Week of July 31, 2005

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Dear Parishioner,

Thank you to all those who made our summer Vacation Bible School Program a great success. The program took place last week, July 18 th – 22 nd , and was Gospel Light's “Kingdom of the Son-A Prayer Safari.” All week, over 130 children were on a prayer safari exploring the Lord's Prayer. Each day we visited various areas such as Bible Story Time, Interest Builders where we put together bible verses through finding words on bananas, animal paw prints, going through the rain forest, etc., playing fun games during recess, learning the wonderful songs during music, making our great crafts and learning about our special mission, Project Hope. We learned we can all be missionaries. We had a speaker from Project Hope, Lake County's homeless shelter and we donated various items (i cereal, juice, toothpaste, deodorant, shaving cream, plastic silverware, coffee, bowls, plates and cups). We also had a speaker from our own Food Pantry to help the children understand some of the needs of our community and how we work to provide assistance.

In following with the zoo theme of the week, parents and children spent an afternoon at the Cleveland Zoo. A delicious Friday evening buffet was provided by Chef Randy, Kathleen Repko and their hard working helpers to all VBS attendees and their families. A wonderful musical program followed under the direction of Dr. Marc Weagraff, Sr. Kathleen Heer and Elke White.

Vacation Bible School is one of the most exciting ministerial efforts of our year, and it would not be possible without the cooperation of over 88 volunteers which included a large number of parents, grandparents, and 50 youth volunteers listed below:

Michelle Apicella       Leah LaRiche

Alex Armbruster       Rachel Laurie

Danielle Armbruster   Katy Leben

Jake Armbruster Jessica Lipold

Annie Baetzold     Andrew Manning

Jessica Christopher Steven Manning

Jayne Consolo Ryan Mills

Meri Consolo Meighan Mills

Gabrielle Cregan       Celia Murphy

Joseph Cregan   Mikie Dugan

Nicole DeMarco   Rebecca Pattie

Kristen Ekin   Lauren Pattie

Danielle Fraley   Kennedy Ricci Kathryn Geisinger     Becky Sherlock

Sarah Geisinger   Kayla Short

Katie Gnau   Kelsey Siebold

Tyler Guban   Megan Slattery

Megan Hopton   Luke Slattery

Kevin Kelsey   Susan Szekese

John Kelsey   Cassie Thompson

Scott Kelsey   Andrea Urbanek

Jackelyn Klatte   Andrea Velotta

Anna Marie Klements     Katie Wright

Jordan Kolaric       Michael Zehe

Deanna Kucmanic     Kevin Zehe

Fr. George Smiga

MARK YOUR 2006 CALENDAR TODAY!!! The 2006 Vacation Bible School program will be the week of July 17 th – 21 st . Watch the bulletin in the Spring for volunteer opportunities and registration dates.

OUTDOOR MASS – Our Tuesday morning Mass on August 2 nd at 8:45 am will be in our outdoor chapel (weather permitting).

AT HOME WITH THE WORD – We will be ordering At Home With The Word for 2006. If you ordered a book last year we will automatically reorder for 2006. (If you do not want a book please call the parish office at 440-946-0887). Also, anyone else who would like to order a book please call the parish office at 440-946-0887. All orders need to be in by August 1 st to receive the discounted price of $5.00. After August 1 st the price of the book will be more.

HOSPICE- Hospice of the Cleveland Clinic is looking for special people to provide compassionate support to patients. We offer training, in-services, recognition, volunteer newsletters, camaraderie, and a sense of accomplishment for helping someone in need. The next training begins in September. For an interview, please call Ann Catanese at 216-636-8666.

LEGISLATIVE HOTLINE - Check out the “Legislative Hotline” news from the Catholic Commissions of our Dioceses which can be found on the Social Concerns section of the kiosk.  There are suggested actions for us to take on Darfur, CAFTA (Central American Free Trade Agreement) and affordable housing.  Copies of the “Legislative Hotline” are available too.  They can be found in the kiosk pockets.

EL SALVADOR IN 2006 - We are planning a return trip to El Salvador in 2006 (July 18 thru the 26).  The current estimated cost is $1500 which includes travel, meals and housing.  Call Alice at 440-946-0887 if you are interested. 

FOR LIFE – Copies of this newsletter from the Diocesan Pro-Life office are available in the pockets of the Social Concerns Section of the kiosk.

WANT TO EXPLORE BECOMING A CATHOLIC?   Join us for our next RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) Inquiry sessions on August 2 nd and August 30 th in Resurrection Room 1 & 2 at 7 p.m.  Please call Alice at 440-946-0887 to register if you have not attended before. 

AUGUST ANNIVERSARY SHOWER -  Stop by the table in the Narthex this weekend to select the item you would like to purchase to help refugee families who are being resettled by our Diocesan Migration and Refugee office. Items should be returned on August 20 th or 21 st , the weekend we are celebrating 25 years of blessings from God. Let's be a blessing in return!

JUSTFAITH - The twenty-four JustFaith participants from last year would like to extend an invitation to you to consider being a part of our second year of JustFaith. This thirty week program is both a challenging and rewarding experience. Learning and formation in Catholic Social Teaching takes place through prayer, reading, discussion, videos, guest speakers and field trips. The actual JustFaith course will begin on Sunday, September 18 th and continue through Sunday, May 7 th . We will gather on these Sunday evenings from 6:00 to 8:30 pm. Meet our facilitators for this year, Kathy Benda and Marilyn Wright, when you attend one of the information and registration meetings which will be held on Saturday, August 27 th at 6:15 pm; Sunday August 28 th at 12:15 pm and Thursday, September 1 st at 7:30 pm.

RETROUVAILLE – The next Retrouvaille (“hope for troubled marriages”) weekend will be held at the Hilton Hotel in Beachwood on September 9-11, 2005. Visit their website at www.helpourmarriage.com or call 1-800-470-2230 for more information.

SOCIAL JUSTICE GEM –“From each person according to their ability; to each person according to their needs.” Though this may sound Marxian to our ears, its basis is in God's care for the poor as seen in the Old Testament. Today's first reading from Isaiah speaks both to the poor and to those who have abandoned those in need. God promises the poor not just the basics of bread and water, but the abundance of wine and milk usually reserved for feasts or the table of the wealthy and powerful. To the powerful God brings notice that the covenant is shared beyond the royal Davidic house and to the whole of his people. Theologian Thomas Clarke describes true oppression as the dehumanizing of individuals or groups by the dominant culture. The experience of radical impoverishment is destructive not just to health but also to the self-esteem, self-love and self-acceptance of the individuals or group. As in the Old Testament, the poor continue to be the widows, orphans, strangers and marginalized. In speaking both to the have and have-nots, in today's reading, God brings hope to the needy as well as instruction to those with wealth and power to “stand with the poor”..

FIRST COMMUNION – All families who plan to present their children for the sacraments of Confirmation and First Communion in April, 2006 are asked to begin the process by attending a Family Information and Interview Gathering. You may join us on either Sunday, August 28 or September 11 in the large hall at 12:15 (following the 11:00 Mass). From Saturday, August 6 through Sunday, August 21, there will be a table in the Narthex where your family can sign up for one of these gatherings. Parents and the child preparing for these sacraments (generally second graders) should plan to attend together. The whole family is welcome; however, babysitting for younger children will be available if you prefer. If you have any questions, please call Marianne at 440-946-1128 x21.

Children who are older than second grade and have received First Communion but have not yet been confirmed, please watch in late summer or early fall for information regarding the sacrament of Confirmation.

NOEL MOVERS – The moving business is booming!! Hundreds of people have received couches, beds, appliances and more. Did you know the Noel Movers are totally self-supported?? We're always looking for generous donors to help pay for fuel and maintenance. We're also looking for space to store furniture. Call Anthony if you can help.

HURRY! HURRY! REGISTER NOW FOR GIFT and receive a canvas tote bag. Your promptness will help us prepare for the fall, and the first 100 households to register receive a gift to show our appreciation. Eight exciting sessions are planned for this year. Take advantage of the discount price by registering for all eight NOW! If you misplaced or did not receive a form in the mail, pick one up on the table in the narthex, Drop your completed form (and check made out to St. Noel Church) in the GIFT box on the table.

THE CATHOLIC SUMMER FAMILY FESTIVAL known as the <FEST> is next Sunday August 7 from 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at the Center for Pastoral Leadership (Borromeo Seminary) in Wickliffe (28700 Euclid Ave). The day is free and a great way to celebrate our Catholic Faith. More information can be found at: www.TheFest.us or by calling 440-943-7662. Flyers are available in the kiosk and on the table in the Narthex. See you at the <FEST>.

A WEEKEND FOR DIVORCED, SEPARATED AND WIDOWED - Divorced, separated and widowed men and women of all ages are encouraged to attend a weekend designed for those who wish to let go of a painful past and create a more peace-filled future. Presented by people who have “been there” and offer their support. The next BEGINNING EXPERIENCE Weekend will be held on October 7 th , 8 th , and 9 th at St. Joseph Christian Life Center in Cleveland. Call Frank at 440-473-0457 or Jan at 440-808-9879.

CATHOLIC UPDATE – entitled “Seven Secrets of Successful Stewards,” by Paul Wilkes, is now available in the kiosk.

ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION INFORMATION-

We Remember, We Celebrate, We Believe – Our 25 th Anniversary –

•  Pick-up your pictorial directory on the benches in the hallway leading to the parish offices .The pictorial books are labeled with your name. Please be sure to pick-up the correct book.

•  We are looking for photos, articles and other memorabilia from the early years of St. Noel. Please place your name on the back of the item and drop off at the parish office before August 3 rd . We will be sure to return it to you after the Parish Anniversary Celebration.

•  Remembering Weekend – August 6 th & 7 th . After all Masses next weekend, there will be pictures and mementos of St. Noel's history on display in the narthex. Stay after Mass a few minutes and walk through the early history of St. Noel. There will be a parish history search in which you can locate the answers to specific questions concerning St. Noel history.

•  Anniversary Celebration – August 21 st . Please refer to the back of the August calendar enclosed with this bulletin for details.

•  Commemorative History Book of St . Noel Church - All parishioners have received a letter inviting them to be a personal or business sponsor for the book. Please complete the form you received and return in the addressed envelope provided. Any questions on the history book, contact Chris Roach at (440)356-1124.

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