Week of November 21, 2004

Quick View of Meetings for the Week

Archive of Weekly Bulletins

Dear Parishioner,

Next weekend begins the season of Advent and the beginning of a new liturgical year. Advent is a time for reflection and renewal. Tuesday, December 14 th at 7:30 p.m., we will gather for our Advent Communal Penance Service. This is an important way that we individually and as a community can admit our sinfulness and need to grow and turn to seek God's forgiveness. I invite you to join us for the celebration of the Sacrament of Penance.

The weekends of November 27 th and 28 th / December 4 th and 5 th , high school students from Prime Time will be collecting your donations after Mass to support our Christmas project, which provides food and gifts to 100 area families. If you can sponsor a family or volunteer your time to wrap or deliver gifts or have any questions on how you can help, call Anthony at 440-946-1128 x 20.

There will be a daytime Advent retreat on Wednesday, December 1 st from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Resurrection Room. The title of the day is Emmanuel: God-With-Us-The Christmas Gift Which Keeps on Giving. Fran Armbruster will lead the day. If you have any questions you can call her at 440-729-3976.

For those of you who are attending our Advent Parish Tea, please remember we begin at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 5 th in the large hall. (Doors will open

At 1:30 p.m.)

The Word Among Us contains daily meditations for Advent. These booklets are available in the narthex.

This year in an effort to reduce our budget we will not be providing copies of At Home With The Word which contains the liturgical readings for the year. If you wish to purchase a copy for yourself please contact the parish office at 440-946-0887.

With all the demands of the holidays it is easy to over look the spiritual dimension as we celebrate Christ's birth. Let us as a community resolve to take steps to remember the true meaning of this wonderful season.

Fr. George Smiga

CATHOLIC CAMPAIGN FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT –Poverty in America is on the rise – nearly 35 million Americans live below the government-established poverty line. But we can reverse the trend by rekindling the spirit of community with those in need by joining in solidarity to break the cycle of poverty. This weekend our parish community participates in the collection for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) and responds to the Church's call to bring a lasting end to poverty across our nation.

Your support will help low-income people as they work together to solve community problems, increase educational opportunities, and create jobs. Here in the Diocese of Cleveland CCHD supports programs that address issues such as predatory lending, health-care reform, employment opportunities for the homeless, the needs of special populations like the deaf and deaf and blind - to name a few. Additionally, we encourage and support social justice activities that are led by our youth.

CCHD is committed to helping people change the conditions that keep them living in a state of poverty. You can make a difference. Please give your generous support to the Catholic Campaign for Human Development. Please put your donation in the basket on the table in the narthex. Make checks payable to St. Noel.

.

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS, LECTORS, SACRISTANS, AND SERVERS -Please sign up on the bulletin board by the kitchenette if you are able to help with 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.

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.

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

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 .

ST. NOEL FELLOWSHIP – NOVEMBER 25 TH - THANKSGIVING – NO MEETING.

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 this Tuesday, November 23 rd at 7:00pm in the new wing. Don't forget to bring your bibles.

PRIME TIME – GIFT is today. No PRIME TIME tonight!

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.

CHRISTMAS PROJECT – We will collect money the weekends of Nov 27-28 and Dec 4-5. Your generosity makes this project possible. Thanks for your support! There's still time to sponsor a family or volunteer to help – please call Anthony for information. Also, you can bring in your turkey donations anytime. The project donates a turkey to every family so we need a lot of birds!

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.

A WEEKEND FOR DIVORCED SEPARATED AND WIDOWED – Divorced, separated and widowed men and women of all ages are encouraged to attend a weekend designed for those who wish to let go of the painful past and create a more peace-filled future. Presented by people who have “been there” and offer their support. The next Beginning Experience Weekend will be held on February 11 th , 12 th and 13 th at St. Joseph Christian Life Center in Cleveland. Call 440-473-0457 or 216-671-0077 for the information on this weekend of hope and healing. Or visit us on the web at:

www.beginningexperiencxe.org .

“THE DEATH OF A DREAM … DEALING WITH THE CRISIS OF SEPARATION” An evening workshop developed to help Catholics struggling with the pain and disillusionment of marital separation will be held on Wednesday, December 15 th at S. Justin Martyr Church 5781 Stevens Blvd., Eastlake, from 7:00-9:00 p.m. Join Bill Glover, MA Counseling, as he discusses coping strategies and provides direction for those who are recently separated. For more information or to register, please call 440-352-8282. The workshop is sponsored by the Catholic parishes of Lake and Geauga counties and is free of charge.

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.