Week of February 3, 2008

Weekly Readings

Quick View of Meetings for the Week

Archive of Weekly Bulletins

Dear Parishioner,

Next Sunday is the First Sunday of Lent. The practices of Lent for Christians are based on the three traditional Jewish penitential practices of Prayer, Almsgiving and Fasting. Jesus' teaching on these practices in Mathew 6 can serve as a way to announce the Lenten opportunities which are provided this year at St. Noel.

PRAYER

“Whenever you pray do not heap up empty phrases,” (Matt 6:7). Striving as we do for genuine prayer you are invited to pray with us

•  this Wednesday which is Ash Wednesday – a Service of the Word with ashes will take place at Noon. Evening Eucharist with ashes will be celebrated at 7:00 p.m.

•  Wednesday, March 4th at 7:30 p.m. as we celebrate together the Sacrament of Penance.

•  every Friday of Lent at 7:30 p.m. - as we pray the Stations of the Cross.

•  any day when you wish to walk and pray the stations personally. The church is open all day from 7:00 a.m. until the last meeting ends (usually around 9:00 p.m.). Booklets to use in praying the stations can be found in the kiosk. Making the stations on a regular basis during Lent is a beneficial Lenten practice. Remember that our stations are in the form of pavers located in our church floor. The stations begin in the area close to the baptismal font and continue around the church. The walking from one station to another imitates Christ's way of the cross and is itself a means of prayer within this devotion.

•  using The Word Among Us. A limited number of these booklets are available in the narthex. There are also copies of The Catholic Update which reflects upon Christ's Agony in the Garden.

ALMSGIVING

“When you give alms do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,” (Matt 6:3). Giving is not about drawing attention to ourselves but about serving others. We invite you to undertake this kind of service

•  by collecting bags of items for Forbes House, (the Lake County women's shelter), Project Hope, (the Lake County homeless shelter), Birthright, St. Augustine Hunger Center and Women's Re-Entry Network (WREN). Tags indicating the items needed for each agency can be found in the narthex. Please use a plastic garbage bag for your items, closing it with the yarn and tag provided. If you do not have your own plastic bags, please help yourself to the plastic bags which are also on the table. Return filled bags to the right-hand bin in the food pantry area.

•  We are making available again this year Lenten “Rice Bowls.” Placing change into these bowls on a regular basis during Lent will help feed many in the third world countries and support projects promoting agricultural, nutritional, and educational programs to encourage self sufficiency. The rice bowls can be used by parents to encourage their children to become

responsible in giving to those in need. When the bowls are filled they can be returned to the parish office.

FASTING

“When you fast do not look dismal…but put oil on your head and wash your face,” (Matt 6:16-17). The sacrifices of Lent are not to be seen as negative but positive, not gloomy but joyful. That is why we encourage not only fasting from food but doing things which promote education and community. You are therefore invited to join with us in the fasting of Lent

•  by abstaining from meat on all the Fridays of Lent. On Ash Wednesday & Good Friday, adult Catholics are also asked to fast--that is, limit their food to a simple full meal and two lesser meals.

•  by participating in our Parish GIFT Program. GIFT is an inter-generational opportunity for faith development for all parishioners. Two GIFT sessions will take place in Lent this year. On Wednesday, February 13 th & Sunday, February 17 th we will reflect upon the history of the Catholic Church in Ohio from 1808-2008. Fr. Tom Tifft who teaches church history at our seminary will reflect with us how the Church in Ohio has grown and changed over the last 200 years. His presentation will help us appreciate the changes which are occurring in our Church today. On Wednesday, March 5 th and Sunday, March 9 th we will reflect upon Suffering in the World – Walking with God – Confronting the Evil . We will examine how suffering can characterize our lives and how a Christian draws hope from the Gospel. You can register for GIFT by filling out a registration form and placing it in the GIFT Box in the narthex.

•  finally by participating in our Lenten fish fries on each Friday of Lent (excluding Good Friday) from 4:30-7:30 p.m. These fish fries are an important fund raiser for our parish, and they are possible only through the generosity of parishioners willing to help with serving and clean up. Please sign-up on the kiosk to help.

As disciples of Jesus each one of us, of course, can develop our own Lenten practices. But these opportunities for prayer, almsgiving and fasting are ways to observe Lent together with our community.

May God bless you as we begin the journey of Lent together.

Fr. George Smiga

HELP OUR BANQUET CENTER - We are attempting to book more day-time and weekday events in our banquet center. If you know of, or work for a business which might consider a luncheon or seminar day, please contact Chef Randy (440-946-6635) with the person in your company who he should contact to present the opportunity of using the St. Noel Banquet Center. As always please continue to recommend us to your family and friends.

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS , LECTORS, SERVERS AND SACRISTANS - if you are able to help at the 7:00 p.m. Liturgy on Ash Wednesday, February 6 th , please sign up on the bulletin board near the kitchenette. Lectors are also needed at the noon service on Ash Wednesday.

MASS WITH ANOINTING OF THE SICK – on Wednesday, February 13 th will be rescheduled for Wednesday, February 20 th at 6:45 p.m. Please plan to attend GIFT on February 13 th .

ST. NOEL FISH FRIES – Fridays of Lent (not Good Friday), from 4:30-7:30 p.m. Volunteers are needed for serving and cleanup. Sign-up sheets are on the kiosk. You will not receive a phone call – just come at the time you have signed up. Also, Randy needs volunteers who can help set up fish fries on Fridays at 12:30 p.m. If you can help, please call the hall office (440-946-6635) and let them know.

EARLY CHILDHOOD PTA WELCOMING NEW MEMBERS - We are a social organization for parents of children from birth through 6 years old in Lake, Geauga and Eastern Cuyahoga counties.  Our planned activities provide children and adults with opportunities to interact with each other on weekdays and weekends throughout the year.  Please visit www.WHECPTA.org for more information.

PRIME TIME - It's the PRIME TIME bowl today. Dress for the weather. Sign up on the kiosk to help at the pancake breakfast. Check your email and the website – www.stnoel.org – lots is happening.

MIDDLE SCHOOL YOUTH GROUP – Our next session is Tuesday, February 5 th at 7:00pm – bring your bibles & pennies. Also, don't forget about Kalahari!!

MIDDLE SCHOOL MAKING A DIFFERENCE – Thanks to the following youth group members who packed lunches for Project Hope: Ryan & Meighan Mills, Tyler & Erin Guban, Maddie Repko, Marissa Woods, Julia Kucmanic ,Anthony Federico, Andrea Wymer, Alex Barni, Mike Baetzold, Sean Manning, Angela Thirion, and Brandon Kerch. A special thanks to the parents who helped out: Mike Mills, Kathleen Repko, Michele Baetzold, Mary Ann Federico, Elaine Thirion and Annie Kerch as well as our leaders, Diane Bosley & Janet Perryman. Many others donated to the effort! Together, we accomplished great things!!

YOUNG NEIGHBORS IN ACTION – Since 1996, teens from St. Noel Church have served throughout the country with YNIA. This summer we're serving in Buffalo, NY during the week of July 20-26. Spots are being reserved - we have 3 remaining spots for teens - $100 will reserve your spot. Check the kiosk or contact Anthony for more info. This is a memorable experience – any 9-12 grade student is welcome.

PENNY JAR – Did you notice the large jar in the narthex?? It will remain there through Lent. Our middle school youth group has been reflecting on how each of us can make a difference by doing little things. Please feel free to place pennies (nothing else, please!) in the jar to symbolize the difference we could make if everyone did something. Thanks for making a difference…..

KALAHARI WATER PARK – The Middle School Youth Group is sponsoring a fun-filled trip to Kalahari on Saturday, Feb 16 th . Cost is $24/person + transportation (TBA). The trip is open to all parishioners. Sign up on the kiosk if interested – we have 45 spots available. Splish and splash at the best water park around!!

PANCAKE BREAKFAST - Bring your sweetheart for pancakes on Sunday, Feb 10 th from 10-1pm in the Banquet Center. Cost is only $5/adults & $2/kids. All proceeds benefit PRIME TIME, our awesome youth group! Mark your calendar today!!

RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE – Our next drive is scheduled for Sunday, February 24 th from 8:00-1:00pm. Please consider giving the gift of life.

FOOD BANK – Our volunteers are serving at the Cleveland Food Bank on Monday, February 4 th beginning at 6:00pm. Please call Anthony (946-1128 x20) if interested.

Although we all put off thinking about end of life issues, it is important to our families and loved ones that we address these issues. It may seem overwhelming to take that first step but it is important to consider four basic planning documents to get started: a Last Will and Testament, Health Care Power of Attorney, Living Will and a Financial Power of Attorney. You should discuss which documents fit in with your estate plan with your attorney. If you would like to include the St. Noel Endowment Fund in your estate plan, please contact the St. Noel office at 440-946-0887.

ST. NOEL FELLOWSHIP – Activities for February are as follows: - February 7 th – Gift Exchange – February 14 th VALENTINE'S DAY – Bingo, salad tasting – February 21 st - socializing, meeting, and then at 12:30 p.m. we will have our Breakfast Buffet, Menu: French Toast, cheese blintzes, scrambled eggs, sausage links, fried potatoes. For more information or tickets please call 440-585-9088. Cost is $6.00 per person and deadline for tickets and payment is February 18 th. February 28 th - birthdays and anniversaries, side board, and will have a speaker from The Willoughby Hills branch of the Cleveland Clinic - we will celebrate birthdays and anniversaries. Also, please remember to bring your food donation for the food pantry to this meeting. Everyone is welcome to attend the Senior Fellowship on Thursdays.

JUST A REMINDER – - If you haven't paid your second half GIFT payment, please drop it off in the GIFT box in the narthex, or you may bring it to the parish office, or bring it to the next GIFT session. Thank you!!

PARISH DAYTIME RETREAT – will be held on Ash Wednesday, February 6, 2008 from 9:30 a.m. until 2:15 p.m. Our parishioner, Sharon Waltermire will be speaking on “The Attitude of Gratitude.” A continental brunch will be served at 9:30 a.m. Suggested offering for lunch and brunch is $7.00. There is a sign-up sheet on the kiosk.

WANT TO EXPLORE THE CATHOLIC FAITH?   If you are not presently Catholic but interested in exploring the Catholic faith, a new inquiry session will begin soon. Please call Alice Hinkel at 440-946-0887 for more information.

LOAVES n FISHES n LETTERS (oh my!): The Social Justice Ministry invites you all to come and write letters in support of Ohio House Bill 333, dealing with abuses in some PayDay Lending institutions. Rather than our usual format of providing a simple meal, it will take place during the Fish Fry on Friday Feb 22nd, from 5-7:30. Stop by the Resurrection Room before or after your wonderful meal (it's Mac-n-Cheese week!) to learn about, then take action on this very important piece of legislation. As always, we'll provide the background information, addresses, stationary, envelopes, stamps and even sample letters for your inspiration.

WOMEN'S PRAYER BREAKFAST – Please join us on Saturday, February 9 th at 8:00 a.m. in the Banquet Center/small hall for a morning of prayer and fellowship. Our guest speaker this month is St. Noel's parishioner, Patty DeJohn who is a family counselor. Her program will focus on Empowering Our Spirit. As always coffee will be ready at the door to greet you and a delicious breakfast buffet will follow the program. A suggested $5.00 donation will be accepted at the door. Please sign-up on the kiosk by February 5 th . Thank You – Any questions call Joyce Rodriquez at 440-286-3060.

FAITHFUL CITIZENSHIP – Copies of the condensed version of “The Challenge of Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship” written by the United States

Catholic Bishops this past fall can be found in the Social Justice Section of the kiosk.  If you would like a copy of the full document please contact Alice at ahinkel@stnoel.org or call her at 440-946-0887.

ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIPS AND THEIR IMPACT ON CHILDREN - Join Peggy Grant, MS, LPC, of the Victim Assistance Program, for a discussion that will focus on how witnessing violence and/or abusive behaviors effects children. The discussion will include the psychological and physical impact on children, the signs and symptoms of trauma, and resources for recovery. We will be meeting on February 7 th from 7-9:00 p.m. at St. Gabriel Church, 9925 Johnnycake Ridge Road, Concord. To register or for more information, please call Karen at 440-352-8282.

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 10 th 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 .

THE TRUST 100 FIVE STAR SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION for high school seniors is available in the parish office. Applications need to be turned in to the DeJohn-Flynn-Mylott Funeral Home in Willoughby Hills by April 1, 2008.

CHECK OUT THE FLIER ON THE KIOSK - concerning our parishioner Tim Warneka's new book: Black Belt Leader, Peaceful Leader: An Introduction to Catholic Servant Leadership.

NEED HELP APPLYING FOR FINANCIAL AID FOR COLLEGE? Check out the flier on the kiosk.

ADULT FAITH MATTERS – Check the kiosk for this flier noting a number of Lent activities and opportunities for spiritual growth being offered by the parishes in Lake and Geauga counties.

ACTION ALERT – Please check the kiosk (Social Justice Section) for the latest action alert from our Diocesan Social Action office.  In particular note the suggestion from our Bishops that we contact congress to add to the economic stimulus package increases in unemployment insurance, food stamps and the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). 

Quick View of Meetings for the Week

BACK TO TOP

If you have questions concerning any information contained on the Saint Noel Parish Web site, contact us.

Our staff will answer your questions or forward you to the appropriate individual or group.