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Week
of April 25, 2004
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Dear Parishioner,
This week
I would like to bring two opportunities to your attention: one for
process and one for service.
The
process opportunity relates to the sexual abuse scandal in our Church.
It has been about one year now since this deplorable problem has
been graphically brought to our attention. I believe that most of
us responded with shock and anger. Yet, the depth and suddenness
of the news of abuse may have necessitated time to pass for many
before the healing processing could begin. This Tuesday, April 27
th from 7-9:00 p.m. we will hold an Evening of Lamentation and Healing
regarding the sexual abuse issues in our Church. The purpose of
the evening is to provide a space in which we can share our thoughts,
feelings and ideas in a context of safety and prayer. Tim Warneka,
M.E.D., LPCC, who is a parishioner, professional counselor, and
business consultant will assist me in facilitating the evening.
The meeting will be held in the lower level of our new wing. Hopefully
it will be a time where we as believers can address the difficult
issues which the reality of sexual abuse in our Church has occasioned
and together take steps towards healing. Please come on the 27 th
so that we can assure ourselves that we are doing all that we can
to prevent these terrible actions from harming our children in the
future.
The
opportunity for service carries us into happier realms. It is spring
and as usual our outdoor chapel is in need of restoration. Because
of the change in our Mass schedule, we are unable to schedule weekend
Masses in the outdoor chapel—it simply does not accommodate enough
people. We will use the chapel for some weekday
Masses, holiday Masses and for private meditation and prayer. To
do so the ravages of winter must be repaired. Therefore, we are
looking for your help. We need people to remove light debris, restain
the benches and do some planting of flowers. You can do this on
your own time and at your own pace. We will provide the direction
and materials. We will also be able to schedule you to work with
other members of the community, if you desire to work with others.
So if you have some time to prepare the outdoor chapel for summer
use, please call the parish office ( 440-946-0887) and tell us what
kind of work you would like to do and when. We will then get back
to you. The outdoor chapel has always been an expression of the
interest and generosity of our parishioners. Please consider being
a part of this tradition this year.
Fr.
George Smiga
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 – “The
voices of parishioners need to be heard on behalf of vulnerable
children—born and unborn—on behalf of those who suffer discrimination
and injustice, on behalf of those without health care or housing,
on behalf of our land and water, our communities and neighborhoods”
(U.S. Catholic Bishops, Communities of Salt and Light).
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.
FOOD
PANTRY NEED – Our food
pantry is very low on laundry detergent, paper towels and Kleenex.
Soaps and paper products, while much needed items in any household,
cannot be purchased with food stamps. If you are able to supply
any of these items it would be much appreciated. Just place them
in the designated box in the food pantry area, Thank you.
WOMEN'S
PRAYER BREAKFAST – We
invite all women of the parish to join us on Saturday, May 8 th
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 8 th .
MEN'S
PRAYER BREAKFAST – Men
of all ages are encouraged to attend this monthly event. The prayer
breakfast is held here at St. Noel on the first Saturday of each
month (September-May), from 8-10:00 a.m. It is a morning filled
with fellowship, faith sharing, fun and food. Why not start the
month out right? Join us on May 1 to be refreshed and renewed in
body, mind and spirit.
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.
PLANT
A ROW FOR THE HUNGRY
– Do you love to garden? Do you want to help feed the hungry? This
summer dedicate a portion of your home garden to grow vegetables
for St. Augustine's Hunger Center. Bring your harvest to St. Noel
in August or September and we will deliver it (watch the bulletin
for collection details). Preferred vegetables are collards, carrots,
peppers, cabbage, cucumbers, tomatoes, and beans. We will provide
you with seeds or starter plants if necessary, but you must place
you order by May 9. Call the parish office at 440-946-0887.
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 Fran the parish office at 440-946-0887.
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 Thursday
, May 13 .
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 – meets
every Thursday at noon in the Hall. Everyone is welcome to attend
the Senior Fellowship
on Thursdays.
MOTHER'S
DAY BRUNCH – will be
held on Sunday, May 9, 2004. Reservations are required. There will
be two sittings (10:00 a.m. and Noon). Adults are $14, Children
6-12 years are $7, and children 5 years and younger are free. Please
check the back of the April calendar for details. For more information
or
reservations
please call the hall at 440-946-6635.
PRIME
TIME – See you tonight
(Sunday) at 7:30pm. End the year on a positive note!!
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 May 4 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.
CLEVELAND
FOOD BANK – Our group
is serving at the Food Bank on Monday, May 3 rd . We leave the Church
at 5:30pm. Please call Anthony (946-1128) if you would like to serve.
UB
PROFILE – Our parishioner,
Colleen Cook, was recently profiled in the Catholic Universe Bulletin.
Check out her article on the kiosk. Great job, Colleen!!
CAMP
YAC – Our annual junior
high camp is scheduled for the week of June 14 th . This is a great
chance to involve your 6-8 th grade student in a great week of fun,
service and spiritual activities. Brochures available in May.
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 today (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 –
will be next Sunday May 2, 2004. The Holy Father calls all Catholics
to pray for vocations on this Good Shepherd Sunday. In his message
for World Day of Prayer for Vocations he writes: “ Our primary
duty is to pray to the ‘Lord of the harvest' for those who already
follow Christ very closely in the priesthood and religious life,
and for those whom he in his mercy continues to call to such important
ecclesial service.” May God bless those who shepherd our Church
with health, peace, and wisdom. May many more hear the call to priesthood,
deaconate, and consecrated religious life. For more information
about Church vocations go to: www.Churchvocations.com.
CATHOLIC
UPDATE – The next
issue of the Catholic Update entitled, “ What Is ‘Just
War' Today? is now available on the kiosk. This is a thought provoking
reflection on the history and ongoing development of the Just War
Theory in our Church, especially as it relates to present day realities.
Why not pick up a copy of this Update
THE
OHIO BOYCHOIR is having
a fundraising dinner at St. Vitus School Auditorium, 6104 Lausche
Ave., in Cleveland. The dinner is on Sunday, May 2 from 11:00 a.m.
to 1:00 p.m. The main entrees are roast chicken or roast pork. Cost
is $10 for an adult dinner, $5 for children 13 and under. Take out
is available. For tickets or more information, please call 216-486-1973.
IGNATION
LAY VOLUNTEER CORPS.
– Retired? Desire a deeper spiritual life? Want to use your skills
helping the area poor? Please attend an information meeting that
will be held at: Gesu Parish, 2490 Miramar Blvd., University Hts.,
Ohio 44118 on Wednesday, April 28 from 1-3:00 p.m. in McCauley Hall
or attend a meeting at the Jesuit Retreat House, 5629 State Road,
Parma, Ohio 44134 on Tuesday, May 11, 10:00 a.m. till Noon.
CHRIST
CHILD SOCIETY of the
Western Reserve has scheduled a Tour of Churches in the Tremont
area on Tuesday, May 11. Cost is $25.00 and includes lunch at Sokolinski's
University Inn. To register or for more information call at 440-974-1643.
YOU
ARE INVITED : to the
Catholic Commission of Lake/Geauga's 15 th Anniversary Peace &
Justice Dinner on Friday, April 30 th , 6:00 p.m., social hour and
silent auction, 7:00 p.m. dinner and program at the Center for Pastoral
Leadership, Founders Room, 28700 Euclid Ave., Wickliffe. Dinner
tickets are $25.00. Call the Catholic Commission for reservations
at 440-585-7745.
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