Week of March 26, 2006

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Dear Parishioner,

I want to highlight this week an effective and growing ministry in our parish – our food pantry. In the early days of St. Noel, Deacon Larry Somrack maintained

a small food pantry in his home for those who were in need. In the early nineties our Pastoral Associate, Alice Hinkel set aside a few shelves for collected food in a storage area under the narthex but the pantry was limited by inaccessibility and lack of space. When we expanded our facilities in 2003 a larger and more accessible area was designated as a food pantry. This area is off the hallway between the narthex and church offices behind the area designated for clothes collection.

The food pantry is now staffed by three volunteers from our community, Tracy Svitavsky, Ray Buzanski, and Bob Wollen. In the last 2 years the pantry has qualified for government subsidies which allow us to purchase meats and canned goods at significantly lower costs. We are one of 16 government subsidized food pantries in Lake County. There is a screening process for those who wish to use the pantry. The area is set-up in such a way that the clients can select the items they wish from those which are available. The pantry is inspected yearly by the state and our volunteers attend workshops for food safety and how to relate to the clients. Each month we serve about 30 households consisting of 65-75 people.

I wanted to bring this ministry to your attention because it is doing wonderful work in ways which are often unseen to most of our community. The food pantry will be open after all the Masses this weekend. Please stop in so that you can appreciate more deeply the service it is providing to those within our community as well as many others in our area.

Fr. George Smiga

REMINDER – Please remember to turn your clocks AHEAD one hour beginning 12:01 a.m., Sunday, April 2 nd .

SIGNED LITURGY- On Sunday, April 2nd, the 11:00 a.m. Mass will be signed for the hearing impaired. Reserved seating can be found in the first two rows of chairs by the Eucharist Chapel.

STATIONS FOR PEACE – Join us on Friday evening March 31 st at 7:30 p.m. in Church as we pray the Station of the Cross for peace in our personal relationships, our community and our world.

UNIVERSE BULLETIN - 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.

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.

ROME PRESENTATION - For anyone interested in accompanying the choir on the pilgrimage to Rome and Assisi, there will be a presentation given by Peter Bahou, president of Peter's Way Choir Tours on Sunday, April 2, 2006 at 12:30 p.m. in the large hall. The presentation will include video and discussion. All are invited. Brochures including a detailed itinerary are available in the kiosk.

LOST IN THE MAIL - It has come to our attention that many parishioners did not receive the mailing sent on February 22 nd announcing and detailing the upcoming music ministry pilgrimage to Rome. This is an important and exciting opportunity for our community and we want you to know about it! If you did not receive the mailing, please stop in or call the office to make sure you receive the information. Thank you!

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.

PROJECT HOPE ANNUAL DINNER- Project Hope for the Homeless is pleased to invite you to our 4 th annual dinner featuring good food, Christian fellowship, praise music, shelter guest testimonies and live and silent auction items. The dinner will be held Friday, April 28 th , 2006 at 6:30 p.m. at St. Noel Parish Hall. Tickets are $40 per person or $300 for a table of eight! Reservations are requested by Friday, April 21 st . For tickets, call (440) 354-6417. If you are interested in assisting with the auction or have an item that you could donate for the auction please feel free to call fellow parishioner Marlene Cornachio (440)602-9074. Marlene serves as the Development Coordinator for Project Hope and is also on the board of trustees. She is in need of St. Noel parishioner volunteers who could assist her throughout the year with many of the needs for Project Hope.

DARFUR POSTCARDS – The postcards to support stronger protection for the people of Defer can now be found in the pocket of the kiosk under the Social Justice section.  After completing the postcard, please mail it to:  Catholic Commission, P.O. Box 434, Akron, OH 44308.

REFLECTIONS 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. We will gather in the Resurrection Room.

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.

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 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 GIFT today – no meeting tonight.

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.

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 x20 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 .

CYO CAMP – There is still time to enroll in one of CYO Camp Christopher's fine summer camp programs. For more information on the ACA accredit camp and any of its programs, please call 330-376-2267 or 800-CYO-CAMP or visit our web site: www.campchris.org . You can also register online at www.akroncyo.org .

LAKE CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOOL will be holding its Track Club's 16 th Annual Reverse Raffle on Saturday, April 29 th . For more information or tickets please call Karen at 440-974-2902.

ST. FELICITAS is having a steak roast on Saturday, April 1 st from 6:30 p.m. until midnight in the school hall. The cost is $30.00 a person. For more information please call 216-486-6365 or to order tickets please call 216- 261-1240.

LOCAL CELEBRATION OF BISHOP PILLA'S 25 TH ANNIVERSARY! You are invited to participate in a Mass of Thanksgiving to mark the Silver Jubilee of Bishop Pilla's ministry in the Diocese on Monday, August 28, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. at St. Mary Church in Chardon. Everyone is welcome. Bishop Pilla will preside and the Auxiliary Bishops of Cleveland and the clergy of our area will be concelebrants. Come and enjoy special music, procession, preaching and a public reception featuring a buffet of nationality desserts. This will be a very special and historic occasion. Please plan to attend.

FOR CATHOLICS WHO ARE DIVORCED OR LEGALLY SEPARATED: A self-help refection and affirmation program called Divorce and Beyond will be presented at St. Paschal Babylon Church, 5384 Wilson Mills Rd., Beginning Thursday, April 20th at 7:00 p.m. in the rectory the eight sessions will be directed by a trained facilitator. For more information please call 440-442-3410. There is no fee.

R.S.V.P. Religious Seeking Visionary People - If you are interested in learning more about God's call in your life, come join the discussion. This day will help you to explore the possibility of Consecrated Life. If you are between the ages of 18 and 40-something and want to learn how to discern your direction in life, come on Saturday, April 1, 2006 at 9:00 a.m. to the St. Joseph's Center, River's Edge. You must pre-register by Monday, March 27th. Call Sister Lenore Thomas, IHM at 800-869-6525 or 216-696-6525 X 3460 or Mary at X 3490. Directions to River's Edge will be sent after you register. Sponsored by Women and Men Religious of The Catholic Diocese of Cleveland. Lunch and snacks provided.

ST. MARY CHURCH IN CHARDON , OHIO is offering a seminar on End-of-Life Issues on Saturday, April 2nd and Saturday, April 29 th from 1-3:30 p.m. in Meeting Room C Plan now to attend one or both sessions. A free will offering will be taken up. Advanced registration is preferred by calling 440-286-1968.

IT'S IN THE MAIL . . . Catholics across the Diocese of Cleveland are now receiving a self-contained booklet with a mosaic-style cover in their mailboxes. It is “A Report to the Community from the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland 2005.” This review is designed to acquaint everyone with the extensive temporal, spiritual educational and charitable contributions made by the people of the Diocese. It also includes a more detailed financial overview of the Diocese and a section which looks to the future through the Vibrant Parish Life II program. Your attention to this document is appreciated.

CATHOLIC UPDATE entitled “God Is Love” this is Pope Benedict XVI's first encyclical in condensed form and it is available in the kiosk.

STAMPS FOR THE MARYKNOLL SISTERS – Stamps must be trimmed. Use a pair of scissors and remove from the envelope leaving a ¼ inch margin on all four sides. Untrimmed stamps cannot be used and will be thrown away. Postage meter stamps are of no value.

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