Week of December 3, 2006

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Dear Parishioner,

There are two musical events which I would like to draw to your attention this week. The first will occur this Friday, December 8 th at 8:00 p.m. in our church. On that evening CityMusic Cleveland will offer its second concert at St. Noel this year. Those of you who were able to join us in October know the excellence of this group. Composed of young classically trained musicians, CityMusic Cleveland attempts to bring the highest quality classical music to venues around greater Cleveland. James Gaffigan, associate conductor of the San Francisco Symphony will lead the concert. The program will include pieces by Ravel, Fauré, and Berlioz. The concert is free. Many people from the greater Cleveland area will be joining us. In October there were about 450 people in attendance. Please join us on Friday for a wonderful evening of music.

The second event will happen after Christmas on January 7 th . On that Sunday afternoon at 4:00 p.m. our own music ministry will present their Epiphany Concert. The talent and dedication of our music ministry is an immense gift to our parish. Since our choir is usually divided among our three weekend liturgies, you may not be aware that we are blessed to have a choir of over 65 singers and numerous instrumentalists, a 20-voice chamber singers group, and a handbell choir that rings four octaves of handbells and three octaves of hand chimes.

The music ministry will have just returned from what we know will be a very successful tour of Italy. It will be the perfect opportunity to welcome them home.

The concert will provide another opportunity for you and your family and friends to enjoy the music of the Advent & Christmas season. Please consider joining us on January 7 th to close the Christmas season with a sound of musical praise.

                                           Fr. George Smiga

THE FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION – This year we will have a Vigil Mass for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 7 th . On Friday, December 8 th we will have a Noon liturgy.

SIGNED LITURGY- This Sunday, December 3 rd the 11:00 a.m. Mass will be signed for the hearing impaired. Reserved seating can be found in the first two rows of chairs by the Eucharist Chapel.

BULLETIN ARTICLES - Because of the holidays bulletin articles for the weekends of December 16 th &17 th and December 23 rd & 24 th must be in the office by December 12 th . Articles for the weekends of December 30 th & 31 st and January 6 th & 7 th need to be in the office by December 19 th .

CAMPAIGN FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT - We want to thank you for your generous donation of $565.00 for this collection.

OFFICE HELP - We are looking for someone who might be interested in helping out in the office on Monday evenings from 6:00 until 8:30 p.m. beginning in January, 2007.  If you are interested, please call Carole Lester in the office 440-946-0887.  Thank you for your help.

ST. AUGUSTINE BENEFIT DINNER - Thank you to all donors and participants who helped raise over $27,000 for the St. Augustine Hunger Center.  Mark your calendars for next year - the auction/dinner will be held on November 15, 2007.

CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS - We will be decorating for Christmas on Saturday 12/23 at 8:00 a.m. and Sunday 12/24 after the 10:00 Mass.  If you are able to lend a hand, please call Carole in the parish office.  Many hands make light work!  Thanks!!

ST. AUGUSTINE RAFFLE CALENDARS will be available in the narthex the weekend of December 15th and 16th.  The cost will be $25.00 a piece.  The calendars will also be available in the church office after that weekend.

GIVE THE GIFT OF MUSIC . There are still copies of the St. Noel Music Ministry CD "How Can We Keep From Singing?" available for purchase in the church office.

Is there someone on your Christmas list who would like one? Or maybe one for your own listening pleasure? It includes music from every liturgical season performed by the St. Noel choir, bellchoir and chamber singers. Now only $10 each with discounts

available for quantity purchases. See Marc for details. Thank you for your support.

“JUST” SHOPPING - Thinking about Christmas shopping?  Want to give something meaningful and at the same time make purchases that benefit those in need?  Try visiting the Catholic Relief Services website for gifts.  www.crsgifts.org    All items meet the standards for fairly traded products.

HOLY HOUR FOR PEACE – Our “Let There Be Peace” prayer and reflection group will be leading us in a Holy Hour for Peace on Monday, January 1, 2007 from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. In addition to celebrating the Feast of Mary, the Mother of God, January 1 st is also the World Day of Peace. Our prayer will center on the Rosary for Peace. We will gather in the Eucharistic Chapel behind the main altar. At the beginning of this new year, please consider joining us for this opportunity to intercede for our world that “peace on earth and good will to all peoples” may prevail over violence.

PARISH RETREAT - will be held on Wednesday, December 6 th from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. The retreat theme will be “Advent: A Season of Holy Darkness.” The retreat will be facilitated by Alice Hinkel. Sign up is on the kiosk. (A $5.00 donation is suggested for the lunch). Eucharistic Adoration will be at 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. in the Nativity Room.

ST. NOEL FELLOWSHIP -The activities for the month of December are as follows: – December 7 th – Bingo – December 14 th - Socializing, meeting, white pizza, cheese tray w/crackers and at 12:30 p.m. we will have our Christmas luncheon of breaded pork chops, baked potato, peas w/mushrooms, salad, roll, butter and tiramisu. Cost is $10.00 per person. Deadline for ticket and payment is December 18 th . December 21 st – dice game - December 28 th - horse racing and we will also celebrate birthdays and anniversaries. Please remember to bring your food donation for the food pantry to this meeting. Everyone is welcome to attend Senior Fellowship.

RELAY FOR LIFE - Relay for Life is an American Cancer Society overnight relay fundraiser to promote advocacy and raise money for cancer research.  The Western Lake County event would like St. Noel to represent the Catholic community by creating a team to walk at the event.  Adults and kids are invited to join!  Contact Andrea Velotta for more information: email-  Andrea@lakerelay.org

PRIME TIME – We're joining Divine Word for Mass and a social on December 2 nd . See you next week on the 10 th at 7:00pm. “The ROCK” meets tonight (Sunday) at 6:30pm

CLEVELAND FOOD BANK – A dedicated group of workers has been serving at the Food Bank for over 6 years! We are looking for more people to add to our core. We serve the first Monday of each month for about 2-2 ½ hours; workers must be at least 12 years old. Please sign the interest sheet on the kiosk for more information. Make a difference: serve at the Cleveland Food Bank

JUNIOR HIGH YOUTH GROUP – The JHYG meets Wednesday, December 13 th at 7:00pm in the lower level. Bring your bibles. The group is open to all 6-8 grade students.

CLARK BARS – Keep buying those Clark bars!! Thanks to all who have helped. To date, St. Noel has raised over $500 to add to the total for the Clark family. We're selling Clark bars to support Terry Clark, a junior at Wickliffe and our parishioner, who is battling Leukemia. Through a special arrangement with Necco, the candy is being made available at an extremely reduced rate in order that more money might go to the Clark family. Candy bars sell for $1.00. Please place your donation in the box near the candy bars and please pray for Terry and his family.

CHRISTMAS PROJECT – We're in need of sponsor families. It's easy to do and makes a big difference. Call Anthony for more information – your family can really make a difference and have a wonderful experience of working together. Provide food and/or gifts for a family in need! We will serve over 100 families again this season!

CHRISTMAS COLLECTION – Members of PRIME TIME will be in the Narthex to accept donations for the Christmas Project this weekend and the weekend of the 9 th and 10 th . St. Noel Church has served families through this project for over 15 years! All money will be used to purchase food and gifts. Thanks for your generosity! We hope to collect over $5,000.

BRING FOOD TO MASS – You can help with the Christmas Project by bringing non-perishable food to Mass anytime over the next 3 weeks. The Christmas Project needs all canned foods, pasta, rice, stuffing, breakfast foods, and paper products. You can place your items on the bench outside the food pantry – thanks!

TEEN SUMMER SERVICE – Each summer, teens from St. Noel join teens from around the country serving those in need. We have traveled to Chicago, Buffalo, Detroit, Toronto, San Francisco, and Washington DC. This summer we have a number of options available. On this Tuesday, December 5 th at 7:00pm, we will meet in the teen center to discuss these options. Any teen interested in serving this summer needs to attend this meeting with a parent. We will have more than one week and one location available! Call Anthony with questions.

ENTERTAINMENT BOOKS 2007 are available in the church office or by calling Paula Garbo at 440-942-4884. Cost of the book is $30.00. All proceeds benefit mentally handicapped children. Please make all checks payable to Paula Garbo. Books are also available through Lake County Right to Life. Please call 440-255-5257 or 440-428-9023 for more information.

YOUNG ADULTS IN THE CITY (20's and 30's)

On Sat. December 16, from 9:00 a.m. to Noon, help Providence House, a crisis nursery for children ages newborn - five years old.  Our work will include organizing donated Christmas gifts, and their inventory of clothes, food, diapers, etc. To register, please call Laura (216-228-9516) or e-mail to 2006yaic@gmail.com or pekelly@clevelandcatholiccharities.org . This event is sponsored by Catholic Charities through the Youth & Young Adult Ministry and CYO Office.

CATHOLIC UPDATE entitled “A Quick Look at the New U.S. Catechism,” by Carol Ann Morrow is now available in the kiosk.

BANQUET CENTER - There are still a number of good dates in December to schedule a company party or a family gathering for the holidays. Please call the banquet center at 440-946-6635 for exact dates and information

ALWAYS OUR CHILDREN- The parent support group for families and friends of gay and lesbian Catholics welcomes you to join us at our next meeting, Sunday, December 10 th from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. in the library of the Administration Center at St. John Vianney Church on Bellflower Road in Mentor, Ohio .

THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION BEREAVEMENT COMMITTEE in Willoughby is sponsoring a program entitled “HOW TO GET THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS AFTER THE LOSS OF A LOVED ONE” on December 15 th , from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. in the school (please enter from the door nearest the garages). Reservations suggested-call at the rectory at 440-942-4500.

THE SINGING ANGELS will be performing at Immaculate Conception Church in Willoughby on December 17 th from 6:30-8:00 p.m. Tickets are $10/adults, $5/children (16 years and younger) and children 3 years old and younger are admitted free. Tickets will be available for purchase beginning Monday, December 4 th at the rectory office. For more information please call 440-942-4500.

TAIZE PRAYER will be held at St. Mary Magdalene in Willowick on Thursday, December 7 th from 7-7:45 p.m.

For more information please call 440-943-2133. Taize Prayer will all so be offered at the Church of the Resurrection, 32001 Cannon Road, Solon, Ohio on Wednesday, December 20 th , at 7:00 p.m. for more information contact Meg Matuska at 440-248-0980 X 25.

ADVENT LESSONS AND CAROLS is a prayer service highlighting the scriptures and music of the Advent season, sponsored by the Center for Pastoral Leadership. It will be held this Sunday, December 3, 2006 starting at 7:30 p.m.

BEAUMONT SCHOOL – will be celebrating the renovation of their Athletic Facilities with a ribbon cutting ceremony, activities and tours on Sunday, December 10 th from 1-3:00 p.m. Parishioners are invited to wear their athletic shoes and join in the fun and games at Beaumont's first-class athletic facilities. For more information please call 216-321-6265 X 244.

ST. JOHN VIANNEY CHURCH in Mentor will be presenting its fifth annual “Choral Sounds of Christmas” concert on Sunday, December 17, 2006 at 3:30 p.m. in the church. Admission is free to the public but a free will offering will be accepted .

I LIVE MY FAITH – is a Girl Scout religious program for girls, ages 9-11. We're offering this program, beginning on December 12 th from 5:30-7:30 p.m., and ending with earning a religious medal and Junior Level recognition. Through crafts, journals, fun events, service to the community, and sharing with family, we have a well-rounded program to accomplish this award. If you are interested please contact Louise Formica at 440-478-6888, kirtlandbrownie877@sbcglobal.net and more information will be forwarded to you.

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