Week of June 10, 2007

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Dear Parishioner,

As I mentioned briefly last weekend we have now received the final official letter from the Bishop assigning us to a cluster with Divine Word Parish in Kirtland. The coverage of the clustering process in the media has centered on the number of parishes to be closed. This approach is predictable insofar as it makes the most gripping headline. The real story, however, is that our diocese is rising to the challenge of dealing with changes in our Catholic population and the shortage of priests. The city of Cleveland has one-half the population it did in 1950. Many Catholics have migrated to outlying suburbs and other parts of the country. Those changes have led to a poor distribution of resources. It is not sensible to have five priests in five parishes serving 700 households in one part of the diocese while in another part two priests in one parish serve 3000 households. The diocese must adjust its parish structure to match the present realities. The strength of the clustering approach is to allow these adjustments to be made on the local level and by the local clusters working together. The goal of the process is to have a fair distribution of parishes and priests throughout the diocese so that the mission of the Church can be carried out in a more effective manner.

We do not anticipate that either St. Noel or Divine Word close or that we merge with each other. Nor do we expect any merging of finances. The bishop has asked our cluster to address the following four issues:

•  Continue to explore collaborative possibilities to strengthen pastoral care in an equitable manner.

•  Strengthen evangelization and the social and community services that serve the surrounding neighborhoods.   

•  Engage all of our faithful in regularly attending and participating in the Sunday Eucharistic Liturgy.

•  Continue to support Church in the City partnerships through cluster-cluster cooperation.

In order to address these issues in an effective collaborative way, our two parishes are forming a Cluster Planning & Coordinating Team made up of five members from each parish. Our team from St. Noel will be composed of myself, Alice Hinkel, Marianne Slattery, Ray Wymer and Sharon Waltermire. Ray serves on our Finance Council and Sharon on our Pastoral Council.

We will meet with the Divine Word team on a monthly basis over the next 15 months and discern a cluster plan to present to Bishop Lennon by September 15, 2008.

I am confident that by cooperation and sharing our resources both St. Noel and Divine Word will be strengthened in this process. I expect that we will discover better ways to implement the mission of the Church by our ability to work together.

A copy of the Bishop's letter to St. Noel is available on the buff colored paper in the kiosk. As we and Divine Word begin our meetings together I ask for your prayers that the Holy Spirit might guide us to more effectively be the presence of Christ in our area.

Fr. George Smiga

SUMMER MASS SCHEDULE – From June 20 th through August 29 th , there will be no Wednesday evening 6:45 p.m. Mass . We will, however, continue to have our monthly Mass with the Anointing of the Sick on the Second Wednesday of each month July 11 th and August 8 th .

SAVE THE DATE! The St. Noel Parish Picnic is scheduled for Sunday, August 26th, at Campbell Park (located behind Willoughby Hills City Hall). There will be food, fun and games for all ages. Contact the Mills family at (440) 256-1630 if you are interested in helping us plan this wonderful event.

FAREWELL LITURGY FOR FATHER J-GLENN MURRAY, S.J. - will be held on Wednesday evening June 13, 2007, in the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist at 7:00 p.m. Father Murray has served the Diocese of Cleveland for 18 years, and has been the Director of the Office for Pastoral Liturgy since 1995. Everyone is invited. Further details are on the kiosk.

BABY BOTTLE BOOMERANG:   Please return baby bottles to the parish office by Father's Day.  Thank you for your generous support of Hanna's Home.

SUICIDE PREVENTION PROGRAM – The Lake County Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services will be presenting a program on suicide prevention on Wednesday evening June 13, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Paul Presbyterian Church 5885 Hopkins Rd., Mentor, Ohio.  More details can be found on the flier on the kiosk

STATE BUDGET ACTION ALERT #4 – The Catholic Commission of Lake & Geauga urges us to call Senator Timothy Grendell at 614-644-7718 and urge him to restore $770,000 in the biennium for the Ohio Benefit Bank Program. The Benefit Bank is a partnership between religious communities, non-profits, private citizens and the state to help low-income residents access needed services. Monies provide free counselor services to help poor apply for Federal Earned Income Tax assistance, child care, food stamps, children's health care, home emergency assistance, Medicaid, and other human services.

(Cuyahoga County residents visit: senate.state.oh.us/senators to learn who your state senator is.)

HEALING MINISTRY – Please join us this Wednesday evening at our 6:45 p.m. Liturgy for Eucharist and the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. You need not carry heavy burdens or suffer alone, our community is here to support you and pray for you. After Mass, prayer teams are available to pray with you if you desire.

RINGING OUT OUR THANKS! – St. Colman Church sends a very special thanks to The St. Noel Concert Series for your generous donation collected at the May 11 th handbell concert given by Michele Sharik. We were thrilled to receive your check in the amount of $795.00 for our parish handbell program! This money has been placed in a special account for future handbell needs. It is reassuring to know that we have funds to keep our fledgling program going. We know that music really does nourish the soul and fine music is desperately needed and appreciated in the inner city. The handbells provide something very special. Thank you, Thank your for kindness and generosity. Fr. Bob Begin, Sister Mary Beth & St. Colman Parish

GIFT VOLUNTEERS –Hopefully you received an invitation to our Appreciation Dinner—but just in case we made a clerical error . . . please join us Wednesday evening, June 20 th at 6:00 p.m. in the small hall of our Banquet Center. We want to take this opportunity to thank you and celebrate a great year of GIFT. Please call Marianne Slattery at 440-946-1228 x 21 to RSVP.

St. Noel Endowment Fund . If you have included St. Noel in your estate plan or would like to know how, please contact the office and leave a message for the Endowment. One of our trustees will confidentially contact you. We are making progress toward our goal of "50 Wills for the Future of St. Noel", but we need to know of YOUR plan.

ST. NOEL FELLOWSHIP – Activities for June are as follows: – June 14 th Reverse Raffle- Side Board! – June 21 st socializing, meeting, and then at 12:30 p.m. we will have our luncheon menu: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes w/gravy, corn, tossed salad, rolls & butter and strudel. The cost is $6.00 per person. June 28 th – Bingo, 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.

LAKE-GEAUGA FURNITURE BANK – The Noel Movers have joined forces with St. John Vianney, St. Mary Magdalene and Hope Ridge United Methodist Church to form the Lake-Geauga Furniture Bank. We've hired a part-time worker to handle all calls for donations. If you have any useable furniture, please call 946-3448 x40 to schedule a pickup. The number is still St. Noel Church but a new extension.

STOCK OPTIONS - the market can be a rough ride!! Why not purchase stock in a lasting, worthwhile commodity - OUR YOUTH!! Coming soon, you can invest in the youth of our parish who are traveling to Washington, DC and Kentucky 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! Sales begin in two weeks.

RIBS & CHICKEN – THE BBQ is tonight (Saturday) from 6-8pm. A limited number of tickets are available at the door, so stop down to the banquet center after Mass for a delicious meal!

YOUNG ADULTS – Voice Ministries is a new opportunity for young adults to gather and meet. Supported by the St. Joseph Christian Life Center and the Youth & Young Adult Office of the Diocese, Voice Ministries meets the first Sunday of every month at the Christian Life Center, 18485 Lake Shore Blvd, Cleveland. Scripture study begins at 7:03pm, Mass at 8:03pm and a social at 9:03pm! Check out Voice Ministries on Facebook or at http://groups.myspace.com/voiceministries . For more info, email at voice.ministries@gmail.com .

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.

YOUTH FOR UNDERSTANDING EXCHANGE STUDENTS - Ever wonder how you could become a host for an exchange student? Students from Europe, South America, Asia, Africa, Central America are looking for host homes for the 2007-2008 school year. YFU provides you and the student with support. Call Barbara Painter for more details (440)585-0134.

“WHERE ARE YOU GOING?” Diocesan Vocation Office is sponsoring a day-long retreat on Saturday, June 16, 2007 at the Center for Pastoral Leadership in Wickliffe. Join diocesan priests, deacons, religious sisters, and brothers for a better understanding of God's vision and plan for your life. For more information or to register, contact the Diocesan Vocation Office at 800-869-6525 or 216-696-6525 X 3490 or www.churchvocations.com .

DIVORCE RECOVERY FOR CATHOLICS , an 8-week support group program designed to meet the needs of those who are divorced or separated will begin Tuesday, June 12, at St. Mary Church, 401 North Street, Chardon, from 7 pm to 9 pm. Sessions are designed to offer direction, support, and the tools for coping with this life-changing experience. For more information or to register, please call Catholic Charities at 352-6191 or 1-800-242-9755.

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