Week of May 22, 2005

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Dear Parishioner,

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) has revolutionized the means of becoming Catholic. Some of us can remember the days when those wishing to join the Church would spend a few sessions in private with a priest studying the catechism. Today the process is one based in community, where those becoming Catholic, journey together over several months, sharing their questions and faith experiences, receiving the prayers of the parish, and gradually being assimilated into the life of the community.

What many people do not appreciate about RCIA, however, is that it is designed primarily for those who are not baptized, that is those who have had little experience with the Gospel and the practice of faith. Because it has become customary for those baptized in other faith traditions to use the RCIA, the focus on the non-baptized has often become blurred.

Once, however, this focus is restored, new possibilities of RCIA formation emerge. Several parishes are beginning to realize that baptized Christians of other traditions who regularly attend our Catholic liturgies with their families are already in a process of Catholic faith formation. Therefore, if any of these Christians express a desire to become Catholic, a shorter process of formation is appropriate.

St. Noel has adopted such an approach this spring. Four baptized Christians who are already committed to Christ and are familiar with our faith tradition have been participating in an abbreviated process which will result in them entering the Catholic Church. This week and in the weeks to come they will be received into the Church and confirmed at one our weekend liturgies. On Saturday, May 21 st Bob Gahr and Andrea Ricci will be received into the Church at the 5:00 p.m. Mass. On Sunday, June 5 th , Stephanie Griffith and Valerie Pawlowski will be welcomed at the 9:00 a.m. Mass.

We are grateful that through the action of God's Spirit, these devoted Christians have decided to become Catholic. I ask you to keep them in your prayers and be sure to welcome them warmly to our faith community.

Fr. George Smiga

THANK YOU!   A special thank you goes out to our first grade PSR classes for their generous donations to our food pantry and to the St. Augustine Hunger Center.  We know that all those in need greatly appreciate what you have given and we are equally sure that God will bless you for your kindness!

HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS – you should have received an invitation to our annual Senior Brunch scheduled for Sunday, June 12 th . We do not want to miss any graduating seniors from the parish. If you did not receive an invitation, we want you to be there!! Please call Anthony (440-946-1128 x 20). All who received an invitation should send in the reply card ASAP – thanks!

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.

RCIA INQUIRY TO BEGIN - Do you have a sense that the Catholic Church is a faith community you would like to join?  Are you a non-baptized person or a Christian of another tradition who has questions about the Catholic faith?  If so please consider gathering with us this summer on the first Tuesdays of the month (June 7, July 5, and August 2) from 7 – 8:30 for our inquiry sessions in the Resurrection Room.  Bring your questions, concerns and the story of your own faith journey.  If you would like to talk to someone about the R ite of C hristian I nitiation of A dults before that time please feel free to call Alice Hinkel or Marianne Slattery at 440-946-0887. 

SOCIAL CONCERNS/ST. AUGUSTINE- On May 29th our volunteers will be serving the meal at the St. Augustine Hunger Center. There is a sign-up sheet on the kiosk if you are able to lend a hand. After all the Masses on May 28 th and May 29th, we will be collecting for our Social Concerns fund. Also, if anyone would like to bake cookies please bring the cookies with you when you come to volunteer at the Hunger Center or they can be dropped off at church before Mass on Saturday. Please put the cookies in the Nativity Room (formerly the nursery) on the counter and mark them St. Augustine.

SOCIAL CONCERNS FUND – In April we collected $925.10. Our expenses for April were:

We thank you for your support.

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.

PLANTED IN THE GARDEN OF GOD: BLOSSOMING, BLOOMING, AND BEARING FRUIT – has been rescheduled for Wednesday June 1 ST . We will offer this 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 the parish office at 440-946-0887. Please sign up on the kiosk if you plan to attend.

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. This weekend (May 21/22) we invite teachers and staff volunteers to sign up in the Narthex after Mass. Volunteers may register their own children on this weekend.

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.

ST. NOEL FELLOWSHIP –Activities for the month of May are as follows: – 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 – It's meet Dominic night!!! (and our final session). Come to Anthony's house at 7:30 p.m. Check your email for directions or call Anthony (440-946-1128 x 20).

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 – Please turn in your deposits to Anthony. Spots still remain . 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!

“WHERE ARE YOU GOING?” Through his pontificate, John Paul II continued to call out to teens and young adults. “Do not be afraid to follow Christ,” If in the depth of your heart you hear the call to priesthood, deaconate, or consecrated religious life, “do not be afraid” to follow God's call – your vocation. The “Where Are You Going?

Retreat is Saturday, June 18 th , is for single, Catholic, adult women and men who are interested in learning more about vocations – God's call in your life. The Day long retreat held at the Center for Pastoral Leadership in Wickliffe will help you begin the process of exploring the possibility of consecrated life or priesthood. John Paul II's life is a testimony to what can happen when you open your heart and your life to the Lord. For more information, contact the Diocesan Vocation Office at 800-869-6525 or 216-696-6525 ext. 3490 or www.churchvocations.com .

LAKE/GEAUGA DISTRICT FOR THE SEPARATED and DIVORCED is offering a program called Finding Balance in Life. Bonnie Gulko, MS, RD, LD, will present an evening devoted to nutrition for the mind, body and soul. This lively interactive session will explore the misconceptions about nutrition and how to make positive changes that will help you find balance in your life. Join us on Thursday, June 16 th at Holy Angels Church, 18205 Chillicothe Rd., Chagrin Falls, from 7-9:00 p.m. To register or for further information, call Karen at 440-352-8282.

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.

CATHOLIC RECOVERY FOR DIVORCED & SEPARATED – The experience of separation and divorce are among life's most difficult and painful experiences. Many find that they are in need of direction and support as they attempt to heal and restore balance to their life. The Catholic parishes in Lake and Geauga counties have developed an 8-week support group that is conducted by trained facilitators who understand what you are experiencing and want to help you on your journey to recover. Join us beginning Thursday, June 23 rd , at Immaculate Conception Church, 2846 Hubbard Rd., Madison, from 7-9:00 p.m. We will meet every Thursday for 8 weeks, concluding August 11 th . Sessions provide a caring, confidential atmosphere and are designed to help you deal with the pain of the past, grow through your separation/divorce, and begin to build a new life. To register or for further information, kindly call Catholic Charities at 800-242-9755 or 440-352-6191.

“ANGELS HAVE WHEELS” – All Medicare recipients should now be aware that they may be eligible to receive an electric wheelchair paid for by Medicare, if they suffer from conditions such as arthritis, cardiovascular disease and respiratory disorders, and have difficulty walking or propelling a manual wheelchair. For information on Medicare eligibility contact Gregory at 1-800-810-2877.

WILLOUGHBY HILLS SENIOR CENTER (located in the new Willoughby Hills Community Center) is offering a variety of activities for seniors. Please check out the flier on the kiosk.

ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI in Gates Mills invites you to attend their annual festival from Thursday, June 9 th through Sunday June 12 th . There will be rides, homemade ethnic food and much more. For more information please call 440-461-0066.

CALLING ALL ST. PAUL (EUCLID) ALUMNI AND FRIENDS - You are invited to come to St. Paul Church, (Euclid) Annual Alumni Mass on Sunday, June 12, 2005 at Noon. The enjoyment will continue at our Annual Parish Picnic from 1:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Parish Center (East 200 th & St. Clair Ave.) Come and celebrate the Mass and then walk down the street to the Parish Center, and enjoy food, games, raffles, and music.

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