Week of March 7, 2010

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Dear Parishioner,

I would like to bring you up to date regarding the immigration petition for Aga Bieniek. Aga is a Polish citizen and, as I announced a few weeks ago, she must obtain a new worker’s VISA in order to serve as our Music Director.

After weeks of working with our lawyers, we have submitted this week a petition for a religious worker VISA. Because the work of a Music Director is so intimately connected to our public worship, the position of Music Director qualifies as a religious position within the immigration law. What needs to be substantiated is that Aga is qualified to be a Music Director and that St. Noel is a bonafide religious institution. As you can imagine, we are confident that we can meet both of these requirements. 

We have elected to employ a premium processing option for the VISA. This means that we should have a decision by the Immigration Services within 15 days. Therefore, we should know whether the VISA has been granted by the end of this month. Both our lawyers and I are confident that our case is strong and we expect a positive response.  

Nevertheless, there are no guarantees in the petition process. Therefore, I ask for your prayers and your continued support. It would be a wonderful Easter present to have the way cleared for Aga to continue as our Music Director.

PLEASE NOTE: Mass With Anointing of the Sick will be on Wednesday, March 17th.

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME REMINDER - Please remember to turn your clocks AHEAD one hour before going to bed on Saturday night, March 13th.

CONGRATULATIONS AND GOD’S BLESSING  to Daniel and Deena Nicely on the birth of their daughter, Mia Rose.

REMINDER – There will be no 6:45 p.m. Liturgy on Wednesday, March 10th. Plan to attend the GIFT Program that evening.

WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY & FELLOWSHIP will resume on Wednesday, March 17th at 9:30 a.m. in the Visitation Room.

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 Kristen Gerber (440-773-2681) or Sue Ramming at (440-579-5095, leave message) 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).  On Friday, March 12th, intergenerational families will lead the stations.

2010 LENTEN SPEAKER - LOOKING FOR A GRACE-FILLED LENT?  Come hear Sr. Mary McCormick (a member of St. Mary Seminary’s faculty) explain how God’s grace is a gift rather than something to be earned. Key to our lives (and especially important to remember during this sacred season) is our response to the gift that God gives us. Remember, you’re on the guest list to God’s free invitation to grace. Sr. Mary will be the presenter at our GIFT sessions on Sunday, March 7 (12:30-3:00 p.m.) or Wednesday, March 10 (6:00-8:30 p.m.). Please register by completing a form and dropping it in the box in the narthex or call the parish office 440-946-1128 x18. You can also register on line at stnoel.org. Please accept this invitation!

EVENING OFFICE VOLUNTEER: We are in need of an evening office volunteer for Wednesday evenings from 6:30-8:30 p.m. If you are interested, please call Carole Lester at the parish office (440-946-0887) for further details.

GREAT THANKS – to all who supported the Pancake Breakfast/Mardi Gras Carnival. A total of $814.31 was raised for the Cluster Youth Ministry Program of Divine Word/St. Noel. The carnival netted $326.01, which the Middle School Youth Group will send to Catholic Relief Services to assist those suffering from earthquake disasters. Thank you for your generosity!!

MIDDLE SCHOOL YOUTH GROUP – On Tuesday, March 16th, plan to attend the Communal Penance Service at St. Noel OR Divine Word. Watch for a detailed email.

PRIME TIME NEWS – All high school teens are invited to join us, and teens from another youth group, on a March Retreat. The weekend of March 12-14th  we will get away to a mountain lodge in PA for an awesome weekend. We will learn to Survive the pressures of today’s society, while we make new friends and improve our faith life. Contact Dotty and Tim Smitley at 256-1224 or the church office (440-256-1412).

LENTEN PASSION PLAY Prime Time would like to invite all parishioners from St. Noel and Divine Word to our Passion Play on Palm Sunday, March 28th at 6:30 p.m. at Divine Word. The play is a special production of “Reflections of St. Peter on the Love of Jesus” based on excerpts from the play “Compassion.” Join us for refreshments in Hanson Hall, following the performance. What a special way to prepare for Holy Week!

THANK YOU to our middle school youth and the Brownie Troop from All Saints School who participated in the thrift store fashion show at “Simple Living for Generous Giving!”  You helped to show the adults who were present a way to be better stewards of God’s gifts to us!   

POST CARD CAMPAIGN for immigration reform is underway from the United States Bishops. Post cards and information (green sheets) about immigration reform can be found on the table in the narthex. Please return your post cards to the box provided. More details are can be found in Fr. George’s letter from last week which is available on our website, www.stnoel.org.

FRESH-PICKED VEGGIES AND FRUIT! COMING SOON!  St. Noel is entering into a relationship with Geauga Family Farms. These ten 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!

"FRESH" - A MOVIE:  "Fresh" will be shown at the Lake Farmpark on Friday, March 12th at 7 p.m. The movie will be followed by a panel discussion and one of the farmers from Geauga Family Farms will be on the panel. "Fresh" celebrates the farmers, thinkers and business people across America who are re-inventing our food system. Each has witnessed the rapid transformation of our agriculture into an industrial model, and confronted the consequences: food contamination, environmental pollution, depletion of natural resources, and morbid obesity. Forging healthier, sustainable alternatives, they offer a practical vision for a better future for ourselves, our food and our planet.

USED JEWELRY NEED: Do you have costume jewelry that you are tired of and don’t wear any longer?    Hunt up your old jewelry to be re-sold before and after the weekend liturgies on April 24th and 25th. Our “jewelry assessors” will price your donations very reasonably and proceeds will benefit our diocesan mission in Chiltuipan, El Salvador. A box to place your used jewelry in can be found in the narthex. Remember, one person’s trash is another person’s treasure!   

ITEMS FOR WREN – For his Eagle Scout project our parishioner Matt Jarkewicz is collecting shampoo, tooth paste, deodorant and lotion for the Women’s Re-Entry Network during Lent. This organization assists women in their transition from incarceration to home, family and job. The box for your donations 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.

CATHOLIC UPDATE is available in the kiosk. It discusses the issues surrounding “Evolution and the Catholic Church”.

ST. NOEL FELLOWSHIP – All meetings are held on Thursdays at 12:00 noon in the St. Noel Banquet Center Small Hall. Activities are: March 11, reverse raffle; March 18, 12 noon, socializing, meeting then at 12:30 we will have a luncheon of cavatelli w/meat balls and sausage, garlic bread, salad, and spumoni for dessert. Please call the parish office (440-946-0887) for ticket information. The cost for the luncheon is $6. The deadline for tickets & payment is March 15. On March 25, we’ll celebrate birthdays and anniversaries. Please remember to bring something for the Food Pantry.

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).

ALWAYS OUR CHILDREN – The parents support group for families and friends of gay and lesbian Catholics welcomes you to join us at our next meeting, Sunday, March 14th, 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.

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 contact 440-256-1412 for more information and tickets.

WILLOUGHBY HILLS PANCAKE BREAKFASTS will be held on Sunday, March 7, March 14th and March 21st from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Willoughby Hills Community Center. Please call (440-918-8730) for tickets and information.

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