Week of May 15, 2005

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Dear Parishioner,

One of the goals of our Parish Pastoral Council over the last year was to heighten the awareness of the shortage of priests within the diocese and to prepare us for the anticipated changes which that shortage would precipitate. It was with this goal in mind that the council held two surveys at the beginning of this year, assessing the knowledge of our parishioners concerning the shortage and the preferences within our parish as to the direction St. Noel should take in the years ahead.

The shortage which the council has highlighted has begun to make a concrete difference in the staffing policy of our diocese. Last month in a letter from Fr. Don Oleksiak, the Director of the Clergy Personnel Board, the priests of the diocese were informed of a new formula for assignments. For years it was accepted that parishes of 2100 households could expect to have a second priest, an associate pastor, assigned to the community. This year fourteen parishes were scheduled to receive an associate, but only ten priests were available to serve as associate pastors. This prompted the personnel board to change the formula. Looking at the increasing shortage in the years ahead, a parish will now be required to have 2800 households in order to warrant a second priest. St. Anselm in Chesterland was one of the first parishes in our area to feel the impact of the changes. St. Anselm has 2400 households and their associate who is taking a new assignment this year will not be replaced. This leaves Fr. Sweeney, the pastor of St. Anselm, as the only assigned priest in a parish 50% larger than St. Noel. (We have 1600 households and remember Fr. Tom Dragga is not assigned to St. Noel but remains at present able to continue helping us by presiding at a weekend liturgy.) Clearly, the shortage of priests within our diocese will continue to grow. (We are ordaining only one new priest this year.)

Let us continue to pray that the Church might find ways of inviting more people to consider a priestly vocation. May we also be guided so that we as a Church might find new ways of continuing our ministries of prayer and service with fewer priests.

Fr. George Smiga

USHERS/GREETERS are needed at the 5:00 p.m. Mass . Anyone interested in being an usher/greeter at the 5:00 p.m. Mass please call the parish office at 440-946-0887.The new schedule starts July 1 st . You would be scheduled once a month. (The pay is not much but the extra benefits are “heavenly”).

DIOCESAN REVIEW BOARD SEEKING MEMBER -The Catholic Diocese of Cleveland Review Board which assesses the credibility of allegations of sexual abuse of minors is seeking a new member to fill an unscheduled vacancy. If you are interested in serving on this volunteer board, a description of the duties and an application are available at the Diocese of Cleveland web site at www.dioceseofcleveland.org . If you do not have internet access, you may call the Diocese Communication office at 1-800-869-6525 ext. 4460. Deadline for applications is June 17, 2005.

2005 CATHOLIC CHARITIES ANNUAL APPEAL We ask that you return your Catholic Charities envelope (even if you are unable to contribute

just mark a "0") in the collection or to the office by May 15th.

GOD IS NOT A REPUBLICAN OR A DEMOCRATE – 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.

PETITION ON GENOCIDE IN DARFUR - The Catholic Commission of Lake and Geauga Counties has provided us with petitions addressing the humanitarian crisis in Darfur.  You may sign one of these petitions on the Social Concerns section on the kiosk. The petitions urge our nation and the international community to take strong and decisive action to stop the violence, provide sufficient humanitarian aid for those in camps, hold the perpetrators accountable, and establish conditions for the safe, voluntary, and dignified return of survivors to their homes in order to bring an end to the genocide taking place in Darfur, Sudan. 

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL VOLUNTEERS --Get ready for a Prayer Safari! Join us for a fun-packed week daily from 9:00 a.m-12:30 p.m. (please note extended time) July 18-22. We will transform St. Noel Church into a safari adventure as we explore the Lord's Prayer. You can help St. Noel kids grow in their faith and learn about this traditional prayer. For two weekends (May 14/15 and May 21/22) 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.

THE ELIZABETH MINISTRY'S “ELIZABETH'S ROSES” - will be available in the narthex following all Masses this weekend. 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.”

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.

On Wednesday, May 18th , all parents of the parish 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.

Plant a Row for the Hungry Please consider planting extra vegetables in your garden this year to donate to the St. Augustine Hunger Center. Cabbage, collards,

carrots, tomatoes, peppers, beans, and lettuce would be appreciated. Please bring your bounty to St. Noel on Fridays before 5:00 pm. during the harvest season.

Call Karen Fraley for questions at 440-946-1605.

ROSARY – Join us Tuesday, May 17th, from 7-7:45 p.m. in the chapel as we pray the Rosary. All are welcome to this quiet, reflective time in honor of Mary and her Son, Jesus.

ST. NOEL FELLOWSHIP –Activities for the month of May are as follows: – 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.

JUNIOR HIGH YOUTH GROUP – Our final meeting is this Tuesday, May 17 th at 7:00pm. Bring your bibles.

NOEL MOVERS – We are in need of tables/chairs, 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 at 440-946-1128 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 at 440-946-1128 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 are available in the kiosk.

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 (440-946-1128) if interested.

STOCK OPTIONS - The market can be a rough ride!! Why not purchase stock in a lasting, worthwhile commodity - OUR YOUTH!! On the weekends of June 11-12 and June 18-19, stop at the table in the narthex and invest in the youth of our parish who are traveling to Chicago 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!

ST. JOHN VIANNEY of Mentor hosts a monthly grief support group. The next session is on Monday, May 16 th at 7:00 p.m. If you are interested in coming please call Rita DeMarchi at 440-942-0336.

THE DIVORCED AND SEPARATED CATHOLICS WORKSHOP OF LAKE AND GEAUGA COUNTY IS PRESENTING : THRIVING IN THE FACE OF ADVERSITY : The Chinese symbol for crisis means both danger and opportunity. When the crisis of divorce enters our lives we are initially more in touch with the negative, or “dangerous” aspects—the pain, uncertainty, fear, and anger. As we move through the divorce process we eventually get to a place where we begin to appreciate the opportunities for growth and change. This presentation will provide guidelines to help you expand and grow from the crisis of divorce. Join Kathy Whan-Marko on Thursday, May 19 th at St. Mary Church, 401 North Street, Chardon, from 7:00-9:00 pm. To register, or for further information, kindly call Karen at 440-352-8282.

“WHERE ARE YOU GOING?” In a world filled with so many choices and opportunities, how do you decide what to do with your life? Ever wonder where your life is headed? Looking for meaning and purpose? If you are a single Catholic looking for direction and purpose in your life, join other women and men from across the Diocese of Cleveland for the “Where Are You Going?” Retreat on Saturday, June 18 th at the Center for Pastoral Leadership in Wickliffe. This day-long program, conducted by religious sisters and brothers, along with diocesan priests and deacons, will help you come to a better understanding of God's vision and plan for your life. For more information, contact the Diocesan Vocation Office at 800-869-6525 or 216-696-6525 ext. 3490 or www.churchvocations.com .

MID-SEPTEMBER IN EASTERN EUROPE? From September 12 th to September 24 th , visit fascinating places in Eastern Europe. For more details and pricing please call Pam Gallagher, at Pam Gallagher Tours, 216-228-7494 for a brochure. Father Ralph Wiatrowski, Chancellor of the Diocese of Cleveland, will host the tour and would be delighted if you might consider joining him on this adventure.

ADOPTION INFORMATION MEETING – Anyone interested in learning about International Adoption is invited to an information meeting on Thursday, May 19th at 7:00 p.m. here at St. Noel in Resurrection Room #1.

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