St. Charles - Circle of Caring

The next meeting of the Circle of Caring is Wednesday, September 17, 2008 at 7:30 PM in Room 103 in the Community Center.

Regularly Scheduled Services:


Homebound Ministry	Each homebound Catholic parishioner of St. Charles is entitled to receive the Eucharist each week whether on a temporary or permanent basis. Those wishing this visit should contact the Homebound Ministry Coordinator or the St. Charles parish office (703-527-5500). A schedule of Eucharistic Ministers who bring the Eucharist to the homebound is arranged by the Homebound Ministry Coordinator. Those wishing visits by a priest on First Fridays should also contact the Homebound Ministry Coordinator or the St. Charles parish office. The Homebound Ministry also helps homebound parishioners get access to other services of the Circle of Caring such as "friendly visitors," phone call "visits," rides to doctor appointments, and the other services listed on the Main Page. Volunteer Time Requirement: About 30 to 60 minutes per week.	Current Coordinators: Eleanor and Milton Werthmann (miltW37@aol.com) (703-821-3483)
Cards for the homebound	Send greeting cards, get well cards, and seasonal cards to the homebound so that each long-term homebound person gets mail each month. Volunteer Time Requirement: About 15 to 30 minutes per week.	Current Coordinator: Susan Miller (smiller@usatoday.com)
Notices of needs in the church bulletin	Our Church Bulletin Writer places Circle of Caring notices in the Church Bulletin at least once a month. Time Requirement: About 15 to 30 minutes once per month.	Current Coordinator: Pam Michalegko (michalegko@netscape.com) (703-527-6882)
Prayer calling tree	The Calling Tree Coordinator places calls to Circle members who do not have e-mail to inform them of needs, prayer requests, meetings, and other Circle business. Time Requirement: Varies. About 30 minutes per month.	Current Coordinator: Camille Burruto (cburruto@yahoo.com) (703-527-5997)
Electronic prayer tree	An Electronic Prayer Tree Coordinator receives requests for prayers and posts those requests electronically on the St. Charles electronic prayer tree. (Requires Internet access and daily checking of e-mail.) Volunteer Time Requirement: About 30 to 60 minutes per month. Prayer Tree Members pray for the needs of others in response to requests received by e-mail or phone. To be added to our prayer tree, please contact our e-Prayer Tree Coordinator or our Calling Tree Coordinator. Request additional prayers from the Children of God's Love charismatic prayer group.	Current Coordinator: Mary Rouleau (prayer@stcharleschurch.org) (703-527-1063)
Senior Luncheons	Every three or four months, usually in conjunction with a Mass on a holy day, St. Charles sponsors a luncheon for the parish's senior members. Rides are provided for those who need them. The luncheons often include a presentation of interest to the attendees and/or a reflection by a member of the parish. Volunteer time requirement: About 3 to 4 hours every 3 months. Right Column: Current Coordinator: Norma Jimeno Canales, (njjcanales@cox.net), (703-532-0702).	Current Coordinator: Norma Jimeno Canales njjcanales@cox.net 703-532-0702
Circle of Caring Web pages	Our Web Pages Writer regularly checks Circle of Caring Web pages to see that they are up-to-date and adds new information when needed. Volunteer Time Requirement: About 15 to 45 minutes per week.	Current Coordinator: Peter Dirr (peterdirr@gmail.com ) (703-537-8559)
Annual Mass of Remembrance	Each year, close to the feast of All Souls Day (November 2), St. Charles has a special Mass to remember by name all the parishioners who have died within the past year. During the Mass, a family member of each parishioner is invited to the altar to light a candle in the name of the deceased. After the deceased parishioners have been remembered, anyone is welcomed to the altar to light a candle for and say the name of a family member or friend who has died. For more information about the Mass of Remembrance, please contact the Coordinators.	Current Coordinators: Eleanor and Milt Werthmann (Miltw37@aol.com) (703-821-3483)

Services in Response to Specific Needs:


Funeral liturgy planning	A Funeral Planning Coordinator works with families of the deceased to plan the funeral liturgy, prepares a program for the funeral, and oversees the church set-up for the liturgy. Volunteer Time Requirement: About 30 to 60 minutes to meet with the family and prepare the liturgy; about 2 to 2.5 hours on the day of the funeral. (We have about one to two funerals per month.)	Current Co-Coordinators: Nora Lawson (nora_Lawson@hotmail.com) (703-521-3530) Midge Wholey (wholeys@aol.com) (703-524-3722)
Funeral liturgy set-up	Funeral Set-up Helpers set up the church the day of the funeral, greet family and friends at the church entrance, and pass out the funeral program. Volunteer Time Requirement: About 2 to 2.5 hours on the day of the funeral. For Set-up Procedures, Click Here	Current Co-Coordinators: Nora Lawson (nora_Lawson@hotmail.com) (703-521-3530) Midge Wholey (wholeys@aol.com) (703-524-3722)
Food for emergency needs	Our Food Preparers provide emergency meals or occasional meals to the long-term homebound. Volunteer Time Requirement: Unpredictable.	Coordinator Needed.
Rides to doctor, church, etc.	Drivers provide transportation to medical appointments, Mass, and other church functions. Volunteer Time Requirement: Unpredictable.	Coordinator Needed.
Retreat for the seriously ill	Twice a year, the Circle of Caring supports a retreat for the seriously ill at the Dominican Retreat house. Service can include cooking, serving, clean-up, entertainment, or general helper. Volunteer Time Requirement: 2 to 3 hours on retreat weekend.	Deborah Britt (703-528-8353)
Other roles for special needs	All parishioners of St. Charles are encouraged to be alert to the needs of their neighbors and to bring those needs to the attention of the Circle of Caring. The Circle will respond by asking members to help out.	To suggest new services that the Circle might provide for those in need, contact the Coordinator, Peter Dirr (peterdirr@gmail.com ) (703-537-8559).

For more information, to volunteer your services, or to request help, please contact Peter Dirr at peterdirr@gmail.com or 703-537-8559,or, the St. Charles coordinator of Community Life ministries, Michelle Miller at mmiller@stcharleschurch.org or 703-527-5500.

To see a report from the most recent meeting of the Circle of Caring follow this link: Meeting Report.