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The PCI Portal
A Monthly Newsletter from Porto Charities, Inc.
At Porto Charities, Inc. our mission is to support children with special needs with the opportunity for an inclusive Catholic education, and young adults with special needs, assistance with meaningful employment in the Diocese of Arlington.
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Follow us on social media to stay up to date on our events! |
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From the Director's Desk... |
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Dear Friends,
As the year 2021 winds down, I'm sure all of us are reflecting back on what a challenging year it's been!
For those of you who have endured a personal loss of some kind - whether it be family or friend...job or some other kind of financial setback - know that you are always in our prayers here at Porto Charities.
As we continue to emerge out of this global pandemic facing yet another new variant strain of COVID...our thoughts turn to the upcoming holidays and our continued attempts to getting our lives back to some semblance of "normal" (whatever that means).
Our wish is for all of you to join us in embracing this blessed season of Christmas with renewed faith and commitment and that your New Year is filled with hope and the promise of a better tomorrow.
Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy (and safe) New Year...
Larry Rzepka
Executive Director
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Inclusion Catalysts
Recognizing our Friends who have made a Significant Difference toward an Inclusive Community
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St. John Paul the Great High School,
Potomac Shores, VA
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Rooted in the Dominican tradition of prayer, study, community, and service, Saint John Paul the Great Catholic High School is committed to the formation of youth with special emphasis on the ethical development of the students.
We are proud to offer a variety of programs designed to provide a supportive and inclusive education at Saint John Paul the Great Catholic High School. Mindful of the belief that all human beings are made in the image of Christ, we seek to foster spirituality and inclusion among all members of our student body. Students at Saint John Paul the Great learn together, worship together, serve together, and celebrate one another.
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Bill Mundy
PCI Board of Directors
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Bill Mundy was a founding board member of Porto Charities Inc., and is the current Grand Commander of Porto # 104 of the Order of Alhambra.
Bill served in several senior wealth management positions for national and local community banks before he retired. He received a B.A. and a M.A. from Villanova University. He is also a graduate of The Stonier Graduate School of Banking.
Bill was a CFP Certificant and he held various insurance and securities licenses during his banking career.
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February 5, 2022
8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Bishop O'Connell High School
6600 Little Falls Road
Arlington, VA 22213
Beth Foraker, Founder,
National Catholic Board on Full Inclusion
This conference is designed to inform, inspire and equip Catholics in schools and parishes to create a culture of belonging for individuals with, or impacted by, disability. It will bring together those who experience disability with those who serve alongside them. Pastors, principals, Directors of Religious Education, teachers, parents, clergy and students are invited to learn more about resources in our Diocese, hear the stories of those practicing inclusion and learn essential strategies for creating communities of belonging.
Come hear Bishop Burbidge and Beth Foraker, Founder of the National Catholic Board on Full Inclusion, speak about creating inclusive schools and parishes. Participate in break-out sessions that explore different aspects of inclusion.
The program fee is $10 per person.
A boxed lunch is provided (with vegetarian and GF option)
Please register using the button below. Registration for in-person attendance closes January 10 or when the conference reaches capacity. There is no registration deadline for online access to our plenary sessions. All registrants will receive electronic copies of materials and resources shared.
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Mystery in Marrakesh is Coming! |
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Save the Date - Sunday, February 27, 2022! |
We are excited to announce that Porto's third annual Mystery in Marrakesh event is back and scheduled to be held at the Springfield Golf and Country Club on Sunday, February 27, 2022 at 5:30 pm.
What is Mystery in Marrakesh? Imagine yourself on a bucket-list trip to Morocco, where you find yourself in the imperial city of Marrakesh. While your tour includes dinner and entertainment in the evening, you’ve lost the combination to your luggage, which contains the tickets to the show tonight! Thus begins a fun and exciting evening where teams compete by solving puzzles, playing games, and following clues, with the goal of collecting your luggage combination. Along the way one team will be crowned the winner of Mystery in Marrakesh 2022!
Captains are assigned to lead their teams of tourists in completing the challenges and finding the luggage combination. The teams are given instructions at the various Moroccan market stalls to perform the challenges, tasks, and puzzles. Challenges are timed and the team of tourists will have one hour to determine the luggage combination and recover the tickets to the evening’s entertainment.
In addition to exploring the markets of Marrakesh while uncovering the mystery to your luggage combination, guests will enjoy dinner and wine, as well as catching up with family, old friends, and new acquaintances, all dedicated to helping children with special needs have the opportunity for an inclusive Catholic education, and giving adults with special needs assistance with meaningful employment in the Catholic Diocese of Arlington.
Seating is limited - so purchase your tickets NOW before they’re gone! If you are unable to join us,
please consider making a donation to support our efforts.
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Porto Charities Inc is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, charitable and educational organization (Tax ID #30-0544129).
Contributions to Porto Charities are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.
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