Week of February 26, 2006

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Dear Parishioner,

This Wednesday is Ash Wednesday when we begin the season 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 on

•  Ash Wednesday (March 1 st ) – Liturgy of the Word with distribution of ashes at Noon; Eucharist with distribution of ashes at 7:00 p.m.

•  the first Sunday of Lent at 11:00 a.m. when

Ian McLeod, Marcie Pietrantozzi, Pamela Schafer, and Jeffrey Woods, who are preparing for Baptism and Mark Babb, Ronald DeCamp and Joel Firem 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 Pilla will preside as the Church celebrates its choice of them for the Easter sacraments.

•  Tuesday, March 14th at 7:30 p.m. as we celebrate together the Sacrament of Penance.

•  every Friday of Lent—beginning March 3rd 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 wonderful 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.

•  in praying this Lent there are a limited number of daily Lenten meditations from the works of Henri J.M. Nouwen entitled “Renewed for Life” available in the church office for $1.00.

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, 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.

•  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.

• “Loaves & Letters”- March 13 th - a call to put faith in action, described in a separate bulletin item.

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 Ash Wednesday and all the Fridays of Lent. On Ash Wednesday and 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 next session will be on Wednesday, March 22 nd at 6:00 p.m., or Sunday, March 26 th at 12:30 p.m. These sessions will help us prepare as a parish for the celebration of Easter. Our title for the session will be “The End of the Beginning: The Easter Sacraments as a Way of Life.” A meal is included for each session and there will be age-appropriate activities for all participants. 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 which begin March 3rd and continue 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

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.

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS , LECTORS, SERVERS AND SACRISTANS if you are able to help at the 7:00 p.m. Liturgy on Ash Wednesday, March 1 st , please sign up on the bulletin board near the kitchenette. Lectors are also needed at the Noon service on Ash Wednesday.

SIGNED LITURGY- On Sunday, March 5 th , the 11:00 a.m. Mass will be signed for the hearing impaired. Reserved seating can be found in the first two rows of chairs by the Eucharist Chapel.

LENTEN MATERIALS for children of all ages can be found on the table in the Narthex.

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.

A CALL TO PUT FAITH INTO ACTION – The next “Loaves and Letters” event will be held on Monday, March 13 th from 6-8:00 p.m. in the large hall. This will be an opportunity to enjoy a simple meal of bread and soup, and then learn about the U.S. Council of Catholic Bishops recent call to end the use of the death penalty. Then we'll write letters to both the current governor and gubernatorial candidates asking them to uphold a culture of life. This is an event for all ages, as children will be educated, directed then act on their level. Register by signing up on the kiosk or e-mail: Rosalina725@hotmail.com . The soup is free; a letter is your fee!

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.

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.

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.

PARENTS OF CHILDREN WHO ATTEND CHILDREN'S LITURGY OF THE WORD – If you would like to save a seat for your child during Mass so that you may worship uninterrupted, just take one of the yellow reserved cards under the last pew. Simply place it in your child's seat while he/she is at CLW and return the card to the last pew as you leave.

DID YOU FORGET?? If you wore your nametag home after the last GIFT session, please bring it back! You may drop it off in the office, at the GIFT table in the narthex, or in the collection basket. THANK YOU!!

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION – Would you like to spend some quiet time with the Lord? We now have Eucharistic Adoration each Monday from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. If you are able to sign up for a specific hour or if you would prefer to be a substitute, call Jan at 440-951-5593 or 440-944-3034. Is your schedule to busy to make a commitment? Please stop in anytime during Eucharistic Adoration and you will be richly blessed as you share quality time with our God.

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 March are as follows: March 2nd – Speaker, Dr. Eric Schmidt – March 9 th - Bingo , March 16th – 12:00 p.m. – Socializing, meeting, 12:30 pm we will have a luncheon consisting of BBQ Ribs, baked beans, cole slaw, and carrot cake. Cost of the luncheon is $6.00 per person. Deadline for tickets and payment is March 13 th . March 23 rd – Reverse Raffle - March 30 th - Games of your choice. We will also celebrate birthdays, anniversaries. Please remember to bring your food donation for the food pantry to this meeting. Everyone is welcome to attend Senior Fellowship.

PRIME TIME - See you tonight (Sunday) at 7:00 p.m.

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.

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.

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.

WILLOUGHBY HILLS AUTO REPAIR (corner of Rt. 91 & Rt. 6) would like to offer St. Noel parishioners a coupon worth $5.00 off a fish fry when you purchase an oil change, filter and lubrication during the Lenten Season. Please call for an appointment 440-585-1691. This offer cannot be combined with any other offers.

CATHOLIC UPDATE – entitled “From Passover to Eucharist: God's Liberating Love.” by Rev. Lawrence E. Mick, is now available in the kiosk.

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