT
Do you want to stay healthy this year? The Circle of Caring and Father
Creedon invite you for brunch after the 9am Mass on October 31, 2008.
While you socialize with other St. Charles Parishioners and have brunch,
you can get your flu shot! INOVA Health Services will be administrating
the shots so make plans now to join us. You will need to make a reservation
for your shot, so please call Norma at 202-531-8189 or send her an email
at njjcanales@cox.net
to reserve your spot and shot.
WEDNESDAY AM BIBLE STUDY
On October 15, a weekly Bible Study program is scheduled to begin at
10am in the library. There will be a discussion on what to study and
how to proceed. All are welcome
ALTAR SERVERS
There will be training for new and current altar servers on Saturday,
October 25, at 4:15-4:45pm and Sunday Oct 26 at 8:15-:8:45am and 10:15-10:45am
in the Sacristy. Interested boys and girls who have made their first
communion should contact Rick Miller at 703-901-2491 or email: rrmarlington@yahoo.com.
SPONSOR OF THE WEEK: Our thanks to American Realty Group for
their support.
OKTOBERFEST 2008
Oktoberfest will be held this year on Saturday, October 18, 2008 - Rain
or Shine! There will be wonderful entertainment, carnival games with
prizes, Krafthaus, face painting, crafts for the little ones,
a cake walk, moon bounce and a Scary Haunted School House!
At the end of the day we will all relax in the gym and enjoy a delicious
Spaghetti Dinner and find out who will be the winner of the $500 raffle.
Plus the following: Yard Sale: Search through those boxes and
find treasures to share. We will begin accepting items on Sunday, October
12 from 8am until 2pm. There will be a collection point outside the
school cafeteria. Please, no clothes. We will also accept items from
Tuesday, October 14 through early morning, October 18. Raffle tickets:
You should have received your tickets in the mail. Additional tickets
are available at the school office. Miscellaneous: the Sheriff's Department
will be visiting and fingerprint children. We will also have
a hair stylist who will do washes, cuts and blowdrys during the
day! Together Everyone Achieves More. If you can help in any capacity
please contact Allan or Angela Rowley at rowley5@cox.net
or 703-289-9733. Let's have a great Oktoberfest!
CROP HUNGER WALK-10K
Fight hunger in Arlington and internationally by walking in the CROP
Hunger Walk 2008. Please save the date to participate in the 2008 Arlington
CROP Hunger Walk on October 18th at 8:00am. All ages are welcome! Contact
our Parish CROP Hunger Walk recruiter: Kate Morgan at katemorgan24@gmail.com.
Registration forms are available in the Parish Office.
MYSTICISM IN MODERN RELIGIONS
With Origins in the Middle East
A panel discussion of religious leaders
representing Catholic, Jewish, Protestant
and Islamic traditions
Sun., October 26, 2008 at 7:30 PM at St. Charles
Refreshments will be served. All are welcome.
Jim Drummond 202-746-1029
interfaith@stcharleschurch.org.
Sponsored by the Interfaith Committee of St. Charles
SALT FALL CONFERENCE
What can one person do to fight poverty and homelessness? Join with
1,000 other social justice advocates from around the diocese to make
a difference! SALT is a non-partisan legislative network working primarily
at the state and local levels. Come to SALT's Fall Conference on Sat,
Oct 25, from 9-11:30am at St. Thomas a Becket Parish in Reston to learn
how to get involved. For more information, go to www.S-A-L-T.org,
or contact John Horejsi, SALT
Coordinator, at jhorejsi@cox.net.
YOUNG ADULTS PIZZA &
BEER GATHERING
Are you willing to chat about how St. Charles can better minister to
and with the young adults of the parish and area? If so, please RSVP
for a casual dinner gathering on Sunday, October 19 from 7-8pm. RSVPs
are required. Contact Michelle Miller, adultfaith@stcharleschurch.org,
703-527-5500 x115
MARYMOUNT NURSE MANAGED HEALTH CENTER
Health fair, Sat., Nov. 1 from 8 AM - 12 PM, Benedict Hall. Please come
to learn more information about your important health. We will be offering
cholesterol/glucose testing, heart health information, flu shots, diet
& exercise information and much more.
Breast Cancer Program, Sun., Oct. 19 at 2 PM- Join us to learn
more information about self breast examination and the importance of
screening. The information is mostly for women ages 35 and older; however
all are welcome.
GIVING TREE FAMILY REGISTRATIONS
Registration of families in the parish and those who receive help through
Project Lazarus who could be helped by receiving gifts through the St.
Charles Giving Tree project may register in Benedict Hall from 2-4pm
on Sun, Oct. 12, 19, 26 or Nov. 2. Spanish-speaking volunteers needed
too. Contact Erin Devine, erindevine@verizon.net
or 703-237-9274. A call for many volunteers to help the weekend of December
19-21 will be coming! The Giving Tree will go up November 29.
FOOD PANTRY NEEDS
Thank you so much for your generous response to our Food Pantry needs.
We have seen many more individuals as well as families coming to us
to help supplement their food budget. Please remember them when you
do your own food shopping. We are currently in need of all types of
food - peanut butter, jelly, pasta and pasta sauce, soups, canned vegetables/fruit,
and for our homeless clients: small containers of tuna, Vienna sausages,
pasta, energy bars, and small size snacks.
|
PARISH SUPPORT - THANK YOU
LAST WEEKEND
Collection for Oct 4/5, was $27,041.50
Last Week's Tithe of $2,487.82 was for our Project Lazarus.
Last Week's 2nd Collection of $7,506.50 was for our Parish Building
Fund.
THIS WEEKEND
This Week's Tithe is for Culmore Clinic.
This Week's Special 2nd Collection is for Haiti.
NEXT WEEKEND
Next Week's Tithe is for our Sister Parish in Haiti.
Next Week's 2nd Collection is for World Missions.
|
[Flier inserted into the Oct. 12, 2008 bulletin
follows:]
Help Welcome Children and Families into the Catholic Faith
Volunteer Family Needed to Host Monthly Potluck
At St. Charles, we have a long standing tradition of welcoming everyone.
This is especially important when families or children are interested
in joining the Catholic faith.
At St. Charles, we have established a casual lightly structured
monthly pot-luck dinner, hosted by a parish family that enables
both children and parents to learn, share, ask questions, and be welcomed
in a comfortable setting. (We have had a host family leading this ministry
for many years and they are ready to pass the torch now that their own
children are teens!) They are available for support to the new host
family.
The teaching and sharing elements are basic. Each month a different
topic is discovered, for example, October is normally the exploring
of the traditions of Halloween and All Saints day, November is usually
about Thanksgiving, and December is about bring Advent into the home,
etc.
- Your own family will be blessed by these gatherings!
- There are wonderful people, printed, and online resources, so have
no fear!
If you are interested, please contact Michelle Miller, the parish
Initiation Director, at 703-527-5500 x 115 or adultfaith@stcharleschurch.org.
To contact the former host family with specific questions, please contact
Andrea Bender at 703-527-2476 or abender@wc.com.
[Flier inserted into the Oct. 12, 2008 bulletin
follows:]
News from the Diocese of Arlington
ADOPTION
Search and Reunion in Adoption
Catholic Charities' Children's Services staff will host a "Search
and Reunion in Adoption" presentation on November 8, 2008, that
will include a panel discussion by members of the adoption triad: adoptees,
birth parents, and adoptive parents. Virginia's procedures for opening
adoption records and how to get started with a search will also be explained.
The program runs from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the St. Robert Bellarmine
Chapel, 4515 Roberts Road, in Fairfax, near the George Mason University
campus. To pre-register ($30), call 703-425-0100. Registration at the
door on November 8 will be $35.
Adoption Information Meetings
Catholic Charities will hold Adoption Information Meetings at 5294 Lyngate
Court in Burke. The meetings will be from 6 to 8:30 p.m. on October
16, November 13, and December 11, 2008. The presentation will cover
Catholic Charities' Domestic, International, Interstate and Parental
Placement Adoption Programs with emphasis on the home study, placement
and supervision of children as well as adoption resources and local
adoptive parent support groups. We are especially seeking African/American
and interracial couples interested in adopting. Registration Fee: $20.
Please call 703-425-0100 to register. The meeting will be conducted
in English, but for those who speak only Spanish, please call the office
and ask for the Latina social worker.
SENIOR ADULTS
Resources for Seniors
Catholic Charities' Elderly Services invites seniors to take advantage
of Virginia's new Easy Access website: www.easyaccess.virginia.gov.
This easy-to-use website links seniors, adults with disabilities, and
care-givers to agencies that can provide assistance. The website lists
information about services and resources available in different areas
of the state. For more information about this service, call Catholic
Charities' Elderly Services at 703-751-2766.
MARRIAGE RESOURCES
You Can Help Your Marriage
Do you feel alone? Are you frustrated or angry with each other? Do you
argue … or have you just stopped talking to each other? Does talking
about it only make it worse? Retrouvaille (pronounced retro-vi) helps
couples through difficult times in their marriages. This program has
helped 10s of 1,000s of couples experiencing difficulties in their marriage.
For confidential information or to register for the October program
beginning with a weekend on October 24-26, call 703-351-7211 or visit
www.HelpOurMarriage.com.
Presentation on the Marriage Nullity Process in the Diocese of Arlington
- Father Mark Mealey, O.S.F.S., Judicial Vicar, will give a presentation
on the Marriage Nullity Process in the Diocese of Arlington. He will
answer questions about the nullity process and the grounds (reasons)
needed to begin the process. To ensure there are adequate copies of
the materials to be distributed, please reserve a space by calling Joyce
Wagner at 703-841-2502 and leave a message with your name and phone
number. Presentations are from 7:30-9 p.m. at St. John the Apostle Parish,
Parish Hall, Leesburg, on Oct 7.
Separated? Divorced? Widowed?
The Coping Program is designed for adults who have lost a spouse through
separation, divorce, or death, and are still dealing with the trauma
of that loss. This 6-week program is organized and run by a group of
dedicated volunteers who themselves are separated, divorced or widowed,
and combines weekly presentations with a small-group discussion format.
Sessions are on Sundays beginning October 19 through November 23 from
6-8 PM at St. Philip's Church (Falls Church). A free will offering of
$5/session. Contact Gerri Ellenberger 703-670-4845 or Dave Bodek 703-729-1945.
E-mail CopingRebuilding@hotmail.com.
Website: www.CopingRebuilding.com.
FOR TEENS
RALLY 2008
The upcoming diocesan youth RALLY is October 19th. Encourage your high-school
aged students to gather with 1000 other Catholic teens from across the
diocese for a day of Mass, music, inspiring speakers, inflatable games,
tons of food, and much more! If interested, contact your parish Coordinator
of Youth Ministry or contact the Diocesan Office of Youth Ministry at
703-841-2559.
YOUNG ADULTS
Catholic Underground comes to Arlington, Oct. 25th!
It is a two-part evening, beginning with sung Vespers, confession, and
praise & worship, followed by live music, and sung Compline in a
coffee house setting. The location is St. Charles Borromeo (3304 Washington
Boulevard, Arlington) from 7:30 PM-10:30 PM. The evening ends near Clarendon
for continued festivities! All young adults of Arlington are encouraged
to attend! If you would like to volunteer, please contact Kateri Schmidt
(x549 or k.schmidt@arlingtondiocese.org) or Thérèse Bermpohl
(t.bermpohl@arlingtondiocese.org).
New to the area?
Are you a young adult in your 20's or 30's, married or single, who would
like to get connected with other young adults? Sign up for the Young
Adult Ministry's information-packed and up-to-date "e-newsletters"
on our homepage: www.arlingtondiocese.org/yam/young_adult.php
We keep you informed of parish events, local retreats, educational series,
dances, hikes, canoe trips, festivals, picnics, and our very own Theology
on Tap program. For more information, contact the Young Adult Ministry
coordinator at 703-841-2550 or yam@arlingtondiocese.org.
OTHER
Pope John Paul II Polish Heritage Day
Join in "Celebrating God's Gift to Us", Pope John Paul II
Polish Heritage Day on October 25 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The festival
includes interactive discussions, traditional Polish songs and dances,
storytelling, folk arts, Polish food and a Vigil Mass celebrated by
Adam Cardinal Maida. The event will take place at the Pope John Paul
II Cultural Center, 3900 Harewood Road, NE, Washington, DC. For more
information, visit www.jp2cc.org.
SERVICE
Food Donations Needed
Christ House is in need of the following food items for Thanksgiving
and Christmas food baskets for needy families: turkeys & hams, stuffing
mixes, instant potatoes, canned gravy, cranberries, macaroni & cheese
boxes, desserts (pie crust mix, fruit bread mix, cake mix & frosting
mix), canned meats (corned beef, spam), cereal, canned vegetables (corn
& green beans), Jell-O boxes, Hawaiian punch, cranberry juice, raisins,
and apple and pumpkin pies. Giant or Safeway food certificates for senior
citizen clients are also welcome. For more information, call 703-548-4227
or deliver items to 131 S. West St., Alexandria, VA 22314 between 8am
to 3pm, Monday through Friday.
Tutors/Mentors
We are looking for dedicated individuals who would are interested in
tutoring/mentoring refugee students in the Route 1 Corridor, Reston,
Fairfax, and Centreville areas. We are also looking for the following
qualities from our perspective tutors/mentors: English language abilities,
patience with children and adolescents, cultural sensitivity and a desire
to make a difference in the lives of our new neighbors. Volunteers must
attend initial orientation training, complete fingerprinting, and other
background check forms. Tutors meet with the client once or twice a
week for approximately 1-2 hours each time in his or her home or at
a neutral location such as a local library. Volunteers must either have
their own car or be willing to travel up to an hour via public transit.
If interested, please send an email to m.rasuli@arlingtondiocese.org.
IMMIGRATION
Justice for Immigration Series
"Justice for Immigrants" series, sponsored by St. Mary of
Sorrows Catholic Church, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington,
and Church of the Nativity, will feature speakers from the U.S. Conference
of Catholic Bishops and from Catholic Charities. The October 23 presentation
will focus on "Challenges Created by Immigration Issues."
The series will be held at St. Mary of Sorrows at 5222 Sideburn Road
in Fairfax from 7:30-9pm
VICTIMS ASSISTANCE
Healing Our Past: Victim Assistance Ministry
The Victim Assistance Ministry is a program of outreach to victims/survivors
of childhood sexual abuse by clergy, religious or lay employees of the
Catholic Church, as well as those abused through incest, by acquaintances
or through violent attack. If you or someone in your family has been
abused or victimized by someone representing the Catholic Church, we
encourage you to contact our Victim Assistance Coordinator at 703-841-2530.
All calls are confidential. For more information about services provided
by the Victim Assistance Ministry, please visit our website at www.arlingtondiocese.org.
CHILD PROTECTION
Protecting Our Future: Child Protection & Safety
The Office of Child Protection & Safety was created to assist all
parishes and schools in creating a safe environment where our children
are free from sexual abuse, physical abuse and neglect. The office provides
various services including child abuse prevention training for employees,
volunteers, children and youth and criminal background history investigations
for employees and volunteers who work with children. For more information
about services provided by the Office of Child Protection & Safety
as well as diocesan policy regarding the prevention of child abuse,
please visit our website at www.arlingtondiocese.org. This fall, Bishop
Loverde is hosting two different Support Group Meetings at Dominican
Retreat, 7103 Old Dominion Drive, McLean, VA 22101, intended for two
different groups of people. The first meeting on Wed, Oct 22, 2008,
will be for victims/survivors of clergy childhood sexual abuse and their
spouse or support person. The second meeting on Mon, Nov 3, 2008, will
be for childhood victims/survivors of incest or childhood victims/survivors
of sexual abuse in non Church related situations and their spouse or
a support person. The evening begins at 5:45pm and will end by 9pm.
A light meal will be served along with discussion and a Prayer Service.
Dinner reservations will be required 4 days prior to the meeting. Please
RSVP to p.mudd@arlingtondiocese.org or call 703-841-2530.
ABORTION & HEALING
Offering Spiritual Acts of Mercy for those Hurting from Abortion
Abortion always leaves living wounded in its wake. Would your Respect
Life group consider offering a Spiritual Bouquet on behalf of the suffering
women attending this month's Rachel's Vineyard Retreat? Please e-mail
your Letters of Encouragement or pledge of spiritual offerings such
as chaplets, rosaries, Masses, and Holy Hours to projectrachel@arlingtondiocese.org
no later than October 27th. "Would You Spend an Hour of Prayer
for a Friend Who is Hurting" brochures, Rachel Rosary booklets
and Prayer for Healing cards are available from Project Rachel at 703-841-2504. Additional resources, including Intercessory Prayers are online
at: www.arlingtondiocese.org/familylife/parishresources.php.
Thank you for all you do to advance the Culture of Life and to intercede
on behalf of those most in need of God's mercy.
Post-Abortion Help
A Rachel's Vineyard weekend for healing after an abortion is scheduled
on Oct. 31 - Nov. 2, 2008. This retreat is a safe place to renew, rebuild
and redeem hearts broken from abortion. It offers a supportive, confidential
and non-judgmental environment where you can express, release and reconcile
painful post-abortive emotions to begin the process of restoration,
renewal and healing. Please call Myriam at 703-729-7998 for information
or contact us by email at projectrachel@arlingtondiocese.org.
Help with Gift for Life
Please lend us a hand this Advent season. Have your parish participate
to raise funds for diocesan Gabriel Project parish-based pregnancy assistance
program and Project Rachel abortion recovery program. Make it a group
activity. It is easy to do. Your generous donations of time and treasure
can literally help change lives forever. Contact us through the Family
Life Office at 703-841-2755 or download materials at: www.arlingtondiocese.org/giftforlife.
Priests on the Run!
Support a Diocese of Arlington Priest Relay Team as they run in the
Baltimore Marathon on Oct 11, to raise money for Gabriel Project pregnancy
assistance and Project Rachel post-abortion healing ministries of the
Office for Family Life. Team Sacerdos, consist of the following diocesan
priests each running 6-7 miles in the marathon relay: Fr. Edward Hathaway
(St. Veronica in Chantilly), Fr. Edward Horkan (St. Rita in Alexandria),
Fr Jerome Magat (St. William of York in Stafford), and Fr. James Searby
(St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Lake Ridge). Sponsor any leg of the race
or the entire team. All proceeds go towards the two programs and will
be used for counseling, prenatal care and other needed services. Checks
can be made to: Gabriel Project &/or Project Rachel, c/o Catholic
Diocese of Arlington, P.O. Box 1960, Merrifield , VA 22116-1960, (Memo
line: Priest Relay Team). Thank you for your support.
