The week ahead will be a busy one. We begin the second round of "Generations of Faith." This month the focus is on Advent. The challenge is to take a word and not only give it a meaning but make it an inviting reality to live. I again encourage all adults of all ages who don't have children in religious education to accept the invitation to participate in one of the five presentations of the theme.

The second event of note this week is Bishop Tobin's visit to the parish for the Confirmation of our high school candidates. This is not his first time in the parish but it is his first official visit.

Confirmation is a sacrament that has changed its focus over the years. It is considered one of the three sacraments that fully initiate us into the Church and into our relationship with God. If, for one reason or another, you may not have been confirmed as a youngster or a youth, please think about completing your sacramental initiation and, if you are interested in more information just get in touch with me.

I'll take advantage of this occasion also to encourage you to invite others to think about becoming a Catholic or to think about coming to Church.

• THE GARDNER FAMILY MINISTRY, a large-scale distribution of clothing and toys delivered to homeless shelters, churches and other agencies in need is gearing up again to provide a happier Christmas to many families. Mark, Mary Lou & Nicholas Gardner purchase the items during the year and on Thanksgiving weekend sort, box and distribute them. This is a major operation that could benefit from many hands. If you can spare a few hours on any day that weekend please call the parish center at 295-0387.
• Altar Servers
  St. Bernard's welcomes three new servers this weekend: Larissa Giguere, Katie Medeiros and Kellie Medeiros.
• ANNUAL COAT DRIVE
  Please drop off your GOOD USED COATS at the Parish Center. We distribute to local agencies. For more information call the Parish Center at 295-0387 or e-mail us at parishcenter@sbcwickford.org.
• The Buzz -- Prose and pictures needed for next issue of The Buzz. Please submit all material to Carol Sarro (oceanus58@cox.net or leave in the pick-up box at the parish center) by Friday, November 17.
• St. Bernard's Women's Guild
  The meeting for Tuesday, November 14 at 7:00 PM will be canceled due to scheduling conflict.
• Working Together for Wellness Forum: Internet Safety, Preventing Substance Abuse and Other Risky Behaviors
  Adults and students in the 5th grade and up are invited to this special community conversation on keeping families and children healthy and safe. Joining us will be Dr Lawrence Filippelli, nationally known expert on internet safety. November 20th, 6:30 - 8:30 PM at the N. K. High School Auditorium. For more information, contact Kathy Yeager 268-6269 or Carolyn James 635-2560.
• Calendars
  On behalf of Bishop Hendricken High School, thank you for the support that you have shown by supporting our annual calendar fundraising drive. Additional calendars will be available during the week at the parish center. Thank you again for your support and God bless. Gratefully, Sean D'Alfonso.
• Children's Choir Rehearsals have begun and we're always looking for new voices in grades 1 through 6. Join us on Thursdays at 4:30 in the Church as we prepare for Thanksgiving and Christmas. See Alison Shea after Mass for details. 294-3631
• The Dan Schutte Concert was a fantastic success. The concert raised over $2500 for the music ministry to be used in our new church. The music and reflection from Dan truly inspired and touched everyone's hearts. Thank you to everyone involved for making this a success. It wouldn't have come together without a team effort. We apologize to Maureen for the following Angel Message which was lost: From Maureen Corcoran-In memory of my husband Richard, who loved music and sung in the choir.
• The Haitian Project, which supports and operates a tuition-free, Catholic, co-ed secondary boarding school for poor Haitian children, is seeking a President. Qualified candidates must be Catholic, have administrative & financial leadership and the ability to travel. For more information visit www.haitianproject.org.
• Gregorian Concert Choir and Orchestra will perform a concert on Sunday, December 3rd at 3 pm. At the Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul entitled "The Sounds of the Season". This concert will benefit the Interfaith Dire Emergency Fuel Fund. Tickets are $10. For tickets and information call 331-2434.
• Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend
  Upcoming dates - November 17-19 and December 1-3. For information call 1-800-710-WWME or (401) 397-8752 or visit www.ri-me.org
• Jesus Scarves for the Homeless
  We need donations of yarn and knitters to make the scarves which will be distributed to homeless shelters. Drop yarn off in the container in the rear of church. For information or to help call Mike Edwards at 294-9069 or contact the parish center at 295-0387.

On Thursday, November 16, young people from St. Bernard's will be receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation. Bishop Tobin will be presiding. Confirmation candidates will be meeting in the Parish Center at 6:30 that evening to process into the church. Confirmation will be celebrated at 7 PM.

Please remember these young men and women in your prayers.

A MANDATORY REHEARSAL is scheduled for Monday, November 13 at 7 PM in the Church.

Generations of Faith Continues in November

Advent is coming! Are you ready? Would you like to find out more about Advent? Join us at Generations of Faith this month as we enter into this special season. You don't have to be a child to be part of this experience. All ages are welcome! Contact the Parish Center for available space.

Session 4: Tuesday, Nov. 14th, 6:00-8:30 pm
Session 5: Wednesday, Nov. 15th, 6:00-8:30 pm
Session 1: Sunday, Nov. 19th, 12:00-2:30 pm
Session 2: Sunday, Nov. 19th, 5:00--7:30 pm
Session 3: Tuesday, Nov. 21st, 6:00-8:30 pm

The Church has a long tradition of remembering those who have died, commending them to the love and mercy of God. We do this in a special way throughout November. In many churches around the world, there is a Book of the Names of the Dead, as a continuing reminder of our prayer. A Book of the Names of the Dead is found below the statue of the Blessed Virgin on the left front side of the church. You are invited to inscribe the names you wish to be remembered in our prayer during the month of November. May this book and our prayers remind us of our faith in our life-giving baptism into the death and resurrection of Jesus.

If your family, or any family you know, needs help with gifts for children this Christmas, please leave your name and phone number with Jane at the parish center.

Confirmation gifts are available in Room 1 of the parish center. Books & More will be open the 1st and 4th Sunday from 9-12. For customer service call Deborah at 885-6405.

The Youth Ministry calendar is pretty packed with some very COOL stuff. Please mark your calendars. Youth and adults are encouraged to try us out, just once, it will be an experience that you will want to repeat. Details for all the events can be found on the church website.

Our WORKCAMP TEAM REUNION is on Saturday, November 25th from 6-8 pm at the Knights of Columbus Hall. Anyone interested in experiencing our past 5 years of Workcamp or learning more about Workcamp2007 and 2008 are invited to attend.

PARENTS NIGHT OUT on Saturday, December 2nd from 6-10 pm, a babysitting service for YOU.

"Catholic to the Core" workshop with Jesse Manibusan for the Senior Posse is on Thursday, December 7th from 7-8:30 pm. Commotion 2006 for the Junior Group is on Saturday, December 9th from 7-8:30 pm.

Those who would like to bring the bread and wine to the altar, please call the Parish Center at 295-0387 to arrange.

Click Here for Today's Reading

For prayerful preparation during the week before Sunday Mass, please visit http://liturgy.slu.edu. Reflecting on the spirituality of the scriptures before Mass can have a great impact on hearing the Word proclaimed on Sunday.

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.

Both widows in today's readings gave all they had to the work of the Lord, one using all her remaining food to feed Elijah and the other offering her two copper coins to the temple treasury. Faithful stewards give all that is asked and trust the Lord to be faithful to His promises.

St. Bernard's now offers parishioners the opportunity to make their budget contributions by Direct Debit. Call the Parish Center, 295-0387 for further information.

November 4 / 5 Budget: Loose: Direct Debit: Total:	Actual $4,029.35 $2,145.01 $2,000.00 $8,174.36	Budget $7,043.00
Through 10/31/06	Actual $113,330.00	Budget $114,600.00

Matching Contributions: Many companies offer matching funds for donations to non-profit organizations. If you donate weekly to St. Bernard's your company might match it! Please take time to find out if your company has this policy.

Thank you for your continuous support and generosity.