Week of March 6, 2005

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Dear Parishioner,

The preparation to celebrate our 25 th Anniversary as a parish is moving forward. The parish picture directory in which so many of you participated will become available shortly after Easter.

We are also beginning to work on a Parish History Book and a parish-wide celebration this summer. Much has happened to St. Noel over the last 25 years. We are fortunate to have founding members of our parish still a part of our community. This is a unique opportunity to collect memories and pictures of our parish life for future generations. To accomplish this we would like to call together a group of parishioners who will help us gather stories from our past, locate historical pictures and contribute to writing and editing the story of St. Noel. We have contacted Anniversary Publications which has organized historical, commemorative books for many parishes of our diocese, to assist us in this project. This means that a free copy of the Anniversary Book will be available for each household in our parish. However, no adequate history of St. Noel can be written without the involvement of our own parishioners. On Tuesday, March 15 th at 7:00 p.m. in the Resurrection Room we are holding an initial meeting for those who would like to work on this history book. All are welcome. We need people who were here from day one and those who just joined St. Noel in the past year. It would help us to know if you plan to come (please call the office at 440-946-0887) yet you are also welcome to show up at the last minute. Please consider helping on this important project.

A committee has already been meeting and discussing a parish-wide celebration. We plan to celebrate our 25 th Anniversary on Sunday, August 21 st which is the 22 nd anniversary of the first Mass in our church. Please mark your calendars for there are some very special events planned for the afternoon and evening on that day.

If you have any ideas or material which you feel could help in the celebration of our 25 th Anniversary. Please call the parish office. I am thankful for serving as your pastor for the last fourteen years and look forward to our celebrating this important anniversary together.

Fr. George Smiga

HEALING LITURGY – Many of us recently heard the local TV media encouraging Catholics to participate in healing services held throughout the diocese. Please join us here this Wednesday evening at our 6:45 p.m. liturgy for Eucharist and the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. You need not carry heavy burdens or suffer alone. Our community is here to support you and pray for you. After Mass, prayer teams are available to pray with you.

SIGNED LITURGY- This Sunday, March 6th, April Kinder will be joining us to sign the 11:00 a.m. Mass for the hearing impaired. Reserved seating can be found in the first two rows of chairs by the Eucharist Chapel.

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 Thursdays April 7 th through May 12 th ; and 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.

BAPTISM DAY will be held on Sunday, March 13, 2005 from 12:15 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Parents who are planning to present a child for Baptism in the next six months, or who already have done so and have not previously attended such a day, are expected to attend. Please call the parish office at 440-946-0887 for more information or to register.

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).

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 if you can help. Also, Randy needs volunteers who can help set up fish fries on Fridays at 1:00 p.m. If you can help please call the hall office (440-946-6635) and let them know.

UNIVERSE BULLETIN subscription forms can be found in the kiosk.

THE CATHOLIC UPDATE entitled “We Believe in the Resurrection,” by Thomas H. Groome, is now available in the kiosk.

IS THIS YOU?   Are you a baptized person formed in the ways of Christian living but not a Catholic? Have you been worshipping with us on a regular basis for a while now? Do you ever think about formalizing your relationship to the Catholic Church, but think the RCIA is too long and too involved for your needs? Would you like to be participating in the sacraments of the Church? If you have answered “yes” to all of the above why not join us for a six week modified form of the RCIA which will begin on Tuesday evening April 12 th . We will meet in the Resurrection Room from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. At the conclusion of the six weeks, those who have discerned that God is inviting them to formalize their relationship with the Catholic community will be received into the Church at the 11:00 a.m. Mass on Trinity Sunday, May 22, 2005. To register for this adapted experience of the RCIA please call Alice Hinkel at 440-946-0887.

FAIR TRADE PRODUCTS - Did you know that you are drinking a “just” cup of coffee when you join us for coffee and donuts after Mass?  It's true!  The coffee we have been serving since 2002 is called Equal Exchange and meets the criteria for fairly traded products.  This means the coffee is purchased from small farmers who are guaranteed a minimum when market prices are low and above market premiums for quality and certified organic coffee.  With world coffee prices constantly changing and marketers paying the lowest price possible to the farmers (often as little as 50 cents a pound), coffee farmers never know how much they'll get for their crops.  The fair trade system, pioneered in the early 1990's, allows farmers working through cooperatives to sell directly to buyers rather than middlemen, paying farmers a minimum price of $1.26 per pound.  Check the table in the narthex for an information sheet telling you where you can purchase Equal Exchange products which now also include tea and cocoa. 

CRISIS CONTINUES -Unfortunately the humanitarian crisis is the Darfur region of the Sudan continues.  Villages are being razed, women and girls raped and branded, men and boys murdered, and food and water supplies targeted and destroyed by the Janjaweed and other militias.  The Diocesan Social Action Office urges our immediate action by contacting our congressional representatives and senators asking them to address this crisis.  You will find a green flier in the kiosk (Social Concerns section) that lists talking points for your letters and also gives addresses for our legislative leaders.  Please continue to keep this situation and the people of Darfur in your prayers. 

THE ELIZABETH MINISTRY'S “ELIZABETH'S ROSES” - will be available in the narthex following all Masses on the weekend (March 12 th & 13 th ). Designed to identify, pray for, and support the needs of women and their families during the childbearing years, parishioners are invited to select a rosebud from the display and indicate a particular need relating to pregnancy, birth, adoption, fertility or loss. Elizabeth ministers will pray daily for the families represented, and if requested, will contact the family in order to provide continued support. Prayer cards will be available for personal meditation. For further information on the Elizabeth Ministry, visit the parish website at “Caring Ministries.”

ST. NOEL FELLOWSHIP – Activities for March are as follows: March 10 th – Reverse Raffle; March 17 th – Games of Choice; March 24 th NO MEETING – HOLY THURSDAY; March 31 st Noon - meeting, socializing, and then at 12:30 p.m. we will have a luncheon consisting of ½ chicken breast, baked potato, tossed salad, peas with mushrooms, rolls & butter, and carrot cake. Cost is $6.00 per person. Also, we will celebrate anniversaries and birthdays on March 28th. Please remember to bring your food donation for the food pantry to this meeting. Everyone is welcome to attend the Senior Fellowship on Thursdays.

JOURNEY TO JOY a support group for people experiencing depression or anxiety will meet Thursday, March 10 TH at 1:00 p.m. in the Visitation Room.

Feb 26-27

ROSARY -Join us Tuesday, March 15 th from 7-7:45 p.m. in the Chapel as we pray the Rosary. All are welcome to this quiet, reflective time in honor of Mary and her Son, Jesus.

PRIME TIME – It's GIFT this Sunday (no meeting). Patty will lead our session on the 13 th at 7:30pm. Turn in your retreat form!!

JUNIOR HIGH YOUTH GROUP – Our next meeting is this Tuesday, March 8 th at 7:00pm. Bring your bibles!

NOEL MOVERS – We are in need of baby cribs, mattress and box springs (any size), dressers as well as any furniture in good condition. We do not pick up clothes, knick knacks or items needing repair. Please call Anthony if you can help.

LECTORS NEEDED – Hey teens!! Lector training is scheduled for Saturday, March 12 th at 10:00am. We have 5 teens already; call Anthony if you are interested.

CDEM – Our next offering of the CDEM for engaged couples is Thursday, March 10 th at 7:00pm.

EASTER HAMS – Don't forget to order a delicious, spiral-sliced ham for your Easter celebrations. You can support youth ministry at St. Noel Church and enjoy a mouth-watering ham of the highest quality. You can place your order by calling Anthony at 946-1128 x20 or email at acamino@stnoel.org the price is the same as last year – only $4.75/lb.

WHITEWATER RAFTING – We're planning a rafting trip on the incredible New River in WV for late June of 2005. Call Anthony for details and keep watching for more info!!

HIGH SCHOOL RETREAT - The PRIME TIME retreat is scheduled for March 18-20 at Cedar Hills Conference Center in Painesville. “You've Got A Friend in Me” is the title of the retreat, and all 9-12 grade students are invited. You should have received a registration form in the mail. The retreat is truly a highlight of the year – don't miss it!! Registration forms are due ASAP!!

CLEVELAND FOOD BANK – We're serving at the Food Bank on Monday, March 7 th at 6:00pm. We leave the church at 5:35 or you can meet us there. Call Anthony (946-1128) if you're interested in serving.

MARILYN KANE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP – Any senior in high school who graduated from All Saints Elementary is eligible to apply for a $1000 scholarship in memory of Marilyn Kane, a long-time teacher at All Saints and member of St. Noel. Forms are available in the church office.

AFRICA RISING: Hope & Healing Week of March 6-11 - The Diocesan Council on Global Solidarity presents a week of awareness on Africa. A variety of presentations will take place throughout the diocese. For an updated schedule, consult the ETC calendar on the web at www.catholic-action.org.

YOU'RE INVITED TO AN INTERACTIVE WORKSHOP

A LIVING FAITH AT WORK INITIATIVE - Forum Conference & Education Center, 1375 E. 9 th Street (Downtown Cleveland) – Saturday, March 12, 2005 , 8:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m., Cost $10.00 (includes Continental Breakfast) Parking available at the Forum for $3.50. The yellow registration forms are in the kiosk by the Social Concerns section.

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 13 th 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 .

ATTENTION ALL GOLFERS – St. Noel Golf League will have a short meeting for new, old and substitute golfers at St. Noel Church in the Resurrection Room (which was the old church office) at 7:00 p.m., on Wednesday, April 6, 2005. The first tee time will be at 4:21 p.m. at St. Dennis Golf Course in Chardon, Ohio. The league will start on Thursday, May 5, 2005 and continue to September 8, 2005. Dues will be $50.00 for full time members and due May 5, 2005, subs will pay per play. For further information call the parish office at 440-946-0887.

WE TREASURE YOUR TRASH – The Fundraising Committee at Christ the King is requesting that you please save the following Trash to Cash items year round. These items include: Campbell, Prego, Swanson and Franco American labels, Pepperidge Farm UPC Codes, General Mills 10 cent box tops (pink or gold logo), as well as Tyson A+ 1-2-3 panels, found on Tyson frozen products. We also recycle empty inkjet, laser and toner cartridges. The money we receive from these various redemptions helps support Christ the King Church's many ministries and outreach programs to the poor in East Cleveland. If you and/or your family and friends use these products, please save these items for us. Your support would be greatly appreciated. Gold colored collection boxes have been placed in St. Noel's Coatroom for you convenience. May God bless you for helping those less fortunate!

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