Parish Volunteer Needs: March 2013
Landings Team Member
· Landings is a small group ministry for returning Catholics. Volunteers would participate on the team for the eight week series (Spring or Fall) to share their spiritual journey story and discuss basic Catholic themes. If you returned to the Catholic Church after a time away, your experience would be helpful. Volunteers under 40 would be a plus. No theological expertise needed, though a team member must be a practicing Catholic. Interview is required.
· Time: Varies; 8 week series
· Contact: Anna LaNave (202) 903-8673
Africa Outreach Ministry
· Africa Outreach reaches out to support some of the estimated 13 million orphans and vulnerable children affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic ravaging Sub-Saharan Africa. Simultaneously, they strive to create opportunities for our fellow parishioners to learn more about HIV/AIDS while they contribute to addressing the needs of affected children and communities specifically in Kenya, Uganda and Sierra Leone. Africa Outreach encourages all levels of involvement. Personal involvement of our parishioners is a key element of our ministry - help organize and run educational and/or fund-raising events, attend educational and/or fundraising events, or help fund Africa Outreach through your donations!
· Time: Varies; monthly meetings take place the third Sunday of each month at 10 AM in the parish library
· Contact: Marie Cavanaugh (703) 623-4866 cav...@verizon.net
Couple Mentoring Program
· Are you a happily married couple? Have you been married for more than 4 years? Would you like to share the joy of happy married life with engaged couples as they prepare for their marriage? If so, please consider volunteering for the St. Charles Mentor Program for Engaged Couples. We are currently in dire need of couples willing to conduct group pre-Cana sessions. The Mentor Program for Engaged Couples explores the following areas: how we grew up in our family of origin, the person we have become and our strengths and weaknesses, communication in marriage, fair fighting and forgiveness, developing and maintaining a marriage that is physically, emotionally and spiritually intimate, and strategies for raising healthy children. Training and course materials are provided.
· Time: For group sessions: couples would conduct about two sessions a year from 9:15 AM-3:45 PM on specified Saturdays; Individual sessions would be held in the mentor couple’s home on four separate dates scheduled at the mutual convenience of the couples.
· Contact: John Mazzuchi mazzu...@aol.com
RCIA Sponsors Wanted
· We are looking for several male 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." The main time commitment of a sponsor is attending Tuesday night RCIA sessions, attending any special rites and retreats, and being available to support the person they are sponsoring.
· Time: Varies
· Contact: Jim Fetzer jim...@gmail.com
St. Charles Chorale
· Are you a shower crooner or perhaps the next Michael Buble? Would you like to spread some joy to the elderly in our community? SINGERS wanted for the ST. CHARLES CHORALE's 19th year of popular music programs at nursing and retirement homes. Our 2013 theme is "As Time Goes By." Practices begin Sunday, March 10, 7:30-9:30 pm, in the church and continue through May.
· Time: Sunday practices and performances on June 8,15, 22, and 29
· Contact: Jean Kenney (703) 522-4516 yenn...@verizon.net
Basic Literacy Tutors for the Literacy Council of NoVA
· The LCNV seeks volunteers to tutor adult learners who are currently on a waiting list. In this Basic Literacy Tutoring Program, all of the students speak English fairly well. For most, English is a second or third language; however, there are native English speakers in this program as well. These adults need help learning to read and write English. As a Basic Literacy Tutor with the Council, you can make a real difference in the life of an adult learner and their family! Almost immediately, tutors realize a change in their learner’s confidence and English abilities. Over the course of their 9-month commitment, they share many rewarding aspects of this work, from seeing their students achieve meaningful goals, to enjoying a strong relationship and rapport with someone who they may have otherwise never known.
· Time: Tutoring approximately 90 minutes per week with a 9 moth commitment (schedules flexible); Training on Saturdays: April 20 and 27 from 9:30 AM-2 PM
· Contact: Ruba volun...@lcnv.org
Liturgy Writers Needed
· Liturgy Writers prepare a presider’s guide in outline format for Sunday and Holy Day Eucharistic Celebrations – the Mass. These guides are prepared from various resources each week and placed in a three- ring binder in the sacristy by 4pm on Saturday before the (5pm) Vigil Mass. The priest-celebrant, the sacristan, and the cantor refer to this guide before and during Mass. The liturgy writer needs to know the general Order of Mass, understand the Church’s liturgical calendar, and have good word-processing, e-mail and internet access skills. Liturgy-based knowledge will be developed through a period of apprenticeship with an experienced Liturgy Writer.
· Time: After training, volunteers should be available once a month for approximately 4-6 hours; Volunteers should be willing to commit to at least a year of service.
· Contact: Mike Doyle (703) 528-2743 Mdoyl...@gmail.com
Arlingtonians Meeting Emergency Needs (AMEN) Needs Volunteers
· Business Owners: We are looking for business owners to help make additional contacts in the business community and to spread the word about AMEN.
· Time: Varies
· Contact: Taffy Brandt (703) 558-0035 www.emergencyneeds.org
Philippine Medical Mission Needs Various Volunteers
· The Philippine Medical Mission has several volunteer opportunities. The PMM is a wonderful organization where volunteers not only get to help the poor but also have the chance to enjoy various events and learn new skills. Current needs include:
· Project Liason: Someone to coordinate through e-mail and monitor projects of one of our partner organizations. Commitment would be a few hours each month.
· Writer for reports and articles: Help PMM with writing and editing articles for their website and writing the annual report
· Grant writer: Help identify and apply for grants
· Event Helpers: Volunteers are needed for food service, entertainment, sales, ushering, clean-up, and ticket sales for the June Barrio Festival.
· Volunteer Coordinator: Help in volunteer recruitment
· Vice President
· Time: Varies; Meetings take place every third Saturday morning from 10 AM-12 PM (meetings do not occur in December, July, or August)
· Contact: Vanette Lagera (703) 653-4110 lagera...@yahoo.com
· Please visit PMM’s website at: www.philippinemedicalmission.com
Come Sell Fair Trade Coffee, Tea and Chocolate
· Are you interested in helping spread the word about Fair Trade? Do you enjoy quality foods that also help independent farmers develop thriving businesses? Join the Fair Trade Committee at St. Charles and spread some goodness both abroad and in our own parish. Volunteers can sign up to help every month, or just once, and can sign up for the Mass or Masses that fit your schedule. We need volunteers to help with all of the current sales times and are hoping to sell after the evening Masses with the help of additional volunteers.
· Time: The second Sunday of each month after the 7:30, 9:00, and 11:00 AM Masses
· Contact: Elise Cleva (703) 527-5500 x24 ecl...@stcharleschurch.org or Suzanne Hayes hayes...@me.com
Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC) Needs Volunteers
· AFAC needs volunteers to re-pack chicken each month. While chicken packing definitely isn't glamorous, it makes a big difference for Arlington families who rely on AFAC to supplement their groceries! Instead of a one pound pack of hotdogs, a person eligible for supplemental groceries from AFAC can choose fresh chicken. AFAC buys chicken in bulk, and the chicken packing team re-packs it into servings. Wear your old clothes and AFAC will provide disposable aprons and gloves. AFAC is located at 2708 S. Nelson St., just off of Four Mile Run near I-395 and Shirlington.
· Time: First, second, third, and fourth Wednesday evenings of each month, beginning at 6:30 PM until about 8 PM
· Contact: Jo Burns (571) 331-7990 www.afacinfo.org
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
Dominican Republic Committee
· The Dominican Republic Committee welcomes new members interested in helping to plan projects to serve our sister parishes in Banica and Pedro Santana. We're in particular need of help developing our committee website and in putting together a display for the alternative gift fair in December. 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; The next meeting will be April 4; Time commitment varies by project.
· Contact: Mary Beth Chosak (202) 361-3750 mbch...@gmail.com