Week of November 28, 2004

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Dear Parishioner,

This weekend, the first Sunday of Advent, we will be implementing a few changes in our liturgical practice at St. Noel.

As many of you know the Eucharistic Liturgy is composed of two main parts: the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. In the Liturgy of the Word readings from the scriptures are proclaimed and the homily interprets those readings for our daily lives. To emphasize the importance of the Liturgy of the Word, we will begin placing the Book of the Gospels on the altar at the beginning of the liturgy. This book then will be carried in procession to the place where the gospel will be proclaimed. This action provides an additional visual sign of the importance of the gospel in the liturgy and in our lives.

The latest instruction on the Eucharist: Redemptionis Sacramentum directs that the wine should be poured into the individual cups before the Eucharistic prayer rather than during the Lamb of God before communion. Therefore, beginning this weekend you will see the priest pour the wine into individual cups after the wine is brought to the altar at the preparation of the gifts.

The directives of the Church continue to recommend the singing of the Eucharistic prayer as we have been doing for many years. Redemtionis Sacramentum, however, has directed that the entire prayer be sung rather than singing some parts and reciting others. In this way the unity of the prayer is emphasized. Christ becomes present in the bread and wine not simply at the words of consecration but through the entire Eucharistic prayer when it is prayed by the priest and community. Therefore, we are in the process of adapting our settings of the Eucharistic prayer so that all parts will be sung. We will continue to provide simple acclamations by the assembly as we have done in the past.

The final change involves your participation. The General Instruction on the Roman Missal suggests that those who are standing during the Eucharistic prayer should bow after the consecration of the bread and the consecration of the wine. Since it is our custom at St. Noel to stand during the Eucharistic prayer we will begin this weekend to include these bows. Both after the consecration of the bread and that of the wine the priest will either bow or genuflect. When he does so I ask that all who are standing would bow together. This bow is not like the bow you make coming to communion which is a simple bow of the head. This bow is a profound bow where you bow from the waist. Bowing together in this way will provide a sign of our shared faith in the Eucharist and a means to express our unity in praying together.

Thank you for the faith and seriousness which so many of you demonstrate in your participation in our worship. My prayer is that these few additional changes will only serve to enhance the active and prayerful liturgies we already celebrate.

Fr. George Smiga

PREPARING FOR ORDINATION -We have been blessed as a parish to have three parishioners in formation for ordained ministry. David

Nethery is preparing to serve as a deacon. Justin Ekin and Mark Muzzillo are in our seminary program preparing for priesthood. However this process of formation is also one of a discernment. Recently Mark Muzzillo has informed me that after 2 ½ years of seminary formation, he has decided to leave the seminary program. I believe this is an honest discernment on Mark's part in light of what he believes God is calling him to do. Mark intends to continue as a parishioner of St. Noel, worshipping and serving with our community.

PARISH PORTRAIT DIRECTORY – Has time slipped by and you did not get a chance to get your snap shot taken for the Parish Portrait Directory? Although the one-sight photo session for the directory has come to a close, you can still be a part of the directory. Please submit a photo, negative or digital file to the parish office. Busson Photography can integrate your beautiful face into this project. Hurry though, time is running out. Questions, call the parish office at 440-946-0887.

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

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 .

SIGNED LITURGY- On Sunday, December 5 th , April Kinder will be joining us to sign the 11:00 a.m. Mass for the hearing impaired. Reserved seating can be found in the first two rows of chairs by the Eucharist Chapel.

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 month of 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 December 18/19.

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 .

EMMANUEAL: GOD-WITH-US THE INCARNATION -

The Christmas Gift That Keeps Giving. A daytime Advent retreat opportunity to help prepare us for a holy Christmas, Wednesday, December 1st, in the Resurrection Room from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Includes lunch (a donation of $5.00 will help cover the cost of lunch.) Fran Armbruster will lead the day. If you have any questions, please call Fran at 440-729-3976. Please sign up on the kiosk if you plan to attend.

ST. NOEL FELLOWSHIP – Activities for December are as follows: December 2 nd – Bingo, 3 fill up prizes; December 9 th – Raffle, only 100 tickets sold; December 16 th - Christmas luncheon at 11:30 a.m. socializing, meeting, (many prizes) cheese tray, pizza, punch and then at 12:30 p.m. we will have our Christmas luncheon consisting of prime rib, baked potato, vegetable, salad, rolls & butter, desert. Cost is $12.00 per person. Deadline for tickets and payment is December 13 th . . Please remember to bring your food donation for the food pantry to this meeting. December 23 rd - NO MEETING – Merry Christmas and December 31 st -NO MEETING – Happy New Year. Everyone is welcome to attend the Senior Fellowship on Thursdays

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 at: www.stnoel.org/pg/NewParents.htm . 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 – Don't forget to bring your food donations to our next session on December 7 th . We'll begin at 7:00pm in the new wing.

PRIME TIME – See you tonight (Sunday) at 7:30pm. Thanks for Making a Difference!

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 this weekend and next weekend! 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.

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