Week of January 22, 2006

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Dear Parishioner,

As you know we are very blessed at St. Noel to have an Endowment Fund, the purpose of which is to contribute to the future health of the parish. The Endowment is now above the $200,000 mark in holdings. Each year the Endowment has been able to make small grants to help defray costs associated with some of the ministries at St. Noel.

The members of our Endowment Committee possess a wide and diverse expertise in the financial, legal, and service professions and realize how many people are unaware of the options which are available in these areas of life. As a committee they feel it would be of service to our parish to provide a simple setting in which some of these questions could be addressed. They have therefore identified 15 key questions that are helpful to people as they plan their future. On Sunday, March 5 th , after the 11:00 a.m. Mass, the Endowment Committee will sponsor an “Info-To-Go Seminar for Busy People.” Ten booths will be set up and those who come will be able to pick up a one-page resource guide aimed at answering the questions which have been identified. For those who would desire a more detailed answer - - breakout sessions will be held from 1:30-2:30 p.m. on specific topics.

The purpose of the day is not to solicit funds for the Endowment or provide an opportunity for vendors to sell their products. It is to share information in a way that is simple and helpful. You will be receiving a complete list of these questions to be addressed in the mail. But each week in the bulletin I will be including a couple for your consideration. If any of these questions seem pertinent to your situation, you might benefit from participating in the day. If you are a parishioner who has expertise in any of these financial, legal or service areas and would like to participate in the day as a presenter, please call the parish office.

God has entrusted our life and our families to us. We are called to be good stewards of what we have been given and to plan for future eventualities.

Follow the questions in the bulletin in the upcoming weeks and see if coming to our “Info-To-Go Seminar” might prove useful to you as being a steward of God's gifts.

Fr. George Smiga

LIFE'S OPTIONS & OBLIGATIONS: AN INFO-TO-GO SEMINAR FOR BUSY PEOPLE - Here are two of the 15 life questions that will be addressed on Sunday, March 5 th, after the 11:00 a.m. Mass.

1. If I died tomorrow, what would be the financial situation in which my family would find itself?

2. How do I talk to my parents about their health

care needs?

THANK YOU!!   Our Christmas collection this year was $59,889.00.  We want to thank everyone for their support and continued stewardship.

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION – Would you like to spend one hour a week talking and listening to God? We are beginning Eucharistic Adoration on Mondays – starting February 6 th from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. You can sign up today to spend one hour each Monday or call Jan at 440-951-5593 or 440-944-3032.

SOCIAL JUSTICE/ST. AUGUSTINE- On January 29th our volunteers will be serving the meal at the St. Augustine Hunger Center. There is a sign-up sheet on the kiosk if you are able to lend a hand. After all the Masses on January 28 th & January 29th, we will be collecting for our Social Justice fund. Also, if anyone would like to bake cookies please bring the cookies with you when you come to volunteer at the Hunger Center or they can be dropped off at church before Mass on Saturday. Please put the cookies in the Nativity Room (formerly the nursery) on the counter and mark them St. Augustine.

SOCIAL JUSTICE FUND – In December we collected

$12,054.26. Our expenses for December were:

We thank you for your support.

STATE OF OUR VALUES – On Tuesday, January 31, 2006, at 9:00 p.m. EST, President Bush will deliver his 6 th State of the Union address, reflecting on the past year and articulating his broad vision for the coming year. After his speech, pundits and policymakers will respond. We expect a lot of talk about national priorities and values. But who will respond that represents your values or the values of Catholic Social Teaching? The Social Justice Ministry will host a State of Our Values event that night. We will join more than 1,000 other faith communities across the nation as we watch the speech, and contribute our voices to the national dialogue as to whether our values and priorities as a Church and a nation are being met. We'll gather at 8:30 p.m. in the large hall, respond to a few preliminary questions, watch the speech at 9:00 p.m., and then continue our discussion. Please call the office or e-mail Rose Fini at rosalina725@hotmail.com to register.

LOW INCOME SENIORS-HOME REPAIRS – The Lake Communities Development Corporation is working with Salvation Army and United Way to offer low income senior or low income disabled homeowners with minor home emergency repairs. Please check the “Social Justice” section of the kiosk for qualification guidelines

and further information.

INTERESTED IN SOCIAL JUSTICE MINISTRY? – The terms of our current Social Justice Ministry members will soon conclude. We are inviting those who currently serve, as well as any other interested parishioners, to come to two evenings of formation and orientation scheduled for Wednesday nights, January 25 th and February 1 st from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. It is our hope that these evenings will help attendees discern whether or not this ministry is God's call for them at this time. Please call Alice at 440-946-0887 if you have questions or would like to register for these evenings. Please keep all of our social justice ministries and those who come to this process in your prayers.

EL SALVADOR REMINDER – Applications and a $50.00 deposit made out to St. Noel are due on February 1 st . Call Alice at 440-946-0887 if you have questions.

WEDDING MUSIC - We will have an Evening of Wedding Music on Tuesday, February 7, 2006 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!

MARDI GRAS 2006 – Call your friends and reserve a table. The St. Noel Mardi Gras Dinner Dance is slated for Saturday, February 25 th , featuring Louisiana cuisine, cash bar, sideboards, 50/50 Raffle, silent auction, costume contest (costumes are optional), and music by Classic DJ Services. Ticket prices reduced from last year to $30.00 per person. Tickets will be available after all Masses beginning January 28 th -29 th .

RETREAT - Scriptures: God's Word of Life and Love. The retreat will be held on Wednesday, February 1 st , from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. The retreat will be facilitated by Jean Vitek and Fran Armbruster. Eucharistic Adoration will be in the Nativity Room from 9:00 -10:00 a.m. A donation of $5.00 is suggested to cover lunch. A sign-up sheet is on the kiosk. Call Fran at 1-440-729-3976 for more information.

WOMEN'S PRAYER BREAKFAST - our winter warm- up breakfast will be held on Saturday, February 11 th , from 8:00-10:00 a.m. in the small hall. Our presenter will be Kitty Busher a member of the St. Noel Music Ministry. Join us as Kitty shares her message and journey of prayer, celebration and healing though the power of music. As always we will enjoy a delicious breakfast and a time for fellowship and conversation. The suggested donation is $3.50. Please sign up on the kiosk by February 7 th if you plan to attend. If you have any questions please call Joyce Rodriguez at 440-286-3060

HELP NEEDED – Are you looking to do some volunteer work? The parish office is in need of someone to be in the office on Tuesday evenings from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. If you think you might be interested, please call Carole at 440-946-0887 for additional information.

PRIME TIME - No meeting tonight – it's GIFT!! If you're interested in playing in the PRIME TIME Bowl on Super Bowl Sunday, sign up on the kiosk. The PRIME TIME Bowl is Sunday, Feb. 5 th .

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 – Our next session is Wednesday, February 1 st at 7:00pm. Have you signed up for GIFT?? Youth group is a part of GIFT!!

CLEVELAND FOOD BANK – We're serving at the Food Bank on Monday, February 6 th . Please call Anthony if you are interested in serving (946-1128 x20).

NOEL MOVERS – We are currently in need of mattresses, cribs, dressers and washers. Please call Anthony to donate.

CDEM – Our next offering of the CDEM is Thursday, January 26 th at 7:00pm in the conference room.

CONFIRMATION CANDIDATES – Any teen in grade 6-12 interested in being confirmed this year needs to register by calling Anthony (946-1128 x20). Sessions begin March 1 st and Confirmation is scheduled for May 7 th at 11:00 Mass. If you've already registered with Marianne Slattery, you need not call again – thanks!

PANCAKE BREAKFAST – Our annual Valentines Day Pancake Breakfast is Sunday, February 12 th from 10-1pm in the large hall. All proceeds benefit PRIME TIME!! Bring your sweetheart for flapjacks on the 12 th !!

ARE YOU IN YOUR 20'S OR 30'S? Do you want to learn more about your Catholic faith through reflection and faith sharing with others your age? Then join St. Noel Parish and the Diocesan Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry for our six- week Faith Formation Series beginning Monday, March 6 th , at St. Noel. For more information, call Michelle Lantos at 216-798-9206 or michelle91270@yahoo.com or Paul Kelly at 216-334-1261 X 28 or pekelly@clevelandcatholiccharities.org.

MUSIC MINISTRY CD'S – The St. Noel Music Ministry CD entitled How Can We Keep From Singing? features the choir, chamber singers and hand bell choir are available in the church office. Proceeds benefit the music ministry pilgrimage fund.

PARISH HISTORY BOOK – The 25 th Anniversary Parish Commemorative Book will be published in both a soft bound and hard-bound edition. The soft bound edition will be mailed to each parish household. The hard bound edition will include a foil-stamped cover and is included with a cornerstone sponsorship. Sponsorship cards are available in the kiosk. For further information, contact Chris Roach at 440-356-1124. 

ST. NOEL FELLOWSHIP - The activities for the month of January are as follows: January 26 – Birthdays and anniversaries. Please bring something for the food bank.

ST. NOEL PARISH HALL – We are taking reservations for any dates in 2006 and 2007. Select dates will fill up quickly. You can check availability by calling the hall office at 440-946-6635. Also mark your calendars for March 18 th , 2006, Shout will be back at St. Noel Parish Hall.

LAKE GEAUGA DISTRICT CARES FOR THE SEPARATED/DIVORCED – “What Catholics Need to Know about Divorce and Remarriage in the Church” – January 25, 2006 at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church. Join Lynette Tait and Karen Roman as they discuss this topic.

DIVORCE RECOVERY FOR CATHOLICS    - An 8-week support group program designed to meet the needs of those who are recently separated or divorced will begin on Thursday, February 2 nd , at St. Gabriel Church, 9925 Johnnycake Ridge Rd., Concord, from 7-9:00 p.m. Sponsored by the Catholic parishes in Lake and Geauga counties, the program offers direction, support, and the tools for coping with this life-changing, experience in a confidential setting with trained facilitators. For more information or to register, please call Catholic Charities at 440-352-6191 or 1-800-242-9755.

“PILGRIMS OF HOPE,” This January 2006 marks the 25 th anniversary of the installation of Bishop Pilla. To mark this Silver Jubilee, a coffee table book called “Pilgrims of Hope” has been published. You may order the book at www.dioceseofcleveland.org , or there are order forms available in the kiosk. All proceeds go to an educational foundation established by the Bishop.

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