Week of June 27, 2004

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Dear Parishioner,

About a year ago I discussed in this column the growing shortage of priests throughout the American Catholic Church. Presently in our diocese we have roughly 350 priests serving 250 parishes. Because the vast number of active priests are over 50 years old, in 25 years it is projected that there will be less than 60 active priests in our diocese.

It is difficult to imagine staffing a diocese that now has 250 parishes with so few priests. It is clear that qualified lay pastoral ministers will need to assume more of the care of parishes. What they will not be able to assume is the celebration of the sacraments, for in our present understanding of ministry these are reserved to a bishop or priest. Even increasing the number of deacons in our Church will not eliminate this shortage. For although a deacon can baptize and officiate at marriage, he cannot celebrate the Sacrament of Penance or the Anointing of the Sick and most critically cannot preside at the Eucharist. If the projections are anywhere close to being accurate, it will become commonplace that most parishes in our diocese will be unable to celebrate the Eucharist on a weekly basis.

This shortage will of course affect St. Noel. I am very happy as pastor and have no plans to seek a new assignment. If I were to remain until retirement at age 70 that would be 2018. If present projections are accurate it would be highly unlikely that a full-time pastor would be available for our community when I retire. Our Parish Pastoral Council has been discussing this issue over the last year. At its meeting last week, the council decided that our parish should become aware of what the future likely holds for us and begin to prepare for it. The council is presently deciding how to initiate a discussion of this issue. You will hear more about it this fall.

As we address the future of the priesthood and of our Church, one clear thing we can all do is encourage men to consider a priestly vocation. We should be thankful that we presently have two parishioners of St. Noel who are in our seminary program. Mark Muzzillo is entering his third year at St. Mary's Seminary and Justin Ekin is beginning his second year at Borromeo Seminary. If they continue to finish the preparation program Mark will be ordained in 2007 and Justin in 2011. I have asked

Justin to speak after communion at our Masses this weekend to explain his decision to explore the priesthood. My hope is that his witness may stir others in our community to consider a priestly vocation. I especially ask parents to be supportive of a son who shows interest in becoming a priest. As in the past it is only through the generosity of those who are called and their families that we can respond to the needs of our Church.

The numbers of projected vocations do not look promising. We must begin to explore many avenues by which we can address this shortage. But certainly those efforts must include encouraging men young and old to open themselves to God's call and support them in their discernment.

                  Fr. George Smiga

WE DID IT! Thanks to many generous donors from the parish we have reached our monetary goal and will be able to purchase our new octave of handbells. The bellchoir is particularly grateful and we hope that everyone will appreciate the joyous sounds we plan to bring to the liturgy in order to deepen our worship experience at St. Noel. Thank you again for your generosity!

SOCIAL JUSTICE GEMS –“Many parishes are joining with other churches and groups to rebuild a sense of community in their own towns. These kinds of church-based and community organizations are making a difference on housing, crime, education, and economic issues in local communities. Parish participation in such community efforts develops leaders, provides concrete handles to deal with key issues, and builds the capacity of the parish to act on our values”

(U.S. Catholic Bishops, Communities of Salt and Light ).

WE'RE TELLING A SECRET – It has often been said that Catholic Social Teaching is a well kept secret. Our Social Concerns Commission plans to change that soon! Beginning this September we will be launching a 30 week course on Catholic Social Teaching called “Just Faith.” We will be gathering on Sunday evenings and our learning will involve our heads, our hearts and our actions. Reading, videos, guest speakers and group discussion will be our learning tools. There will be a charge for materials which is yet to be determined. We're excited about this offering and hope that you will be too! Watch for more details in future bulletins.

SIGNED LITURGY- On Sunday, July 4 Mary Smith will be joining us to sign the 11:00 a.m. Mass for the hearing impaired. Reserved seating can be found in the first two rows of chairs by the Eucharist Chapel.

CONFUSED ABOUT PRESCRIPTION DRUG CARD PROGRAMS AVAILABLE FOR OLDER PERSONS?

Come learn the “Ins & Outs” of the new Medicare Drug Card Program from Eva Tindell, who is with the Ohio Department of Insurance Information Program and the Lake County Council on Aging on Wednesday, June 30 th in the large hall at 7:00 p.m. This presentation is not just for Medicare recipients but for those of you that care for your parents, loved ones and anyone who may be affected by Medicare in the future. There will also be an overview of other available prescription discount drug programs in Ohio. The Social Concerns Commission is bringing this program so you can be “in the know” and make informed decisions about such an important issue.

OCTOBER BOOK DRIVE - Please start collecting new and used children's books and books for adults for the Social Concerns fall book drive which will happen during the first two weeks of October. We will be distributing the books we collect to needy children and adults. Books are valuable in providing learning and enjoyment for people. You can help by donating any extra books that you may currently have, or can acquire via garage sales, book sales, etc. Please call Karen Fraley at 440-946-1605 if you have any questions. Remember, we will not be prepared to receive your books until October.

HELPING HABITAT – Interested in a unique barbeque? Why not consider spending a Saturday, July 24 or August 21 joining members of the Social Concerns Commission at the Lake County Habitat for Humanity work site. You'll meet some new faces; pound some nails; have fun; and enjoy good food. Please contact John Murphy at pager 1-216-634-3480 for details.

THE EL SALVADOR DELEGATION is in need of sturdy suitcases to transport donated items with them in July. The suitcases must be no bigger than 62 linear inches per piece (total of the length + width + height). These suitcases will be left in El Salvador. Please contact Marianne Slattery at 440-946-1128 x 21 if you have a donation.

THE EL SALVADOR DELEGATION will be collecting non-prescription drugs/vitamins and baby/toddler clothes in the narthex of the church on the weekend of July 17 th and July 18 th . These articles will be carried by parishioners to the Cleveland Mission Parish in Chiltuipan and to the Community of Oscar A. Romero Children‘s Village in Zaragosa during the July 27-August 2 visit.

THE DELEGATION from St. Noel will be in El Salvador from July 27-August 2. We will pray for the parish community and its needs at the martyrdom sites of Archbishop Oscar A. Romero, the clandestine gravesite/now a chapel to the four North American Churchwomen, and the slain Jesuits at the University of Central America. We ask that the parish pray for us during this time period for God's protection and wisdom on this retreat/pilgrimage/mission trip.

HAVE YOU READ THE DA VINCI CODE ? (It's still #1 on the New York Times best seller list.) Do you have questions about some of the “facts” presented by author, Dan Brown? Come hear Dr. Joseph Kelly, chairperson of the Religious Studies Department at John Carroll University, shed light on such topics as Mary Magdalene and the early Church, the Sacred Feminine, the Knights Templar, Opus Dei and many others. He will give a Power Point presentation addressing these and many other questions on Sunday, July 11 at 12:15 p.m. in the large hall. You will be able to ask follow up questions. A donation basket will be available to help cover the cost of refreshments and the speaker's stipend.

DO YOU KNOW A FOREIGN LANGUAGE? In time for the Olympics, this year's Vacation Bible School theme is SonGames. Many countries are represented at the Olympics and we thought it would be fun for the VBS kids to learn some greetings from a variety of countries. VBS is the week of July 19 and meets from 9:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Could you join us one morning? Call Marianne Slattery at 440-946-1128 x 21 if you would like to help.

PSR REGISTRATION – Families new to the parish or wishing to register a 1 st -6 th grader for the 2004-2005 PSR year may call Michele at 440-946-1128, ext. 23. Leave your name, address, and phone number and we will mail your registration packet.

PERSONAL HYGIENE PROJECT-ST. AUGUSTINE is looking for personal hygiene products which can be packaged to give to Hunger Center clients. The products needed include razors, pocket tissue packs, travel size toothpaste and toothbrushes, deodorant, travel size mouthwash and dental floss. And when you're traveling this summer, any of the hotel giveaways would be very much appreciated. Please mark them for St. Augustine and put them in the bin on the right side as you approach the food pantry. Thanks in advance for all that you do for our Partner Parish!

ST. NOEL FELLOWSHIP – is held every Thursday in small hall at noon. Everyone is welcome to attend the Senior Fellowship on Thursdays.

PANCAKE BREAKFAST & STOCKS – thanks to all who supported our youth ministry program by coming to the pancake breakfast and/or purchasing stock in our teens. Together, these events raised almost $2,000!! Truly, youth ministry is the mission of the entire parish, and your involvement is greatly appreciated. Our teens will represent the parish well in Detroit!

NOEL MOVERS – We're taking a break until after July 4 th . Please call in July to donate any useable furniture items, especially dressers.

CLEVELAND FOOD BANK – We're serving at the Food Bank on Tuesday, July 6 th . Please call Anthony (946-1128) if you would like to serve. We leave the Church at 5:30pm.

CAMP YAC – Our junior high school camp went great!! A special thanks to our awesome high school counselors: Robyn Perryman, Kate DeFrank, Meghan Hope, Nick Daly and Jill Rode! Thanks also to our wonderful parents who transported the campers throughout the week. Twenty-eight young people enjoyed an excellent week because of your efforts.

SAINT JOHN VIANNEY YOUTH GROUP is extending an invitation to all teens entering grades 6 through 12 to come and join them for their “Hangout Nite” every Wednesday evening through August 18 th (except July 7) at the pavilion from 7:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Bring a friend. They meet rain or shine. The youth group plays volleyball, basketball, kick-ball, and badminton. They also serve snacks and play great music too. Adult chaperones are always welcome. 

COLLEGE STUDENTS – Casual Home Furniture is looking for part-time help! Check out this and other job opportunities on the bulletin board near the coat room.

CHRIST CHILD SOCIETY OF THE WESTERN RESERVE – will be holding their 10 th Annual Daisy Golf Classic for women. The golf classic will be held at Pine Ridge Country Club on July 12 th at 9:00 a.m. Cost is $100.00 per person which includes breakfast, 18 holes of golf, refreshments, dinner and a raffle of some wonderful prizes. Dinner only is $25.00. For more information please call the Christ Child Cottage at 440-350-9836 or Barb at 440-352-9191.

ST. MARY CHURCH IN CHARDON has the following positions available: part time music director needed for Sunday night Lifeteen Youth Choir; part time music director needed for 10:00 a.m. Sunday morning Traditional Choir; Pianist for Traditional Choir for our 10:00 a.m. Sunday Mass and a pianist for the 6:30 p.m. Sunday evening Mass. Please call Joe Trivisonno at 440-729-7642 for more information.

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