Week of July 21, 2007

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Dear Parishioner,

Our teenagers at St. Noel Church are a tremendous gift! Their faith and willingness to work for justice serves as an example for all. Recently, 14 teens and 3 adults from our community put their faith into action by spending a week in another state serving those in need.

Bridgette Drockton, Joey Drockton and Marie Schaner joined teens from Divine Word as well as a group from Michigan to serve with the Glenmary Missions in the rural area of Vanceburg, KY during the first week of July. Led by Jim Drockton our parishioner, Bridgette, Joey and Marie were challenged to pack lightly and live simply. This meant no watches, radios, cell phones, I -pods or other electronic comforts; it meant no makeup, blow dryers, curling irons or other superfluous accessories. They were given an opportunity to shower once during the week and an opportunity to bathe in the nearby creek on the other days. The tire swing over the water was a welcome site after a long day of work! For recreation the group explored Carter Caves National Park and enjoyed a fireworks display in the local town.

The group served in a food/clothing pantry, helped build affordable housing, visited seniors at the local senior center and nursing home and were a comforting presence to mentally challenged adults who had suffered abuse in their lives. In the evening, one of the work teams would reflect on their days and share their insights with the larger group.

During the week of July 8-14, 11 teens traveled to Washington, DC with a program called Young Neighbors in Action. Led by Fr. Ron Wearsch of St. Mary Magdalene and Jed Trombley of our parish, Lauren Pattie, Becca Pattie, Danielle Fraley, Megan Fraley, Chris Myers, Matt Myers, Jeff Myers, Justin Myers, Jill Bartolotta, Lizzy Ruddock and Becky Roman dragged their bodies, air mattresses and duffel bags up to church at 6:30am, loaded up the vans and headed off. Our crew joined teens from Wisconsin and Massachusetts during the hottest week of summer thus far.

Our teens worked at the largest homeless shelter in the country with over 1000 beds and the local county nursing home. They cleaned stairwells, washed walls, filled dumpsters and listened to stories from the streets. They played bingo, led a prayer service, spent time visiting one-on-one and discovered gifts they didn't know they had.

In the evenings, the teens reflected on the connections between faith and service, learned the principles of our Catholic social teaching and spent an evening at the National Mall. We also celebrated Mass at the oldest, continuously active parish in the United States, St. Ignatius in Tobacco Pt., MD, founded in 1635.

I'm deeply grateful to Fr. Ron, Jed and Jim for serving as chaperones on the trips and deeply proud of our teens who opened themselves to new experiences and new people and came away changed.

Thanks to all who support youth ministry at St. Noel Church. From the clambake to the pancake breakfast to selling hams and buying stock, we come to you often and ask for help. On every occasion your response is loud and clear, and the positive message you send our teens is without measure. I've assured you that our teens are a “can't miss” investment and once again they've proved me right. We're proud to represent St. Noel Church when we serve and look forward to sharing our stories with you in the future.

Anthony Camino

REMINDER – Our Tuesday, July 24 th , 8:45 a.m . Liturgy will be held in the outdoor chapel (weather permitting).

AT HOME WITH THE WORD – We will need to place our order for the At Home with the Word Books in August. If we ordered for you last year, you are on our list. If you did not order last year and would like a book(s), please call the church office (440-946-0887) by July 30 th and we will put your name on the list. If you have ordered in the past and no longer want one, please let us know. As long as we order in bulk, books are $5.50 a piece.

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.

PARISHIONER AUTHOR – Our parishioner, Barb Misheck, has written her autobiography.  It is entitled A Wing and a Prayer: An Artist's Journey with Muscular Dystrophy.   Those who might be interested in purchasing a copy can go to either www.amazon.com or www.barnesandnoble.com and put “Barb Misheck” in the search box and the book will come up.

SOCIAL JUSTICE/ST. AUGUSTINE- On July 29th our volunteers will be serving the meal at the St. Augustine Hunger Center. There is a sign-up sheet on the kiosk if you are able to lend a hand. After all the Masses on July 28 th and July 29 th , we will be collecting for our Social Justice fund. Also, if anyone would like to bake cookies please bring the cookies with you when you come to volunteer at the Hunger Center or they can be dropped off at church before Mass on Saturday. Please put the cookies in the Nativity Room on the counter and mark them St. Augustine.

SOCIAL JUSTICE FUND – In June we collected $928.00. Our expenses for June were:

We thank you for your support.

PARTNERSHIP NEWS - Please check the Social Justice Ministry section of the kiosk for the latest news from Mujer y Comunidad, our partnership in El Salvador, facilitated through I nternational P artners in M ission.  You may recall that at the beginning of 2007 it was necessary for the women to move to a more secure location and to purchase sewing machines and materials because of several robberies.  It was the generosity of our parishioners that allowed this to happen and as a result the women are now able to continue their mission of improve the health, economic welfare and human rights of these women and their children.  Should you wish to make a donation toward the 2007 funding goal of $5500, you can make a check out to St. Noel and put “Mujer y Comunidad” on the memo line and we will forward your donation to IPM.

HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION - The Ohio Department of Taxation's Web site, tax.ohio.gov, includes information on the new Homestead Exemption which now applies to all seniors and a form that can be submitted to any auditor's office. Most counties have the new information and forms on their Web sites or soon will.

Local contacts are:

Cuyahoga County : auditor.cuyahogacounty.us; 216-443-7050.

Geauga County : www.auditor.co.geauga.oh.us ; 440-279-1600 Ext. 1602.

Lake County : lakecountyohio.org/auditor; 440-350-2532.

ARSIS YOUTH HANDBELL ENSEMBLE of Tallinn, Estonia, will be performing at St. Noel on Saturday, July 28 at 7:30 PM. The Estonian youth handbell choir is touring the United States for the first time ever and we are very fortunate to be included on their itinerary.  Formed in 2003, the ringers were chosen from an auditioned field of over 200 students.  The Arsis Handbell School trains the students from the age of 11 in music theory, piano, music history and handbell technique.  Many of the young ringers have been studying handbells and music for nearly a decade.  Please join us for this wonderful opportunity to share beautiful music and international culture. To learn more about Arsis, visit their web site at www.arsis.ee .

WANTED - Super Shopper (or at least someone who doesn't mind shopping!) You can shop till you drop, let your fingers do the walking, or surf the net, but we are looking for someone to locate items for our GIFT home kits. If you think you can help, please call Michele Baetzold at 440-946-1128 X 23.

ATTENTION FAMILIES OF CHILDREN ENTERING SECOND GRADE THIS FALL– Plan to attend a Confirmation/Communion information meeting following the 11:00 Mass on either Sunday, September 9 th or 16 th . A detailed letter will be mailed in early August, but if you did not receive a postcard to this effect, please call 440-946-1128 X 21 to register your child.

FARMER'S MARKET – The Cleveland Foodbank, along with the western Lake County Food Pantries, is sponsoring a free Farmer's Market for those who meet the income eligibility guidelines established by the government. (Guidelines available in the parish office.)  The market will be held on the following Thursdays:  July 26, August 23,  September 27, and October 25 from 2p.m. to 4p.m. at St. John Vianney Church,7575 Bellflower Rd., Mentor.  Volunteers are needed to help with the market.  Please call Mary Ellen Buzanski at 440-951-1094 if you would like more information or are able to volunteer.

ST. NOEL FELLOWSHIP – Activities for July are as follows: – July 26 th - socializing, meeting, and then at 12:30 p.m. we will have our luncheon Menu: breaded pork chops, home fried potatoes w/onions, side of beans & carrots, tossed salad, cheesecake w/strawberry topping. Cost is $6.00 per person. 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 – We're always in need of beds & dressers! 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.

BLOOD DRIVE – The American Red Cross will be at St. Noel Church on Sunday, July 29 th to conduct a blood drive. Thanks to all who supported the drive last month! Further details are on the kiosk and you can reserve your time by signing the sheet on the table in the narthex. Please consider donating blood on July 29 th and thank you!

OUTDOOR RETREAT – Hey Teens!! Save Saturday, August 4 th beginning at 10:00am for an awesome retreat experience at the West Wood Park in Russell Township. Joel & Amy Firem, a great couple from the parish, will lead the retreat and are excited to be working with PRIME TIME this summer. To secure your spot, sign up on the kiosk . Cost is only $5/person.

FAITH FUN, MUSIC, MASS AND MUCH MORE AT FEST 2007 – What are you doing as a family this summer? Join us for the FEST-Our Catholic Family FESTival on Sunday, August 5, 2007. Join the thousands of teens, families and young adults who will gather as one on the grounds of the Center for Pastoral Leadership, 28700 Euclid Ave., Wickliffe, Ohio for a wonderful day of music, faith, fun, food and exciting activities. We will welcome Christian music sensations Leeland, Superchick, Praise-Apella, and Michael W. Smith. In addition to great music, there will be family affordable food and lots of FREE activities for all ages. The FEST will close with Mass at 8:00 p.m. followed by a magnificent fireworks display. The FEST is FREE and open to all. For more information, or to purchase a raffle ticket to help fund this once in a lifetime event, please check out the web, www.thefest.us or call 440-943-7662. Brochures are available in the narthex on the table.

YOUNG ADULTS IN THE CITY (20's and 30's)

Young Adults are invited to volunteer in the food distribution program at St Aloysius Parish (10932 St. Clair Ave.) on Saturday, July 28, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Tasks include cleaning and re-packaging large-quantity items such as potatoes and onions. Food items are then sorted and boxed for pick-up that morning. To register, please call Laura (216-228-9516) or e-mail to 2006yaic@gmail.com .  This event is sponsored by Catholic Charities through the Youth & Young Adult Ministry and CYO Office.

ST. JOHN VIANNEY hosts a monthly grief support group. The next session is on Tuesday, July 24, 2007. If you are interested, please call Rita at 440-942-0336 for required confirmation.

CYO FOOTBALL- Any boys entering the 5 th through the 8 th grades this year who are interested in playing CYO tackle football for the 2007 season may contact Greg Cira, Commissioner of the football program at St. Paschal Baylon in Highland Heights at 440-476-2000.

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