| Week
of September 2, 2007
Weekly
Readings
Quick
View of Meetings for the Week
Archive
of Weekly Bulletins
Dear
Parishioner,
It
is clear from the first chapter of Genesis forward, that God has
entrusted us human beings with the care of creation. John Paul II,
in The Ecological Crisis: A Common Responsibility ,
underscores this truth when he says, “Respect for life and for the
dignity of the human person also extends to the rest of creation,
which is called to join humankind in praising God.”
How
might we here at St. Noel foster our love and care for God's handiwork
and promote a sense of being in right relationship with all of creation?
Members of our Social Justice Ministry and Justfaith groups have
some ideas. To learn more they are inviting us to attend a gathering
entitled, “God Sees It, and Still Says It Is Good,” on Sunday, September
30, 2007 from 5-7:30 p.m. in our Banquet Center/small hall. The
evening is open to all in the parish, including children (special
breakout session for them), and will begin with a potluck supper
– bring a dish to share and your own place settings please to reduce
the use of disposables. After supper we will tour our property and
become more familiar with what God has created right here at 35200
Chardon Rd., view a video, have some discussion, pray, share plans
and ideas for future gatherings, and much more. Please sign up on
the kiosk with the number in your family attending so we can adequately
prepare the space, beverages and handouts.
The
sun rises each day and no bill is sent for sunshine. The seasons
flow, one into another, without any prompting from us or our calendars.
May we always marvel at these wonders and all aspects of creation,
giving thanks to our generous God! Hope to see you on the 30 th
!
Fr.
George Smiga
REFLECTIONS
ON PEACE – When you
give a dinner or banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers
or your kinsman or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in
return, and you be repaid. But when your give a feast, invite beggars
and the crippled, the lame and the blind. You should be pleased
that they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid in the resurrection
of the just.
Luke
14:12-14
Do
I practice “pay it forward” by giving and not expecting in return?
What does my circle of friends say about me? When I look around
my community, who is welcomed? The more we see on another as family,
the more we will attain peace among us. Booklets for our 40 days
of praying, fasting and acting for peace still available on the
table in the narthex.
“PRAY
FOR PEACE” SIGNS –
Yard signs which say, “Pray for Peace and Nonviolence” are available
for $5.00 from the Catholic Commission. Call 330-535-2787
to order.
EUCHARISTIC
ADORATION
– Monday September 3, 2007 is Labor Day and because of the holiday
there will be no Eucharistic Adoration.
REMINDER
– Monday, September
3 rd , is Labor Day and the 9:00 a.m. Liturgy will
be in Outdoor Chapel – weather permitting.
OOPS!
– We neglected to recognize
one of our youth helpers at VBS this year. Erin McNulty helped in
Interest Builders and Bible Stories. Thank you, Erin!
SAVE
THE DATE - St. Augustine
Hunger Center Benefit Dinner will be held on Thursday, November
15, 2007, here at St. Noel. Watch the bulletin for further details.
BLANKET
SUNDAY COMING SOON – The
weekend of October 13 th & 14 th marks the Twentieth Annual
Blanket Sunday Collection to aid the needy.
THE
ELIZABETH MINISTRY'S “ELIZABETH'S ROSES”
- will be available in the narthex following all Masses on the weekend
of September 8-9, 2007. 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 on the Elizabeth Ministry,
click on “Caring Ministries.”
BAPTISM
DAY – will be held
on Sunday, September 23 rd from 12:15-3:30 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.
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
on Thursday evenings from October 4, 2007 through November 8, 2007
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.
WOMEN'S
BIBLE STUDY will begin on Tuesday,
September 18 th , from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. For more information,
please call the parish office at 440-946-0887.
THE
CLEVELAND ECUMENICAL INSTITUTE FOR RELIGIOUS STUDIES
– Brochures and registration listing speakers, dates, times and
places can be found in the kiosk.
“
REVIVING OUR SPIRITS:” Transforming
Our Politics – Part conference, part retreat, part nurturing,
part networking, part listening, part sharing, this gathering will
be taking place October 19-21, 2007 in downtown Cleveland.
Keynote speakers include Jim Wallis of Sojourners, Fr. Richard Rohr,
and Naomi Tutu, civil rights activist and daughter of Archbishop
Desmond Tutu. Brochures and further information available
on the Social Justice Ministry section of the kiosk. There
are several different registration options, for individuals, groups,
and those 30-and-under. Scholarships are also available. Early bird
registration ends on September 17 th . To register online, visit
www.cacradicalgrace.org
.
LOAVES
& LETTERS – Plan
on attending our next “Loaves and Letters” gathering on Friday,
September 21, 2007 at 6:30 p.m. in the Resurrection Room.
We will be writing letters in keeping with our 40 days of praying,
fasting and acting on behalf of peace. We will begin with
a light supper of soup and bread. Sign up on the kiosk please.
ATTENTION
FAMILIES OF CHILDREN ENTERING SECOND GRADE THIS FALL– Plan
to attend a Confirmation/Communion information meeting following
the 11:00 Mass on either Sunday, September 9 th or 16 th . A detailed
letter has been mailed, but if you did not receive one please call
440-946-1128 X 21 to register your child.
GOOD
NEWS FOR THE GOOD SHEPHERD PROGRAM - With some rearranging
and generous volunteers, we will be able to resume both sessions
of Good shepherd on Sundays. Children ages 3-6 will be able to attend
Good Shepherd from 8:45-10:15 or 10:45-12:15. Registration is necessary
and we ask that you commit to one time or the other. Forms are available
in the office or call Marianne Slattery at 440-946-1128 x 21.
GET
OUT OF THE SHOWER - Have you been keeping your singing
all to yourself? Why not share your talents with the community
of St. Noel by joining our music ministry? Our choir is about
to start preparing our repertoire for Christmas so this is the perfect
time to join us in singing our praises to God . The
choir is open to anyone who loves to sing and can carry a tune.
We rehearse on Thursday evenings from 7:00 to 9:00.
Members attend
the weekend liturgy of their choice so you can maintain a flexible
weekend schedule. We will have our "season opener"
wine and cheese rehearsal on Thursday, Sept. 6 at 7:00. If
you are interested in becoming a part of this very special ministry,
please call Marc at 440-946-0887.
Something to think about from the St. Noel Endowment Fund ……
Cleaning
out Closets? Make sure your donations qualify for a charitable deduction.
If you have been putting clothing
in the bin for St. Augustine 's or give to other charities like
Goodwill, etc, the charitable deduction rules have changed. The
charitable contribution will only be allowed if the item is in good
used condition, or better, and you have a receipt. We will be making
receipts available where food and clothing donations are left. DO
not make the value of items you donate for that $500, since other
rules on those types of gifts now apply.
ST.
NOEL FELLOWSHIP – meets every Thursday
afternoon at noon in the Banquet Center. Everyone is welcome to
attend the Senior Fellowship on Thursdays.
BLOOD
DRIVE – Our next blood
drive is scheduled for Sunday, September 23 rd from 8-1pm .
Please check the table in the narthex for signup. Those who donated
in July are welcome to donate again. The American Red Cross is grateful
for the effort of St. Noel Church and looks forward to 4-5 blood
drives during 2007-2008. We are in need of volunteers to work the
welcome table at the blood drive. Please call Anthony (946-1128
x20) if you can help.
PRIME
TIME - Our first gathering
of the year is Sunday, September 16 th at 7:00pm in the Teen Center!!
Have you signed up for GIFT?? Box City and CropWalk will be awesome
events - check the kiosk for more information. There's still time
for CropWalk. If you haven't tried PRIME TIME, now's the time to
start!! The group is open to all 9-12 grade students.
CLAMBAKE
– The incredible PRIME
TIME clambake is set for October 7 th . Chef Randy and friends will
again present the best bake around – mark your calendars now!!
JUNIOR
HIGH YOUTH GROUP – Parents
and 6-8 graders are invited to Campbell Park on Sunday, September
23 rd for our first ever middle school kick-off picnic!! Look for
info in your mailbox this week! Keep October 13 th available for
a Halloween Hayride at the FarmPark.
CHEF
RANDY NEEDS YOUR HELP!!!! St.
Noel Banquet Center is currently booking the large and small halls
for the remainder of 2007 and also for 2008 & 2009. There are
still dates available for any size function between 50 and 400 people
later this year. Whether it is an anniversary, baby or wedding shower,
fund raiser, wedding or a Christmas party for family or a business,
St. Noel Banquet Center will not leave you disappointed. Please
remember to continue recommending the Banquet Center to your family
and friends. To check availability please call us at 440-946-6635
or visit us at stnoelbanquetcenter.com.
DIVORCED
AND SEPARATED
-- “Is Happiness Possible after Divorce? You Can't Walk on Water
if You Don't Get Out of the Boat!” The answer is “YES!” Join Fr.
Steve Dohner, MA PhD, on Tuesday, September 18 th from 7:00-9:00
pm at St. Noel Church, 35200 Chardon Road, Willoughby Hills, who
believes there is happiness after divorce if you want it, believe
it, and are willing to work to make it a reality. Find out how!
To register or for more information, kindly call Karen at 440-352-8282.
DIVORCE
RECOVERY FOR CATHOLICS -
an 8-week support group program designed to meet the needs of those
who are divorced or separated will begin Thursday, September 27,
2007, at St. Anselm Church, 12969 Chillicothe Rd., Chesterland,
from 7 pm to 9 pm. Sessions are designed to offer direction, support,
and the tools for coping with this life-changing experience. For
more information or to register, please call Catholic Charities
at 352-6191 or 1-800-242-9755.
ALWAYS
OUR CHILDREN
-The parents support group for families and friends of gay and lesbian
Catholics welcomes you to join us at our next meeting, Sunday, September
9, 2007, 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.
Quick
View of Meetings for the Week
BACK
TO TOP
If
you have questions concerning any information contained on the Saint
Noel Parish Web site, contact us.
Our staff will answer your questions or forward you to the appropriate
individual or group. |
