Mission Statement
 
At St. Charles, we seek to emulate Jesus, our shepherd, by living our lives in service to others.  From our rich multicultural roots, we form a strong and loving community, growing spiritually together as a parish and school.
 

Reasons to sign up for Electronic Giving:

• No need to write checks or bring cash to Mass.
• Peace-of-mind knowing that the church is receiving your contribution even if you are unable to attend.
• More secure than checks.
• All contributions are recorded for you on your bank statement with date of settlement.
• IT COSTS YOU NOTHING! 

As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God's varied grace. ~ 1 Peter 4:10
 

To set up electronic giving please visit: My Own Giving.

 

April 5, 2020 (Palm Sunday)

Good morning.

I hope all is well for everyone, rise and shine and rejoice! Today we reflect on the Lords Passion and begin Holy Week praying’ reflecting’ meditating on the Paschal Mystery.  Jesus who came in the name of The Heavenly Father out of Love and Mercy for Humanity.

Click here for a nice meditation on today’s readings, I hope you find it fruitful!

April 4, 2020

Dear Parishioners,

We are very appreciative for your faithfulness to St. Charles Church. Because of your kindness we have been able to pay our bills and staff. You are the life of St. Charles and we have been moved by your generosity. St. Charles is definitely “the little church with a big heart”.

We miss each and every one of you. We will be very thankful when we can once again be back in our church celebrating the Mass. We are very concerned about the elderly of our parish as they are at high risk. We are following the guidelines expressed by Pope Francis and the Archdiocese and in keeping with the Governor’s mandate for social distancing, so our church remains closed.

We will be sending the Sunday and Weekday readings each week with the Mass intentions. Mass is being said privately every day and all of your intentions are being remembered at the Masses.

If anyone is having trouble getting food or groceries because family members aren’t able to help or if you are in need of our assistance spiritually, please call and leave a message at 242-3462. We will return your call as soon as possible.

You will find attached to this letter the readings for the week of April 4-10 and the mass intentions. Here are the websites for Lectio Divina information on how to pray with the readings (https://catholic-link.org/images/infographic-how-to-pray-the-lectio-divina/) and information and prayers for the Easter Triduum (https://www.catholiceducation.org/en/culture/catholic-contributions/the-easter-triduum-entering-into-the-paschal-mystery.html).

It is very difficult not to be able to celebrate Palm Sunday, Holy Week and Easter Sunday liturgies with our congregation, but know you will all be remembered at the private mass. We continue to pray for all those that are putting their lives on the line to see this pandemic come to a close and help those that are affected. Please stay safe and know that God holds us in the palm of His hand and loves us deeply.

In Christ,

Father Vincent Dominguez and St. Charles Staff

April 1st, 2020

Dear Parishioners, School Families and Staff,

I hope this finds you well despite the sudden unexpected impact that our Country and the world faces with this epidemic of the Corona virus. Pope Francis expressed his hope by the grace of God in “humanity” in the drama that is playing out in the coronavirus pandemic. He was asked by a reporter if he were “optimistic” in face of this pandemic. The Holy father stated, “that’s a word I don’t like, because optimism to me, I’m not saying it is, but it sounds like makeup, putting a good face on things that are difficult. The Pope is saying I place my hope in God and humanity. I have hope in men and woman.” The Pandemic was something unforeseen and Governments and people were caught off guard. It is easy to criticize what others are doing and what they should have done, but life is about lessons. This an opportunity for us to reevaluate our lives and draw closer to God, to our families, and realize what we should treasure in life. Hopefully, we will grow from this crazy situation. Many are sick and will get sick. Pray for those who are sick and in need that they can feel God’s Presence. Prayer is everything. We have all had to deal with unexpected difficult situations and trials in our lives. The unknown and uncertainty of things can be difficult, but remember what Jesus said many times in scripture; “have faith do not be afraid…I’m with you until the end of the age ..,my grace is sufficient for you who believe.” Fear and worry do not help anything. We must pray with faith like those who have gone before us. We will come out the better from this situation. I ask that we pray that God grant us the Wisdom, prudence and strength to persevere; especially with the unique situations and challenges we each may face. Also, pray for all families’ Spiritual, physical, and mental well-being. Pray especially for all those who are sick and suffering in any way spiritually, physically, psychologically, and emotionally. Pray for all those who care for the sick, the suffering and lonely. Pray for our scientists and those who are working on a vaccine. I am offering private Masses and the mass intentions for the week included in the Prayers of the Faithful. Know that you all are in my heart, thoughts, and prayers. May God be with you all, and I hope to see you all when that opportunity arises. This will pass as all things do in Gods time. I miss you all!

Sincerely with Love,

Fr. Vincent Dominguez

Confession

We are sorry to have to tell you that we will not be able to have confessions or distribute palms on Palm Sunday. We are following the guidelines expressed by Pope Francis and the Archdiocese and in keeping with the Governor’s mandate for social distancing.  

Here is the message that Pope Francis gave the people in a homily on March 20, 2020:

"Francis cites the Catechism to encourage the faithful to express contrition, and make resolve to return to Sacrament as soon as it becomes possible

Pope Francis took up the question that many of the faithful are wrestling with as they are under lockdown with churches closed: What about confession?

This habit of returning home “takes flesh in the Sacrament of Reconciliation,” the pope explained.

I know that many of you go to confession before Easter… Many will say to me: ‘But Father…I can’t leave the house and I want to make my peace with the Lord. I want Him to embrace me… How can I do that unless I find a priest?’

Do what the catechism says. It’s very clear. If you don’t find a priest to go to confession, speak to God. He’s your Father. Tell Him the truth: ‘Lord. I did this and this and this. Pardon me.’ Ask His forgiveness with all your heart with an act of contrition, and promise Him, ‘afterward I will go to confession.’

You will return to God’s grace immediately. You yourself can draw near, as the Catechism teaches us, to God’s forgiveness, without having a priest at hand." 

Father is including the mass intentions for the week in his daily private masses.  The list of intentions can be found on the website.  We will keep you posted by email or on the website of changes as they come.  Thank you for you financial support is has been very helpful.  God bless you and give you peace.

Pamela Wheeldon

Parish Office Assistant

 

Divine Mercy

Father would like you to have this information for Divine Mercy.

The Divine Mercy Novena which starts on Good Friday:  https://d2y1pz2y630308.cloudfront.net/2824/documents/DM%20Sunday%202014/Nine%20Day%20Novena%20to%20the%20Divine%20Mercy.pdf

For the Divine Mercy Indulgence:

Three conditions for the plenary indulgence

And so the Supreme Pontiff, motivated by an ardent desire to foster in Christians this devotion to Divine Mercy as much as possible in the hope of offering great spiritual fruit to the faithful, in the Audience granted on 13 June 2002, to those Responsible for the Apostolic Penitentiary, granted the following Indulgences: 

a plenary indulgence, granted under the usual conditions (sacramental confession, Eucharistic communion and prayer for the intentions of Supreme Pontiff) to the faithful who, on the Second Sunday of Easter or Divine Mercy Sunday, in any church or chapel, in a spirit that is completely detached from the affection for a sin, even a venial sin, take part in the prayers and devotions held in honour of Divine Mercy, or who, in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament exposed or reserved in the tabernacle, recite the Our Father and the Creed, adding a devout prayer to the merciful Lord Jesus (e.g. Merciful Jesus, I trust in you!");

A partial indulgence, granted to the faithful who, at least with a contrite heart, pray to the merciful Lord Jesus a legitimately approved invocation.

For those who cannot go to church or the seriously ill

In addition, sailors working on the vast expanse of the sea; the countless brothers and sisters, whom the disasters of war, political events, local violence and other such causes have been driven out of their homeland; the sick and those who nurse them, and all who for a just cause cannot leave their homes or who carry out an activity for the community which cannot be postponed, may obtain a plenary indulgence on Divine Mercy Sunday, if totally detesting any sin, as has been said before, and with the intention of fulfilling as soon as possible the three usual conditions, will recite the Our Father and the Creed before a devout image of Our Merciful Lord Jesus and, in addition, pray a devout invocation to the Merciful Lord Jesus (e.g. Merciful Jesus, I trust in you).

If it is impossible that people do even this, on the same day they may obtain the Plenary Indulgence if with a spiritual intention they are united with those carrying out the prescribed practice for obtaining the Indulgence in the usual way and offer to the Merciful Lord a prayer and the sufferings of their illness and the difficulties of their lives, with the resolution to accomplish as soon as possible the three conditions prescribed to obtain the plenary indulgence.

Lastly, the use of the the Divine Mercy image for protection in these times:

Watch the 4 minute video on utube at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ot3tVMXnOzI&feature=youtu.be

We are enrolling students for grades Pre K- 8th.  If you are interested in joining the St. Charles Family, please call the school at 505.243.5788.  We look forward to meeting your family at your scheduled tour! 

Office Hours:

Our office is currently closed due to COVID-19.  Please call or email our staff with any questions.

Office2@StCBAbq.org

Office Phone: 505.242.3462
Office Fax: 505.247.1292

According to the Archbishop of Santa Fe, all masses, Confession and Adoration have been cancelled.