Week of March 19, 2006

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Dear Parishioner,

Artistic beauty is a recognized characteristic of our Liturgical Prayer. “In the Christian community's place of prayer, art evokes and glorifies the transcendent mystery of God---the surpassing invisible beauty of truth and love visible in Christ.” (“Built of Living Stones: Art, Architecture & Worship” Guidelines of National Catholic Conference of Bishops #142).

Worthy art, therefore, helps us to recognize the importance of the various presences of Christ in our Liturgy. Certainly we believe that Christ is present in the Word of Scripture that is proclaimed at Mass. It is for this reason that the Gospel Book is carried in procession and placed on the altar at the beginning of Mass and elevated during the singing of the Alleluia before the Gospel. It is also for this reason that the book which is used to proclaim the Gospel should reflect the beauty of the Good News.

In order to make this visual statement I have commissioned Norbert Koehn, who has designed our altar, baptistry, ambo, and crucifix to create an artistic cover for our Gospel Book. The cover will be made out of wood which will be hand carved with ancient Christian symbols. The wood will match our ambo so that the book will relate to the place from which the Gospel is proclaimed. Having worked with Norbert before, I am confident that this book cover will possess the quality envisioned by the Bishops for objects used in our worship: “Quality is evident in the honesty and genuineness of the materials that are used, the nobility of the form embodied in them, the love and care that goes into the creation of a work of art, and the personal stamp of the artist whose special gift produces a harmonious whole, a well-crafted work.” (“Built of Living Stones: Art, Architecture & Worship” Guidelines of National Catholic Conference of Bishops #146).

We hope to have the book cover for use by Easter. Following the practice for other objects in our church, this new book cover is available to be memorialized. It would be particularly fitting to memorialize it in honor of a person who had a deep love of God's Word or who was active in the areas of education or catechesis. If any person wishes to contribute to this new addition to our church please contact me. The names of those who choose to underwrite the creation of this work will be listed on the memorial plaque for our Foundation for the Future Campaign which will be erected this year.

My hope is that as we use this new work of religious art, it will remind us on a weekly basis the presence and power of God's Word in our lives.

Fr. George Smiga

REMINDER – There will not be a 6:45 p.m. Liturgy on Wednesday, March 22 nd as this is our GIFT session.

UNIVERSE BULLETIN SUNDAY is this Sunday. You will find subscription forms in the kiosk.

RICE BOWLS - When the bowls are filled with change they 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).

LENTEN BAGS – Please place your filled Lenten bags in the right hand bin in the food pantry and clothing area. Thank you.

LENTEN DAILY MEDITATION booklets from the works of Henri J.M. Nouwen entitled, “Renewed for Life” are available in the church office for $1.00 each.

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 12:30 p.m. If you can help please call the hall office (440-946-6635) and let them know.

WILLOUGHBY HILLS AUTO REPAIR (corner of Rt. 91 & Rt. 6) would like to offer St. Noel parishioners a coupon worth $5.00 off a St. Noel fish fry when you purchase an oil change, filter and lubrication during the Lenten Season. Please call for an appointment 440-585-1691. This offer cannot be combined with any other offers.

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 Resurrection Room on Wednesday, April 12th through May 17 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.

WE REMEMBER, WE CELEBRATE, WE BELIEVE – A retreat opportunity - Reflecting on and Praying with the Symbols of the Triduum; Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday , will take place on Wednesday, April 5 th from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. The retreat will be facilitated by our community. Please sign up on the kiosk. ($5.00 donation suggested for lunch). Eucharistic Adoration in the Nativity Room 9-10:00 a.m.

THE CLEVELAND EUCUMENICAL INSITITUE FOR RELIGIOUS STUDIES will be offering four courses beginning March 21, 2006: Living in the Family of Abraham and Jacob will be presented by Fr. George Smiga, S.T.D. and Rabbi Roger C. Klein, Ph.D., on Tuesday, March 21 st , from 9:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. God's Politics: A New Vision for Faith and Politics in America by Jim Wallis will be offered by George T. Hrbek M. Div., on four Mondays, April 24 th through May 15 th , from 7:30 -9:30 p.m. Praying the Scriptures: Lessons from a Biblical Storyteller will be offered by Jim Kulma, M.Div., on four Tuesdays, April 25 th through May 16 th from 7:30-9:30 p.m. Ever More Light: Speaking About Faith in a Culture of Literalism will be present by Marcus J. Borg, Ph.D., on Friday, June 2 nd and Saturday June 3rd. See times on the registration form. Details concerning these courses can be found in the green and white flyers in the kiosk.

SOCIAL JUSTICE/ST. AUGUSTINE- On March 26th our volunteers will be serving the meal at the St. Augustine Hunger Center. There is a sign-up sheet on the kiosk if you are able to lend a hand. After all the Masses on March 25 th & March 26th, we will be collecting for our Social Justice fund. Also, if anyone would like to bake cookies please bring the cookies with you when you come to volunteer at the Hunger Center or they can be dropped off at church before Mass on Saturday. Please put the cookies in the Nativity Room (formerly the nursery) on the counter and mark them St. Augustine.

SOCIAL JUSTICE FUND – In February we collected

$1,596.89.Our expenses for February were:

We thank you for your support.

STOP THE GENOCIDE IN DARFUR – The Diocesan Social Action Office is urging all parishioners to participate in the Million Voices for Darfur campaign. The goal is to generate one million hand written and electronic postcards from Americans demanding a stronger and more effective U.S. response to the genocide in Darfur, which has claimed 400,000 lives. In addition, 2.5 million people are displaced and 3.5 million of our sisters and brothers are at risk of starvation. Bishop John Ricard of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops recently said: “The crisis in Darfur must be ended. We cannot stand idly by while human life is threatened.” Go on line today at www.savedarfur.org and send an electronic postcard. If you are not online please pick up a postcard to be sent by regular mail from the Social Justice section of the kiosk.

TEENS RIDE TO END PENALTY - Please stop by the table in the narthex after Mass today and support Jill Bartolotta and other Catholic teens in their effort to end the use of the death penalty.  Jill will be collecting signatures to end the use of the death penalty and taking them to Columbus in early April to present to legislators. 

REFLECTIONS IN THE RESSURECTION ROOM ON LAOS – Come and join us on April 6 th from 7-8:30 p.m. as Joe Daprano and Denise Bothe reflect on their recent experience in Laos. They are grateful for the prayers that helped them on their journey and would like to share pictures, stories, and reflections about health care in a developing country and Laos' culture.

INTERESTED IN THE CATHOLIC FAITH?   A new group of inquirers into the Catholic faith is now gathering.  We will meet on Tuesday evening, March 21, 2006 at 7 p.m.  We welcome anyone interested in exploring the possibility of developing or deepening a relationship with Jesus in the context of the Catholic tradition.  Please call Alice at 440-946-0887 with any questions or to register if you have not attended previous gatherings. 

CLEVELAND HEALTHCARE HEARING: Our legislators need to hear in your words the problems you experience with our current healthcare system (for example, Medicare D, insurance, drugs, etc). You are invited to describe those problems to many local, state, and national legislators or candidates at Trinity Cathedral (2230 Euclid Avenue) at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 1, 2006. The program will consist of up to 3-minute testimonies, without questions or comments from the legislators or the audience. Those willing to tell legislators what needs to be fixed should contact Dave Pavlick (216-447-6080, DPavlick@uaw.net) or Tom Pretlow (216-368-8701, tgp3@cwru.edu). For other opportunities to express you health care concerns to government officials go to citizenshealthcare.gov.

  WANNA' SMILE —Go to the GIFT slide show!  Hint: Use Internet Explorer.

A SPECIAL GIFT - Break-out sessions designed for special needs children will be offered at the Sunday GIFT session in March. Donna Joseph and Lil Wallace, former Special Needs PSR teachers here at Saint Noel, will lead the group. Parents can attend the adult session knowing that their children are in loving and capable hands.  If you would like your child to be part of this break-out group on March 26 th , or if you would like to volunteer to assist Donna and Lil, please call 440- 946 –1128 x 23 and leave a message.

THE END OF THE BEGINNING: SEEING THE EASTER SACRAMENTS AS A WAY OF LIFE – This will be the focus of the next GIFT sessions; Wednesday, March 22 nd from 6-8:30 p.m. or Sunday the 26 th from 12:30p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Fr. Bob Marrone will explore making the connections between these sacraments and everyday life. Like the last session, all the adults will stay together, while the teens, junior high students, grade schoolers, and preschoolers each go to sessions of their own. Sign up in the narthex, call the office at 440-946-0887, or register online.

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION – Are you free periodically on Mondays for one hour between 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.? There are times when someone is unable to fulfill their commitment of one hour before the Blessed Sacrament. So we are in need of some individuals who would be willing to fill in occasionally as a substitute for Eucharistic Adoration. Please call the parish office at 440-946-0887 for more information.

ST. NOEL FELLOWSHIP - The activities for the month of March are as follows: – March 23 rd – Reverse Raffle - March 30 th - Games of your choice. We will also celebrate birthdays, anniversaries. Please remember to bring your food donation for the food pantry to this meeting. Everyone is welcome to attend Senior Fellowship.

CALLING THOSE IN THEIR 20s and 30s : I was hungry and you gave me food, thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me… Did you know that Catholic Charities welcomes more than 175 families into the greater Cleveland area every year? We need young adults (19 – 39) like you who are gifted and capable of helping these families settle with the basics of life to have a chance to live the American dream. Consider joining with young adults who are determined to make a difference as we welcome strangers into our diocese. Contact Paul Kelly at 216.334.1261 x 28 or Pekelly@clevelandcatholiccharities.org to join an adventure that will change your life!

PRIME TIME - It's been great!! See you tonight at 7:00pm!!

ALTAR SERVERS – We are in need of servers at all our Liturgies. Both children (4 th grade and older) and adults are welcome to serve. Please call Anthony for more information. This is a wonderful opportunity for parents and children to serve together!

WHITEWATER RAFTING – We're planning a rafting trip on the incredible New River in WV for this summer if we have enough interested people. Last summer, the trip was only $100. Sign the kiosk if you are interested. Adults & teens are welcome.

JUNIOR HIGH YOUTH GROUP – See you at GIFT this week! You can still sign up for GIFT!

EASTER HAMS – PRIME TIME is again offering delicious, spiral-sliced hams 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 x 20 or email at acamino@stnoel.org STOP BY THE TABLE IN THE NARTHEX AND PLACE YOUR ORDER TODAY!! The price is the same as last year – only $4.75/lb.

MUSIC MINISTRY CD'S – The St. Noel Music Ministry CD entitled how Can We Keep From Singing? featuring the choir, chamber singers and hand bell choir are available in the church office. Proceeds benefit the music ministry pilgrimage fund.

ST. NOEL PARISH HALL - We are currently booking the parish hall for the remainder of 2006 and all of 2007. Remember parishioners or their immediate family receive a 10% discount for evening weddings and a 5% discount for any other events held at St. Noel Parish Hall. We are now offering a $5.00 discount to anyone during the months of November, December, January, February and March for any weddings of 150 people or more on any Fridays or Saturdays during these months, when using our sit-down, family style, or buffet menus. Please remember to recommend St. Noel Parish Hall when you or a friend or even the company you work for are planning an event throughout the year. Please call the office at 440-946-6635 for availability.

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 Thursday, April 6, 2006. The first tee time will be at 4:05 p.m. at St. Dennis Golf Course in Chardon, Ohio. Practice rounds are on Thursday, April 20 th & 27 th ; league play will start on Thursday, May 4, 2006 and continue to September 8, 2006. Dues will be $50.00 for full time members and due May 4, 2006, subs will pay per play. For further information contact John Grzincic at 440-585-4727.

“BOUNDARIES ARE ESSENTIAL” – We all need effective boundaries in our lives. They protect us, contain us, and give us a sense of self. Join Francine McNulty, RN, PCC, LSW, LICDC, as she explores the benefits of effective boundaries --- without them, relationships suffer and are often hurtful. We will be meeting on Tuesday, March 28 th , at St. Mary Church, Chardon. To register or for more information kindly call Karen at 440-352-8282.

DIVORCE RECOVERY FOR CATHOLICS- An 8-week support group program designed to meet the needs of those who are separated or divorced will begin on Tuesday, April 4 th , at St. Justin Martyr Church, 35781 Stevens Blvd., Eastlake, from 7-9:00 p.m. Sponsored by the Catholic parishes in Lake and Geauga counties, the program offers direction, support, and the tools for coping with this life-changing experience in a confidential setting with trained facilitators. For more information or to register, please call Catholic Charities at 440-352-6191 or 1-800-242-9755.

JEWISH-CHRISTIAN HOLOCAUST JOURNEY to Poland-Italy-Israel, June 15 th -26 th . Emphasis will be on righteous gentiles who aided Jews during the Holocaust. Interviews with survivors; visit the Jewish ghetto in Rome. Contact Pat Firem, pmfirem@yahoo.com or 440-223-6964, or Anne Lukas, alukas@ursuline.edu or 440-684-6129.

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 30, 2006 at 2:30 p.m. Registrations are now being accepted for couples married 50 years ( married in 1956 ). Deadline for registration is June 16, 2006 . Please call the parish office at 440-946-0887 to register or you can register on line at: www.clevelandcatholiccharities.org/mfm .

RETROUVAILLE weekend will be held from Friday, March 31, 2006 (8:00 p.m.) through Sunday, April 2 nd (3:00 p.m.) at the Hilton Hotel, 3663 Park East Drive, Beachwood, Ohio. Retrouvaille is a peer ministry program to help couples struggling in their marriages to gain helpful skills in communication and understanding. A registration fee of $50.00 is requested to confirm a reservation. For more information please call Al or Diane Miskinis at 330-665-3506, 1-800-470-2230 or on the web at: www.helpourmarriage.com .

THE BISHOP PILLA PROGRAM at John Carroll University invites you to a lecture by Professor Francesco C. Cesareo. Ph.D., Dean of the McAnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts and Professor of History, Duquesne University entitled “Turning Bishops into Pastors: The Italian Episcopacy in the 16 th Century” will be presented on Thursday, April 6, 2006 at 7:30 p.m. in the D.J. Lombardo Student Center Conference Room. The lecture is free and open to the public. For Additional information, please call 216-397-4558.

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