Week of April 17, 2004

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Dear Parishioner,

After a blessed Holy Week we are now within the Easter Season of the Church year. This celebration lasts until the Feast of Pentecost on May 30 th . Since our faith is based upon the Resurrection and Glorification of Jesus, these weeks of Easter are a fitting time to celebrate the Sacraments of Initiation. Next weekend at all three of our liturgies 50 of the children of our parish will be confirmed and invited to the Eucharist for the first time. Two of these children will be baptized and several family members will be confirmed with their children. This yearly celebration of Confirmation and First Communion is an important highlight of our Church year but again as at Easter our liturgies will be crowded. Because we were able to expand our church we will have additional seating in place, but I still advise you to come early for the liturgies next weekend.

On Friday, May 7 at 7:00 p.m. Bishop Gries will preside at the Confirmation of 92 young people of our parish. This will be the last year of special Confirmations resulting from our moving of the age of Confirmation from high school to the second grade. Because of the number of children to be confirmed, the liturgy on the 7 th will be only for those being confirmed and their families. Yet, the celebration of these initiation sacraments is a gift to our entire parish so I ask you to keep all of those receiving Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist during these Easter weeks in your prayers.

                  Fr. George Smiga

THANKS FOR THE FISH FRIES – Our Fish Fries this Lent were a great success. For the six fish fries, we served 6,088 people and profited $24,015.17 for our parish.

Chef Randy has informed us that we served:

  3,000 pounds of lemon pepper cod

  1,470 pounds of fried whitefish

  684 lemon wedges

  66 gallons of tartar sauce

  7,656 bread sticks

800 pounds shredded cabbage for cole slaw

Our fish fries are an important fund-raising project for our parish.

Thanks to all who through their generosity made our fish fries a success.

AN EVENING OF LAMENTATION AND HEALING was canceled due to inclement weather. The evening has been rescheduled for Tuesday, April 27 from 7-9:00 p.m. in the lower level of our new Educational Wing.

FIRST COMMUNION COMPANIONS: Generous donations have enabled us to purchase dresses, shoes and socks for 2 girls. We still need to buy shirts, pants, and shoes for 7 boys. Any financial help would be greatly appreciated. Please call the parish office at 440-946-0887.

SOCIAL JUSTICE GEMS – “We need to share and celebrate our common social heritage as Catholics, developing materials, training tools that ensure that we are sharing our social teaching in every educational ministry of our parishes. Every parish should regularly assess how well our social teaching is shared in its formation and educational ministries” (U.S. Catholic Bishops, Communities of Salt and Light).

SOCIAL CONCERNS/ST. AUGUSTINE – On April 25 th 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 April 24 th and April 25 th , we will be collecting for our Social Concerns 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 place the cookies on the counter in the Nativity Room and mark them St. Augustine.

SOCIAL CONCERNS FUND – In March we collected $4,649.32. Our expenses for March were:

We thank you for your support.

SIGNED LITURGY – On Sunday, May 2, Mary Smith will be joining us to sign at the 11:00 a.m. Mass for the hearing impaired. Reserved seating can be found in the first two rows of chairs by the Eucharist Chapel.

WOMEN'S PRAYER BREAKFAST – We invite all women of the parish to join us on Saturday, May 8th from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. for our final prayer breakfast of the season. In keeping with Mother's Day weekend we will be focusing on our Elizabeth Ministry. Mary Rainey will be our presenter and will share with us the work of this ministry as it identifies, prays for and supports the needs of women and their families during the childbearing years. The suggested donation for the morning is $3.50. We encourage you to bring your own mug to help reduce the use of Styrofoam. Please sign up on the kiosk if you are able to attend. See you on May 8th .

CATHOLIC CHARITIES - Jesus taught us the meaning of charity with the parable of the Good Samaritan. As Christians, we are called upon to love our neighbors. We are called upon to continue the work of Jesus in a world full of challenges.

Through Catholic Charities, we have an opportunity to help thousands of people in the eight counties of the Diocese. Eighty-seven percent of every dollar you donate to the 2004 Annual Appeal will go directly to help others in our community. Your early pledge of support is important; the Catholic Charities weekends of May 1 st /2 nd and May 8th/9th are quickly approaching – go online to www.clevelandcatholiccharities.org to learn more, or call 1-800-869-6525, ext. 1049.

THE BEAUTIFUL BELL ARRANGEMENTS you have heard throughout the Triduum were possible due to the loan of an octave of bells from St. Felicitas Church and other equipment from St. Lucy Church. If you enjoy this music and are interested in helping St. Noel purchase our own new octave of bells call Marc at 440-946-0887. Thank you and thank you St. Felicitas and St. Lucy for your generosity.

ST. NOEL CONCERT SERIES PRESENTS “A Six-String Spring” featuring classical guitarist, Erik Mann, with his guests: soprano, Elizabeth Huff, and guitarist, Robert Gruca, on Friday, April 23, 2004 at 7:00 p.m. Erik is currently on the guitar faculty of Mercyhurst College and the Beck Center for the Arts and is a graduate of the Cleveland Institute of Music where he studied with Jason Vieaux and John Holmquist. His program will include music by J.S. Bach, Manuel de Falla, Stanley Myers and Johann Kaspar Mertz. Admission is free. A free-will offering will be taken to benefit our youth attending Young Neighbors in Action this summer. This promises to be an outstanding performance. See you there!

THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST . . . If you missed Father George's presentation at the Church of the Covenant regarding Mel Gibson's movie, you have another chance! He will give the same presentation here at St. Noel on Sunday, May 2 in the large hall at 12:30 p.m. The talk he gave to the City Club on Good Friday (you may have heard on our website) is a shortened version of this same presentation.

GIVERS OF LIFE - A retreat opportunity to reflect on our roles as Co-Creators with God. Join us in prayer, reflection, and sharing as we focus on how we are ALL bearers of life and love to the world … not just mothers … but all of us! We will begin on Wednesday, May 5 at 10:00 a.m. and conclude at 2:00 p.m. The day will be led by Fran Armbruster, and include lunch. A suggested donation of $5.00 will help cover the cost of lunch. Please sign up on the kiosk if you plan to attend. If you have any questions, please call the parish office at 440-946-0887.

COME TO THE EL SALVADOR CRAFT SALE following masses this Saturday and Sunday, April 17 and 18. We will have items for sale in the Resurrection Room including a variety of crosses, jewelry, and plaques. Most items are in a $5-$15 price range. Profits from the sale of these items will help support the St. Noel Delegation to El Salvador this summer.

JOURNEY TO JOY – a support group for depression meets the 2 nd and 4 th Thursday evenings at 7:00 p.m. in the Visitation Room. The next meeting is this Thursday , April 22.

THE PRAYER AND SUPPORT GROUP meets on Fridays at 12:30 p.m. immediately after Mass in the Visitation Room. If you would like to be part of a group praying for the sick or if you need the support and prayers of the group please feel welcome to attend. It lasts for about one hour.

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION – meets every Friday morning at 10:30 a.m. in the Chapel. There is spontaneous shared prayer and devotional prayer.

ST. NOEL FELLOWSHIP – Activities for APRIL are as follows: – April 29 – Bingo and we will celebrate birthdays and anniversaries. Please remember to bring your food donations for the food bank to this meeting. Everyone is welcome to attend the Senior Fellowship on Thursdays.

ROSARY – Join us Tuesday, April 20 th from 7:00-7:45 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 – Rap with the Pastor tonight (Sunday) at 7:30pm. Don't miss this chance to talk with Fr. George!

NOEL MOVERS – We are in need of good useable furniture and appliances, especially twin beds and a gas stove. Please call Anthony if you can help (946-1128)

BABY BOTTLES – Don't forget to return your baby bottles for Alternaterm. Please bring them to the church office. Thanks.

JUNIOR HIGH YOUTH GROUP – Our next session is April 20 th at 7:00pm in the small hall. Bring your bibles.

CONFIRMATION REHEARSAL – For those candidates celebrating the Sacrament of Confirmation on Friday, May 7 th , our rehearsal is Wednesday, May 5 th at 5:30pm in the Church. Both sponsors and candidates are expected to attend. Call Anthony with questions.

CDEM – the next opportunity to participate in the CDEM is Thursday, May 13 th at 7:00pm in the Conference Room. No need to register; simply arrive at 7:00pm.

YOUNG ADULTS – The next installment of Theology on Tap is Monday, April 19 th at the Boneyard Grill, 101 East Broadview Road (at the intersection of Royalton and Broadview). The speaker is Bishop Martin Amos of Cleveland. Appetizers at 6:30pm; discussion at 7:30 p.m.

BE INSPIRED! . . . by the powerful true story told in “Missionaries,” presented by the Willoughby Fine Arts Association from April 29 through May 9. This musical work by multiple Tony Award nominee, Outer Critics Circle and Obie Award winner Elizabeth Swados relives the lives, service and eventual murders of three American nuns, an American lay missionary and Salvadoran Archbishop Oscar Romero. Experience this celebration of faith, commitment, sacrifice and the resilience of the Salvadoran people for whom Dorothy Kazel, Maura Clarke, Ita Ford, Jean Donovan and Archbishop Romero gave their lives, for more information or tickets call 440-951-7500 x 112 or visit www.fineartsassociation.org.

SPAGHETTI DINNER FUNDRAISER – Our parishioner, Lisa Marn (has cerebral palsy) will be going to Delaware, Ohio to be trained to get a helper dog. A spaghetti dinner and Chinese auction will be held on Sunday, April 25, 2004 from 1-5 pm at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 32400 Vine St., Willowick to help defray Lisa's expenses for the trip. Tickets are available at the door, or by calling (440)943-1967.

THE CATHOLIC PARISHES OF LAKE AND GEAUGA COUNTIES are offering a presentation on annulments Tuesday, April 27, at the Browning Center in Willoughby, beginning at 7:00 p.m. The presentation will answer some of your questions about what an annulment is and is not. Those who are divorced or those who have family members who are going through the process of getting an annulment are especially invited to attend this informative session. Everyone is welcome!

CATHOLIC RECOVERY FOR THE DIVORCED AND SEPARATED: An 8-week series of support groups for those experiencing recent divorce or separation will begin Wednesday, May 5 at St. John Vianney Church from 7-9 p.m. The series is developed to provide faith-based support and offer guidance and tools to cope in this difficult life situation. For more information or to register, please call Catholic Charities at (440) 352-6191 in Lake County or 1-800-242-9755 in Geauga County.

WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS – Who will serve? As we prepare to celebrate World Day of Prayer for Vocations next Sunday, take a few minutes to reflect on the priests, deacons, and consecrated religious who have made a difference in your life. Most of us are blessed with wonderful memories and experiences of those who have helped us on our spiritual journey to the Lord. Ask God to bless the priests, deacons, and religious sisters and brothers who generously and faithfully serve the Church. Pray that the hearts of our young people will be open to generously responding to God's call. For more information: go to www.Churchvocations.com.

A TWO DAY FESTIVAL CELEBRATING THE GIFT OF LIFE – on April 24 th and 25 th will be held at St. John Vianney Catholic Church. The events include: The celebration of Mass, Reconciliation and Eucharistic Adoration with each day concluding with concerts from today's Catholic artists. This event is sponsored by St. John Vianney Church, WELW 1330 AM radio and www. Sacred Heart Radio.net. For more information please see flier on the kiosk, call 216-390-3434, or visit us at: info@festivalforlife.com .

YOU ARE INVITED to attend the monthly Traveling Charismatic Mass at the Church of St. Mary, 401 North Street in Chardon, at 7:30 p.m. on April 23, 2004. The Adoremus Healing Team will be joined by the Diocesan Healing Team for anyone wanting to pray after Mass. A time of fellowship will follow. ALL are welcome.

BEAUMONT SCHOOL HOSTS A COMMUNITY OPEN HOUSE    in celebration of their new Spiritual Life Center on Saturday, April 24 from 1:00-4:00 p.m., at 3301 N. Park Blvd in Cleveland Heights. This new addition will be the hub of spiritual, academic and social activities for the Catholic girls' high school. For more information please call 216-321-6265.

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