Week of March 24th

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Dear Parishioner,

This week I would like to invite you to a good meal and say a few things about our return to the church.

The meal is a pancake breakfast and it will be taking place next Sunday, March 30th in our parish hall. It is sponsored by our Prime Time youth group to raise funds for their educational, social and spiritual programs. Those programs include an annual retreat, the Diocesan Youth Conference, a summer service project in Toronto, The National Catholic Youth Conference in Houston and the weekly Prime Time meetings. The breakfast will run from 9:00 a.m. to Noon. Pancakes, french toast, sausage, potatoes, juice and coffee will be served. The cost is $5.00 for adults and $2.00 for children under 12. Tickets will be sold at the door. Our youth group will also be taking orders for Easter hams. These fully cooked, smoked and spiraled hams cost $4.75 a pound. Please call 440-946-6635 (the hall) or 440-946-1128 ext 20 (Anthony)to place your order for a whole or half ham.

I hope you are as pleased as I am to be worshiping again in our church. I think you will agree that Jance Construction did an excellent job in completing most of the work that would allow our return. As you can see the new chapel is still incomplete and will move towards completion in the next few weeks. Base- boards for the floor and carpeting for the choir area has yet to be installed. The new altar and baptismal font are in place and usable. Both have been carved by Norbert Koehn out of Indiana lime- stone. They have been polished this week with a wet-sanding process and are still drying. The color of the stone will lighten and become more uniform in the upcoming weeks. We have washed the new floor several times but dust from construction continues to settle and the floor will need to be washed several more times before it is in its final condition.

We wish to make persons with handicaps welcome in this new space. Chairs can be relocated to provide a space for wheel chairs. I suggest that those who have special needs ask our usher-greeters to assist them as they find a place within the assembly where they wish to sit. Parents with crying children often go to the narthex so that they do not disturb those around them. The new glass wall between the church and the narthex will allow them to follow the action of the liturgy from the narthex. I have asked our usher-greeters to provide seating in the narthex for any families who need to leave the church for these reasons.

I encourage you to explore our new space, knowing that there are still several small items that require attention. I welcome your feedback and questions as we strive to complete the church. I feel we have preserved much of the atmosphere and character of our original church even as we increased our seating and made both our altar and baptismal font more prominent. I wish to thank all of the parishioners who supported these improvements to our church through their prayers and financial pledges.

Fr. George Smiga

LENTEN LITURGICAL MUSIC: The translation for this weekend is: The justices of the Lord are right, rejoicing hearts, and sweeter than honey and the honeycomb: therefore your servant keeps them.

A PRAYERFUL TOUR OF ST. NOEL CHURCH -

THE STAINED GLASS WINDOW OF THE LORD'S BAPTISM

"And a voice came from the heavens, saying, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased." (Mt. 3:17)

This stained glass work is a rendering of Jesus humbly receiving the ministry of John the Baptist. Previously located by our former baptismal font, it has been repositioned to be in closer proximity to our new font. Like the circular window above our main doors, this original piece was designed and crafted by brothers, Dan and Don Boncela.

Servant Lord, may our ministry like yours be empowered by the affirmation of the Father and the energy of the Holy Spirit, that we might always serve others in righteousness and truth.

REMINDER - Lenten Bags and tags available on table in the lobby. Filled bags can be returned to the church coatroom area.

ST. NOEL FISH FRIES - Fridays of Lent (not Good Friday), from 4:30-7:30 p.m. Volunteers are needed for serving and clean-up. Sign up on the kiosk if you can help. Also, Randy needs volunteers who can help set-up fish fries on Fridays at 1:00 p.m. If you can help please call the hall office and let them know.

"LET THERE BE PEACE" - The St. Noel "Let There Be Peace" prayer and reflection group offers the following invitation: if you know of parishioners or have family members who are serving our country in the Armed Services please add their name to the list posted on the kiosk so that all who see it can pray for their safety and quick return. Our peace prayer and reflection group continues to meet from 1:15 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. every Sunday afternoon in the nursery. All are welcome.

SOCIAL CONCERNS/ST. AUGUSTINE - On March 30th our volunteers will be serving the meal at 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 March 29th and March 30th, 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 or before 8:00 a.m. only on Sunday. Please place the cookies on the counter in the nursery and mark them St. Augustine.

SOCIAL CONCERNS FUND - In February we collected $573.20. Our expenses for February were:

We thank you for your support.

BAPTISM DAY - will be held on March 30, 2003 from 1:15 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Parents who are planning to present a child for Baptism in the next six months, or already have done so and have not previously attended such a day, are expected to attend. Please call the parish office at 440-946-0887.

MEN'S PRAYER BREAKFAST - Need a time for fellowship and prayer? The prayer breakfasts are going great! Join us at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 5th in the nursery for a delicious breakfast, quality conversation and time for prayer. These mornings are open to all men of the parish and your friends--so treat yourself to a well-deserved break!

PRESCHOOLERS AND ALL PRESCHOOL PARENTS - Sunday Preschool will resume March 30, 2003 during the 10:00 a.m. Mass.

PRESCHOOL STAFF - Schedules for the remainder of the school year can be picked up in the preschool office. Preschool will resume Sunday, March 30, 2003.

SCRIPTURE STUDY - continues with Fr. Bob Marrone on the Eucharist. Join us on Monday, March 24 in the basement of Willoughby Hills City Hall from 7:30-9:00 p.m. Commentaries will be available. (the cost is $5.00 for a commentary).

A FAMILY DAY OF REFLECTION - Families and their school-aged children are encouraged to slow the pace and take time together during this season of Lent. We will share in activities designed to help us pray and grow together, improve family communication, and reconcile ourselves with one another. Join us on Sunday, April 6 (beginning with the 10:00 a.m. Mass and concluding with a meal served at 5:00 p.m.) as we share food, fellowship and conversation with our own and other families. Fliers and registration information are available in the kiosk.

ST. NOEL FELLOWSHIP - Activities for the month of March are as follows: March 27th steal-a-gift, socializing, birthday and anniversary celebrations, we will be serving cookies. Please remember to bring your food donation for the food bank. Everyone is welcome to attend the Senior fellowship on Thursdays.

PRIME TIME - Take a break and relax--it's game night tonight! Bring a game, bring a snack. See at 7:30 p.m.

JUNIOR HIGH YOUTH GROUP - Our next session is this Tuesday, March 25th at 7:00 p.m.

GORDON FOOD SERVICE -Fliers are available in the kiosk - Please support our youth ministry. You can check it out online www.gfsmarketplace.com.

FOOD FAST - Each year members of PRIME TIME fast and raise money to aid relief efforts around the world. You can pick up a permission slip and sponsor form in the kiosk. ALSO, if you would like to support the Food Fast with a donation of juice, please call Anthony at 440-946-1128 Ext 20).

NOEL MOVERS - We are in need of table and chairs, dressers, lamps and any furniture in good condition. Please call Anthony (440-946-1128 X 20) if you can help.

DIOCESAN YOUTH CONVENTION - 5 of our teens will join hundreds from NE Ohio at the DYC on March 28-30. Jordan Walsh, Amanda Duca, Katie Troha, Collen Cook and Kenny Cook will represent St. Noel at the event. Many thanks to Jackie Wayne for serving as a chaperone. Have a great time!!

FOR CATHOLICS WHO ARE DIVORCED OR LEGALLY SEPARATED - A self-help reflection and affirmation program called Divorce and Beyond will be held at St. Paschal Baylon, 5384 Wilson Mills Road, beginning Thursday, April 24th at 7:00 p.m. in the rectory the eight sessions directed by a trained facilitator will cover topics such as loneliness, stress, and anger while offering insight on feelings, problem solving and spiritual growth on our journey to mature faith. For more information or to join please call 440-442-3410, ext 106.

RETROUVAILLE - Help for troubled marriages. Call now for a brochure and information about our April 4-6, 2003 weekend at the Clarion Hotel in Wickliffe. Call Al and Diane Miskinis at 216-481-1467, 1-800-470-2230 or learn more about us on the internet at: www.retrouvaille.org.

CATHOLIC UPDATE - entitled "Forgiveness in our Church Today," by Thomas Richstater, O.F.M., is now available in the kiosk.

CATHOLIC CHARITIES - Your mother has suffered a stroke, she's doing fine, but you need someone to care for her during the day. You want a safe and cheerful place where she will be well cared for call Catholic Charities St. Anthony's Adult Day Center located in Wickliffe. Safe, cheerful, and caring. We can help you! (440-943-7800).

FAMILY HOLY HOUR FOR PEACE - The guest speaker will be Sister Beverly Ann LoGrasso,O.S.U. The topic will be "The Two Hats of the Catholic Christian. What does that mean?" The Holy Hour will take place at St. John Vianney Church in Mentor on Tuesday, March 25th at 7:30 p.m. immediately following the 7:00 p.m. Mass.

ST. NOEL MEN'S SOFTBALL - Any man over age 29 interested in playing softball on Monday and Wednesday evenings should call the parish office at 440-946-0887.

HOSPICE OF THE WESTERN RESERVE - Hospice volunteers offer support and reassurance to terminally ill patients and their families. Become a volunteer for Hospice of the Western Reserve. Training classes begin on Tuesday, May 6th, from 6:00 pm-9:00 p.m. at the Villa View Office of Hospice, 19201 Villa View Rd, Cleveland. For more information, call 216-383-3726.

MEDICAL SUPPLIES FOR CHRIST, INC. - is a nonprofit organization supplying worldwide Christian Medical Missionaries. We are in great need of medical supplies, including respiratory and diabetic items, hearing aides, home health care provisions and all medical items. We also accept Depends, Ensure type products, vitamins and minerals, Slimfast products, and protein powder drinks mixes. Won't you please join us to reach out and help the least of God's people? If you would like additional information, or to have your items picked up, please call 440-975-9028.

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