Week of March 5, 2006

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Dear Parishioner,

Whenever we have something important in our lives, it is only right to share it with others. This certainly applies to our faith in Christ. Every Christian community is charged by the Lord to spread the good news of God's love. One way in which we do this is to invite those who have fallen away from the practice of their faith to resume their connection to the Church. St. Noel will extend such an invitation in the upcoming Welcome Home Program.

This two-week series will be held on Wednesday, March 15 th and March 29 th in the Nativity Room at 7:00 p.m. It 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 for you to refer someone who you think could benefit from another look at the Catholic Church. If you have any questions or would like to register a friend please call Marianne Slattery (440-946-1128 X 21).

Whether you have someone who might be interested in Welcome Home or not, please keep this ministry in your prayers so that Christ might use our efforts to lead those he loves home.

Fr. George Smiga

LIFE'S OPTIONS & OBLIGATIONS: AN INFO-TO-GO SEMINAR FOR BUSY PEOPLE : Plan to attend the info-to-go sessions after the 11:00 a.m. Mass this 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.

SIGNED LITURGY - This 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.

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.

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

STATIONS OF THE CROSS – Pray the Stations of the Cross each Friday of Lent at :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.

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

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.

WILLOUGHBY HILLS AUTO REPAIR (corner of Rt. 91 & Rt. 6) would like to offer St. Noel parishioners a coupon worth $5.00 off a St. Noel 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.

HEALING MINISTRY – Everyone of us can be the recipient of God's healing touch for all of our emotional, physical or spiritual problems. Come . . . be touched by His love this Wednesday at our 6:45 p.m. evening Liturgy. Experience God's healing through the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick during Mass. Be comforted and refreshed by Jesus in the Eucharist. Prayer teams will be available to pray with you if your wish.

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.

TEENS RIDE TO END THE DEATH PENALTY - Jill Bartollota, one of our teen parishioners who is a Junior at Regina High School , will be riding her bicycle from Medina to Columbus (140 miles) with other teens from area Catholic high schools. The purpose of this bike ride is to rid Ohio of the death penalty. They will leave Friday, April 7 and will return Monday, April 10. Along the way area churches will provide the students with meals and shelter. Once they arrive in Columbus, they will join with other students at a rally and then the petitions collected will be given to the senators voting on matters concerning the death penalty. Jill asks that all those interested in stopping the death penalty in Ohio sign her petition. She will be out in the narthex after all Masses on March 18/19. Anyone in ninth grade or above is eligible to sign the petition. She thanks all those for their support in following Catholic Social teaching and bringing justice to Ohio legislation.

RETREAT ON NONVIOLENCE – The Catholic Worker Community of Cleveland will be sponsoring a retreat with Kathy Kelly, three time Noble Peace nominee exploring the spirituality of nonviolence, beginning at 7 p.m. on Friday evening March 17 and concluding Sunday afternoon March 19, 2006 at St. Colman Convent, 2007 W. 65 th St. Cleveland , Ohio .  A free-will offering will be taken up to cover expenses.  Contact Joe Mueller at 216-631-3059 or jsmuelle@yahoo.com to register

INTERESTED IN THE CATHOLIC FAITH?   A new group of inquirers into the Catholic faith is now gathering.  We will meet Tuesday evening, March 21, 2006 at 7 p.m.  We welcome anyone interested in exploring the possibility of developing or deepening a relationship with Jesus in the context of the Catholic tradition.  Please call Alice at 440-946-0887 with any questions or to register if you have not attended previous gatherings. 

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!

A SPECIAL GIFT ~~ Break-out sessions designed for special needs children will be offered at the Sunday GIFT session in March. Donna Joseph and Lil Wallace, former Special Needs PSR teachers here at Saint Noel, will lead the group. Parents can attend the adult session knowing that their children are in loving and capable hands.  If you would like your child to be part of this break-out group on March 26 th , or if you would like to volunteer to assist Donna and Lil, please call 440- 946 –1128 x 23 and leave a message.

WE'VE JUST BEGUN THE SEASON OF LENT, preparing for Easter. The upcoming GIFT session will focus on making the Easter Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist a way of life. Like last time, the adults will all stay together, this time to hear from Fr. Bob Morrone, from John Carroll University and St. Peter's parish in Cleveland. Teens, junior high students, school age children, and preschoolers will attend sessions of their own. We'll reflect on the Sacramentality of ordinary events, and better connect the sacraments to everyday life. Sessions are Wednesday, March 22 nd from 6-8:30 p.m. or Sunday the 26 th from 12:30 to 3:00 p.m. Sign up in the narthex, call the office at 440-946-0887 or register online.

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 – Are you free periodically on Mondays for one hour between 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.? There are times when someone is unable to fulfill their commitment of one hour before the Blessed Sacrament. So we are in need of some individuals who would be willing to fill in occasionally as a substitute for Eucharistic Adoration. Please call the parish office at 440-946-0887 for more information.

THE ELIZABETH MINISTRY'S “ELIZABETH'S ROSES” - will be available in the narthex following all Masses on the weekend (March 11 th & 12 th ). Designed to identify, pray for, and support the needs of women and their families during the childbearing years, parishioners are invited to select a rosebud from the display and indicate a particular need relating to pregnancy, birth, adoption, fertility or loss. Elizabeth ministers will pray daily for the families represented, and if requested, will contact the family in order to provide continued support. Prayer cards will be available for personal meditation. For further information click on Elizabeth Ministry.

ST. NOEL FELLOWSHIP - The activities for the month of March are as follows: – 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 - We're meeting tonight at 7:00pm!!

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 .

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 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.

SISTERS OF NOTRE DAME PRAYER LINE – The Sisters of Notre Dame have begun a Prayer Line ministry. They will dedicate time each day to receive calls and pray for your intentions. The telephone number is 440-279-1163. Sisters will receive your calls from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. on Monday through Friday. Although there is no sister on the line during weekends and holidays, you may still phone us and leave your request on our answering service. The sisters in Assisted Living look forward to praying for your needs and requests.

ALWAYS OUR CHILDREN - The parent support group for families and friends of gay and lesbian Catholics welcomes you to join us at our next meeting, Sunday, March 12 th from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. in the library of the Administration Center at St. John Vianney Church on Bellflower Road in Mentor, Ohio .

ATTENTION ALL GOLFERS – St. Noel Golf League will have a short meeting for new, old and substitute golfers at St. Noel Church in the Resurrection Room (which was the old church office) at 7:00 p.m., on Thursday, April 6, 2006. The first tee time will be at 4:05 p.m. at St. Dennis Golf Course in Chardon, Ohio. Practice rounds are on Thursday, April 20 th & 27 th ; league play will start on Thursday, May 4, 2006 and continue to September 8, 2006. Dues will be $50.00 for full time members and due May 4, 2006, subs will pay per play. For further information contact John Grzincic at 440-585-4727.

BEAUMONT HIGH SCHOOL is offering an Introduction to Latin mini course during the month of May. These classes are for girls in the 6 th and 7 th grades who want to get a “jump start” in the foreign language study. Courses begin May 2 nd and ends May 19 th from 3:30-4:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Fee is $30.00 includes text. Please call Claudia Heilman at 216-321-2954 Ext 330 or e-mail: cheilman@beaumontschool.org for registration information.

“BOUNDARIES ARE ESSENTIAL” – We all need effective boundaries in our lives. They protect us, contain us, and give us a sense of self. Join Francine McNulty, RN, PCC, LSW, LICDC, as she explores the benefits of effective boundaries --- without them, relationships suffer and are often hurtful. We will be meeting on Tuesday, March 28 th , at St. Mary Church, Chardon. To register or for more information kindly call Karen at 440-352-8282.

VOLUNTEERS are needed for Hospice of the Cleveland Clinic. Reliable transportation is needed. Please contact Ann Catanese at 216-636-8666 or catanea@ccf.org . Training and guidance is provided.

VOLUNTEERS are need for Project Hope for the Homeless which is located in Painesville. To learn more, call Melissa Knight at 440-354-6417 x106, visit www.projecthopeonline.org

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