Week of December 24, 2006

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Dear Parishioner,

On this weekend of the 4 th Sunday of Advent and Christmas our staff, Fr. Tom Dragga, and I would like to thank all who remembered us with cards and gifts during the holidays. I would like to thank our music ministry for the months of work preparing for Christmas and their willingness to come to more than one liturgy so that all our celebrations could have music. Our gratitude should also extend to those on the Art & Environment Committee and all of our liturgical ministers whose service is so important to our worship.

For those of you who worship with us on a regular basis, I want to thank you for the way so many of you contribute to our community by the gifts of your time, talent and resources. As a community, we are indeed blessed by many active and faith-filled people who consider St. Noel their parish and their spiritual home.

For those of you who are visiting us this Christmas because you have been invited to worship here by a family member or a friend, I hope that our community has provided you with a warm and joyous space in which you can worship God and give thanks for all the blessings you have received.

For any of you who have come today in sadness because of a loss in your life or because of a disappointment or burden you are carrying, I pray that the message of this feast and the faith of our celebration might strengthen you and give you hope.

For any of you who are here because you have been touched in a special way at this season, I extend a particularly sincere welcome. I am aware how often God

uses the opportunity of Christmas to change our hearts. Perhaps you have been hurt or rejected by someone representing the Church, and as a result, have been unable to practice your faith. Perhaps something dramatic has happened in your life to cause you to examine where your life is going and who you really want to be. Perhaps you have been searching for sometime, trying to discover whether God can be real for you, and if so, how you should respond. And then, perhaps somehow God touched you. It could have happened when someone said something to you or when you felt something watching a T.V. Christmas special or opening an unexpected Christmas card …

And you thought, “I want to come to church this Christmas.” If you are here because somehow God has blessed you with that kind of grace … then welcome. We here at St. Noel are pleased that you were able to find a place among us this day. We invite you to come again and hopefully come to know how we, too, are people who must deal with hurt, changing our lives for the better, and continually searching for a deeper way to live. In fact we have joined ourselves to one another in this Catholic Christian community because we believe we can together heal our hurt, improve our lives, and live more deeply as we love one another in Jesus' name. Christmas is not only a time to cherish warm memories, but also a time to make new beginnings.

To all who have come this Christmas, the warmest of welcomes. Merry Christmas.

                                           Fr. George Smiga

REMINDER – There is no Eucharistic Adoration on Monday, December 25 th and on Monday, January 1 st .

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 New Year's Day.

SOCIAL JUSTICE FUND – In November we collected $ 2,378.00. Our expenses for November were:

We thank you for your support.

SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE – My name is Eric Ritossa and I am a student at Kirtland High School. I have been a St. Noel Parishioner all my life. Recently I was accepted into a youth leadership program called Leadership Lake County. For this program we are doing a project to help raise school supplies for students in Lake County that are unable to afford it. So now as a member of your church community, I am asking for your help. I will be holding a school supply drive after each Mass on the weekend of January 13 th -14 th . I will be collecting any type of school supplies that you would be able to donate. Monetary donations will also be accepted. After the collection weekend, I will leave a box in the narthex for any additional donations. Thank you very much for your support and helping these school children in need.

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.

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 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 mark you calendars – Friday, January 26 at 6:30 p.m.

ST. AUGUSTINE RAFFLE CALENDARS – (365 chances to win) – Calendars are available in the church office, Monday through Fridays, between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. and on Sundays after Mass.

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.

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 - December 28 th - NO MEETING-

PRIME TIME – Thanks for all your help with the Christmas Project!! Our next meeting is January 7, 2007!!

JUNIOR HIGH YOUTH GROUP – See you at GIFT in January!!

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 – Many thanks to all who supported the project. We collected over $6000 to serve those in need in our communities.

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.

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