Week of September 17, 2006

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Archive of Weekly Bulletins

Dear Parishioner,

I am happy to announce that our new Bishop, Richard Lennon, has accepted our invitation to visit St. Noel. The bishop has expressed his desire to visit all the parishes of our diocese within the next two years. We had originally hoped to arrange a visit on a weekend, but those dates were already booked well into 2007. Therefore, the bishop will join us on Tuesday, November 7 th . There will be a Eucharistic Liturgy at 7:30 p.m. followed by a parish reception for the bishop in our Banquet Center.

As someone who was personally unacquainted with Cleveland, it is extremely important for Bishop Lennon to visit the parishes of our diocese. It is also important for us. Bishop Lennon will be guiding our diocese for years to come and making decisions which will shape our future. This is a wonderful and important opportunity for us to share the vitality and commitment which is characteristic of St. Noel. I am excited to have the bishop here at St. Noel and I know you are too. Although coming out on a week night may be a special sacrifice for families with children, it is important that children be present as we gather. I would like the bishop to experience the full range of parishioners both young and old who call St. Noel their home.

Please mark your calendars and plan to join us on November 7 th (it is Election Day –so vote early.) Let us join together to worship with our new bishop and afterwards personally welcome him to our diocese and to our parish.

                                           Fr. George Smiga

CONGRATULATIONS TO our parishioner John Slattery who was inducted as a Peace Corps Volunteer this month in Mauritania, a country in western Africa. He will work in business development among the citizens of Maghama, a small village along the Senegal River.

OUR HEALTH CARE FAIR is coming in November!  Our spirits, minds AND bodies are gifts from God and we are called to treat them well.  With that in mind our Health Care Task Force is planning a Health Care Fair after all the Masses on the weekend of November 18 th and 19 th .  Many more details will be available in the coming weeks.  At this time we are looking for some help and are wondering specifically if there are any nutritionists, pharmacists or respiratory therapists in the parish who would like to participate?  If you would like to help please call Alice Hinkel at 440-946-0887 for details.  Thank you!

ALTAR LINEN LAUNDRY – We are in need of additional volunteers to launder and iron the altar linens. You would be scheduled once every two months. Please call the parish office at 440-946-0887 for additional information.

SOCIAL JUSTICE/ST. AUGUSTINE- On September 24 th our volunteers will be serving the meal at the St. Augustine Hunger Center. There is a sign-up sheet on the kiosk if you are able to lend a hand. After all the Masses on September 23 rd & September 24 th , we will be collecting for our Social Justice fund. Also, if anyone would like to bake cookies please bring the cookies with you when you come to volunteer at the Hunger Center or they can be dropped off at church before Mass on Saturday. Please put the cookies in the Nativity Room (formerly the nursery) on the counter and mark them St. Augustine.

SOCIAL JUSTICE FUND – In August we collected $461.00. Our expenses for August were:

We thank you for your support.

THANK YOU!   On behalf of the many clients we serve through our food pantry, we want to express our gratitude for your generous donations last weekend.  If you were not here last weekend or forgot your items, they may be placed in the bin in the food pantry area at any time.  Once again, thank you!

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 Thursday evenings beginning October 5 th from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. here at St. Noel in the Banquet Center Large Hall. 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 28 th .

COUNCIL ON AGING – A directory outlining the services of the Lake County Council on Aging can be found in the Social Justice section of the kiosk.

VOTER REGISTRATION – As Catholic Christians our bishops encourage us to participate in the political life of our communities by voting.  Materials for registering to vote, whether you are registering for the first time, have changed your address, or have married and have a new name, are available on the table in the Narthex.  The deadline for registering is October 10, 2006 if you wish to vote in the November election.  Materials for requesting an absentee ballot are also available.

“FAITH IN ACTION ” Looking for a concrete way to live out your faith and the command to love our neighbor as ourselves?  Here is an opportunity!  Faith in Action is an outreach program to frail elderly persons or disabled persons of our area.  Volunteers are recruited to help these people remain independent through friendly visiting, transportation to appointments, help with errands, light meal preparation and occasional respite care for family members caring for relatives in their homes.  St. Noel recently became a coalition member to Faith In Action.  The director of the program is Dr. Maita Jarkewicz, our parishioner.  Maita will be in the narthex after all Masses on September 23 & 24 to speak with you directly about Faith In Action and to facilitate your signing up to be a volunteer.  On Thursday evening, October 5, 2006 from 7 to 9 p.m. Maita will be conducting volunteer training here at St. Noel.  Please pray about and consider this invitation to make the Gospel come alive for those in our midst who are in need of these services. 

SOCIAL JUSTICE FIELD TRIP - Crown Point Ecology Center -Anyone interested in joining us for this field trip should arrive at St. Noel on Saturday, September 23 at 8:45 a.m. We will car pool from St. Noel to Crown Point. The fee will be $5.00 per person. We may bring brown bag lunches which should be marked with your names. Coffee and water will be provided. We are asked to please take our refuse with us when we depart. We should leave Crown Point for St. Noel sometime after lunch. See you on the 23rd."

ST. AUGUSTINE CENTER BENEFIT DINNER , Thursday, November 16, 2006. Save the date for another great evening (5:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.) The menu will be salad and rolls, roast pork and Hawaiian chicken, redskin potatoes, vegetable, and dessert, served “family style” for only $13.00 per person. We will have a Silent Auction and several other surprises.

We are in the process of collecting items for the auction and locating sponsors for the evening. If you want to donate an item for auction, please call Jim Klements at 440-442-2744. To ensure recognition in the auction program all donations must be received by November 9 th . You will receive a letter and dinner reservation form in the mail early in October.

PARISH RETREAT - will be held on Wednesday, October 4th from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. The retreat theme will be “Music: Gateway to Contemplation.” The retreat will be facilitated by Sister Janet Moor, OSU. Sign up is on the kiosk. (A $5.00 donation is suggested for the lunch). Eucharistic Adoration will be at 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. in the Nativity Room.

EARLY BIRD DRAWING, REGISTER SOON! There will be a drawing for a GIFT basket at each of the opening GIFT sessions for those registered on or before September 17. Each person registered for either the Wednesday or Sunday sessions (Sept. 27 or October 1) will be entered into a drawing for a basket of interesting items. The September session is titled: Making Room at the Table: Solidarity With the Stranger . Adults will check out some of their own ideas against the reality presented by a panel of people with first-hand experience. Through scripture, stories, and fun activities, children will come to see how much we are like the stranger. Register now!!

SPIRITUAL READING GROUP will meet in the Nativity Room at 7:30 on Oct. 10 to discuss Practicing the Presence by Joel Goldsmith.  On Nov. 14th we will meet to discuss The Active Life :  Wisdom for Work, Creativity and Caring by Parker Palmer.  For further information contact the parish office at 440-946-0887.

WOMEN'S BIBLE STUDY needs a babysitter on Tuesday mornings from 9:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Please call Anthony Camino at 440-946-1128 if interested.

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 Resurrection Room on Thursday, September 21st through October 26th; 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.

ADULT & YOUTH VOLUNTEERS are needed to help out in the playroom during the 9:00 a.m. Mass on Sunday mornings. If you are able to help please call the parish office at 440-946-0887.

ST. NOEL PLAYROOM will be available during the 9:00 a.m. Liturgy to children 4 years old and under, beginning September 10 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 the parish office (440-946-0887).

ST. NOEL FELLOWSHIP -The activities for the month of September are as follows: September 21 st Socializing, meeting and at 12:30 p.m. we will have a luncheon of Roast Pork, mashed potatoes, green beans, salad, rolls & butter, and apple pie. The cost is $6.00 for members and $8.00 for guests. Deadline for ticket and payment is September 18 th . September 28 th -We will celebrate birthdays and anniversaries. Please remember to bring your food donation for the food pantry to this meeting. Everyone is welcome to attend Senior Fellowship.

Are you in your 20s or 30s? Do you want to learn more about your Catholic faith through reflection and faith sharing with others your age? Then join our six-week Faith Formation Series beginning Monday, October 9 at St. Noel's in Willoughby Hills (East Side) or St. Charles in Parma (West Side).  For more information, please pick up a brochure in the kiosk or call Mary Ellen Ewers-Pena at 216.334.1261 x24 or meepena@clevelandcatholiccharities.org

ATTENTION JUNIORS & SENIORS – Ever thought about serving as a Eucharistic Minister at Mass? Training is coming up in October, and you can be a part of it. Please contact Anthony if you're interested in being trained as a Eucharistic Minister. It's a great way to deepen your faith and serve the parish.

NOEL MOVERS – The movers continue to pick up and deliver furniture at no cost. Thanks to all who have donated to support this ministry. Please call Anthony to arrange for pick up or to help in the furniture ministry. We are currently forming two-person crews to pick up and deliver furniture. Contact Anthony for more info.

PRIME TIME – IT'S TIME!!! – We're starting on Sunday, September 24 th with an awesome bonfire at the home of Matt Kucmanic. Prime Time has been active for over 10 years and it's your chance to get involved, deepen your faith and make some new friends. We'll start at 7:00pm and go until 9:00pm. Matt lives right behind the Church at 35025 Dixon Road. Check your email and/or www.stnoel.org for more details. Don't forget to sign up for GIFT!!

JUNIOR HIGH YOUTH GROUP – all 6-8 students are invited to join the Jr high youth group. We meet twice a month – once with GIFT and once by ourselves. The cost is only $20 for the entire year (this pays for your bible and food!). Registration forms are in the kiosk. Junior High Youth Group is a great way to explore your faith! GIFT – and youth group – begin at the end of the month!!

CLAMBAKE – The awesome PRIME TIME Clambake is scheduled for Sunday, October 15 th in the large hall from 12:00-2:30pm. Flyers are in the kiosk and tickets go on sale at the beginning of October. If you like delicious clams and a great meal, THIS IS THE CLAMBAKE FOR YOU!! All proceeds support the youth ministry of St. Noel Church.

THE CATHOLIC CHURCHES OF LAKE/GEAUGA COUNTY FOR THE DIVORCED AND SEPARATED invite you to -“The Road to Healing: Finding Hope” - It's hard to know how to help yourself or someone who is going through a divorce. It takes a long time and a lot of work to heal the pain that comes with the breakup of a marriage. The Catholic Churches of Lake and Geauga counties invite you to an informational meeting on the legal, financial, and psychological issues surrounding separation and divorce. This two hour session is open to all who want to learn more about what the twenty churches in the area offer to those newly separated and divorced their families, and their friends. All are welcome! Join us on September 20 th , 2006 from 7:00-9:00 pm at St. Noel Church, 35200 Chardon Road, Willoughby, Ohio. To register or for more information, kindly call Karen at 440-352-8282.

THE CATHOLIC CHURCHES OF LAKE/GEAUGA COUNTY FOR THE DIVORCED AND SEPARATED would like you to join them for an 8-week support group for divorced and separated Catholics beginning Wednesday, September 27 th at St. Anselm Church, 12969 Chillicothe Rd., Chesterland, from 7 pm to 9 pm. Sessions are designed to provide direction and faith-based support along with tools to help you grow through your divorce. For more information or to register, please call Catholic Charities at 440-352-6191 or 1-800-242-9755.

ADOPTION INFORMATION MEETING – Anyone interested in learning about International Adoption is invited to an information meeting on Thursday, September 21 st at 7:00 p.m. here at St. Noel in Resurrection Room #1.

ENTERTAINMENT BOOKS 2006 are available 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. Please make all checks payable to Paula Garbo.

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