Week of February 20, 2005

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Archive of Weekly Bulletins

Dear Parishioner,

Every Christian community must look to the future and in that effort there is no mission more important than passing on our faith to the next generations. We do this primarily by supporting the role of parents as the prime faith educators of the children and through our religious education programs for youth. In this effort it is crucial to provide opportunities for our young people in their teen years to grow in faith. This is done at St. Noel through our Prime Time Youth Group. Through weekly meetings and special programs Prime Time provides a way that teens can grow with each other in understanding the Gospel and applying it to their lives. This year teens from our parish will plan and participate in a spiritual retreat in March. They will have the opportunity to attend a Vocation Retreat at the University of Notre Dame this July. They will perform community service this August in Chicago as part of Young Neighbors in Action. They will have the opportunity to connect with other Catholic teens from across the country at the National Catholic Youth Conference in Atlanta this fall.

For all these regular and special activities, Prime Time organizes a number of fund raisers throughout the year. Every spring our youth hold an Easter ham sale. I encourage you to consider participating. These spiral-sliced hams have been a great success in the past because they are both economical ($4.75/lb ) and delicious. In fact, over 175 families have purchased hams over the last two years! They come fully cooked and vacuum-sealed, and you can pick them up right here at the parish during Holy Week.

Please call or e-mail Anthony (440-946-1128 or acamino@stnoel.org ) to place your order. Hams are available in both ½ ( 6-8lbs ) and full ( 13-16lbs ) sizes.

Fr. George Smiga

PRAYER LIST UPDATING – We are aware of the valuable ministry provided by the community's prayers for those whose names appear on our prayer list every week in this bulletin. Because of the passing of time and also because of the large number of names which appear on the list, we have lost touch with the status of many people. We are asking that you notify us by March 2, 2005 if you would like us to continue with putting your name (or the name of your friend or loved one) on the list. As of the weekend of March 5 th & 6 th , 2005 we will only be publishing those names received or renewed by March 2, 2005. Please know that we are willing to place a name on the list any time but feel it is important that we periodically update the list so we can truly pray for those most in need of our support.

WEDNESDAY EVENING MASS CANCELLATION - Because our GIFT Program falls on Wednesday evening, March 2 nd , our regular Wednesday evening Mass will be cancelled.

SIGNED LITURGY- Sunday, March 6th, April Kinder will be joining us to sign the 11:00 a.m. Mass for the hearing impaired. Reserved seating can be found in the first two rows of chairs by the Eucharist Chapel.

BAPTISM DAY will be held on Sunday, March 13, 2005 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 who 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.

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).

LENTEN BAGS – As in the past, we will once again this Lent be collecting bags of items for Forbes House, (the Lake County women's shelter), Project Hope, (the Lake County homeless shelter), Birthright, and St. Augustine Hunger Center. 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. Filled bags can be returned to the clothing and food drop off area in the right hand bins.

LENTEN RICE BOWLS will be available in the narthex and by 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.

LENTEN BOOKLETS are available in the narthex (one per family).

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 1:00 p.m. If you can help please call the hall office (440-946-6635) and let them know.

CONCERNS/ST. AUGUSTINE- On February 27th 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 26 th and February 27th, we will be collecting for our Social Concerns 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 CONCERNS FUND – In January we collected $2,338.12. Our expenses were:

We thank you for your support.

THE MINISTRY FAIR will take place after all the Masses on the weekend of February 26 th & 27 th . There will be a workshop on Thursday, February 24 th in the Resurrection Room from 3:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Supplies and creative help will be available for setups and the making of posters.

EUCHARISTIC PRESENCE: GETTING TO THE REAL TRUTH. That's the topic for our next GIFT (Generations in Faith Together) session. There will be opportunities to learn, share food, fellowship and prayer with the whole

parish . . . ev eryone . . . Registration forms are available in the narthex or use the one from your home kit. Drop off completed forms in the GIFT box in the narthex.

FAMILY SCRIPTURE STUDY – We will not meet on February 27 th . Hope to see you at the Ministry Fair.

ST. NOEL FELLOWSHIP – Activities for February are as follows: February 24 th – Games of your choice. We will celebrate anniversaries and birthdays. Please remember to bring your food donation for the food pantry to this meeting. Everyone is welcome to attend the Senior Fellowship on Thursdays.

JOURNEY TO JOY a support group for people experiencing depression or anxiety will meet this Thursday, February 24 th in the Visitation Room.

PRIME TIME – Drop in tonight at 7:30pm.

JUNIOR HIGH YOUTH GROUP – Our next meeting is this Tuesday, February 22 nd at 7:00pm. Bring your bibles!

NOEL MOVERS – We are in need of mattress and box springs (any size), appliances as well as any furniture in good condition. We do not pick up clothes, knick knacks or items needing repair. Please call Anthony if you can help.

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.

CDEM – Our next offering of the CDEM for engaged couples is Thursday, March 10 th at 7:00pm.

WHITEWATER RAFTING – We're planning a rafting trip on the incredible New River in WV for late June of 2005. Call Anthony for details and keep watching for more info!!

HIGH SCHOOL RETREAT - The PRIME TIME retreat is scheduled for March 18-20 at Cedar Hills Conference Center in Painesville . “You've Got A Friend in Me” is the title of the retreat, and all 9-12 grade students are invited. Pick up a form in the kiosk or contact Anthony for details. The retreat is truly a highlight of the year – don't miss it!!

CLEVELAND FOOD BANK – We're serving at the Food Bank on Monday, March 7 th at 6:00pm. We leave the Church at 5:35 or you can meet us there. Call Anthony (946-1128) if you're interested in serving.

DIVORCE RECOVERY FOR CATHOLICS – An eight week support group for divorced/separated Catholics will be held at St. Gabriel Church in Concord, beginning Tuesday, March 1st, from 7-9:00 p.m. Sessions are designed to provide direction and faith-based support along with tools for coping. For more information or to register, please call Catholic Charities at 440-352-6191 or 1-800-242-9755.

FINDING FORGIVENESS – DIVORCED AND SEPARATED CATHOLICS – Forgiveness is a powerful and necessary tool for healing after divorce. Join Fr. Jack Valley, Ph.D., and Fr. Gary J. Malin, Ph.D., on Tuesday, February 22 nd , at Divine Word Church, 8100 Eagle Road, Kirtland, from 7-9:00 p.m. as they lead an evening focusing on forgiveness. To register please call Karen at 440-352-8282. This evening is free of charge.  

YOUNG ADULTS IN THE CITY :  20's and 30's

On Sat. March 12, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. , help to prepare and serve a meal at St Augustine Hunger Center in Tremont (2486 W 14 St).  To register, please call Laura Whitkofski 216-228-9516 (home) whitkofski@msn.com or e-mail to pekelly@dioceseofcleveland.org .  This event is sponsored by the Youth & Young Adult Ministry and CYO Office of the Diocese of Cleveland.  

ALL SAINTS SCHOOL - Preschool and Elementary school registration will take place on Sunday, February 20 th from 12:00-1:00 p.m. for all new families wishing their children to attend All Saints School. The school is located within the Center for Pastoral Leadership campus on Euclid Ave. Parishioners from St. Noel are welcome and encouraged to register. Please call 440-943-1395 for more information.

THE TRUST 100 FIVE STAR SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION for high school seniors is available in the parish office. Applications need to be turned in to DeJohn-Flynn-Mylott Funeral Home by April 1, 2005.

TEACH-IN: SATURDAY, MARCH 5, 2005, 1-6:00 p.m. “Good Global Citizenship,” with keynote Rep. Sherrod Brown. Workshops: peace-making, martyrdom, human rights, globalization, fair trade. Location: St. Ignatius High School, W 30 th and Lorain. Registration fee: $10.00, ask for student rate. Contact the InterReligious Task Force (IRTF) at 216-961-0003 or irtf@igc.org .

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED – A volunteer orientation for Project Hope will be held on Tuesday evening, February 22 at 6:30 p.m. at the shelter, 25 Freedom Road, Painesville. At that session we will explain in detail the role of a shelter volunteer and about the various aspects of our ministry. Additional information is available by calling the project Hope Volunteer Office at 440-35406417, ext 106.

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH IN WILLOUGHBY will be hosting a Men's Day of Recollection. This will take place on February 26th at 9:30 a.m. in the Gymnasium behind the church. Reservations must be made by Wednesday, February 23 rd please call 440-942-4500.

REGINA HIGH SCHOOL will be having a Lenten Night of Prayer and Recollection on Thursday, February 24 th from 7-9:00 p.m. For more information or to RSVP to Sr. O'Malley, please call 216-382-2110 ext 262.

BLESS THE CHILDREN : Domestic Violence Center recognizes February as Bless the Children Month . DVC operates two safe shelters for women and children, and the 24-hour HELP line, in Cuyahoga County, which answered 20,000 calls in 2003. Please help DVC create peace in the home by making a tax-deductible donation. Checks can be made payable to DVC, P.O.Box 5466, Cleveland, Ohio 44101 or for more information, call Linda Johanek 216-651-8484, Ext 301.

FATHER JOE MCNULTY HONORED – On Friday, March 4, 2005, St. Augustine Health Campus will honor Fr. Joe McNulty for his years of dedication to the sick, elderly, poor and disabled of the greater Cleveland Community at the 8 th Annual Top ‘O the Towers Benefit Night at Brennan's Party Center. The event will be held from 6-9:00 p.m. Tickets for the event are $45.00 per person. For information please contact the Development Office at 216-939-7602, fax: 216-634-7483 or e-mail: st.augustine@st.augustinemanor.org

SUMMER VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES - The Sisters of Notre Dame invite women, ages 18-40 to participate in a five-day program of summer service with the Sisters. Experiences will include outreach to women and children in transition, services to refugees, GED tutoring, migrant ministry, elder care, and a Habitat project. The volunteers will live in a Notre Dame community so they can share prayer, meals and reflections on the experience with the sisters. Volunteer opportunities are available in Cleveland, June 19-24; Los Angeles, July 15-21; Toledo, July 17-22; and Northern Kentucky, August 7-12. For more information contact Sr. Kathleen Hine at khine@ndec.org or by phone at 440-279-1194.

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