Week of March 13, 2005

Quick View of Meetings for the Week

Archive of Weekly Bulletins

Dear Parishioner,

This last week we held our GIFT sessions to prepare for Holy Thursday. We reflected upon the gift of the Eucharist. In the adult sessions we asked a number of parishioners to share their experiences of what the Eucharist meant to them. All of them did a wonderful job of identifying a particular way that Christ came to them in the Eucharist. Because many of you were not able to attend GIFT, I would like to share one of these reflections with you. Below is Sharon Waltermire's witness of what the Eucharist means to her. Her image was particularly helpful to me, and I hope it will stimulate all of you to ponder the real presence of Christ in our midst.

Fr. George Smiga

COMMUNAL PENANCE SERVICE will be on Wednesday, March 16 th , in the church at 7:30 p.m.

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

GIFT --Bring your household's completed Lenten cross (from the 2nd session's home kit) when you come to Palm Sunday liturgy. Place it in the box in the large hall. Bring your household's completed white card telling of a special "service" experience (from the 3rd session's home kit) when you come to Holy Thursday liturgy. Place it in the basket in the narthex. Bring your household's completed yellow page (from the 3rd session's home kit) anytime and put it in the yellow folder in the narthex.

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.

REMINDER – Lenten Bags can be returned to the clothing and food drop-off area in the right hand bins. Lenten Rice Bowls can be returned 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 Friday our focus will be on praying for peace.

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.

BE PART OF OUR HISTORY… Do you like sifting through old photos? Do you enjoy talking to others about events from the past? Do you want to learn more about the parish? Then join your fellow parishioners who will work together to research the history of St. Noel Parish from its formation to the present day. The information, photos, and historical documents collected will be compiled in a commemorative book celebrating the 25 th Anniversary of our parish. Join us on Tuesday, March 15 th at 7:00 p.m. in the Resurrection Room for the initial meeting. If you plan to attend, please contact the parish office at 440-946-0887.

FOOD PANTRY NEEDS – Since we've been able to purchase government foods for our food pantry we don't have a need to come to you as often with requests.  But currently we have a need for four items not available through government sources.  They are bath soap, dish washing detergent (NOT dishwasher), tooth paste and laundry soap.  Donated items can be placed in the designated bin in the food pantry area off the hallway going to the new wing.  On behalf of the clients we serve we want to thank you, especially since none of the items can be purchased with food stamps.  

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 50cents 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. 

MINISTRY TO THE SICK: LEARNING THE LANGUAGE OF COMPASSION - On Wednesday, April 6th we will be having a daytime retreat opportunity in the Resurrection Room from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Includes lunch (a donation of $5.00 will help cover the cost of lunch.) Eleanor Reilly, Sharon Waltermire and Fran Armbruster will lead the day. If you have any questions, please call Fran at 440-729-3976. Please sign up on the kiosk if you plan to attend.

THE ELIZABETH MINISTRY'S “ELIZABETH'S ROSES” - will be available in the narthex following all Masses this 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 Caring Ministries pages.

ST. NOEL FELLOWSHIP – Activities for March are as follows: 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

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 – Patty's leading tonight – should be awesome!! Turn in your retreat form!!

JUNIOR HIGH YOUTH GROUP – Our next meeting Tuesday, March 22 nd 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.

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!!

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.

GOLDEN WEDDING ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION - Bishop Pilla will celebrate the annual Golden Wedding Anniversary Celebration this year at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist on Sunday, July 31, 2005 at 2:00 p.m. Registrations are now being accepted for couples married 50 years (married in 1955). Deadline for registration is June 17, 2005. Please call the parish office at 440-946-0887 to register.

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. For further information contact 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. Gold colored collection boxes have been placed in St. Noel's Coatroom for your convenience. May God bless you for helping those less fortunate!

INTER-RELIGIOUS TASK FORCE ON CENTRAL AMERICA -On Friday, March 25 th , 12-12:30 p.m.: Way of the Cross through downtown Cleveland. Pray to end poverty and injustice in Cleveland and in Central America. Commemorating 25 years of martyrdom of Salvadoran Archbishop Oscar Romero. Meet at Public Square in front of the Terminal Tower. For more information please call 216-961-0032.

Quick View of Meetings for the Week

BACK TO TOP

If you have questions concerning any information contained on the Saint Noel Parish Web site, contact us.

Our staff will answer your questions or forward you to the appropriate individual or group.