Dear Parishioner,
This coming Wednesday, March 12th is a special day in our diocese. Every Catholic Church in our area will be providing a time to celebrate the Sacrament of Penance from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Using funds from the Rooted in Faith Campaign, our diocese will be publicizing this event through TV, radio and digital media. I will be available in our Reconciliation Room from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. and Fr. Andy will be available from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
This event is not intended for active parishioners of St. Noel. We will be celebrating our Lenten Penance Service at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 2nd. I encourage all of you to participate. The opportunity this Wednesday is for Catholics who have ceased practicing their faith and wish to return to the Church.
If you know someone who is in this situation I ask you to reach out to them and let them know of this area-wide opportunity. They are able to come to any Catholic Church in our diocese, but they are most welcome to come to St. Noel. We will have a greeter in the Narthex to welcome anyone who decides to return to the Church and to direct them to the Reconciliation Room if they wish.
I invite you to join us on the same day, Wednesday, March 12th from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. in the Large Hall for “An Evening with Pope Francis.” Last year, the pope issued an important document called “The Joy of the Gospel.” This is the most important document Francis has issued so far in his papacy. In a wonderful way, it crystalizes his view of the Church and his ministry within it.
We have chosen three important selections from the Exhortation for our Lenten reflection. You will find them on our parish website. A printable PDF file is also on the website, or you may pick up a copy on the table in the narthex.
I ask those participating to read the chosen selections beforehand. I will lead the discussion. We will discuss our impressions at table and then the floor will be open to share the results of the discussion with all present.
Because of the power of the pope’s words, this evening promises to be a rewarding spiritual experience. Please plan to join us on March 12th.
Fr. George Smiga
WEBSITE NEWS – Those who wish to review homilies by Fr. George on our parish website will be happy to know that recent homilies will not only be available in written form but also as audio files. This will allow you to hear a recent homily on your computer, iPad, or smart phone. You can access recent homilies by visiting our parish website (stnoel.org). We are attempting to have each homily available by the Wednesday following the weekend on which it has been offered.
RITE OF ELECTION – This weekend at the 11:00 a.m. liturgy, our catechumens, James Godshall, Olivia Godshall, Sam Hodgson and Todd O’Dell, as well as our candidates Jessica Godshall, Eric Kubish, Lisa Kubish and Joe Toth will participate in the Rite of Sending prior to traveling to St. John’s Cathedral to celebrate the Rite of Election with Bishop Lennon and other candidates and catechumens from around the diocese. Please keep all of them in your prayers as they continue to prepare for Baptism and full reception into the Church at the Easter Vigil.
CATHOLIC UPDATE – March copies entitled “Seven Lessons From Pope Francis” are available in the kiosk and on the table in the narthex.
CONGRATULATIONS to the following St. Noel students who achieved honors for the first semester at St. Joseph Academy: Samantha Appeldorn and Emily Barni.
DAYTIME RETREAT – The next retreat will be on Wednesday, March 19th from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The theme is “Giving Care to Care Givers” and the presenter will be our parishioner Margaret Neville, along with a panel of care givers. Sign up on the kiosk or call the office (440-946-0887). A donation of $6.00 is suggested to cover the cost of lunch.
STATIONS OF THE CROSS – Every Friday during Lent at 7:30 p.m. there will be an opportunity to pray the Stations of the Cross. This Friday, March 14th the Stations will be led by our Social Justice Ministry.
LENTEN BAGS – We will be collecting bags of items for Forbes House (the Lake County shelter for victims of domestic violence), Project Hope (the Lake County homeless shelter), Birthright and St. Augustine Hunger Center. Tags indicating the items needed for each agency can be found in the narthex. Please use a plastic bag for your items, closing it with the yarn and tag provided.
FOOD PANTRY BAG – This Lent we are also beginning a new effort to support our Food Pantry. Specially designed bags are available on the table in the narthex. Use these bags when you shop for food. Simply fill the bag with items such as peanut butter, jelly, tuna fish, macaroni & cheese, and paper products. This can be returned to the rolling cart in the food pantry. When you return a full bag you can take another empty one.
LENTEN RICE BOWLS – are available on the table in the narthex. Placing change into these bowls on a regular basis during Lent will help feed many in developing countries and support projects promoting agricultural, nutritional, and educational programs to encourage self-sufficiency. When the bowls are filled, they can be returned to the Parish Office.
THE WORD AMONG US, Lenten Edition, is also available for you to take. The publication can be used as a guide to your spiritual reflection this Lent. Please pick up copy after Mass.
LENTEN FISH FRIES – The Fish Fries will continue on the Fridays of Lent (not Good Friday) at the usual 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. time. These Fish Fries are an important fund raiser for our parish and they are possible only through the generosity of parishioners willing to help with serving and cleanup. Please sign up on the kiosk to help.
YOUNG NEIGHBORS IN ACTION: All high school teens completing 9th grade through 12th grade are invited to join Prime Time this summer on our annual summer service trip through Young Neighbors in Action. Y.N.I.A. is a week-long Catholic service-learning opportunity committed to exploring our Church’s mission in the world while connecting teens to meaningful service opportunities with other young people from across the country. This summer we will travel to Buffalo, New York, July 13th-19th. If you would like more information, please check the kiosk or contact Erica Witmer [email protected] or call 440-946-1128 x20. Space is limited and deposits are due by March 31st.
APOLLO’S FIRE will present a family concert, “Ballads and Other Musical Tall Tales” on Saturday, March 15th at 1:00 p.m.at St. Noel. This is a 45-minute interactive program for the young and young-at-heart, ages 6-96.Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for youth under 18. For more information and tickets, please call 216-320-0012.
CITYMUSIC CLEVELAND is offering a free concert at St. Noel on Sunday, March 16th at 4:00 p.m. Conductor James Feddeck and soloists Shane Shanahan, Percussion and James Jaffe, Cello and narrator Ali Alhaddad will present UNG Khse Buon for cello solo, VISCONTI “Roots to Branches” World Premiere and BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 3 “Eroica.” After the concert, please join us for a delicious buffet dinner. For reservations, please contact the St. Noel Banquet Center 440-946-6635.
NICARAGUA IN JUNE – This is the final call for participants in our immersion experience to Nicaragua. The wonderful trip is scheduled for June 16th-23rd. Deadline for registration is March 28th. Please contact Anthony ASAP if you are interested in going.
BAPTISM DAY will be held on Sunday, April 27th, from 12:30-3:30 p.m. Parents who plan to present a child for Baptism in the next six months, or have already baptized a child and have not previously attended such a day, are expected to attend. Please call the parish office to register.
Something to think about from the St. Noel Endowment Board… If you have included St. Noel in your estate plan or would like to know how, please contact the office and leave a message for the Endowment. One of our trustees will confidentially contact you. We are making progress toward our goal of “50 Wills for the Future of St. Noel”, but we need to know of YOUR plan.
ST. NOEL FELLOWSHIP – Meetings are held on Thursdays at 12 Noon in the St. Noel Banquet Center Small Hall. Activities are: On March 13th there will be bingo. On March 20th there will be socializing, meeting and luncheon of Cavetelli w/sausage & meatballs, salad, rolls & butter, dessert. For tickets call Theresa Durik, 440-585-9088. The cost is $6 and deadline for tickets & payment is March 17th. On March 27th there will be bingo, and the celebration of birthdays and anniversaries. Bring something for the Food Pantry and receive a 50/50 ticket. Everyone is welcome.
THE TRUST 100 FIVE-STAR SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION for high school seniors is available in the pocket on the kiosk. Applications need to be turned in to DeJohn-Flynn-Mylott Funeral Home by April 1, 2014.
MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER WEEKENDS – Two weekends are set for the Cleveland area for 2014: June 27-29 or October 10-12. Now is the time to sign up. For more information please call:Theresa or Eric Charmley (440-533-5943) or www.WWME.org. Weekends are held at the Clarion Inn, Hudson OH.
CHRIST CHILD CLOTHING COTTAGE (located in the Painesville Common) is looking for donations of gently used children’s clothing. Donations are tax deductible.
DIVORCE SUPPORT GROUP – The Lake/Geauga Divorced and Separated Catholic Ministry invites you to a Recovery Series beginning Tuesday, April 1st through Tuesday, May 20th from 7:00 p.m.to 9:00 p.m. at St. Noel Church. These sessions are facilitated by a trained professional and all materials are provided free of charge. To register please call 440-352-6191 or email: [email protected]. See the kiosk for details.
“MORE” ADULT GROUP will be meeting on Saturday, March 15th at 7:00 p.m. in the Resurrection Room to continue our discussion of the “Joy of the Gospel”. We will discuss the challenges of today’s world. Visit www.moreyoungadults.com for “MORE” information.
FLOCK OF FRIENDSHIP – Friday, March 14th at 7:00 p.m., the Book Club will meet in the St. Paschal’s Parish Life Center to discuss a book. Please RSVP to Karen at [email protected].
