Week of May 11, 2008

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Dear Parishioner,

As I have already announced Marc Weagraff, our Director of Music will be leaving his position at St. Noel to assume full-time teaching responsibilities at Baldwin Wallace Music Conservatory. Today, I am happy to announce that we have reached an agreement with Richard Gullion to become our next Director of Music Ministries.

Richard has served as Director of Music Ministries at St. Ignatius of Antioch Parish in Cleveland for the last 17 years. Before that he served as Director of Music at Our Lady of Angels Church in Cleveland. We were prepared to search for a qualified music minister for months if necessary. However, upon receiving Richard’s resume, it became clear that he was perfectly suited to serve as our new Director. Richard studied at West Minister Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey – one of the best music institutions in our country. He is an excellent organist and pianist, an impressive cantor, and a superb choral director. He is an active member of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians and part of the Music Commission of the Diocese of Cleveland. He has produced a CD of contemplative instrumentals entitled:  In Quiet Confidence (visit: inquietconfidence.com).

As Richard interviewed with our staff and music ministry, we realized that he was a talented and professional musician. He also impressed us with his openness and winning personality. I know that both our staff and music ministry look forward to having him as part of the St. Noel community. I am confident you will feel the same way.

Richard will assume his responsibilities here on August 1, 2008. Marc will continue as our Director of Music until that time. We are looking forward to a smooth transition and many fruitful years of beautiful music to enhance the worship of God at our parish liturgies.

Fr. George Smiga

CLUSTER NEWS – Preparations are underway for a consultation of Divine Word and St. Noel Parishes concerning the proposals developed by our Cluster Planning Committee. The committee has developed four proposals to address the mandates given us by Bishop Lennon last spring. On Wednesday, June 11th we will host a “Cluster Commencement” at 7:30 p.m. in our Banquet Center. Parishioners from both our parishes will hear of the rational for the four proposals and be able to give their feedback. Mark your calendars now for this important event in the development of our relationship with Divine Word.

REMINDER – There will be no 6:45 p.m. Liturgy on Wednesday, May 14, 2008. Plan to attend the GIFT Program that evening or on Friday, May 16th.

TWIST AT THE BANQUET CENTER – will take place on May 24th for the show band Twist. They play a variety of Mo-town favorites and oldies from the past. The doors will open at 6:30 p.m. A pasta buffet will be served and a cash bar will be available. The cost is $25.00 per person. The evening concludes at 11:30 p.m. Reservations can be made by calling the Banquet Center at 440-946-6635.

TIFFT ON TOUR – Mark your calendars for Friday, June 27, 2008. A daytime bus tour of some of Cleveland’s historical church sites will be led by Father Tom Tifft (our February GIFT presenter) along with passenger, Father George Smiga. They will share Ohio’s church history with us as we travel to churches of special significance. A continental breakfast will be available in the narthex between 8:00 and 8:30 a.m. The bus leaves promptly at 8:30 a.m. A lunch stop is scheduled at Sokolowski’s University Inn in Tremont.  

The bus will return to Saint Noel around 4:15 p.m. (PLEASE NOTE THE SLIGHT TIME CHANGES.) The cost for the tour is $25. (Lunch is not included in the price.) Registration closes once the bus is full (50 people and we are almost there!) so fill out a form (on the GIFT Table in the narthex) and drop it and your check for $25 in the GIFT Box in the narthex or parish office. The day’s itinerary can be found on the GIFT Table

HOSPITALITY – We are in need of help to set up and serve coffee and donuts at the 5:00 p.m. Mass on Saturday evening and at the 9:00 & 11:00 a.m. Masses on Sunday. You would only be scheduled once a month. If you can help please call the parish office at 440-946-0887.

2008 CATHOLIC CHARITIES ANNUAL APPEAL - Thank you for your extraordinary support of this year’s Catholic Charities Annual Appeal. Due to the overwhelming response to this year’s Appeal, we are still in the process of tabulating the results.  If you have not yet received a pledge reminder notice but would like to make a payment, please send your check, payable to Catholic Charities, to: Catholic Charities, 1404 East 9th Street, 8th floor, Cleveland, Ohio 44114, Attn: Elaine Ujczo. Please provide your complete mailing address and parish name with your payment. Contact Elaine at 800-869-6525 ext, 3670 with questions. Thank you for your continued support of Catholic Charities.

CARING FOR CREATION – Thinking about your garden and all the delicious and nutritious produce to grace our tables in the coming months?  Join us on Sunday June 1, 2008 at 5:30 p.m. in the small hall for a potluck supper and discussion on sustainable gardening and foods that are good for us and for the planet!  As always please bring your own place settings so we don’t need to use disposables and remember you can join us for the prayer and program at 6:15 p.m. if you can’t make the potluck. 

FAITHFUL CITIZENSHIP – Save the date!  On Thursday evening, May 22, 2008 at 7 p.m. in our small hall, we will be hosting a forum on Faithful Citizenship, the document written by our Bishops which addresses the forming of our consciences for faithful citizenship and our call to political responsibility.  Speakers will be from St. Mary Seminary and our Diocesan Social Action office.  Registration is important to insure adequate materials for all in attendance.  You may register by calling 888-620-5280 or email axcoplan@clevelandcatholiccharities.org .  See you there!

PEACE PASTORAL - 25th Anniversary:   On May 3, 1983, The U.S. bishops issued “The Challenge of Peace: God's Promise and Our Response,” the document which came to be known as "the peace pastoral" and forever enshrined "peacemaking" as an imperative of our faith.  Beginning Friday, May 2, the eve of the anniversary and continuing through Sunday, May 11, the “Let There Be Peace” Prayer Group invites you to pray in a special way for peace in our world and for a stronger commitment to build and proclaim peace from our Church. Members of the group will be at a table in the narthex after Mass with reading materials, including Pope Benedict’s January 1st message for the World Day of Peace, and prayer cards to assist you in your prayer.  Also, log on to www.paxchristiusa.org, the WEBsite of Pax Christi USA, a Catholic peace movement, to review its sign-on statement “God’s Promise Endures: The Challenge of Peace Today.”

BABY BOTTLE BOOMERANG – Hannah’s Home is a Christian facility located in Mentor, which provides a home and supportive services to young single women who are pregnant and in need. As a fund raiser, they are launching their “Baby Bottle Boomerang” project on Mother’s Day and concluding it on Father’s Day. You will find baby bottles on the table in the narthex, which we ask you to pick up on Mother’s Day (or after) and fill with change, and then return it to the office on Father’s Day (or before). You will also find brochures on the table in the narthex giving an extensive explanation of Hannah’s Home and their services.

NEEDED: GIFT needs old CDs! Do you have any sitting around? You know, like the ones AOL used to send you every other day. Perhaps you saved them thinking,"There must be something I can do with these!" Well now there is! Give them to GIFT and we'll use these old CDs for a project that is part of the last session on May 14th and 16th. If you would like to get rid of your discs, drop them in the GIFT Box on the table in the Narthex.

CURIOUS about the CD project? Be part of it! Register for our last GIFT session of the season. See a preview of the session, God In You: Living the Mystery of the Trinity, in the GIFT Box in this bulletin.

WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE! Sometimes we never know how we “make someone’s day,” but this time we do!  At our GIFT session “Suffering In the World,” families shared in projects to help someone suffer just a little less.  One of the things they did was tie fringes on flannel blankets to donate to Womankind.  The day we dropped them off, a young mother was at the agency with two pretty sad looking little boys.  She saw the blankets, and tears filled her eyes. “Could I have please have one of those?” she asked.  Our volunteer was feeling pretty generous so he said, “Take one for each of your boys.”  They dug through and found the two with football print fabric and their eyes lit up.  It made the mom cry harder, but the boys sure were happy!  On a similar note we recently received a phone call from Sr. Beverly LoGrasso at the Women’s Re-entry Network, telling us how delighted a client was to receive the new under clothing someone from St. Noel had put in their Lenten Bag.  So you see, with God’s help we can make a difference!

THE ELIZABETH MINISTRY’S “ELIZABETH’S FLOWERS” - will be available in the narthex following all Masses this weekend May 10/11, 2008.  Designed to identify, pray for, and support the needs of women and their families during the childbearing years, parishioners are invited to select a flower 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.”

ST. NOEL FELLOWSHIP – Activities for May are as follows: - May 15th – Bingo – May 22nd - socializing, meeting, and then at 12:30 p.m. we will have our luncheon menu: Chicken á la King, salad, ice cream w/strawberry topping. Cost is $6.00. Deadline for tickets and payment is May 19th. May 29th – Happy Birthdays, Anniversaries and Games of your Choice.  Also, please remember to bring your food donation for the food pantry to this meeting. Everyone is welcome to attend the Senior Fellowship on Thursdays.

THE MINISTRY FOR THE DIVORCED AND SEPARATED OF LAKE AND GEAUGA COUNTIES PRESENTS: “Forgiving, Healing and Moving On” on Thursday, May 29th, at St. Mary Church, 401 North Street, Chardon, Ohio 7-9:00 p.m.  A painful separation or divorce can often leave you filled with blame and bitterness. One of the first steps to healing is forgiveness. Join Deacon Ed McCarthy as he explores the powers of forgiveness and the many ways it lead to healing, allowing you to move on. To register or for more information, kindly call Karen at 440-352-8282.

DAY OF CARING – The United Way of Lake County has gathered a number of volunteers willing to take on a one-day project for people in need or organizations with limited resources.  This Day of Caring is scheduled for Wednesday, June 18, 2008.  Check the kiosk for further information and application forms. 

GOLDEN WEDDING ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION - Bishop Lennon will celebrate the annual Golden Wedding Anniversary Celebration this year at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist on Sunday, July 27, 2008 at 2:30 p.m. Registrations are now being accepted for couples married 50 years (married in 1958). Deadline for registration is June 15, 2008. Please call the parish office at 440-946-0887 to register

NEEDED: VOLUNTEER COMPUTER ASSISTANTS - Sr. Sheilamarie Tobbe, from the Thea Bowman Center in Cleveland, is looking for volunteers to help economically disadvantaged people learn about assistance available through the Ohio Benefit Bank.  There is a special training session for volunteers taking place on May 17, 2008 from 9a.m. to 12 noon.  Call 216-491-0699 to register and learn more.

CATHOLIC UPDATE – entitled “Mary of History,” by Robert P. Maloney is now available in the kiosk.

BREADTH OF LIFE – “Music Therapy: A Source of Healing at University Hospitals,” will be presented by Dr. Deforia Lane at St. Noel Banquet Center on Wednesday, May 14, 2008 from 12:00 – 2:00 p.m.  For reservations (luncheon $16.00) please call 216-486-3011 or 216-289-3593.  For more information see the flier on the kiosk.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED – Continuum Care Hospice is looking for volunteers to visit and be a companion to residents of Wickliffe County Place who are facing a terminal illness.  Becoming a hospice volunteer offers you satisfaction, greater self-knowledge, spiritual growth, friendship and personal growth. We ask that you complete an 18-hour training offered at convenient days and times and able to offer 2-3 hours of your time weekly. Please call Diane Morawski, Volunteer Coordinator, 216-989-8444, ext 1409 or email at diane.morawski@1hshealth.com for more information or to register for training. You can also check out the flier on the kiosk.

“WHERE ARE YOU GOING” -  As Christ calls each of us to participate in the mission of the Church, The Diocesan Vocation Office invites single, Catholic women and men (ages 18-40) to join local Sisters, Brothers, Deacons, and Priests to our annual “Where Are You Going?” Retreat on Saturday, June 7, 2008 at the Center for Pastoral Leadership in Wickliffe. This day-long retreat (8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.) is intended for young adults who may be considering the possibility to serve the Lord as a Consecrated Religious, Deacon, or Priest. We will conclude with the vigil Mass for Sunday. There is no cost, but reservations are required. Please contact Mary Avenoso at 800-869-6525 or 216-696-6525 ext 3490 or email mavenoso@dioceseofcleveland.org  no later than Monday, June 2, 2008. 

BRING THE WORLD TO YOUR FAMILY—WITHOUT LEAVING HOME! – By hosting an AFS high school exchange student, you can add an international branch to your family tree. AFS Intercultural Programs USA has been a leader in the field of student exchange for 60 years; we rely, however, on families that express an interest in volunteering to welcome these students into their hearts, homes and communities for the year. Host families and students receive the support of a network of community-based AFS volunteers throughout the students’ year or semester of attending school in America. These remarkable young men and women will arrive in early August, eager to learn about America. For more information about hosting, please call Sandy at  440-953-0840.

GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP:  A monthly grief support group hosted by St. John Vianney will be held on Thursday, May 15 at 7:00 p.m. in the library.  For more information or required registration, please call Rita at 440-942-0336.

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