Elizabeth Ministry

The Elizabeth Ministry is a response to the needs of women and their families during the childbearing years. By sharing personal stories and similar experiences, women are able to support, encourage and assist one another during the joyful and sorrowful time of motherhood.

* We celebrate the gift of every child.  Elizabeth Ministers attend the baptisms of children and present them with a children's Bible and blessing.

* We mourn each miscarriage, abortion, stillbirth and infant or child crisis or death.

* We treasure the gift of fertility, and support those suffering infertility.

* We encourage those in the adoptive process.

* We support those facing special issues of grandparenting.

The Elizabeth Ministry also offers "Elizabeth's Flowers," designed to show respect for the dignity and worth of all life, as well as to identify, pray for and support the needs of women and their families during the childbearing years. Available on a bimonthly basis (following all masses during the third weekend of January, March, May, July and September, and November), parishioners are invited to indicate special needs or intentions by selecting flowers available in the church narthex and placing them in the church near the carving of the Holy Family. Elizabeth ministers will pray daily for the families represented, and if requested, will contact the family to provide continued support.

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The 2010 dates for Elizabeth Flowers are:

January 16 - 17
March 20 - 21
May 8 - 9 Mother's Day
July 17 - 18

September 18 - 19
November 20 - 21

Women volunteer to become Elizabeth ministers in the areas they have personally experienced. An Elizabeth minister is able to adjust time requirements to fit her schedule and to fit the needs of those to whom she is ministering. Support can come in the form of brief visits, phone calls and cards, which provide a tremendous amount of encouragement in a minimal amount of time.

Extensive training is not required. The majority of training is personal experience. Elizabeth ministers are not counselors or experts. They are women willing to listen, share their presence, stories and experiences. An easy-to-follow training manual provides step-by-step information on the ministry.

For more information on becoming or to request an Elizabeth Minister, please contact the parish office as (440) 946-0887.

If you have questions concerning any information contained on the Saint Noel Church Web site, contact us. Our staff will answer your questions or forward you to the appropriate individual or group.