The Epiphany of the Lord
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK
Dear St. Charles Parishioners,
"At the start of the New Year, then, I extend to every disciple
of Christ and to every person of good will a warm invitation to expand
their hearts to meet the needs of the poor and to take whatever practical
steps are possible in order to help them. The truth of the axiom cannot
be refuted: to fight poverty is to build peace." These are
Pope Benedict's words for January 1, 09, World Day of Peace.
I am very grateful to all who have led our efforts over Christmas
to reach out to the poor at home and overseas. Giving Tree, Outreach
to Haiti, Dominican Republic, Africa and Philippines all attest to a
movement to solidarity by the people of St Charles. I also speak for
the community in thanking every hand and heart that played a role in
our Advent and Christmas liturgical celebrations. Those involved in
liturgical ministries, including Environment are to be commended. Thank
you.
May the coming of the Prince of Peace continue to inspire our effort
to build peace though action for justice.
Highlights at St. Charles Jan. 4 - 6, 2009
- Sun., Jan. 4 & Mon., Jan. 5 - Religious Education for
children & teens begins again.
- Mon., Jan. 5 - Infant Baptismal Preparation for parents and
Godparents. 7:30pm. Please contact the Parish Office to register.
- Tue., Jan. 6 - Centennial Committee, 7:30 PM, Room 104
See the Parish online calendar for more
details and events or a list of
highlighted events
Epiphany: You Can't Go Home Again
The Magi set out on a trip that would change them forever. Each of
us is challenged to do the same. By Richard Rohr, O.F.M.
An epiphany is not an idea. As D. H. Lawrence said, people can do anything
they want with an idea, but a truly new experience changes everything.
Before you can do anything with it, it does something with you!
Most of us prefer ideas and words; we are afraid of any authentically
new experience. Unlike the Magi, we do not tend to allow stars to divert
us to a new and unknown place. Most of us stay inside our private castles
and avoid such questionable adventures. Yes, we avoid death supposedly,
but we also avoid birth. We miss out on the great epiphany.
An epiphany is not an experience that we can create from within, but
one that we can only be open to and receive from another. Epiphanies
leave us totally out of control, and they always demand that we change.
We would rather have objectified religion, which leaves us potentially
in control and never having to change at all.
Religion without epiphanies becomes digging in your heels; religion
with epiphanies becomes living on your heels, ready to go wherever God
manifests. One wonders if the three kings ever went back home at all.
Home base had been taken from them.
Read
the rest of the article (AmericanCatholic.org)
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+ MASS SCHEDULE AND READINGS +
(Daily
Readings from US Bishops' website)
Sunday, January 4, 2009: The Epiphany of the Lord
7:30am Ralph Lombardi (L) by Lauren McLaughlin
9:00am Parishioners
11:00am Marco Antonio Villamizar by The Hittle Family
1:00pm Juan Cesar Ugaz by Rhina Ugaz
6:00pm Mary O'Leary Lawler by Kevin O'Leary
Readings: Is 60:1-6; Eph 3:2-3a,5-6; Mt 2:1-12
Monday, January 5, 2009: St. John Neumann
9:00am William Rice by Jasie Desta
7:30pm (Arlington Detention Center) for the Inmates
Readings 1 Jn 3:22-4:6; Mt 4:12-17,23-25
Tuesday, January 6, 2009: St. André Bessette
9:00am Rose & Joseph Amato by Jo & Eugene Burns
Readings: 1 Jn 4:7-10; Mk 6:34-44
Wednesday, January 7, 2009: St. Raymond of Peñafort
9:00am James Beall by Susana
Readings: 1 Jn 4:11-18; Mk 6:45-52
Thursday, January 8, 2009:
9:00am Nancy La Rocco by Domenica G. Williams
Readings: 1 Jn 4:19-5:4; Lk 4:14-22a
Friday, January 9, 2009:
9:00am Stephanie Jean Fiarino by Kenneth Lynch & Family
Readings: 1 Jn 5:5-13; Lk 5:12-16
Saturday, January 10, 2009:
9:00am Ellen Niner by Patricia Niner
Readings: 1 Jn 5:14-21; Jn 3:22-30
Vigil for Sunday: The Baptism Of the Lord
5:00pm Eileen Bruno by Camille Burruto
Readings: Is 42:1-4,6-7; Acts 10:34-38; Mk 1:7-11
Pray for those who are sick, especially: Shad Funk Houser,
Federico Miranda, Jean Sirotniak, Sr. Nancy Hynes OSB, Fidelina
Castro, Analisa Meier, Richard Munley, Larry Stetz, Sarah Fyock,
Margaret Dooley.
For those who have died, especially: Benjamin Ordonez
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CONSTRUCTION & PARKING NEWS
Construction of the repairs needed in the main hall of the Parish Center
have begun. Remember, there is always weekend Mass overflow parking
at the black GMU building at the corner of Wash Blvd and Kirkwood. You
can park either on the surface parking deck entering on Kirkwood or
under the building by entering on Washington Blvd. (Overflow parking
is only for our weekend Masses). During the weekend, please ignore the
painted "reserved" signs on certain parking spaces. These will be used
for certain special events as needed.
RECOMMENDED READING CORNER
Fr. Creedon would like to recommend: "Being Catholic Now" by Kerry Kennedy,
published by Crown Publishers* (2008). "One of Robert & Ethel Kennedy's
children came to question some of the attitudes and teachings of the
Church and to learn how religion was deeply woven through good times
and bad." *Also an eBook
SPONSOR OF THE WEEK: Our thanks to Arlington Florist, Inc. for
their support.
Catholic House Blessing
The Feast of the Epiphany is a traditional time to gather as a family
(roommates, friends, relatives) bless your own home/apartment/condo/dorm.
See the full text of the
blessings on our site.
300 CLUB WINNERS - ST. CHARLES SCHOOL
The 300 Club winners for December 2008 are: 1st Place Pat Hill; 2nd
Place Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Trodden; 3rd Place Rosalie E. L'Ecuyer.
CATHOLIC INQUIRY DATES SET FOR JAN
2009
Are you or someone you know interested in learning more about the Catholic
Faith? An ongoing casual conversation will be held each Thursday from
7-8pm on the following dates: Jan 8, 15, 22, and 29. Future dates will
be set depending on interest. No registration necessary. Questions?
Contact Michelle Miller at 703-527-5500 x115 or RCIA@stcharleschurch.org.
WELCOME BACK FOR NEW YEARS!
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 soon. Call Anna LaNave 703-455-2951 or returning-catholics@stcharleschurch.org.
SAVE-THE-DATE
St. Charles will be celebrating our 100th anniversary during 2009. To
open the year of celebration, we will start at the 5pm Mass on Saturday,
January 24th. A reception in Benedict Hall will follow from 6-7pm. Then
we are off to the International Dinner Dance from 7pm till 11pm. Tickets
are only needed for the dinner dance and on sale now. They cost $20
until January 12th. After January 12th, they will be $25. Contact Gerry
Welch at 703-534-9166.
ADULT FAITH FORMATION OPPORUNITY
8 Monday evenings beginning January 12, 2009 from 7:30-9:30 PM at
St. Charles
UNDERSTANDING THE OLD TESTAMENT By Dr. Joseph E. Jensen, Catholic Biblical
Association (Special Reduced Tuition: $ 290 plus $20 Registration Fee.
10% discount for Seniors or Accompanying Spouses. Other courses also
available contact Dr. William J. Tobin at CCDIofVA@aol.com,
or (703) 941-4329. Flyers at Church entrances.
SPANISH CLASSES….AT ST. CHARLES?
We are just concluding our first ever Spanish Course and our students
JUST LOVED IT. We will be starting Spanish 1 and Spanish 2 on January
5th. More details will follow, but if you have any questions call or
email Araceli Manoatl at 703-527-5500 or amanoatl@stcharleschurch.org.
INTERESTED IN WRITING AND/OR HISTORY?
We are looking for help in piecing together the written history of St.
Charles Church as we prepare to celebrate our 100th anniversary during
2009. There is a lot of material in pieces but someone is needed to
bring it all together, possibly with some additional research of the
diocese and Arlington county? Contact Joe O'Neil at council@stcharleschurch.org
or 703-528-5842.
FOOD PANTRY
At the current time our Food Pantry is in need of food for our homeless
clients. Some of the items needed are: granola/protein bars, small pop-top
cans of tuna, pasta, sausages, juice boxes, and peanut butter or cheese
crackers. We are very grateful for the continued generosity of our parish
family. Thank You
TWO GREAT ADVOCACY OPPORTUNITIES!
There are two upcoming opportunities to go to Richmond and advocate
on behalf of the poor and vulnerable. On January 26th the Virginia Catholic
Conference hosts a Lobby Day on behalf of their agenda. A bus is available
for Northern Virginia. And Feb. 2nd the Virginia Interfaith Center hosts
their Day for People of All Faiths. Come for either or both days to
lobby for those who are in need. For more information, contact Marisa
Vertrees in the parish office, mvertrees@stcharleschurch.org,
or 703-537-5500, ext. 126.
CALLED BY NAME PROGRAM
In the bulletin this weekend you will find a letter from Bishop Loverde
asking for your prayers and recommendations of individuals (high school
age and older) whom you feel have the qualities, gifts, and talents
needed to serve the Church as future priests, brothers or sisters. Please
send the names and addresses to Fr. Bashista at the Office of Vocations,
Diocese of Arlington, 200 North Glebe Road, Suite 901, Arlington, VA
22203 by January 26, 2009, so that they may be invited to participate
in upcoming discernment events.
START OFF 2009 ON A SPIRITUAL NOTE
Events & Programs at Dominican Retreat House in McLean
7103 Old Dominion Drive, McLean, VA 22101-2799
Email: info@dominicanretreat.org
| Telephone: 703-356-4243, Web: www.dominicanretreat.org
January 2009
Jan. 13-15 Women of A.A. Midweek Retreat
Jan. 16-18 Women of A.A. Weekend Retreat
Jan. 23-25 Weekend Retreat for Men
Jan. 25 Evening - Taizé Vespers
Jan. 30-Feb. 1 Weekend Retreat for Women
February 2009
Feb. 11 Valentine's Evening for Married Couples
Feb. 12 Valentine's for Spanish Speaking Married Couples
Feb. 13-15 Weekend for Women
Feb. 20-22 Weekend for Women of Al-Anon
Feb. 25 Day for Spanish Speaking Women
Feb. 26 Evening Program on Dreaming
Feb. 27-Mar. 1 Women's Weekend: Living a Life of Hope
March 2009
Mar. 3 Lenten Day of Reflection for Women
Mar. 6-8 Weekend for Women
Mar. 10 Lenten Day of Reflection for Women
Mar. 11 Day - Celtic Spirituality Fr. Gerry Creedon & Sr. June Fitzgerald,
OP
Mar. 13-15 Weekend for Women
Mar. 20-22 Weekend for Women
Mar. 24 Lenten Day of Reflection for Women
Mar. 26 Evening - Taizé Vespers
Mar. 27-29 Weekend for Women
Mar. 31 Lenten Day of Reflection for Men/Women
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PARISH SUPPORT - THANK YOU
Collection Info for Dec 20/21 was $24,188.35
The Tithe for Borromeo Housing was $2,225.33
Due to holiday printer schedules, contributions for Dec 27/28,
and Jan 3/4 will be reported in the Jan 11, 2009 bulletin.
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