Week of August 29, 2004

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Dear Parishioner,

Each year as winter approaches we join parishes throughout our diocese for Blanket Sunday. Many people of our area who are homeless or struggle financially depend upon your generosity to deal with the cold of the upcoming months.

Blanket Sunday will take place on the weekend of September 25 th and 26 th . Your cash or check donation will allow St. Vincent DePaul Society of our diocese to purchase new items in bulk for reduced prices to serve families, children, elderly, homeless and other needy individuals in our metropolitan area. Or if you prefer, when you come to Mass that weekend, you may bring new or like-new blankets, sheets, pillowcases, towels and washcloths to church with you.

On the same weekend, we collect slightly worn men's, women's, and children's winter coats, hats, mittens, gloves and scarves in good, clean condition. These items will be distributed to individuals in the area of the St. Augustine Hunger Center.

If you can assist in collecting these items after any of the Masses on September 25 th /26 th , please sign up on the volunteer sheet on the kiosk.

It is easy for us to take our lives for granted. When the cold sets in we have to decide which coat to wear, but there are some in our area who must decide how to stay warm. Please use the opportunity of Blanket Sunday to reach out to those whose material blessings are so much less than our own.

Fr. George Smiga

REMINDER - our Wednesday evening liturgy will resume on September 1 st at 6:45 p.m.

PICTURE DIRECTORY - . Starting this weekend (August 28 th /29 th ) and for the next two weekends after all Masses, we are asking you to sign up in the Nativity Room for a time to come to St. Noel with your family to pose for a portrait. There will be a variety of times in September and October to have your portrait taken. Busson Portrait Directories is providing this service. There is no cost to you or to the parish. Every household which participates will receive a free Parish directory and a free 8 x 10 portrait of the pose you choose for the directory. You will, of course, be able to purchase additional portraits but there is no obligation to do so. Also, you will be able to select your pose immediately after the pictures are taken. Therefore, your participation will require only one trip to St. Noel.

All registered parishioners will have their name and address included in the directory. We will include published phone numbers and not include unlisted numbers. If you wish to omit a published phone number or include an unlisted number in the directory please call the parish office at 440-946-0887.

BAPTISM DAY will be held on Sunday, September 19, 2004, 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.

SIGNED LITURGY- On Sunday, September 5th Mary Smith 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.

“JUST WHAT DOES THE LORD REQUIRE?”

On Sunday, September 12, 2004 Fr. George will be offering an afternoon of reflection on the Scriptural call to justice.  We will begin at 12:30 p.m. with a light lunch and conclude by 4 p.m. In addition to Fr. George's presentation there will be time for quiet reflection, group discussion and of course prayer.  A free will offering will be taken up to defray the cost of lunch.  All are welcome to come and learn how God invites and empowers us to be builders of God's Reign here on earth.  Please sign-up on the kiosk! 

JUSTFAITH INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION  - Don't forget that registration for the JustFaith course is this week: August 28th at 6:15 p.m., August 29 at 12:15 p.m. or September 2 nd at 7 p.m.  We will gather in the Resurrection Room. A $25.00 deposit will be required at the time you turn in your registration form and the deadline for turning in your deposit and form with be September 5 th – NO registrations will be accepted after that date because books must be ordered . 

DO YOU HEAR THE MUSIC CALLING? If you have ever considered joining the St. Noel Music Ministry, now is the time. We are about to begin rehearsal of our 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 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 and/or come to a Thursday rehearsal. We will be having our special “season opener” wine and cheese social on Thursday, September 2 nd at 7 p.m. Plan to join us for refreshments and stay to join us in music making. We look forward to having you with us!

GOT VEGETABLES? Does your garden runneth over? Consider donating your overabundance to the St. Augustine Hunger Center. Bring your produce to St. Noel by Friday of each week in August. There is a box on the bench across from the food & clothing drop off for your produce. It will be delivered to the Center by a member of the Social Concerns committee. If you have questions, please call the parish office at 440-946-0887.

VOLUNTEERS are needed to wash the altar linens. If you are interested, please call the parish office at 440-946-0887. You will be scheduled once a month.

FAITHFUL CITIZENSHIP – Every four years our Bishops issue a document entitled “Faithful Citizenship” which addresses the Catholic perspective on the elections and public policy. Here is this week's quote from that document: “All believers are called to faithful citizenship to become informed, active and responsible participants in the political process”. Politics in this election year and beyond should be about an old idea with new power-the common good. How can “we” all of us, especially the weak and vulnerable, be better off in the years ahead? How can we pursue greater justice and peace? Using our voic es and votes we should strive to defend all life, advance justice, pursue peace and find a place at the table for All God's children.

PRAYING THE BORDERS DOWN ! - Diocesan Council on Global Solidarity presents an evening of song, story and prayer by Barb Ballenger formerly of “Beacon Street,” now with Catholic Relief Services. The program will be on September 18 th from 6:30 p.m. till 8:30 p.m. at Gesu Parish, 2470 Miramar Blvd., University Heights. The cost will be $5.00. There will be a desert buffet and beverages will be provided. For more information/reservations please call 440-245-5043.

PSR REGISTRATION – Families new to the parish or wishing to register a 1 st -6 th grader for the 2004-2005 PSR year may call Michele at 440-946-1128, ext. 23. Leave your name, address, and phone number and we will mail your registration packet.

LOOKING FOR A CHANCE TO GAIN FRIENDSHIPS AND SPIRITUALITY…the Ladies Bible Study and Fellowship could be your answer: Our diverse group of ladies will begin meeting again on Tuesday, September 14 th from 9:30-11:00 a.m. in the basement meeting room. These ladies share friendship and faith and depend on women of all ages to share a willingness to explore the Bible. No experience necessary. We would like to extend an invitation to women of all ages to join our weekly study and fellowship. Free childcare is provided during the study. We hope you will consider visiting with us. For more information please contact Anthony Camino at 44-946-1128 x 20.

ST. NOEL FELLOWSHIP – meets every Thursday in the small hall. Everyone is welcome to attend the Senior Fellowship on Thursdays.

NOEL MOVERS – We are in need of beds, dressers, loveseats, stoves, refrigerators and all useable furniture. Please call Anthony (946-1128) if you have an item to donate. All items must be in working condition; no repairs can be made on furniture items.

CLAMBAKE – the annual PRIME TIME Clambake is Sunday, September 19 th from 12:00 – 2:30pm. Tickets go on sale the weekend of September 4 th . This is our biggest fundraiser of the year, and the best clambake around. All proceeds benefit St. Noel Youth Ministry.

FOODBANK – We're heading to the Cleveland Foodbank on Tuesday, September 7 th . We leave the Church at 5:30pm. Please call Anthony if you would like to serve (440) 946-1128. ALSO!! – We're still looking for more people to serve with us. Sign the sheet on the kiosk if you are interested in serving.

SERVER TRAINING – On September 29 th and October 6 th we will train altar servers from 7:30-8:30pm in the Church. Servers must be in the 4 th grade or older and adults are encouraged to participate. Please sign the sheet on the kiosk if interested.

ADULT CONFIRMATION – please call Anthony (946-1128) if you are interested in celebrating the Sacrament of Confirmation in 2005. If you are a Catholic adult and have not participated in the Sacrament of Confirmation, preparation begins on September 20 th . Please call Anthony for more information.

JUNIOR HIGH YOUTH GROUP – registration forms are available in the kiosk. The group is open to all 7-8 th grade students. Get your form today and be a part of the JHYG!!

LOOKING FOR LAWN EQUIPMENT – The St. Joseph Christian Life Center and Lake Erie Lawn & Garden have teamed up for a huge sale on Sept. 13 & 14. See the kiosk for details.

FLYER FOR THE FALL QUARTER OF THE ECUMENICAL INSTITUTE FOR THE RELIGIOUS STUDIES - can be found in the kiosk. Here is an example of the kinds of programs offered: “Did Jesus Have to Die? A Study of Salvation Theologies,” with Dr. Natalie Kertes Weaver.

DIVORCE RECOVERY FOR CATHOLICS - The experience of separation and divorce is never easy. To help those in this process, the Catholic parishes in Lake and Geauga counties have developed an 8-week program that promotes emotional and sacramental healing, fosters support, independence, and empowerment. The program will begin on Wednesday, September 15 th , at St. Bede the Venerable Church, 9114 Lake Shore Blvd Mentor. For more information or to register, please call Catholic Charities at 440-352-6191 or 1-800-242-9755.

CAN YOU VOLUNTEER ONCE A WEEK TO SAVE A BABY'S LIFE? – Birthright, a pro-life pregnancy service is in urgent need of volunteers. Please consider volunteering at the Birthright office located at 960 East 185 th Street, Cleveland. Volunteer hours are 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. or 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Call Fran at 216-731-7133 or Bernice at 440-331-9239 for information and to arrange for your training.

CAN YOU HELP? A person needs to be driven to the Cleveland Clinic on a regular basis and is willing to compensate anyone who can help. Please call the parish office at 440-946-0887 if you can help.

POLL WORKERS NEEDED – There is a sign-up sheet on the kiosk for anyone in Lake County who might like to work at the polls on Election Day. If you are interested please provide the information requested. We will be sending in this sign-up sheet on August 31 st .

ENTERTAINMENT BOOKS 2005 will be available beginning this weekend (August 28 th /29 th) in the church office or by calling Paula Garbo at 440-942-4884. Cost of the book is $25.00 until December 1 st , then $30.00 after that date. All proceeds benefits mentally handicapped children. Also, Lake Catholic High School students are selling Entertainment Books 2005. The cost is $25.00 per book until December 1. After that date, the cost is $30.00. For more information please the school at 440-951-0077.

CATHOLIC UPDATE – entitled: “Nine Things That Make Us Catholic,” by Thomas H. Groome, is now available in the kiosk.

SISTERS OF THE HUMILITY OF MARY are celebrating their 150 th Anniversary and invite you to attend a liturgy and reception to thank all who have been and are a part of their ministry. The celebration will take place at Mt. Carmel Parish, 1200 East 21 st Street, Ashtabula on September 23 rd at 7:00 p.m.

THE SISTERS OF NOTRE DAME , 13000 Auburn Road, in Chardon invite you to their 42 nd Annual Chicken Barbecue/Boutique on Sunday September 19 th and 26 th from Noon until 5:00 p.m. Tickets are available at the door for $8.50.

CALLING ALL TEACHERS, STUDENTS AND ALL SCHOOL PERSONNEL – to a community rally on Sunday, August 29 th at 6:00 p.m. at Willoughby Point Park, at the gazebo. This rally is sponsored by local pastors who will offer prayers of support and encouragement at the beginning of a new school year.

ST. NOEL PARISH HALL REMINDER – We are currently booking weddings and any other events for 2005. If you or a friend may be in need of a catered event at St. Noel Parish Hall please pass the word or give us a call. There are also a few dates available on Sundays and some Saturdays for groups over 50 people and as large as 475 people. Remember, parishioners and their immediate families do get a discount. Please call 440-946-6635 with any inquiries.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO MAKE SOME MONEY AND HAVE FUN DOING IT? Chef Randy could use a few new dishwashers, male or female in the hall. You must be at least 14 years old. It would also be nice if you were able to work some Fridays during the high school football season. Please call the hall office at 440-946-0887.

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