Bulletin
for January 6, 2008
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Epiphany of the Lord
FROM THE PASTOR
Dear St. Charles Parishioners,
The feast of Epiphany celebrates the Lord as a light to all nations.
The Wise men who came from the East bearing gifts symbolize the unification
of culture and races. East and West will unite. The unification we seek
today needs to embrace those who still come from the East and the West,
and those who come from North or South.
Our Bishops ask us to pray and reflect on this question on National
Migration Week. While the church recognizes the need for sovereign borders
it also promotes a more just national immigration policy. Given the
common assessment that our current system is broken, it would be a mistake
to believe that we can fix things on a local or state level. Bishop
Loverde has provided a clear statement of the stance of our diocese
with regard to public policy and pastoral responsibility. Check our
parish website for related
documentation.
On Monday, Jan. 28, I will join Bishop Loverde and Bishop de Lorenzo
of Richmond and Catholics from across the state for Catholic
Advocacy Day in Richmond. Our diocese has rented a bus for the day.
After the Masses next weekend you may sign up to participate. Many issues
facing the Assembly relate to human life and dignity. It is important
that as Catholics we act as faithful citizens and be the voice of the
voiceless. We especially need to stand up for the needs of the immigrant
community in a time of polarization when many punitive measures are
under consideration.
As we debate the issues let us never waver in our tradition of hospitality
as a church. "I was a stranger and you welcomed me."
Gerry Creedon
P.S. During Christian Unity Week we will host a Conversation with Creedon
that will focus on inter-faith marriage, Sunday the 13th at 7pm
Highlights at St. Charles January 6 - 13, 2008
- Sun., Jan. 6 - Respect Life Rosary after
the 11am Mass
- Mon., Jan. 7 - JustFaith
meeting Jan 7, 14, 22, 28
- Mon., Jan. 7 - Infant Baptismal Preparation Meeting - Registration
required. Call the Parish Office. 7:30pm
- Tue., Jan. 8 - Weekly Drop-In Play Group, Tuesdays , 10-11:30am,
Rm 103
- Tue., Jan. 8 - Liturgy Committee
Meeting, 7pm
- Wed., Jan. 9 - A Sponsor's Role in Confirmation, 7pm, Rm 103
- Wed., Jan. 9 - Interfaith
Committee Meeting, 7:30pm, Rom 104
- Thur., Jan. 10 - School PTO Meeting, 7pm, Benedict Hall
- Thur., Jan. 10 - School Board of Regents, 7pm, Rm 104
- Fri., Jan. 11 - Notre Dame University Choir Concert - All are welcome.
7pm in the Church (photo)
- Sat., Jan. 12 - Cursillo Ultreya, 6pm, Rm 104
- Sun., Jan. 13 - Conversation with Fr. Creedon, 7pm, Benedict Hall
- Sun., Jan. 13 - On-The-Way Jr. High Youth Ministry resumes
Let the 3 Wise Men remind us all that Christ came for all...those
in the east, west, north, and south. Christ's love has no boundaries.
See the Parish online calendar for more details
and events or a list of highlighted
events
+ MASS SCHEDULE AND READINGS +
(Daily
Readings from US Bishops' website)
SUNDAY, January 6, 2008: The Epiphany of the Lord
7:30am Parishioners
9:00am Rose & Joe Amato by Eugene & Jo Burns
11:00am Marco Antonio Villamizar by The Hittle Family
1:00pm Juan Cesar Ugaz by Rhina Ugaz
6:00pm Laurie Alexander Williams by Florence Alexander
Readings: Is 60:1-6; Eph 3:2-3a,5-6; Mt 2:1-12
Monday, January 7, 2008:
9:00am Albert Pohl of Maryland (L) by Lavonio Sweeney
Readings 1 Jn 3:22-4:6; Mt 4:12-17,23-25
Tuesday, January 8, 2008:
9:00am Iren Chodaniewicz
Readings: 1 Jn 4:7-10; Mk 6:34-44
Wednesday, January 9, 2007:
9:00am Joyce Amaddio by José Martin Miranda
Readings: 1 Jn 4:11-18; Mk 6:45-52
Thursday, January 10, 2008:
9:00am Nora Finnegan by Dave & Fiona Cahill
Readings: 1 Jn 4:19-5:4; Lk 4:14-22a
Friday, January 11, 2008:
9:00am Josephine Cannito by Mario D'Ambrosio
Readings: 1 Jn 5:5-13; Lk 5:12-16
Saturday, January 12, 2008:
9:00am Albert Gregory McCarthy III by Ray &
Mary Elizabeth Bergan
Readings: 1 Jn 5:14-21; Jn 3:22-30
Vigil for Sunday: The Baptism of the Lord
5:00pm Thanksgiving by Joe & Linda Perez Family
Readings: Is 42:1-4,6-7; Acts 10:34-38; Mt 3:13-17
Pray for those who are sick: John Goomas, Sarah Mayhew, Vito Natrella,
George Macdonald, Mary Conaway, Karen Pasqualetto, Ron Kolstad, Margaret
Finocchiaro, Beth Miller, Eva Chung, Benjamen Memmott, Temesgen Gamacho,
Blanca Bermudez, Grace Elizabeth Perkins, Maria Segarra-Hines, Margie
Barba.
Pray for those who have died: John McDevitt
ARE YOU TIRED OF TURKEY?
Are you looking for the perfect gift for that special person in your
life? Available now in the Parish Office are $20.00 Gift Certificates
for Mei's Asian Bistro-located one block west of St. Charles (3434 Washington
Blvd). Twenty percent of the proceeds will benefit St. Charles Church.
Cash is always accepted and checks may be made payable to "Asian
Bistro-Arlington, Inc." Thank you!
MONEY COUNTERS NEEDED
Our Sunday Collection counters are looking for a few good people to
help once a month or so on Sunday after the 9am Mass. Please contact
Mary Ann Aker at maker_59@yahoo.com.
SPONSOR OF THE WEEK: Our Special Thanks to SANGAM fine Indian
Cuisine.
Conversations with Creedon
Sunday, Jan. 13, 2008
7 PM in Benedict Hall
Refreshments Served - All are welcome
Interfaith Marriages
Living and Loving amidst the Blessings and Challenges
LENT GROUP LEADERS NEEDED
It's not too early to be thinking about Lent which begins Wed., Feb.
6. We Lent small group leaders. Groups will meet weekly for 6 weeks
(Feb 4-March 10). Let Michelle know if you are interested. No experience
needed. Call her at the parish office or email adultfaith@stcharleschurch.org
ST. CHARLES SCHOOL
The St. Charles Preschool has openings in our program for four-year-olds.
The program begins at 8:00 AM and continues until 11:30 AM. Our preschool
Extended Day program then cares for our children, through lunch and
nap, until 2:45pm. If you are interested in a developmentally appropriate,
enriching early childhood program for your four-year-old please call
Joanne McGlinchy at the School Office, 703-527-0608.
HAVE YOU BEEN AWAY
FROM THE CATHOLIC FAITH?
If you are a Catholic who has been away from the Church, we invite you
to be an active part of us again. "Landings," an 8-week discussion
series, is a safe landing place for returning/inactive Catholics to
ask questions and update your faith as an adult. We begin our spring
session on Wednesday, February 13. Contact Anna at 703-455-2951 or returning-catholics@stcharleschurch.org
Weekly Guide for Daily Prayer
This week is a time with two special Sundays book-ending the week. Both
celebrations offer an "epiphany," an understanding and insight
into the essence of who Jesus really is. When the Wisemen visit the
poorest of families and find the baby Jesus, they have a clearer idea
of what kind of king he will be. At the Baptism of the Lord the following
Sunday, Jesus is baptized and the skies open and the voice of God proclaims,
"This is my beloved Son." More than just a prophet, this special
relationship with God is made manifest in that moment.
How can we make this week a special one as the Christmas season draws
to a close? In some parts of the world daylight is plentiful right now,
but for many of us the days are short and the dark of night surrounds
us many hours each day. This could be the week to reflect on that darkness
and the light that Jesus brings into our hearts.
From the Office of Collaborative Ministry of Creighton University
www.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/Prayer/
MARDI GRAS POLKA PARTY
St. Charles School is teaming with our Haiti Committee and invite you
to a Grand Mardi Gras Dinner/Dance - to benefit the Ryan- Houston-Smith
Memorial Scholarship Fund of St. Charles School and the Gros Marin Clinic
of Haiti. The party will be held Saturday, January 26, 2008 in our Center's
Tiffany Werthmann Gym. Dinner will be the same popular menu as in the
past including roast beef, kielbasa, sauerkraut, pirogi, beans, salad
and enhanced by Haitian cuisine of roasted chicken and rice and beans.
The very popular Mike Surratt and the Continentals will provide a variety
of dance music from 8:15 to 12:00. DJ entertainment will feature more
fun, lively ethnic music in between sets. Dress is casual. Price for
dinner and dancing is $25, early bird price. Invite your friends and
reserve a (or two) roundtable for eight or ten. The event is always
a sell-out. Call Catherine at 703 743 5860 or e-mail at dufrane01@comcast.net
for questions and reservations. Tickets, also, available after Mass
at the doors and at donuts and coffee.
MARCH FOR LIFE
Please join your parish Respect Life Committee for the nation's largest
annual protest on Tuesday, January 22, where more than 100,000 Americans
will stand up for the rights of the defenseless unborn. Mass at 8am
followed by breakfast at St. Charles, after which we will proceed to
the Mall for the March, with prayer, song, and lunch. Intrepid souls
are coming in from all across the country (and beyond) for this event
-- please consider joining us for a short trip on the Metro! Contact
respectlife@stcharleschurch.org
WE NEED FOOD FOR THE HOMELESS
Small cans of tuna/pasta, energy bars, small fruit cups, small size
crackers/chips, juice boxes for our pantry.
COLLECTION OF ITEMS FOR HOMELESS
During the winter months, the Arlington Street People's Assistance Network
opens a Hypothermia Shelter in the Courthouse area. They are in need
preferably new or gently used & clean. Socks, Gloves, Hats, Thermal
underwear - Sweatshirts & Sweatpants. You may drop your donations
off at the Parish Office thru January 19th.
PARISH SUPPORT
- Last Week's Sunday, Collection for December 23, 2007. was $13,899.00
- Last Week's Tithe of $1,278.71 was for Affordable Housing Solution
(AHS).
- Christmas Collection $40,227.50
Collection amounts for Dec 30 weekend will be reported next week).
- This Week's Tithe is for Mirian's Kitchen.
- Next Week's Tithe is for Project Lazarus.
- Next Week's 2nd Collection is for Building Fund.
