Week of December 17, 2006

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Dear Parishioner,

Next Sunday is both the Fourth Sunday of Advent and Christmas Eve. Because of this there will be only two liturgies for the Fourth Sunday of Advent: 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 23 rd , and 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, December 24 th . Additional seating will be set up in the church so we are confident there will be room for everyone. The Masses for Christmas Eve will take place on Sunday evening at 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. and Midnight. There will be Masses on Christmas Day at 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.

Before the Midnight Mass, there will be a program of Christmas music by our music ministry, beginning at 11:15 p.m. All of the Christmas liturgies are crowded, particularly the 4:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve; therefore, please make sure you come early.

Allow me to make one further point about our large crowds at Christmas. For those of us who are here every weekend, it can often be disturbing to find that there is no room for us to sit in our usual places at Christmas. We can be annoyed that “these strangers” are sitting in our places. Let me just suggest that if we really understand what Christmas is about, there is no such thing as a “stranger.” If we hear the angels' song of “Peace on Earth,” we might well understand that such peace begins with us when we welcome those we do not know with hospitality. Indeed, even if people come to church only on Christmas, should we not be thankful that, for whatever reason, they are here to join in the praise of God. And if their presence forces us to change our worship pattern, might not the graciousness with which we make such an adjustment convey how this community really lives the faith we proclaim. In other words, our hospitality and generosity should be at its best during these crowded Christmas liturgies. Perhaps then, those who are so warmly welcomed may choose to join us for other liturgies during the rest of the year.

Besides, even if you come to church only to find there is no room for you in the place you expected to be, the Christmas Story itself assures you that you are in good company. Having to adapt to unusual circumstances because of a lack of room was certainly Mary and Joseph's experience on that first Christmas.

                                           Fr. George Smiga

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. We still need Eucharistic Ministers and Sacristans for 4:30 and 6:30 on Christmas Eve and All ministers for 11:00 on Christmas Day. Please remember to sign up this weekend if you are able to help.  Thank you

BULLETIN ARTICLES - Because of the holidays bulletin 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 .

ADULT CONFIRMATION – Are you a Catholic Adult who has not received the Sacrament of Confirmation? An Adult Confirmation Preparation Class will take place on six Tuesday evenings from 7:30-9:00 p.m. beginning January 2, 2007 at St. John Vianney Church in the Parish Activity Center. You are invited to the 7:00 p.m. evening Mass prior to the class. Registration deadline is December 23, 2006. For more information please call Anthony at 440-946-1128 X 20.

A UTOMATIC E XTERNAL D EFIBRILLATOR – Our AED is located in the janitor's closet which is between the men 's and women's restrooms.  When you open the closet door you will see that the AED is to the left at about eye level.  It is in a bright red container.

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!!

A NIGHT AT THE MOVIES - T he Social Justice Ministry invites you all to share a movie and popcorn on Friday, January 26, at 6:30 p.m. in our Banquet Center.  In our ongoing efforts to help us all become more informed about what is “good for us” physically in order to be our best spiritually, we will be viewing the movie “Super Size Me.”   The movie is rated “PG”. This satirical documentary will leave you laughing even if it makes you cringe. Why is the Church showing this movie?  Our bodies are truly a gift from God and we are called to be good stewards of them.  We look forward to an evening of educating ourselves as well as having fun.  Please you're your calendars – Friday, January 26 at 6:30 p.m.

ST. AUGUSTINE RAFFLE CALENDARS will be available in the narthex this weekend.  This is a yearly fund raiser for St. Augustine and the cost of the

calendars are $25.  You will have 365 chances to win $25.00 in a daily drawing. The calendars will also be available in the church office until the beginning of

January.

OFFICE HELP    - We presently have volunteers in the church office on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings.  It would be very helpful

to have another person that could help on these days, so that we have a back up.  If you are able to help on any of these days, please call Carole in the

church office (440-946-0887) for further details.

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.

CONFIRMATION –Any students in the third, fourth or fifth grade are invited to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation in May, 2007.  (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.)  Please register by calling Marianne Slattery (440-946-1128 x 21) no later than Tuesday, January 2, 2007.  Preparation will begin on Sunday, January 14.

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 - We will meet 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 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.

PRIME TIME – Our annual Christmas Party is tonight (Sunday) at 7:00pm in the Teen Center. All former PRIME TIME alumni are invited to the Christmas Party!! We'd love to see some old faces and have a good time!! Bring a holiday snack to share!! Our next meeting is January 7, 2007!!

JUNIOR HIGH YOUTH GROUP – See you on the 20 th to wrap presents at 7:00pm in the hall.

CLARK BARS – The bars are here!! 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 – We're wrapping presents on the 20 th at 7:00pm in the hall. Delivery is on the 23 rd at 9:00am in the hall. It's not too late to sign up to deliver. Please sign up on the kiosk if you can help .

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.

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.

RETROUVAILLE – weekend will be held from Friday, January 12 th (8:00 p.m.) through Sunday, January 14 th (3:00 p.m.) at the Hilton Hotel, 3663 Park East Drive, Beachwood, Ohio. Retrouvaille is a peer ministry program to help couples struggling in their marriages to gain helpful skills in communication and understanding.

A registration fee of $50 is requested to confirm a reservation. For information concerning the program, or to register, contact Al or Diane Miskinis at 1- 800-470-2230.

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. This year so far we have collected 44,570 stamps. 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.

A WEEKEND FOR DIVORCED SEPARATED AND WIDOWED men and women of all ages are encouraged to attend a weekend designed for those who wish to let go of the painful past and create a more peace-filled future. Presented by people who have “been there” and offer their support. The next BEGINNING EXPERIENCE Weekend will be held on February 16, 17, & 18 at St. Joseph Christian Life Center in Cleveland. Call Carol at 330.416.8911 or Frank at 216.289.1497 in the evenings after ( 8:00 p.m. ) for the information on this weekend of hope and healing.   www.beginningexperience.org.

ADOPTION INFORMATION MEETING – Anyone interested in learning about International Adoption is invited to an information meeting on Thursday, December 21 st at 7:00 p.m. here at St. Noel in Resurrection Room. For more information please call Karen Myers at 440-974-8116.

LAKE CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL – would like to invite all prospective student athletes to attend the Cougar's JV and Varsity Basketball games on Tuesday, December 19 th , Lake Catholic will play Trinity High School beginning at 6:00 p.m. Just bring this bulletin to the admissions table in the front lobby of the school and you will be admitted free of charge. In addition to watching a great basketball game, you will have the opportunity to meet with other future Cougars, current players and coaches. If you have any questions please contact Mary Jo Eber at 440-951-0077 X 234.

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