Week of August 24th

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Dear Parishioner,

As you may recall from your days in Catholic school or in religious education, one of the Corporeal Works of Mercy is to visit the imprisoned. Our Jail Ministry has been doing this on our behalf for several years now by providing a Communion Service for inmates at the Lake County Jail one Sunday night a month. Since this ministry is an extension of our Eucharistic celebration, it is appropriate occasionally to call the jail ministers forth after Communion at our weekend liturgies for a blessing and dismissal. This will happen for the first time at the 11:00 a.m. liturgy on Sunday, September 7th. This action will remind us that not all people are free or able to participate in the Mass. Yet they still share a common faith and a common Baptism with us, and are indeed members of the Body of Christ.

On behalf of all of you I would like to thank the jail ministers for their faithfulness to the imprisoned. Let us pray for all who are imprisoned, physically, emotionally or spiritually that the Spirit of Christ might bring liberation.

Fr. George Smiga

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

SOCIAL CONCERNS/ST. AUGUSTINE - On August 31st 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 August 30th and August 31st, 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 July we collected $772.00. Our expenses for July were:

We thank you for your support.

NEWS FROM ST. NOEL'S JAIL MINISTRY - Today we profile an inmate who recently attended a Sunday Service at the Lake County Jail. Some are being housed for assaults and other crimes against people, but a large percentage of inmates have a drug or alcohol addiction. Their addiction may have led to their violent behavior, or to other illegal activities.

Mark (not his real name) was addicted to drugs, has been in and out of the legal system and came to Lake County Jail after turning himself into police in Cuyahoga County. There was a warrant for his arrest issued in Lake County, probably for a parole violation for some previous conviction. Because of his drug problem, he left his family (more than likely they had enough and told him to leave). Essentially homeless, and with only the shabby clothes that he was wearing at the time he surrendered himself to authorities, he said he reached bottom and wanted to turn his life around. He knew that drugs were not available in Lake County Jail so he turned himself in. By the time this appears in the bulletin, Mark will have served his time and will have been released from jail. A week before he left, he asked jail volunteers for a shirt, a pair of pants, a belt and a pair of shoes so that he could at least make a favorable impression when he applies for employment and entry into a drug free support group.

Our Sunday evening service provides a limited amount of support for those in jail. But often their families are forgotten and face difficult circumstances. In the Fall the Jail Ministry will begin discussing ways we might provide some support to families of the incarcerated.

CURIOUS ABOUT CATHOLICISM? - If so, please join our RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) inquiry group this Thursday evening, August 28th, 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 Hinkel at 440-946-0887.

ST NOEL FELLOWSHIP - Activities for the month of August are as follows - August 28th - Reverse Raffle, 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.

WOMEN'S BIBLE STUDY AND FELLOWSHIP - We will begin our Fall session on Tuesday, September 9th at 9:30-11:00 a.m. All women are welcome to join our group for both Bible study and caring fellowship. Our current group consists of new moms and grandmoms! We will be studying the book, God Came Near, by Max Lucado. We hope to welcome new women this Fall! Childcare is provided at no charge in the nursery. Please contact Anthony Camino (440-946-1128 x 20) for more information.

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 (Sept.-May) from 8:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. It is a morning filled with Fellowship, Faith sharing, Fun and Food. Why not start the month out right? Join us on September 6th to be refreshed and renewed in body, mind and spirit.

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.
Children who are older than second grade and have received First Communion but have not yet been Confirmed, please watch in late summer or early fall for information regarding the Sacrament of Confirmation.

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 if you can help.

SUNDAY PRESCHOOL REGISTRATION - will be held in the parish hall on Sundays, September 7, 14, and 28 after the 9:00 Mass.

PSR FAMILIES - mark your calendars! Open House is Monday, September 8th from 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. Opening session is Monday, September 15th from 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. for ALL students. Regular 4:30/6:30 p.m. classes begin on Monday, September 22nd. Did you reregister? Classes are filling quickly. Call Michele at 440-946-1128 x 37.

TASTE AND SEE - the goodness of the Lord! Prayerfully consider sharing your faith as a teacher or aide in our PSR program (grades 1-6 and special education). Classes are held on Mondays at 4:30 and 6:30 beginning in September. No teaching degree is necessary - just a love of children and a desire to share your faith. Please call Michele (440-946-1128 ext. 37) to seize this opportunity!

PRIME TIME - IT IS TIME!! Our new year kicks off Sunday September 7th at 7:30 p.m. at the Church. If you're in 9th-12th grade, PRIME TIME is for you. Check it out on the 7th!

JUNIOR HIGH YOUTH GROUP - Our first session is September 23rd. Pick up a registration form in the kiosk. The group is open to all students entering 7th-8th grade.

CLAMBAKE - The annual Prime Time Clambake is Sunday, September 21st from 12:30-3:00 pm. Tickets go on sale the weekend of September 7th.

PREPARATION FOR CONFIRMATION FOR ADULTS - A series of six sessions will be held for adults (eighteen years or older) who wish to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation this year. These sessions are sponsored by the parishes of the Lake/Geauga District of the Diocese of Cleveland and will be held at St. Gabriel Church in Concord. These sessions are held on Monday evenings, 7:30-9:00 p.m., September 22nd through October 27th. If you are interested please call Anthony at 440-946-1128 x 20.

SERVICE OPPORTUNITY FOR THOSE IN THEIR 20S AND 30S MARRIED AND SINGLE - On Saturday, September 13th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. help to serve a meal at St. Augustine Hunger Center. To register, please call Laura Whitkofski 216-228-9516 (Home) or e-mail to whitkofski@msn.com or ekelly@dioceseofcleveland.org. This event is sponsored by the Youth & Young Adult Ministry and CYO Office of the Diocese of Cleveland.

CATHOLIC UPDATE - entitled Catholic Schools: 6 Secrets of Success, by Kathryn Ann Connelly, S.C., is now available in the kiosk.

COME SEE AND HEAR - The St. Augustine Signing Choir in The Great Performance on September 14th at 3:30 p.m. at St. Augustine Church. Admission is free, however any donations received will be used to refurbish the stained glass windows at St. Augustine Church. Fun for the whole family. Spend an afternoon listening and watching the many sights and sounds of this entertaining troupe in its 25th year of providing smiles, tears, prayers and chuckles.

DIVORCE RECOVERY FOR CATHOLICS - An 8-week support group for divorced/separated Catholics will be held at Holy Angels Church, Chagrin Falls, beginning Wednesday, September 10th through October 29th, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Sessions are designed to provide direction and faith-based support along with tools for coping. For more information or to register, please call Catholic Charities at 440-352-6191 or 1-800-242-9755.

HELP FOR TROUBLED MARRIAGES - Retrouvaille has helped thousands of couples at every stage of disillusionment, even those thinking of separation or divorce. Don't wait until it gets that bad! Call now for a brochure and information about our September 5th-7th, 2003 weekend at the Clarion Hotel in Wickliffe, Ohio. Call Al and Diane Miskinis at 216-481-1467 or 1-800-470-2230. You can also learn more about Retrouvaille on the internet at: www.retrouvaille.org.

FORBES HOUSE - Lake County's shelter for battered women and their children, is looking for volunteers for their September training class. Domestic violence is a crime that affects one-fourth of all families nationwide. By volunteering, you can become part of the healing process for the victims of domestic violence. Volunteers provide support and information to women, help families explore their alternatives, facilitate house activities, and help with clerical needs and general organization of shelter facility. Additional training for advocacy is also provided. The training will be held on Saturday, September 13th and Saturday, September 20th. Hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with an hour break for lunch. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer and can attend both days of training, please call 440-357-1018 or 440-953-9779.

ENTERTAINMENT 2004 BOOKS: are available the week of August 25th in the Church office. Cost of the book is $25.00 until November 1st, after that date cost will be $30. All proceeds benefit Mentally handicapped children.

SEEDS OF LITERACY - WE NEED YOUR HELP! Tutor adults in basic reading and math; help adults obtain a GED. Seeds of Literacy training sessions will be held 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, September 15th, 22nd, and 29th at the St. Colman Learning Center, 2007 West 65th St. Cleveland. For more information contact Seeds of Literacy (216-651-4302).

CATHOLIC NETWORK OF VOLUNTEER SERVICE (CNVS) - has just released RESPONSE 2004, a directory of full-time, faith based volunteer opportunities. RESPONSE is a comprehensive listing of more than 200 member programs that offer more than 9,000 full-time volunteer placements serving the poor and the needy worldwide. Volunteers generally serve full-time (40 hrs/wk) anywhere from one month to one year or more. Contact us today for a free copy of RESPONSE 2004 or to learn more about CNVS. Phone (1-800-543-5046 or 301-270-0900; e-mail: volunteer@cnvs.org; Website: www.cnvs.org. Access the directory on line!

JOHN CARROLL UNIVERSITY - INSTITUTE OF HUMANITIES MASTER OF ARTS PROGRAM - will be sponsoring the upcoming Fall courses: Tensions of a Christian Culture, The spiritual and ethical ... the lures of evil offering courses in: God & Radical Evil in the Modern World; Spiritual Theology as Narrative; Liberation Ethics; and Origins of Western Mysticism/The Dessert Fathers; and Graduate Studies in Irish History & Culture offering courses in: Medieval & Renaissance Humanism; Ireland in the Tudor Age; and Independence Movements Ireland, India, Kenya. For more information please call 216-397-4780.

GAY & LESBIAN OUTREACH GROUP - Gesu Parish in University Heights is the eastside parish that provides an Outreach Group Program of support, affirmation and spiritual guidance to gay and lesbian Catholics. This group operates in a faith sharing format of prayer, discussion and spiritual reflection. If you are interested in attending this group, please call the group facilitator, Rev. Lorn Snow, S.J. (216-932-0617) for meeting dates and times.

"SHOUT" BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND - If you were busy back in May, or you were here, you are in luck! Please bring a friend and enjoy the sounds of Mo-Town and The Legends of Soul Show. They will perform at St. Noel Parish Hall on Saturday, September 13th from 7 to Midnight. Assorted veggies, cheeses, gourmet pizzas, and other light snacks will be served, along with a sundae bar. A cash bar will be available. Tickets are $20 per person. Please call 440-946-6635 for reservations.

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