Week of December 4, 2005

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Dear Parishioner,

As I explained in last week's “Faith Connection,” Advent is a complex season. It is possible to identify three distinct “comings” of Christ present in Advent. The first weeks of Advent direct us to the coming of Christ at the end of time. These weeks call us to prepare for Christ's arrival through the conversion of our lives. Yet Advent unlike Lent, is not a penitential season. The latter days of Advent turn to joyful anticipation as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ. Therefore, the call of Advent for us to convert is overshadowed by the supreme gift of God's Son becoming human.

This understanding of conversion is a healthy one to follow. Too often as we think of how we should change, our focus is placed on our shortcomings and our attitude is one of discouragement. Advent reminds us that the power of conversion does not flow primarily from our own willpower, but from God's grace made manifest in Jesus. Even as we admit our sins, our focus should be placed on God's power; and our attitude should be one of hope and joy.

Next week on Wednesday, December 14 th , we will hold our Advent Communal Penance Liturgy. I encourage you to participate. I ask you to come with an Advent spirit. As we look forward to Christ's coming at the last judgement, we certainly need to change our lives. But as we look back at His birth we should realize that there is always reason for hope and joy. If God so loves us as to give us Jesus as our Savior, then we certainly can change. We need not fear because God's love and mercy overshadows all of our sins.

I have described Christ's first coming at His birth and the second coming at the end of time, but there is still one more coming which is just as important. That is the coming of Christ into our lives today. Participating in our Advent Communal Penance Liturgy is one way to make that coming real. I hope to see you there.

Fr. George Smiga

FEAST OF IMMACULATE CONCEPTION – Thursday, December 8 th . Our Masses will be at Noon and 7:00 p.m.

CATHOLIC UPDATE – entitled “The Annunciation; The Angel's Message to Mary”, by Edward Sri, is now available in the kiosk.

CATHOLIC CAMPAIGN FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT – Next weekend, December 10 th and 11 th , ushers will be in the narthex to accept donations to this important cause. In our diocese, CCHD funds dozens of projects that are successfully advocating on behalf of the poor to address the issues that lead to and prolong poverty. To show our support for this campaign, our ushers will be in the narthex after all Masses next weekend to accept your donations. Thank you in advance for your support.

CHRISTMAS EVE AND CHRISTMAS DAY – Liturgical Minister schedules (Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers and Sacristans) are on the bulletin board by the kitchenette.

Ministers are asked to sign up if they are able to help for the holidays..

BULLETIN ARTICLES – Because of the Holidays, bulletin articles for the weekends of December 18 th and December 25 th must be in the office by December 13 th .

Articles for the weekend of January 1, 2006 need to be in the office by December 20 th .

HEALING MINISTRY – This Wednesday, we will again be celebrating the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick as part of our 6:45 p.m. liturgy. For those dealing with a significant physical or emotional struggle, come and receive this beautiful Sacrament. For those who are dreading the approaching holidays, because of feelings of loneliness, depression, hurt or disappointment, be healed by His touch through the Eucharist. After the liturgy, prayer teams will be available to pray with you for individual need.

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 6-12 will register in January. Students in grades 3-5 may register with Marianne Slattery (440-946-1128 x 21). The first information/preparation session for grades 3-5 will be on Sunday, December 11 from 10:30 – noon . Parents are asked to attend with their child(ren). Please register for this session by Sunday, December 4 th .

LOW INCOME SENIORS-HOME REPAIRS – The Lake Communities Development Corporation is working with Salvation Army and United Way to offer low income senior or low income disabled homeowners with minor home emergency repairs. Please check the “Social Justice” section of the kiosk for qualification guidelines

and further information.

WHY ARE PEOPLE STARVING WHEN THERE'S SO MUCH FOOD? On Sunday, December 11 th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at the invitation of last year's JustFaith group, Tony Vento will facilitate a discussion addressing global, national and local issues about food production and distribution. Tony presently serves as a Newman Campus Minister at Case. He formerly has been Program Director for Pax Christi USA, Co-ordinator of the Cleveland Inter-Religious Task Force on Central American and a staff member of InterAct Cleveland, an organization whose mission is to be a catalyst for creating an inter-religious community through which members put faith into action working for social justice through dialogue, volunteer service and advocacy. Please consider joining us for this discussion.

EL SALVADOR ENCOUNTER – Plans continue for our trip to El Salvador scheduled for July 18 th though 26 th , 2006. Fr. George will be joining us as we encounter the courageous and faith-filled people of this beautiful country. We will be visiting the sites of the martyrs (Jesuits, Bishop Romero and the Church Women), hearing the stories of the families of those who were “disappeared” during the Civil War, worshiping at one of the parishes staffed by our Diocesan Mission team, interacting with the children at the Community of Oscar A. Romero, and visiting our partnership of Women in Community for several days in Zaragoza, El Salvador. The current estimated cost is $1,500. An informational meeting will be held at 10:15 a.m. on Sunday morning, January 8, 2006 as our deadline for sign up is February 1, 2006. You may want to sign up prior to that date as the maximum number of people we can accommodate is fifteen and a number of people have already registered. Please call Alice at 440-946-0887 to register.

SVDP Car Donation Program – With poverty in Northeast Ohio at all time high levels, now more than ever St. Vincent DePaul Society needs your help to keep their community-wide programs going. The SVDP provides free food, clothing, furniture and blankets to the needy throughout the Diocese of Cleveland. However, without your car donations, these programs would not be possible. Simply call 216-741-7837 to donate your late model car, truck, SUV or boat. The process is quick and easy, with free towing and a tax deduction.

THE ST. NOEL CONCERT SERIES presents “The Magic of Christmas” performed by The Ohio Boychoir on Saturday, December 3, 2005 at 7:30 p.m. in the church. Come and enjoy a rich celebration of holiday music as sung by the angelic voices of the Ohio Boychoir. The program will include John Rutter's “Dancing Day” with harpist, Sarah Oliver. Admission is free. A free-will offering will be taken.

ARTICLE PUBLISHED – Our parishioner, Tim Warneka, recently had an interesting article published in "Today's Catholic Teacher". You can read it on the web at: http://www.peterli.com/archive/tct/999.shtm . Congratulations, Tim!

ADULT CONFIRMATION – The Lake/Geauga District of Catholic Parishes is again offering preparation sessions for adults interested in celebrating the Sacrament of Confirmation. The classes will be held at St. John Vianney Church in Mentor. Deadline to register is December 21 st . More information is available on the kiosk. Call Anthony to register.

PRIME TIME – See you tonight at 7:00 p.m. in the Teen Center.

ALTAR SERVERS – We are in need of servers at all our Liturgies. Both children (4 th grade and older) and adults are welcome to serve. Please call Anthony for more information. This is a wonderful opportunity for parents and children to serve together!

CHRISTMAS FOOD BOXES – We are still in need of non-perishable food items, cleaning supplies and paper products for the Christmas Project. You can bring your donations to the Church anytime!

CHRISTMAS PROJECT COLLECTION – Our teens will be in the narthex after Mass this weekend to collect money for the Christmas Project. Thanks to all who donated last week. 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.

CHRISTMAS PROJECT SIGNUP – Please add your name to the lists on the kiosk if you're interested in helping shop, wrap and/or deliver for the Project.

YNIA – Our summer trip is scheduled for July 9-15 in Toronto, Canada. Please plan on attending an info meeting on Sunday night, December 4 th in the Teen Center to learn more about this great trip. The meeting begins at 7:00pm.

SPONSOR A FAMILY – There's still time to sponsor a family for the Christmas Project. Call Anthony for more details.

CLEVELAND FOOD BANK – We will serve at the Food Bank, Monday, December 5 th beginning at 6:00pm. Please call Anthony (946-1128 x20) if you are interested in this valuable ministry.

NOEL MOVERS – The movers recently leased a storage unit in Willoughby to increase our capacity to serve families. The ministry continues to grow! We are currently in need of appliances, mattresses and dressers. Call Anthony to donate.

GIVE THE GIFT OF MUSIC – This Christmas, share the gift of your parish music ministry with your family and friends. The St. Noel Music Ministry CD entitled How

Can We Keep From Singing? Features the choir, chamber singers and hand bell choir and will be available for sale in the narthex following all weekend liturgies during Advent. Proceeds benefit the music ministry pilgrimage fund. Share this ministry of St. Noel with those you love this year.

PARISH HISTORY BOOK – The 25 th Anniversary Parish Commemorative Book will be published in both a soft bound and hard-bound edition. The soft bound edition will be mailed to each parish household. The hard bound edition will include a foil-stamped cover and is included with a cornerstone sponsorship. Sponsorship cards are available in the kiosk. For further information, contact Chris Roach at 440-356-1124.

ST. NOEL FELLOWSHIP - The activities for the month of December are as follows: December 8 th , Auction; December 15 th Christmas Luncheon at 11:30 a.m. – Socializing, meeting, prizes; 12:30 p.m. Luncheon, Menu: Prime Rib, baked potato, peas w/mushrooms, salad, rolls & butter, Tiramisu. For tickets call Marianne Ferritto (440-943-6822) Cost is $13.00 and the deadline for tickets and payment is December 12 th . Please remember to bring something for the food bank ; December 22 - No meeting; December 29 th – No Meeting.

ENTERTAINMENT BOOKS 2006 – are available in the church office. The cost is $30. All proceeds benefit Mentally Handicapped Children. Books are also available from Lake County Right To Life (440-255-5257).

ST. NOEL PARISH HALL – If your family, friends or maybe the company you work for are looking for a nice place to hold a wedding, birthday party, baby shower or a holiday party, please recommend St. Noel Parish Hall. We can accommodate any group of 50-500. There are still openings in November and December. We are also taking reservations for any dates in 2006 and 2007. Select dates will fill up quickly. You can check availability by calling the hall office at 440-946-6635. Also mark your calendars for March 18 th , 2006, Shout will be back at St. Noel Parish Hall.

CATHOLIC RECOVERY FOR THE DIVORCED AND SEPARATED - “Facing My Loneliness” will be presented on December 6, 2005 at the Browning Center in Willoughby . Anna Tyrrell will focus on the loneliness that often accompanies separation and divorce and positive ways to deal with it.

URSULINE COLLEGE invites you to participate in their Master of Arts in Ministry Program. Classes begin January 19, 2006. If you would like more information, please call 440-646-8195. Scholarships are available.

SCHOOL OPEN HOUSES – Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School Placement/Scholarship tests Saturday, January 7 th . All will begin at 8:00 a.m.

“PILGRIMS OF HOPE,” This January 2006 marks the 25 th anniversary of the installation of Bishop Pilla. To mark this Silver Jubilee, a coffee table book called “Pilgrims of Hope” has been published. You may order the book at www.dioceseofcleveland.org , or there are order forms available in the kiosk. All proceeds go to an educational foundation established by the Bishop.

WEEKEND FOR DIVORCED, SEPARATED AND WIDOWED – The next BEGINNING EXPERIENCE weekend will be held on February 10 th , 11 th and 12 th at St. Joseph Christian Life Center. Please call Carol (330-416-8911) or Jan (440-808-9879) for more information.

ALWAYS OUR CHILDREN – The parents support group for families and friends of gay and lesbian Catholics welcomes you to join us at our next meeting, Sunday, December 11 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.

FACING YOUR LONELINESS – Feelings of isolation and loneliness are often present for those who are struggling with separation or divorce, especially during the holiday season. You are not alone! Join Anna Tyrell, Licensed Social Worker and Professional Counselor, for an evening devoted to looking at ways to face loneliness and exploring strategies that can be used to manage feelings of isolation and ways to develop new perspectives on painful transitions. We will be meeting on Tuesday, December 6 th from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Browning Center in Willoughby. To register call Karen at 440-352-8282.

STAMPS – Please save your used stamps for the Maryknoll Sisters for their missionary work. Cut the stamps from the envelopes using scissors. Leave a ¼” margin on all four sides. Place the stamps in the box on top of the coat room racks. Thank you for your assistance.

A JOURNEY OF DISCOVERY: PILGRIMAGE TO ARCHEOLOGICAL SITES OF WOMEN OFFICEHOLDERS IN THE EARLY CHURCH – Rome-Ostia-Assisi will take place March 30 th through April 8 th .

Call Barbara Grants at 216-228-0869 or Pat Firem at 440-223-6964.

CHORAL SOUNDS OF CHRISTMAS – St. John Vianney Church will present its Fourth Annual Concert on Sunday, December 18 th at 3:30 p.m. The concert features the adult SATB Choir, Children's choir and Bell Choir. Admission is free, but donations would be greatly appreciated. All funds are used to support St. John Vianney's Choral Music Program.

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