Week of December 25, 2005

Quick View of Meetings for the Week

Archive of Weekly Bulletins

Dear Parishioner,

On this great Feast of Christmas allow me to extend a special greeting to all who are visiting with us this weekend or any who do not regularly worship with us. I invite you to come back often. There are many threats and fears which characterize our world. There are many doubts and troubles that can impact our lives. The presence of an active faith community is, I believe, an inestimable advantage to cope with the pain, deepen the meaning, and share the joys of life. Worshipping with other people of faith can give both direction and hope. Know that if you feel God is calling you to explore a deeper path of faith, St. Noel would be honored to support you in that journey. We strive to help each other follow the Gospel and build the Kingdom of God in our world.

Also I wish to thank all parishioners for your generosity during this holy time. 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.

.

Fr. George Smiga

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS, LECTORS AND SACRISTANS are invited to sign up for 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.

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.

THE GIFT GIVING CONTINUES – On this weekend of presents, consider treating yourself, your family or a friend to a GIFT. The Generations In Faith Together program is our education and development program for everyone. Our next session is titled “A Gospel Valentine.” You'll make some new friends, share a meal, then learn about the combined roles of charity and justice in our lives. You'll also be introduced to some of the many Social Justice groups already active in the parish. The learning is done on an age-appropriate level, for children through adults. You can attend either session held Wednesday, January 18 th at 6:00 p.m. or Sunday the 22 nd at 12:30 p.m. The cost is $7.00 for adults, $5.00 for children and seniors, with a $24.00 household limit. Registration forms are available at the GIFT table in the narthex, or click to register. Bring a friend!

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.

SOCIAL JUSTICE GEM – The young girl is unwed and obviously pregnant. After a long visit with distant relatives, she is returning to her hometown to face the gossip of neighbors and doubtful response of her parents and her intended husband. Scriptural and non-scriptural tradition tells us that Mary eventually found the support she needed in her parents and Joseph. Though she gave birth in a distant village and in meek circumstances she felt the touch of God in the presence of her husband and the comfort of local shepherds. In their 1998 statement “Living the Gospel of Life,” U. S. bishops invited all people “to a new life lived abundantly in respect for human dignity.” Catholics are urged to “promote respect for the human person at all stages of life.” Mary's pregnancy faced unique complications but God saw to her help. Many women today face pregnancies with their own unique complications and God asks us, in the “Gospel of Life” to be the human touch for each woman. Over the years, parishioners Patty and Frank Kirchener, with the guidance of Birthright, have taken into their home four young women whom they supported through the birth of their babies. For Patty the reason was simple, “there was a need and we had the room.” God's touch through human hands is seen also in the support of pregnant women through the Christ Child Society and Womankind. Emotional, medical and material support contribute much to supporting a “Gospel of Life.” In our own parish the Elizabeth ministry provides the “touch” of God to new mothers. Pope John Paul II said “the greatness of the United States lies especially in its respect for the dignity and sanctity of human life in all conditions and in all stages of development.”

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.

PRIME TIME – Our next session is Sunday, January 8 th at 7:00pm in the Teen Center. See you in 2006!!

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).

YNIA – Our summer trip is scheduled for July 9-15 in Toronto, Canada. 6 spots remain for teens. Your $50 deposit will reserve your place on the trip. Call Anthony for more info.

NOEL MOVERS – We are currently in need of appliances, mattresses and dressers. Please call Anthony to donate.

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) Calendars are available in the church office, Mondays through Fridays between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. and on Sundays after Mass.

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.

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.

RETROUVAILLE weekend will be held on January 13 th through the 15 th at the Hilton Hotel in Beachwood. A registration fee of $50 is required to confirm a reservation. For more information, call Al and Diane Miskinis at 330-665-3506. You may also learn about Retrouvaille on the world-wide-web at www.helpourmarriage.com.

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.