Week of August 22, 2004

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Dear Parishioner,

On July 30, 1980 the first Mass of St. Noel Parish was celebrated in the Willoughby Hills City Hall. Therefore, next year we will be celebrating our 25 th Anniversary as a Catholic Parish. An Anniversary Planning Committee has been formed with Philip Guban as the chairperson. Over the next year several exciting efforts are being planned to commemorate our 25 th Anniversary. They include a parish history book and a parish-wide celebration of our anniversary to take place in the summer or early fall of 2005. The first step in our celebration will be the preparation of a new parish photo directory.

This is an appropriate beginning because our Church is people, you and I, believers in God's love who bear a holy relationship to each other. Together we form a spiritual family. Together we form, as St. Paul says, the Body of Christ.

Our community now numbers 1600 households. With so many parishioners, names and faces can be difficult to recognize.

Here is where an updated parish photo directory will help us. This directory will contain color portraits of all members of the parish, together with a parish roster. The directory will be a useful tool for every parishioner to match familiar faces with names and to come to know better other members of St. Noel.

To make the picture directory a success, however, we will need the cooperation of every household in the parish. Starting next weekend and for the next three weekends after all Masses, we are asking you to sign up in the Nativity Room for a time to come to St. Noel with your family to pose for a portrait. There will be a variety of times in September and October to have your portrait taken. Busson Portrait Directories is providing this service. There is no cost to you or to the parish. Every household which participates will receive a free Parish directory and a free 8 x 10 portrait of the pose you choose for the directory. You will, of course, be able to purchase additional portraits but there is no obligation to do so. Also, you will be able to select your pose immediately after the pictures are taken. Therefore, your participation will require only one trip to St. Noel.

All registered parishioners will have their name and address included in the directory. We will include published phone numbers and not include unlisted numbers. If you wish to omit a published phone number or include an unlisted number in the directory please call the parish office.

I appeal to every parishioner to cooperate with this process. The success of our directory involves you taking the time to participate. With a parish-wide response, we will all be able to benefit from a new directory which can assist us in getting to know one another better and appropriately mark 25 years of parish life.

Fr. George Smiga

CRISIS IN SUDAN – The emergency in Sudan's western region of Darfur presents the starkest challenge to the world since the Rwanda genocide in 1994. A government-backed Arab militia known as Janjaweed has been engaging in campaigns to displace and wipe out communities of African tribal farmers.

Villages have been razed, women and girls are systematically raped and branded, men and boys murdered, and food and water supplies targeted and destroyed. Government aerial bombardments support the Janjaweed by hurling explosives as well as barrels of nails, car chassis and old appliances from planes to crush people and property. Tens of thousands have died. Well over a million people have been driven from their homes, and only in the past few weeks have humanitarian agencies gained limited access to some of the affected region.

In response to this crisis we will be including the people of Sudan in our weekend intercessions. Moreover, next weekend, instead of our monthly Social Concerns collection, we will be accepting your donations for relief for those who are in dire need because of this crisis. Catholic Relief Services will ensure that funds go directly to the Sudanese people. Also, after all the Masses you will have the opportunity to sign your name to a petition of support for the “Comprehensive Sudan Peace Act” (S.2705) which is now before congress and will increase humanitarian aid to the Sudan. Let us work together by prayer and action to end this terrible tragedy.

ST. NOEL PARKING LOT WILL BE CLOSED ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 25 TH due to the parking lot being resurfaced. If you need to come to church, you can enter Roemisch field from Chardon Road, park your car and you will be able to walk across the parking lot to the church building

OUTDOOR MASS – We will have Mass in our outdoor chapel (weather permitting) on Friday, August 27th at Noon.

BAPTISM DAY will be held on Sunday, September 19, 2004, from 12:15 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Parents who are planning to present a child for Baptism in the next six months, or already have done so and have not previously attended such a day, are expected to attend. Please call the parish office at 440-946-0887.

SIGNED LITURGY- On Sunday, September 5th 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.

ST. AUGUSTINE - On August 29 th 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. 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 place the cookies on the counter in the Nativity room and mark them St. Augustine.

SOCIAL CONCERNS FUND – In July we collected $1,178.00. Our expenses for July were:

We thank you for your support.

“JUST WHAT DOES THE LORD REQUIRE?”

On Sunday, September 12, 2004 Fr. George will be offering an afternoon of reflection on the Scriptural call to justice.  We will begin at 12:30 p.m. with a light lunch and conclude by 4 p.m. In addition to Fr. George's presentation there will be time for quiet reflection, group discussion and of course prayer.  A free will offering will be taken up to defray the cost of lunch.  All are welcome to come and learn how God invites and empowers us to be builders of God's Reign here on earth.  Please sign-up on the kiosk! 

JUST FAITH INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION  - Don't forget that registration for the JustFaith course is next week:  August 28 at 6:15 p.m. , August 29 at 12:15 p.m. or September 2 nd at 7 p.m.   We will gather in the Resurrection Room. A $25.00 deposit will be required at the time you turn in your registration form and the deadline for turning in your deposit and form with be September 5 th – NO registrations will be accepted after that date because books must be ordered . 

THANK YOU! Thank you very much to everyone who helped to make our first annual Party in the Park such a great success. It was wonderful that so many of our parishioners were in attendance and that so many brought pies for the baking contest!! (Congratulations Dorothy Badger for the award-winning apple-cranberry pie!) Special thanks to committee members Anne DiFranco, Carol Gall, Rob & Lisa Woolnough, Jennifer Richmond, Mary Mahoney, Michael Mills, and Monica Beyer for organizing the event and to the many volunteers who helped to make it all come together. We're already looking forward to next year!

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. There is a box on the bench across from the food & clothing drop off for your produce. It will be delivered to the Center by a member of the Social Concerns committee. If you have questions, please call Karen Fraley at 440-946-1605.

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.

BLANKET SUNDAY is coming on the weekend of September 25 th /26 th . This will be the seventeenth Annual Blanket Sunday Collection to aid the needy. Watch the bulletin for further details in the upcoming weeks.

FAITHFUL CITIZENSHIP – Every four years our Bishops issue a document entitles Faithful Citizenship” which addresses the Catholic perspective on the elections and public policy. Here is this week's quote from that document: “ All believers are called to faithful citizenship to become informed, active and responsible participants in the political process”. As we review the political landscape, the most important challenges we face are not simply political, economic or technological, but ethical, moral and spiritual. We face fundamental questions of life and death, war and peace, who moves ahead and who is left behind. We must ask ourselves what kind of nation do we want to be? What kind of world do we want to shape?

A REMINDER TO ALL CATECHISTS and people working with children in our parish. The Virtus training program will be offered in the small hall on Monday, August 23 rd from 6:30-9:30 p.m. This program is designed for anyone who would like to participate but is required for people working with minors four or more hours per month. To check other dates for Virtus training programs in the area and/or to register, go to the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland website. Click on the icon “Protecting God's Children.” Go to “Schedule of Protecting God's Children Sessions.” If you do not have access to the internet you can call the diocese at 216-696-6525.

OUR PARISH anticipates a number of printing needs this fall. Do you know someone who might be willing to help us defray the cost of these projects? All the set-up work is done so we only need help with the printing. If you have a suggestion, please call Marianne Slattery at 440-946-1128 x 21.

PRESCHOOL REGISTRATION will be after all Masses this weekend. 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.

ST. NOEL FELLOWSHIP – Activities for August are as follows: 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.

NOEL MOVERS – We are need of beds, dressers, loveseats, and all useable furniture. Please call Anthony (946-1128) if you have an item to donate. All items must be in working condition; no repairs can be made on furniture items.

CLAMBAKE – the annual PRIME TIME Clambake is Sunday, September 19 th from 12:00 – 2:30pm. Tickets go on sale the weekend of September 4 th . This is our biggest fundraiser of the year, and the best clambake around. All proceeds benefit St. Noel Youth Ministry.

POSITIONS AVAILABLE – St. Mary Church in Chardon has two part-time office positions available – Parish Bookkeeper & Parish Business Manager. Call St. Mary for more info: (440) 286-4402.

FOODBANK – We're heading to the Cleveland Foodbank on Tuesday, September 7 th . We leave the Church at 5:30pm. Please call Anthony if you would like to serve (440) 946-1128. ALSO!! – We're still looking for more people to serve with us. Sign the sheet on the kiosk if you are interested in serving.

SERVER TRAINING – On September 29 th and October 6 th we will train altar servers from 7:30-8:30pm in the Church. Servers must be in the 4 th grade or older and adults are encouraged to participate. Please sign the sheet on the kiosk if interested.

ADULT CONFIRMATION – please call Anthony (946-1128) if you are interested in celebrating the Sacrament of Confirmation in 2005. If you are a Catholic adult and have not participated in the Sacrament of Confirmation, preparation begins on September 20 th . Please call Anthony for more information.

JUNIOR HIGH YOUTH GROUP – registration forms are available in the kiosk. The group is open to all 7-8 th grade students. Get your form today and be a part of the JHYG!!

FLYER FOR THE FALL QUARTER OF THE ECUMENICAL INSTITUTE FOR THE RELIGIOUS STUDIES - can be found in the kiosk. Here is an example of the kinds of programs offered: “Did Jesus Have to Die? A Study of Salvation Theologies,” with Dr. Natalie Kertes Weaver.

DIVORCE RECOVERY FOR CATHOLICS - The experience of separation and divorce is never easy. To help those in this process, the Catholic parishes in Lake and Geauga counties have developed an 8-week program that promotes emotional and sacramental healing, fosters support, independence, and empowerment. The program will begin on Wednesday, September 15 th , at St. Bede the Venerable Church, 9114 Lake Shore Blvd Mentor. For more information or to register, please call Catholic Charities at 440-352-6191 or 1-800-242-9755.

GOLF OUTING WITH A PURPOSE- A special golf outing will be taking place on Friday, September 10 th starting at 10:30 a.m. at Gleneagles Golf Course in Twinsburg. The cost is $90.00 per person or $360.00 for groups of four. This includes lunch, 18-holes of golf, cart, dinner, competitions and prizes. The purpose of the outing is to help support Fr. Mark Riley and Fr. John King's mission work in El Salvador. For more information please contact Dean or Joyce Colovas at 330-405-3877 or 440-264-5370. This event is open to the entire diocese so please call early for your reservations!

CAN YOU HELP? A person needs to be driven to the Cleveland Clinic on a regular basis and is willing to compensate anyone who can help. Please call the parish office at 440-946-0887 if you can help.

POLL WORKERS NEEDED – There is a sign-up sheet on the kiosk for anyone in Lake County who might like to work at the polls on Election Day. If you are interested please provide the information requested. We will be sending in this sign-up sheet on August 31 st .

ENTERTAINMENT BOOKS 2005 will be available beginning the weekend of August 28 th /29 th in the church office. Cost of the book is $25.00 until December 1 st , then $30.00 after that date. All proceeds benefits mentally handicapped children. Also, Lake Catholic High School students are selling Entertainment Books 2005. The cost is $25.00 per book until December 1. After that date, the cost is $30.00. For more information please the school at 440-951-0077.

ST. JUSTIN MARTYR in Eastlake will not be celebrating a 5:00 p.m. Sunday evening Mass until October 3, 2004. The closest Sunday evening Masses are St. William, Euclid at 6:00 p.m. and St. Felicitas, Euclid at 7:00 p.m.

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.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO MAKE SOME MONEY AND HAVE FUN DOING IT? Chef Randy could use a few new dishwashers, male or female in the hall. You must be at least 14 years old. It would also be nice if you were able to work some Fridays during the high school football season. Please call the hall office at 440-946-0887.

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