Week of January 31 & February 1, 2004

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Archive of Weekly Bulletins

Dear Parishioner,

There are two items I wish to bring to your attention this week--one spiritual and one festive. First the spiritual: Every year we choose one weekend at which the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is celebrated at all our parish liturgies. This year, that weekend will be February 7th and 8th . Through this sacrament, the Church asks for comfort and healing.

I am inviting any parishioners or friends of our parishioners who are coping with a serious physical, mental or emotional illness, or those dealing with the discomfort of aging to receive the Sacrament of the Sick at our liturgies next weekend. Anyone who is willing to serve as a greeter that weekend is asked to call the parish office at 440-946-0887.

Please begin to reflect if you would like to receive the Anointing of the Sick next weekend or whether some member of your family would like to join us for the celebration of this healing sacrament.

Now for the festive opportunity: Last year because of the construction which required the use of the large hall for worship, we were unable to hold our annual Mardi Gras Dinner Dance. This year it is back! It promises to be an exciting evening of music, costumes and good food. The menu is one of Louisiana Cuisine. The costumes are optional but a great deal of fun both for those who wear them and for those who only come to appreciate their creativity. (I have not yet decided this year whether I will come as an animal, vegetable or spirit.) The music will be provided by disc jockey Billy James from Freddie James & Associates. The evening will include side boards and a contest for the best costume. Proceeds from the dance will be used to support our Social Concerns Fund.

The Mardi Gras Dinner Dance will be held on Saturday evening, February 21 from 6:30 p.m. until Midnight. The cost is $30.00 per person. A cash bar will be available.

Reservations are necessary and can be made by calling our parish hall 440-946-6635 or by stopping by at the table in the narthex beginning this weekend. We have sold out in the past so please don't wait until the last minute.

I have personally attended our Mardi Gras events from the beginning and enjoyed every one of them. So why not call a few friends and make plans to join us on February 21st.

Fr. George Smiga

FOR YOUR INFORMATION – The pictures of our new parishioners have been moved from the kiosk to the new bulletin board in the coatroom.

SOCIAL JUSTICE GEMS – “We are convinced that the local parish is the most important ecclesial setting for sharing and acting on our Catholic social heritage” (U.S. Catholic Bishops, Communities of Salt and Light).

THE SOCIAL CONCERNS COMMISSION – asks everyone to get involved in social justice issues. An easy way is to register with the Catholic Commission of Lake & Geauga Counties to be sent “Urgent Action” emails. These are simple email alerts sent when a piece of legislation is pending and the legislators need to hear how you feel. They are simple, concise and clearly defined in the context of where the legislation fits into our Catholic beliefs. Go to www.Catholic-Action.org and follow the links from there.

BAPTISM DAY will be held on Sunday, March 14, 2004 from 12:15 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Parents who are planning to present a child for Baptism in the next six months, or already have done so and have not previously attended such a day, are expected to attend. Please call Karen Myers at 440-974-8116 or Carol Silvi at 440-354-2425.

WEDDING MUSIC – We will have an Evening of Wedding Music on Tuesday, February 10 at 7:00 p.m. in the church. This workshop is for engaged couples who will be getting married this year, and will feature over an hour of music appropriate for liturgy, as well as a chance to hear parish soloists and instrumentalists. To better assist you in making choices, you are strongly encouraged to bring a tape recorder and tape the session. See you there.

CAPITAL PUNISHMENT—TWO PERSPECTIVES. Join us on Tuesday evening, February 3 in the small hall at 7:30 p.m. when Fr. George and Michael Benza present legal and moral aspects of this important issue. Michael Benza is a professor at Case Western Reserve University School of Law and currently an attorney representing nine death row inmates. A copy of Catholic Update , “The Death Penalty” is also available in the kiosk.

FREQUENT FLYER MILES- If you have frequent flyer miles you are willing to donate to the delegation from St. Noel to El Salvador, please call Marianne Slattery at 440-946-1128 X 21.

SOUL FOOD FOR LENT: Feeding the Body, Mind, and Spirit. Plan now to attend this parish Lenten offering on Tuesdays, March 23 and March 30 from 7:15-9:15 p.m. both nights. You will be able to choose two breakout sessions each evening and snack on some soul food as you learn new skills, receive information about life and spiritual issues, and do some things you may never have done before! Mark the dates and watch for more information during February describing each of the breakout sessions.

GOD'S VALENTINES-A retreat opportunity to reflect on God's love. Join us in February (the month of love) as we reflect on God's message of love to the world. We will meet on Wednesday, February 4 at 10:00 a.m. in the small hall. The day led by Fran Armbruster, will end at 2:00 p.m. and include lunch. A suggested donation of $5.00 will help cover the cost of lunch. Please sign up on the kiosk if you plan to attend. If you have any questions, please call the parish office at 440-946-0887.

WOMEN'S PRAYER BREAKFAST – We are pleased to announce that Sharon Waltermire is returning as our presenter for the Saturday, February 28, 2004 Women's Prayer Breakfast. Sharon will be speaking on “The Sacred Art of Listening,” something that she, as a long time Stephen Minister, is more than qualified to address. We begin at 8:00 a.m. and will conclude by 10:00 a.m. Our kitchen staff will be preparing a delicious breakfast for us to share after Sharon's presentation. The suggested donation is $3.50. We encourage everyone to bring your own mug to reduce the amount of styrofoam we will be using. In order to prepare for those who will be attending, we ask you to sign up on the kiosk. Come and be fed in body, mind and spirit.

MEN'S FELLOWSHIP/PRAYER BREAKFAST – Men of all ages are encourage to attend on Saturday, February 7 th from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. here at St. Noel. Join us for a morning of song, worship and fun. Parishioner Ross DeJohn will be sharing with us. Please call the parish office at 440-946-0887 if you have questions or need transportation.

ST. NOEL FELLOWSHIP – meets every Thursday at Noon in the hall. Everyone is welcome to attend the Senior Fellowship on Thursday.

PRIME TIME – No meeting tonight. PRIME TIME bowl begins after 11:00 Mass.

JUNIOR HIGH YOUTH GROUP – our next session is Tuesday, February 3rd at 7:00pm. Bring your fleece blankets to donate.

NOEL MOVERS – we are in need of beds, dressers, and a refrigerator. 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 12th !! It's going to be a memorable week.

CDEM – Our next scheduled date is Thursday, February 12th in the conference room at 7:00pm.

DIOCESAN YOUTH CONFERENCE – Hey teens! Check out the poster on the kiosk. The DYC is coming up in March. Let's get a group to go!

PANCAKE BREAKFAST – Come enjoy a delicious pancake breakfast on Sunday, February 15 th from 10:00am – 1:00pm in the hall. All proceeds benefit PRIME TIME!! Thanks for supporting our youth!

CLEVELAND FOOD BANK – We're serving at the Food Bank on Monday, February 2 nd . We leave the Church at 5:30pm. Please call Anthony if you're interested in joining the group (946-1128 x20).

CONFIRMATION CANDIDATES – Our next session for older candidates is Sunday, February 8 th from 10:30-12:00noon. Just bring yourself!!

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.

ALWAYS OUR CHILDREN – The parent support group for families and friends of gay and lesbian Catholics welcomes you to join us at our next meeting, Sunday, February 8, from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. in the library of the Administration Center at St. John Vianney Church on Bellflower Road in Mentor, Ohio.

TAIZE PRAYER will be held Thursday, February 5, 7:00 p.m. at St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church, 460 East 321 st Street. Taize prayer services are held the first Thursday of the month from September through May. For further information please call 440-943-2133. All are welcome.

THE INSTITUTE OF CATHOLIC STUDIES AT JOHN CARROLL UNIVERSITY is pleased to present a lecture in celebration of Black History Month, by Fr. Cyprian Davis, O.S.B. Professor of Church History at St. Meinrad Seminary on Wednesday, February 11 at 7:30 p.m. The lecture “On Being Black and Catholic in America,” will take place in the Conference Room of the D.J. Lombardo Student Center. The lecture is free and open to all. For more information, please call 216-397-4558.

FORBES HOUSE, LAKE COUNTY'S SHELTER FOR BATTERED WOMEN and their children, is looking for volunteers for their spring training class, Volunteers provide support and information to women, help families explore alternatives, facilitate house activities, and help with clerical needs and general organization of shelter facility. Additional training for advocacy is also provided. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer and can attend both days of training, Saturday, March 6 and Saturday, March 13 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with an hour break for lunch please contact Melanie Reyes at 440-357-1018 or 440-953-9779.

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS for the Ross and Carmella DeJohn Trust 100 Five Star Scholarship are in the parish office. Please see the flier on the kiosk for details.

BLANKETS FOR BABIES a ministerial gift project of Lake County Right to Life, is looking for knitters, crocheters, quilt makers, donations of yarn, or money to be used for the purchase of materials, baby afghans, booties and other infant garments will be donated at Easter time to several pregnancy assistance agencies in the four-county area, to be redistributed to new mothers in need. Viewing of all finished creations will be held Saturday, April 3 at the Lake County Right to Life office in Mentor from 2-3 p.m. For more information contact Betty Adamovich at 440-428-4486 or Dawn Slike, 440-428-9023.

NOTRE DAME ELEMENTARY SCHOOL a private school owned and operated by the Sisters of Notre Dame of Chardon, Ohio invites you to tour the school the first Monday of each month. Tours begin at 9:30 a.m. in the Elementary School lobby. Please join us and see first hand our excellent educational program based on gospel values. For information regarding enrollment availability call 440-279-1129.

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