7 - 13 September, 2002

Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

What a difference a day makes! That is true of momentous events such as 9/11 which forever engrave themselves onto our calendars and into our hearts. It is also true on a lesser scale for certain holidays. Specifically I am referring to Labor Day. It remains the great divide between summer and post-summer. Back in the office yesterday it seemed at times that everyone who put off something while relaxing in the sun decided to get up and get moving. Calls to register (late) children for religious education were plentiful. Leaders of groups and committees were eager to set dates and reserve space for their activities. Individuals with something on their mind and others with something they wanted off their chests also phoned for appointments.

I was thinking that every day should have this effect on us: make the most of it. I think this is most important not so much in "getting things done," but rather in attending to our relationships with others. This is the day to do it: apologize, say 'I love you' or 'thank you'. I heard Henry Kissinger say in a recent interview that "terrorism can't be defeated solely by fighting terrorism." I agree. It begins with each and everyone of us putting aside the things that cause hurt and anger and resentment. Each day is a new creation. It is the gift of life given by God who loves us. Life is precious. Let's make the most of it.

• St. Bernard's Women's Guild
  There will be a meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 10 at 7:00 pm in the Parish Center. This will be the Annual Wine and Cheese Party. Dues of $6.00 will be collected. All women of the parish are invited to join. Hope to see you there.
• Tutors needed
  Literacy Volunteers of America/South County Inc. is currently looking for people who would like to share the gift of reading with others. An orientation will be held on Sept. 10th, 6:30-8 pm @ North Kingstown Library. For more info, please call Judy at 874-2647 or NK library at 294-3306.
• Retreats for Catholic Parents of Lesbian/Gay Children
  The weekend will involve storytelling, presentations, film, discussions, communal prayer, quiet time, worship and socializing. We hope to provide a relaxed and supportive atmosphere for Catholic parents to reflect on and talk about their concerns and needs. Sept. 13-15 @ LaSalette center for Christian Living Attleboro, MA. For info, call Catholic Parents Network 301-277-5674
• Catholic Network of Volunteer Service(CNVS) has just released RESPONSE 2003: Directory of Volunteer Opportunities, a comprehensive listing of our 234 member programs that offer more than 9,000 full-time volunteer placements serving the poor and the needy worldwide. Volunteers generally serve full-time (40hrs/wk) anywhere from one month to one year or more. Contact us today at 800-543-5046 or e-mail: volunteer@cnvs.org
• Inner City School Gala
  There's a place for you at the Second Annual Diocesan Inner City School Fund Gala. The black tie affair is to be held on Friday, September 27. Tickets are $125.00. We need 10 people to have a complete table. If you are interested, please speak to Father Dennis.
• Coat Donations Needed:
  The Parish Nursing Ministry is collecting good used coats in clean and ready to wear condition for the needy of our community. Please drop them off at the Parish Center. Thank You.
• Yard Sale
  St. Bernard's yard sale is Saturday, September 28th from 9 am to 3 pm. All proceeds will go to support outreach programs in our community. Please drop off donations at the Parish Center or contact Fred Scholz at the Parish Center for pick up.
• US Naval Sea Cadets for Southern RI are recruiting!
  We currently have openings for motivated young men and women who would like to learn more about the four sea services. Our unit offers preliminary training for the Navy, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, and Merchant Marine. For more information, visit the web site at http://www.wbwip.com/seacadets/, or call David Kerwood at 401-295-7348 (email seacadet2@wbwip.com).
• Alzheimers Association of R.I. Chapter
  Monday, Sept. 16 at 7 pm at the Parish Center. A guest speaker from the Alzheimers Association will give a brief overview of the disease and its signs and symptoms. All are welcome.
• SAVE THE DATE - Memory Walk for Alzheimer's Disease
  Sunday, Oct. 6, in Newport (a three mile walk.) We need walkers & sponsors. Join us! Go to the St. Bernard home page for more information.
• The "Over 50 Club" will have their first "pot luck" supper on Sept. 14th at 6:30pm in the Parish Center. Everyone is welcome. Call Vi at 295-1409 for details if you would like to join.
• LEND A HAND BY SHARING: BECOME A FRIENDLY VISITOR
  A Friendly Visitor is a person who visits or telephones a homebound senior or nursing home resident once a week giving a little time to someone who would appreciate your company. There are many seniors in our parish community who would look forward to a visit from you. If you are a good listener, young or old, and can share just one hour a week with a lonely person, please consider being a neighborhood Friendly Visitor. You may be surprised at how rewarding this can be! For more information please sign your name on the yellow sheet located at the door. YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Third Annual Parish Picnic Sept. 15th

At the Cold Spring Center at the Town Beach 2:00 - 6:00 pm rain or shine. Hamburgers, hotdogs, paper goods, and condiments will be provided.

Please sign up by September 8th to bring an appetizer, salad, or dessert.

Call Susan Keimig, 294-1313, or Martha Dwyer, 295-1437, to make your reservation.

Are you interested in the plans for your parish?

The Futures Committee is almost ready to present the Strategic Plan, which details our planned activities to meet the needs of the parish. This plan will be the focus of a Community Forum in the Parish Center on Monday, September 23. This is an important milestone in our parish, so please reserve that date. We hope you will be there to hear about the future plans for our changing parish.

We're excited about the work that has been done, and the potential it brings to our growing parish.

We are in the process of setting up the class schedule for the 2002/2003 Religious Education year. Remember children must be registered every year. If you have not registered your children yet, there are registration forms available in the back of the Church. Please complete and return to the Parish Center.

Did you catch the article about our Work Camp Team in the Providence Visitor this week? We were there and it was so exciting.

The Youth Ministry is getting fired up about the Big Bang Blastoff of this year's program with Catholic Youth Week, Sept. 29th thru Oct. 5th. If you are a youth in grades 6-12, please SAVE THESE DATES!! It is going to be a blast with a 10am Youth Mass followed by refreshments and a QUILT PROJECT and FAITH TEAM FAIR. On Wednesday there will be a WORK CAMP PRESENTATION and on Saturday, we will be hosting a SATURDAY SCAVENGER for clothes for the needy. Please return your registration forms to confirm your attendance to any or all the events of the week by 9/20. If you do not have a form, all information will be on the church website (thank you David Kerwood). There is an envelope in the Parish Center for drop-offs or you can call me at 294-9351 and/or email me at dmb9818@aol.com. We really need to know you are coming so we can plan enough quilt supplies, cups, snacks, soda, drivers, and activities. So, mark the dates on your calendar and make the commitment!!! It really will be a BANG-UP week, no joke - trust me, ask a friend to come and try us out.

There is important Planning meeting for any youth or adult interested in helping out with Catholic Youth Week and the Parish Picnic on this Monday, 9/9 from 7-8:30pm in the Parish Center. This is the time to get prepared for the Big Bang, you will learn everything you need to know and more.

The fact that abortion is a non-issue for many people is what makes the 'single-issue' accusation so misplaced. It adds insult to the injury already inflicted upon the children (a fatal injury) and their mothers. "Why don't you take care of people already born?," we are asked. Our response is, "Why are YOU making the distinction in the first place? We speak more often of the pre-born precisely because we are trying to UNDO the unfair distinction made between them and the born. The pre-born have equal rights with the born, and we demand that those rights be respected in the same way." To accuse pro-lifers of not having concern for the born is as unfair as accusing prison chaplains of not having concern for those who are free, or helpers of the blind of not having concern for those who see! Having a universal concern for human rights never excludes a person from having a specific focus on one group of people in need.

Fr. Frank Pavone, Priests for Life

The Center is open every Sunday from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm

CHECK OUT OUR SUMMER SALES!

Does your will include our parish?

If not, please consider a bequest of cash, property, stocks or bonds, or a percentage of your estate. Your gift will make a difference in the lives of those served by our church. Be a good steward of your God-given gifts.

Psalm 112:5
Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with justice.

For a free information kit call: Karen Cooper 943-6550.

Those who would like to bring the bread and wine to the altar, please contact Dee Scanlon at 884-0166 to arrange it.

Note: The New American Bible version of this week's readings can be found here.

Please submit bulletin materials directly to the Parish Office, or via e-mail to parishcenter@sbcwickford.org, attention to Jane Allen. The deadline for the submission is Tuesday by 5:00 pm. Please take into consideration the cutoff time and the space limit. Thank you.

Am I my brother's keeper? All three readings today suggest that for the Christian steward the answer is "Yes!"

Parish Support

August 31 / September 1

Actual $5,331.00

Budget $5,817.00

Capital Improvement $1,951.00

Matching Contributions: Many companies offer matching funds for donations to non-profit organizations. If you donate weekly to St. Bernard your company might match it! Please take time to determine if additional funds are available to help our cause. Thank you.

Thank you for your continuous support and generosity.