Week of July 28st

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Dear Parishioner,

For many of us Summer is an opportunity to get away for some vacation time. I will be away the first two weeks in August on what I hope will be a relaxing and spiritual experience. I have been asked by John Carroll University to co-lead a trip to Greece and Turkey following in the footsteps of Paul and exploring the sites of the churches addressed in the Book of Revelations. Don Senior and Margaret Mitchell from Chicago Theological Union will be co-leading this tour with me. As many of you know, my teaching at the seminary is in the area of the Christian Scriptures, and I look forward to seeing the sites which so influenced those writings.

During my absence you will be pleased to know that Fr. Tom Dragga will be able to preside at our weekend liturgies. There will be no weekday liturgies here at St. Noel from August 1st through August 14th. Marianne Slattery will also be a part of the trip, but the rest of the staff will be here to make sure all the aspects of our parish life continue.

The week of my return will be a busy one. During the week of August 18th - if all proceeds as planned - we will be moving our parish offices into the new educational wing. The main floor is scheduled to be completed by then with the lower floor ready by September. With God's assistance we should be able to stay on schedule. Our hope is that by September we will be able to hold our PSR, pre-school, nursery and other meetings in the new wing.

As I have done in the past, I would like to thank all of you who have contributed to our building project. I know we are all looking forward to the completion of this project. Our Parish Pastoral Council is working on an event for this Fall to celebrate the conclusion of the construction. Details of that event will be forth coming.

Fr. George Smiga

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS, LECTORS AND SACRISTANS - The sign-up sheet for the Feast of the Assumption on Friday, August 15th, is on the bulletin board by the kitchenette. Please add your name if you are available.

REMINDER - We will not have Mass on the following days - Friday, August 1st, Tuesday, August 5th, Wednesday, August 6th, Friday, August 8th, Tuesday, August 12th, and Wednesday, August 13th.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL - There were very few items left behind this year from Vacation Bible School, but they will be in a green basket in the narthex this weekend. Please take any items you are missing.
THANK YOU - Because of your generosity, we collected $4,850.44 for International Partners in Mission.

CURIOUS ABOUT CATHOLICISM? - If so, please join our RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) inquiry group this Thursday evening, July 31, 2003 when we gather in the nursery from 7:30-9:00 p.m. These gatherings are intended for those who are weighing the possibility of becoming Catholic. We will spend our time exploring your questions and concerns about the Catholic faith as well as addressing one or more of the basic aspects of our way of life as a faith community. If you have any questions before Thursday please call Alice at 440-946-0887.

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

NEWS FROM ST. NOEL'S JAIL MINISTRY - Since 1985, the number of women in prison has nearly tripled. On any given day, more the 100,000 women are being held in this country's jails and prisons. Nearly a million women are under correctional supervision, which includes probation or parole. Many are in jail because they wrote bad checks, sold drugs, stolen money or sold their bodies because of a drug or alcohol addiction. Most women in prison report that they have been physically or sexually abused, half by someone they knew. Of course many are mothers. An estimated 200,000 children in the United States have an imprisoned mother. Women in jail are often over represented by the poor, many coming from neighborhoods that offer little opportunity for mainstream success.

Six women from St. Noel and two women from St. Anthony in Fairport are a part of the Thursday morning Bible Sharing Team at Lake County Jail. Each Thursday two members spend about an hour with about twenty women who read from Scriptures then discuss what they have read in a group setting. The hour is much more than a Bible class. For many inmates it is a time to seek strength to deal with the separation from their children who are most likely living with a relative or in the custody of the county.

With so much time on their hands to think, the one hour each week can help these inmates deal with the mental and psychological distress that they are facing.

(Information provided by the Northeast Ohio Pre release program)

MEDICAL INFORMATION ACT - As of April 14, 2003, the Federal law entitled the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act went into effect. This law seeks to safeguard the privacy of individuals regarding health care matters. In the past, most hospitals and health care institutions would contact a patient's parish when they were admitted. Unfortunately, hospitals are no longer able to provide this service. If you would like us to be present to you when you or someone in your family is hospitalized, it is now necessary for you to give us a call to notify us of your situation. In that way we hope to be able to meet your spiritual need for prayer, a pastoral visit, and the sacraments.

ST. NOEL CONCERT SERIES PRESENTS: - The Saint Noel Chamber Singers on Sunday, August 17, 2003 at 7:00 p.m. at St. Noel Church. Please come and enjoy an evening of beautiful music featuring classics from the sacred choral repertoire, contemporary choral music, original pieces, hymn tunes, and even some vocal jazz. This evening of lovely music will be FREE of charge. Please plan to attend and bring your friends!

FIRST COMMUNION - All families who plan to present their children for the Sacraments of Confirmation and First Communion in April, 2004 are asked to begin the process by attending a Family Information and Interview Gathering. You may join us on either Sunday, September 7 or 14 in the large hall at 12:15 p.m. (following the 11:00 a.m. Mass). From Saturday, August 16 through Sunday, August 31, there will be a table in the narthex where your family can sign up for one of these gatherings. Parents and the child preparing for these sacraments (generally second graders) should plan to attend together. The whole family is welcome; however, babysitting for younger children will be available if you prefer.

SUNDAY PRESCHOOL - needs teachers and music staff for the 2003/2004 school year. Volunteering is only once a month during the 9:00 a.m. Mass from October through May. Please call the parish office at 440-946-0887 for more information.

ST. NOEL FELLOWSHIP - Activities for July are as follows: - July 31st-Birthdays and anniversaries celebrated. Don't forget to bring your food donations for the food pantry. Everyone is welcome to attend the Senior Fellowship on Thursdays at Noon in the small hall.

JUNIOR HIGH YOUTH GROUP - the group will again meet on Tuesday evenings during the school year. Registration will begin in mid-August. Watch the bulletin for details.

SERVE THE CHURCH - Our Stephen Ministry has shown the presence of Christ to hundreds over the years. Perhaps God is calling you to be trained as a Stephen Minister? Come to our informational night, July 29th at 7:00 p.m. in the nursery.

CLEVELAND FOOD BANK - We're volunteering at the Food Bank on Tuesday, August 5th. We leave the church at 5:30 p.m. and return at 8:45 p.m. Interested? Please call Anthony (440-946-1128 X 20) to volunteer. Our September date is Monday, September 8th.

EMPTY BOWLS - The empty bowls project is an exciting idea to join in the work to aid the hungry in our community. You can check them out at www.emptybowls.com. St. Noel is planning an empty bowls event in the Fall, and we need your help. We're looking for people with organizational skills, connections in the arts community, public skills and people committed to justice. Join us on Monday, July 28th at 7:00 p.m. at the Church.

CATHOLIC UPDATE - entitled "The Rosary: A Prayer For All Seasons," by Gloria Hutchinson, is now available in the kiosk.

GOLF OUTING - The St. Noel Golf League is having a scramble golf outing for men and women at Rolling Greens Golf Course in Huntsburg on Saturday, September 6th. The cost will be $65.00. The final sign up day is Monday, August 11th. For more
information, please call Pat Grisdale at 440-946-6635.

THE LAKE-GEAUGA BOARD OF MINISTRY TO THE SEPARATED AND DIVORCED - has scheduled quarterly information sessions for those coping with issues resulting from separation or divorce. A session will be held at St. John Vianney, Mentor, on Thursday, August 28th, at 7:00 p.m. The presentation will address ways to create better communication between former spouses in order to work together to raise their children. Call Karen Jubek at 440-352-8282 to register or for additional information. Also please visit our website at:
http://www.dioceseofcleveland.org/mfm/divorce.htm for additional Divorce Recovery Groups and Ongoing Support Groups.

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 be held on October 10,11 & 12 at the St. Joseph Christian Life Center in Cleveland, Ohio. Call Joyce at 440-546-9192 or Irene at 330-706-1512 for the information on this weekend of hope and healing. Or reach us on the web at:
www.beginningexperience.org. Registration deadline date is September 30, 2003.

THE FEST - takes place on Sunday, August 10, 2003 at the Center for Pastoral Leadership in Wickliffe from 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. The Fest promises to bring together thousands of teens, college students, young adults and families! The day will be filled with music, witness, activities, fun, games, food and friends. There will be opportunities for the Sacrament of Reconciliation along with Eucharistic Adoration. Throughout the day, you will see, hear, and meet Saints: yesterday, today and forever. They will be on the 'saints walk' and in the activities that fill <The FEST>. For more information please contact Georgia McCoy in the CYO office, 216-696-6525 x 1150 or Father Bob Stec in <The FEST> office, 440-943-7662, e-mail: fest@churchvocations.com.

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