Week of November 11, 2007

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Dear Parishioner,

We will begin using a new recipe for the bread of the Eucharist this weekend, and I would like to provide you with some background for the choice. The New General Instruction on the Roman Missal presents us with a challenge as it describes the Eucharistic Bread:

General Instruction on the Roman Missal #320-321

320. The bread for celebrating the Eucharist must be made only from wheat, must be recently baked, and according to the ancient tradition of the Latin Church, must be unleavened.

321. The meaning of the sign demands that the material for the Eucharistic celebration truly have the appearance of food. It is therefore expedient that the Eucharistic Bread, even though unleavened and baked in the traditional shape, be made in such a way that the priest at Mass with a congregation is able in practice to break it into parts for distribution to at least some of the faithful . . . The action of the fraction or breaking of bread, which gave its name to the Eucharist in apostolic times, will bring out more clearly the force and importance of the sign of unity of all in the one bread, and of the sign of charity by the fact that the one bread is distributed among the brothers and sisters.

On one hand the Instruction directs that the bread truly have the appearance of food. On the other hand the ingredients are limited to wheat and water. It is difficult to make bread with only wheat and water. It is also difficult within these guidelines to make a bread which keeps crumbs to a minimum. All of our Eucharistic Ministers do regularly pick up any crumbs that might fall during the distribution of communion. But it is clearly an advantage not to have these crumbs fall in the first place.

In light of the challenge which the General Instruction offers, I believe that it is worth the effort for us to use a bread which has the appearance of food and which can be broken and shared.

The bread recipe we will begin using this weekend fully conforms to the directions of the General Instruction of the Roman Missal in both its ingredients and appearance. It is more dense than the bread we have used in the past but this will result in fewer crumbs and will therefore enhance our communion rite.

The Eucharist is the center of our liturgical life. I believe we should make every effort to make the bread of the Eucharist the fullest sign it can be of the great gift God has given us in the Body and Blood of Christ.

Fr. George Smiga

ST. NOEL CONCERT SERIES PRESENTS - T he Bellflower String Quartet.  One of the foremost string quartets in the greater Cleveland area, its members can be heard playing with The Cleveland Orchestra, Apollo's Fire, RED, the Ohio Chamber Orchestra, and others major musical organizations in the area.  They will be heard in concert at St. Noel Church on Friday, November 16 at 7:00 PM. The program will include Beethoven string quartet in A major, Op. 18 No. 5, Schumann piano quintet in Eb major, op. 44 with pianist Linda Jones, and “Dover Beach” by Samuel Barber with baritone, Marc Weagraff. The concert is FREE and a wonderful opportunity to share this music with your family and friends. A free-will offering will be taken to benefit West Side Ecumenical Ministries Food Centers at Community Corner.

ABOUT CCHD    For 37 years, the Catholic Campaign for Human Development has worked to address the root causes of poverty and has funded groups working to break the cycle of poverty in the US.  It helps people help themselves in areas such as affordable housing, job training, worker-owned cooperative businesses and support for working families with children.  A percentage of the money collected stays right here in the Cleveland Diocese, where 21 organizations received support in 2007.  Two examples are $40,000 to the Deaf and Blind Committee on Human Rights and $25,000 to the East Side Organizing Project against predatory lending.  For more information, pick up a newsletter from the table in the Narthex, and plan to give generously to the collection on Nov. 17-18.

THANK YOU FOR A SUCCESSFUL BLANKET SUNDAY – The collection by the Diocesan St. Vincent de Paul Society continued our parish's “warm” tradition of caring. The collection totaled 36 blankets, 20 sets of sheets, 22 sets of towels and washcloths, 5 bags of miscellaneous items (infants, comforters, etc,) and $1,353.00 in cash donations. Many needy families and individuals will receive essential bedding and other items for the winter months through the Diocesan network of hunger centers, shelters, community agencies and the SVdP charitable network in our own metropolitan area. A sincere thank you to all our parishioners who assisted us through their donations and prayers.

HEALING MINISTRY – Please join us this Wednesday evening at our 6:45 p.m. liturgy for Eucharist and the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. You need not carry heavy burdens or suffer alone, our community is here to support you and pray for you. After Mass, prayer teams are available to pray with you if you desire.

THE WORD AMONG US - daily meditations for Advent are available on the table in the narthex.  Please take one per family.

PRIME TIME - Great session last week!!  God is working…. See you tonight at 7:00pm in the Teen Center.  Saturday Service is November 17 th – sign up on the kiosk and ask for it off at work!!  We need your help to make a difference.

JUNIOR HIGH YOUTH GROUP – Our next session is November 20 th at 7:00pm in the lower level.  We need your help on November 17 th !!  Join PRIME TIME and make a difference.

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.  Check the kiosk for other needed items – your generosity makes the Project possible.  Thank you!

ALTAR SERVERS – We are need of servers at all liturgies.  Adults are welcome to serve at Mass as well – you must be in at least the 4 th grade to serve.  Please sign the sheet on the kiosk if interested in serving.

STEPHEN MINISTRY – Are you or someone you love experiencing a difficult time in your life?  Would a caring, compassionate listener be a benefit?  Please consider one of trained Stephen Ministers.  Call Anthony for more information.

COME ON AN ADVENTADVENT-URE ~~ Join us at GIFT on Wednesday, November 28 th (6:00 – 8:30 p.m.) or Sunday, December 2 nd (12:30 – 3:00 p.m.). At our session, entitled “Lost and Found: Are There Only Four Gospels?” We will search for knowledge about the canonical and non-canonical gospels. Father George will guide the adult session. The teen excursion will be in the capable hands of Anthony. Families will form 4 teams that embark on a quest to find the face of Jesus. Don't be lost this Advent season! Find yourself in the know!

CELEBRATE NEW LITURGICAL YEAR'S EVE at GIFT Exchange on Sunday, November 25 th . Bring your coffee and donuts to the Banquet Center between the masses and celebrate the colors and seasons of the new liturgical year. Pick up a calendar and make a resolution. Look for more details in the GIFT Box in next weekend's bulletin.

BOUTIQUE – Don't forget to stop in at the Buy-Once-Give-Twice boutique after Masses this weekend.  This is a nice opportunity to do some Christmas shopping and to support fair trade vendors and other charitable organizations. Bring the coupon from last week's bulletin for a free piece of fair trade chocolate.

ST. NOEL FELLOWSHIP – Activities for November are as follows: – 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. For more information or tickets please call Theresa at 440-585-9088. 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.

ST. AUGUSTINE CENTER BENEFIT DINNER is Thursday, November 15, 2007. Save the date for another great evening (5:30-9:30 p.m.) The cost will be $15.00 per person. There will be a silent auction and several other surprises. Please call Jim Klements

at (216-464-7100) or (440-442-2744) if you can help with obtaining sponsors and items for the auction. ALL reservations MUST be made by Sunday, November 11, 2007.

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 for 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.

ATTENTION TEA HOSTESSES -  Tea hostesses who have not contacted Linda Rini about your participation this year are asked to call her at 440-729-2777 – day time, or 440-285-2461- evenings.  Anyone interested in being a hostess for the first time – we need you!  Please call Linda to tell her of your interest! 

MARDI GRAS – SAVE THE DATE – Because Lent begins very early in 2008, Mardi Gras will be on Saturday evening, February 2, 2008, so mark your calendars now!  See you there!

MARDI GRAS COMMITTEE – There will be a brief meeting of the Mardi Gras committee after the 11a.m. Mass on November 18, 2007.  Contact Linda Rini at 440-729-2777 – day time, or 440-285-2461 – evenings with any questions.

REMINDER – On November 13 th , we will need any bulletin articles for the weeks of November 18 th and 25 th .  Both of these bulletins need to go to the printer on November 15 th .

THE ELIZABETH MINISTRY'S “ELIZABETH'S ROSES” - will be available in the narthex following all Masses this weekend. 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, visit the parish website at www.stnoel.org, and click on “Caring Ministries.”

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.

ADULT FAITH MATTERS – Checkout the kiosk for adult faith formation opportunities offered throughout the Lake/Geauga District.

FAITH IN ACTION – See the Social Justice Ministry section of the kiosk for the Faith in Action newsletter.

LOCAL AUTHORS – St. Ann Church in Cleveland Heights is sponsoring a number of conversations with local authors over the coming year.  Check the kiosk for details and to pick up a flier.

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 .

HUMAN TRAFFICKING – See the Social Justice Ministry section of the kiosk for information on speakers coming to the Ursuline Motherhouse on November 28 th to address “The Truth About Human Trafficking.”

GENESIS RETREAT sponsored by Holy Cross Church will be held here at St. Noel Banquet Center on November 30, 2007 at 9:00 a.m. The cost is $21.00 and this will include a continental Breakfast followed by a session led by Sr. Kathleen Flannery. Mass will be celebrated at Noon followed with a Roast Pork Dinner with all the trimmings. After dinner the conclusion of the day will end at approximately at 3:00 p.m. For more information or reservations please call John at 216-486-3706. Transportation will be provided for any one who may need a ride. All are welcome to attend.

BREADTH OF LIFE LUNCHEON - will be held on Wednesday, November 14 th here at St. Noel Banquet Center. The topic of the program is “Celebrating the Gift of Priesthood in Father Robert Kline through the Eyes of Father Tom Johns.” The luncheon cost is $16.00 per person. For reservations please call 216-486-3011 or 216-289-3593.

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.

BROKEN ROSARY? We have a parishioner who is adept at fixing broken rosaries. Please call the parish office at 440-946-0887 should you have a rosary in need of repair.

ENTERTAINMENT BOOKS 2008 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 . After that date, the cost will be $30. All proceeds benefit mentally handicapped children.

PROJECT HOPE IS SPONSORING THEIR ANNUAL HOLIDAY Open House, Saturday, November 17 th from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at 25 Freedom Road, in Painesville, Ohio. Everyone is invited to the open house at Project Hope for the Homeless.    

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