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Week
of August 6, 2006
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Dear
Parishioner,
As
I hope all of you realize by now, our diocese is initiating a plan
for clustering parishes. Every parish in our diocese has been asked
to join in a cluster of 2-5 parishes together comprising at least
2,000 households. In order to accomplish this each parish has been
asked to submit to the diocese two possible cluster formations in
which they feel they could participate. These two proposals are
to be turned into the diocese by October 1 st .
Our
Parish Pastoral Council has been leading the effort to determine
what our two proposals should be. They have consulted with the staff
and finance council. At the beginning of this year they also provided
an opportunity for parishioners to offer suggestions. After this
consultation and extended discussions this spring at our
Parish
Pastoral Council meetings, our two proposed cluster arrangements
have been determined.
Our
first choice, and by far our preferred choice, is to join as a cluster
with Divine Word parish in Kirtland. Not only are we close to each
other geographically but we are similar in size and in pastoral
approach. St. Noel is approximately 1,550 households. Divine Word
is 1,325 households. Neither parish has a Catholic Day School and
both parishes have a similarity of age-groups. We have discussed
our proposal with Divine Word and they are open and willing to cluster
with us. They plan to propose our clustering together as their first
choice as well.
Our
second proposal is to cluster with St. Francis of Assisi in Gates
Mills. This proposal was not as attractive to the Parish Pastoral
Council because of the difference of size between the two parishes.
St. Francis is twice our size. Yet we are in close proximity to
each other and we already share a positive relationship in which
parishioners of St. Noel send their children to St. Francis School.
I
will be sending these proposed clusters to the diocese.
By
December 1 st we will receive a response from the diocese approving
one or the other or perhaps suggesting another configuration. We
then will have until February, 2007 to accept or offer a counter-proposal.
By the end of April the clusters for all the parishes in our diocese
will be finalized.
Let
me emphasize that the aim of clustering is not to merge parishes.
In fact, the opposite is true. By cooperating with each other parishes
should be able to use their resources more effectively and find
ways of continuing their parish lives even with the diminishing
number of priests.
Overall
I am grateful for the way in which this clustering process has been
designed. Rather than some structure being imposed from the Bishop's
office, every parish has been provided with the opportunity for
input and has been invited to contribute to its future direction.
I
want to thank the Pastoral Council for all the hard work they have
provided for this process. I believe we have determined two viable
proposals. Now we must await the Bishop's response.
George
Smiga
CLUSTERING
NEWS
WHO
MAKES THE DECISIONS?
After discernment, parish leaders, submit a plan to the Diocese
by October 1, 2006. This process respects the role of diocesan staff
in presenting specific models for consideration that might better
serve pastoral needs, and the wisdom of parish leaders in knowing
what cluster model best makes sense in their situation. Parish leaders
will receive the first draft of the overall plan of cluster configurations
from the diocesan team and will provide feedback to the diocese.
The finalized configuration of cluster partners will be approved
by the Bishop.
FLOOD
ASSISTANCE
-Wayne, Cuyahoga, Lake and Geauga counties have been damaged with
recent flooding. Many homes are damaged and numerous people have
suffered unexpected hardships. If you wish to help those in the
diocese affected, monetary donations are now being accepted. Please
indicate that you wish your donation to go to local flood victims.
Donations can be sent to : Catholic Charities Health and
Human Services Attention: Christine Horne 7911 Detroit Avenue Cleveland,
Ohio 44102
ITEMS
FOR FLOOD VICTIMS -
St. Noel has been designated as a drop off point for the following
items needed by those affected by the recent floods: formula,
diapers, paper products, cleaning supplies and new underwear.
A bin for these items can be found in the Narthex. Everything
will be taken to United Way in Mentor for distribution. Thank
you for your generosity!!
FEAST
OF THE ASSUMPTION TUESDAY, August 15 th . The
sign-up sheet for Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers and Sacristans
for the Noon and 7:00 p.m. Masses for the Feast of the Assumption
is on the bulletin board by the kitchenette. Your help is greatly
appreciated.
LITURGICAL
MINISTERS Mark
your calendars there will be an evening of reflection for all
liturgical ministers on Tuesday evening, September 12, 2006. Please
save the date! More information will be mailed to you in several
weeks.
THE
HEALING LITURGY
on Wednesday, August 9th will be cancelled and rescheduled for Wednesday,
August 16th. Please change your calendars.
SIGNED
LITURGY- This Sunday,
August 6 th the 11:00 a.m. Mass will be signed for the hearing impaired.
Reserved seating can be found in the first two rows of chairs by
the Eucharist Chapel.
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 to order again. If you did not order last
year and would like a book(s), please call the church office 440-946-0887
by August 10th and we will put your name on the list. As long
as we order in bulk, books are $5.50 a piece.
USED
CELL PHONES
- Do you have an old cell phone you would like to dispose of?
Laura DiFranco, an Oberlin College student has undertaken a project
to collect used cell phones during the month of August. These
phones will be recycled to help build a school for the children
in Sierra Leone. There will be a box in the coatroom on
top of the coat racks marked "Used Cell Phones".
Thank you for your help!
READY,
WILLING & ABLE!
Thanks to twenty-four parishioners the Meal Ministry is ready to
go! Parishioners with a short-term need for assistance with
meals on occasions such as illness, death or the birth of a baby
should call the parish office to make your need known. The
office will then contact the Meal Ministry coordinator for that
month and she or he will in turn call you to arrange for the meal(s).
Should anyone know of a person in need of this ministry you may
also call the office to initiate the process. If you would like
to be a cook and have not yet signed up please call the parish office
at 440-946-0887. Bon Appetitè!
POST
ABORTION HEALING RETREAT
Bethesda House of Mercy is sponsoring a private healing retreat
for women who have experienced an abortion. Call 1-800-482-4100
or 1-400-777-3141 or check the Social Justice section of the kiosk
for more information.
PRO
LIFE NEWS - The
latest issue of our Diocesan Pro Life newsletter is posted on the
Social Justice section of the kiosk. There is also a flier
giving details about the Rosary for Life which is prayed the first
Saturday of every month.
BABY
BOTTLE BOOMERANG - We're
still accepting your baby bottles for Hanna House. You may
return them to the white basket in the narthex with or without a
contribution. Hanna House asks that we return them even if
they are empty. Thank you for your cooperation!
SPIRITUAL
READING GROUP will meet
September 12 th at 7:30 p.m. We will discuss Everyday Simplicity:
A Practical Guide to Spiritual Growth by Robert Wicks.
On October 10 th we will discuss Practicing the Presence by
Joel Goldsmith. On November 14 th we will discuss The Active
Life: Wisdom for Work, Creativity and Caring by Parker Palmer.
For further information contact the parish office at 440-946-0887.
JOIN
US FOR A PILGRIMAGE to
the Shrine of the North American Martyrs (St. Noel
was one of them!)
in
Midland, Ontario. We will leave early Friday morning, October 6th
and return Saturday night, October 7. The cost for the trip will
be $191.00 per person (thank you, Endowment Fund!!) and includes
meals, (including dinner at Scully's Crabshack), transportation,
lodging, admissions, and a boat ride on the Georgian Bay. We will
also stop at the Duty Free Store on the way home. Flyers with detailed
information and registration forms are in the kiosk, but remember
to make your $75 deposit by August 14 th . We'll have a great time!
FIRST
COMMUNION All families
who plan to present their children for the sacraments of Confirmation
and First Communion in April, 2007 are asked to begin the process
by attending a Family Information and Interview Gathering. You may
join us on either Sunday, August 27 th or September 10 th in the
Banquet Center/Large Hall at 12:15 p.m. (following the 11:00 a.m.
Mass). From Saturday, August 5 th through Sunday, August 20 th 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.
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.
PARENTS
OF PRESCHOOLERS Beginning
this fall we will offer Catechesis of the Good Shepherd at two times
on Sundays. This program is based on the Montessori approach to
learning and helps children understand the historical events of
Jesus' life, His preaching, and components of the liturgy. Beginning
Sunday, September 17 th , children ages 3, 4, and 5 years may attend
Good Shepherd at either 8:45-10:15 or 10:45-12:15. While these times
allow parents to attend either the 9:00 or 11:00 Mass, please notice
that the session is one and a half hours long. Children should be
available for the full time. If you did not receive a registration
form in the mail, you may register in the parish office or call
440-946-1128 x 21. An information meeting for parents will be held
in the lower level of the new wing on Sunday, August 13 at 10:15
a.m.
ST.
NOEL FELLOWSHIP
-The activities for the month of August are as
follows: August 10 th Rabbit & Dog Race;
August 17 th Reverse Raffle side board; August
24 th - Noon Socializing/meeting; then at 12:30 p.m.
we will have our luncheon of Strip Steak, red potatoes, vegetables,
mixed salad, and mixed berry pie. Tickets are $6.00 for members
and $8.00 for guests. Deadline for tickets and payment is August
21 st . August 31 st Bingo - We will also celebrate
birthdays and anniversaries. Please remember to bring your food
donation for the food pantry to this meeting. Everyone is welcome
to attend Senior Fellowship.
MUSIC
MINISTRY CD'S
The St. Noel Music Ministry CD entitled How Can We Keep From
Singing? featuring the choir, chamber singers and hand bell
choir are available in the church office. Proceeds benefit the music
ministry pilgrimage fund.
ST.
NOEL BANQUET CENTER -
We are currently booking the Banquet Center for the remainder of
2006 and all of 2007. Remember, parishioners or their immediate
family receive a 10% discount for evening weddings and a 5% discount
for any other events held at St. Noel Banquet Center. We are now
offering a $5.00 discount to anyone during the months of November,
December, January, February and March for any weddings of 150 people
or more on any Fridays or Saturdays during these months when using
our sit-down, family style, or buffet menus. Please remember to
recommend St. Noel Banquet Center when you or a friend or even the
company you work for are planning an event throughout the year.
Please call the office at 440-946-6635 for availability.
NOEL
MOVERS The next available
furniture pick up is during the 2 nd week of August. The movers
are out doing service! Please call Anthony in August to arrange
pickup thanks!
CLEVELAND
FOOD BANK We're heading
to the Food Bank on Monday, August 7 th . Please call Anthony if
you're interested in serving. Thanks to our dedicated team of workers
you are making a difference!!
RETROUVAILLE
Help for troubled marriages. Retrouvaille
is a program which helps couples to rediscover each other in a new
and positive way. A Retrouvaille weekend will be held on September
8 th through September 10 th at the Hilton Hotel in Beachwood. A
registration fee of $50 is required to confirm a reservation. For
more information call Al and Diane Miskinis at 330-665-3506 or 1-800-470-2230.
You may also learn about Retrouvaille on the world wide web at www.helpourmarriage.com
.
THE
LITTLEST HEROES Volunteers Needed for the Race for Children's
Sake at Jacob's Field - The
Littlest Heroes, a non-profit organization that helps children with
cancer, is having the Race for Children's Sake at Jacob's Field
on Saturday, August 19 th . Volunteers are needed in the morning
and early afternoon to help out with registration and special events.
If you, or anyone you know would be interested in helping us please
contact Therese Dietzel by email at dietzel@thelittlestheroes.org
or 440-729-5200 x 25.
LOCAL
CELEBRATION OF BISHOP PILLA'S 25 TH ANNIVERSARY!
You are invited to participate in a Mass of Thanksgiving to mark
the Silver Jubilee of Bishop Pilla's ministry in the Diocese on
Monday, August 28, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. at St. Mary Church in Chardon.
Everyone is welcome. Bishop Pilla will preside and the Auxiliary
Bishops of Cleveland and the clergy of our area will be concelebrants.
Come and enjoy special music, procession, preaching and a public
reception featuring a buffet of nationality desserts. This will
be a very special and historic occasion. Please plan to attend.
THE
CHRIST CHILD SOCIETY
of the Western Reserve is one of 41 chapters in the U.S. serving
the needs of children. Our chapter serves the needy children of
Lake County with layettes, camperships, scholarships and clothing.
We also serve one child at a time through our hands-on preschool
vision screening program. We staff the Clothing Cottage, a resale
store located in Painesville. Learn more about our organization
at an informal get-together on Wednesday, August 23 rd , 1:00 p.m.
at the home of one of our members. To receive an invitation and
answer any questions you have, please call Dolores Leiden at 440-428-1548.
THE
CHRIST CHILD SOCIETY'S ANNUAL RED WAGON LUNCHEON & BOUTIQUE
will be held September
6, 2006 at LaCentre (25777 Detroit Road, Westlake). Doors open at
9:30 a.m. The luncheon includes a bake sale, Chinese Auction, 50/50
raffle, a shop of outside vendors and a fashion show presented
by Talbots. Tickets are $40/person. For reservations or information,
contact Joan at 440-746-1970.
CATHOLIC
UPDATE
entitled End-of-Life Ethics: Preparing Now for the Hour of Death,
by Kenneth R. Overberg, S.J. is now available in the kiosk.
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Noel Parish Web site, contact us.
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