Week of December 12, 2004

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Dear Parishioner,

As pastor it is often the small things that get to me. I am happy to say that the important things in my ministry bring me a great deal of satisfaction. Fortunately they are not the most important or difficult things which I must face. I try to do my best when dealing with families at the time of death, divorce or other family crises. Even though administration and finance are not my strong suits with the generosity of so many of our parishioners I was able to co-ordinate the 2.6 million dollar expansion of our facility and now the appeal to raise our weekly collections. These large and difficult issues come with the job and I am grateful that I can accept them as such and do my best to address them. It is, however, the small stubborn things which cause me to tear out the little hair I have left.

The chief culprit recently in this area is an odor. There is an odor in our church. It smells much like rotten eggs. It is not always present. It particularly likes to arrive for 5:00 p.m. Mass on Saturday. Even in our welcoming parish it is not an acceptable guest. The odor is not the result of our recent expansion of the church. It was already arriving regularly before construction began. The problem is we have no idea what is causing it. We have consulted architects, engineers, heating and cooling specialists. They come in confident that they can solve the problem and leave defeated. We have checked sanitary connections, gas lines, sulfur backfill possibilities and venting issues –- all to no avail.

This is not to say we have given up. The odor seems to be emanating from the small electrical room at the back of church. Our most recent strategy is to isolate this room by sealing off all interior cracks and openings. This would not address the source of the odor (whatever that might be) but might prevent it from entering church. I am writing this today to ask for your patience. I want you to know that we continue to take steps to eliminate the odor, but we simply have not as yet had any success.

Luckily it is more of a nuisance then a crisis. The church is still usable and there is no danger to those in our buildings. Nevertheless, I am not beyond asking for your prayers. Just ask the Lord to show us how to eliminate the odor. It would be a wonderful Christmas gift to be able to cross it off of my to-do list and to get on with more important matters. (Until we solve the problem could I ask parishioners to apply more perfume and cologne when you come to Mass?)

Fr. George Smiga

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS, LECTORS AND SACRISTANS- are invited to sign up for liturgies on Christmas Eve (4:30 p.m.; 6:30 p.m. and Midnight); and Christmas Day (9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.). Sign-up sheets are on the bulletin board by the kitchenette.

REMINDER – Because of the Communal Penance service on Tuesday, December 14 th at 7:30 p.m. there will be no 8:45 a.m. Liturgy on Tuesday, December 14 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. evening liturgy. For those dealing with a significant physical or emotional struggle, come and receive this beautiful Sacrament of Anointing. 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 needs.

BULLETIN ARTICLES – for the weekends of December 18 th /19 th , December 25 th /26 th , and January 1 st /2 nd need to be in the parish office by Tuesday, December 14 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.

ST. NOEL SOCIAL CONCERNS FUND – During the month of November we collected $656.00. Our expenses for November were:

We thank you for your support.

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 outreach efforts in the parish after all the Masses next weekend ( December 18 th /19 th .)

SAVE THE DATE!   Want to keep the Peace of Christ, which we celebrate at Christmas, with you into the New Year?  If so, join us on Thursday evening, January 13, 2005 at 7 p.m. in the Resurrection Room.  Anthony Camino will share his reflection on the disciple's call to be a person of peace.  Anthony has spoken to other groups in our diocese on this topic and his words were much appreciated.  We hope you can join us on the 13 th !    

WOMEN & COMMUNITY - We have several updates on our partnership with the women of Zaragoza, El Salvador.  With the help of Chris Janezic and his students at VASJ who recently traveled to El Salvador, we were able to send several suitcases of material to the women.  We are also grateful for those of you who volunteered to help with translation which is enabling us to send letters to the women in Spanish.  Another note of thanks goes to our PSR students who designed and wrote Christmas cards in Spanish which will be sent to the children of the women.  Lastly, please check the kiosk for the thank you letter from International Partners in Mission regarding our fund raising efforts.  Be assured that we will continue to explore ways of staying in touch with “Mujer y Comunidad.” 

ROSARY FOR LIFE – Be open to the prompting of the Holy Spirit by getting more personally involved in the Pro-life movement. Join the “March for Life” in Washington DC at noon, Monday, January 24, 2005. Busses will be leaving many parishes at 9:00 p.m., Sunday, January 23, 2005 and returning at 2:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 25, 2005. The busses make plenty of rest stops. For details of the bus nearest to your parish, call: Frank Kosmerl at 216-362-6091.

MARDI GRAS – 2005 – Need a holiday gift for that hard to buy person? How about a ticket to the St Noel 2005 Mardi Gras? Plans are being finalized for the festivities to be held on Saturday, February 5 th . Tickets are only $35.00 per person. Purchase seven tickets and get one ticket free. Tickets are available by contacting the parish office.

EPIPHANY CONCERT – Your are cordially invited to share in the beautiful sounds of Advent and Christmas at the Epiphany Concert presented by the Music Ministries of St. Noel in honor of the Feast of the Epiphany. This free concert will be held at St. Noel on Sunday, January 2, 2004 at 4:00 p.m. Please call Marc Weagraff, Music Director at St. Noel 440-946-0887 for more information. We look forward to celebrating this great feast and this wonderful music with you.

ANNUAL FAMILY ITALIAN DINNER will be Friday, January 28 th from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The cost will be $8.00 for adults, $4.00 for children ages 6-12 and children 5 and under are free. Tickets will be sold at the door. Volunteers are needed to help serve and clear the tables, and a sign-up sheet is on the kiosk.

ST. AUGUSTINE CALENDARS – will be on sale for $25.00 in the narthex on the weekend of December 18 th /19 th . For more information, please call the parish office at 440-946-0887. Also, anyone who would like a calendar for Christmas can get them from the parish office on Sundays from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (not on Saturdays) or Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

ST. NOEL PRESCHOOL - Families and volunteers of the St. Noel Preschool Program, please join us in the large hall Sunday, December 19, 2004 at the 9:00 mass for a Christmas Celebration. Family last names A-I: please bring one dozen cupcakes to share. Family last names J-Z: please bring two dozen Christmas cookies to share. Weeks 1 and 3 staff members: please arrive 45 minutes early for set-up. Weeks 2 and 4 staff members: please remain afterwards for clean-up. We look forward to celebrating with you and your family. Also there will be no preschool Dec. 26 and Jan. 2 . St. Noel Preschool will resume Sunday, January 9, 2005.

ST. NOEL FELLOWSHIP – Activities for December are as follows: 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. 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.

ROSARY – Join us Tuesday, December 21st from 7-7:45 p.m. in the Chapel as we pray the Rosary. All are welcome to this quiet, reflective time in honor of Mary and her Son, Jesus.

JUNIOR HIGH YOUTH GROUP – Don't forget to come and wrap gifts on Wednesday the 15 th at 7:00pm in the large hall. NO MEETING DECEMBER 21 ST

PRIME TIME – We're shopping today (Sunday) 8:30am at K-Mart. No meeting tonight. Christmas Party on the 19 th – all PRIME TIME alumni are invited to the Christmas Party. Please stop in and say hello!!

CHRISTMAS PROJECT – This is the week of preparations!! We will wrap all presents on Wednesday, December 15 th at 7:00pm in the large hall. We will set up for delivery on Thursday, December 16 th at 9:00am in the small hall. We will deliver all the gifts and food on Saturday, December 18 th beginning at 9:00am in the large hall. Please help!! Call Anthony to volunteer (946-1128 x20)

NEW PARENT MINISTRY - The New Parent Ministry is under way with the first meeting being held on December 13th at 9:30 a.m. in the Playroom at St. Noel.  The group is for parents of children under 2 years old and will offer support, discussion and education, as well as socialization for your infant.  Please join us on the 13th (or any Monday thereafter at 9:30 a.m.), or call Janice Cackowski at (440) 585-9588 with your questions.  

CATHOLIC UPDATE entitled “Aids and the Consistent Ethic of Life,” by Kenneth R. Overberg, S.J., is now available in the kiosk.

ENTERTAINMENT BOOKS 2005 are available in the church office or by calling Paula Garbo at 440-942-4884. The cost of the book is $30.00. All proceeds benefits mentally handicapped children. Also, Lake Catholic High School students are selling Entertainment Books 2005. The cost is $30.00 per book. For more information please call the school at 440-951-0077.

“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.

RETROUVAILLE – help for troubled marriages. Have you felt distant or alone from your partner? Have you been anxious about your marriage relationship? Do the stresses and strain of everyday living take its toll on your marriage relationship? Are you unable to see how to change your situation? If so Retrouvaille may be for you. Retrouvaille is a program which helps couples to rediscover each other in a new and positive way. A retrouvaille weekend will be held on January 7-9 at the Hilton Hotel in Beachwood. A registration fee of $50.00 is required to confirm a reservation. For more information, call Al and Diane Miskinis at 216-481-1467 or 1-800-470-2230. You may also learn about Retrouvaille on the World Wide Web at:

www.helpourmarriage.com .

SEPARATED AND DIVORCED CATHOLICS – Money management and domestic relations mediation and parenting programs will be the two topics that separated and divorced Catholics may choose to explore at their next meeting on Tuesday, January 4, 2005 at St. Mary of the Assumption Church, 8560 Mentor Avenue from 7-9:00 p.m. Program presenters will be Bob Houston of the Consumer Credit Counseling Service and Marie Umholtz and Ellen Foley Kessler of the Lake County Domestic Relations Court. For more information or to register, please call Karen at 440-352-8282.

CATHOLIC RECOVERY FOR DIVORCED & SEPARATED- Feelings of hurt, anger, disillusionment, and confusion are often a part of separation and divorce. You are not alone! The Catholic parishes of Lake and Geauga counties have developed an 8-week support group to provide direction and support and provide you with the tools that will help you to grow through your divorce and begin to build a new life. Join us Thursday, January 6 th through February 24 th , here at St. Noel from 7-9:00 p.m. To register or for further information kindly call Catholic Charities at 1-800-242-9755 or 440-352-6191.

ST. JOHN VIANNEY CHURCH in Mentor is having a choral concert on Sunday, December 19 th at 3:30 p.m. Admission is free.

CHEF RANDY HAS A HOLIDAY DEAL FOR YOU – Chef Randy has 6 oz. Center-Cut Filet Mignons for you to purchase. They are frozen and individually wrapped. You can purchase as many as you wish while they are available for $5.50 each. Call the hall office at 440-946-6635 and reserve yours for the holidays.

ST. NOEL PARISH HALL BOOKINGS FOR 2005 & 2006 – We are currently taking deposits to reserve the large and small halls for anyone that may have a need for our services during 2005 & 2006. We can accommodate any groups of 50-475. Parishioners who are planning weddings for themselves or a son or daughter will receive a 10% discount. Parishioners will also receive a 5% discount for any other functions scheduled in the hall for an immediate family member or themselves. Please call the hall office at 440-946-6635 to check availability. The hall office is closed on Mondays.

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