Parish Volunteer Opportunities--- April 2012

[Volunteers]

Want More Volunteer Opportunities? Come to the Non-Profit Fair!

• If you, your family, or friends are seeking opportunities to
volunteer in our local community, this is your chance.
Representatives from several local non-profit organizations will be
there to provide information and answer questions about one-time and
ongoing volunteer opportunities.
• Time: Sunday, April 22 after the 9 AM, 11 AM, and 1 PM Masses in
Benedict Hall
• Contact: Christine Ng chri...@gmail.com


Advocacy Committee Seeks Volunteers

• Become a part of the Advocacy Committee. This St. Charles group
publishes the bi-weekly social justice advocacy listserv, conducts
after-Mass petition and letter-signings (e.g. DREAM Act petition,
Bread for the World letters), and is looking at other opportunities to
advocate for justice (e.g. promoting parish participation in April 29
Justice in Sudan rally).
• Time: 3 weekday evenings each year; occasionally editing the
listserv (2-4 hours every other month); staying after Mass 3-4 a year
to staff letter or petition signing table
• Contact: Elise Cleva elisa...@gmail.com


Subscribe to the Social Justice Advocacy Listserv

• Join a parishioner network advocating for change in public policies
by engaging with public officials (local, state, or federal). This
list keeps you informed about opportunities to advance social justice,
such as through letter-writing campaigns, public meeting
participation, and outreach. Often the listserv contains links to pre-
drafted messages that you can easily email to an official.
• Contact: Elise Cleva elisa...@gmail.com


Social Justice Committee (SJC) Has Open Positions

• The SJC coordinates parish-wide social justice projects, such as
Hunger Awareness Month and the non-profit fair, facilitates
communication between Social Justice/Social Services groups within the
parish, and maintains the connection between St. Charles and Arlington
Interfaith Council. Open positions include co-chair, VOICE liason to
SJC, and Direct Service Coordinator.
• Time: Meetings in the evening on the 2nd Wednesday of each month;
Varies by position
• Contact: Marisa Vertrees (703) 527-5500 x24
mver...@stcharleschurch.org


Arlington Interfaith Council Representative/ Direct Services Liason

• Represent St. Charles at the Arlington Interfaith Council (AIC), a
group of Arlington faith communities and Helping Hands Agencies that
provide direct services to people in need. Learn about community
issues, collaborate with other churches, and share ideas with the St.
Charles Social Justice Committee.
• Time: Two meetings per month (on weekday evenings); Possibly 3-5
additional hours each month for organizing service opportunities
• Contact: Christine Ng chri...@gmail.com


Fair Trade Committee

• Are you interested in helping spread the word about Fair Trade? Do
you enjoy quality foods that also help independent farmers develop and
grow thriving businesses? Join the Fair Trade committee at St.
Charles and spread some goodness abroad and in our own parish. We
sell delicious (and organic) Fair Trade chocolates, coffees and teas
after Masses on the first Sunday of each month. This is a great
opportunity to get to know members of the St. Charles congregation and
benefit the global community at the same time.
• Time: After Masses on the first Sunday of each month
• Contact: Marisa Vertrees (703) 527-5500 x24 or Suzanne
Hayes hayes...@me.com


Haiti Committee Treasurer

• The St. Charles Haiti Committee is looking for a Treasurer. This is
fulfilling because of the important work with Haiti and also, the
Haiti Committee has a number of fun and interesting projects
throughout the year. It involves keeping track of donations and
other incoming funds for education, economic development and medical
programs associated with our twinning parishes in Haiti as well as
noting disbursements to the parishes and for Haiti Committee
expenses. The Treasurer also reconciles Haiti Committee books with
the St. Charles bookkeeping.
• Time: Several hours a month preparing the treasurer’s report;
Additional hours spent on reconciliations with St. Charles’
Accounting; Ongoing
• Contact: Lynette le Mat (703) 405-2852 lhl...@gmail.com


Liturgy Writers Needed

• Liturgy Writers prepare a presider’s guide in outline format for
Sunday and Holy Day Masses. These guides are prepared from various
resources each week and placed in a three- ring binder in the sacristy
on Saturday before the 5pm Vigil Mass. The liturgy writer needs to
know the general Order of Mass, be familiar with the Church’s
liturgical calendar, and have MS-Word, e-mail and Internet access
skills. Liturgy knowledge is a plus, but can be acquired through
collaborating with experienced volunteers.
• Time: Once week a month, from 4-6 hours each time; A one year
commitment is necessary after training.
• Contact: Mike Doyle mdoyl...@gmail.com


St. Charles Chorale Singers

• Singers and a pianist are needed for the St. Charles Chorale’s
spring program. Four 45 minute performances will be presented in the
afternoon or evening on the first four Saturdays in June at nursing
and retirement homes in Arlington. This year’s program will be “Songs
of America’s States and Cities.” Male singers are especially needed.
• Time: Performance time and practices, which will take place from
7:30-9:30 PM each Sunday from March 11 to May 20 (except Memorial
Day)
• Contact: Jack Lane (703) 528-1327 (H) (703) 428-8254 (W)
john....@usace.army.mil


Philippine Medical Mission Volunteer Needs

• The Philippine Medical Mission (PMM) is a wonderful parish
organization where volunteers have the chance to help the poor while
enjoying various events and learning life skills. We currently
require volunteers for the following positions:
• Secretary and assistant secretary: take minutes at monthly meetings
• Bookkeeper and assistant bookkeeper
• Project liason: spend a few hours each month to help to communicate
on e-mail and monitor projects of one of our partner organizations in
the Philippines
• Grant writer
• Newsletter writer
• Event helpers: volunteers to sell raffle tickets and work at our
annual barrio fiesta in June
• Volunteer coordinator: help recruit more volunteers

• Time: Varies
• Contact: Vanette Lagera (703) 653-4110 lagera...@yahoo.com


Lead the Rosary at Viewings

• Occasionally families of deceased parishioners request that someone
lead the rosary at the viewing the night before rather than having a
wake service.
• Time: 30 minutes plus transportation time to the funeral home
• Contact: Nora Lawson (703) 521-3530 Nora_...@hotmail.com


Dominican Republic Committee

• The Dominican Republic Committee welcomes new members interested in
helping to plan projects to serve our sister parishes in Banica and
Santo Domingo. Meetings are held on the fourth Thursday of each month
in the parish library.
• Time: Monthly meetings, usually on 4th Thursday of the month at 7
PM; Time commitment varies by project.
• Contact: Mary Beth Chosak (202) 361-3750 mbch...@gmail.com


St. Charles Interfaith Committee Has Many Opportunities

• The St. Charles Interfaith Committee is seeking a new chair / co-
chair to lead the Committee, as well as new members to help facilitate
interfaith activities. This is a wonderful way to promote greater
understanding and friendship among members of different faith
communities while participating in spiritual, social, educational, and
service activities.
• Time: Meetings are held once a month - members help plan events and
activities according the amount of time they are able to contribute.
• Contact: Rebecca Cataldi (412) 726-2153 shado...@yahoo.com


RCIA Sponsors

• We are looking for parishioners who are interested in sponsoring
those seeking initiation in the Catholic Church through the RCIA
process at St. Charles. A sponsor's role is to journey with those in
formation in the RCIA process, be a supportive friend, but not
necessarily an expert on "things Catholic." Opportunities to sponsor
will occur throughout the year since we have a year round RCIA process
at St. Charles. We particularly have a need for female sponsors at
the moment. We don't have a current need for male sponsors, but
please let us know if you are interested since sponsoring needs can
occur unexpectedly!
• Time: Tuesday night RCIA sessions and special events; time
commitment varies.
• Contact: Jim Fetzer jim...@gmail.com