Week of January 14, 2007

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Dear Parishioner,

The winter schedule for the Cleveland Ecumenical Institute for Religious Studies has been published. For over 15 years this non-profit group based in Cleveland Heights has been providing high level educational opportunities for adults who want to know more about the Christian faith. There are no papers or exams in these courses, only a stimulating opportunity to delve into various aspects of the Christian life. The two courses this winter are: “Desert Wisdom: The Spirituality of the Desert Fathers and Mothers,” (a six-week course on Monday nights) taught by Wayne Simsic of Ursuline College and: The Resurrection of Jesus: History, Meaning, and Scriptural Witness,” (an eight-week course on Saturday morning) for which I am the instructor. There is a tuition fee for the courses. Brochures with fuller descriptions of these offerings can be found in the narthex. The institute is also offering a ten-day tour of important sites in Italy this spring from April 10 th to the 21 st . This tour will explore sites where the Christian faith has important history, art, and social justice. It will be led by Mr. Joseph Cistone, the Director of International Partners in Mission and by myself.

Please consider whether any of these educational offerings might enrich your appreciation of the gift of our faith.

                                           Fr. George Smiga

CORRECTION : Because of a clerical error Chip Tusek's name was omitted for the list of those serving on our Parish Pastoral Council in our recently published Report on Parish Life. Chip has been a part of the present Pastoral Council from its inception and we are grateful for his service.

REMINDER – There will be no 6:45 p.m. Liturgy on Wednesday, January 17, 2007. Plan to attend the GIFT Program that evening or on Sunday, January 21 st .

SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE – My name is Eric Ritossa and I am a student at Kirtland High School. I have been a St. Noel Parishioner all my life. Recently I was accepted into a youth leadership program called Leadership Lake County. For this program we are doing a project to help raise school supplies for students in Lake County who are unable to afford them. So now as a member of your church community, I am asking for your help. I will be holding a school supply drive after each Mass this weekend, January 13 th -14 th . I will be collecting any type of school supplies that you would be able to donate. Monetary donations will also be accepted. After the collection weekend, I will leave a box in the narthex for any additional donations. Thank you very much for your support and helping these school children in need.

RITE OF ELECTION USHERS NEEDED – On the first Sunday of Lent, February 25, 2007 the Diocese is conducting the Rite of Election for those being received into the Church this Easter Vigil.  This celebration takes place at Cleveland Public Hall, downtown Cleveland.  Ushers would need to arrive at 1:30 p.m.  Please call Alice at 440-946-0887 if you would like more information or if you are able to help.

HOSPICE MINISTRY – As an outgrowth of Bishop Pilla's Vibrant Parish Life initiative which began in 2003, the parishes of the Lake/Geauga District will be partnering with Hospice of the Western Reserve to bring a Catholic caring presence to those who are dying in our communities and seek our care and support at this significant point in their life's journey. Volunteers will be recruited from the parishes in our district. The goal is for a community to care for community. Volunteer training begins January 29 th and runs through March 12 th from 6:00-9:00 p.m., on Monday evening at Divine Word Parish. Hospice of the Western Reserve will be speaking about this special ministry and the volunteer opportunities available before our 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m., liturgies this Sunday, January 14 th . Hospice of the Western Reserve staff will be available after these Masses to answer questions and provide additional information. Please keep the Hospice Ministry in your prayers.

HEALTH CARE TASK FORCE - The next meeting of the HCTF will be on Monday, January 15 at 7:00 p.m. in the Conference Room.  We welcome anyone concerned about the uninsured and underinsured people in our state and country to join us.  Currently we are making plans to include other parishes in our efforts and hope to expand our St. Noel membership as well.  If you have questions please contact Alice Hinkel at 440-946-0887.

PARTNERSHIP NEEDS HELP – Mujer y Comunidad, the women of Zaragoza, El Salvador who we have been assisting in their efforts to operate a small business, has a serious need.  Unfortunately, they were robbed twice within several weeks toward the end of 2006.  All of their sewing machines, materials and products were stolen.  We have been in conversation with International Partners in Mission, the agency that coordinates our partnership, and have been assured that the women have found a new, secure location for their business.  In addition there will be a guard on duty at night when they are closed. But in order for Mujer y Comunidad to resume operation they need $5000.  Our usual collection for our Social Justice Ministries which is taken up on the last weekend of the month will be dedicated to the women this month.  Whatever you can contribute to this effort will be very much appreciated! 

CLASS OF NON-VIOLENCE – SOLUTIONS TO VIOLENCE - Beginning Monday, February 5, at 7:30 p.m. and continuing for 8 weeks through Lent, members of the “Let There Be Peace” Prayer Group will be leading discussions of lessons on non-violence developed by Colman McCarthy of the Center for Teaching Peace in Washington, D.C.  Each lesson consists of 5 or 6 short readings (approximately 15 pages total) that are classics in peace and justice literature.  Check the kiosk for more information and to sign up. Mark your calendars and plan to attend one or more of the discussions.

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. For further information on the Elizabeth Ministry, visit the parish website at www.stnoel.org, and click on “Caring Ministries.”

A NIGHT AT THE MOVIES - T he Social Justice Ministry invites you all to share a movie and popcorn on Friday, January 26, at 6:30 p.m. in our Banquet Center.  In our ongoing efforts to help us all become more informed about what is “good for us” physically in order to be our best spiritually, we will be viewing the movie “Super Size Me.”   The movie is rated “PG”. This satirical documentary will leave you laughing even if it makes you cringe. Why is the Church showing this movie?  Our bodies are truly a gift from God and we are called to be good stewards of them.  We look forward to an evening of educating ourselves as well as having fun.  Please mark you calendars – Friday, January 26 at 6:30 p.m.

THANK YOU    - We would like to express our sincere gratitude to everyone for their prayers and support for Terry, especially with the selling of the “Clark Bars”. We appreciate all the financial help for Terry's recovery. Thank you so much. The Clark family.

WEDDING MUSIC – We will have an Evening of Wedding Music on Tuesday, January 30, 2007 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 sessions. See you there!

"SUPER BOWL OF LIFE" ~~ Join your fellow parishioners as part of TEAM LIFE at the January GIFT session. Come donned in your favorite team's colors and hungry for the pre-game pasta tailgate party. Cheer for the line-up of God's Most Valuable Players...true Champions of Life! Break out of the large group huddle and into position as you follow your age-appropriate game plan. Celebrate a TEAM LIFE victory at the post-game wrap-up. Festivities begin Wednesday, January 17th at 5:30 p.m. (tailgate open at 6:00 p.m.) OR Sunday, January 21st at 12:00 noon (tailgate open at 12:30 p.m.). It's not too late to register...sign up at the GIFT "ticket window" in the Narthex. Hurry before the game is a sell-out. Season ticket holders are guaranteed of seats and the bleachers are sold out . . . so hurry!

PARISH POT LUCK AND GAME NIGHT – join us following the 5:00 p.m. Mass on Saturday, February 3 rd , for a relaxing evening of food, fellowship, and fun. Bring along a dish to share and any table or board games you might like to play (we'll have some, too). After dinner, we will we will set up games like Trivial Pursuit, Pictionary, Chronology, chess and checkers, pinochle, Chutes and Ladders (and many more). All you have to do is decide what game you want to play and we'll spend the rest of the evening table hopping from game to game (or stay put if your luck is holding out)! Make plans now to join us in the Banquet Center/large hall for this fun evening of food and entertainment. We will provide pasta and meatballs for the main course, but please sign up on the kiosk with the number of people from each household attending and what you think you might bring as a side dish. If you have any questions or suggestions, please call Marianne Slattery at 440-946-1128 X 21.

SPIRITUAL READING GROUP  - Plan ahead for our Feb. 13th meeting by calling the parish office at 440-946-0887 regarding obtaining a copy of Sue Monk Kidd's When the Heart Waits .

ST. NOEL FELLOWSHIP – Activities for January are as follows: – January 18 th reverse raffle and we will celebrate anniversaries and birthdays. January 25 th - socializing, meeting, and then at 12:30 p.m. we will have our luncheon of barbequed ribs, Cole slaw, baked beans, rolls, butter and apple pie. Cost is $6.00 per person. Deadline for tickets and payment is January 22 nd . Please remember to bring your food donation for the food pantry to this meeting. Everyone is welcome to attend the Senior Fellowship on Thursdays.

PARISH RETREAT - will be held on Wednesday, February 7th from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. The retreat theme will be “In The Footsteps of St. Francis.” The retreat will be facilitated by Billie Kamis. Sign up is on the kiosk. (A $5.00 donation is suggested for the lunch). Eucharistic Adoration will be at 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. in the Nativity Room.

GREETINGS FROM THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC – Our parishioners, Denise Bothe and Joe Daprano and their two children are spending the month of January in the Dominican Republic. Denise & Joe are volunteering at an HIV clinic accessing and treating both children and adult patients. Please continue to pray for their family!

PRIME TIME – Our next session is tonight (Sunday) at 7:00pm in the Teen Center. Pray for a solid 2007! – come to PRIME TIME!! Register for GIFT!! Sign up on the kiosk to help at the Pancake Breakfast.

ALTAR SERVERS – We are in need of servers at all our Liturgies. Both children (4 th grade and older) and adults are welcome to serve. Please call Anthony for more information. This is a wonderful opportunity for parents and children to serve together!

JUNIOR HIGH YOUTH GROUP – See you at GIFT this week!

CLARK BARS – The bars are here!! Thanks to all who have helped. To date, St. Noel has raised over $1100 to add to the total for the Clark family. We're selling Clark bars to support Terry Clark, a junior at Wickliffe and our parishioner, who is battling Leukemia. Candy bars sell for $1.00. Please place your donation in the box near the candy bars and please pray for Terry and his family.

CHRISTMAS PROJECT – Many thanks to all who supported the project. We served 101 families this year with over $6000 collected and 60 families sponsored – great job all!!

PANCAKE BREAKFAST – Bring your sweetheart for pancakes on Sunday, Feb 11 th . All proceeds benefit PRIME TIME. Mark your calendar today!!

CONFIRMATION – Those in 6-12 th grade interested in celebrating the Sacrament of Confirmation need to call Anthony (946-1128) to register for preparation. Sessions begin the 1 st Sunday of Lent and all candidates must pre-register. Confirmation is scheduled for Saturday, May 5, 2007 with Bishop Roger Gries, OSB. 

SUMMER SERVICE – Three spots remain for our Young Neighbors in Action trip to Washington DC the week of July 8-14. This is a unique opportunity for high school teens to live and learn about their Catholic faith. Call Anthony for more information (946-1128 x20)

ADOPTION INFORMATION MEETING – Anyone interested in learning about International Adoption is invited to an information meeting on Thursday, January 18th at 7:00 p.m. here at St. Noel in Resurrection Room #1.

CATHOLIC UPDATE entitled “Stem Cell Research and Human Cloning, Questions and Answers from the Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities,” U.S. Catholic Bishop's Conference.

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