Week of March 2, 2008

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Archive of Weekly Bulletins

Dear Parishioner,

We are now in the season of Lent and a number of parishioners have asked me why we are having no dismissals at our Liturgies this year for those preparing to enter the Church? Good question. Here is the reason. In the past, as in many parishes, we used the RCIA process, which is primarily intended for those seeking Baptism, as a vehicle to prepare also those who were already baptized but wishing to become Catholic. Last fall I announced that we were no longer using the RCIA for those who are already baptized. Those candidates are now prepared as they come forward and welcomed into the Church when they are ready—at any time throughout the Church year. Many baptized Christians who wish to become Catholic do not require the lengthy process which the RCIA prescribes. It is more appropriate then to accept them into our Church as soon as they sufficiently appreciate the dimensions of the Catholic Tradition. We did this last fall when Herb Wilde and Sandy Walker were welcomed as Catholics at our weekend Liturgies.

By taking this approach the RCIA process is now reserved for those who are not yet baptized. This year we did not have anyone who was not baptized express a desire to join our community. That then is why there are no dismissals this Lent –because we do not have anyone this year to be baptized at our Easter Vigil.

We do, however, have two people who are already baptized and are inquiring about becoming Catholic. We would like to open this process to anyone in our community who is not Catholic but would like to explore the possibility of becoming one. On Tuesday evening, April 1 st we will begin a short six week process for baptized Christians who are interested in entering the Catholic faith.

Our gathering will be focused on the questions the participants bring, the scriptures for the coming Sunday, and prayer. At the conclusion of this series, those who have discerned that God is inviting them to formalize their relationship with the Catholic community will be received in the Church at a weekend Liturgy. To register for this process please call Alice Hinkel at 440-946-0887.

We look forward to welcoming already baptized Christians into the Catholic Church throughout the year, and we pray that we will have the opportunity to celebrate Baptism into Christ with those the Lord sends to us at the Easter Vigil in 2009.

Fr. George Smiga

REMINDER – There will be no 6:45 p.m. Liturgy on Wednesday, March 5th. Plan to attend the GIFT Program that evening or on Sunday, March 9 th .

VOTE ON TUESDAY – Don't forget to vote this coming Tuesday, March 4, 2008.  Our bishops have reminded us that in the Catholic Tradition, responsible citizenship is a virtue, and participation in political life is a moral obligation.  For more on the relationship between faith and citizenship stop by the Social Justice section of the kiosk and pick up a copy of “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship.”  If the supply of the full document is depleted there is an 8 ½ by 11 cliff notes version. 

REMINDER - Please remember to turn your clocks AHEAD one hour beginning 12:01 a.m., Sunday, March 9 th .

REMINDER- The Communal Penance Service will be on Tuesday, March 4 th at 7:30 p.m. in the church.

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION – How about making a commitment this Lent to visit Jesus at Eucharistic Adoration on Mondays. Jesus waits for you to put aside your busy schedule and spend whatever quality time you can before the Blessed Sacrament. We all need to quiet ourselves in order to hear the promptings of Jesus. Come for an hour, a few minutes or whatever time you can spare – but COME. We have Eucharistic Adoration every Monday from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in the Chapel.

REMINDER - Please remember to return your Catholic Charities envelopes to the parish office.

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). This week the Youth Group will lead the stations.

ST. NOEL FISH FRIES – Fridays of Lent (not Good Friday), from 4:30-7:30 p.m. Volunteers are needed for serving and cleanup. 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 hall office (440-946-6635) and let them know.

EARLY CHILDHOOD PTA WELCOMING NEW MEMBERS - We are a social organization for parents of children from birth through 6 years old in Lake, Geauga and Eastern Cuyahoga counties.  Our planned activities provide children and adults with opportunities to interact with each other on weekdays and weekends throughout the year.  Please visit www.WHECPTA.org for more information.

PRIME TIME - Hope you came to DIVINE WORD!! No meeting tonight (Sunday). Come to GIFT next week.

MIDDLE SCHOOL YOUTH GROUP – Bring your parents to the Communal Penance service on Tuesday, March 4 th . We'll gather in the lower level at 7:00pm. No need to bring your bibles but keep the pennies coming. Come to GIFT.

PENNY JAR – We've filled the penny jar 4 times already!! (it's by St. Noel in the narthex) Our middle school youth group has been reflecting on how each of us can make a difference by doing little things. Please feel free to place pennies (nothing else, please!) in the jar to symbolize the difference we could make if everyone did something. Thanks for making a difference.

EASTER HAMS – PRIME TIME is again offering delicious, spiral-sliced hams for your Easter celebrations. We continue to work with Chef Randy to provide hams of the highest quality. Last year we sold 51 hams – this year we're shooting for 60! Why not support youth ministry at St. Noel Church and enjoy a mouth-watering ham? They're a great deal at $4.75/lb, and yo u can place your order by calling or emailing Anthony (946-1128 x20 acamino@stnoel.org ). Half hams are 8-10lbs and whole hams are 14-17 lbs.

BEREAVEMENT SERIES – Our Bereavement Ministry invites anyone (participants need not be parishioners) who is coping with the loss of a family member or friend to attend a series of evenings designed to support and assist people in their grieving. The series will be held in the Nativity Room, on Wednesday evenings March 26, 2008 through April 30, 2008 with one exception: The fourth week of the series will be held on Thursday evening, April 17 th same time, same place. Each evening will include some time for prayer. These sessions will begin at 7:00 p.m. and conclude at 8:30 p.m. If you would like to attend, please register by calling the parish office at 440-946-0887. Fliers are available in the kiosk.

OUR NEXT GIFT SESSION COMES QUICKLY!! We all deal with suffering. This GIFT session will help us look at the sources of our suffering and provide tools to walk with and confront suffering. Fr. George will lead adults in this discussion while parents and children find ways to alleviate suffering. Teens will find a positive approach to dealing with pain and stress in their lives. Be sure to register . . . on line, at the GIFT table in the narthex, or call 440-946-11228 x 18.

ST. NOEL MEN – PLEASE TAKE NOTE – The men's initial prayer gathering entitled “Following HIS Path,” has been RESCHEDULED for 8:00 a.m., Sunday, March 9, 2008 in the Nativity Room. The February 24 th cancellation was regretfully necessary due to logistical complications. If you signed up for February 24 th you do not have to resign. However, all others who may now be able to attend this rescheduled program please register on the sign-up sheet located on the kiosk in the narthex. Again spouses or other women interested in a journey through the lives of the saints are also most welcome and invited to attend. Listen for more information that will be forthcoming during this weekend's Masses, or call Ken Bollam, 440-639-8896 if you have any questions whatsoever.

PAYDAY LENDING LETTERS – Last Friday evening a number of people took time after enjoying the fish fry to write letters support HB333 which would put a cap on the exorbitant and unjust interest rates charged by many, if not most, payday lending institutions here in Ohio.  If you were not able to join the Social Justice Ministry in this effort at that time, please stop by the conference room in the office area after either the 9 a.m. or 11 a.m. liturgy next Sunday, March 9, 2008 to learn more and to write a letter to your state senator in Columbus. 

ST. NOEL FELLOWSHIP – Activities for March are as follows . March 6 th - Blind Auction, 50/50/Drawing – March 13 th socializing, meeting, and then at 12:30 p.m. we will have our luncheon menu: Corned Beef sandwiches on seedless rye bread w/Swiss cheese, cole slaw, and apple strudel for dessert. Please call Rosemary at 440-585-4548. Cost is $6.00 per person and deadline for tickets and payment is March 10 th . March 20 th – Holy Thursday- NO MEETING – March 27 th Bingo, 50/50 Drawing, cake and ice cream; we will celebrate birthdays and anniversaries. Also, please remember to bring your food donation for the food pantry to this meeting. Everyone is welcome to attend the Senior Fellowship on Thursdays.

EL SALVADOR TRIP – International Partners in Mission is planning an immersion experience in El Salvador for educators this coming summer from July 25 to August 3.  Check out the flier on the kiosk or contact Meagan Chuckran at mchuckran@impconnect.org or telephone 216-932-4082.

BREAD FOR THE WORLD WORKSHOP – On Saturday, March 8, 2008 Bread for the World, a national organization addressing the issues of hunger and poverty around the globe, will hold a workshop here at St. Noel from 8:45 a.m. to 1p.m. Learn ways we can help reduce poverty and hunger throughout the world by convincing Congress to fund effective poverty-focused development assistance programs.  Get the advocacy tools, the creative spark, and the knowledge you need to make a difference in ending hunger and poverty and help achieve the Millennium Development Goals! This workshop is offered free of charge. Registration begins at 8:45 am. Morning refreshments and lunch beverages will be available.  In order to attend you MUST register with Bread for the World by going to http://ga4.org/Bread/events/cleveland2008/details.tcl .

Following the Offering of Letters workshop that ends at noon, those interested in discussing ways to revitalize the Cleveland-area Bread for the World local group will stay for an additional hour to discuss next steps. If you plan to stay for that discussion, please bring a sack lunch for yourself; the church will provide drinks.

WANT TO EXPLORE THE CATHOLIC FAITH?   If you are not presently Catholic but interested in exploring the Catholic faith, a new inquiry session will begin soon. Please call Alice Hinkel at 440-946-0887 for more information.

PINK SUNDAY – On the weekend of March 7 th & 8 th the Susan G. Komen organization is sponsoring “Pink Sunday” which is an effort to educate church members of all denominations about breast health and breast cancer.  Please visit the table in the narthex after Mass on March 7 th or 8 th to pick up your information and to talk with some breast cancer survivors from our parish. 

“MARCH FOR MEALS” ON SATURDAY, MARCH 8 TO BENEFIT NUTRITION PROGRAMS FOR THE ELDERLY- Help us provide nutritious meals for elderly adults in Lake County! Join us for the Council on Aging Foundation's Third Annual “March for Meals” on Saturday, March 8 from 8-10:00 a.m. inside Great Lakes

Mall in Mentor. This indoor walk will raise funds for home delivered meals (Meals on Wheels) and congregate meals for older adults in our community. Cost is $10 per person, $5 for children under 12. Registration includes refreshments, giveaways, entertainment and more! Call 440-205-8111 ext 247 for details.

WATER FOR LIFE is an initiative of the Cleveland Diocese Council on Global Solidarity and the Diocesan Social Action office in collaboration with a number of parishes and the Apostles of Jesus and the Tanzania Hai Kilimanjaro Water District Office to provide clean and safe water to the people of Tanzania. Join us in the small hall on Tuesday evening, March 11, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. to learn more!

CARING FOR CREATION – We're “recycling” our January program which was cancelled because of bad weather!  And so we invite you to join us on Sunday, March 2, 2008 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. for Resolved:  Reduce, Reuse, Recycle !  Plan on sharing a potluck supper and your ideas, as we discuss some fresh perspectives on a tried and true approach in caring for God's gift to us of the planet Earth!  Please sign up on the kiosk.

CATHOLIC UPDATE – entitled “Why Catholics Celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday,” by Rev. Alfred McBride, O.Praem, is available in the kiosk.

ST. JUDE FRATERNITY OF THE SECULAR FRANCISCANS will host a Lenten Day of Recollection on Sunday, March 9 th from 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Activity Center on Mayfield Road in Gates Mills. Fr. Walter Dolen, OFM, past President of Padua High School and former missionary to the Athabascan Indians in Ruby, Alaska will talk on “Praying with St. Francis of Assisi – In the Moment with God.” There will be time for reflection and prayer, ending with Liturgy at 2:00. Coffee and donuts will be served. There is no cost - Bring a brown bag lunch. Questions and sign up, call Joan Gallagher, 440-442-1426 or Billie Kamis, 440-423-0691.

ALWAYS OUR CHILDREN- The parent support group for families and friends of gay and lesbian Catholics welcomes you to join us at our next meeting, Sunday, March 9th from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. in the library of the Administration Center at St. John Vianney Church on Bellflower Road in Mentor, Ohio .

ANGER: Make it Work for you, Not Against you” – Anger, which happens for all of us, can be especially difficult during the separation and divorce process. It can be so intense at times, or so frequent that it feels like it takes over! Join Kathy Whan-Marko, PhD, for this presentation as she explores ways to use your anger to promote self healing and empowerment, rather than have it be a destructive emotion that destroys your peace of mind. We will be meeting on Tuesday, March 11 th at Divine Word Church, 8100 Eagle Road, Kirtland, from 7-9:00 p.m. To register or for more information, kindly call Karen at 440-352-8282.

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