Week of June 23th

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Dear Parishioner,

For several decades we as Catholics have been hearing that we are facing a crisis in vocations to the priesthood. When I was ordained in 1975 there were 25 other priests ordained with me. Today, that is more than the total number of seminarians in our diocesan 5-year formation program. A recent projection from our Priests' Retirement Board throws this crisis into focus. Today we have roughly 250 parishes in the Diocese of Cleveland and 350 active priests. If we continue to ordain an average of 4 new priests each year the projection is that in the year 2030 there will be 49 priests in our diocese. This dramatically illustrates how of the 350 priests now active in our parishes that the vast majority are over 50 years old and will be retiring in the foreseeable future.

It is difficult to imagine staffing a diocese that now has 250 parishes with 49 priests. It is clear that qualified lay pastoral ministers will need to assume more of the care of parishes. What they will not be able to assume is the celebration of the sacraments, for in our present understanding of ministry these are reserved to a bishop or priest. Even increasing the number of deacons in our Church will not eliminate this shortage.

For although a deacon can baptize and officiate at marriage, he cannot celebrate the Sacrament of Penance or of the Anointing of the Sick and most critically cannot preside at the Eucharist. If the projections are anywhere close to being accurate, it will become commonplace that most parishes in our diocese will be unable to celebrate the Eucharist on a weekly basis.

This shortage of priests will dramatically change the shape of parish life. The effects of this shortage will begin to assert themselves well before 2030.

The seriousness of this issue has caused our Parish Pastoral Council to meet together with our Vibrant Parish Life Committee and members of our Adult Enrichment Committee to discuss what plans we need to make as a parish and how the implications of this shortage can be shared with our community. As we discussed this problem, it became clear that the ultimate direction must be determined in conjunction with the future planning of our diocese. On May 12th, Sister Rita Mary Harwood who is the Diocesan Secretary for Parish Life & Development, met with us. She agreed that this was a pressing issue not only for St. Noel but for our entire diocese. We expressed to her our desire that the bishop share with us his vision of how we as a diocese should deal with this shortage. As a result, Bishop Pilla has agreed to meet with our Parish Pastoral Council, Vibrant Parish Life Committee and Adult Enrichment Committees later this summer. We are hopeful that this meeting will clarify the options which are available for us as a Diocesan Church and the preparations we should begin to make as a parish.

I share these developments with you because I feel you should be informed of the hard realities we, and our children and our grandchildren, will need to face in the future. The Church belongs to us all. Together we are called to make decisions which will allow the mission of our Church to continue. Please pray that the Spirit guides our meeting with the bishop and shows us what direction our diocese and parish should take.

Fr. George Smiga

BECAUSE OF THE JULY 4TH HOLIDAY - bulletin articles for the weekend of July 5th and 6th must be in the parish office by Tuesday, June 24th.

SOCIAL CONCERNS/ST. AUGUSTINE - On June 29th 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 June 28th and June 29th, 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 place the cookies on the counter in the nursery and mark them St. Augustine.

SOCIAL CONCERNS FUND - In May we collected $1,576.00. Our expenses for May were:

Utilities $ 292.49
Rent $ 300.00
Baby Formula $ 37.95
St. Augustine meal $ 210.89
Project Hope Donation $ 500.00
Total $1,341.33
We thank you for your support.

"LET THERE BE PEACE" - gathers today (Sunday) in the nursery 12:15 to 1:00 p.m.

SOCIAL JUSTICE GEM - "The saints are what they are, not because their sanctity makes them admirable to others, but because the gift of sainthood makes it possible for them to admire everybody else. It gives them a clarity of compassion that can find good in the most terrible criminals. It delivers them from the burden of judging others, condemning others. It teaches them to bring good out of others by compassion, mercy and pardon. We become saints not by conviction that we are better than sinners but by the realization that we are one of them, and that all together we need the mercy of God."
Thomas Merton

WILLOUGHBY HILLS COMMUNITY DAYS - Our Mass on Saturday, June 28th, will begin at 4:45 p.m. to allow everyone to leave St. Noel before the parade begins at 6:00 p.m. We encourage everyone to participate in Community Days, which will be held on Saturday, June 28th and Sunday, June 29th.

THE BELLS OF SUMMER - St. Noel's music ministry will be adding a second handbell choir during the summer months and we are looking for ringers. No prior experience is necessary and the ability to read music is NOT required for this handbell choir. Adults, teens, and children ages 10 and up are all welcome to join. The choir will meet from June until September and will play at selected Masses over the course of the summer. Basic ringing is easy to learn (and fun too!). For more information, contact Marc Weagraff at 440-946-0887.

GARDENER'S ALERT - The garden at St. Augustine has been planted and is growing beautiful. And so are the weeds! The garden will be worked on every Saturday beginning at 9:00 a.m. Please join us for some "soil fun". Bring your trowel and gloves and if you have any questions please call St. Augustine at 216-781-5530 or St. Noel parish office at 440-946-0887.

LETTUCE GO TO THE GARDEN - for a blessing on Sunday, June 29th at 11:30 a.m. Join the gardeners and parishioners of St. Augustine for the Annual Garden Blessing. It will be followed by a picnic lunch in Walsh Hall at St. Augustine.

ST. NOEL FELLOWSHIP - Activities for June are as follows: June 26th - Birthdays and anniversaries will be celebrated. Pastries will be served. Please remember to bring your food donation for the food bank to this meeting. Everyone is welcome to attend the Senior Fellowship on Thursdays.

STEPHEN MINISTRY - St. Noel Stephen Ministry will begin training new Stephen ministers in the Fall. The ministry continues to grow and we need new people to help us better serve the parish and wider community. Are you interested in being a part of this vibrant ministry? Would you enjoy bringing the healing presence of Christ to others? Call Anthony (440-946-1128 x 20) with questions. Our informational meeting is scheduled for July 29, 2003.

NOEL MOVERS - we are currently in need of portable fans, couches, dressers, beds, refrigerators and any other useable furniture. Please call Anthony if you can help (440-946-1128 x 20).

CAR WASH - Thanks to all who supported the CAMP YAC carwash. We raised over $180.00 for Moriah House, a battered women's shelter in Cleveland.

LETTING GO, MOVING ON, REBUILDING A GOOD LIFE - A workshop for those recently divorced or separated will be offered on Thursday, June 26th, at Holy Angels Church, 182105 Chillicothe Road, Chagrin Falls. Join Kathy Whan-Marko, Ph.D., as she offers a program centered on guidance about tools and strategies to help you let go, move on, and rebuild a good life. To register for this free workshop or for more information, please call Karen Jubek at 440-352-8282.

HOLD THIS DATE! - Sunday, August 10th from 3:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. (The FEST) 2003 with a Free Christian Concert and Mass will be held at the Center for Pastoral Leadership in Wickliffe. Please mark this date on your calendars now and make plans to attend this day of fun, food, fireworks and Mass.

SPIRITUALITY RELATED TO MENTAL HEALTH - The St. John Vianney Mental Health Support Group will feature this talk by Fr. James Klein, Assistant Pastor of St. William Church, Euclid, Wednesday, June 25th,7:30-9:00 p.m. in our former church.

NEW ST. VINCENT de PAUL RETAIL STORE NOW OPEN - At long last, the huge new St. Vincent de Paul Retail Store in Biddulph Plaza in Brooklyn is open for business. Shop the largest selection of like-new clothing, furniture, and household goods in Greater Cleveland. New items every week! Low prices always. Selective half-priced items daily. All with a commitment to friendly customer service. Enjoy a delicious hot dog and soft drink for only a dollar at our Grand Opening Celebration on June 26, 27, and 28. The store is conveniently located in Biddulph Plaza (corner of Ridge & Biddulph Roads) in Brooklyn, 1/4 mile north of Ridge Park Square, just off 1-480 (Ridge Road exit). The store is open Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday.

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 drink 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.

URSULINE COLLEGE - The Graduate Ministry Program at Ursuline College invites you to attend an information night on Wednesday, July 9, 2003, at 7:00 p.m. in the Pilla Center, Room 102, 2550 Lander Road, Pepper Pike. The Master of Arts in Ministry Program offers a focus on Ministry for church and marketplace and develops academic competence, spiritual maturity and pastoral skill. Classes are in a flexible format designed for students with full-time commitments and meet most diocesan certification requirements. Fall classes begin on August 25, 2003. For more information, please call 440-646-8195.

GET ACQUAINTED NIGHT - July 19th, 7:00 p.m. Meet other Catholic singles through a "5 minute dating" format. Music by "Matthias", testimony, social. Register with Anna at 440-942-2343 by July 12th. $8.00 donation. Ss. Cosmas and Damian Social Hall, 10439 Ravenna Road, Twinsburg, Ohio 44087.

THE GEEZECATS - are coming to St. Noel Parish Hall for a Summer time sock-hop. GeezeCats (geezkates) n. slang. 1) Some cool old guys. 2) aging hipsters, hepcats. 3) A topnotch premium quality show band from Cleveland playing all of your favorites from the 50's and the Do-W.P. era. Check out their website at www.Geezecats.com. The evening will take place from 6:30 p.m. - Midnight on Friday, July 11th. Assorted Gourmet pizzas will be served along with some other light snacks. Cash bar will be available. Tickets are $20.00 per person and can be reserved by calling 440-946-6635.

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