Week of October 9, 2005

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Dear Parishioner,

Learning can take place in many settings, even at a boutique! The “Buy-Once-Give-Twice” Boutique returns on Saturday, November 5 th from 4:00-7:00 p.m., and Sunday, November 6 th , from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., in our small hall. At this event you will be able to learn about the people who will benefit from the sale of a wide variety of items, as well as purchase gifts for others or perhaps buy something for yourself.

There will be crafts from El Salvador (International Partners in Mission, and The Community of Oscar A. Romero) and other developing countries (Ten Thousand Villages). You can even buy a cow or a pig through the Heifer Project which will be given in your name, or the name of a person you designate, to a farmer in Africa. How about that for a unique Christmas gift for the person who has everything! If you are interested in something a little smaller we will be selling coffee to benefit the Inter-Religious Task Force, and organic salsa from Cleveland Botanical Gardens. Clothing will be on sale from Esperanza Threads, which is concerned about a just salary for textile workers and the impact the clothing industry has on the environment. New Life Community and The Cardinal's Nest will also be vendors.

The common factor in all the items for sale is that the proceeds will go to charitable efforts locally or internationally. The vendors who will participate have been carefully chosen so that the majority of the cost of the items are returned to those who produced them. For example, we will be selling Equal Exchange Coffee. The coffee is grown in the peasant co-operative of El Salvador, Peru, and Nicaragua. The majority of the price you pay for coffee in the United States stores enriches the distributors. Equal Exchange Coffee returns most of its profit back to the countries in which the coffee was grown. The farmers can then direct their profits toward a better education, health care and agriculture for their communities.

That is why we call it the “Buy-One-Give-Twice” Boutique. When you buy here, you not only buy something for yourself, but you also help someone else. This is a wonderful way to increase the buying power of your money.

One last way that you can support the boutique would be by volunteering to work at one of the tables. Sign up on the kiosk if you are available to help.

Fr. George Smiga

VICTIMS OF HURRICANE KATRINA – Anyone who would still like to donate to the Hurricane Relief Fund can do so by sending their donation directly to Catholic Charities USA, Hurricane Katrina, P. O. Box 25168, Alexandria, VA. 22313-9788. Please make check out to Catholic Charities USA .

CATHOLIC UPDATE – entitled “Raptured or Not?: A Catholic Understanding,” by Michael D. Guinan, OFM is available in the kiosk.

PRAYERS FOR PEACE – On Wednesday, October 19 th , in remembrance of the Feast Day of St. Noel, the parish's 25 th anniversary and the dedication of our peace pole, the “Let There Be Peace” Prayer Group will lead an evening prayer vigil for peace, beginning with Mass at 6:45 p.m. and concluding at midnight with the “May Peace Prevail” litany by candlelight. Throughout the evening there will be readings, songs, and time for quiet reflection. As part of our prayers, you are invited to write petitions for peace on forms located in the kiosk and place the petitions in the box in the narthex. Your petitions can be personal prayers for peace or perhaps might address general concerns for families, friends, jobs, the church, our nation, the world, etc. Please place all forms in the box no later than after 11:00 Mass on Sunday, October 16 th , and plan to join your fellow parishioners for all or part of the evening October 19 th to pray for peace.

SEVERAL THANK YOU'S! – On behalf of our food pantry clients we want to thank all of you who responded to our recent appeal for help. It is much appreciated! Our gratitude also goes out to all who supported our partnership with “Women and Community” in Zaragoza, El Salvador last weekend by purchasing their products and by making cash donations. Generosity is always a sign of God's presence in our midst!

THE FOOD IS FREE, A LETTER IS YOUR FEE! On Friday, October 14 th , the Social Concerns Commission presents the first LOAVES and LETTERS event. Come share a simple meal (soups and bread), then learn about a specific aspect of Social Justice. This time the focus will be hunger issues, and the organization Bread For The World. Then, you get to put this knowledge into concrete action by writing a letter to a federal official about the issue of hunger. All stationery, postage and sample letters will be provided. It will run from 6:30-8:30 p.m. and all ages are invited to participate. There will be age-appropriate instruction and activities for children. There is a sign-up list on the kiosk. Please register by Monday, October 10 th .

HEALING MINISTRY – Every one 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 the 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 you wish.

TODAY IS BLANKET SUNDAY – If you already dropped off your blankets and other items being collected for the needy – THANK YOU! If you forgot (or gave us everything last year), please consider a cash donation ($10 or whatever you can spare). The Diocesan St. Vincent DePaul Society will make your money go further with bulk purchases for use in our own metropolitan area. Stop by the table in the coatroom..

WOMEN'S PRAYER BREAKFAST – Welcome to our first breakfast of the year on Saturday, October 15 th from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. in the small hall. Join us as we read, write and release our energy towards spiritual growth. Our gifted presenters will be a panel of three St. Noel parishioners, Sharon Waltermire, Stephanie Griffith and Candice Minello. As always, we will enjoy a delicious breakfast and a time for conversation and quiet prayer. The suggested donation is $3.50. Please sign up on the kiosk by October 10 th .

CONFIRMATION – Any students in the third grade or above are invited to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation. (This is a separate preparation process from those candidates in second grade.) Those preparing for First Communion and Confirmation together do not have to register again.) Students in grades 6-12 may register with Anthony Camino (440-936-1128 x 20). Students in grades 3-5 may register with Marianne Slattery (440-946-1128 x 21). The first information/preparation session for grades 3-5 will be on Sunday, December 11 from 10:30 – noon . Parents are asked to attend with their child(ren). Please register for this session by Sunday, December 4 th .

HAVE AN AUDIENCE with not just one pope but four AND guest speaker, Dr. Joseph Kelly (of Da Vinci Code fame)! Join us at our next GIFT session on either Wednesday, October 26, 6:00-8:30 p.m. or Sunday, October 30, 12:30-3:00 p.m. We will begin with a meal, a 20-minute opening program, and then move into breakout groups. All adults will remain in the large hall for Dr. Kelly's presentation, and children will move to age-appropriate groups (please remember Wednesday's are geared for middle school students and Sundays for high school). All groups will receive further instruction on the topic: History, Gifts, and Challenges of the Papacy. If you have not already registered, please fill out a form at the GIFT table in the narthex or call 440-946-1128 x21.

THERE'S NO COMM NITY WITHOUT U – If you attended our last GIFT session, remember to use the items in your home kit. Be sure to send the St. Noel note card to someone you would like to invite to the next GIFT session. When you complete your household's “Saint Noel Yellow Page” put it in the binder on the GIFT table in the narthex. Extra pages are available for those who did not attend. We will return the photo you put on the “U” at the October 26/30 GIFT session.

CHECK OUT THE U – As we prepare to celebrate the Feast of St. Noel, take a look at the “U” in the narthex. Attached are photos of people who attended our last GIFT session and who know they are part of the Body of Christ. We are ALL part of the Body. Won't “U” consider being part of the next GIFT session?

NEW PARENTS GROUP – To parents of children age 3 and under. Please remember that the New Parents Ministry meets every Monday from 9:30-11:00 a.m. for fellowship for parents and to allow for socialization of our young children.

Young Adults in the City [20's and 30's] - On Sat. October 22, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, help St. Aloysius Parish (10932 St. Clair Ave.) in their food distribution program. Tasks include cleaning and re-packaging large quantity items such as potatoes and onions. Food items are then sorted and boxed for pick-up that morning. To register, please call Laura Whitkofski (home 216-228-9516) or e-mail to whitkofski@msn.com or pekelly@dioceseofcleveland.org. This event is sponsored by the Youth & Young Adult Ministry and CYO Office of the Diocese of Cleveland.

NOEL MOVERS – Did you know the Noel Movers are totally self-supported?? You can help us stay on the road with your donation. We're also in the market for a new(er) truck and more storage space. Call Anthony if you can help. We're in need of an apartment-size washer/dryer unit, mattresses, etc. in good condition? Call the Noel Movers to arrange pickup (946-1128 x20).

PRIME TIME – See you tonight (Sunday), October 9 th from 7-8:30pm in the Teen Center! All 9-12 grade students are welcome. If you missed GIFT, don't forget to sign up for the next session. PRIME TIME is a part of GIFT!! We have some great opportunities for you coming up – be a part of PRIME TIME!!

STEPHEN MINISTRY – Training for new Stephen Ministers will begin in January. You might be ready to serve in a ministry that quietly makes a difference in the lives of people experiencing difficult times. You will receive all the training and support you need to use the gifts God gave you. Our information night is scheduled for October 25 th – please mark your calendar. Call Anthony to learn about the Stephen Ministry.

JUNIOR HIGH YOUTH GROUP – Our first individual session is this Wednesday, October 12 th from 7-8:30 in the lower level. Bring your bibles!

SERVERS – We are in need of more servers at all Masses. Adults are welcome to be trained as servers!! Think about it… See the kiosk for more details.

WOMEN'S FELLOWSHIP & BIBLE STUDY – Women of all ages are invited to join our study group on Tuesdays from 9:30-11 a.m. We meet on the lower level 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.

ST. NOEL FELLOWSHIP - .The activities for the month of October are as follows: October 13 th – we will have horse racing; October 20 th – will be our monthly luncheon. The menu is tossed salad, chicken marsala , oven roasted redskin potatoes, green beans, carrots, rolls and butter and apple pie. The cost is $6.00. The deadline for tickets is October 14 th . Call Bertha for tickets at 440-481-9468 . October 27 th – we will 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. Parishioners (55 and over) are invited to join the St. Noel Fellowship group. Come and meet new people and enjoy the fellowship.

ST. AUGUSTINE CENTER BENEFIT DINNER Thursday, November 17, 2005. Save the date for another great evening ( 5:30-9:30 p.m. ). The cost will be $13.00 per person There will be a silent auction and several other surprises.

ENTERTAINMENT BOOKS 2006 – are available in the church office or by calling Paul Garbo at 942-4884. Cost is $25 until December 1 st . After that date, the cost will be $30. All proceeds benefit Mentally Handicapped Children. Books are also available from Lake County Right To Life (440-255-5257).

TRAITS OF A HEALTHY SPIRITUALITY – Sr. Melannie Svoboda, SND, author of six books on faith and spirituality will speak on Sunday, October 9 th at 3:00 p.m. at the Church of the Holy Angels in Bainbridge Township. The talk is free and open to the public.

DANIELLE ROSE CONCERT – Danielle Rose, a Christian recording artist will perform at the Church of the Holy Angels in Bainbridge Township on Sunday, October 16 th at 6:00 p.m. She will also offer a talk on Feminine Spirituality on Saturday, October 15 th at 10:00 a.m. and participate in a Christian Coffeehouse for area musicians on Saturday, October 15 th at 7:30 p.m. All events are free of charge and open to the public.

SCHOOL OPEN HOUSES – Beaumont School – October 9 th from 12 to 3:00 p.m. Call the admissions Office for further information 216-321-2954; Notre Dame Cathedral Latin – Sunday, November 6, 2005 from 12:00-3:00 p.m. Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin will be hosting their annual Placement/Scholarship Exams on the following dates: Saturday, November 19 from 8:30-11:30 a.m. and 1:00-4:00 p.m. and Saturday, December 3 rd from 8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. The exam is for students who will be entering grade 9 in the fall of 2006. There is a $15 fee. Call the school for further details 440--286-6226; Lake Catholic's Admissions Open House on Sunday, October 9 th fromn 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. or Wednesday, November 2 nd from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m; Regina High School Placement/Scholarship exams take place on Saturday, November 5 th from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and Saturday, November 19 th from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The test is for 8 th grade girls entering the 9 th grade in 2006. To register call 216-382-2110 x 249.

CASINO NIGHT – ALL SAINTS SCHOOL – All Saints School is sponsoring a Casino Night fundraiser on November 12 th . The cost is $25 per person and open to everyone. Registration forms are available in the kiosk.

DAY OF PRAYER & REFLECTION FOR SURVIVORS OF ABUSE – “Journey from Darkness into Light” is being offered for men and women who have suffered any type of abuse (physical, emotional, or sexual) and will be held at the St. Joseph Christian Life Center on Sunday, October 30, 2005 from 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm. There is no cost and a light supper is included. Please call 216-531-7370 ext. 122 by October 21, 2005 to register.

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