Week of April 30, 2006

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Dear Parishioner,

As our community continues to grow, we discover new ways of serving others. What is especially revealing is when parishioners approach our staff with their own ideas of how we can more fully place our faith into action. Recently this has happened as some parishioners recognized that a meal ministry could be the concrete love of Christ to others.

Have you ever been in a position in which a spouse or family member was ill or maybe dying and for many reasons, stress, anxiety or lack of time and energy found yourself unable to prepare meals for yourself or family? Going back and forth to a hospital or nursing home during a stressful illness is very draining, physically and emotionally for the caretaker.

We would like to begin a ministry through which members of our community would be available to provide meals to families in such circumstances. This ministry is not about long-term food service such as “meals on wheels” – but intends to help people through specific – short term crisis, such as a hospital stay or a death. We are looking not only for those who would be willing to shop and cook but also those who could assist in coordinating this ministry. If this ministry is one in which you feel you could participate, there will be an informational meeting on Monday, May 8 th at 7:00 p.m. in the Resurrection Room. If you are unable to attend the meeting and wish to sign up today, you can do so on the form on the kiosk. (Once the ministry is organized we will let you know when we are ready to begin.)

As in all our ministries, the success of this effort will depend on the willingness of parishioners to give of their time and resources. Please discern if you are called to participate. Feeding the hungry is one of the specific requests Christ makes to his followers. He teaches us that when we feed those in need, we are offering food to Him.

Fr. George Smiga

COVER FOR THE BOOK OF THE GOSPELS – You may have noticed the new cover for the Book of the Gospels which we have been using since Easter. The cover is designed and hand carved out of oak by Norbert Koehn. The cost of the cover has been underwritten by a gift in memory of Marian J. and Henry F. Braun.

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.

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, SLW 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.

SPEAKING OUT ON HEALTH CARE – Our faith teaching tells us that everyone has the right to affordable, quality health care. Right now, we have a unique opportunity to tell our government what we think would make health care better. The Citizens' Health Care Working Group, a commission created by Congress, is currently surveying the public's opinions about health care through an online survey and town hall meetings. The group is mandated by law to report its findings to Congress and the President this fall.

Until May 15 th , you can make your voice heard here by answering the health care poll, telling what matters most to you about health care, and sharing your own experiences with the health care system. Every voice counts! Go to: www.citizenshealthcare.gov/speak_out/tell_us.php . When you've finished, please pass the word along to your friends and family.

INTERESTED IN THE CATHOLIC FAITH ? A new group of inquirers into the Catholic faith is now gathering. We will meet next on Tuesday, evening May 9, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. We welcome anyone interested in exploring the possibility of developing or deepening a relationship with Jesus in the context of the Catholic tradition. Please call Alice at 440-946-0887 with any questions or to register if you have not attended previous gatherings.

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. 

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 for GIFT at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday and 12:15 p.m. 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 .

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL VOLUNTEERS - - Get ready for an island adventure! Join us for a fun-packed week daily from 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. July 17 th - 21 st . We will transform St. Noel Church into a tropical island as we discover the treasure of God's love. You can help St. Noel kids grow in their faith and see how much God loves them. For two weekends (May 13/14 and May 20/21) we invite teachers and staff volunteers to sign up in the narthex after Mass either weekend. Volunteers may register their own children on these two weekends.

TAKE A LOOK!! Three years ago when the Vacation Bible School theme was SonHarvest and growing things, the VBS kids raised money for their mission project to plant a tree at St. Noel. The beautiful flowering Crab Apple tree they planted is just outside the window by the organ in church. Take a look at how it's grown and blossomed . . . just like the VBS kids!!

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!

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!

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 May are as follows: – May 4th - Guest speaker John “Gramps” Watson, storyteller – May 11 th Horse Racing – May 18 th – Noon – Socializing, and our meeting then at 12:30 p.m. we will have our luncheon consisting of hamburgers w/condiments (sliced onion, pickles, lettuce, tomato, mustard, ketchup), potato salad, baked beans, and ice cream with toppings. For tickets call: Rosemary at 440-585-4548. The cost of the luncheon is $6.00 a person and deadline for tickets and payment is May 15 th . – May 25 th Bingo - we will also 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 - See you tonight at 7:00pm. Sign up for GIFT!!

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.

JUNIOR HIGH YOUTH GROUP – See you this week for GIFT. It's not too late to sign up.

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.

CONFIRMATION – Bishop Roger Gries will preside at the 11:00 Mass on May 7 th as we celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation with 11 teenagers of our community. Please continue to pray for all who have received Sacraments of Initiation.

CONFIRMATION REHEARSAL – For those being confirmed on May 7 th , our rehearsal is Thursday, May 4 th at 5:45 p.m. in the Church. Sponsors need to attend.

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. 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!

CATHOLIC UPDATE - entitled “St. Mary Magdalene: Redeeming Her Gospel Reputation,” by Carol Ann Morrow is now available in the kiosk.

LADIES NIGHT OUT – Thursday, May 4 th , at Villa Angela/St. Joseph High School. $30.00 ticket includes dinner, beverages, and door prizes. The evening also includes a wonderful Chinese auction, a Grand Auction, 50/25/25 and sideboards. Everyone is invited. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with dinner at 7:00 p.m. For tickets and information call 216-0481-8414 ext. 224.

PROJECT HOPE FOR THE HOMELESS - in Painesville is in immediate need of a few different types of volunteers: Food Ministry Coordinators, laundry transporter, overnight & evening volunteers. - Food Ministry Coordinators schedule volunteers to make & deliver a meal on a regularly scheduled day (current days available are Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays). - Blankets are laundered weekly at a Richmond Street Laundromat in Painesville. A volunteer is needed to transport blankets to and from the shelter and Laundromat, once a week on any chosen day. Evening volunteers work 7-11 p.m. and Overnight Volunteers work 11 p.m. – 7 a.m. or 7 p.m. – 7 a.m. Volunteers assist staff by being hands, eyes and ears while serving a meal, doing light chores and socializing with about 25 homeless guests. Volunteers must be 18 or older, or accompanied by an adult. To inquire about these opportunities, please call Melissa Knight, volunteer coordinator, at 354-6417 x106.Project Hope for the Homeless is Lake County's only homeless shelter at 25 Freedom Road, Painesville Township. Every evening, the shelter, staff and volunteers provide temporary, emergency shelter for men, women and children, in the name and for the sake of Jesus Christ.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES - Local manufacturer and distributor of high performance roofing and flooring solutions is looking to hire several skilled professionals. The positions that are being considered are: Architect, Cost Accountant, Engineer, Graphic Designer, Quality Control, and Legal. For more information, please contact Karl Sooy or Jay Hebert at 216-641-7500 and visit www.garlandco.com.

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