Week of January 17-18, 2004

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Dear Parishioner,

As members of the body of Christ we are well aware of the diversity of gifts to be found among us as individuals. What is true of individuals is also true of parish communities. Each community has its strengths and we can indeed learn from each other how to better live the Gospel and serve one another.

One of the very important gifts that comes to us through our partnership with St. Augustine parish is a deep understanding of those with special needs. As our awareness of the needs of the deaf has grown through our association with St. Augustine parish, our Social Concerns Commission began exploring the possibility of having an interpreter for the deaf available at an occasional liturgy. This is the only way the deaf of our community can fully participate in the liturgy and in justice we should try to meet their needs. We are pleased to announce that Mary Smith, who works with the deaf apostolate at St. Augustine, will be joining us the first Sunday of every month to sign at the 11:00 a.m. liturgy. We will be reserving space for the hearing impaired in the area immediately adjacent to the Chapel, at those liturgies. As an interpreter Mary has specialized in liturgical signing and we know that especially our deaf parishioners are looking forward to her presence with us, but all of us can see in her ministry the gift of our own hearing and the beauty of sign language. We hope that all of you who come to the 11:00 a.m. liturgy on February 1, 2004 will extend to her a warm welcome.

We look forward to God's ongoing blessing of our relationship to the community of St. Augustine and anticipate that the future will hold many more opportunities for us to assist each other in our journey as disciples of Jesus.

Fr. George Smiga

CHRISTMAS COLLECTION - A sincere thank you to everyone who contributed to our Christmas collection of $53,301.00.

ANNUAL FAMILY ITALIAN DINNER will be Friday, January 30, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The cost will be $8.00 for adults, $4.00 for children ages 5-12 and children under 5 are free. Tickets will be sold at the door. Volunteers are needed to help serve and clear the tables, and a sign-up sheet is on the kiosk.

SOCIAL CONCERNS/ST. AUGUSTINE- On January 25 our volunteers will be serving the meal at the St. Augustine Hunger Center. There is a sign-up sheet on the kiosk if you are able to lend a hand. After all the Masses on January 24 and January 25, we will be collecting for our Social Concerns fund. Also, if anyone would like to bake cookies please bring the cookies with you when you come to volunteer at the Hunger Center or they can be dropped off at church before Mass on Saturday. Please put the cookies in the Nativity Room (formerly the nursery) on the counter and mark them St. Augustine.

SOCIAL CONCERNS FUND – In December we collected $10,830.00. Our expenses were:

We thank you for your support.

SOCIAL JUSTICE GEMS – “We seek to build evangelizing communities of faith, justice, and solidarity, where all believers are challenged to bring God's love, justice, and peace to a world in desperate need of the seasoning of the gospel and the light of Catholic teaching” (U.S. Catholic Bishops, Communities of Salt and Light).

SAVE THE DATE…MARDI GRAS is back at St. Noel, February 21 from 6:30 p.m. until midnight. Put the date aside for this special evening of excellent food and drink, dancing and fun. More details to follow.

SCRIPTURE SERIES – Our next series which will cover Paul's letters to the Romans and Galatians begins on Tuesday, January 20 in the small hall at 7:30 p.m. The series continues for one more session on Tuesday, February 17. Fr. George will be our presenter on both evenings. We will use the “God's Word Today” series for our study and commentaries will be available for a cost of $2.00.

HAVE YOU EVER THOUGHT ABOUT TRAVELING TO A DEVELOPING-WORLD COUNTRY? Or could you be interested in helping support travelers through prayer, donations of household items or cash? If so, our parish has an opportunity for you! We are planning a mission/retreat opportunity in El Salvador during the week of July 26-August 2, 2004. A delegation from St. Noel and St. Mary Magdalene parishes will be traveling to the land of martyrs (where Archbishop Oscar Romero and four church women, Dorothy Kazel, Jean Donovan, Maura Clark and Ita Ford died for their faith). We will also explore the Diocese of Cleveland's mission commitment in El Salvador. Two days of service to the abandoned and abused of the Community of Oscar A. Romero (COAR) children's village, school, and clinic will be included. If you're interested in learning more details about participation in this trip or ways you can support members of the delegation, come to one of the information meetings on Sunday, January 25 following either the 9:00 a.m. or 11:00 a.m. Mass. (If you cannot attend either meeting but would like more information, please call Marianne Slattery at 440-946-1128 x 21.)

CAPITAL PUNISHMENT—TWO PERSPECTIVES. Join us on Tuesday evening, February 3 in the small hall at 7:30 p.m. when Fr. George and Michael Benza present legal and moral aspects of this important issue. Michael Benza is a professor at Case Western Reserve University School of Law and currently an attorney representing nine death row inmates. A copy of Catholic Update , “The Death Penalty” is also available in the kiosk.

GOD'S VALENTINES-A retreat opportunity to reflect on God's love. Join us in February (the month of love) as we reflect on God's message of love to the world. We will meet on Wednesday, February 4 at 10:00 a.m. in the small hall. The day led by Fran Armbruster, will end at 2:00 p.m. and include lunch. A suggested donation of $5.00 will help cover the cost of lunch. Please sign up on the kiosk if you plan to attend. If you have any questions, please call the parish office at 440-946-0887.

“JOURNEY TO JOY” a support group for persons with depression will be meeting the 2 nd and 4 th Thursday evenings at 7:00 p.m. in the Visitation Room. The Saturday morning meetings are cancelled. There will be a meeting on Thursday evening, January 22 at 7:00 p.m.

ST. NOEL FELLOWSHIP – Activities for the month of January are as follows: January 22 – Luncheon consisting of a cheese tray, cold roast beef sandwich on Kaiser bun w/lettuce, tomato, mustard, mayo and a bag of potato chips and cake. Cost is $ 6.00 per person. January 29 – Bingo- we will celebrate birthdays and anniversaries at this meeting. Please remember to bring your food donations for the food bank to this meeting. Everyone is welcome to attend the Senior Fellowship on Thursday.

ROSARY - Join us Tuesday, January 20 from 7-7:45 p.m. in the Chapel as we pray the Rosary. All are welcome to this quiet, reflective time in honor of Mary and her Son, Jesus.

PRIME TIME – “What about racism?” See you tonight at 7:30pm in the teen center.

JUNIOR HIGH YOUTH GROUP – our next session is this Tuesday, January 20 th at 7:00pm. Bring your fleece material!

NOEL MOVERS – we are in need of beds, dressers, and a gas stove. Please call Anthony if you can help. We're also looking for volunteers during the day to help pick up and drop off furniture. Can you offer 3-4 hours one day? Call Anthony at 946-1128 x20

YOUNG NEIGHBORS IN ACTION – Once again, teens in grades 9-12 have a wonderful opportunity to serve with other teens from around the country. This year we're heading to Detroit the week of August 1-7!! The work sites in Detroit are awesome and the retreat center where we stay is great as well!! Our informational meeting is Thursday, February 12 th at 7:30pm in the Resurrection Room. If you're interested in going, make sure you attend on the 12 th !! It's going to be a memorable week.

CONFIRMTATION CANDIDATES – Our makeup session today (Sunday), begins at 10:30 am-12:00 pm in the hall. Please bring your bibles and communion/baptism memories.

ALTAR SERVER TRAINING - Looking for an opportunity to serve during our liturgies? Being an altar server is an excellent way to be involved. Adults as well as teens are welcome to serve at the altar. This ministry was never meant as a “children only” ministry. Minimally, servers must be in the 4 th grade. Please sign the sheet on the kiosk if you are interested in being a server. The next training sessions are scheduled for January 25 th and February 1 st from 9:30-11:00am.

CDEM – Our next scheduled date is Thursday, February 12 th in the conference room at 7:00pm.

DIOCESAN YOUTH CONFERENCE – Hey teens! Check out the poster on the kiosk. The DYC is coming up in March. Let's get a group to go!

CAT RESCUE REVERSE RAFFLE – Caroline's Kids Pet Rescue will be holding a reverse raffle on Saturday, March 13 at LaVera Party Center in Willoughby Hills from 6:30 p.m. till Midnight. Tickets are $95.00/couple and $65.00/single or $40.00 donation with all proceeds going to the care of the shelter cats. Parishioners Tom & Judy Brown are the founders of Caroline's Kids and they can be reached for tickets and information at 440-489-4708.

GET ACQUAINTED NIGHT ll will be on January 24 at 7:00 p.m. at Ss. Cosmas & Damian Church, 10439 Ravenna Rd., Twinsburg. Meet other Christian singles through a 5-minute dating format. Three age groups ranging from 20-50. The night will also include music, Christian witness, and a social with refreshments. To register or for more information please call 440-943-2343.

SAINT IGNATIUS HIGH SCHOOL is sponsoring The Grade School Latin Program which is a brief introduction to the Latin language and Roman culture for young men in the 6 th , 7 th , and 8 th grades. The course is held on Saturdays from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. The Spring session begins on Saturday February 14 and ends on Saturday March 13. The course is FREE!!! If you are interested please call Mr. Joseph Zebrak at 216-651-0222 x 253 or e-mail jzebrak@ignatius.edu before the course begins.

LIFE IN THE EUCHARIST WEEKEND EXPERIENCE – The St. Paschal Baylon Life in the Eucharist Team invites you to attend a weekend retreat experience involving prayer, song, discussion, witnesses, and teachings. Go beyond standard church services for a peaceful, inspiring, Jesus filled weekend as you learn how to put more life into your Eucharist and more Eucharist into you life. The weekend experience will take place on Saturday and Sunday, January 31-February 1, 2004. For more information, call the parish rectory at 440-442-3410.

CLASSIC BELLS' concert will begin promptly at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Janaury 30. A free will offering will be taken. The concert is open to the public with ample parking available. St. Joseph Catholic Church is located at 12700 Pearl Road, slightly north of the intersection of Pearl Road (Rt. 42) and Royalton Road (Rt. 82).

2004 MEMORIAL FOR THE UNBORN – Cleveland Right to Life, Church on the Rise, and Lorain County Right to Life have come together to host a Memorial for the Unborn: Sunday, January 18, 2004 from 2-4:00 p.m. at Independence High School, 6111 Archwood Road, Independence, OH 44131. The event features the keynote speaker Ms. Jennifer O'Neill.

MARRIED?? THEN COME CELEBRATE WITH US!!! World Wide Marriage Encounter (WWME) is hosting a World Marriage Day Celebration/Mass at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist (E. 9 th & Superior) at 2:00 p.m. on February 8. A social hour/reception will be held immediately afterward in Hagen Hall (In St. John's complex).

JULIET BILLIART SCHOOL is a Catholic alternative school which provides both a Catholic education and a place for special needs children. Students come from 25 difference school districts. These are the dates for the Parent Open House which begins at 9:00 a.m. on the following Thursday mornings, January 22, February 19, March 18, April 22, and May 20. For further information please call 216-381-1191.

BROWNFIELDS: Tuesday, January 20, 7:00 p.m: “Brownfields: What Happens When The Company Moves Away?” at St. Mary Church (Collinwood), 15519 Holmes Ave., in Cleveland, by Jim Smith of Brownfield Restoration Group and Maggie Keenan of the Second Growth Institute.” All are welcome and refreshments will be provided. For more information contact Denny Guritza at 440-247-0674 or visit us on the web:

www.buildingcommonground.org.

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