Week of December 10, 2006

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Dear Parishioner,

This Tuesday, December 12 th at 7:30 p.m. we will celebrate our Advent Communal Penance Liturgy. As we prepare for the celebration of Christ's birth it is important to identify our faults and failings and ask God's forgiveness. Recognizing our short comings and placing our sins behind us allows us to take up our call to service ever-more faithfully. Join us on Tuesday so that we might together reject sin and renew ourselves in God's love.

I would also ask you to watch your mail for our Annual Report on Parish Life which will be sent out this week. Please identify it among all the catalogues and promotional materials which arrive this time of the year. This report enunciates key events in the life of our parish over the period from July 2005 to June of 2006. You will find an updated list of the over 50 ministries in our parish as well as the members of our staff, Pastoral Council and the Finance Council. The Annual Financial Report of the parish is also included with a specific listing of our collections, our expenses, and the present status of our parish debt. This complete report on our parish life and ministry strives to keep you fully informed of the ways in which your stewardship of time, talent and treasure have been used to fulfill our parish mission of proclaiming the Good News of Jesus. Please take a few moments to review this report when you receive it. If you have any questions or comments, please direct them to any member of our staff, Pastoral Council or Finance Council.

                                           Fr. George Smiga

REMINDER – Because of the Communal Penance Service on Tuesday evening, December 11th, at 7:30 p.m. we will not have an 8:45 a.m. Mass on that morning.

2007 CALENDARS Free 2007 calendars, compliments of DeJohn, Flynn-Mylott Funeral Home are available in the church office on the counter.  Please help yourself.

COPIES OF THE WORD AMONG US special Advent edition are available on the table in the narthex.  Please feel free to take one per family.

CHRISTMAS EVE, CHRISTMAS DAY, AND NEW YEAR'S 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 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 .

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.

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.

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., evening liturgy. For those dealing with a significant physical or emotional struggle, come and receive this beautiful Sacrament of Anointing. For those dreading the approaching holidays because of feelings of loneliness, 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 needs.

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   You can also visit the Social Justice section of the kiosk for information on local and online stores that sell only fairly traded items. 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. There is a box and forms on the table in the Narthex for you to submit specific prayer requests for peace, be they in your family, among your friends, in your place of work or more global in nature. These intentions will be prayed during our Holy Hour.

ATTENTION PARISHIONERS 70-1/2 YEARS AND OLDER - want to save Taxes on your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) from your IRA for 2006? Consider a direct charitable contribution from your IRA to the St. Noel Endowment Fund. The Pension Protection Act of 2006 allows you to receive the tax breaks for charitable giving you may have not been able to receive in the past. Contact the church office for more information from the Endowment Committee. Hurry, contributions must be made by December 31 st .

THE SPIRITUAL READING GROUP meeting for December 12th is cancelled because of a conflict with the Communal Penance Service.  We will meet next on Tuesday, January 9th at 7:30 pm in the Nativity Room to view and discuss a segment of the PBS Series "Faith and Reason."

ST. NOEL FELLOWSHIP -The activities for the month of December are as follows: – 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 11 th . December 21 st – dice game – Anniversaries and birthdays will be celebrated and please remember to bring your food donation for the food pantry to this meeting. December 28 th - NO 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 – See you tonight (Sunday) at 7:00pm in the Teen Center. Our topic is “Dealing with Death” and we'll focus on the issue of how to handle the death of someone you love. Be there for PRIME TIME!! Our annual Christmas Party is December 17 th at 7:00pm in the Teen Center . All former PRIME TIME alumni our invited to the Christmas Party!! We'd love to see some old face and have a good time!!

JUNIOR HIGH YOUTH GROUP – The JHYG meets this 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 – The bars are coming so keep buying those Clark bars!! Thanks to all who have helped. To date, St. Noel has raised over $1100 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. 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 – It's not too late to sponsor a family! It's easy to do and makes a big difference. Call Anthony for more information.

CHRISTMAS PROJECT SIGNUP – Please sign the sheets on the kiosk if you plan to shop (Dec17th) or deliver food (December 23 rd ) for the project. If you plan to wrap, please come on Dec 20 th at 7:00pm in the hall – no sign up needed.

CHRISTMAS COLLECTION – Members of PRIME TIME will be in the Narthex to accept donations for the Christmas Project again this weekend. 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!

STEPHEN MINISTRY – Do you or someone you know need the caring presence of Christ during a difficult time? Stephen Ministers are trained, compassionate listeners ready to spend time with you. Please call Anthony to learn how a Stephen Minister could benefit you.

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

ST. FELICITAS PRESCHOOL is offering an eight week program for you and your two or three year old non-preschooler. Registration must be done in person. Registration begins January 4, 2007. Our regular hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Cost of the program is $60.00. The class will meet every Wednesday for 8 weeks, beginning Wednesday, January 10, 2007 through February 28, 2007 For more information please call 216-732-9116.

THE CATHEDRAL OF SAINT JOHN THE EVANGELIST will be presenting The Splendor of Christ on Wednesday, December 27, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. This is the Feast of St. John the Evangelist our Diocesan Patron, Solemn Vespers will be sung amidst the splendor of Christmas at the cathedral. Bishop Lennon will be the presider and preacher. All are welcome, especially the young and those preparing for initiation! Following vespers there will be a brief tour of the Cathedral church and a social with light refreshments. Come and celebrate this Feast of our Patron in the beauty of the Christmas Season at St. John Cathedral – Everybody's Church.

VILLA ANGELA/ST. JOSEPH HIGH SCHOOL will be presenting their Christmas concert on Thursday, December 14 th at 7:30 p.m. in the gym. Admission price is $2/adults and $1/students. For more information please call 216-481-8414.

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION WILLOUGHBY BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT SESSION will be held on Thursday, December 14 th , after the 7:00 p.m. Mass, in the church meeting room. For more information call Patricia at 440-954-9087.

LAKE CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL invites you to their Christmas Concert today, Sunday, December 10 th at 7:00 p.m. For additional information, log on to

Lakecatholic.org.

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