Week of July 4, 2004

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Dear Parishioner,

As you entered church today you may have noticed the small signs on the door notifying those who enter that the bearing of arms is not permitted on our property. These signs are the result of the new concealed weapons law which was passed by the Ohio Legislature and went into effect April 1 st . The law allows individuals to obtain a permit to carry a concealed weapon on their person. The permit does not apply to churches or schools. The signs on our doors have been suggested by our diocesan legal office to make it clear that weapons cannot be legally carried onto church property even with a valid concealed weapon license.

There is a long tradition in Christianity that churches should not be places where arms are carried. Our buildings which serve as the house of our Church community are open in the name of Christ who is the Prince of Peace. Therefore, they should always remain as “safe places” where any type of violence is prohibited.

I myself would prefer that it would not be necessary to post these signs as a reminder of our mission of love and service, but we must always adapt our practices to respond to the real world in which we live. Perhaps as you see these reminders when you enter our building you might remember how many in our society are hurt each day through the force of weapons and pray for all of those whose life is attacked by the violence of our world. Then, more than simply meeting a legal requirement, these signs might remind us of what we stand for and motivate us to work for the day when anger and disagreements can be resolved by dialogue not bloodshed.

                  Fr. George Smiga

THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROUS SUPPORT OF CATHOLIC CHARITIES! Your donations of fifty dollars can provide a high school-equivalency course for a job seeker. Eighty-five dollars can provide a drug and alcohol abuse counseling session. These are year-round needs. For further information, visit www.clevelandcatholiccharities.org , or call 216-696-6525, 800-869-6525, ext 1910.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS now for the St. Noel Party in the Park! There will be carnival games and fun for all ages, a great pot-luck meal (we'll provide the hot dogs or hamburgers – you bring your favorite dish to share) and live music by “His Divine Creation.” The festivities begin at 3:00 p.m. with games for young and old, a make-your-own-craft table, face painting, and a Chinese auction! Watch the bulletin for details on how to enter the pie baking contest! At 5:00 p.m. we'll share our meal together and the music starts at 6:00 p.m. The date is Sunday, August 15, 2004 and the place is Campbell Park behind Willoughby Hills City Hall. Come and enjoy this opportunity to celebrate life in our parish community.

SIGNED LITURGY- Today (Sunday) 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.

OUR SOCIAL CONCERNS COMMISSION SUGGESTS THAT YOU SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE!!!!! PASS ON YOUR USABLE STUFF. There are many organizations in the Cleveland area that can use anything you might have to donate. Many of us do not know where to look for help in this area. Do you know there is a book available free of charge called “Pass It On”. You can receive this book by calling 216-443-3749. In addition to the information in the book there is a woman who collects prom or bridesmaid dresses to donate or sell at a small charge to inner city girls who cannot afford to attend the prom due to the cost of the dress. Her name is Wendy and her number is 216-752-5043. She would appreciate any and all dressy dress donations. Thank you for your help.

SOCIAL JUSTICE GEMS “Parishes need to be bridge-builders, reminding us that we are part of a Universal Church with ties of faith and humanity to sisters and brothers all over the world. Programs of parish twinning, support for Catholic Relief Services, mission efforts, migration and refugee activities, and other global ministries are signs of solidarity in a shrinking and suffering world”

(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 “JustFaith.” 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.

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 the parish office at 440-946-0887 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 call the parish office at 440-946-0887 for details.

THE ELIZABETH MINISTRY'S “ELIZABETH'S ROSES” - will be available in the narthex following all Masses on the weekend of July 10/11, 2004. 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.”

THE EL SALVADOR DELEGATION will be collecting non-prescription drugs/vitamins and baby/toddler clothing and shoes 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.

ST. NOEL FELLOWSHIP – Activities for the month of July are as follows: July 8th – pizza & sausage (reverse raffle), July 15 th - social and games, your choice. July 22 nd NO MEETING, July 29th - Noon - socializing, meeting and then at 12:30 p.m. we will have our luncheon consisting of a sub sandwich, potato salad, peach pie and ice cream. The cost is $5.00 per person.

Deadline for tickets and payment is July 26 th . We will also celebrate birthdays and anniversaries at this meeting. Please remember to bring your food donation for the food bank to this meeting. Everyone is welcome to attend the Senior Fellowship on Thursdays

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.

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.

CATHOLIC UPDATE – entitled “Choosing and using a Bible: What Catholics Should Know,” by Ronald D. Witherup, S.S., is now available in the kiosk.

“I HAVE CALLED YOU BY NAME,” a healing weekend retreat for women suffering after abortion. Located in a private peaceful setting, this retreat offers reconciliation, hope and new life for the wounded heart. Come and experience the tender mercies of the Lord through the sacraments, scripture and prayer. Sponsored by Bethesda The House of Mercy and the Sisters of the Good Shepherd. The weekend begins with dinner on Friday, October 15 and ends with Sunday Liturgy on October 17. For retreat application, please call: 440-777-3141 or 1-800-482-4100.

GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP – St. John Vianney of Mentor is hosting a monthly grief support group, including nine area parishes. The next session is on Monday, July 12 th at 7:00 p.m. If interested please call Rita Demarchi at 440-942-0336.

OUR LADY OF MT. CARMEL (WICKLIFFE ) will hold a VIRTUS TRAINING SESSION on Tuesday, August 3 rd from 6:30-9:30 p.m. in the OLMC Community Center. Please call OLMC's Rectory at 440-585-0700 to sign up for this session. We extend a special invitation to our neighbors at other Lake/Geauga county parishes.

THEOLOGY ON TAP – Join the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland Foundation's Associate Board of young professionals for the summer installment of “Theology on Tap.” The program will be held at the Cleveland Museum of Art (11150 East Blvd – in University Circle) on Wednesday, July 21. The featured speaker is Fr. David Novak. Drink specials and complimentary appetizers will begin at 5:00 p.m., the lecture will begin promptly at 7:30 p.m. Reservations are encouraged – please contact Katie Smith at 216-696-6525, ext 1004, ksmith@dioceseofcleveland.org or visit www.cdef.org.

<FEST 2004> The competition is heating up! All six bands have been chosen. Christian bands from all over the diocese will be performing at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on July 23, 2004 at 7:00 p.m. We're selling 1,100 tickets at $10.00 which includes entrance into the Rock Hall as we look for the best Christian band in the area. Tickets are available from Ticketmaster.com or by calling 440-943-7662. Come down … show the city of Cleveland that Catholics ROCK! Real Rock is a lead up to <FEST 2004>! Once again over 10,000 teens, young adults and families will join together for our Catholic Family Festival at the Center for Pastor Leadership on August 8, 2004. Great music, meaningful activities, good food, inspiring Mass. Come and Expect a miracle. For more information call 440-943-7662 or

fest@a-full-life.com or check out updates on the web at www.a-full-life.com.

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