Week of May 6, 2007

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Archive of Weekly Bulletins

Dear Parishioner,

It is part of parish life to keep our members informed of important events which occur in the lives of our community. Certainly high in importance is the news that a death has occurred. However, because the time between a death and the funeral is routinely 3-4 days, it is not always possible to announce the news at masses on the weekend.

Therefore, we have decided to offer an e-mail announcement service for any parishioner who wishes to be notified of the death and funeral arrangements for members of our community. This service is being hosted by Constant Contacts, an independent e-mail marketing database company. Constant Contracts will maintain the e-mail provided and assure privacy.

To Sign up for this service you can go to “Sign up for funeral e-mail notification,” and put in your e-mail address in the space provided. You may opt-out or change your e-mail at anytime. There is no cost for this service.

The speed of the internet allows all of us to stay in better contact with each other. Please consider whether you would wish to use this service to learn of the deaths of our parishioners and then have the opportunity to provide them support and consideration.

Fr. George Smiga

CONGRATUALTIONS – to our newly confirmed members of St. Noel: Zachary Ewais, Erika Trobenter, Darcy Valente, Peter Westover and Tyler Rus. They were confirmed by Bishop Gries at the 5:00pm Mass this weekend.

SIGNED LITURGY – We are very pleased to announce that our 11:00 a.m. liturgy will be signed for the hearing impaired every Sunday from now on.  We are grateful to the Disabilities Ministry which is led by Fr. Joe McNulty and to all the interpreters for providing this important service. 

ST. NOEL CONCERT SERIES presents a rare and wonderful opportunity to hear a master in the art of solo handbell ringing. Please mark you calendars for Friday, May 11 at 7:00PM when we will be presenting Michèle Sharik in concert. Michèle Sharik is recognized both nationally and internationally for her expertise in the art of handbell ringing. She has toured throughout the United States, as well as in Canada, England, Scotland, Japan, and Hong Kong. She has served as clinician for numerous American Guild of English Handbell Ringers (AGEHR) events and she has several handbell works in publication. In addition to solo ringing, Michèle is a member of the internationally acclaimed handbell ensemble, Sonos, and she serves as Director of Handbells for two San Francisco Bay area churches. So mark your calendars and don't miss this extraordinary opportunity. The concert is free of charge. A free-will offering will be taken to benefit St. Colman, an inner-city parish in the process of beginning its own handbell program.

CURIOUS ABOUT CATHOLICISM?    A new inquiry group about the Catholic faith will begin gathering on Tuesday evening, May 8, 2007 and will meet from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the Resurrection Room.  Please call Alice Hinkel at 440-946-0887 if you would like to join us.  Bring your questions or concerns, a friend if you like and yourself!

MEAL MINISTRY REMINDERS -  Parishioners in need of short term assistance with meals, such as might occur at the time of a surgery, a funeral or the arrival of a baby, are reminded that our Meal Ministry is here to help!  (Unfortunately we are not able to handle long term needs that might arise for someone who is homebound or chronically ill.)  Please call in your requests to the parish office who then will forward them to our coordinator, Margaret Neville.  If you would like to participate (cook) for the meal ministry please see the sign-up sheet on the kiosk.

LEGISLATIVE HOT LINE – The April 23 rd issue of this publication is available in the kiosk under the Social Justice Ministry section.  This issue addresses poverty in the United States, the federal farm bill, Ohio's children's health insurance program, funding for WIC, and more.

BABY BOTTLE BOOMERANG – Hannah's Home is a Christian facility located in Mentor, which provides a home and supportive services to young single women who are pregnant and in need. As a fund raiser, they are launching their “Baby Bottle Boomerang” project on Mother's Day and concluding it on Father's Day. You will find baby bottles on the table in the narthex, which we ask you to pick up on Mother's Day (or after) and fill with change, and then return it to the office on Father's Day (or before).

SERVING THE SICK IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - Our parishioners Joe Daprano and Denise Bothe and their two children Joseph and Charlotte spent the month of January in the Dominican Republic.  As physicians Joe and Denise worked with people suffering from HIV-AIDS. Please join us on Wednesday evening, May 16, 2007 from 7p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Resurrection Room when Denise and Joe have generously offered to share their experience with us. 

CHILDREN who received communion for the first time this year are invited to the Cathedral for a special blessing from Bishop Lennon. On Saturday, June 9 th at 4:30 p.m. the Bishop will celebrate Mass with children who have received first Holy Communion since Easter. Children are invited to wear their Communion or Sunday outfits as they will participate in a procession with Bishop Lennon.

WOMEN, MEN, GRANDPARENTS, FRIENDS - pray with us as we support each other through Jesus' example. Our Elizabeth Ministers are offering a special liturgy on Wednesday, May 23 rd at 6:45 p.m. This ministry offers prayer and support to families experiencing the joys and sorrows of childbearing years. Join us as we pray for comfort and healing for ourselves and others facing the stress, hurt, frustration or loss these issues can bring. There will be people on hand for support, but feel free to invite a friend or family member to accompany you for an evening Mass of Healing. If you or someone you know might benefit from this kind of prayer and support, please encourage her or him to come with you to this liturgy. If you have any questions, please call 440-946-1128 x 21.

THE ELIZABETH MINISTRY'S “ELIZABETH'S ROSES” - will be available in the narthex following all masses on the weekend of May 12-13, 2007. Designed to identify, pray for, and support the needs of women and their families during the childbearing years, parishioners are invited to select a rosebud from the display and indicate a particular need relating to pregnancy, birth, adoption, fertility or loss. Elizabeth ministers will pray daily for the families represented, and if requested, will contact the family in order to provide continued support. Prayer cards will be available for personal meditation. For further information on the Elizabeth Ministry, visit the parish website at www.stnoel.org, and click on “Caring Ministries.”

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL VOLUNTEERS – Get ready for a special agent mission! Join us for a fun-packed week daily from 9:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m., July 16 th -20 th . We will transform St. Noel Church into a mission command center as we discover God's force is always with us. You can help St. Noel kids grow in their faith and see how much God cares for them. For two weekends (May 12/13 and May 19/20) 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.

GIFT SHOW AND TELL - Remember to bring your "Our God Saves" show and tell to the next GIFT session in the brown bag your household received at the March session. If you did not attend GIFT in March, or you need a replacement bag, extra bags (including directions) can be found on the GIFT table in the Narthex. Show and tell will take place during dinner with your tablemates.

As you pack away the Easter baskets and decorations remember that it is still the Easter season. Join us as we Unpack the Resurrection at our next GIFT session (Sunday, May 6, 12:30-3:00 p.m.) All adults will be treated to the insights of Father George as he continues making the connection of our salvation journey between Exodus and Easter. The session will emphasize how our relationship with the Risen Christ is part of God's plan to establish a kingdom of love and justice on earth. All other children will receive a backpack that they will fill with items they collect on their journey through the Resurrection. These items can be used to build the Kingdom. If you have not already registered, fill out a form at the GIFT table.

ST. NOEL “50 WILLS CAMPAIGN” - Bequests naming St. Noel as beneficiary will help in great measure to ensure that the spiritual needs of our community will be guaranteed for generations to come. In December of 2006 the Endowment Committee announced a new “50 Wills” fund-raising campaign to help make a financially sound future for St. Noel even more certain. We are gratified by the positive response to date. The Committee invites you join those who have already provided for St. Noel in their estate planning, and at the same time, help us to meet our “50 Wills” goal.

WOMEN'S PRAYER BREAKFAST - A Spring Prayer Breakfast will be held in the Banquet Center/small hall on May 12, 2007 from 8:00 – 10:00 a.m. Please come for a morning of Celebrating Women and Our voice in the Community. Sister Beverly Anne LoGrasso, an Ursuline Nun on the staff of the Women's Re-Entry Network, will be our speaker. As always, we will enjoy a delicious breakfast and a time of prayer and fellowship together. The suggested donation is $3.50. There will be a sign up sheet on the kiosk. Any questions please call Joyce Rodriguez at 440-286-3060.

ST. NOEL FELLOWSHIP – Activities for May are as follows: May 10 th Speaker, Tinkhan Andrew “Consumer Service”- May 17 th – Bingo – May 24 th - socializing, meeting, and then at 12:30 p.m. we will have our luncheon Menu: Chicken Tetrazzini, California vegetables, and peach pie. Cost is $6.00 per person. Deadline for tickets and payment is May 21 st - May 23 rd - We will celebrate birthdays and anniversaries. Also, please remember to bring your food donation for the food pantry to this meeting. Everyone is welcome to attend the Senior Fellowship on Thursdays.

PRIME TIME – It's GIFT today (Sunday). No meeting tonight.

NOEL MOVERS – We are in need of cribs and other baby items. Please call Anthony to donate any useable furniture (946-1128 x20)

CLARK BARS – we have a few boxes remaining to support Terry as he battles his cancer. Please stop by the table in the narthex and buy a bar for $1.00, and continue to pray for his recovery. Terry was at Mass last weekend and looks great!

BLOOD DRIVE – The American Red Cross will be at St. Noel Church on Sunday, May 20 th to conduct a blood drive. Further details will be in the bulletin and on the kiosk. The Northern Ohio Regions supplies 57 local hospitals and tries to collect 900 units every day to keep the supplies at adequate levels. High schools and colleges supply 15% of the blood so summer break is a critical time for other groups to help. Please consider donating blood on May 20 th . If you're interested in volunteering to help on the 20 th , please call Anthony.

CAMP YAC – Our annual junior high camp is scheduled for the week of June 25 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.

JUNIOR HIGH YOUTH GROUP – Our next meeting after GIFT is May 16 th at 7:00pm.

FLOWERS AND JUSTICE – as Mother's Day approaches, many will head to the florist or grocery store to purchase cut flowers. The majority of cut flowers – especially roses - sold in the U.S. are imported from Columbia and Ecuador. Human rights violations are a regular occurrence in the industry as workers suffer from low wages, long hours and over-exposure to toxic chemicals. U.S. consumers are also at risk as many toxic chemicals remain on the flowers once they reach this country. Companies such as Organic Bouquet do offer alternatives as well as flowers grown in the U.S. and Canada where standards are much higher. Here are some websites to learn more about the issue: http://www.laborrights.org/press/Flowers/vday07_ilrfusleap_021207.htm http://www.organicconsumers.org/btc/flowers010906.cfm

The more we know, the more we can bring about change!

ST. NOEL MEN'S SOFTBALL TEAM – Any men 30 years or older are invited to join the St. Noel Men's Softball Team. Please call the parish office at 44-946-0887 for details.

GOLDEN WEDDING ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION - Bishop Lennon will celebrate the annual Golden Wedding Anniversary Celebration this year at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist on Sunday, July 29, 2007 at 2:30 p.m. Registrations are now being accepted for couples married 50 years (married in 1957). Deadline for registration is June 15, 2007. Please call the parish office at 440-946-0887 to register.

“CHILDREN AND DIVORCE: You're Still Mom and Dad to Me” - Join Bill Glover, M.A., on Wednesday, May 23, 2007, at Divine Word Church, 8100 Eagle Road, Kirtland, from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm, as he addresses the difficult issues that children of all ages face when their parents divorce and offers practical advice for parents. To register or for more information, kindly call Karen at 440-352-8282.

NAVIGATING THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM – Carol Santulucia will speak on this topic, Wednesday, May 9, 2007 at St. Noel Hall. Lunch will be served at 12:00 p.m. and the cost is $15.00. More information is found in the narthex. For reservations please call 216-486-3011 or 216-289-3593.

ST. JOHN VIANNEY OF MENTOR hosts a monthly grief support group. The next session is on Tuesday, May 15 th at 7:00 p.m. If you are interested, please call Rita at 440-942-0336 for required registration.

CYO CAMP CHRISTOPHER'S ANNUAL OPEN HOUSE - will be held on Saturday, May 12 th from 1-5 p.m. Come and see a place where children can grow in nature, community and Spirit. Get answers to your questions and even sign up on site! Call 1.800.CYO.CAMP x 203 for more information. Camp Christopher is located in Bath Township, Ohio. Visit www.akroncyo.org/camping   for more information.

ATTENTION - Camp Christopher is looking for a qualified Waterfront Director for the summer of 2007. Lifeguard Certification (Red Cross or equivalent) required. WSI Certification Preferred. For more information call or e-mail with questions to

1.800. CYO.CAMP x 229 or jliten@akroncyo.org .

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