Week of September 5, 2004

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Dear Parishioner,

“It Takes a Parish to Protect a Child.” I am inviting you today to a very important meeting to protect our children. Over two years ago our Church was shocked and angered at the revelation of the presence of the sexual abuse of children among our clergy and the manner in which our leadership chose to deal with the problem. If your reaction was the same as mine, you stood in disbelief and sadness, wondering how those who had been entrusted with the care of our communities could have so deeply harmed the most vulnerable among us and how our Church leadership did not act as forcibly as it should to protect our children from harm.

Without making any excuses from the crimes and mistakes of the past, the last two years have been a process of education within our Church and the conscious determination to see that the abuses of the past not be repeated. Our Bishop, together with other Bishops throughout our country, has instituted a “one-strike-and-you-are-out” policy for all clergy involved in the abuse of children. Diocesan-wide training has been mandated for all those involved in ministry. Here on our parish level all employees and volunteers have been asked to read and understand the diocesan policy on sexual abuse. This policy encourages them to report any abuse which they might encounter to the civil authorities. All who work regularly with children have co-operated with us in submitting to fingerprinting, background checks, and continuing training on the nature and recognition of sexual abuse.

Despite all of this progress, it is becoming clear to all of us that the only truly effective way to protect our children is to inform and enlist the help of all members in our parish. This is why I am inviting you to a very important meeting on Tuesday, September 14 th , at 7:30 p.m. in our large hall. The title of the program is, “It Takes a Parish to Protect a Child.” We have called it this because the most effective way to stop child abuse is to educate all in the community about the nature of child abuse and in particular about the signs which could indicate that a child is in danger. On September 14 th , Fr. Tom Dragga who has received special training in this area will present what we know about those who engage in child abuse and what warning signs should cause us concern. He will use materials and videos developed by Virtus training which is the group directing our diocesan response. Most importantly Fr. Tom will help us re-examine what kinds of interactions between children and adults are appropriate and which are not and what communal attitudes must be in place to frustrate child abuse.

All research has shown that the more people within the community who develop these attitudes, the less sex offenders are able to succeed, and the safer our children will be.

I certainly invite all parents who have direct responsibility over the safety of their children to attend this session. But I invite all parishioners young, old, married, or single to attend as well. The more that we can all become aware of this problem and what we can do to face it, the safer our children will be. Child care will be provided as part of this event.

“It Takes a Parish to Protect a Child.” You are a part of St. Noel and in a real way our children are your responsibility. So please come on September 14 th to learn the best information concerning the reality of sexual abuse and to join with me and your fellow parishioners in forming attitudes in our parish which will protect our children.

Fr. George Smiga

PARKING LOT RESURFACING – You may have noticed that last week our parking lot was resurfaced and relined. Although this had been done only a year ago, a defect in the materials used rendered last year's recoating ineffective. Since the work was guaranteed Top Quality Seal Coating returned last week to redo the job at no additional cost to St. Noel.

OUTDOOR MASS – We will have Mass in our outdoor chapel (weather permitting) at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, September 6th (Labor Day).

CRISIS IN SUDAN – We want to thank everyone for their generosity. We collected $3,442.51.

HEALING MINISTRY – Jesus desires each of us to be well in body, mind and spirit. Come . . . be touched by His love this Wednesday 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.

Blanket Sunday will take place on the weekend of September 25 th and 26 th . Your cash or check donation will allow St. Vincent DePaul Society of our diocese to purchase new items in bulk for reduced prices to serve families, children, elderly, homeless and other needy individuals in our metropolitan area. Or if you prefer, when you come to Mass that weekend, you may bring new or like-new blankets, sheets, pillowcases, towels and washcloths to church with you. On the same weekend, we collect slightly worn men's, women's, and children's winter coats, hats, mittens, gloves and scarves in good, clean condition. These items will be distributed to individuals in the area of the St. Augustine Hunger Center.

BEREAVEMENT SERIES – Our Bereavement Ministry invites anyone (participants need not be parishioners) who is coping with the loss of a family member or friend to attend a series of evenings designed to support and assist people in their grieving. The series will be held in the nursery, October 7 th through November 11 th ; and each evening will include some time for prayer. These sessions will begin at 7:00 p.m. and conclude at 8:30 p.m. If you would like to attend, please register by calling the parish office at 440-946-0887. Fliers are available in the kiosk.

PICTURE DIRECTORY - Sign up in the Nativity Room after all Masses for a time to have your picture taken for the new Picture Directory. 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. 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 at 440-946-0887.

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.

LEADERSHIP FOR WOMEN'S TEA - We are in need of one or two people to take on the leadership for the Women's Advent Tea, which is presently scheduled for Sunday, December 5, 2004.  The responsibilities for the tea require good organizational and planning skills, a degree of comfort with speaking in front of the group and of course the gift of hospitality!  Those willing to take up this invitation will be able to draw on the wisdom of past leadership.  Please call Alice at 440-946-0887 to respond to this invitation!

SAVE THE DATE - Marc Weagraff, our music director, is in the process of creating another fine concert for your enjoyment on Sunday afternoon, October 24, 2004 at 4p.m.  More details to come!

PRAYER SERVICE FOR PEACE - On Saturday morning, September 25, 2004 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., our “Let There Be Peace” prayer and reflection group will be leading a prayer service at the Gazebo in WES Park in downtown Willoughby.  Please join us for this opportunity to prayer with the broader community for peace in our families, our communities and our world. 

RCIA INQUIRY - We meet again this Tuesday, September 7, 2004 at 7p.m. in the Resurrection Room.  Anyone wishing to inquiry into the Catholic faith is welcome. 

FLU SHOT CLINIC - The Visiting Nurses Association returns again this year to conduct a flu shot clinic in our small hall on Thursday, October 7, 2004 from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.  The cost per immunization is $19.00; the pneumonia immunization is $25.00.  The clinic takes cash only.  Medicare B beneficiaries with a valid Medicare Card will have services billed to Medicare.   

SIGNED LITURGY- This 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.

“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. A free will offering will be taken up to defray the cost of lunch. Please sign-up on the kiosk by September 8 th . 

EVERYONE LOVES A GOOD STORY – Stories change us. Stories convert us. Share the power of stories Jesus told in the “Parables of Jesus,” our next scripture study series. We will gather in the small hall at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, September 28, October 12 and November 2. Dr. George Matejka will start us off, followed by Sr. Therese Duggan of St. Mary Seminary, and Fr. George will lead the concluding discussion. Study guides are available for $10 each. You may purchase one any evening of the lectures, or you may get one ahead of time by calling Marianne Slattery at 440-946-1128 x 21.

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. Please bring your produce to the church office. It will be delivered to the Center by a member of the Social Concerns committee. If you have questions, please call the parish office 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.

FAITHFUL CITIZENSHIP – Every four years our Bishops issue a document entitled “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”. Elections are a time for debate and decisions about the leaders, policies and values that will guide our nation. All believers are called to faithful citizenship, to become informed, active and responsible participants in the political process. Every voice matters in the public forum. Every vote counts. Voter registration will be taking place in the narthex next weekend.

THE ELIZABETH MINISTRY'S “ELIZABETH'S ROSES” - will be available in the narthex following all Masses on the weekend of September 11 th /12 th . 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 parish website at www.stnoel.org, and click on “Caring Ministries.”

PSR OPEN HOUSE for families who are registered for the 2004-2005 year will be held on Monday, September 13th. Parents and children may come to the narthex between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m., find classrooms, meet teachers and pick up materials for the year. Regular classes begin on Monday, September 20 th .

PSR REGISTRATION – Families who have not re-registered for the 2004-2005 year or families new to the parish who have not registered a 1 st -6 th grader must register by Thursday, September 9 th . Call Michele at 440-946-1128 X 23, and you will be contacted. Many classes are filled to capacity.

LOOKING FOR A CHANCE TO GAIN FRIENDSHIPS AND SPIRITUALITY…the Ladies Bible Study and Fellowship could be your answer: Our diverse group of ladies will begin meeting again on Tuesday, September 14 th from 9:30-11:00 a.m. in the basement meeting room. These ladies share friendship and faith and depend on women of all ages to share a willingness to explore the Bible. No experience necessary. We would like to extend an invitation to women of all ages to join our weekly study and fellowship. Free childcare is provided during the study. We hope you will consider visiting with us. For more information please contact Anthony Camino at 44-946-1128 x 20.

ST. NOEL FELLOWSHIP – Activities for September are as follows: September 9th –Speaker: Diane Henderson – Topic: Voting – September 16th Reverse Raffle – September 23rd - socializing, meeting, and then at 12:30 p.m. we will have our luncheon consisting of spare ribs, cole slaw, baked beans and cake. The cost is $6.00 per person. Deadline for tickets and payment is September 19th. September 30 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 in need of beds, dressers, loveseats, stoves, refrigerators 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 are on sale this weekend and next weekend after all Masses. This is our biggest fundraiser of the year, and the best clambake around. All proceeds benefit St. Noel Youth Ministry.

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!! Our first session is Tuesday, September 28 th from 7:00-8:30pm

PRIME TIME – Welcome back!! We've made some changes in the group and have added some awesome adults to the CORE! We're planning the first session for Sunday, October 3 rd from 7:30-9:00pm in the Teen Center. PRIME TIME is open to all 9-12 grade students!!

ENTERTAINMENT BOOKS 2005 are available 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.

ALWAYS OUR CHILDREN – The parent's support group for families and friends of gay and lesbian Catholics welcomes you to join us at our next meeting, Sunday September 12 th , from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. in the library of the Administration Center at St. John Vianney Church on Bellflower Road in Mentor, Ohio.

GRIEF SUPPORT GOUP – The next monthly grief support group at St. John Vianney will be on Monday, September 13 th at 7:00 p.m. For more information please call 440-942-0336.

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