Week of December 18, 2005

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Dear Parishioner,

This Sunday is the last Sunday of Advent. Our Christmas schedule is as follows: On Saturday, December 24 th , there will be Christmas liturgies at 4:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m., as well as Midnight. On Christmas Day, there will be two liturgies, 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.

The older we become the more likely it is that we begin to take Christmas as routine. We can lose the sense of wonder which comes so easily to children and respond only to the demands of busy schedules and family responsibilities. Let me remind you that Christmas is a season of wonder, not simply because we are sometimes able to muster warm feelings of nostalgia, but because we know in faith the miracle of God becoming one of us. Allow your faith then to slow you down. Allow God's gift to sink in. Live the next week with eyes and heart open to the wonder which only a child of God can see.

.

Fr. George Smiga

CATHOLIC CAMPAIGN FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT – Thank you! We collected $329.59.

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.); and New Year's Eve (5:00 p.m.) and New Year's Day (9:00 a.m and 11:00 a.m.) Sign up sheets are on the bulletin board by the kitchenette.

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

CONGRATULATIONS AND GOD'S BLESSINGS to Robert and Denise Ritossa on the birth of their son, Nicholas Robert.

GIFT – If you registered for a GIFT session in September, October or November and were unable to pick up your Home Kit, you can find your labeled Home Kit on the bench in the hallway by the new wing. Even though the sessions have passed, many of the Home Kit contents may still be useful in your faith formation.

A POST-CHRISTMAS GIFT – Last week we were challenged to find the call to Justice in Christmas. It may be after Christmas, but our next GIFT ( G enerations I n F aith T ogether) session points us down that path. “A Gospel Valentine” is an invitation to God's Love in Action. Preparing for the event of Valentine's Day, we will explore the many different ways we can use social actions to live more justly. The sessions are Wednesday, January 18 th at 6:00 p.m. or Sunday the 22 nd at 12:30 p.m. If you have not already registered, you can do so online at our website or fill out a form at the GIFT table in the narthex.

MONTHLY RETREAT – The next retreat facilitated by Fran Armbruster will be on Wednesday, January 4, 2006 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Resurrection Room.

The theme will be “Storing Up Treasures in Heaven.” (A $5.00 donation is suggested for lunch). Eucharistic Adoration will be in the Nativity Room from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Please sign up for the retreat on the kiosk in the narthex. For more information, please call Fran Armbruster 440-729-3976).

WOMEN'S BIBLE STUDY & FELLOWSHIP will not meet on Tuesday, December 20 th or 27 th . We will resume on Tuesday, January 2 nd , 2006. For information, please call Anthony – 440-946-1128.

HOLY HOUR FOR PEACE - Our ‘Let There Be Peace” prayer and reflection group will be leading us in a Holy Hour for Peace on Sunday, January 1, 2006 from 3:00 p.m. 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.

URGENT ACTION NEEDED TO PROTECT THE POOR – In the wee hours of the morning before leaving for their Thanksgiving break the House of Representatives passed a budget bill that cuts $50 billion, including essential services for low-income families. Funding for health care, food stamps, foster care for neglected children, student loans, enforcing child support orders – all fell to the ax. In the next few years, more than 200,000 people will lose food stamps. The religious community has already led the way in the Senate – its version of the budget cut about $35 billion, with virtually no cuts in services to low-income people. Congress now faces a stark choice that requires moral clarity. The differences between the House and Senate have to be resolved in a joint conference committee. A final bill containing the House cuts must not be passed.

Contact your legislators – Call your Senators and Representative during their Christmas break, and demand that they refuse to pass a budget cutting service for low-income people. The number for the Capital switchboard is 202-224-3121. Ask for your Representative's and Senator's office and ask to speak to the legislative aid handling the federal budget issues. For more information, call the Catholic Commission at 330-535-2787 or www.catholic-action.org .

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.

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. 

PRIME TIME – Tonight is our Christmas Party!! See you at 7:00pm in the Teen Center. All former PRIME TIME members are invited. Please stop by and say hello.

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 PROJECT – Thanks to all who made the project a success this year. We served 104 families with gifts and food!! Please pray that 2006 brings an end to poverty and more opportunities for those struggling to better their lives.

JUNIOR HIGH YOUTH GROUP – Our next session is Wednesday, January 4 th at 7:00pm. See you next year!!

CLEVELAND FOOD BANK – We're serving at the Food Bank on Monday, January 9 th . Please call Anthony if you are interested in serving (946-1128 x20).

NOEL MOVERS – The movers recently leased a storage unit in Willoughby to increase our capacity to serve families. The ministry continues to grow! Have you thought about a Christmas gift to the Movers?? We operate completely on your donations. Thanks for your help! Call Anthony to donate.

ADULT CONFIRMATION – The Lake/Geauga District of Catholic Parishes is again offering preparation session 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.

SHOE BOXES – If you have unneeded shoe boxes, any size but in good condition, please bring them to the parish office by January 8 th .

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.

ST. AUGUSTINE RAFFLE CALENDARS (365 chances to win) will be on sale for $25.00 in the narthex 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 on Sundays after Mass. For more information, please call Jim Klements at 440-442-2744.

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 22 - No meeting; December 29 th – No Meeting.

ENTERTAINMENT BOOKS 2006 – are available in the church office or by calling Paula Garbo at 942-4884. 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 – We are 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.

A CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEA – Looking for a last minute gift for someone? Our parishioner, Timothy Warneka, has recently written a very helpful book for anyone in a leadership role. It is entitled Leading People the Black Belt Way. Tim wants to donate some of the proceeds from his book to our partnership with “Women & Community” in Zaragoza, El Salvador. For purchasing information go to www.blackbeltconsultants.com .

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.

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.

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