|
Week
of July 11, 2004
Quick
View of Meetings for the Week
Archive
of Weekly Bulletins
Dear Parishioner,
Perhaps you
have been following the story in the media on whether Senator John
Kerry should be allowed to receive communion in the Catholic Church.
The impression is given that the United States Bishops share a common
position on this matter. In truth, there is a diversity of opinion
among the bishops. A few bishops feel that communion should be denied
to Sen. Kerry and to all politicians whose positions are at odds
with Church teachings. It is these bishops who have thrust this
controversy into the media. The majority of bishops, however, see
the issue in a more complex manner.
It
is important for us as Catholics to understand that although Church
teaching on such issues as war, abortion, health care, and capital
punishment is clear, how those teachings are to be lived out and
how those who disagree with them are to be treated is left up to
the individual bishops of a given diocese. Last week our Bishop,
Anthony Pilla, released a statement on Faith & Politics which
clearly located his approach as part of the mainstream of American
bishops. Bishop Pilla asserts the right of the Church to make and
express moral judgments about public policy both to help form the
consciences of Catholics and raise the level of the free and public
debate in our country. He discusses the issue of abortion and why
it is Catholic teaching that the choice for an abortion is not only
a personal choice but one of public morality. He thanks Catholics
who serve in public office and says that their service is valued
not only by the nation but also by the Church. He encourages them
to support policies and legislation which protect the weakest and
most defenseless among us. He also maintains that Catholic politicians,
as all Catholics, have the right to disagree with the bishops on
public policy questions as long as they do so with an informed conscience.
On
the most practical level, our bishop does not advocate the refusal
of communion to those who may disagree with the moral teachings
of the Church. He states that the altar is a place of unity, healing,
nourishment and grace. Not a place of confrontation.
The
basis of this position is the long standing pastoral tradition of
the Church that we should not make a public judgment about the state
of the soul of the person coming to communion.
I
have made the complete text of Bishop Pilla's statement available
on yellow sheets in the kiosk. It can also be found at the diocesan
website (dioceseofcleveland.org).
I encourage you to read it and reflect upon its implications for
your own positions during this election year.
In
my opinion, neither of the two likely candidates for the office
of president fully reflects the moral teaching of our Church. Therefore,
each of us must inform ourselves on the issues and the positions
of each candidate and then decide which of these two men would better
serve our nation and promote the values which build the Kingdom
of God. We might prefer a clearer choice, but we live in a world
where we must often choose between alternatives which are less than
perfect. One thing, however,
is clear. We do have a moral obligation to make our best decision
and to express it through our vote in November.
Fr.
George Smiga
OUTDOOR
MASS – We will have
Mass in our outdoor chapel (weather permitting) on Tuesday, July
13 at 8:45 a.m.
“LET
THERE BE PEACE” – Our
gathering for Sunday, July 11 th has been cancelled. See you on
the 18 th at 12:15 p.m. in the Visitation room.
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.
CDEM
- will be administered
on Thursday, July 15 at 7:00 p.m. in the Conference room.
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.
OUR
SOCIAL CONCERNS COMMISSION SUGGESTS THAT YOU SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE!!!!!
PASS ON YOUR USEABLE 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.
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.
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 440-0946-0887
for details.
INTERESTED
IN EXPLORING THE CATHOLIC FAITH? Our
next gathering for those interested in inquiring into the Catholic
faith will be this coming Tuesday evening, July 13yh at 7:00 p.m.
in the Resurrection Room. For further information you may call either
Alice at 440-946-0887 or Marianne at 440-946-1128 x 21.
THE
ELIZABETH MINISTRY'S “ELIZABETH'S ROSES”
- will be available in the narthex following all Masses this weekend.
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 Caring
Ministry pages.
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.
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.
ROSARY
– Join us on Tuesday
July 20 from 7-7:45 p.m. in the chapel as we pray the Rosary. All
are welcome to this quiet, reflective time in honor of Mary and
her Son, Jesus.
ST.
NOEL FELLOWSHIP – Activities
for the month of July are as follows: 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.
RANDY
NEEDS HELP – If you
or someone you know could recommend how to repair quarry tile flooring
in the kitchen and parquet flooring in the small hall Randy would
appreciate it if you could contact him at 440-946-6635.
ADOPTION
INFORMATION MEETING
– Anyone interested in learning about International Adoption is
invited to an information meeting on Thursday, July 15 at 7:00
p.m. here at St. Noel in the
Resurrection Room #1.
CATHOLIC
UPDATE – entitled
“Choosing and using a Bible: What Catholics Should Know,” by Ronald
D. Witherup, S.S., is now available in the kiosk.
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 email
fest@a-full-life.com
or check out updates on the web at www.a-full-life.com.
NATURAL
FAMILY PLANNING SERIES of classes at St. John Vianney in Mentor
, Ovulation Method of
NFP. The next series of classes will begin; October 8, 2004 at 7:30
p.m. Registration deadline is October 1, 2004. Please call 440-255-0600
to register for the next series of
classes.
SAINT
PASCHAL BAYLON CHURCH will
be holding the Saint Ann Triduum Services on July 24th/25th &
26th at 7:00 p.m. ;
each day will have celebration of the Eucharist, Novena Devotions,
and Veneration of the Relic. On July 24th there will be blessing
of babies and children, on July 25th there will be Anointing of
the Sick; and on July 26th there will be a closing ceremony of the
annual Saint Ann Triduum.
Quick
View of Meetings for the Week
BACK
TO TOP
If
you have questions concerning any information contained on the Saint
Noel Parish Web site, contact us.
Our staff will answer your questions or forward you to the appropriate
individual or group.
|
