Week of August 28, 2005

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Archive of Weekly Bulletins

Dear Parishioner,

Summer is hardly over, but our Finance Council is already looking ahead to winter. In our ongoing effort to receive the best price, the council has decided to re-bid our yearly contract for snow removal. As anyone who lives in this area knows, we deal regularly with considerable snow. Yet the events at our parish are expected to continue as usual. Not only do we depend upon clean walkways and parking areas for our weekend liturgies, but also for funerals, weddings and the variety of meetings and events that happen in our parish buildings and hall. Therefore, it is essential that we have prompt and professional snow removal services at our disposal.

The bidding process is open both to parishioners and non-parishioners. Those who apply must be bonded and insured and willing to remove snow for all our scheduled events which occur mainly on the weekends. A detailed bidding description of our requirements is available in the parish office (440-946-0887). Parishionres are asked to spread the word about this bidding process to those who would be interested and qualified.

There is no doubt that winter is approaching. Thank you for your cooperation in making sure we will be able to continue our ministries safely and efficiently when the snow begins to fly.

Fr. George Smiga

SIGNED LITURGY – On Sunday, September 4, 2005 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 Eucharistic Chapel.

BAPTISM DAY will be held on September 25 th 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 Karen Myers (440-974-8116 or Carol Silvi (440-354-2425).

WOMEN'S FELLOWSHIP & BIBLE STUDY – Women of all ages are invited to join our study group on Tuesdays from 9:30-11 a.m. beginning September 13 th . We meet in the basement meeting room each week to discuss our bible study (we are starting a new book on Acts) and enjoy the fellowship of other Christian women. Childcare is provided in the nursery--free of charge. We encourage you to join our growing group and look forward to seeing you. Please contact Roseanne Madeja at 440-946-6318 or Anthony Camino at 440—946-1128 x20 for more information.

BLANKET SUNDAY COMING SOON – The weekend of October 8 & 9 marks the Eighteenth Annual Blanket Sunday Collection to aid the needy.

Catholic Update – ENTITLED “Treasures of Vatican II; Our Compass for the Future” by Edward P. Hahnenberg is now available in the kiosk.

DO YOU HEAR THE MUSIC CALLING? If you have ever considered joining the St. Noel music ministry, now is the time. We have some exciting plans for the upcoming year including some wonderful new Christmas repertoire and would love to have you join us. The choir is open to anyone who likes to sing and can carry a tune. We rehearse on Thursday evenings from 7-9 p.m. and members attend the weekend liturgy of their choice so your schedule remains flexible. We also welcome instrumentalists of all kinds in this group. If you are interested, please call Marc at 440-946-0887. We will be having our special “season opener” wine and cheese social on Thursday, September 8 th at 7:00 p.m. Plan to join us for refreshments and stay to join us in music making. We look forward to having you with us!

TAKE SOME OF ST. NOEL HOME WITH YOU! The following items are available for purchase in the narthex after Mass and can be purchased during the week in the Church Office. The Noel Music Ministry has released their first CD and it is now available! This beautiful recording entitled “How Can We Keep From Singing?” features the St. Noel Choir, Chamber Singers, and Handbell Choir and includes music from every liturgical season so you can celebrate throughout the year. Prices are $15 for 1 CD, 2 for $25, 3 for $35, and $10 each for orders of four or more. They're great for Christmas gift-giving, too. Proceeds benefit the St. Noel Music Ministry Tour Fund.

Beautiful notecards displaying drawings from our church Tour Book are also available. The cost is $5 for a pack of ten cards and proceeds benefit our partnership with “Women and Community” of Zaragoza, El Salvador.

ST.NOEL CONCERT SERIES presents “How Can We Keep from Singing?” an afternoon of beautiful music featuring the St. Noel Choir, Chamber Singers, and Handbell Choir. This concert will feature music from our new CD as well as some additional favorites from every season of the liturgical year. Come celebrate God's wonderful gift of music with us on Sunday, September 18 th at 4:00 in the church. The concert is free. A free-will offering will be taken to support the Music Ministry Tour Fund. We look forward to seeing you there!

NOEL MOVERS – The moving business is booming!! Hundreds of people have received couches, beds, appliances and more. Did you know the Noel Movers are totally self-supported?? We're always looking for generous donors to help pay for fuel and maintenance. We're also looking for space to store furniture. Call Anthony if you can help. Do you have furniture, mattresses, etc in good condition? Call the Noel Movers to arrange pickup (946-1128 x20).

YOUTH MINISTRY – Both the junior high youth group and PRIME TIME will use the GIFT sessions as part of their regular gatherings. If you haven't registered for GIFT, get on board soon. GIFT will be an important component to the faith formation of our teens. Look for youth group information in the mail over the next 2 weeks!

ST. NOEL FELLOWSHIP The activities for the month of September are as follows: September 1 st – games of choice.; September 8 th – reverse raffle; September 15 th – bingo; September 22 nd - brunch. The menu is scrambled eggs, breakfast potato, cheese blintzes, french toast, sausage patties and fresh fruit. The cost is $6 and the deadline for tickets is September 16 th . Call Lannie for tickets (440-942-6554); September 30 th – celebrate anniversaries and birthdays. Please bring a food item for the food bank. All Meetings are held at Noon every Thursday in the small hall and everyone is welcome.

HARVEST FOR THE HUNGRY – If you've been blessed with an abundant vegetable garden, please consider sharing the wealth. Bring your bounty to the St. Noel coatroom by 5:00 on Friday evening during harvest season and it will be delivered to St. Augustine's Hunger Center. Please be sure to call Howard or Nancy (440-975-9753) if you drop off anything, otherwise it will not be picked up and may rot. If leaving items early in the week, mark with St. Augustine Hunger Center, and put in the refrigerator in the kitchenette (and leave a message for Howard).

WANT TO EXPLORE BECOMING A CATHOLIC?   Join us for our next RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) Inquiry session on August 30 th in the Resurrection Room 1 & 2 at 7 p.m.  Please call Alice Hinkel at 440-946-0887 to register if you have not attended before. 

NEWS FROM EL SALVADOR – We have a report from “Women and Community – Mujer y Comunidad,” our partnership with the women in El Salvador who are operating a small business to help sustain themselves and their families. The report is in a pocket in the Social Concerns section of the kiosk on gold paper. Please take a copy. As you will see they are engaged in many activities to help improve the

quality of their lives.

JUSTFAITH - Don't forget the Information and Registration gatherings for JustFaith scheduled for the Resurrection Room on the following dates and times: Saturday, August 27 th at 6:15 p.m. ; Sunday, August 28 th at 12:15 p.m. and Thursday, September 1 st at 7:30 p.m. Come and hear more about this very spiritually enriching process and the challenge to live more fully Christ's Gospel.

HEALTH CARE TASK FORCE – After a bit of a hiatus, our Health Care Task Force will be resuming its work. Our next meeting will be Monday evening September 12 th at 7 p.m. We will gather in the Resurrection Room. Any interested parishioners are invited to join us! The Bishops of the United States remind us, “Every member of the human family has the right to life and to the means that are suitable for the full development of life. This is why we insist that every human being has the right to quality health services, regardless of age, income, illness, or condition of life.”

THANK YOU! On behalf of the refugees that will soon be arriving in our Diocese we want to thank you for your generous donation of items to our August Anniversary Shower. We filled several vans with all that was collected. We are grateful for your willingness to share God's blessings to you with others!

ST NOEL PLAYROOM will be available during the 9:00 a.m. Liturgy to children 4 years old and under, beginning September 18 th . Parent and youth volunteers will watch your child while you attend Mass or you are welcome to stay with your child. If you have any questions, please call Kristi Ward at 216-261-7044.

2005 OHIO YOUNG ADULT CONFERENCE - Women and men in their 20's and 30's, single and married are invited to the Conference on Saturday, October 15 th at Baldwin-Wallace College. For details check out www.ohioyoungadultministry.com or call Mark Delsander at 216 334-1261 x 25.

A WEEKEND FOR DIVORCED, SEPARATED AND WIDOWED - Divorced, separated and widowed men and women of all ages are encouraged to attend a weekend designed for those who wish to let go of a painful past and create a more peace-filled future. Presented by people who have “been there” and offer their support. The next BEGINNING EXPERIENCE Weekend will be held on October 7 th , 8 th , and 9 th at St. Joseph Christian Life Center in Cleveland. Call Frank at 440-473-0457 or Jan at 440-808-9879.

POST-ABORTION HEALING RETREAT – The Bethesda House of Mercy will be sponsoring a post abortion healing retreat October 14-16, 2005. Please check the kiosk for more details. We ask everyone to pray for women and men who are hurting after an abortion that they might experience God's healing and forgiving love. As a faith community we uphold the dignity and value of every human life, womb to tomb. It is also good to remember that nothing can separate us from the love of God poured out in Christ Jesus.

SOWERS OF JUSTICE – The Diocesan Commission on Social Action is offering a 5-week course this fall on Catholic Social Teaching. The series will be held on Tuesday evenings beginning September 27 th , from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Center for Pastoral Leadership in Wickliffe. The topics will include: the spirituality of justice and major themes of Catholic social teaching; moving from conversion to action; solidarity; building social justice involvement in the parish; and strategic planning. If you are interested in attending, please call Alice Hinkel at the parish office (440-946-0887). Deadline for registration is September 18 th .

ST. AUGUSTINE CENTER friends are hosting the first St. Augustine Center Golf and Clambake outing on Wednesday, September 21 st at Gray Hawk Golf Club in LaGrange. There will be a silent auction and donations are needed. No gift is too small! Items may be dropped off at St. Augustine Church or may be picked up by calling St. Augustine (216-781-5530). Your tax- deductible gift will mean a great deal to a great many people.

HOSPICE- Hospice of the Cleveland Clinic is looking for special people to provide compassionate support to patients. We offer training, in-services, recognition, volunteer newsletters, camaraderie, and a sense of accomplishment for helping someone in need. The next training begins in September. For an interview, please call Ann Catanese at 216-636-8666.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE – Catholic Charities Services of Lake County is seeking volunteers to serve as Volunteer Visitors for the Lake County Probate Court. As a volunteer, you will spend time with individuals who have had a guardian appointed and act as an extra set of “eyes and ears” for the Court. Full training will be provided. An informational meeting is being held at St. Noel's on Tuesday, September 6 at 7 p.m. Please plan to attend to learn how your time can make a difference. If you have any questions, please call Sally DeLong at Catholic Charities (440) 352-6191.

25 th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

Sincere thanks to all who joined in the festivities of our parish 25 th Anniversary celebration last weekend. . . what a party! A “BIG” thank you for the Anniversary Celebration TEAM that has been working on the event since July 2004; each of you are part of the fabric that makes St. Noel into a beautiful tapestry.

•  Sr. Kathleen's reflection from the Sunday Evening Prayer Service will be on our web page next week www.stnoel.org.

•  Check out the candid photos of the day on the continuous CD playing in the narthex after Masses this weekend or log on to www.stnoel.org.

•  The Resurrection Room displays remain in tact. If you did not have the chance to walk through the early years of St. Noel or you want to see the memorabilia again, the room will be available after Masses this weekend.

•  If you did not pick up your copy of a “Prayerful Tour of St. Noel” (one per family please) or your Parish Pictorial Directory, they are available in the Resurrection Room.

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