6th Sunday in Ordinary Time
FROM OUR PASTOR
Dear St. Charles Parishioners,
2009 is a historic year. We celebrate
the Centennial of St. Charles Borromeo, the first
parish established in the county of Arlington. During the coming year
we will host a series of events to celebrate.
We have identified the parish's fundamental
characteristics in the light of a wide consultation: WELCOMING
persons of all races, cultures, and economic strata; NURTURING
the faith and spiritual growth of persons of all ages; CELEBRATING
the liturgy and relating the Word to daily living and the cycle of life;
EMPOWERING all parishioners to use their gifts in a variety of
ministries; SERVING the needy and promoting peace and justice
locally and internationally.
During this anniversary year we have planned
a Centennial Campaign to provide a foundation
for the future of the parish as we face a new century of growth. We
recognize that our parish and its programs have tripled in size over
the past decade. We face a significant challenge. We built a parish
Community Center that has promoted hospitality, education and outreach.
Our initial cost estimate was $3 million.
We raised $4 million in two pledging campaigns. However the cost came
to $5.2 million. Our pledges were redeemed by last Christmas. We do
not want to service the loan we received from our diocese from our Parish
operating budget. That would require cutting back on resources and programs
at a time when we need to expand our ministries in a time of fiscal
crisis, especially in the area of emergency assistance. The alternative
is to raise the funds to liquidate our debt. At the same time we would
like to make our school more accessible to needy families as well as
to replace windows and doors that are not energy efficient and need
attention. Our goal is to raise $1,500,000 in two-year pledges.
So again, our purpose is threefold; 1)
eliminate our $1.2 million debt for the Community Center 2) Develop
a Benedict Endowment Fund of $150,000 to make our school more accessible
to lower income families and 3) Replace windows and doors that are not
energy efficient at a cost of $150,000.
On February 21-22 we will ask ALL our
households to make a pledge. Consider $100 a month or if possible $100
a week. Already 60 households have pledged $380,000 toward our goal.
If each member participates to their level of ability, I am confident
that we will have success. In the week ahead pray for our parish and
consider how you may help.
"I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them
all; but whatever I have placed in God's hands, that I still possess."
Abraham Lincoln
Gerry Creedon
PS: February 12, 2009 we celebrate Lincoln's 200th anniversary of birth
and guess who else? Our own Fr.
Jack O'Hara's birthday.
VALENTINE'S BAKE SALE TODAY
Sunday, Feb. 15 after the 9 am and 11 am Masses hosted by children in
our parish. All money raised will support Lazarus Project, a St. Charles
fund which provides emergency funds for housing, utilities, and medical
expenses to those in our area.
|
+ MASS SCHEDULE AND READINGS +
(Daily
Readings from US Bishops' website)
Sunday, February 15, 2009: 6th Sunday In Ordinary Time
7:30am Parishioners
9:00am Manuel Nascimento by Bolmira Santos
11:00am Sora Kubat by Jo-Ann Duggan & Family
1:00pm Esmeralda Andrade by Susana Moncayo
6:00pm Margarite Mercer by Patricia
Readings: Lv 13:1-2,44-46; 1 Cor 10:31-11:1; Mk 1:40-45
Monday, February 16, 2009
9:00am William Richardson by John Sach
7:30pm (Arlington Detention Center) for the Inmates
Readings Gn 4:1-15,25; Mk 8:11-13
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
9:00am Agelina Lopez by Monica Mizerek
Readings: Gn 6:5-8;7:1-5,10; Mk 8:14-21
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
9:00am Patricia Maher by Susan Cahill
Readings: Gn 8:6-13,20-22; Mk 8:22-26
Thursday, February 19, 2009
9:00am Hope Margaret Donovan by Mary-Jane Hamrock
Readings: Gn 9:1-13; Mk 8:27-33
Friday, February 20, 2009
9:00am Gertrude Scovill by David Cahill
Readings: Gn 11:1-9; Mk 8:34-9:1
Saturday, February 21, 2009: St. Peter Damian
9:00am Steve Pokora by Janice MacDonald
Readings: Heb 11:1-7; Mk 9:2-13
Vigil for Sunday: 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time
5:00pm George N. Cox by Ivonne Zannatta
Readings: Is 43:18-19,21-22,24b-25; 2 Cor 1:18-22; Mk 2:1-12
Pray for those who are sick, especially: Agnes Majchrowicz,
Connor Cozoli, Mary Herlity, Rosemary Wear (mother of Bob Wear),
Joan O'Brien, Jason and Nick Lozano, Maria Carrozzo, Trinidad
Villanueva, Bill Chism, Alicia Molina de Popple, Christa Brady,
Mae Lamagna, Henry Sanchez, Andres Antonio Martinez, Vito Giannuzzi.
For those who have died, especially: Michael Thrall, May
Cordeiro.
|
Highlights at St. Charles Feb. 15 - 22, 2009
- Sun., Feb. 15 - Bake Sale after the 9 & 11am Masses
- Sun., Feb. 15 - Young Adult Pizza & Beer (for those in their
20s and 30s)After the 6pm Mass. RSVP: youngadults@stcharleschurch.org
- Sun., Feb. 15 - No Way or On the Way Meeting Tonight-Holiday
Weekend
- Sun., Feb. 15 - Marymount/St. Charles Free Nurse Managed
Health Center; 2:00pm, Room 103
- Mon., Feb. 16 - President's Day - Office Closed
- Tue., Feb. 17 - Catholic
Inquiry. Drop-ins welcome. 7-8pm Parish Library
- Sat., Feb. 21 - Philippine Medical Mission; 10:00am, Room
101
- Sat., Feb. 21 - Mass & Anointing of the Sick with Bishop
Loverde. 11am, see ad.
- Sat., Feb. 21 - Carnaval
Festival to benefit Haiti; 6:00pm,Gym
- Sun., Feb. 22 - Religious Education Parent's meeting; 10:10am,
Gym
- Sun., Feb. 22 - Monthly Pre-Cana Information Session for
Engaged Couples (Registration Required); 7:00pm, Benedict Hall. 703-527-5500
See the Parish online calendar for more
details and events or a list of
highlighted events
SPONSOR OF THE WEEK: Our Thanks to Caffi Contracting Services
(Plumbing, Heating, Remodeling) for their support.
FREE NURSE MANAGED HEALTH CENTER SPONSORED BY MARYMOUNT NURSE &
ST. CHARLES
FEB 15 - 2:00 P.M. - Room 103 - Medication Safety MARCH 1 - 2:00 P.M.
- Blood Pressure Screenings in Room 101 and Breast & Ovarian Health
in Room 103.
LENT SMALL FAITH GROUPS OPEN
FOR REGISTRATION
February 25 is Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. One way to make
this Lent meaningful is to journey each week of Lent with a group of
folks to share faith and grow as Christians. Most groups reflect on
the upcoming Sunday scripture readings from Mass including time for
prayer, faith sharing and reflection. All materials will be provided.
Groups are normally 6-10 folks and meet in homes or at the parish for
90 minutes each week. Registration will be assigned on a first come-first
served basis. PLEASE only sign up for a group if you are able to make
the commitment. See the current list of small groups at the Church entrances
or check the web. Contact Michelle Miller 703-527-5500 x115 or or adultfaith@stcharleschurch.org
with any questions.
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.
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 in
February from 7-8pm. No registration necessary. Questions? Contact Michelle
Miller at 703-527-5500 x115 or email RCIA@stcharleschurch.org.
HAITI CARNAVAL!
The St. Charles Haiti Committee invites you to its Carnaval in the gym
from 6pm to 11pm, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2009. The Carnaval will feature
Haitian food, music and artwork. Proceeds will go to the Clinic in Gros
Marin. Tickets are on sale after all Masses. Contact haiti@stcharleschurch.org,
for more information.
SENIOR TEA/LUNCH
On Ash Wednesday, Feb. 25 after the Noon Mass, seniors of any age are
invited to a light lunch Lenten presentation. Michelle Miller, Adult
Faith Coordinator, will share about preparing for Lent. To RSVP contact
Norma at 202-531-8189 or njjcanales@cox.net.
Food contributions of soup or a salad are welcomed.
FOOD PANTRY
We give thanks for the very generous response to our requests for food
as we continue to serve many more individuals and families in the Arlington
area who are struggling to make ends meet. Currently, our pantry is
low on peanut butter, jelly, pancake mix complete, syrup, cereal, oatmeal
and soup. Thank you.
MASS & ANOINTING OF THE SICK WITH BISHOP LOVERDE
At St. Charles at 11am on Sat Feb 21, w/ reception to follow in Benedict
Hall. For our planning purposes for the Mass, please RSVP to: Corinne
Monogue, Tel: (703) 841-3888 or email her at: c.monogue@arlingtondiocese.org
INTERNATIONAL DINNER-DANCE
St. Charles School extends sincere thanks to all who helped make the
International Dinner-Dance such a wonderful success. We especially thank
local restaurants, parents and friends who donated auction items and
the wonderful variety of international foods for the buffet. Please
join us in showing appreciation by patronizing these restaurants: Ireland's
Four Courts, Ireland's Four Provinces, The Italian Store, Joe's Place
Pizza and Pasta, Liberty Tavern, Lebanese Taverna, O'Sullivan's Irish
Pub, El Pollo Rico, Priti Kabdelwal Indian Cuisine, Sangam Indian Restaurant.
DAY OF PRAYER & REFLECTION
ON CELTIC CHRISTIAN SPIRITUALITY
WITH FR. GERRY CREEDON
Dominican Retreat House, McLean, VA: Wed., March 11, 9:30am - 3pm
The offering for the day is $45.00. They ask for a non-refundable $20.00
deposit with your reservation. To make a reservation, see the brochures
at the church entrances or call 703-356-4243. Present by Fr. Gerry Creedon
& Sr. June Fitzgerald, Dominican Retreat House, 7103 Old Dominion
Dr. McLean, VA 22101 www.dominicanretreat.org.
TITHE NEXT WEEK
Young Life Capernaum Ministries is an outreach to teenagers and young
adults with physical and/or mental disabilities. The goal of Capernaum
is to give kids and young adults with disabilities (physical and/or
mental disabilities) the same chance to hear the Gospel and experience
the gift of life as able-bodied kids.
|
PARISH SUPPORT - THANK YOU
-Our Collection for Feb. 8 was $24,038.19
-The Tithe for Feb. 8 of $2,211.51 was for the Medical Mission.
-Our 2nd Collection of $10,867.00 was for our Parish Building
Fund.
|
