Week of May 9, 2004

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Archive of Weekly Bulletins

Dear Parishioner,

One of the benefits of our building expansion is that we as a parish can more easily schedule meetings which are valuable for our community. Another benefit is our ability to welcome service-oriented groups whose mission is to serve the larger community. We do not feel it appropriate to open our meeting spaces for every group, but when the group is for the good of the community and compatible with the Gospel their presence and ministry can indeed complement our own.

A group which clearly meets these guidelines is Alcoholics Anonymous. Several months ago we were approached by a local AA group which was seeking a new meeting location. Upon consultation with the staff and the parish meeting schedules it was possible to provide a space for their weekly meeting on Thursday night. There is no doubt of the tremendous service which AA provides to millions of people. Following the AA program of information and support has truly been lifesaving to so many. We are therefore proud to allow this local AA group to use our facilities for the service of our area. The group is open to all who could benefit from AA.

As pastor I remain grateful for all St. Noel parishioners who pledged to our campaign. The AA meeting is one more way in which your generosity is bearing fruit.

                  Fr. George Smiga

CONFIRMATION – We had a wonderful celebration. Thanks to Bishop Gries for joining us this year. Last week, we left the following Confirmandi off the list (it's tough at the end of the alphabet!!):

Karina Rose Thirion   

Jesalina Marie (Helen Rose) Thirion   

George Matthew Thirion, Jr.   

Jocelyn Marie Thompson   

Nicole (Ashley) Trivisonno   

Anthony Michael Urbania   

William Connell (Douglas) Varanese   

Megan Ann (Gabriella) Varanese   

Reannan Marie (Theresa) Vidrick   

Melody Rose (Helen) Weigand   

Brittain McDuffie Whidden   

Nicole Ashley (Elizabeth) Wright   

Kathryn Marie Wright   

Bradley Christian Wright   

Douglas Jerome Yeckley   

Congratulations to them and all our 2004 Confirmandi!!

EASTER COLLECTION – A sincere thank you to everyone who contributed to our Easter collection of $33,701.00

LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR – whose apostolate is to care for the aged at the St. Mary & St. Joseph Home on Richmond Road will be accepting your donations after all the Masses this weekend. The Little Sisters have worked in our Diocese for over 130 years providing a loving atmosphere and quality care to the elderly—especially those with diminishing resources. Please be generous to them.

OUTDOOR CHAPEL – is in need of clean-up and repairs. You can help at your own pace and according to your own schedule. If you are able to assist in preparing the Chapel for summer use, please call the parish office at 440-946-0887.

HEALING MINISTRY – “Are any of you sick? You should ask for the presbyters of the Church. They in turn are to pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord.” (James 5:14) We do this through the Sacrament of the Anointing of Sick which will take place this Wednesday evening during our 6:45 p.m. liturgy. If you are coping with a serious physical, mental or emotional illness or dealing with the discomfort of aging come and receive this healing Sacrament. Prayer teams are available after Mass to pray with you if you desire.

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! Our PSR students and teachers worked very hard to raise funds to help with the First Communion celebrations of a number of children at St. Augustine parish who otherwise might not have been able to purchase clothing and prayer books. Our partnership with St. Augustine has been a wonderful opportunity to share our gifts and talents with one another and most especially our common faith in Jesus! Thank you boys and girls for helping other children and for enriching our connection with St. Augustine.

SOCIAL JUSTICE GEMS – “We are a very diverse community of faith—racially, ethnically, economically, and ideologically. This diversity should be respected, reflected and celebrated in our social ministry…..Social justice coalitions across racial, ethnic, and geographic lines can be an impressive sign of the unity of the Body of Christ” (U.S. Catholic Bishops, Communities of Salt and Light).

THE BEAUTIFUL BELL ARRANGEMENTS you have heard throughout the Triduum were possible due to the loan of an octave of bells from St. Felicitas Church and other equipment from St. Lucy Church. If you enjoy this music and are interested in helping St. Noel purchase our own new octave of bells call Marc at 440-946-0887. Thank you and thank you St. Felicitas and St. Lucy for your generosity.

PLANT A ROW FOR THE HUNGRY – Do you love to garden? Do you want to help feed the hungry? This summer dedicate a portion of your home garden to grow vegetables for St. Augustine's Hunger Center. Bring your harvest to St. Noel in August or September and we will deliver it (watch the bulletin for collection details). Preferred vegetables are collards, carrots, peppers, cabbage, cucumbers, tomatoes, and beans. We will provide you with seeds or starter plants if necessary, but you must place your order by May 9. Call the parish office at 440-946-0887 for information.P.S. There will also be the opportunity to garden again at St. Augustine. There will be more information coming in the bulletin later in this month.

SAINT NOEL NEWBORN GUILD: The SNNG provides hand-made baby blankets, booties, hats, etc for the under-served community of Northeast Ohio. Since our inception in September 2003, we have donated over 100 hand-made items to Touching Little Lives and Faith, Hope and Charity Stitches – two organizations that distribute these much needed items throughout our community. If you can crochet, knit, or sew and would like to join our group to help our tiniest Ohioans, please call the parish office at 440-946-0887.

JOURNEY TO JOY – a support group for depression meets the 2 nd and 4 th Thursday evenings at 7:00 p.m. in the Visitation Room. The next meeting is Thursday , May 13 .

ST. NOEL FELLOWSHIP – Activities for the month of May are as follows: May 13 - Bingo - May 20 -Luncheon consisting of Chicken a' la King on biscuits, green beans, and cherry pie. The cost is $5.00 per person. May 27 – Social meeting, we will celebrate birthdays and anniversaries. Please remember to bring your food donation for the food bank to this meeting. Everyone is welcome to attend the Senior Fellowship on Thursdays.

ROSARY- Join us Tuesday, May 18, 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 – No meeting tonight. Please return your Camp YAC counselor forms ASAP.

BABY BOTTLES – Over 50 baby bottles were taken off the table during Lent to support Alternaterm. So far, only 29 have been returned, and the organization reuses them for other fundraisers. Please return the bottles to the Church office even if they are empty. Thank you.

JUNIOR HIGH YOUTH GROUP – Our next session is Tuesday, May 18 th at 7:00pm in the small hall. Bring your bibles and your parents. They're invited!!

CDEM – the next opportunity to participate in the CDEM is Thursday, May 13 th at 7:00pm in the Conference Room. No need to register; simply arrive at 7:00pm.

CAMP YAC – Our annual junior high camp is scheduled for the week of June 14 th . This is a great chance to involve your 6-8 th grade student in a great week of fun, service and spiritual activities. Pick up a brochure in the kiosk.

GARBAGE FREE!! – Did you notice any trash as you drove into the Church parking lot? We hope not! Members of our junior high youth group spent 3 hours picking up trash around the grounds at St. Noel, Roemisch Field and Campbell Park. This was in response to our lesson on caring for creation. Check out the photos on the kiosk. Thanks to Janet Perryman for working with us and Amy Smith for the awesome cookies!

CAMP COUNSELORS – Camp YAC (Youth Acting for Christ) is in need of high school counselors. The camp is the week of June 14 th and will be a great time. Service hours are available. Pick up an application in the kiosk or download one from the PRIME TIME page!! Applications are due May 16 th.

PANCAKE BREAKFAST – The awesome Father's Day Pancake Breakfast is back this year!! Plan on enjoying a great meal on Sunday, June 20 th from 10:00-1:00pm. Mark your calendar now and support youth ministry at St. Noel.

BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP – In the spirit of Vibrant Parish Life the parish of St. John Vianney is offering an on-going monthly bereavement support group to eight parishes with close proximity. The group will meet on the second Monday of the month in May, which is, Monday, May 10 at 7:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. in the library of the church. For more information please call 440-942-0336.

THE FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE AT CHRIST THE KING CHURCH is requesting that you please continue to save your Trash to Cash Items YEAR AROUND . These include Tops grocery receipts, Campbell's Prego, Swanson, and Franco American labels along with General Mills 10 Cent Box Tops and Tyson A+1-2-3 panels. Saving these items still helps support Christ the King Church, its Youth Programs, and other Ministries. Thank you so much for your generous support of this fundraiser.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE? Here are some numbers you can call: Catholic Charities Services of Lake County 440-352-6191 ; Domestic Violence Hotline 440-953 - 8255 ; Shelter – Forbes House 440-357-1018 ; Shelter-Women Safe (Geauga County) 440-285-2222 ; Legal Aide 440-352-0338 and Western Reserve Counseling 440-352-8954 .

CAMP CHRISTOPHER OPEN HOUSE will be on Sunday. May 16 from 1-5:00 p.m. Bring a picnic lunch or purchase your lunch at the Camp Kitchen. Call 800-CYO-CAMP or visit us on the web at: www.campchris.org for further information.

CELEBRATE A “SUMMER OF IMAGINATION”! Camping programs of the Diocese of Cleveland are looking to fill camp counselor and auxiliary staff positions at various sites around the Cleveland area. Great employment for teachers and college students. Programs begin in June and go through August. Call for an application: 216-334-1261 X 16.

ST. PAUL SCHOOL – EUCLID – All former students, alumni, and families are invited to a Mass of celebrating and thanking God for our rich history of ninety-four years in Catholic education as we approach the final closing of our school. The celebration will take place on Sunday, May 23 at noon. A continental breakfast and fellowship will follow at the gym immediately after the Mass. All are cordially invited to attend.

GIVE A GIFT OF LOVE FOR A BETTER WORLD – YOUTH EXCHANGE SERVICE (YES), a non-profit US designated exchange program founded in 1974, needs Catholic Host Families to host international high school students during the 2004-2005 school year. For more information please see the kiosk or contact YOUTH EXCHANGE SERVICE (YES) at 17 Harbor Light, Newport Coast, CA 92657 or phone 800-848-2121.

THE PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE – Millions of Americans are reading the book The Purpose Driven Life to help them “find meaning and purpose” in their life. Our purpose comes when we embrace the vision that God has for each of us. If you are a single Catholic looking for the purpose and the vision of God in your life, attend the “Where Are You Going” Retreat on June 18-19, 2004. The overnight retreat is put together by a team of diocesan priests, deacons, and religious sisters and brothers. For more information or to register, call the Diocesan Vocation Office at 800-869-6525 or 216-696-6525 ext 3490 or www.churchvocations.com .

THE LAKE COUNTY CHURCH NETWORK is seeking several individuals who would like to serve the Lord by working in our office to help find assistance for families in need, Office hours are 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Monday thru Friday. We will provide training. We ask volunteers to commit to at least 2 days or more a month, 4 hours each day. For more information please call Mentor Plains United Methodist Church 440-946-1193 and leave a message for the Lake County Church Network. Our fax number is 440-946-3771 or you can reach us by email: lccn@NCWEB.COM .

A WEEKEND FOR DIVORCED, SEPARATED AND WIDOWED – Men and women of all ages are encouraged to attend a weekend designed for those who wish to let go of the painful past and create a more peace-filled future. Presented by people who have “been there” and offer their support. The next Beginning Experience Weekend will beheld on June 11, 12, & 13 at St. Joseph Christian Life Center in Cleveland. Please call 440-546-9191 or 330-706-1512 for the information on this weekend of hope and healing or reach us at: www.beginningexperience.org.

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