Walking The Labyrinth

St. Charles Faith Sharing Group has finished another year. As is our custom, we took a day-long car trip to some interesting sites outside the city, along with a stop for lunch.

This year the group was guided through St. Benedict’s Retreat and Conference Centre by Director Mary Coswin. We ended the tour by joining the sisters for noon day prayers in the chapel. We strolled the grounds and silently walked on the labyrinth. The original function of labyrinths remains elusive, but some labyrinths, like Chartres in France, were used as a substitute for pilgrimages to the Holy Land during the Crusades. Today labyrinths are enjoying a revival as stress relievers and meditative tools.

Our next stop was Captain Kennedy Museum and Tea House which was built in 1866 by Captain William Kennedy an explorer, entrepreneur and trader. The glassed-in tearoom overlooks English gardens and the river. We enjoyed a delicious lunch and beautiful view.

We continued the day by visiting St. Andrews on the Red Anglican Church, which is the oldest stone church in Western Canada being used as a place of worship. The church was built between 1845 and 1849. Luckily the minister was in the church and he happily told us the history of the church and answered our questions.

We made a short stop at Lockport, where a dam and lock span across the Red River. This dam causes fish to congregate just below the locks. The fish attract flocks of white pelicans who station themselves at the locks and gorge themselves on the fish.

And what car trip would be complete without a trip to the ice cream store? Yum!

The faith sharing meetings are over for the summer and will resume in September at St. Charles Retreat Centre. The Wednesday mornings begin with Mass in the chapel at 9:00 AM followed by our meeting from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM. Everyone is invited. For more information call Fran 889-7348.

K of C Host Rosary & Spagetti Dinner Evening

On Sunday, May 27, the Fr. Allan Hall Council of the Knights of Columbus, hosted a Rosary & Spaghetti Supper Night for St. Charles parish.

Before the Rosary was recited, Father Paul Tinguely blessed a statue of the Blessed Mother for the Villa family.

To acknowledge the various cultures within St. Charles parish, each decade of the Rosary was recited in a different language; Spanish, Portuguese, French, Filipino and English.

Confirmation Class 2012

At St.Charles Church on Friday, May 25, we witnessed the Confirmation of 9 young adults. Archbishop James Weisgerber spoke to the candidates about their uniqueness and how they should not be swayed by the commercialism of modern society.

Confirmation is one of the sacraments through which Catholics pass in the process of their religious upbringing. According to Catholic doctrine, in this sacrament they receive the Holy Spirit and become adult members of the Catholic Church.

As the person is anointed during the Confirmation ceremony, the Bishop say, 'Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit'. This gesture and the words accompanying it express clearly the effects of the giving of the Holy Spirit. Signed with the perfumed oil, the young person receives the seal of the Lord and the gift of the Holy Spirit, drawing them closer to Christ and to the ministry for which all, as baptized Christians, are called.

Congratulation to all the candidates!

A Big Thank You to the Knights

On Wednesday, May 23, ten men from Father Allan Hall Council #8604 Knights of Columbus spent their evening sweeping and painting the parking lot of St. Charles Church. Thank you to the company which donated the sprayer and thank you to the Knights for paying for the paint. The parking lot will look clean and neat in anticipation of our guest for Confirmation on Friday and for the provincial Catholic Women’s League Convention June 2 and 3.

St. Charles Ladies Association Pot Luck Dinner

On Wednesday, May 16, a group of twenty St. Charles women attended their general meeting and Pot Luck dinner in the church hall. With May being the month of Mary, the evening began with the recitation of the rosary around the Marian shrine.

Rita, president of the Ladies’ Association, reported that Lori Williams will be organizing a “Craft & Bake Sale” November 17 and 18. The money raised from the sale will be given to St. Charles parish. Everyone was encouraged to support the sale with home made crafts and baking.

The date for the mixed retreat (both men and women) is Saturday, December 1 and the women’s retreat is February 2. Father John Kracher has been invited to facilitate both events.

One of the members of the St. Charles Ladies Association, Joan Chase, presented a beautiful painting to the parish. This painting will be hung beside another of her paintings in the church hall.

Got Talent?

Do you play a musical instrument well enough to accompany singers? Do you sing? Do you like to praise the Lord with music? If so,we invite you to share your talent with us at St. Charles at the 4 PM Saturday Liturgy. We would love to hear from you. Help will be given as needed. Please call Anna at 895-2420 to share your talents or ask questions.

The Birthday Gals Luncheon

What does the Bible say about Friends?

Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. Ecclesiastes 4:9–12

On Tuesday, May 15, the St. Charles Parish Birthday Gals gathered for their monthly luncheon, at the Whitehorse Gift Emporium and Tea Room in St. Francois Xavier. Everyone enjoyed the scenic drive through the country side as well as a peek around the boutique which claims to be "Manitoba's Largest Gift Shop". The nineteen ladies enjoyed a lovely lunch in the sunny tea room with the enormous mural depicting some historic moments in the history of the area.

The St. Charles Birthday Gals have been celebrating each other's birthdays for over 18 years. The meetings are usually on the third Tuesday of the month with lunch beginning at 11:30 AM at various restaurants in the St. James area. Along with good food and pleasant conversation, there are several door prizes.

Next month is an exception to the rule with the date being Wednesday, June 20th (rather than Tuesday). We will be meeting at The Park Cafe in the Qualico Family Centre at Assiniboine Park. There is an open invitation to all ladies of St. Charles Parish as well as any of their friends or family members who would like to attend.

The July 17th gathering will be a Pot Luck at one of the lady's home. For further details, please contact Claire at 885-2724.