Week of April 23, 2006

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Dear Parishioner,

Easter is the time to celebrate the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. These sacraments were celebrated in the full and normative sense when four adult members of our community were baptized at the Easter Vigil. Throughout the Easter season we will celebrate Confirmation and Eucharist for members of our parish who are already baptized.

St. Noel, together with several other parishes in our diocese, has moved the celebration of Confirmation to coincide with First Communion. In this way, the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist, which mark initiation into the Church, can be celebrated together.

Next weekend forty-eight young people will be confirmed and invited to share the Eucharist with us for the first time. Eight of their older brothers and sisters will also be confirmed. As is our tradition this will take place at our weekend liturgies. Yet, even as we celebrate Confirmation with those in the second grade, there will always be a need in our community to offer the sacraments to older children or those adults who have not yet received it. Therefore, two weeks from now on May 7 th Bishop Gries will confirm baptized Catholics who seek the Sacrament:

  Jacob Michael (Vincenzo) Brandt

  Rebecca Ann (Kateri) Britz

  Jillian Frank

  Alyssa Marie (Christine) Fortuna

  Katherine Humphrey Gnau

  Patrick Jenkins Horsburgh

  Anthony Joseph (Peregrine) Kaluza

  Carmella Marie (Elizabeth) Nero

  Charles Lawrence (Edward) Smith

  Tara Susan Smith

  Alex Robert Vidziunas

I am thankful that the number of candidates allows us to celebrate Confirmation as part of our weekend liturgies. Every sacrament is a parish celebration. We should be grateful to be able to participate by supporting the candidates as they complete their initiation into the Church and grow from their example of faith in Christ. Please keep these candidates in your prayers as they are confirmed and receive the Eucharist with us. Take time to congratulate them personally after Mass or in the weeks to come.

Fr. George Smiga

SOCIAL JUSTICE/ST. AUGUSTINE- On April 30th 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 29th & April 30th, 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 March we collected

$6,142.45. Our expenses for March were:

We thank you for your support.

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 Gayle Klements at 440-442-2744.

WOMEN'S PRAYER BREAKFAST – The springtime breakfast will be on Saturday, May 13th, from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. in the small hall. Our St. Noel parishioner, Sister Kathleen Heer will be our presenter for the morning and will introduce us to the Spirituality of Art Making . Art materials will be supplied. Please come for a morning of creativity, fellowship and prayer. As always we will enjoy a delicious breakfast. The suggested donation is $3.50. Please sign up on the kiosk by May 9 th if you plan to attend. Please call the parish office at 440-946-0887 with any questions.

DARFUR POSTCARDS – The postcards to support stronger protection for the people of Darfur 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.

BIPARTISAN CANDIDATE SURVEY - Our diocesan Social Action Office has compiled a candidate survey for the upcoming primaries which covers 17 broad-based issues with responses from candidates running for Governor as well as those running for the Ohio General Assembly.  We ask that you pick up a survey off the table in the narthex and read the material in order to cast an informed ballot on May 2 nd 2006. 

TEENS RIDE TO END DEATH PENALTY - UPDATE

Area Catholic High school Students for Social Justice successfully completed their 162 mile bike trip from Cleveland to Columbus on Palm Sunday weekend. Included in this group was Jill Bartolotta from our parish. After receiving a special blessing at a prayer service officiated by Bishops Pilla and Gries, the students set off on their journey, riding in fog, rain, constant headwinds, and glorious sunshine. The students prayed the Stations of the Cross at several stops along the way. They arrived in Columbus on Monday morning and attended mass at St. Joseph's Cathedral, where they were met by approximately five hundred other high school students from Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati. The bike-riders lead the protestors down Broad Street, to the State House, where they held their anti-death penalty rally. Several bike-riders spoke at the rally and presented legislators with our signatures. Jill would like to thank everyone for their prayers and encouragement and will keep us posted on any developments regarding a repeal of the death penalty in Ohio.

WRESTLING WITH THE SPIRIT : “Why I Am Proud to Be a Catholic.” Join us at our next GIFT session (Wednesday, May 3 or Sunday, May 7) as we come to appreciate our reasons for being Catholic. Father George will lead the adult session while families work together. Teens and preschoolers will have their own breakout session. All groups will identify some key gifts of the Catholic Church, why we are proud to be Catholics, and gain confidence in sharing those reasons with others. REMEMBER . . . you are not the only one who sometimes wrestles with the Church! Together we can gain and share wisdom.

The doors open at 5:30 on Wednesday and 12:15 on Sunday. PLEASE REMEMBER , the Sunday session will begin at 12:45 (15 minutes later than usual) because we will celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation at the 11:00 Mass.

BEING GOOD STEWARDS OF OUR PARISH RESOURCES –Did you know that a place is reserved and a meal prepared for every person who registers for a GIFT session? Materials and supplies are purchased based on that count, too. If for some reason your plans change, please take the time to call 440-946-1128 x 21 to let us know you won't be there. It really helps cut down on wasted food and supplies. REMEMBER also, you can change your reservation day with 24-hours notice .

MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW . . . FOR A PILGRIMAGE to the shrine of the North American Martyrs (St. Noel was one of them!) in Midland,

Ontario. We will leave early Friday morning, October 6 th and return Saturday night, October 7 th . Details about cost and itinerary will follow, but we plan to keep the cost around $200.00 for parishioners and have some special events planned (like a cruise on the Georgian Bay!) Watch for details in future bulletins. If you'd like to know how much fun this trip can be . . . just ask someone who went in 2001!

PRESCHOOL REMINDER – Our last preschool session (during the 9:00 Mass) will be on Sunday, April 30 th . Families are invited to help us celebrate the year!

MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS NOW to spend a delightful Mediterranean evening at the “Night in Rome” dinner and silent auction to benefit the St. Noel Music

Ministry Pilgrimage Fund. Chef Randy is cooking up a mouth-watering, multi-course gourmet Italian dinner that will be beyond delicious and there will be tables full of wonderful and interesting items available to the right bidder in our silent auction. Then dance the night away to the sound of DJ Freddie James. This will be an event you won't want to miss! It's all happening on Friday, May 19 th in the St. Noel Hall. Cocktail hour and auction begin at 6:30 p.m. Dinner follows at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $40/person and reservation forms are available in the kiosk. Corporate sponsorships are available. If you‘d like more information please call Marc at 440-946-0887. Mark your calendars. We'll see you there!

SPIRITUAL READING GROUP - The first meeting of the Spiritual Reading Group will meet in the Resurrection Room on April 26 th at 7:30 p.m. to discuss

the writings of Ronald Rolheiser. Please call the parish office at 440-946-0887 if you have any questions.

COMING SOON – A NEW MINISTRY – Like to cook?  Willing to occasionally provide a meal for a family in the parish in their time of need?  Learn more by joining us for our one and only meeting on Monday, May 8 th at 7 p.m. in the Resurrection Room.  More details in the coming weeks! 

PARISH RETREAT - will be held on Wednesday, May 10 th from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. The retreat theme will be Celebrating Mothers: Mother Mary; Mother Earth; and Mother Church. The retreat will be facilitated by members of the St. Noel community. Sign up is on the kiosk. (A $5.00 donation is suggested for the lunch). Eucharistic Adoration will be at 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. in the Nativity Room.

ST. NOEL FELLOWSHIP - The activities for the month of April are as follows: – 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 - You're never too old for an Easter Egg Hunt!! See you at 7:00pm

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.

CONGRATULATIONS – to Andrew Drockton for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout! Great job, Andrew – we're proud of you!!

JUNIOR HIGH YOUTH GROUP – See you on this Wednesday, April 26 th at 7:00pm. Bring your bibles and don't forget to sign up for GIFT.

STOCK OPTIONS - the market can be a rough ride!! Why not purchase stock in a lasting, worthwhile commodity - OUR YOUTH!! Coming soon, you can invest in the youth of our parish who are traveling to Toronto this summer to perform community service and learn about their faith. Stockholders will receive a stock certificate and an invitation to our service report once we return. Sure it's a fundraiser, but this stock will pay big dividends! Shares sell for $10. Thanks for your support!

FOOD BANK – We're serving at the Cleveland Food Bank on Monday, May 1 st . Please call/email Anthony if you would like to join the group. We leave the Church at 5:35pm or meet at the Food Bank at 6:00pm.

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.

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.

AN URSULINE EXPERIENCE – The Ursuline Sisters of Northern Ohio invite women between the ages of 18-40 to participate in a six day program of service in our ministry. Several options for time and location are available. You may choose to assist migrant families June 18-24 or June 25-30 (Kentucky), help with tutoring and summer reading program, July 9-15 (Cleveland), reach out to the neighborhood and homebound of an inner city parish, July 16-22 (Youngstown), or help empower women to achieve their potential, July 23-29 (Toledo). As a volunteer you would live in community with the Ursuline Sisters who share the ministry. For a brochure or more information please contact Sr. Juliana Beck at julianabeck@aol.com or by phone 440-944-4920.

ST. NOEL MEN'S SOFTBALL – Any men at least 30 years old are invited to join the team (which plays Monday and Wednesday evenings) by calling Keith Coolick at 440-655-2885 – PLAY BALL!

THE ELEVENTH ANNUAL ITALIAN SONS & DAUGHTERS OF AMERICA SPAGHETTI & MEATBALL DINNER to benefit the Little Sisters of the Poor is scheduled for (today), Sunday, April 23, 2006. Meals will be available between 1-4:00 p.m. at St. Mary and Joseph Home, 4291 Richmond Road (between Harvard and Emery Roads). The price is $8.00 for Adults and $4.00 for children (12 or under). Take out dinners available. For more information call 216-464-1222.

ST. MARY HEALTH AND WELLNESS MINISTRY invites you to Reflect and Renew, a well –deserved day of reflection and spiritual renewal for caregivers and those in helping professions! St. Mary Church, Fr. Hanzo Center, 242 North State Street, Painesville will host this program and it will take place on Sunday, May 7 th from 1:30 – 4:30 p.m. The guest speaker will be Fr. Norman Douglas with Heart to Heart Communications. You are welcome to attend 12:30 p.m. Mass beforehand! For more information please call 440-354-4381 ext. 115. Registration forms are available at the St. Mary Church website www.stmarypvl.org .

ST. ANTHONY ADULT DAY CENTER – St. Anthony Adult Day Center (located on the grounds of Borromeo Seminary) provides a structured daytime program for older adults who need daytime supervision, yet do not require 24-hour nursing care. A holistic approach to activities helps to maintain their maximum level of independence, support their physical and mental functioning, and provide respite to family and other caregivers. Adult volunteers are needed to assist with age and limitation appropriate exercisers, crafts, games, songs, walking, and mealtimes. Contact Beth Knowles at 440-943-7800 for more information.

REAL MUSIC - The third annual FEST 2006 Christian Talent Search is underway! Artists from the Cleveland area and beyond will be battling it out for a chance to play at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, June 23, 2006. We invite you to the I-X Center, April 28 th for Real Music, nationally known Mathew West, along with rides, fun and games all day for one low price! $4 off coupons are available on-line, www.theFEST.us . BE BOLD-hang out with your friends . . . bring the family . . . get the youth group together . . . do something extraordinary for yourself and your faith! For more information about Real Music or the FEST call 440-943-7662 or fest@theFEST.us . Don't miss this great opportunity.

TOM AMEEN CONCERT : Saturday, May 13 th 8pm St. John Vianney Parish, Mentor, OH. A copy of Tom's new CD “Little Miracles” can be reserved by prepaying. Available for pickup the night of the concert. For tickets or CD's, please call Carol Ameen at 440-255 - 2822.

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