Week of January 11-12, 2004

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Dear Parishioner,

Since September, 49 young people of our parish have been preparing to celebrate the Sacraments of Confirmation and First Eucharist here at St. Noel on the weekend of April 24-25. As part of the preparation they have been participating in actions of love and service within our parish and throughout our neighborhood and community. At all liturgies this weekend, those in second grade and some of their older brothers and sisters will come forward to receive the support and blessing of the community. We pray that God directs them as they prepare for full initiation into our Catholic faith.

Before or after the liturgy, if you see any of these young people, we encourage you to talk to them about what they have learned in their preparation and how they have shared in the works of our Christian community. The Sacraments of Initiation, as all the sacraments, are the action of the entire community. Your interest in the young people of our parish and your support as they prepare for the sacraments is essential to the full celebration of God's love in their lives. Please reflect God's presence to them by your words, your actions and your prayers.

Fr. George Smiga

ST. AUGUSTINE RAFFLE CALENDARS are available in the parish office.

ANNUAL FAMILY ITALIAN DINNER will be Friday, January 30, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The cost will be $8.00 for adults, $4.00 for children ages 6-12 and children under 5 are free. Tickets will be sold at the door. Volunteers are needed to help serve and clear the tables, and a sign-up sheet is on the kiosk.

HEALING MINISTRY - While on earth, Jesus healed all who sought His help. Now from heaven, He continues to send His healing love to help us in our hours of pain, loneliness, sorrow and illness. This Wednesday during the 6:45 p.m. liturgy, we will celebrate this Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. Come and experience the healing love of Jesus. After Mass, prayer teams will be available to pray with you for your special needs. The heavier the cross, the more we need His help up Calvary's Hill.

SOCIAL JUSTICE GEMS – “The center of the Church's social teaching is the life, dignity, and rights of the human person. We are called in a special way to serve the poor and vulnerable; to build bridges of solidarity among peoples of differing races and nations, language and ability, gender and culture” (U.S. Catholic Bishops, Communities of Salt and Light).

RCIA PRAYER SUPPORT -If you have yet to make a New Year's resolution here is an opportunity! Why not commit to praying for one of our catechumens or candidates each day from now until the Easter Vigil (April 10, 2004) when they will be received into the Church. You might want to do this as an individual or as an entire family. The Lord's Prayer or any prayer of your choosing, formal or informal would be a great blessing. Just pull a name out of the box labeled “RCIA prayer opportunity” on the table in the narthex. All of our candidates and catechumens have individual sponsors but as a community we are all called to offer our support and encouragement to those seeking to be a part of the Catholic family. Thank you for considering this invitation!

“LET THERE BE PEACE” – Our peace prayer and refection group has now been gathering for one year. We meet in the Visitation Room from 12:15 to 1:00 p.m. every Sunday. We spend our time in prayer, reflection and discussion of how we can individually and as a group foster peace in our personal lives and in the world. Please consider joining us as we begin our second year.

THE ELIZABETH MINISTRY'S “ELIZABETH'S ROSES” will be available in the narthex following all Masses this weekend. 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. Click here for further information on the Elizabeth Ministry.

CATHOLICS UNDER FIRE!- If you've ever been stopped at school or work or by friends or relatives who ask you challenging questions about your faith and Church but were not quite sure of the answer … this session is for you! Fr. George will begin the evening at 7:30 p.m. in the small hall on Wednesday, January 14 with an overall presentation of the topic and then allow time for questions and answers.

SCRIPTURE SERIES – Our next series which will cover Paul's letters to the Romans and Galatians begins on Tuesday, January 20 in the small hall at 7:30 p.m. The series continues for one more session on Tuesday, February 17. Fr. George will be our presenter on both evenings. We will use the “God's Word Today” series for our study and commentaries will be available for a cost of $5.00.

HAVE YOU EVER THOUGHT ABOUT TRAVELING TO A DEVELOPING-WORLD COUNTRY? Or could you be interested in helping support travelers through prayer, donations of household items or cash? If so, our parish has an opportunity for you! We are planning a mission/retreat opportunity in El Salvador during the week of July 26-August 2, 2004. A delegation from St. Noel and St. Mary Magdalene parishes will be traveling to the land of martyrs (where Archbishop Oscar Romero and four church women, Dorothy Kazel, Jean Donovan, Maura Clark and Ita Ford died for their faith). We will also explore the Diocese of Cleveland's mission commitment in El Salvador. Two days of service to the abandoned and abused of the Community of Oscar A. Romero (COAR) children's village, school, and clinic will be included. If you're interested in learning more details about participation in this trip or ways you can support members of the delegation, come to one of the information meetings on Sunday, January 25 following either the 9:00 a.m. or 11:00 a.m. Mass. (If you cannot attend either meeting but would like more information, please call Marianne Slattery at 440-946-1128 x 21.)

“JOURNEY TO JOY” a support group for persons with depression will be meeting the 2 nd and 4 th Thursday evenings at 7:00 p.m. in the Visitation Room. The Saturday morning meetings are cancelled. There will be a meeting on Thursday evening, January 22 at 7:00 p.m.

ST. NOEL FELLOWSHIP – Activities for the month of January are as follows: January 15 – Auction, January 22 – Luncheon consisting of a cheese tray, cold roast beef sandwich on Kaiser bun w/lettuce, tomato, mustard, mayo and a bag of potato chips and cake. Cost is $ 6.00 per person. January 29 – Bingo- we will celebrate birthdays and anniversaries at this meeting. Please remember to bring your food donations for the food bank to this meeting. Everyone is welcome to attend the Senior Fellowship on Thursday.

ROSARY - Join us Tuesday, January 20 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 – great start to '04!! See you tonight at 7:30pm in the teen center.

JUNIOR HIGH YOUTH GROUP – our next session is Tuesday, January 20 th at 7:00pm. Bring your fleece material!

NOEL MOVERS – we are in need of beds and a gas stove. Please call Anthony if you can help. We're also looking for volunteers during the day to help pick up and drop off furniture. Can you offer 3-4 hours one day? Call Anthony at 946-1128 x20

YOUNG NEIGHBORS IN ACTION – Once again, teens in grades 9-12 have a wonderful opportunity to serve with other teens from around the country. This year we're heading to Detroit the week of August 1-7!! The work sites in Detroit are awesome and the retreat center where we stay is great as well!! Our informational meeting is Thursday, February 12 th at 7:30pm in the Resurrection Room. If you're interested in going, make sure you attend on the 12 th !! It's going to be a memorable week.

CONFIRMATION CANDIDATES – Please come to the large hall promptly so we can begin at 10:30am today (Sunday). Our makeup session from December is scheduled for Sunday, January 18 th from 10:30am-12:00pm in the hall. Please bring your bibles and communion/baptism memories.

ALTAR SERVER TRAINING - Looking for an opportunity to serve during our liturgies? Being an altar server is an excellent way to be involved. Adults as well as teens are welcome to serve at the altar. This ministry was never meant as a “children only” ministry. Minimally, servers must be in the 4 th grade. Please sign the sheet on the kiosk if you are interested in being a server. The next training sessions are scheduled for January 25 th and February 1 st from 9:30-11:00am.

BABY ITEMS NEEDED – A young lady we helped through the Christmas Project is in need of items for her newborn child. Any useable items would be appreciated - car seat, changing table, clothes, etc. Do you have any items to donate? Please call Anthony or bring them to the Church Office marked “For Noel Movers”.

ADOPTION INFORMATION MEETING – Anyone interested in learning about International Adoption is invited to an information meeting on Thursday, January 15 at 7:00 p.m. here at St. Noel in the Resurrection Room 1. For more information, please call Karen Myers at 440-974-8116.

HOLY CROSS SCRIPTURE STUDY – We invite interested people to meet at the Holy Cross rectory, 19951 Lake Shore Blvd., Euclid on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. to study, reflect and discuss different people and stories of the Bible. For more information please call Danni Hubbard at 216-486-0850.

CAT RESCUE REVERSE RAFFLE – Caroline's Kids Pet Rescue will be holding a reverse raffle on Saturday, March 13 at LaVera Party Center in Willoughby Hills from 6:30 p.m. till Midnight. Tickets are $95.00/couple and $65.00/single or $40.00 donation with all proceeds going to the care of the shelter cats. Parishioners Tom & Judy Brown are the founders of Caroline's Kids and they can be reached for tickets and information at 440-489-4708.

LAKE COUNTY RIGHT TO LIFE – The 31 st annual March for Life, commemorating the infamous 1973 Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton decisions legalizing the killing of unborn children, will take place Sunday, January 18 at 2:00 p.m. in Mentor. Participants will gather in the northeast parking area of the Great Lakes Mall and travel east along Rt. 20 to St. Mary Church. Warm refreshments and an inspirational program awaits us there in the school gymnasium, featuring the Executive Director of the Center for Bio-Ethical Reform, Midwest Region, Mark Harrington. For more information please call 440-255-5257.

THEOLOGY ON TAP – Join the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland Foundation's Associate Board of young professionals for the winter installment of “Theology on Tap.” The program will be held in the Rappe Room of the Catholic Center (1031 Superior Ave.,Cleveland) on Wednesday, January 14. Bishop Anthony Pilla will discuss “The Dignity of Conscience.” Drink specials and complimentary appetizers begin at 6:30 p.m., the program will begin promptly at 7:30 p.m. Reservations are encouraged—please contact Melanie Shakarian at 216-696-6525 x 1049, mshakarian@dioceseofcevelaned.org , or visit www.cdcf.org.

HALL BOOKING FOR THE YEAR 2005- Any parishioner who would like to book the hall for the year 2005 will have the opportunity to do so before the dates are open to the public. You may do this between January 2 and January 12, 2004 by calling 440-946-6635. After January 12, the bookings will be open to the public. Also, as in previous years, parishioners who are planning weddings for themselves or a son or daughter will receive a 10% discount. Parishioners will receive a 5% discount for any other functions scheduled in the hall for a member of their immediate family. Please call the hall office (440-946-6635) Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. or Saturday, from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. if you have any questions.

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