Week of February 25, 2007

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Dear Parishioner,

This 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 Sunday at 11:00 a.m. when

Lu Collins and Phil McNeal, who are preparing for Baptism and also Gretchen Bates and Ed Keyse who are seeking full communion with the Catholic Church, will be sent forth to the Diocesan celebration of the Rite of Election. At that ceremony they will join with other catechumens and candidates from our entire diocese, and Bishop Lennon will preside as the Church celebrates its choice of them for the Easter sacraments.

•  Wednesday, March 14th 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.). Various 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 giving suggestions for daily prayer.

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

•  this weekend as we hold a Stewardship Open House asking your contribution of time and talent in nine areas of parish life. Please stop in the Banquet Center after Mass today.

•  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.

•  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.

•  Lastly – Prime Time our high school youth group ministry is collecting needed items for our troops in Iraq. A list of items is on the kiosk and the collection box will be in the narthex this weekend and next.

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 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. Our Lenten session will be on Wednesday, March 21 st at 6:00 p.m. , or Sunday, March 25 th at 12:30 p.m. The topic for this session will be “Our God Saves: Connecting with the Exodus Story.” Rabbi Roger Klein will be our guest speaker sharing with us the meaning of this event of Jewish History which reveals God as Savior. This session will be a perfect Lenten opportunity to appreciate more deeply God's saving power which Christians believe has come to full expression in Jesus' Resurrection.

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

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.

PARISH RETREAT - will be held on Wednesday, March 7th from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. The retreat theme will be “”Thy Kingdom Come,” Lenten reflections on the kingdom of God and our role in bringing it about. The retreat will be facilitated by Marilyn Wright, Fran Armbruster, and Sharon Waltermire. Sign up is on the kiosk. (A $5.00 donation is suggested for the lunch). Eucharistic Adoration will be at 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. in the Nativity Room.

“MARCH FOR MEALS” ON SATURDAY, MARCH 10 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 Second Annual “March for Meals” on Saturday, March 10 th from 8-10 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 a t-shirt (for adult participants registered by February 28 th ), refreshments, entertainment and more! Call 440-205-8111 X 247 for details.

BAPTISM DAY will be held on Sunday, March 4, 2007 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 (440-946-0887).

BEREAVEMENT SERIES – Our Bereavement Ministry invites anyone (participants need not be parishioners) who is coping with the loss of a family member or friend to attend a series of evenings designed to support and assist people in their grieving. The series will be held in the Lower Level, April 3 rd through May 8 th and each evening will include some time for prayer. These sessions will begin at 7:00 p.m. and conclude at 8:30 p.m. If you would like to attend, please register by calling the parish office at 440-946-0887. Fliers are available in the kiosk.

STEWARDSHIP SNAPSHOTS – Get to know the vast variety of ministries offered here at St. Noel through the experiences of people directly involved! Hear their personal stories of why they got involved, how they feel they've made a difference and what keeps them motivated. These inspirational stories of good stewardship are sure to ignite the fire under all of us. Check it out now at Stewardship Snapshot!

ST. NOEL FELLOWSHIP – Activities for March are as follows: – March 1 st –Bingo- March 8 th Game of Your Choice – March 22 nd - socializing, meeting, and then at 12:30 p.m. we will have our luncheon Menu: Cavatelli w/sausage and meatballs, salad, bread sticks and ice cream. Cost is $6.00 per person. Deadline for tickets and payment is March 19 th . March 29 th Horse Races, Danish Pastries and 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.

PRIME TIME – Our service project for the troops in Iraq is tonight (Sunday) at 7:00 p.m. in the teen center. Bring a friend and lend a hand!

JUNIOR HIGH YOUTH GROUP – Our next session is Feb 28 th at 7:00pm in the lower level. All 6-8 grade students are welcome. Bring your Bibles!

CONFIRMATION – Those in 6-12 th grade interested in celebrating the Sacrament of Confirmation need to call Anthony (946-1128) to register for preparation. Sessions begin the 1 st Sunday of Lent (Feb 25 th ) and all candidates must pre-register. Confirmation is scheduled for Saturday, May 5, 2007 with Bishop Roger Gries, OSB.

SUMMER SERVICE – There are 2 service opportunities this summer. One spot remains for our Young Neighbors in Action trip to Washington DC the week of July 8-14. We can reserve more, if needed. Three spots (boys) remain for our service trip to rural Kentucky the week of June 30 th . These are unique opportunities for high school teens to live and learn about their Catholic faith. Call Anthony for more information (946-1128 x20).

CLEVELAND FOOD BANK – We're serving at the Food Bank on Monday, March 5 th . Please call/email Anthony if interested in serving. We start at the Food Bank at 6:00pm or leave from the Church at 5:35pm.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES – looking for a change in your life? Perhaps God is calling you to a full-time faith-based community where you can use your gifts. “Response 2007” is a comprehensive guide to faith-based volunteer opportunities in the United States and abroad. Please call Anthony (946-1128) for a copy of this directory.

CATHOLIC UPDATE – entitled “Biblical Jerusalem City of Tears City of Hope” by Donald Senior, C.P. is now available in the kiosk.

SHOUT BAND AND PASTA BUFFET - Tickets are now being sold for the Mo-town Show at St. Noel on March 10 th from 6:30 – 11:00 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 BANQUET CENTER FISH FRY OFFER FROM WILLOUGHBY HILLS AUTO REPAIR –

Any purchase of $50.00 or more (before tax) you will receive 1 fish fry ticket.

Any purchase of $125.00 or more (before tax) you will receive 2 fish fry tickets.

Any purchase of $400.00 or more (before tax) you will receive 4 fish fry tickets.

Begins February 19 th till March 30 th .

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, 2007.

THE MARILYN T. KANE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP – for any high school senior that graduated from All Saints Elementary School in Wickliffe, Ohio and will be starting at an accredited four-year university in the fall. The applications are available in the parish office.

THINK SPRING-THINK SUMMER-THINK SOFTBALL- Softball fanatics considering formation of a St. Noel adult COED SOFTBALL TEAM. Please see the kiosk for more details and sign up or call 440-639-8896 for more information.

COUPLE COMMUNICATION WORKSHOP - Thursdays, March 8, 15, and 22, 2007. at Chagrin North VII, 35040 Chardon Road, Suite 202, 7-8:30 p.m. This workshop is for engaged couples, married couples, or two people who are seeking to enhance their relationship. To register please call Carol Ann Killoran, at 440-946-2384. Early registration discount register by February 26 th 12:00 Noon.

All SAINTS OF ST. JOHN VIANNEY SCHOOL in Wickliffe, which serves children in Preschool and Kindergarten thru the Eighth Grade, is currently accepting registrations for the 2007-2008 school year. Please call the school office at (440) 943-1395 to schedule an appointment.

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