Week of January 24-25, 2004

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Dear Parishioner,

I received an e-mail on our parish website this week suggesting that it would be an improvement to our liturgies if we began them on time. The person providing this suggestion commented that our liturgies usually begin from 5-10 minutes late. This comment surprised me since I was always under the impression that our Masses began rather punctually. Of course, there are some times where unusual circumstances delay the liturgy, but I frequently check my watch as we begin, and it is routinely within a minute of the scheduled Mass time. Yet, I also know I could be misreading something so I checked my recollections out with other people who affirmed the fact that they also thought we were beginning on time.

This left me with the question of how could perception on this matter be so divergent. Then it struck me that we had differing understandings of what was the beginning of the Mass. It is likely that the person who sent the e-mail marks the beginning of the Mass when we begin the opening song. I have a different understanding. For me, the Mass begins when the announcements are made. Our liturgies are the primary place that our community comes together. There is a real need on a regular basis to announce upcoming events or projects, learn music, to dismiss children for Children's Liturgy of the Word and to call the attention of the assembly to issues which pertain to our shared life. We try to keep these announcements to a minimum, but that does not mean they are unimportant. They remind us that a parish does more than just worship together. There are opportunities for education, spiritual growth, service, and political awareness which supports our faith. This period beginning the Mass is perhaps the only time we have to bring them to your attention. This is why it is my belief that the announcements should be included within the scheduled time we share together each weekend.

Now of course, both perceptions of this matter have validity; but I wanted to take this opportunity to explain my understanding. Now, none of us want to sit through unnecessary announcements; so I promise that we will do our best to keep them short and whenever possible direct those seeking further information to our parish bulletin. I also promise to strive to begin those announcements promptly at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday and at 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. on Sunday mornings.

Fr. George Smiga

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 6-12 and children 5 and under 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 JUSTICE GEMS – “We know from experience that parishes that strengthen their social ministry enrich every aspect of their parish, bringing increased life and vitality, greater richness and community to their entire family of faith” (U.S. Catholic Bishops, Communities of Salt and Light).

THANK YOU HEINEN'S! – Several of our ministries here at St. Noel benefit from generous contributions from Heinen's store at Pineridge Plaza. The last Sunday of every month Heinen's contributes day old bakery for the meal we serve at the St. Augustine Hunger Center. Recently they also gave us a large supply of both paper and plastic bags for use in our food pantry. We are very appreciative and especially want to thank the manager, Jim O'Toole. This would also be a good time to remind you that Heinen's sells Equal Exchange Fair Trade coffee and tea. For about a year now we have been serving Equal Exchange Coffee on Sundays in an effort to ensure coffee farmers with a just price for the coffee they grow. If you would like more information about fair trade prices please check the Social Concerns section of the kiosk.

WEDDING MUSIC – We will have an Evening of Wedding Music on Tuesday, February 10 at 7:00 p.m. in the church. This workshop is for engaged couples who will be getting married this year, and will feature over an hour of music appropriate for liturgy, as well as a chance to hear parish soloists and instrumentalists. To better assist you in making choices, you are strongly encouraged to bring a tape recorder and tape the session. See you there.

MARDI GRAS DINNER DANCE 2004 is back. Call your friends and reserve a table. Featuring Louisiana cuisine, cash bar, sideboards, costume contest (costumes are optional), and music by disc jockey Billy James from Freddie James and Associates. Cost is $30.00 per person. Tickets will be available after Mass next weekend. Proceeds benefit the Social Concerns Fund.

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 today (Sunday), January 25 following either the 9:00 a.m. or 11:00 a.m. Mass in the Resurrection Room 1&2. (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.

MEN'S PRAYER BREAKFAST – Men of all ages are encouraged to attend this monthly event. The Prayer Breakfast is held here at St. Noel on the first Saturday of each month (September-May), from 8:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. It is a morning filled with F ellowship, F aith sharing, F un and F ood. Why not start the month out right? Join us on February 7 to be refreshed and renewed in body, mind and spirit.

ST. NOEL FELLOWSHIP – Activities for the month of January are as follows: 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.

PRIME TIME – Great discussion! See you tonight at 7:30pm in the teen center.

JUNIOR HIGH YOUTH GROUP – our next session is Tuesday, February 3 rd at 7:00pm. Bring your fleece blankets to donate.

NOEL MOVERS – we are in need of beds, dressers, and a refrigerator. 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.

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!

PANCAKE BREAKFAST – Come enjoy a delicious pancake breakfast on Sunday, February 15 th from 10:00am – 1:00pm in the hall. All proceeds benefit PRIME TIME!! Thanks for supporting our youth!

CLEVELAND FOOD BANK – We're serving at the Food Bank on Monday, February 2 nd . We leave the Church at 5:30pm. Please call Anthony if you're interesting in joining the group (946-1128 x20).

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.

GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP – St. John Vianney of Mentor is hosting a once-a-month grief support group, which includes 9 area parishes. The first meeting is on Monday, January 26 at 7:00 p.m. If interested, please call at 440-942-0336. Weekend calls accepted.

ANNOUNCING THE 80 TH YEAR OF CYO CAMP CHRISTOPHER home of “Camping at its Finest”. Our 2004 camping season provides summer camping opportunities for everyone including our Resident Camp for ages 6-16, Day Camp for ages 5-12, Family Camp for all ages, Special Populations Camp, Senior Adult Camp and others. Applications are now being accepted for all CYO Camp Christopher programs. For more information or a brochure regarding this ACA accredited camp in nearby Bath, Ohio, please call CYO Camp Christopher 330-376-2267, (800) CYO-CAMP or

www.campchris.org . Remember, CYO- Camp Christopher is definitely “Camping at its Finest”.

CATHOLIC UPDATE – entitled “Ash Wednesday: Our Shifting Understanding of Lent,” by Lawrence E. Mick, is now available in the kiosk.

OUR LADY OF MT. CARMEL – We are accepting applications for the 2004-2005 school year from Pre School to Grade 8. Come to our Open House today (Sunday) January 25 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and see what we have to offer. Our preschool program is for three, four and five year olds. We invite you to visit us today (Sunday) or by one of the by appointments only—Preschool Visitation weeks, January 26-30, or February 23-27. Please call the school, 440-585-0800, during the hours of 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., to schedule a visit. In addition, we have a Preschool Information Night the evening of Thursday, February 19 from 7-8:00 p.m.

WE ARE LOVED SINNERS – Fr. Bob Welsh, SJ, the former President of St. Ignatius High School, will lead a Day of Recollection at the Jesuit Retreat House to help you get ready for the holy season of Lent. On Monday, February 9, Fr. Welsh will lead us through an exploration of a major theme from St. Ignatius Loyola's Spiritual Exercises: Just as I am, I am loved by God.

The Day of Recollection begins at 9:00 a.m. and ends at 2:30 p.m. The cost is $22. Lunch is included. Reservations may be made on line at www.jrh-cleveland.org or by calling 440-884-9300.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY: Heartland Hospice is looking for special people to participate in our Volunteer Program. Days and times are flexible—give as much or as little time as you choose. Areas of service range from friendly patient visits to office work, and training is provided. For more information, please call Margaret Mullen, Heartland Hospice Volunteer Coordinator, at 216-520-0765.

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