St. Noel Church -- Weekly Bulletins

Weekly Bulletins

Week of February 10th

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Dear Parishioner,

OI'd like to introduce an opportunity to support the youth ministry of the parish as well as cut your food costs. On the weekend of March 1st/2nd, I invite you to register in the "Fun Funds" program sponsored by Gordon Food Service. The program is designed to help non-profit organizations (churches, schools, etc.) raise money to support their various programs. Once registered, the "Fun Funds" initiative donates a portion of your purchases directly to St. Noel. These rebates are based on the total amount purchased during the year and could be as high as 7%.

There are no membership fees at GFS and the program is completely free. The only requirement is that you shop at one of the GFS stores. The closest one is located at Mentor Ave., just West of Rt. 306 in Mentor. You can also find information on the kiosk and on our website www.stnoel.org. "Fun Funds" card holders will also receive valuable coupons each month and other special offers. In the first two months, GFS will donate $10.00 directly to St. Noel for each $50.00 purchase. You can also receive $10.00 off your first purchase.

As our youth ministry grows, activities such as retreats, youth conferences, summer service trips, speakers, etc. become more expensive. Last year, our junior high and high school youth ministry spent over $18,000.00 providing formational experiences to our teens. Much of this money came from individual families and our various fund raisers such as the clambake, pancake breakfasts and ham sales. Hopefully, the "Fun Funds" program can help reduce the costs our teens are paying each year to participate.

Please consider registering for the program after Mass on March 1st or 2nd. Our teens contribute a great deal to the life of St. Noel. We're proud of them and our youth ministry programs. The GFS "Fun Funds" initiative is a simple and effective way to continue our support.

Fr. George Smiga

A PRAYERFUL TOUR OF ST. NOEL CHURCH -

STATUE OF ST. NOEL

But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? ... As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news."

Carved from a unique wood from the Phillippines, our statue of St. Noel is a reminder to us of our patron saint. Fr. Noel Chabanel, a Jesuit priest from France and a companion of Isaac Jogues, proclaimed Christ to the Amerindians of Canada. He is a model of dedication and perseverance in the call to evangelize.

"St. Noel be our help and guide as we too announce the Good News of Jesus Christ that others might believe."

PRAYER FOR PEACE & HEALING: Our St. Noel Healing Ministry and "Let There Be Peace" group would like to extend a special invitation to you to attend Mass this coming Wednesday evening, February 12th at 6:45 p.m. As always we will be praying that Christ touch those in need with his healing hand though the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. Because of the possibility of war we want also to pray for peace and healing among nations that violence and conflict might be avoided.

"LET THERE BE PEACE" - meets at 1:15 p.m. every Sunday in the nursery.

CURIOUS ABOUT CATHOLICISM (OR KNOW SOMEONE WHO IS)? Do you have questions about, or an interest in the Catholic faith? If so, please plan to join us on Thursday evening, March 6, 2003 at 7:30 p.m. in the nursery when we will begin a new inquiry group for RCIA (the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults). In the meantime, if you have questions or concerns please feel free to call Marianne Slattery at 440-946-1128, X 21 or Alice Hinkel at 440-946-0887.

WOMEN'S PRAYER BREAKFAST - Our next gathering will be on Saturday morning, February 15, 2003 from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. In the Fall we focused on the past contributions of women in the parish and at this gathering we will focus on the gifts that we women are bringing to the church at the present time. Alice Hinkel will facilitate our discussion. Please consider joining us for this time of sharing in food, friendship and faith. Signing up on the kiosk will help us in our planning and preparation for the morning. Also, we encourage you to bring your favorite mug to help us reduce the use of Styrofoam.

ST. NOEL FELLOWSHIP - Activities for the month of February are as follows:
February 13th - Bingo, February 20th- Luncheon consisting of a chicken sandwich, condiments, cole slaw, and cherry pie. The cost is $4.00 per person.
February 27th - Games and socializing, we will celebrate birthdays and please remember to bring your food donation for the food bank. Everyone is welcome to attend the Senior fellowship on Thursdays.

ROSARY - Join us Tuesday, February 18th from 7:00-7:45 p.m. in the nursery as we pray the Rosary. All are welcome to this quiet, reflective time in honor of Mary and her Son, Jesus.

PRIME TIME - Stop in tonight (Sunday) at 7:30 p.m. All 9-12 grade students are welcome!

JUNIOR HIGH YOUTH GROUP - Our next session is this Tuesday, February 11th at 7:00 p.m. Bring your Bibles.

SUMMER SERVICE TRIP - Attention teens, many have signed up for our summer service trip to Toronto --it's going to be fabulous!! The trip is scheduled for June 22nd - June 28th and a $50.00 deposit reserves your spot. Our organizational meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, February 19th at 7:00 p.m. in the nursery. This meeting is mandatory for all who want to attend the trip. We will discuss dates, fund raising, chaperones, etc. Parent(s) need to attend this meeting as well. See you February 19th.

CLEVELAND FOOD BANK - Our volunteers are serving at the Food Bank on Monday, March 3rd. We leave the church at 5:30 p.m. and return at 8:45 p.m. Would you like to volunteer? Please call Anthony if you can help (440-946-1128 X 20).

SERVICE OPPORTUNITY FOR THOSE IN THEIR 20'S AND 30'S MARRIED OR SINGLE - On Saturday, February 22nd, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon we will assist St. Aloysius Parish (10932 St. Clair Ave.) in their food distribution program. Tasks include cleaning and re-packaging large quantity items such as potatoes and onions. Food items are then sorted and boxed for pick-up that morning. To register, please call 216-228-9516 or email to pekelly@dioceseofcleveland.org.This event is sponsored by the Youth & Young Adult Ministry and CYO Office of the Diocese of Cleveland.

CATHOLIC UPDATE - The February issue of the Catholic Update is in the kiosk and is entitled "Creating A Place For Peace," and offers reflections for each day of Lent. Please help yourself to a copy of the Catholic Update containing this very timely and important theme.

THE DIVORCED AND SEPARATED OF LAKE AND GEAUGA COUNTIES - will be holding an information session on the financial and legal issues surrounding divorce. Join Domestic Relations Judge, Colleen Falkowski and Pastoral Minister, Gail Roussey as they share their expertise with us. The program will include an introduction to the legal aspects of divorce and dissolution in the State of Ohio, including custody, child support and visitation, along with some tips on how to approach financial planning and other financial and legal implications of divorce such as changing your will and life insurance. Join us at St. Gabriel, Concord Township, on Thursday, February 20th at 7:00 p.m. To register or for more information call Karen Jubeck at 440-352-8282.

THE DIVORCED AND SEPARATED OF LAKE AND GEAUGA COUNTIES - A divorce recovery group will take place on March 18th through May 6, 2003. Tuesday evenings, 7:00-9:00 p.m. at St. Gabriel, Concord. Contact Catholic Charities at 440-352-6191 to register or for more information.

HOLY CROSS CHURCH - In keeping with the spirit of Vibrant Parish Life, a brochure of Lenten events taking place at Holy Cross Parish is posted on our kiosk. Please take a look at the workshops and activities that are listed and see if any of them would be of interest to you.

CHURCH OF THE RESURRECTION - will be hosting a program for women, Celebrating Women Witnesses will be from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., on Saturday, March 1st at the Resurrection Parish Center, 32001 Cannon Road.,. Solon, Ohio. Miriam Theresa Winter, a Medical Mission Sister will offer a keynote presentation on Women as Mystics and Prophets. There will be a selection of interactive small group sessions facilitated by local experts, each focusing on a notable woman witness: Future Church executive director, Sr. Christine Schenk on Prisca; John Carroll University professor Doris Donnelly on Catherine of Siena; artist Kathleen Burke on Hildegard of Bingen; and Ohio Underground Railroad researcher Joan Southgate, along with educator and counselor Miriam Robinson on Sojourner Truth. In addition to opening and closing prayer rituals, the day will include breakfast and lunch and time to interact with our speakers and participants. The cost is $15. For more information, please contact Lisa Frey, Pastoral Associate, Church of Resurrection, 440-248-0980 X 24 or ebfrey@en.com.

ST. PASCHAL BAYLON - 5384 Wilson Mills Road, Highland Heights will conduct a six-week workshop on handling grief, beginning on Wednesday, February 19th from 6:00-8:00 p.m. in the Rectory Parlor. Please contact Brother Edmund Hardy at 440-442-3410, for any additional information. The workshop is FREE and open to anyone who has suffered the loss of a significant person in their life.

Quick View of Meetings for the Week

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