Week of February 21, 2010

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Dear Parishioner,

The Statue of Liberty stands in New York Harbor. It is a prominent symbol of the United States. It is also a symbol of immigration. The inscription on the Statue of Liberty reads,

“Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free…

Send these homeless, tempest-tossed to me. I lift my lamp beside the golden door.”

Despite this icon of welcome, the present U.S. Immigration policy is complex and burdensome to those who wish to immigrate to our country. It is in need of reform. The topic of comprehensive immigration reform generates a great deal of heated discussion on talk radio shows and cable television political commentaries. This discussion involves complex political, economic, social, and legal issues, as well as implications for our international relationships. Yet the Church’s social teaching on welcoming the stranger is clear.

Pope Benedict XVI, in his most recent encyclical entitled, Caritas in Veritate (Charity in Truth), affirms the significant contribution of migrants to the economic development of both the host country and their countries of origin. "Obviously, these laborers cannot be considered as a commodity or a mere workforce. They must not, therefore, be treated like any other factor of production. Every migrant is a human person who, as such, possesses fundamental, inalienable rights that must be respected by everyone and in every circumstance.” [No. 62]

The Catholic Bishops of the United States endorsed the use of a postcard campaign designed to notify our Congressional Representatives in the House and the Senate of the Catholic community’s support for comprehensive immigration reform.

The key reform issues are to adopt a legislative program which seeks to keep immigrant families together, adopts smart and humane enforcement policies and ensures that immigrants without legal status register with the government and begin a path towards citizenship.

I encourage you to educate yourselves on this topic by picking up “Hot Button Issues on the Immigration Debate” which is on green paper on the table in the narthex. I also ask that in this season of Lent you notify your Congressional Representatives of your support for immigration reform by filling out the postcards also located on the table in the narthex. Place the cards in the box on the table. The cards will be collected throughout the country and hand delivered to Congress on March 22.

Immigration is not simply a political issue. It is connected to a deep moral truth. As Pope Benedict has recently stated, “Conformed to Christ, every man and woman may be regarded as brothers and sisters, children of the same Father.” Our national immigration policy should reflect the dignity and connection we all share.

                                                        Fr. George Smiga

TRAVEL TO ITALY WITH FR. GEORGE & JOE CISTONE - International Partners in Mission (IPM), through whom St. Noel has collaborated in supporting our El Salvador Partnership, is announcing a trip to Italy this spring (May 17-28). The title of the trip is: “Southern Italy, A Road Less Traveled: History, Caravaggio, and Social Justice.” The trip will be co-led by Mr. Joseph Cistone, the executive director of IPM, and Fr. George Smiga, pastor of St. Noel. The trip will visit Rome, Naples, Sicily, and the island of Malta. It will visit several unique ancient sites of Greek and Roman heritage, view several masterpieces by Caravaggio who painted extensively in Southern Italy, and interact with IPM partners who are working for social justice. Further details can be found on the flyers in the kiosk.

BAPTISM DAY – will be held on Sunday, March 14th from 12:15 – 3:30 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 (440-946-0887).

STATIONS OF THE CROSS – Pray the Stations of the Cross each Friday of Lent at 7:30 p.m. in the church (after the fish fry).  On Friday, February 19th, stations will be led by the Social Justice Ministry.

LENTEN DAYTIME RETREAT – On   Wednesday, March 3rd from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. we will have our parish retreat facilitated by parishioners. The topic is “Confronting Our Demons:Shedding New Light on Old Lenten Practices.” Sign up on Kiosk or call the parish office (440-946-0887). Suggested donation for expenses, including lunch is $6.00. 

SUNDAY RETREAT - Join us for “Transform Yourself in Lent – Be Reborn by Easter” on Sunday, February 28, from 12:30 to 3:00 p.m. Led by Marianne Slattery, we will be challenged to transform our lives in Lent by making a 21-day commitment to change the habit of complaining, gossiping, or criticizing. A $6.00 donation is recommended to defray expenses (including lunch). Sign up on the kiosk or call the parish office (440-946-0887).

MIDDLE SCHOOL YOUTH GROUP meets next on Tuesday, March 2nd from 7:00-8:30 p.m. in the St. Noel Banquet Center Large Hall.

PRIME TIME NEWS – There will be a rehearsal for our Lenten Passion Play Sunday, February 21st, 12:30 p.m. All teens interested in a part, please join us after the 11:00 a.m. Mass for a light lunch at Divine Word.          

Parents and teens join us for a potluck supper in Hanson Hall at 6:00 p.m., Sunday, February 21st at Divine Word. Bob Grgic will be our guest facilitator as we learn how to communicate in fun and creative ways.

All high school teens are invited to join us on a Spring Retreat. March 12th-14th we will travel to the mountains of Pennsylvania for a weekend to escape from our busy lives. We will learn to “Survive” by strengthening our leadership skills and our faith life. Please contact Dotty or Tim Smitley (440-256-1224).

SOCIAL JUSTICE/ST. AUGUSTINE- On February 28th, 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 February 28th, we will be collecting for our Social Justice fund which supports many outreach efforts. 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, February 27th. Please put the cookies in the Nativity Room on the counter and mark them St. Augustine.

SOCIAL JUSTICE FUND – In January we collected $2,383.44. Our expenses for January were:

We thank you for your support.

CHRISTIANS AND ISLAM a Lenten Journey Towards Understanding - This is the last weekend to sign-up for this 4 week course happening the first four Mondays in March. Sign-up on the kiosk or email Alice at ahinkel@stnoel.org.  

SIMPLE LIVING FOR GENEROUS GIVING -  If you signed up for this event we will see you at 6:30 p.m. this Wednesday in the small hall!

“CONSTANTINE’S SWORD” – See you in the Resurrection Room at 12:15 p.m. on Sunday, February 21 for the viewing of this movie. 

FRESH-PICKED VEGGIES AND FRUIT! COMING SOON!  St. Noel is entering into a relationship with Geauga Family Farms. These 10 farmers have formed a CSA – Community Supported Agriculture. Beginning this Spring, fresh, organic produce will be delivered to St. Noel on Saturday afternoons for pick-up. From tender greens to sweet corn, to strawberries, peaches and tomatoes, a wide variety of fruits and vegetables will be available to subscribers for 20 weeks. Look and listen for more information and the chance to sign up in the middle of March. Scripture and our Catholic tradition remind us of the importance of caring for all of God’s creation.  By using our purchasing power in this way we support local farmers, lessen the environmental impact of fossil fuels used in transporting produce and chemical pesticides, and eat foods more healthy for our bodies.  Come to the table of plenty!

AN EVENING OF MAGIC AND A DINNER BUFFET will take place in the St. Noel Banquet Center on Saturday, February 27th at 6:30 p.m. Magician Rick Smith Jr. will be performing. Rick is in the Guinness Book of World Records for throwing a playing card 216’ 4”. He has also appeared on “The Ellen Degeneras Show,” “The Wayne Brady Show,” and “Ripleys Believe It or Not Show” to name a few. This show can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Please call the Banquet Center (440-946-6635) for reservations and more details.

BLOOD DRIVE – The Red Cross Blood Drive will take place in the Banquet Center this weekend, Sunday, February 21 from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Please consider giving the gift of life. Those attending will need to bring a Photo ID or Donor Card. Sign-up sheets can be found on the table in the narthex. Thank you!

ST. NOEL FISH FRIES – Fridays of Lent (not Good Friday), from 4:30-7:30 p.m. The cost is $11 per person and $5 for children from 6-12). Volunteers are needed for serving and cleanup beginning at 4 p.m. Sign-up sheets are on the kiosk. You will not receive a phone call – just come at the time you have signed up. Also, Randy needs volunteers who can help set up fish fries on Fridays at 12:30 p.m. If you can help, please call the Banquet Center office (440-946-6635) and let them know.

Something to think about from the St. Noel Endowment Board…  If you have included St. Noel in your estate plan or would like to know how, please contact the office and leave a message for the Endowment. One of our trustees will confidentially contact you.  We are making progress toward our goal of "50 Wills for the Future of St. Noel", but we need to know of YOUR plan.

ST. NOEL FELLOWSHIP – All meetings are held on Thursdays at 12:00 noon in the St. Noel Banquet Center Small Hall. Activities are: On February 25th we’ll have a reverse raffle, birthdays & anniversaries. Please bring something for the Food Pantry. Everyone is welcome!

OPERATION RICE BOWL: Thomas Awaipo, program officer for Catholic Relief Services (CRS) in Ghana, Africa, will share his firsthand experience of life in the developing world and this impact of funding from CRS Operation Rice Bowl on Monday, February 22, 7 p.m., LSC Conference Room, John Carroll University. For more information, please call 216-397-4777.

DIVORCE RECOVERY FOR CATHOLICS is a 12-week support group program designed to meet the needs of those who are divorced or separated. The series will begin on Thursday, March 11th at St. Gabriel Church. Please contact Catholic Charities for more information (440-352-6191 or 1-800-242-9755).

LAKE COUNTY JOB SEEKERS – Looking for employment? See the Social Justice section of the kiosk for information on the Lake County Job Seekers – additional fliers are in the pocket below the posting.

DIVINE WORD ST. PAT BENEFIT DINNER:  Divine Word will hold a traditional St. Patrick’s Day Corned Beef Dinner on Saturday, March 13th at 6:00 p.m. in Hanson Hall for the benefit of Joseph House, a Community of Welcome. Please call 440-256-1412 for more information and tickets.

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