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Week
of April 9, 2006
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Dear Parishioner,
Immigration
Policy is a moral issue. As such it is a concern about which the
Church cannot remain silent. The recent debate in the U.S. Congress
with competing bills from both House and Senate underscores the
need for our country to implement an immigration policy based upon
legitimate, economic, legal, social and security issues. Yet followers
of Christ must insist that whatever measures are finally adopted,
must treat all those entering our country in a manner which respects
their basic human dignity, regardless of their legal status. In
a statement on March 27, 2006 Bishop Anthony Pilla strongly criticized
House Bill 4437 as a punitive bill which would bring harm to immigrants,
asylum-seekers, and refugees. This bill goes so far as to criminalize
social service workers and church ministers who serve new immigrants.
Such
legislation is opposed to the Gospel and must be resisted. Jesus
has commanded us to welcome the stranger and to care for those in
need. Cardinal Roger Mahoney of Los Angeles has announced that if
such punitive provisions were to be passed into law, he will direct
church ministers to ignore them. “The Church is not in a position
of negotiating the spiritual and corporal works of mercy . . . We
must be able to minister to people, regardless of how they got here.”
Bishop
Pilla together with the U.S. Bishops' Conference supports the Senate
Bill (S.1033) which reforms our immigration policy in a manner consistent
with Church teaching. The bishops call us to implement an immigration
policy which addresses the root causes of immigration, creates an
earned legalization program for undocumented workers, implements
a temporary worker program with appropriate protection for both
U.S. and foreign workers, and restores due process protection for
immigrants to allow them their “day in court.”
Immigration
policy is a moral issue. For Christians the current debate in Congress
must be shaped by more than political strategies and security concerns.
Those who immigrate to our country seek the same freedom and benefits
that drew many of our parents and grandparents here. Moreover, their
vulnerability and need identifies them as the least of our brothers
and sisters who Jesus demands we serve. I encourage you to contact
your representatives in Congress whose addresses are listed below.
We must speak up to our political leaders to assure that a human
and just immigration policy will become the law of our land.
Fr. George Smiga
CONGRESSIONAL
CONTACT INFORMATION –
Mike
DeWine
140
Russell Senate Office Building
Washington,
D.C. 20510
dewine.senate.gov
George
Voinovich
524
Hart Senate Office Building
Washington,
D.C. 20510
voinovich.senate.gov/contact/index.htm
Steve
LaTourette
2453
Rayburn House Office Building
Washington,
D.C. 20515
http://www.house.gov/writerep/
http://www.house.gov/LaTourette
/
HOLY
WEEK – Please consult the weekly
calendar in this bulletin for the times of the Holy Week and Easter
liturgies.
The liturgy on Holy Saturday
at 9:00 p.m. is the most solemn liturgy of the entire year. It is
the premiere Easter celebration. The liturgy focuses on the initiation
of adults into our Church. This Saturday, Ian McLeod, Marcie Pietrantozzi,
Pamela Schafer, and Jeffery Woods will be baptized and Mark Babb,
Ronald DeCamp and Joel Firem will be welcomed into full communion
with the Catholic Church. Rob Jones, one of the sponsors for Pamela
Shafer, will also be confirmed at the Easter Vigil.
Our
liturgies on Thursday, and Friday will begin at 8:00 p.m. and our
Saturday liturgy will begin at 9:00 p.m. I extend a special invitation
to any of you who have never shared in the Triduum before; our best
access to the Easter mystery is to pray the Triduum in our parish
community.
Please
also remember that the two Easter Sunday Liturgies at 9:00 a.m.
and 11:00 a.m. will be unusually crowded.
It
is also important during this Holy Week to remember the teaching
of the Catholic Church concerning the historical responsibility
for Jesus' death. Although one might gain the impression from the
reading of the Passion this weekend and on Good Friday that
Jewish people are to be blamed for Jesus' crucifixion, our Church
clearly teaches that such a conclusion is erroneous. The Romans
under Pontius Pilate were historically responsible for Jesus' crucifixion.
Although Jewish temple authorities were likely involved in this
process, Jesus' death cannot be held against the Jewish people as
a whole, either in Jesus' time or ours.
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.
HOLY
THURSDAY ADORATION
there will be a period of personal prayer time before the Holy Eucharist
on Holy Thursday evening until 11:00 p.m. in the large hall.
We
encourage parishioners to sign up on the kiosk for one of these
times.
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.
ST.
NOEL FISH FRIES
– No fish fry on Good Friday.
HOSPITALITY
– We are in need of
help at the 9:00 a.m. Mass to help set up and serve coffee and donuts.
You will be scheduled once a month. If you can help, please call
the parish office at 440-946-0887.
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.
PEACE
& JUSTICE DINNER
– The Catholic Commission of Lake & Geauga proudly announces
its 2006 Peace & Justice Award recipients to be recognized at
the Commission's 16 th Annual Peace & Justice Dinner on Saturday,
April 22, 2006, at 6:00 p.m. there will be a social hour and silent
auction, at 7:00 p.m. there will be dinner and the program at the
Center for Pastoral Leadership, Founders Room, 28700 Euclid Ave.,
Wickliffe. Keynote address by Mr. Jim Tobin, Director of Social
Concerns for the Ohio Catholic Conference of Bishops, on: “Opening
Doors, Changing Hearts: Catholic Leadership, the Common Good &
Critical Issues Facing Ohio.” Dinner tickets are $30.00. Call the
Catholic Commission for tickets at 440-24406037.
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.
IPM
BENEFIT – I
nternational P artners in M ission
works across borders of faith and culture on behalf of children,
women and youth to create partnerships that build justice, peace
and hope. Their annual benefit dinner and silent auction entitled
“Namaste,” will be held Friday evening April 28 th beginning
at 6 p.m. at Trinity Cathedral, 2230 Euclid Ave. To purchase tickets
please contact office@ipm-connections.org
or call 216-932-4082 by April 21 st .
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 April are as follows:
– April 13 th – NO MEETING – April
20 th – Noon – Socializing, and our meeting then at 12:30
p.m. will have our luncheon consisting of Swiss Steak, California
vegetables, mashed potatoes, salad, and strawberry shortcake. Tickets
are $6.00 per person. Deadline for tickets and payment is April
17 th . April 27 th - We will celebrate birthdays
and anniversaries. Please remember to bring your food donation for
the food pantry to this meeting. Everyone is welcome to attend Senior
Fellowship.
PRIME
TIME - Passion Sunday
prayer tonight – see you at 7:00pm.
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 – You can pick
up your ham this week! Mon-Wed from 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. in the
hall and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until Noon. Thanks to all who support
youth ministry at St. Noel.
I
GET BY WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS – We
all need a concerned, caring friend at difficult times in our lives.
A Stephen Minister can listen and care for you or for someone you
know who is going through a tough time. Call Anthony if you think
a trained, confidential Stephen Minister could be helpful to you.
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.
ST.
JOHN VIANNEY'S Spiritual
Life Committee invites you to a Women's Retreat Day, Saturday, April
29 th from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the Fr. Kline Social Hall.
Local author and educator. Sr. Melanie Svoboda, SND will direct
the day based on her book, Traits of a Healthy Spirituality.
There is no cost as the day is a gift to you from
the committee and includes a luncheon. Help us plan for the number
attending or for further information call: Norma at 440-255-2446
or Carolyn 440-942-4867.
COMMUNICATION
IMPACTS EVERY AREA OF YOUR RELATIONSHIP. How
you communicate in your marriage either strengthens or harms your
family's long term stability and vitality. Gain skills and tools
that improve Every Aspect of Your Life-with your partner, your family
and friends, and with people at work and elsewhere. Workshop Dates:
May 2 nd , 9 th , 16 th , and the 23 rd , at 7:00 p.m. Registration:
440-946-2384 – Early registration discounts. Insurance reimbursement
in terms of your contract. The workshop will be given by a Certified
Couple Communication Instructor.
“WHAT
IS FACT AND WHAT IS FICTION?” For
many Americans, the reality that stem cells can be obtained from
adult tissues remains largely unknown. Educating people that stem
cell research can be pursued with ending the life of a human embryo
is a goal of Dr. Dan Pepin. Dr. Pepin, a professor of Human Biology
and a Bioethics consultant, will present a lecture on stem cell
research on Wednesday, April 26 th at 8:00 p.m. at John Carroll
University in the Dolan Science Center's Donahue Auditorium. Parking
is available in the North Parking lot, near Fairmont Circle.
WOMEN'S
EASTER PRAYER
– The Sisters of Notre Dame invite single women ages 18-45 to participate
in a weekend retreat that offers opportunities for scriptural prayer,
centering prayer, and the Liturgy of the Hours, Sunday Liturgy is
included. When: Arrival-Friday, April 21
st at 7:00 p.m./Departure: Sunday, April 23 rd at 1:00 p.m. Where
: Notre Dame Provincial Center, 13000 Auburn Road,
Chardon, Ohio 44024 – Contact: Sister Kathleen
Hine, SND; (440) 279-1194 or khine@ndec.org
by April 19, 2006.
THE
CLEVELAND DIOCESE
will hold an “African American Marriage Day Experience” on Saturday,
April 29, 2006, from 7:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., at St. Agnes and Our
Lady of Fatima Church located at 6800 Lexington Avenue in Cleveland.
This diocese-wide event, made possible in part through grants from
the Native American and African American Commission and from the
Office of African American Catholic Ministries, will feature nationally
recognized speakers, plenary and keynote sessions, four working
sessions, breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and Mass with a Communal
renewal of martial vows. Cost is $30.00. This program meets Pre-Cana
requirement. There will also be a 1-hour pastoral workshop. For
more information, contact Leo Martin at 216-409-5229.
LIFE
IN THE SPIRIT – There will be a Life
in the Spirit Seminar at Presentation House located at the Center
for Pastoral Leadership. Presentation House is on the second floor
of St. Anthony Center (follow the green awning). The Seminar will
begin on Wednesdays, May 3 rd thru June 7 th at 7:15 p.m. For more
information, please leave a message at Presentation House at 440-944-9445
or call Rosemarie Parisi at 330-784-1607. Check out the kiosk for
a flier on the Life in the Spirit.
THE
SAINT ANTHONY NOVENA
– will be held at the Church of Saint Clare, 5659 Mayfield Road,
Lyndhurst beginning Tuesday, April 18 th with the novena at 7:30
p.m. and continuing every Tuesday for 9 weeks. (There will be NO
7:00 p.m. Mass this year.) Please join us and bring a
friend!
SINGLE
AND CATHOLIC? Join Cleveland Forum
for a Catholic Speed Dating Event. Meet single Catholics between
the ages of 25 and 45 in a fun and casual atmosphere. The event
begins at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 22 nd at Saint Paschal Baylon
Parish, 5384 Wilson Mills Road. The event concludes with benediction
and a social. Register on line at: clevelandcatholicforum.com.
Or
call Lee at 216-578-0170. There is a donation of $15. Please register
in advance.
CLEVELAND
INDIANS SECOND ANNUAL FAMILY FUN DAY sponsored
by St. Vincent de Paul Society. Please join parishioners, family
and friends from throughout the Diocese of Cleveland at a Cleveland
Indians vs. Pittsburgh Pirates ballgame on Sunday, May 21, 2006.
The game will be preceded by a Mass at Jacobs Field starting at
10:30 a.m. The cost of tickets is $16.00 for Upper Box, $20.00 for
Lower Reserved and $12.00 for bleachers. An unlimited Picnic Buffet
is also available. A portion of the ticket price will go to St.
Vincent de Paul Society to support their many special programs to
help the poor and needy of Northeast Ohio. For more information,
contact the St. Vincent de Paul Society at 216-741-7837, ext 100
or 104.
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