Week of February 19, 2006

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Dear Parishioner,

As every Christian knows we live in a country where financial and military decisions are made by our duly elected leaders. These decisions are guided by our constitution and laws and are not dictated by the teaching of any single religious denomination. However, every human decision has a moral dimension and people of faith retain the right to evaluate the political decisions of our country in light of their religious convictions.

This January, Bishop Thomas G. Wenski, Chairperson of the Committee on International Policy of The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a statement laying out Catholic principals to guide a responsible transition in Iraq. Bishop Wenski draws upon Catholic moral teaching to encourage the constructive removal of American troops from Iraq. Copies of the letter are available in the kiosk. I encourage you to read the statement. I think you will find it both balanced and enlightening. The bishop advises avoiding unproductive debates marked by political posturing and polarization and insists that we should be suspicious of any assessment of the Iraqi situation that is either too optimistic or too pessimistic. Reaffirming the Church's grave moral concerns about the concept of “preventive war” which were expressed by John Paul II at the beginning of our military intervention, the bishop insists that now that we are there, we cannot look back. We must now assume the responsibilities which are ours because of our presence. The bishop calls for a responsible transition “sooner rather than later” but one which permits Iraqis to take up responsibility for their own governance.

I believe that the bishop's statement emphasizes well the moral dimensions of our presence in Iraq and will be a helpful guide to Catholics who wish to appreciate this political situation through the lens of our faith.

Fr. George Smiga

LIFE'S OPTIONS & OBLIGATIONS: AN INFO-TO-GO SEMINAR FOR BUSY PEOPLE:

1. Should I participate in my employer's retirement program and do I need long term disability insurance or long-term care insurance?

2. How can I afford college or post-secondary education, even if I haven't been able to save much?

If you would like more information on these questions, plan to attend the info-to-go session after the 11:00 a.m. Mass on Sunday, March 5 th in the small hall and plan to stay for a more in-depth break-out session from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.

DAILY LENTEN MEDITAION booklets from the works of Henri J.M. Nouwen entitled Renewed for Life are available in the church office for $1.00 each.

BAPTISM DAY will be held on Sunday, March 19,

2006 from 12:15 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Parents who are planning to present a child for Baptism in the next six months, or already have done so and have not previously attended such a day, are expected to attend. Please call the parish office at 440-946-0887 for more information.

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 if you can help. 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.

2006 CATHOLIC CHARITIES ANNUAL APPEAL - will be conducted in parishes the weekend of February 25-26, 2006. Catholic Charities follows Christ's teaching by serving more than 374,000 people each year in Northeast Ohio. Our network of 173 health and human services programs is available to members of each of the 233 parishes of the Diocese of Cleveland and people of all faiths throughout our community. Help us help your neighbors in need!

SOCIAL JUSTICE/ST. AUGUSTINE- On February 26 th 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 February 25 th & February 26th, 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 January we collected

$1,405.00. Our expenses for January were:

We thank you for your support.

“LOAVES AND LETTERS RETURNS” Join the Social Justice Ministry in another evening of putting faith into action at the next Loaves and Letters event, to be held on Monday, March 13 th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the large hall. Enjoy a simple meal, and learn about the US Bishops' 2005 call to end the death penalty. Get some tips on effective letter writing, and take the step of asking the governor and gubernatorial candidates to support a seamless garment of life. There will be both education and action opportunities for children as well. There is no cost - the soup is free a letter is your fee. Register by calling the signing up on the kiosk or by e-mailing:

Rosalina725@hotmail.com .

INTERESTED IN THE CATHOLIC FAITH?   We will be hosting an RCIA inquiry session for anyone interested in exploring the possibility of joining the Catholic Church on Tuesday, February 28, 2006 at 7 p.m. in the Conference Room.   Please call Alice at 440-946-0887 if you plan to attend.

“I WAS IN PRISION AND YOU VISITED ME” is the topic of Reverend Neil Kookoothe's presentation at St. James Catholic Church on Tuesday, February 21 st , at 7:30 p.m. In his talk Father Kookoothe will discuss his prison ministry as well as the Church's position on the death penalty as it is applied in our country. This presentation will take place in Andrews Hall at St. James, 17514 Detroit Ave. in Lakewood. The Catholic Coalition of Parish Pro-Life Representatives is sponsoring this event. It is free and opened to the public. Fellowship and refreshments will follow the presentation. Call 216-228-4168 for more information.

NEW MEMBERS OF SOCIAL JUSTICE MINISTRY - After several evenings of orientation and discernment, a number of people are joining our Social Justice Ministry, bringing our total membership to twenty-six!  We gratefully welcome the following new and returning members: Dana Barto, Chris Bartolotta, Keith Coolick, Kathy Coolick, Joe Daprano, Patty DeJohn, Rose Fini, Bruce Fraley, Karen Fraley, Joe Gornick, Alice Hinkel, Helen Keating, Adriana Mascha, Ed Mascha, Mary McKown, Pat Morgan, Kathy Murphy, Arline Nosse, Diane Obringer, JerryAnn Osenar, Barb Painter, Tom Repko, Jan Troha, Mel Troha, Jean Vitek and Peg Walsh. Pease keep these parishioners in your prayers as they strive to implement efforts on behalf of charity and justice for those who are in need. 

SUMMER PICTURES – Some people think ahead. Kitty Busher, a parishioner of St. Noel, took several pictures of our landscaping this summer so that they could be remembered when winter arrived. They are on display this weekend in the narthex. Take a look. Lift your spirits. Thanks Kitty.

MARDI GRAS 2006 – Lent will soon be upon us. So plan to kick back and party at the St. Noel Mardi Gras next Saturday evening. Cost is $30.00 per person. Stop by the table after Mass for more details

WELCOME HOME —our two-week series will be held on Wednesday, March 15 th and March 29 th in the Nativity Room at 7:00 p.m. This program is intended for people who have been away but are interested in reconnecting with the Catholic Church. Participants will receive support as they discuss concerns, learn more about the Church today, and renew their Catholic faith. All are welcome and there is still time to refer someone who you think could benefit from another look at the Catholic Church. Please call Marianne Slattery (440-946-1128 X 21) with questions, to register or refer a friend.

REMINDER - If you registered for GIFT on the installment plan, the second half payment is due now. You may leave your check in the GIFT box in the narthex (made out to St. Noel Church and mark “2 nd installment” in the memo), or you may bring it to the office .

FIRST RECONCILIATION will be a service designed for children and their parents. All children (even those who have received the sacrament other times) are welcome to join us on Monday, February 27 th at 6:30 p.m. in Church

A PARISH RETREAT will be held on Ash Wednesday, March 1 st from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The retreat will be facilitated by St. Noel parishioners. Eucharistic Adoration will be in the Nativity Room from 9:00 -10:00 a.m. and at noon we will attend Liturgy of The Word with distribution of ashes in church. A donation of $5.00 is suggested to cover lunch. A sign-up sheet is on the kiosk. Call the parish office at 440-946-0887 for more information.

ST. NOEL FELLOWSHIP - The activities for the month of February are as follows: February 23 rd – Reverse Raffle. We will also celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, Valentine's Day and Presidents' Day. Everyone is welcome to attend Senior Fellowship.

PRIME TIME - See you at GIFT today (Sunday).

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, March 8 th .

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 5 th 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!

YOUNG ADULT FAITH FORMATION – Over 30 people participated in the last series. Each session includes a delicious meal, small group discussion and prayer. Choose the topic that interests you and join us for the next series beginning in March. Pick up a brochure in the kiosk and check out the article in the UB.

HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS – Check out the scholarship opportunity on the kiosk. Applications are available in the Church office.

CLEVELAND FOOD BANK – We're serving at the Food Bank on Monday, March 6 th ! Join the group and see what it's all about. We leave the Church at 5:35pm or meet at the Food Bank at 6:00pm. Call Anthony if you can help (946-1128 x20)

EASTER HAMS – PRIME TIME is again offering delicious, spiral-sliced hams for your Easter celebrations. We continue to work with Chef Randy to provide hams of the highest quality. Why not support youth ministry at St. Noel Church and enjoy a mouth-watering ham? You can place your order during Lent. Details to follow…

LECTORS NEEDED – Hey teens!! Get involved in the Mass and become a lector. We are looking for interested high school teens to serve as lectors at our weekend liturgies. Proclaiming the scriptures is a tremendous privilege! You will receive training and all the support you need. Call Anthony if you are interested.

WHITEWATER RAFTING – We're planning a rafting trip on the incredible New River in WV for this summer if we have enough interested people. Last summer, the trip was only $100. Sign up on the kiosk if you are interested. Adults & teens are welcome.

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

VOLUNTEERS are needed for Women's Bible Study at the Painesville jail on Tuesday evenings. For more information call Dee Trepal at 440-352-1889.

ST. JOSEPH CHRISTIAN LIFE CENTER in Cleveland is hosting a COUPLE COMMUNICATION WORKSHOP - the purpose of Couple Communication is to help partners communicate better about day-to-day issues and resolve their conflicts…in other words, BUILD A MORE SATISFYING RELATIONSHIP. The workshop is for engaged couples, married couples or two people who are seeking to enhance their relationship. This is a four part series conducted on Monday evenings, March 6, 13, 27, and April 3. The series will be direct by Sr. Ann Killoran, SSJ, TOSF. Call to register 216-531-7370 Ext 0.

SHOUT BAND & PASTA BUFFET – Tickets are now being sold for the Mo-town Show at St. Noel on March 18 th from 6:00 p.m.-11:30 p.m. Cash bar available. Tickets are only $20.00 per person and are going fast. Please call and reserve a ticket at 440-946-NOEL (6635). If you have never had the pleasure of eating at St. Noel or have never been entertained by Shout before, do yourself a favor and plan on attending this event.

ST. NOEL PARISH HALL - We are currently booking the parish hall for the remainder of 2006 and all of 2007. Remember parishioners or their immediate family receive a 10% discount for evening weddings and a 5% discount for any other events held at St. Noel Parish Hall. We are now offering a $5.00 discount to anyone during the months of November, December, January, February and March for any weddings of 150 people or more on any Fridays or Saturdays during these months, when using our sit-down, family style, or buffet menus. Please remember to recommend St. Noel Parish Hall when you or a friend or even the company you work for are planning an event throughout the year. Please call the office at 440-946-6635 for availability.

THE GAY AND LESBIAN CATHOLIC COMMUNITY'S Lenten Day of Prayer is being held on Saturday, March 11th from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Liturgy at 4:00 p.m. at Mount Augustine, 5232 Broadview Rd., Richfield, OH 44286. $10.00 per person. Lunch will be provided. If you are unable to be with us for the entire day, join us at 4:00 p.m. for Mass. For reservations call: Sr. Marian Durkin at Mt. Augustine at 330-659-5100 or e-mail her at smd@srsofcharity.org if you plan to attend. Due Date: March 1st.

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