Week of August 8, 2004

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Dear Parishioner,

We are very pleased to announce that our parishioner, Chris Janezic, will be giving our annual mission appeal next weekend on behalf of COAR, the C ommunity of O scar A . R omero. Chris is a member of the Board of Trustees of COAR's U. S.-based fundraising and ourtreach organization. He has visited COAR many times and recently led our delegation to El Salvador where he introduced them to the staff and children of COAR, a heart-warming and joy-filled experience.

COAR is located in Zaragoza, El Salvador. It was founded in 1980 by a Cleveland Diocese Mission Team priest, Fr. Ken Myers, during El Salvador 's brutal civil war. Fr. Ken and fellow Cleveland Mission Team members, Sr. Dorothy Kazel, OSU, and Jean Donovan began gathering orphans from refugee camps and bringing them back to the Mission's parish of Zaragoza. When it became clear that the situation would last, Fr. Ken reached out to Cleveland for funds.

COAR is now known as the “Children's Village” in El Salvadore with 800 day students, 102 in foster care, a medical and dental clinic, pharmacy and trade shops. COAR's motto is Women and Men for God and Culture: the curriculum educates the entire person. With over 100 employees COAR strengthens the regional economy. One of the first orphans of COAR served as mayor of Zaragoza from 1998-2002. COAR buzzes with optimism and vitality.

However, El Salvador remains an impoverished country as are COAR's students. COAR's success comes from stable, consistent funding from North America. To educate the children for a modern economy requires updated computers and new classrooms. To get the best teachers and treat them fairly requires wages near the Salvadoran national average.

Since Chris will be speaking after Communion, our ushers will be in the narthex after each liturgy next weekend to accept your contribution for COAR. Also, any loose cash given in the collection will be directed to this appeal. If you wish to contribute by writing a check, please make it out to “St. Noel” and write “missions” on the memo line.

Chris and other members of our El Salvadoran delegation will also be in the Narthex after all Masses to share with you their personal experiences of COAR and to address any questions you may have.

We have been called into relationship with a good and generous God who invites us always to be generous with those most in need. Thank you for your support of COAR through your monetary contributions, your prayers and your personal interest in the work of the village.

Fr. George Smiga

DO YOU HEAR THE MUSIC CALLING? If you have ever considered joining the St. Noel Music Ministry, now is the time. We are about to begin rehearsal of our Christmas repertoire and would love to have you join us. The choir is open to anyone who likes to sing and can carry a tune. We rehearse on Thursday evenings from 7-9 and members attend the weekend liturgy of their choice so your schedule remains flexible. We also welcome instrumentalists of all kinds in this group. If you are interested, please call Marc at 440-946-0887 and/or come to a Thursday rehearsal. We will be having our special “season opener” wine and cheese social on Thursday, September 2 nd at 7 p.m. Plan to join us for refreshments and stay to join us in music making. We look forward to having you with us!

GOT VEGETABLES? Does your garden runneth over? Consider donating your overabundance to the St. Augustine Hunger Center. Bring your produce to St. Noel by Friday of each week in August. Put the items (labeled for St. Augustine) in the refrigerator in the kitchenette by the coatroom. It will be delivered to the Center by a member of the Social Concerns committee. If you have questions, please call Karen Fraley at 440-946-0887.

VOLUNTEERS are needed to wash the altar linens. If you are interested, please call the parish office at 440-946-0887. You will be scheduled once a month.

INTERESTED IN EXPLORING THE CATHOLIC FAITH? Our next gathering for those interested in inquiring into the Catholic faith will be on Tuesday evening, August 10 th 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.

CLEVELAND DIOCESAN SOCIAL ACTION OFFICE CALLS FOR Fasting, Prayer and Action In Solidarity with the People of Sudan - The Diocesan Social Action Office has issued an urgent call to the people of Northeast Ohio to fast, pray and take action regarding the genocide that is taking place in western Sudan in the region of Darfur. Checks and donations can be made to Catholic Relief Services at P.O. Box 17220, Baltimore, Maryland 21298-9663, Attention: Sudan Crisis. The five Catholic Commissions of the Diocese of Cleveland are also urging immediate passage of the Comprehensive Sudan Peace Act, co-sponsored by Senators Michael DeWine (R-Ohio) and Joseph Biden (D-Delaware). Call your representative or senator at 202-224-3121. The Diocesan Social Action Office urges faith communities throughout Northeast Ohio to remember the suffering people of Sudan in prayer throughout the week and during weekend prayer services. Catholic Relief Services has developed a simple prayer resource that is available by calling 888-620-5280 or visiting www.catholicrelief.org.

JustFaith QUESTIONS & REGISTRATION

Would you like to learn more about the JustFaith course our Social Concerns Commission is offering?  Join us at one of the following times:  Saturday evening August 28 th at 6:15 p.m., Sunday afternoon August 29 th at 12:15 p.m. or Thursday evening September 2 nd at 7 p.m.   We will be sharing an overview of the course which includes several retreat experiences, field experiences as well as the 30 Sunday evening gatherings.  You'll have an opportunity to ask your questions and to receive registration information.  Please keep this effort and those considering participation in your prayers! 

“THE GOD WHO FREES” - Join us on Wednesday August 11 th at 7:00 p.m. for an evening of information and reflection featuring the various understandings and theologies that have arisen out of the experiences of those who struggle to build the Reign of God in situations of extreme poverty and oppression. We will examine how these insights invite us into a deeper spirituality of solidarity with our brothers and sisters, thus leading us to a richer relationship with God. Our facilitator and guide for the evening will be Chris Janezic, religion teacher at Villa Angela/St. Joseph High School and leader of our delegation to El Salvador.

ST. NOEL PARTY IN THE PARK – mark your calendars and plan to come to this parish day of fellowship. 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! Details follow for entering the pie baking contest! At 5:00 p.m. we'll share our meal together. At 6:00 p.m. will spread our blankets and lawn chairs out on the park and listen to a fabulous concert. 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

ENTER YOUR FAVORITE PIE into the Pie Baking Contest which will be held during the St. Noel Party in the Park on Sunday, August 15, 2004. Pre-register your entry on the kiosk or simply bring your pie to the picnic site by 4:30 p.m. Winners will be announced during the dinner hour and will have their recipes posted on the St. Noel Website. Your favorite recipe may be this year's winner!!

ITEMS LEFT BEHIND AT VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL- A number of items were left behind at Vacation Bible School (i.e., visors and crafts etc.). They can be picked up this weekend before or after Mass. The items are in a basket on the bench in the east hallway off the narthex across from the clothing and food drop off area.

PRESCHOOL REGISTRATION will be after all Masses on the weekends of August 14/15 and 21/22. Come down to the lower level of the new educational wing and fill out a registration form for children ages 3-5 years. Preschool will begin on Sunday, September 19 at the 9:00 Mass, so mark your calendar. If you have any questions, need more information, or would like to help with the preschool program please call Marianne Slattery at 440-946-1128 x 21.

SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION - Children entering second grade in the fall, 2004 may receive both the sacraments of Confirmation and First Communion together in the spring, 2005. Families who plan to present their children for these sacraments are asked to join us in the large hall from 12:15-1:45 p.m. on either Sunday, August 29 or September 12. You may sign up in the narthex any weekend in August or call Marianne Slattery (440-946-1128 x 21) if you have any questions.

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.

HEALING MINISTRY – Each one of us can be the recipient of God's healing touch for all of our emotional, physical or spiritual problems. Come . . . be touched by His love on Wednesday, August 8 th at the 6:45 p.m. evening liturgy. Experience God's healing through the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick during Mass. Be comforted and refreshed by Jesus in the Eucharist. Prayer teams will be available to pray with you if you wish.

ST. NOEL FELLOWSHIP – Activities for August are as follows: August 12 th –Mystery Gift Exchange. August 19 th - socializing, meeting, and then at 12:30 p.m. we will have our luncheon consisting of chicken fingers, waffle fries, macaroni salad and ice cream sandwich.

The cost is $6.00 per person. For more information or tickets please call the Parish Office at 440-946-0887.. Deadline for tickets and payment is August 16 th . August 26 th – we will celebrate anniversaries and birthdays. Please remember to bring your food donation for the food bank to this meeting. Everyone is welcome to attend the Senior Fellowship on Thursdays.

ROSARY – Join us Tuesday, August 17 th 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.

FOOD BANK CORE – Our service at the Cleveland Food Bank is made possible through the dedicated service of a 15-20 person core who offer their time on a regular basis. Can you help? Please sign the sheet on the kiosk if you are interested.

WHEELS FOR THE WORLD – St. Noel has teamed up with the Willoughby Hills Evangelical Friends Church to sponsor a wheel chair collection on Saturday, August 21 st from 9am-12pm. We will also collect walkers, crutches, and three or four-legged canes. All items will be donated to Wheels for the World, a non-profit organization started by Joni Erickson. This year, donated items from our region will be distributed in Honduras. Please note: the collection is for one week only; no other medical equipment – beds, bedpans, toilet seats, etc. – will be accepted. Bring your useable items to the Church during the week of August 15 th or on Saturday morning the 21 st . See the kiosk or call the Church office with questions. Help spread the word!

THANK YOU - THANK YOU - THANK YOU – The quarry tile in the kitchen has been repaired by Rich Macko. Randy still needs someone that can repair parquet flooring in the small hall. Please call Randy at 440-946-6635.

ST. NOEL PARISH HALL REMINDER – We are currently booking weddings and any other events for 2005. If you or a friend may be in need of a catered event at St. Noel Parish Hall please pass the word or give us a call. There are also a few dates available on Sundays and some Saturdays for groups over 50 people and as large as 475 people. Remember, parishioners and their immediate families do get a discount. Please call 440-946-6635 with any inquiries.

GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP – The next monthly support group at St. John Vianney Church will be on Monday, August 9 th at 7 p.m. Please call Rita Demarchi for more information (440-942-0336).

CATHOLIC CHARITIES – Thank you for your generous support of Catholic Charities! Your donation of $30 can provide 30 meals for a homeless person. A gift of $110 can provide parenting classes for a new mother. For more information, visit www.clevelandcatholiccharities.org , or call 216-696-6525, ext. 1910.

RETROUVAILLE Have you been anxious about your marriage relationship? Have you felt distant or alone? Do you have problems communicating with each other? Are you unable to see how to change your situation? If so, Retrouvaille may be for you. Retrouvaille is a program which helps couples to rediscover each other in a new and positive way. The program consists of a weekend experience and six post sessions. A Retrouvaille weekend will be held on September 10th-12 th at the Clarion Hotel in Wickliffe. A registration fee of $50 is required to confirm a reservation. For more information, call Al and Diane Miskinis at 216-481-1467 or 1-800-470-2230. You may also learn about Retrouvaille on the web at: http://www.retrouvaille.org.

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

LAKE COUNTY RIGHT TO LIFE has immediate volunteer opportunities in the following areas: Office help once a month, four hour shift, especially on Monday and Thursday mornings, and Tuesday evenings. Receive visitors to our Mentor Library/Resource Center and answer calls. No previous experience required . For more information contact the office at 440-255-5257. Also Entertainment Book Sales: we need a few more assistants for our biggest (and most important) annual fundraiser. For more information contact Frank Whalen at 440-259-4113.

ST. WILLIAM CHURCH in Euclid Ohio will sponsor a Fall Luncheon-Fashion Show for men and women on Saturday, September 25 th , at the Normandy Party Center, 30310 Palisades Pkwy., in Wickliffe. Tickets are $25.00. For more information or to purchase tickets please call Grace at 216-731-2457.

A WEEKEND FOR DIVORCED, SEPARATED AND WIDOWED – The next BEGINNING EXPERIENCE WEEKEND will be held on October 8, 9 & 10, at St. Joseph Christian Life Center in Cleveland, Ohio. Call Irene at 330-706-1512 or Joan at 216-671-0077 for the information on this weekend of hope and healing.

THE CLEVELAND CLINIC FOUNDATION - “Do you have a couple of extra hours a week? Do you care about people and want to make a difference? Do you want to be involved with an important program in your neighborhood? You might consider becoming a Hospice of the Cleveland Clinic volunteer. Special people are needed to provide compassionate support to patients in your neighborhood. The next training begins in September. For an interview, please call Ann Catanese at 216-520-8453.”

ATTENTION BOWLERS: St. Justin Martyr Ladies Tuesday Morning Bowling League has opening available. For more information call Loretta Vanagas at 942-7396.

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