Week of October 28, 2007

Weekly Readings

Quick View of Meetings for the Week

Archive of Weekly Bulletins

Dear Parishioner,

All parishioners should have received in the mail this week a copy of our “Annual Report on Parish Life,” together with a cover letter which explains in detail our present financial situation. (Additional copies of the financial report and cover letter are available in the kiosk.) As the report documents, your continuing stewardship commitment in the weekly collections has allowed our parish operations to remain in a positive cash flow situation. We are, however, experiencing a significant downturn in profits from our Banquet Center. The loss in revenue will have a significant impact upon our budget beginning in June of 2008. The Finance Committee is exploring ways to eliminate the remaining portion of our parish loan and to increase the profitability of our Banquet Center.

However, even as these steps are explored, it is also responsible for us to reduce expenses in our parish operations. To that end, as indicated in the financial cover letter, we plan to reduce one full-time staff position to part-time status beginning in June of 2008. The position is that of Pastoral Associate which is presently held by Anthony Camino. Prior to Anthony's coming to us in 1995, our youth ministry was directed by a part-time staff member. Because of the significant profits which the Banquet Center was providing to the parish in 1995, it was decided that the Youth Ministry position be included into a full-time position with the person responsible not only for the youth but also other parish ministries. Anthony has provided outstanding service to our community over the last twelve years. Not only has he developed excellent programs for junior high and high school students, he has also directed our annual Christmas project and moderated Stephen Ministry, altar servers, and vocational efforts. Anthony has worked diligently to develop the Lake-Geauga Furniture Bank which transports used furniture to people throughout our area. Now that the staff position will return to a part-time status, the job description will again become one that focuses on youth ministry. There will be no reduction in the amount of time and energy devoted to youth ministry. As pastor, I am committed to a strong and active youth ministry because our young people are the future of both our church, and our world. We will attempt to cover the other ministries which were a part of Anthony's job description through our parish staff or through additional volunteer service from the community.

As we explore possibilities in the upcoming months, it is my sincere hope that we can find a way for Anthony to remain as a paid staff member of our parish after June 2008. This will, of course, depend on the actual job description we will be able to offer and Anthony's decision of whether it would correspond to his needs and those of his family.

Change is difficult, but change is necessary if we are to thrive in new circumstances. It is only by responding responsibly to the financial circumstances in which we find ourselves that we can remain vital as a parish and continue to carry out the mission of Christ.

Fr. George Smiga

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1 ST , THE Feast of All Saints is a Holy Day of obligation this year. We will have two liturgies that day at Noon and 7:00 p.m.

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS, LECTORS, AND SACRISTANS -Please sign up on the bulletin board by the kitchenette if you are able to help with All Saints on Thursday, November 1 st for Noon and the 7:00 p.m. Liturgies. Also, Eucharistic Ministers and sacristans are needed for the All Souls Liturgy on Friday, November 2 nd .

GIFT EXCHANGE: October 28--Bring your coffee and donut to the Banquet Center and join one of these stations:

•  Through a story about children in Brazil, kids will learn how candy bars are made. Each child will create a booklet describing the steps.

•  Teens will create their dream job.

•  Adults will create a spectrum of balance for work and play.

•  A Veggie Tale video focusing on consumerism and thankfulness will be available for young children.

HELP we are in need of ushers at the Sunday, 9:00 a.m. Mass. We welcome men and women. If you might be interested please call the parish office at 440-946-0887 for further details.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR/TIME CHANGE – Next weekend, Sunday, November 4 th at 2:00 a.m. we will turn our clocks back one hour.

BOUTIQUE WORKERS NEEDED - If you are able to assist at the Buy-Once-Give-Twice Boutique being held the weekend of November 10 th & 11 th please sign-up on the kiosk.  The sign-up sheet will indicate the times people are needed.  Thank you!

RIDE NEEDED – We have a parishioner who lives in Eastlake near the intersection of Lakeshore and route 91 who occasionally needs a ride to Mass.  If you might be able to provide transportation for her please call Alice at 440-946-0887.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE – No matter what your skills, interests, age or resources, there are ways you can make a difference in the lives of the 37 million men, women, and children who are working for independence from poverty. By volunteering your time, contributing resources, donating materials and money, you can help others find a lasting solution to the problem of poverty. Visit http://www.povertyusa.org/ to see what the Catholic Church, through the Catholic Campaign for Human Development , is doing to break the cycle of poverty across our country and how you can be a part of the solution. Support the CCHD Parish Collection – Weekend of November 17 th -18 th .

ADVENT TEA – This year's Advent Tea will be held on Sunday, December 9, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. in the parish Banquet Center. Prayer, music, conversation and a delicious luncheon will all be a part of the experience. The sign-up for the tea will be only on the weekend of November 17 th and 18 th in the narthex after the 5:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. Masses and before the 11:00 a.m., Mass. The cost of the Tea is $15.00 and payment must accompany your registration. No registration monies will be taken at the door. Any proceeds will benefit the St. Noel Social Justice Ministry Fund. We are looking forward to this wonderful event and hope that many women from the parish will be able to attend.

PARISH RETREAT – will be held on Wednesday, November 7 th from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. The retreat theme will be “Hearts on Fire.” The retreat will be facilitated by Fran Armbruster and Kate Strazisar. Sign up on the kiosk. Suggested donation for lunch is $7.00. For more information call the parish office at 440-946-0887.

HOSPITALITY - We are in need of help at the 5:00 p.m. Saturday evening Mass and the 9:00 & 11:00 a.m. Masses on Sunday to set up and serve coffee and donuts. You will be scheduled once a month. Families as well as individuals are welcome to sign up. We thank you for your help. If you are interested please call the parish office at 440-946-0887.

CARING FOR CREATION- We gather this Sunday evening at 5:30 for a potluck (bring your own place settings), followed by our discussion and program on water, its sacred and essential nature for sustaining all of life!  Hope you can join us.  Please sign-up on the kiosk. 

WATER FOR LIFE is an initiative sponsored by our Diocesan Social Action office and a number of parishes in our Diocese which is providing students in the villages of Narumu and Usari in Tanzania with a water purification & transport system vital to their health and well-being.  Read more in the information available in the Social Justice Ministry section of the kiosk, which includes ways to participate in this effort. 

LEAF RAKING – need help with your leaves?  Prime Time, our awesome youth group, can help!  Please call Anthony (946-1128 x20) to learn more.

PRIME TIME - We've got a great group – check it out this weekend at 7:00pm in the Teen Center.  Are you in the 9-12 th grade?  COME TO PRIME TIME!!

JUNIOR HIGH YOUTH GROUP – Great job this past week.  Our next session is November 6 th at 7:00pm in the lower level.  Bring your bibles.

CHRISTMAS PROJECT – We will be again serving families in need at Christmas.  Please consider sponsoring a family – call Anthony for details.  Names of potential families will be collected during the first week of November.  WE NEED SPONSOR FAMILIES.

CLEVELAND FOOD BANK – Our next day to serve is Monday, November 5 th .  Please call/email Anthony if you are interested in serving.

CAST YOUR BALLOT FOR ST. NOEL – Chef Randy has entered St. Noel Banquet Center in the Hotlist Competition being run by TV 8. The purpose of the contest is to pick the best of the best in a number of different categories. We are competing with other caterers to be voted as the best caterer in Cleveland. We encourage you to log on the www.myfoxcleveland.com click the Hotlist link and scroll down to weddings and click on caterers, then find St. Noel Banquet Center and cast your vote. You can even leave a comment if you would like. It would be a great advantage for us to win BEST CATERER IN CLEVELAND . Please vote and ask other family, friends and co-workers to do the same. Thank you for your vote.

ST. NOEL FELLOWSHIP – Activities for November are as follows: November 1 st – Bingo – November 8 th – Side Board - November 15 th - socializing, meeting, and then at 12:30 p.m. we will have our family style luncheon of a cheese tray & punch; turkey w/stuffing; mashed potatoes & gravy; cranberry sauce; green/yellow beans & carrots; salad & rolls and pumpkin pie. Cost is $10.00 per person. November 22 nd NO MEETING (Happy Thanksgiving) – November 29 th – Bingo- and we will celebrate birthdays and anniversaries. Also, please remember to bring your food donation for the food pantry to this meeting. Everyone is welcome to attend the Senior Fellowship on Thursdays.

ACTION ON PAYDAY LENDING – Our Diocesan Social Action office is urging us to contact our representatives to the Ohio General Assembly asking for passage of HB 333 which would limit the interest rates on payday lending.  Currently the rates are frequently exorbitant, exploiting low-income people.  For more information go to www.catholic-action.org .

ENTERTAINMENT BOOKS 2008 are available in the church office. Cost of the book is $25.00 until December 1 st . After that date, the cost will be $30. All proceeds benefit mentally handicapped children.

DEALING WITH THE HOLIDAYS - For those who are separated or divorced, the holiday season can be a difficult and challenging time. Join Kathy Whan-Marko, PhD, on Tuesday, November 20, 2007 from 7-9:00 p.m. at St. John Vianney Church, 7575 Bellflower Road, Mentor, for a discussion on strategies and ideas for coping with the demands and stresses that are so often present during the holiday season. To register or for more information, please call Karen at 440-352-8282.

COMMEMORATION OF MARTYRS - The I nter R eligious T ask  F orce is sponsoring a commemoration of the martyrs of Central America and Colombia on Sunday November 4 th at Beaumont High School.   The event begins at 4 p.m. with registration, the sale of fair trade products, and an interfaith prayer service.  Dinner is at 6p.m. followed by a speaker, Gail Phares, co-founder of Witness for Peace.  The cost is $25 per person (group and speaker only rates available).  RSVP by calling 216-961-0003 or going to www.irtfcleveland.org .  More details can be found on the Social Justice Ministry section of the kiosk.

YOUNG ADULTS IN THE CITY (20's & 30”s) Young adults are invited to volunteer with the Cleveland Foodbank on Saturday, November 3 rd from 8-noon. To register please call (Laura) (216-228-9516) or e-mail to 2006yaic@gmail.com or meepena@clevelandcatholiccharities.org . This event is sponsored by Catholic Charities through the Youth & Young adult Ministry and the CYO Office.

HIGH SCHOOL OPEN HOUSES-

Notre Dame Cathedral Latin – Sunday, November 4, 2007 Noon – 3:00 p.m.

Beaumont School – Thursday, November 1, 2007, 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

HIGH SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP EXAMS: -

REGINA HIGH SCHOOL' S E xams will take place on Saturday, November 3 rd and Saturday, November 17 th from 8:30 a.m. until Noon. Registration is $15.00. To register please call 216-382-2110 ext 225 or register on line at www.reginahigh.com . Beaumont School's Exams will take place on Saturday November 3, 9:00 am-12:30 p.m. and on Saturday, November 11, 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Call 216-321-2954 for more information.

BRECKENRIDGE VILLAGE Retirement Community Annual Decadently Delicious Parade of Apartments will be held on Sunday, November 4, 2007 from 1-3:00 p.m. Guests are invited to enjoy a dessert and beverage in the dining room. Tickets are $3.00 each and can be obtained by calling 440-942-4342, Ext 1416.

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.