Week of November 14, 2004

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Dear Parishioner,

Each year as the holidays approach, we at St. Noel engage in a large Christmas project of providing food and gifts for those who are in financial need. Last year, we were able to assist over 100 families, mostly in the city of Cleveland. This year, we will also provide support to families connected to Birthright and Forbes House of Lake County (which serves families coping with domestic violence).

Our Youth Ministry coordinates this Christmas project. Members of our youth group will be collecting money for this project after Masses the weekends of November 27/28 and December 4/5. But there is a way that you and your family can become personally involved. I am inviting you to sponsor a family. This allows you to shop, wrap and, if you would like, deliver Christmas gifts to a specific family who has asked for assistance. Such an effort allows for personal contact between people. It could be an excellent way for parents and children to serve together as part of the preparation for Confirmation and First Communion.

I am also asking you to consider donating a turkey. Many stores provide certificates for turkeys during the holiday season. If you receive extra ones, it would be a real help to us if you could redeem the certificate and bring the turkey to us. We have made room in our parish hall to store the turkeys until Christmas. We need boxes to wrap clothing items, tissue paper, wrapping paper, tape and gift tags. (We do not need bows.)

There are many families struggling financially during this holiday season. Your willingness to provide food and gifts to them is one excellent way to make the good news of God's love more obvious in our world.

If you have any questions regarding the Christmas project or would like to help, please call Anthony at 440-946-1128 X 20.

Fr. George Smiga

CATHOLIC CAMPAIGN FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT – Nearly 35 million Americans live below the government-established poverty line. One in eight Americans is going hungry, worrying about making the rent payment, foregoing medical care, struggling to break free from poverty. We can reverse this trend by rekindling the spirit of community with those in need and by joining in solidarity to break the cycle of poverty.

We will be collecting money next weekend for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development which supports diocesan projects that benefit moderate and low-income people by:

•  Protecting the poor from predatory lenders

•  Advocating for the rights of special populations Like the “deaf and deaf-blind” community

•  Advocating for the rights of farm workers working our fields

•  Advocating for quality and affordable health care for all people

AT HOME WITH THE WORD - In an effort to reduce the expenditures in our budget, we will not be providing "At Home With The Word" to parishioners

this year.  This booklet included all of the scriptural readings for the Sundays of the year. The readings for the present and forthcoming weekends will be listed in the bulletin every week.  Those who wish to purchase their own copy of "At Home With The Word" ($5.00 plus postage) may do so by calling the parish office (440-946-0887) by November 19th.  

DAILY MEDITATIONS FOR ADVENT – “JOY TO the WORLD” are available on the table in the narthex. Please only take one per family.

REMINDER – all items for the bulletin for the weekend of November 27 th /28 th need to be in the office by Tuesday, November 16 th .

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS, LECTORS, SACRISTANS, AND SERVERS -Please sign up on the bulletin board by the kitchenette if you are able to help with Thanksgiving Day, November 25 th and the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, December 8 th .

SACRISTANS – HELP HELP!! We are in need of sacristans for the Saturday evening 5:00 p.m . Mass . Please call the parish office at 440-946-0887 if you are able to help, or for answers to any questions you may have.

TRANSLATORS NEEDED – Can you read and write in Spanish?  We would like to develop a list of people who would be willing to help us communicate (snail-mail) with our new partnership in El Salvador.  Please call Alice at 440-946-0887 if this is your gift! 

ST. NOEL SOCIAL CONCERNS FUND – During the month of October we collected $1,498.00. Our expenses for October were:

We thank you for your support.

REMEMBER – during the months of November and December we will not be serving the meal at St. Augustine, but we will still be collecting monetary donations for our Social Concerns Fund which support many out reach efforts in the parish after all Masses on November 20/21 and December 18/19.

PORTRAIT DIRECTORY – Has time slipped by and you did not get a chance to get your snap shot taken for the Parish Portrait Directory? Busson Photographers have scheduled another picture day, Tuesday, November 16 th from 2:30 – 9:00 p.m. Please call the parish office (440-946-0887) this week to set an appointment.

ST. AUGUSTINE HUNGER CENTER BENEFIT DINNER/AUCTION- By now you should have received your invitation to our annual St. Augustine Dinner to support their Hunger Center.  The dinner will be held on Thursday, November 18 in our parish hall.  The silent auction will begin at 5:30 p.m. and the dinner at 6:30 p.m... The cost of the dinner ticket is $13.00 and tickets may be purchased via the directions given in the mailing .You can support the Hunger Center that evening by bringing a bag of non-perishable food, making a monetary donation, donating an item to the silent auction or by participating in the silent auction.  Hope to see you on November 18!

ADVENT TEA – has been sold out. We thank you for your support.

THE ELIZABETH MINISTRY'S “ELIZABETH'S ROSES” - will be available in the narthex following all Masses this weekend (November 13 th & 14th.) 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.”

THANK YOU, THANK YOU!! Over 4,000 books were collected in the Social Concern Committee's book drive in October! Many thanks to all who contributed: parishioners, PSR, Youth group, Prime Time, Nursery, and even Hobart Preschool in Painesville and Wickliffe Library. Since we had such an overwhelming response, the books were distributed to several organizations:

5 Catholic Charities' Family Centers in Cleveland; Willoughby-Eastlake ABLE program (adult literacy and children's services); New Avenues to Independence (8 group homes for mentally handicapped); and several local nursing homes including Breckenridge and Manor Care. All of them are very grateful for your generosity. Look for their thank-you notes on the kiosk in the narthex.

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 7-12 may register with Anthony Camino (440-946-1128 x 20). Students in grades 3-6 may register with Marianne Slattery (440-946-1128 x 21) The first information/preparation session for grades 3-6 will be on Sunday, December 12 th from 10:30 a.m. – noon. Parents are asked to attend with their child(ren). Please register for this session by Sunday, December 5 th .

JOURNEY TO JOY – is a support group for people with depression. The group meets the 2 nd and 4 th Thursdays of the month from 7-8:30 p.m. in the Visitation Room.

Because our next meeting date falls on Thanksgiving Day we will not have a meeting until Thursday, December 9 th .

GIFT …Unwrap the true meaning of the Christmas Season opportunities are Wednesday, November 17 th , 6-8:30 p.m.; Friday, November 19 th , 6-8:30 p.m.; or Sunday, November 21 st , 12:30-3:00 p.m. Call Marianne Slattery for more information at 440-946-1128. Click here to register on-line.

ST. NOEL FELLOWSHIP – Activities for November are as follows: – November 18 th - Bingo and we will celebrate anniversaries and birthdays. Please remember to bring your food donation for the food pantry to this meeting. NOVEMBER 25 TH - THANKSGIVING – NO MEETING. Everyone is welcome to attend the Senior Fellowship on Thursdays.

ROSARY – Join us Tuesday, November 16 th from 7-7:45 p.m. in the Chapel as we pray the Rosary. All are welcome to this quiet, reflective time in honor of Mary and her Son, Jesus.

NEW PARENT MINISTRY – An exciting new ministry is starting at St. Noel for parents of children under 2 years. Have you recently welcomed a child into your family? Are you expecting a child anytime soon? Check out the details of the New Parent Ministry. The group will offer opportunities for support, discussion, socialization and education. We hope you will be a part of the New Parent Ministry.

NOEL MOVERS – We are in need of beds, dressers, stoves, and all useable furniture. Please call Anthony (946-1128) if you have an item to donate. All items must be in working condition; no repairs can be made on furniture items.

JUNIOR HIGH YOUTH GROUP – All 7-8 th grade students are welcome to join, and there is still time! Our next session is Tuesday, November 23 rd at 7:00pm in the new wing. Don't forget to bring your bibles.

PRIME TIME – We can't worship money, but we should understand it! Money 101 is tonight! Come to the Teen Center at 7:30pm.

ATTENTION ALL ALTAR SERVERS – you must call Anthony (946-1128x20) if you did not attend a training session this past week. All servers must be trained in order to continue in the ministry.

FALL CLEANUP – PRIME TIME will again be making a difference on Saturday, November 20 th ! If you are in need of some help getting those fall leaves raked up, please call Anthony (946-1129) and we'll dispatch our awesome teens to lend a hand. We want to help our seniors and those unable to keep up with the leaves. All service is offered free of charge! Make a Difference day is scheduled for Saturday, November 20 th beginning at 10:00am.

MATTHEW KELLY IS IN TOWN!! – Internationally renowned Catholic speaker & author, Matthew Kelly, will be at St. John Vianney Parish on December 9 th from 7:30-8:30pm. See the kiosk for details or go to www.matthewkelly.org

“SHOUT” for 2004 HAS BEEN CANCELLED .

CATHOLIC UPDATE entitled “Gathered Around the Table in Hope: Advent Daily Reflections,” by Elizabeth Bookser Barkley, is now available in the kiosk.

ENTERTAINMENT BOOKS 2005 are available in the church office.. Cost of the book is $25.00 until December 1 st , then $30.00 after that date. All proceeds benefits mentally handicapped children. Also, Lake Catholic High School students are selling Entertainment Books 2005. The cost is $25.00 per book until December 1. After that date, the cost is $30.00. For more information please the school at 440-951-0077.

ADOPTION INFORMATION MEETING – Anyone interested in learning about International Adoption is invited to an information meeting on Thursday, November 18th 7:00 p.m. here at St. Noel in Resurrection Room #1.

ALL CATHOLIC YOUNG ADULTS' in their 20's and 30's are invited to attend “BEYOND VENUS AND MARS: A CATHOLIC PERSPECTIVE ON SEX AND MARRIAGE”, on Saturday, November 20 th at 7:30 p.m. at St. Luke Church, 1212 Bunts Road in Lakewood. This exciting presentation will feature nationally known speaker Katrina Zeno, who will share the beauty and deep meaning of human sexuality as expressed by John Paul II, with practical implications for dating and courtship. This event is free, and refreshments will be provided. For more information please contact Eric at 216-221-3472 ( hlmary@hotmail.com ) or Mary at 216-261-2775 ( mlks213@yahoo.com ). For more information and an event flier, you may also visit www.stroseyag.com .

COME JOIN US for some holiday shopping and see over 100 crafters with unique gift giving items on November 20 th from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at St. Paschal Baylon Parish, Highland Heights, Ohio. The craft show is sponsored by Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Guild. Admission: $2.00, food, beverage, and raffle, no strollers, please.

ST JUSTIN MARTYR PARISH is sponsoring “Turkey Fest” on Saturday, November 20 th from 6:00 pm-Midnight. There will be games to play, money wheels, refreshments and a complimentary coffee and dessert table. Admission will be $5.00 Adults/$2.00 seniors (60 and over). This will be a “21-and-over” event. For more information please call the parish office at 440-946-1177.

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