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Five years ago St. Noel, together with several other parishes in our diocese, moved the celebration of Confirmation to coincide with First Communion. In this way, The Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist, which mark initiation into the Church, can be celebrated together.

Last weekend 57 young people of our community were confirmed in conjunction with First Communion. Yet even as we celebrate Confirmation with those in the second grade, there will always be a need in our community to offer the sacraments to older children or those adults who have not yet received it. Therefore, this weekend at our 11:00 a.m. liturgy Bishop Martin Amos will confirm ten members of St. Noel who seek the sacrament:

I am thankful that the number of candidates allows us to celebrate Confirmation as part of our weekend liturgies. Every sacrament is a parish celebration. We should be grateful to be able to participate by supporting the candidates as they complete their initiation into the Church and grow from their example of faith in Christ. Please keep these Confirmation candidates in your prayers and take time to congratulate them personally

CRUCIFIXION & TRANSCENDANCE � On Sunday, April 17 th from 2-4:00 p.m. Fr. George will be offering an educational program through the Cleveland Ecumenical Institute at the Cleveland Museum of Art. The day will begin with a one-hour lecture on the crucifixion scenes in the Gospels and continue by viewing four artworks in the museum's collection which represent Christ on the Cross. The day is meant to show how both the scriptures and great art are able to express both life and death simultaneously. The cost for the program is $20. Registration can be made by filling out a form from the kiosk or by calling Mary Thomas at the institute at 216-320-1242.

WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS is Today, Sunday, April 17 th . The Easter season continues with the celebration of Good Shepherd Sunday. Each member in the family of God has a personal call to follow the voice of Jesus, our Good Shepherd. Jesus calls each of us to holiness and to lives of service. In a special way on this day we are asked to pray for vocations, and pray that many of our young people will open their hearts to hear the call to priesthood and consecrated life.

PARISH 25 TH ANNIVERSARY NOTE � This weekend our parish celebrates the Sacrament of Confirmation. Over the past twenty-five years, 423 people have

received the Sacrament of Confirmation. May the Holy Spirit continue to guide all of us on our journey closer to God.

SOCIAL CONCERNS COLLECTION - No Social Concerns Collection was taken up in March because of Easter. We are counting on your generosity this month to help us make up for the shortfall. The collection will be taken up next week after all the Masses. The fund supports not only the meal at St. Augustine but also the needs of individuals in our parish and community who need emergency assistance with rent, utilities, medicine or other urgent needs. One hundred percent of what you give benefits these causes as there are no overhead or administrative expenses. Please continue to pray for all those we serve. Thank you!

SOCIAL CONCERNS/ST. AUGUSTINE- On April 24th 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. After all the Masses on April 23rd and April 24th, we will be collecting for our Social Concerns fund. 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 put the cookies in the Nativity Room (formerly the nursery) on the counter and mark them St. Augustine.

SOCIAL CONCERNS FUND � In March donations totaled $3259.78. Most of this was profits from the Mardi Gras. Our expenses were:

Utilities	$ 188.45
Rent	2,901.00
Insurance	416.89
St. Augustine Meal	584.17
Auto Repair	90.00
Migration & Refugee Service	200.00
Total	$4,380.51

AN HONOR AND A CHALLENGE - Because of our many involvements with Social Justice Ministries, both within and beyond the parish, the Lake and Geauga Catholic Commission presented its annual Parish Social Justice Award to St. Noel. This is certainly an honor but also something to challenge us to increase our efforts to foster peace and justice. Please pray especially for those who have been a part of the JustFaith course this year. As our experience draws to a close we are praying for an openness to God's call about how to apply all we have learned, personally and communally.

CARE GIVER SUPPORT AND EDUCATION MEETING will be held here at St. Noel on Wednesday, April 20 TH . It will be presented by Lake County Catholic Charities to provide information for those feeling the stress of care-giving and how they can find local help for themselves and those they care for. Discussions revolve around stress management, communication strategies, how to find the help you need, etc. Please consider joining us for an evening of valuable information, support and sharing. There is no cost for the program . Pre-registration is required. Please call 440-352-6191 or 440-946-7264 to register.

WANTED CRAFT PEOPLE � Catechesis of the Good Shepard is looking for a few good craft people! Do you have a knack for woodworking, painting, drawing, sculpting or sewing? If interested please contact Marianne Slattery at 440-946-1128 X 21.

GIFT -- Bring your household's completed yellow page (from the 3rd session's home kit) anytime and put it in the yellow folder in the narthex.

WOMEN'S PRAYER BREAKFAST � Please join us at our springtime celebration breakfast on Saturday, May 14 th from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. in the small hall. Our guest speaker is St. Noel's parishioner, Jane Richmond, who will be speaking on �Living in the Now�. As always, we will enjoy a delicious breakfast, and share a time of conversation and prayer together. The suggested donation is $3.50. Please sign up on the kiosk if you plan to attend. If you have any questions please call Joyce Rodriguez at 440-286-3060 before May 10 th .

MOTHER'S DAY BRUNCH � will be held on Sunday, May 8, 2005. Reservations are required. There will be two seatings (10:00 a.m. and 12:15 p.m.). Adults are $15, Children 6-12 years are $7, and children 5 years and younger are free. Please check the back of the April calendar for details. For more information or

FIRST COMMUNION COMPANIONS - Children at St. Augustine will be preparing to receive First Holy Communion on April 24 th . They are in need of clothing, prayer books, rosaries, and a luncheon after Mass to celebrate their special day. If you can help with a donation of any kind please call the parish office at 440-946-0887.

ST. NOEL FELLOWSHIP �Activities for the month of April are as follows: April 14 th � Horse Racing � April 21 st - 12:00 p.m. meeting and social then at 12:30 p.m. we will have our luncheon consisting of salisbury steak/gravy, vegetable, mashed potatoes, salad, rolls, and peach pie. The cost of the luncheon is $6.00 per person. . April 28 th - we will be celebrating 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 Thursday.

ROSARY � Join us Tuesday, April 19 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.

PRIME TIME � Springtime is PRIME TIME!! Drop by tonight (Sunday) at 7:30pm.

JUNIOR HIGH YOUTH GROUP � Our next meeting is this Tuesday, April 19 th at 7:00pm. Bring your bibles!

NOEL MOVERS � We are in need of baby cribs, mattress and box springs (any size), dressers as well as any furniture in good condition. We do not pick up clothes, knick knacks or items needing repair. Please call Anthony if you can help.

WHITEWATER RAFTING � The dates are set!! The trip will be June 29-July1st. We'll travel on the 29 th and camp on the grounds of North American River Runners. We'll raft all day on June 30 th and head home July 1 st . Total cost is only $100/person which includes all fees and all meals. The trip is open to all parishioners!! Minimum age is 12. Sign up on the kiosk. Call Anthony with questions.

LECTORS � We welcome Brittany Shrefler, Andrew Marusic, Becky Roman, Ann Klements & Megan Fraley to the lector ministry. Our teens are a tremendous witness!!

CAMP YAC � Our junior high summer camp is scheduled for the week of June 20-24. The camp is open to current 6-8 grade students and is a great time. Registration forms will available in May.

CAMP COUNSELORS - Camp YAC is in need of high school counselors! Earn service hours, have a great time, make a difference the week of June 20-24. Counselors must have completed 9 th grade and be available for training. Call Anthony (946-1128) if interested.

GEAUGA LAKE � group tickets are available for only $23/person. Minimum order is 20 tickets. Let's pick a date a get a group together. Call Anthony to help organize the day.

GOLDEN WEDDING ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION - Bishop Pilla will celebrate the annual Golden Wedding Anniversary Celebration this year at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist on Sunday, July 31, 2005 at 2:00 p.m. Registrations are now being accepted for couples married 50 years (married in 1955). Deadline for registration is June 17, 2005. Please call the parish office at 440-946-0887 to register.

ST. NOEL MEN'S SOFTBALL TEAM invites any men of the parish over the age of 30 to join our team. If interested please call the parish office at 440-946-0887.

DIVORCE RECOVERY FOR CATHOLICS- The experience of separation and divorce is never easy. You must deal with the shock of realizing your marriage has ended and your life is going in a different direction. 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. This 8-week support group will begin on Wednesday, April 27 th at St. Mary Magdalene Church 460 East 321 st Street, Willowick, from 7-9:00 p.m. Sessions are designed to provide direction and support, along with tools for coping, in a caring, confidential setting. For more information or to register, please call Catholic Charities at 440-352-6191 or 1-800-242-9755.

AFS SEEKING HOST FAMILIES FOR THE 2005/2006 SCHOOL YEAR � The Mentor Chapter of AFS (American Field Service), the oldest existing exchange student program in the U.S., is looking for host families in the Willoughby and Willoughby Hills Area for the next school year. This school year, Willoughby South is hosting a girl from Switzerland and a girl from Chile. New Students will arrive in August from many different countries; these students are eager to learn and share their cultures. Support is given to the student and families by area volunteers. Call Sandy at 1-800-237-4636 and find out how opening your home to an exchange student can change your world.

ASPECTS OF DEMENTIA presented by Stephen A. Baum, M.D., Thursday, April 28 at 7:30 p.m. in the St. John Vianney Social Center. Dr. Baum is a specialist in geriatric medicine and on the board of the Alzheimer's Association. His presentation will cover common types of dementia, how is it diagnosed, and what treatments are available. The presentation is free. For more information call Barb at 440-256-3922.

THE CATHEDRAL OF ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST � Any child who received their First Holy Communion this year is invited to join in a diocesan Corpus Christi celebration with Bishop Anthony Pilla on Saturday evening, May 28 th at 4:30 p.m. Mass at St. John Cathedral . There will be a procession of the children, pictures with the Bishop, and free parking in our Rockwell Avenue garage. No reservations are necessary; simply arrive at 4:15 p.m. dressed in your communion outfits.

ADOPTION INFORMATION MEETING � Anyone interested in learning about International Adoption is invited to an information meeting on Thursday, April 21st at 7:00 p.m. here at St. Noel in the Resurrection Room #1.

FUND IN HONOR OF POPE JOHN PAUL II � DIOCESE � In response to the immense outpouring of sympathy in honor of the late Pope John Paul II, The Catholic Diocese of Cleveland has created the Pope John Paul II Fund for Poor and Disadvantage Childre n. The Catholic Diocese of Cleveland Foundation (CDCF) set up the fund after receiving a number of inquiries about how to make a gift in the Pope's memory. The fund was created to carry on Pope John Paul's legacy in Northeast Ohio. Donations will be used to provide education, food, shelter, and basic assistance for poor and disadvantaged children in the community. Those interested may make a donation to the CDCF-Pope John Paul II Fund , at any local branch of National City Bank .

If you have questions concerning any information contained on the Saint Noel Parish Web site, contact us.

Our staff will answer your questions or forward you to the appropriate individual or group.