Week of May 1, 2005

Quick View of Meetings for the Week

Archive of Weekly Bulletins

Dear Parishioner,

I have received several inquiries as to the status of our new Parish Picture Directories. Yes, they are still on the way and we expect them to be available by early June. Even though the individual pictures were taken before Christmas, the assembly of those pictures as part of a directory, the proofreading, and correcting of informational errors has absorbed a great deal of time. We have been in constant contact with the studio and the final proofs should soon be in our hands. We look forward to the time when those who have participated in the directory will receive a free copy of this important tool to help us recognize and appreciate one another.

As this 25 th Anniversary Year of St. Noel Parish unfolds we will be looking forward to other ways to celebrate our community. A history book on the first 25 years of the parish is in process. Plans are taking shape for a parish-wide celebration to be held this summer on Sunday, August 21 st . More specific dates and opportunities will be announced in the upcoming months. This milestone in our parish history provides us with a fitting occasion to give thanks to God for all the blessings we have received.

Fr. George Smiga

SIGNED LITURGY – This Sunday, May 1 st April Kinder will be joining us to sign the 11:00 a.m. Mass for the hearing impaired. Reserved seating can be found in the first two rows of chairs by the Eucharistic Chapel.

JOIN US AS WE STUDY Jim Wallis' book, God's Politics : Why the Right Gets It Wrong and Why the Left Doesn't Get It , on Monday nights in June at 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m., beginning June 6 th , in the Nativity Room. God's politics offers a clarion call to make both our religious communities and our government more accountable to key values of the prophetic religious tradition – that is, make them pro-justice, pro-peace, pro-environment, pro-equality, pro-consistent ethic of life, and pro-family. Don't miss this opportunity to read and to discuss why Archbishop Desmond Tutu has said “Jim Wallis is compelling, provocative, and inspirational, with the kind of faith that can move mountains and can certainly move people and communities.” Please call Rose Fini of our Social Concerns Commission if you plan to attend at 440-376-7295 or e-mail her at rosalina725@hotmail.com . Please purchase or borrow the book and read the first six chapters for the first meeting.

REFUGEE MINISTRY REVISITED – Many of you were involved in helping the three refugee families we hosted in the past (1999-2000).  You know the joy and satisfaction you felt when you gave your gifts of time, goods and prayer to these families.  The Migration and Refugee Office of the Diocese has asked us to consider helping the new refugee populations that are now arriving.  Here are some ways that you can be of service:  providing transportation to appointments, picking up and welcoming families at the airport when they arrive, donating household and personal items, teaching/mentoring with regard to our culture, offering assistance with translation or volunteering in the office itself with clerical work.  Please call the Migration and Refugee office directly if you are interested in assisting in any of these ways.  Their number is 216-281-7005.  If you are not sure how or if you can help, they can provide you with additional information.  They can also offer you orientation and training regarding this important mission. 

WANTED CRAFT PEOPLE – Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is looking for a few good craft people! Do you have a knack for woodworking, painting, drawing, sculpting or sewing? If interested please contact Marianne Slattery at 440-946-1128 X 21.

PSR:   This Monday, May 2nd , students will participate in part one of a mini-retreat in preparation for the Feast of Pentecost. Grades 1, 2, 3 and Special Education should report to the Lower Level and Grades 4, 5 and 6 to the Small Hall at their normal class time. On Monday, May 9th , all families should come to the Large Hall at 6:30pm for part two of the mini-retreat. Students will participate with their families . On Wednesday, May 18th , all PSR parents are invited to attend a meeting to learn about the direction that faith formation will take next year. The meeting will begin at 7:30pm in the Small Hall. Father George and Marianne Slattery will be on hand to share the rationale of GIFT and answer questions.

PLANTED IN THE GARDEN OF GOD: BLOSSOMING, BLOOMING, AND BEARING FRUIT – On Wednesday May 4 th we will offer a daytime retreat opportunity in the Resurrection Room from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. including lunch (a donation of $5.00 will help cover the cost of lunch.) Fran Armbruster will lead the day. If you have any questions, please call Fran at 440-729-3976. Please sign up on the kiosk if you plan to attend.

WOMEN'S PRAYER BREAKFAST – Please join us at our springtime celebration breakfast on Saturday, May 14 th from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. in the small hall. Our guest speaker is St. Noel's parishioner, Jane Richmond, who will be speaking on “Living in the Now.” As always, we will enjoy a delicious breakfast and share a time of conversation and prayer together. The suggested donation is $3.50. 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.

MOTHER'S DAY BRUNCH – will be held on Sunday, May 8, 2005. Reservations are required. There will be two seatings (10:00 a.m. and 12:15 p.m.). Adults are $15, 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.

ST. NOEL FELLOWSHIP –Activities for the month of May are as follows: May 5th – Chinese auction – May 12 th - games of choice – May 19th - 12:00 p.m. meeting and social then at 12:30 p.m. we will have our luncheon consisting of a sub sandwich on a soft Kaiser roll, potato salad, and mixed berry pie. The cost of the luncheon is $5.00 per person. May 26th - we will be celebrating anniversaries and birthdays. Please remember to bring your food donation for the food bank to this meeting. Everyone is welcome to attend the Senior Fellowship on Thursday.

PRIME TIME – O God our Mother!! What's that all about?? Find out at PRIME TIME tonight (Sunday) at 7:30pm.

JUNIOR HIGH YOUTH GROUP – Our next meeting is this Tuesday, May 3 rd at 7:00pm. Bring your bibles and bring a friend!

NOEL MOVERS – We are in need of baby cribs, mattress and box springs (any size), dressers as well as any furniture in good condition. We do not pick up clothes, knick knacks or items needing repair. Please call Anthony if you can help.

WHITEWATER RAFTING – The dates are set!! The trip will be June 29-July1st. We'll travel on the 29 th and camp on the grounds of North American River Runners. We'll raft all day on June 30 th and head home July 1 st . Total cost is only $100/person which includes all fees and all meals. The trip is open to all parishioners!! Minimum age is 12. Sign up on the kiosk. Call Anthony with questions.

CAMP YAC – Our junior high summer camp is scheduled for the week of June 20-24. The camp is open to current 6-8 grade students and is a great time. Registration forms will be available in May.

CAMP COUNSELORS -   Camp YAC is in need of high school counselors! Earn service hours, have a great time, make a difference the week of June 20-24. Counselors must have completed 9 th grade and be available for training. Call Anthony (946-1128) if interested.

GEAUGA LAKE – group tickets are available for only $23/person. Minimum order is 20 tickets. Let's pick a date a get a group together. Call Anthony to help organize the day.

CLEVELAND FOOD BANK – We're serving at the Food Bank on Monday, May 2 nd . Please call Anthony if you are interested in serving.

GOLDEN WEDDING ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION - Bishop Pilla will celebrate the annual Golden Wedding Anniversary Celebration this year at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist on Sunday, July 31, 2005 at 2:00 p.m. Registrations are now being accepted for couples married 50 years (married in 1955). Deadline for registration is June 17, 2005. Please call the parish office at 440-946-0887 to register.

ST. NOEL MEN'S SOFTBALL TEAM invites any men of the parish over the age of 30 to join our team. If interested please contact the parish office at 440-946-0887.

AFS SEEKING HOST FAMILIES FOR THE 2005/2006 SCHOOL YEAR – The Mentor Chapter of AFS (American Field Service), the oldest existing exchange student program in the U.S., is looking for host families in the Willoughby and Willoughby Hills Area for the next school year. This school year, Willoughby South is hosting a girl from Switzerland and a girl from Chile. New Students will arrive in August from many different countries; these students are eager to learn and share their cultures. Support is given to the student and families by area volunteers. Call 1-800-237-4636 and find out how opening your home to an exchange student can change your world.

THE CATHEDRAL OF ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST – Any child who received their First Holy Communion this year is invited to join in a diocesan Corpus Christi celebration with Bishop Anthony Pilla on Saturday evening, May 28 th at 4:30 p.m. Mass at St. John Cathedral . There will be a procession of the children, pictures with the Bishop, and free parking in our Rockwell Avenue garage. No reservations are necessary; simply arrive at 4:15 p.m. dressed in your communion outfits.

FUND IN HONOR OF POPE JOHN PAUL II – DIOCESE – In response to the immense outpouring of sympathy in honor of the late Pope John Paul II, The Catholic Diocese of Cleveland has created the Pope John Paul II Fund for Poor and Disadvantage Children. The Catholic Diocese of Cleveland Foundation (CDCF) set up the fund after receiving a number of inquiries about how to make a gift in the Pope's memory. The fund was created to carry on Pope John Paul's legacy in Northeast Ohio. Donations will be used to provide education, food, shelter, and basic assistance for poor and disadvantaged children in the community. Those interested may make a donation to the CDCF-Pope John Paul II Fund , at any local branch of National City Bank .

A WEEKEND FOR DIVORCED SEPARATED AND WIDOWED - Divorced separated and widowed men and women of all ages are encouraged to attend a weekend designed for those who wish to let go of the painful past and create a more peace-filled future. Presented by people who have “been there” and offer their support. The next BEGINNING EXPERIENCE Weekend will be held on June 10 th , 11 th , & 12 th , at St. Joseph Christian Life Center in Cleveland. Call Carole (330-416-8911) or Frank (440-473-0457) and Joan (216-671-0077) for the information on this weekend of hope and healing. Or reach us at: www.beginningexerience.org.

WE TREASURE YOUR TRASH – The Fundraising Committee at Christ the King is requesting that you please save the following Trash to Cash items year round. These items include: Campbell, Prego, Swanson and Franco American labels, Pepperidge Farm UPC Codes, General Mills 10 cent box tops (pink or gold logo), as well as Tyson A+ 1-2-3 panels, found on Tyson frozen products. We also recycle empty inkjet, laser and toner cartridges. The money we receive from these various redemptions helps support Christ the King Church's many ministries and outreach programs to the poor in East Cleveland. If you and/or your family and friends use these products, please save these items for us. Your support would be greatly appreciated. Gold colored collection boxes have been placed in St. Noel's coatroom for your convenience. May God bless you for helping those less fortunate.

<FEST 2005> REAL MUSIC…Christian Talent Search We invite you to come Friday May 6, 2005 to St. Peter Chanel High School, 480 Northfield Road, Bedford; and Saturday, May 7, 2005 to John Carroll University. Doors open both nights at 6:00 p.m. the free concert begins at 6:30 p.m. Join us for REAL MUSIC … its free! For more information about REAL MUSIC or the FEST call the FEST office at 440-943-7662 or fest@a-full-life.com or check out updates on the web at www.a-full-life.com .

CATHOLIC UPDATE – entitled “Communion of Saints: Key to the Eucharist,” by William H. Shannon, is now available in the kiosk.

TAIZE PRAYER – will be held on Thursday, May 5, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. at St. Mary Magdalene Church, 460 East 321 st St., Willowick. Taize prayer services are held the first Thursday of the month from September through May. For more information please call 440-943-2133.

CLEVELAND CATHOLIC FORUM – is sponsoring an exciting, fun no-pressure way to meet singles. We are accepting only 100 reservations for our event to be held Saturday, June 4 th at 6:30 p.m. at Holy Rosary Church in Little Italy, 12021 Mayfield Road, Cleveland. The event is open to those eligible to marry in the Church between the ages of 25-45. Tickets and more information are available at our website:

www.clevelandcatholicforum.com or by calling Lee at 216-598-0170.

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