Week of February 10, 2008

Weekly Readings

Quick View of Meetings for the Week

Archive of Weekly Bulletins

Dear Parishioner,

The Annual Catholic Charities Appeal supports a wide range of services in the eight counties of the Diocese of Cleveland. It funds 143 programs at 64 sites and benefits 300,000 people in need regardless of race, religion, or disability. The programs are efficiently run with 86 cents of every dollar you give invested in the programs themselves.

As Catholics, we believe that Christ is the life-giving presence that joins us to each other. All that we have comes from God. It is in awe of that generosity and in the spirit of gratitude that we are called to provide for those whose needs are the greatest, the poor and disadvantaged.

You have or will soon receive in the mail a pledge card for the 2008 campaign. By responding now you eliminate our need to follow up with you later. Your pledge is credited to St. Noel in the diocesan tabulation of gifts.

Remember with the falling economy, the poorest and most disadvantaged among us suffer the most. I encourage you to be generous. On behalf of those we are able to support in times of difficulty, let me offer you a heart felt “thank you.”

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 ADORATION – How about making a commitment this Lent to visit Jesus at Eucharistic Adoration on Mondays. Jesus waits for you to put aside your busy schedule and spend whatever quality time you can before the Blessed Sacrament. We all need to quiet ourselves in order to hear the promptings of Jesus. Come for an hour, a few minutes or whatever time you can spare – but COME. We have Eucharistic Adoration every Monday from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in the Chapel.

LENTEN BOOKLETS - 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.

LENTEN BAGS – we are 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.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS – Pray the Stations of the Cross each Friday of Lent at 7:30 p.m. in the church (after the fish fry).

RICE BOWLS - 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.

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 - The annual PRIME TIME Bowl was a great game with the opossums prevailing 14-7 on a superb catch by Deanna Kucmanic. Thanks to all who played. Pancake Breakfast today – no meeting tonight. Check your email and the website – www.stnoel.org – lots is happening. Come to GIFT!!

DIVINE WORD/ST. NOEL YOUTH GATHERING – All 9-12 grade students are invited to 5:00pm Mass at Divine Word Church on Saturday, March 1 st . Dinner and social will follow. The evening will conclude at 8:00pm. RSVP to Anthony (946-1128 x20 or acamino@stnoel.org )

MIDDLE SCHOOL YOUTH GROUP – Our next session is Tuesday, February 19 th at 7:00pm – bring your Bibles & pennies. Kalahari money is due!!

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 $35/person – includes transportation, admission and food. The trip is open to all parishioners. Your money reserves your spot – call Anthony if interested. Spots are going quickly. Splish and splash at the best water park around!!

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

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. You can sign up at the table in the narthex or online at www.givelife.org . Use sponsor code “stnoel”.

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND! The St. Noel Concert Series presents pianist Robert Sterbank along with trumpeter Arthur Goldstein, clarinetist Michael Elias, cellist Christina Roytz, and saxophonist Mark Sterbank in concert on Sunday February 24, 2008 at 4:00 PM at St. Noel Church.  The program will feature works by Mozart, Beethoven, Debussy and others. The concert, which is part of the St. Noel Concert Series, is free and open to the public. A free-will offering will be taken to benefit Esperanza Threads, an organization of local women led by Sr. Mary Eileen Boyle, who promote, produce and sell fair-trade and organic clothing.  Please plan to join us for an afternoon of beautiful chamber music.  See you there!

ATTENTION ST. NOEL MEN! - Inspired by St. Noel's former “Men's Prayer Breakfasts,” planning has begun for a new and slightly different meeting of St. Noel men entitled “Following HIS Path through the Lives of the Saints!” These gatherings will be held at 8:00 a.m. Sunday mornings on the 4 th Sunday of February/June/October. The first such meeting is scheduled for Sunday, February 24, 2008. Coffee/pastries will be provided. Although this has been designated as a Men's Prayer Gathering, women interested in a journey through the lives of the saints are indeed invited and welcomed. More information may be obtained at any time by contacting Ken Bollam at 440-639-8896. Those interested in this program should sign the registration sheet on the kiosk in the narthex so that adequate provisions may be made for all.

ST. NOEL FELLOWSHIP – Activities for February are as follows: - 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 Theresa at 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.

REMEMBER TO REGISTER FOR GIFT – Wednesday, February 13 or Sunday, February 17. See the GIFT Box in today's bulletin for more information.

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!!

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.

PAYDAY LENDING -We are being urged by the Diocesan Social Action office to advocate for changes in Ohio's law regarding payday lending as many people who use the services of payday lenders are charged exorbitant interest rates.  The Ohio Coalition for Responsible Lending has prepared a petition for individuals to sign advocating for change in the laws.  Copies of the petition and instructions for mailing can be found in the Social Justice section of the kiosk. 

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.

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). 

PINK SUNDAY – On the weekend of March 7 th & 8 th the Susan G. Komen organization is sponsoring “Pink Sunday” which is an effort to educate church members of all denominations about breast health and breast cancer.  Please visit the table in the narthex after Mass on March 7 th or 8 th to pick up your information and to talk with some breast cancer survivors from our parish. 

“MARCH FOR MEALS” ON SATURDAY, MARCH 8 TO BENEFIT NUTRITION PROGRAMS FOR THE ELDERLY- Help us provide nutritious meals for elderly adults in Lake County! Join us for the Council on Aging Foundation's Third Annual “March for Meals” on Saturday, March 8 from 8-10:00 a.m. inside Great Lakes Mall in Mentor. This indoor walk will raise funds for home delivered meals (Meals on Wheels) and congregate meals for older adults in our community. Cost is $10 per person, $5 for children under 12. Registration includes refreshments, giveaways, entertainment and more! Call 440-205-8111 ext 247 for details.

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.

LAKE CATHOLIC is offering youth baseball pitching and baseball hitting clinics. See our kiosk for the flier or you can call 440-953-2952 or Lake Catholic High School at 440-951-0077 for more information.

SHEPHERD GROUPS Inner Healing Ministry are forming and they are designed to help us prayerfully surrender our emotional pain to Jesus, and be led to healing and freedom under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. New groups will begin April 1, 2008. For more information please call 216-581-7481 they will be held on the campus of the Center for Pastoral Leadership. Shepherd Groups are a part of the Healing Ministry of Catholic Renewal Ministries.

JOHN CARROLL UNIVERSITY is presenting “The Dome of the Rock: Islam in Christian Attire” by Professor Paul L. Heck, from Georgetown University. The program will take place on Thursday, February 14 th at 7:30 p.m. in the Donahue Auditorium, Dolan Science Building . For more information please call Dr. Diane Chou at 216-397-4382.

Quick View of Meetings for the Week

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