Week of March 9, 2008

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Archive of Weekly Bulletins

Dear Parishioner,

Easter is only two weeks away. How many of us have thought over the last month, “Wow, Easter is very early this year.” True, but few of us realize how really early it is. Easter takes place every year on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the spring equinox (which is March 20 th ). This year Easter is March 23 rd . How early is that? The last time Easter was March 23 rd was in 1913. Therefore, unless you are over 95 years old you have never experienced Easter this early before. And none of us will ever experience it this early again. That is because the next time it will fall on March 23 rd will be in 2228 (220 years from now). Therefore, none of us alive will ever experience Easter earlier than this year.

But you ask, “Why does the date of Easter vary in the first place?” This question leads us back to a debate in the early Church. The first disciples knew that Jesus was crucified just before the Jewish Passover and rose from the dead after three days. Early Jewish Christians around Palestine began to celebrate Easter immediately after Passover. Thus in the Eastern Church Easter could fall on any day of the week. Gentile Christians knowing that Jesus rose on the day after the Jewish Sabbath began to celebrate Easter on the first Sunday after Passover. Thus in the Western Church Easter was always on a Sunday, but from year to year it fell on different dates. Confusion reigned with Christians celebrating their most important feast on a variety of dates each year.

The Emperor Constantine was determined to put an end to this confusion. Therefore in the year 325 he charged the Council of Nicea (the same council which composed the Nicene Creed which we recite on Sunday) to arrive at a uniform date for Easter. The council arrived at our present formula. It was a compromise it accepted the Sunday observance of the Western Churches, but still tied the date to the principles of the Jewish calendar which were followed in the east and organized time according to the cycle of the moon.

Thus behind the varying date of Easter lies a significant spiritual and historical connection to Judaism. The multiple dates of Easter should remind us that Jesus was a Jew who celebrated Passover and who based His teaching of a loving and saving God upon the faith of Israel. It was this same God of Israel who raised Jesus from the dead on Easter morning (on whenever the particular date of that event occurred).

Fr. George Smiga

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS, LECTORS, AND SACRISTANS , please sign up on the bulletin board by the kitchenette if you are able to help with Holy Thursday or Easter Sunday liturgies.

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.

UNIVERSE BULLETIN – Subscription envelopes are in the kiosk.

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 Stephen Ministry 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.

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 with 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 modified and shorter form of the RCIA beginning in April.  To learn more please contact Alice Hinkel at 440-946-0887 or at ahinkel@stnoel.org .  

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 - No meeting tonight – it's GIFT!!

PENNY JAR – We've filled the penny jar 5 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 – This is the final week!! PRIME TIME is again offering delicious, spiral-sliced hams for your Easter celebrations. These hams are fully-cooked and vacuum packed for freshness. They'll be perfect for your family celebration. You can support youth ministry at St. Noel Church and enjoy a mouth-watering ham at the same time!! 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. Get your order in by Wednesday.

MIDDLE SCHOOL YOUTH GROUP – Our next meeting is Tuesday, March 18 th at 7:00pm in the lower level. Keep Friday night March 28 th open for our first Movie Night!! Bring your pennies.

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.

THE ELIZABETH MINISTRY'S “ELIZABETH'S FLOWERS” - will be available in the narthex following all Masses this weekend March 8/9, 2008. Designed to identify, pray for, and support the needs of women and their families during the childbearing years, parishioners are invited to select a flower 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 www.stnoel.org, and click on “Caring Ministries.”

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.

MUJER Y COMUNIDAD – Check out the Social Justice section of the kiosk for our latest letter and pictures from our partners in El Salvador!  A robbery of $700 worth of materials and products occurred in early February but in spite of this set back there are many encouraging signs for Mujer y Comunidad. Recently they have begun taking their products to a Saturday market in San Salvador and their dance troop has been performing at cultural events.  With the help of a retired CEO from the Gap they are working on quality control, marketing and increasing their productivity.  Mujer y Comunidad is becoming better known and several months ago was invited to participate in a fair trade event at the United States Embassy in San Salvador.    The women are working to become self-sustaining in 2009.  They continue to ask for our prayers and their letter on the kiosk expresses their gratitude for all the ways in which we have been able to support them. 

PAYDAY LENDING LETTERS – Last Friday evening a number of people took time after enjoying the fish fry to write letters to 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 this 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 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.

BE GREEN – PASS IT ON – Don't know what to do with old tools, musical instruments, jewelry, household goods and many other items?  Our “Caring for God's Creation” group has a limited supply of a resource entitled Pass It On , from the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District which lists many places to donate such items. Copies are available on the table in the narthex.  Please help yourself.

PRAY FOR PEACE – March 19 th will mark the fifth anniversary of the Iraq war.  This date falls in the middle of Holy Week so as we reflect on the suffering of Jesus, let us pray for all who are suffering as a result of this war.  You might also like to read what our bishops have been saying about the war by going to www.usccb.org .  Click on social issues from the side menu and scroll down to Iraq.  You will find statements, prayer resources, and other links. 

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@ipmconnect.org or telephone 216-932-4082.

PINK SUNDAY – Please visit the table in the narthex after Mass this weekend to pick up your information and to talk with some breast cancer survivors from our parish. 

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!

YOUNG ADULTS IN THE CITY (20 's & 30's) -Young Adults are invited to volunteer with the Catholic Worker House on Saturday, March 29, from 8:30 - 12:30. Prepare, serve lunch and visit with the guests in the neighborhood on the Near West Side. You'll join other young adults from around the diocese. This event is sponsored by Catholic Charities through the Youth & Young Adult Ministry and CYO Office. To register, please call Laura (216-228-9516) or e-mail to 2006yaic@gmail.com or mjvogel@clevelandcatholiccharities.org .

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.

BUILDING BETTER MARRIAGES – Discover the Third Option-The Third Option is a 14 session program where couples learn to make their marriage work. Learning from couples who have overcome marital difficulties, participants discover new ways to handle old problems.

For more information or to register for the Third Option Program Starting: March 25, 2008 7-9:00 p.m. at St. Mary Church in Painesville in the Old Convent contact Bill Glover at 440-670-5554. The Third Option Program for married couples is supported by the Diocesan Department for Marriage and Family Ministry.

ST. NOEL MEN'S SOFTBALL begins a new season this May, young men at least 30 years old please call Keith Coolick at (440) 655-2885 if you are interested in joining the team.

ST. JOHN VIANNEY is hosting a monthly Grief Support Group on Thursday, March 13 th at 7:00 p.m. Please call Rita at 440-942-0336 for required registration.

THE CITY OF WILLOUGHBY HILLS RECREATION PANCAKE BREAKFAST will be held this Sunday, March 9 th from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the community center. Adults/$5 pre-sale & $6 at the door. Children 6-12 years old $3. Children 5 & under: Free.

BREADTH OF LIFE – On March 12, 2008 from 12-2:00 p.m. The Reverend Zeleznik O.S.B. will speak on “Divine Mercy.” This will take place at St. Noel‘s Banquet Center. Please call 216-486-3011 or 216-289-3593 for reservations.

ARE YOU SMARTER THAN A 5TH GRADER? Especially when it comes to Cyberbullying? - Make plans now to attend an important informational meeting featuring Cleveland State University professor, Kim Mason on Tuesday, March 11 th 7-9:00 p.m. at Lakeland Community College Theater. For more information please call 440-256-3358.

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