Week of June 5, 2005

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Dear Parishioner,

Beginning this fall we will have a new focus to the faith formation of our parish. Outside of the liturgy, the GIFT Program (Generations in Faith Together) which was piloted last year, will become the primary means to deepen the faith of our parish. Those who participated in the three GIFT sessions last year were overwhelmingly positive in their evaluations of the experience. They appreciated coming together for a meal with other parishioners, learning names, making connections, and growing in their faith.

We are one of over 70 parishes in our diocese who are exploring the GIFT program. This program has the full support of Bishop Pilla. GIFT is designed for everyone: young and old, married and single. Instead of dividing our parish into smaller groups, GIFT allows us to grow in faith together. GIFT will replace our Parish School of Religion and most of the work of Adult Enrichment. Although RCIA, junior and senior high programs, preschool and children's sacramental preparation will continue in their own right, they will draw upon the opportunities of GIFT whenever possible.

Next year we will offer eight GIFT sessions, roughly one every month. Each session will be offered more than once to make it easier to fit into your schedule. As Pastor, I invite you to participate in all of the GIFT sessions. I believe that spending a few hours each month to grow in community and deepen our faith is time well spent. Because of the careful planning of the GIFT sessions, those who participate in all of them will receive a comprehensive review of the central tenants of our faith as we move from year to year. This is a great advantage. If, however, you cannot attend all the GIFT sessions, you are welcome to come to whatever sessions you are able.

You will be receiving in the mail this week a fuller explanation of the GIFT program and an invitation to register for the upcoming sessions. Your willingness to register at this time will help us immensely in our preparations.

I can assure you of this: Great things began to happen in our community as we piloted GIFT last year. I am convinced an even deeper sense of community and spiritual growth will flow from the sessions that are planned in the upcoming months. Benefit from the blessings which flow from GIFT. Become an active part of this exciting new era in the life of St. Noel.

Fr. George Smiga

USHERS/GREETERS are needed at the 5:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. Masses . Anyone interested in being an usher/greeter at the 5:00 p.m. or anyone interested in being an usher/greeter at the 9:00 a.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.”)

THE ALHAMBRA – A Christian Organization dedicated to helping mentally challenged children will be at St. Noel the weekend of June 11/12. They will be accepting monetary donations outside after all the Masses on that weekend. A portion of the funds collected here will help with our own special education efforts and the balance is used for other causes in our area. Please be as generous as you have in the past.

SUMMER MASS SCHEDULE – This year as usual we are suspending Wednesday evening liturgies from June 15 th through August 31st . We will, however, continue to have our monthly Mass with the Anointing of the Sick on the second Wednesday of each month July 13th and August 10th.

WE REMEMBER, WE CELEBRATE, WE BELIEVE – Our 25 th Anniversary – Plans are continuing to be discussed and finalized for our parish celebration on Sunday, August 21 st . Interested in lending a hand or have a suggestion. Join your fellow parishioners on Tuesday evening, June 7 th at 7:30 p.m. in the lower level of the administrative wing. Have questions; please call the parish office at 440-946-0887.

HEALING MINISTRY – Every one of us can be the recipient of God's healing touch for all our emotional, physical or spiritual problems. Come … be touched by His love this Wednesday at the 6:45 p.m. evening liturgy. Experience God's healing through the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick during Mass, Be comforted and refreshed by Jesus in the Eucharist. Prayer teams will be available to pray with you if your wish.

SOCIAL JUSTICE GEM – In today's Gospel Jesus is challenged by the Pharisees because he ate with sinners and tax collectors, the outcastes of ancient Palestinian society. The Pharisees were afraid to leave the comfort zone of those like-minded with them. Jesus ease of companionship with all levels of society challenged them to live out the example Jesus has set for us, we must be willing to leave our comfort zones of people who live and think as we do. We must, with love and justice, walk with the homeless, the addicted, and all of today's social outcasts.

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. 

GOD POLITICS – Those who signed up for this book study are reminded that we begin this Monday, June 6 th at 7:00 p.m. We will gather in the Resurrection Room. Participants should read the first six chapters of the book in preparation.

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 the parish office at 440-946-0887.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL –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) and the closing program on Friday evening, July 18-22. We will transform St. Noel Church into a safari adventure as we explore the Lord's Prayer, gathering in stations for Bible stories, crafts, fun games, delicious snacks, lively music and much more. After masses on June 18/19 and 25/26 sign up in the narthex for Kingdom of the Son ! Bring a friend!

ST. NOEL FELLOWSHIP –Activities for the month of June are as follows : June 9th – Reverse Raffle – June 16 th - Bingo – June 23 rd - 12:00 p.m. meeting and social then at 12:30 p.m. we will have our luncheon consisting of Chicken á la King over biscuit, tossed salad and cheesecake with topping. The cost of the luncheon is $4.00 per person. Deadline for tickets and payments is June 20 th . For more information or tickets please call Lannie at 440-942-6554. June 30th - we will be celebrating anniversaries and birthdays with cake and ice cream. Please remember to bring your food donation for the food bank to this meeting. Everyone is welcome to attend the Senior Fellowship on Thursday.

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 – All deposits are due ASAP. Please turn in your deposits to Anthony.

CAMP YAC – Registrations are due!! 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 in the kiosk.

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!

FOOD BANK – We're serving at the Cleveland Food Bank on Monday, June 13 th .  We leave the church at 5:35 p.m. or meet at the Food Bank at 6:00 p.m.  Please call Anthony if you would like to serve (946-1128 x20).

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 (946-1128). All who received an invitation should send in the reply card ASAP – thanks!

PANCAKE BREAKFAST – Plan on attending the awesome Father's Day Pancake Breakfast on June 19 th from 10:00am-1:00pm. Bring your dad for flapjacks and support youth ministry at St. Noel Church. The food is delicious and the price can't be beat. Thanks for your support!!

BISHIOP ANTHONY PILLA – will preside at a special Eucharistic Liturgy including the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick on Sunday, July 3 rd , at the 12:15 p.m. Mass in the Cathedral of Saint John the Evangelist. The Bishop will be joined in administering this prayer and Sacrament of Healing by our Auxiliary Bishops and the priests of the Cathedral. All those who are elderly, chronically or critically ill (including those preparing for serious surgery) are welcomed to be anointed at this Mass. You must be of the age and use of reason to receive this sacrament. Please arrive at the Cathedral before Noon and follow the instructions of the ushers. Free parking is available in the Rockwell Avenue Cathedral Plaza Garage.

“WHERE ARE YOU GOING?” The Diocesan Vocation Office is sponsoring the “Where Are You Going? Retreat on Saturday, June 18 th , at the Center for Pastoral Leadership in Wickliffe. The staff of priests, deacons, religious sisters and brothers will help you come to a better understanding of how you can use your life to witness for Christ in the Church. The day-long retreat is open to single, Catholic women and men. 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.

CATHOLIC UPDATE – entitled “My Vision for the Church,” by Pope Benedict XVI, is now available in the kiosk.

ALWAYS OUR CHILDREN- The parent support group for families and friends of gay and lesbian Catholics welcomes you to join us at our next meeting, Sunday, June 12th from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. in the library of the Administration Center at St. John Vianney Church on Bellflower Road in Mentor, Ohio .

BENEDICTINE HIGH SCHOOL – Please check the kiosk for a list of summer camps being held at the high school.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY – Heartland Hospice is looking for special people to participate in our volunteer program. Days and times are flexible – give as much or as little time as you choose. Areas of service range from friendly patient visits to office work, and training is provided. For more information, please call Margaret Mullen, Heartland Hospice Volunteer Coordinator at 216-520-0765.

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