Week of December 16, 2007

Weekly Readings

Quick View of Meetings for the Week

Archive of Weekly Bulletins

Dear Parishioner,

Our music ministry will be presenting the annual Epiphany Concert of holiday music on Sunday, January 6, 2008 at 4:00 p.m. here at St. Noel. 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 five octaves of handbells and hand chimes.

The concert format is an additional bonus. With the choirs located in the center of the church, the acoustics are greatly improved. The result is a sound that is both beautiful and inspiring. The members of the music ministry work for months in preparation for the music that we will be hearing at Christmas, particularly at Midnight Mass. The Epiphany Concert provides us an opportunity to hear again what they have worked so hard to accomplish and also to join in some Christmas singing ourselves. Pease consider bringing your family and friends to close the Christmas season with a glorious, joyful sound on January 6 th .

Fr. George Smiga

“NEW YEAR'S TO GO” – Our parish Banquet Center is offering complete dinners to take home for New Year's Eve and day. Full directions are included for a simple preparation. Order forms with pricing are available in the kiosk. All orders must be phoned into the hall by 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 27 th . With one of St. Noel “New Year's to Go” dinners all you need to provide are the plates, the drinks, and the people.

CHRISTMAS DECORATING – We will be putting up the Christmas Decorations on Sunday, December 23 rd after the 11:00 Mass. If you are able to help, please come to the narthex on December 23 rd after the 11:00 Mass. Thank you.

BULLETIN ARTICLES- because of the holidays, bulletin articles for the weekends of December 22/23 - December 29/30, 2007 , and January 5/6, 2008 must be in the parish office by Monday December, 17 th.

MARDI GRAS – SAVE THE DATE – Because Lent begins very early in 2008, Mardi Gras will be on Saturday evening, February 2, 2008, so mark your calendars now!  See you there!

MARDI GRAS COMMITTEE – Anyone interested in helping with the 2008 Mardi Gras is invited to a committee meeting on Sunday, December 16, 2007 at 10 a.m. (after the 9a.m. liturgy) in the Nativity Room

ST. AUGUSTINE RAFFLE CALENDARS (365 chances to win) will be on sale for $25 in the narthex starting this weekend after all the Masses. After this, calendars will also be available in the church office, Mondays through Fridays between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. and Sundays after Mass. For more information please call Jim Klements at 440-442-2744

A CHRISTMAS INVITATION – If you or someone you know feels separated from or forgotten by the Catholic Church, if you have questions about the Catholic faith, or if you are in need of a welcoming Christian community, one of our parish staff members would be happy to speak with you. Simply complete the tear out section of the Christmas program which you will receive at Christmas Mass and place it in the collection basket or the box in the narthex and we will be in touch!

PRIME TIME - We're shopping (Sunday) morning – no meeting tonight.

JUNIOR HIGH YOUTH GROUP – See you for wrapping on the 18 th at 7:00pm. Please bring non- perishable food items .

CHRISTMAS PROJECT – Thank you for your generosity!! We collected over $6,000 (wow!!) and will use that money for food & gifts. This truly is a parish effort!

CHRISTMAS PROJECT SHOPPING – Shopping is this morning (Sunday) at 8:30am – NOT – 8:30pm as listed in last week's bulletin – thanks.

CHRISTMAS PROJECT WRAPPING & DELIVERY – We're wrapping gifts this Tuesday, December 18 th at 7:00pm in the Banquet Center. Gifts and food baskets will all be delivered on Saturday morning, December 22 nd beginning at 9:00am in the Banquet Center. Sign up on the kiosk if you can help.

CHRISTMAS PROJECT SET-UP – Ever wonder how all those baskets get organized? Come and help on Friday, December 21 st beginning at 9:00am to find out. Please call Anthony if you would like to help setup for delivery (946-1128).

ALTAR SERVERS – We are need of servers at all liturgies. Adults are welcome to serve at Mass as well – you must be in at least the 4 th grade to serve. Please sign the sheet on the kiosk if interested in serving.

TEEN MASS – the Mass begins at 4:30pm today (Sunday). Semi-Formal attire. See the kiosk for details.

YOUNG NEIGHBORS IN ACTION – Since 1996, teens from St. Noel Church have served throughout the country with YNIA. This summer we're serving in Buffalo, NY during the week of July 20-26. We have 10 spots for teens - $100 will reserve your spot. Check the kiosk or contact Anthony for more info. This is a memorable experience – any 9-12 grade student is welcome.

BLOOD DRIVE – We are again sponsoring a blood drive on Sunday, December 30 th beginning at 8:00am in the Banquet Center. You can register online at www.givelife.org Follow the prompts and use “stnoel” as the sponsor code. We are in need of volunteers to work the welcome table at the blood drive. Please call Anthony (946-1128 x20) if you can help.

ADULT CONFIRMATION – preparation for any adult interested in being Confirmed will be offered at St. John Vianney Church on Tuesday nights beginning January 8 th . If you are a baptized Catholic and, for whatever reason, were never confirmed, please call Anthony (946-1128) for more information on celebrating this Sacrament.

2008 CALENDARS courtesy of DeJohn Funeral Home are available on the counter in the church office. Please help yourself.

OFFICE HELP – We are in need of a volunteer in the church office on Thursday evenings. You will be alternating every other Thursday evening with another volunteer. If you are able to help please call the church office (440-946-0887) for further details.

LITURGICAL MINISTERS - 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.

WEDDING MUSIC – We will have an Evening of Wedding Music on Monday, January 14, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. in the church. This workshop is for engaged couples who will be getting married this year, and will feature over an hour of music appropriate for liturgy, as well as a chance to hear parish soloists and instrumentalists. To better assist you in making choices, you are strongly encouraged to bring a tape recorder and tape the session. See you there!

HOLY HOUR FOR PEACE – Our “Let There Be Peace” prayer and reflection group will be leading us in a Holy Hour for Peace on Tuesday, January 1, 2008 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.

EXTRA CANVASS BAGS? – In an effort to reduce the number of plastic and paper bags we use, we would like to issue as many canvass/cloth grocery bags as possible to our food pantry clients so they can reuse them, if they need to revisit us and for their other shopping.  If you have extra bags and are willing to donate them, simply place them in the food bin in the food pantry area.  Thank you for helping to care for God's creation!

ST. NOEL FELLOWSHIP – Activities for December are as follows: –– December 20 th – CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON – 11:30 am - socializing, meeting, punch, pizza, cheese tray w/crackers and then at 12:30 p.m. we will have our luncheon menu: Prime Rib, baked potato, mixed vegetables, salad, rolls, butter and cheese cake. Cost is $12.00 per person. For more information or tickets please call 440-946-6635. Deadline for tickets and payment is December 17 th . December 27 th - NO MEETING. Next meeting will be on January 3, 2008.

LEGISLATIVE ACTION ALERTS – If you would like to receive by email the legislative action alerts sent to us from the Diocesan Social Action Office please sign up on the kiosk.  This is a great way to be aware of legislation pending both in Ohio and on the national level that will have an impact (either positively or negatively) on the values fostered by Catholic social teaching.  Alerts include contact information for the legislators involved and suggested the points to be emphasized when we make our contacts.  Part of our call as Christians is to advocate for those who are in poverty, suffering injustices or whose very life and dignity may be threatened in some way.  Please prayerfully consider signing up for these action alerts.

ST. NOEL BANQUET CENTER – Great dates are still available in the Banquet Center for 2008. April 19 th & 26 th are open as well as May 3 rd & 24 th and June 7th. Most Fridays throughout the year are also open. If you or you know of someone who is planning an event of any kind please call the Banquet Center office at 440-946-6635. We are willing to make a deal.

ENTERTAINMENT BOOKS 2008 are available in the church office. Cost of the book is $30.00. All proceeds benefit children with disabilities.

PLEASE SAVE YOUR USED STAMPS – for the Maryknoll Sisters for their missionary work. Cut the stamps from the envelope using scissors. Leave ¼” margin around the stamp. Postage meter stamps are of no value. Place the stamps in the box located in the coat room. Because of modern devices such as e-mail, direct deposit, postage meters etc the use of stamps is way down. We really need your help! Your assistance is greatly appreciated.

CATHEDRAL OF SAINT JOHN THE EVANGELIST – On Thursday, the 27 th of December, amidst the beauty of Christmastime at the Cathedral we will celebrate our diocesan patronal feast day of Saint John the Evangelist. You are invited to join Bishop Lennon and people from throughout the Diocese in two special events marking this important feast. At 12:00 noon a special Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Lennon and at 7:00 p.m. in the evening a Solemn Vespers service will be sung. An informative guided tour of the Cathedral will follow Vespers. Also, free and secure parking is available for the evening service.

EL SALVADOR SPEAKER – Megan Horton, a long time volunteer with Crispaz, an organization dedicated to informing North Americans about El Salvador and the history of the country's struggles will be speaking at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday evening, January 3, 2008 at Resurrection Parish in Solon. Come and hear about her personal commitment to this country and its people and be updated on the current political, economic and environmental situation there. All are welcome!

Quick View of Meetings for the Week

BACK TO TOP

If you have questions concerning any information contained on the Saint Noel Parish Web site, contact us.

Our staff will answer your questions or forward you to the appropriate individual or group.