I count among my greatest blessings the many people who have been a part of my life in one way or another. On Monday morning I participated in the Funeral Mass for a man whose life and mine intersected from our youth right to his sudden death just a week ago. He was neither friend (we weren't that close personally or socially) nor mere acquaintance (the contact was too consistent and we had too much in common).

At the funeral Dan's very close friend Deacon John Needham said quite accurately that his faith was his life, "not just a belief but his hobby." Dan invested himself heavily in putting into practice what he understood to be the bottom line of Christ's message and example. He practiced consciously and consistently what we call the 'corporal works of mercy.' He was there for those in need. He was a part of the diocesan prison ministry team and a minister of Holy Communion at Rhode Island Hospital (exercising this ministry may well have been the last thing he did).

He was dedicated to his parish also. He looked at people like Mother Theresa and Dorothy Day as models for our day. I think they spoke so strongly to him not just because of their direct involvement with the poorest and most forgotten of the poor among us but also because they so clearly saw the poverty in which we ourselves live --- materially wealthy but spiritually on the brink of bankruptcy. Dan did all this without ever becoming pious or even attempting to be thought of as meek and humble. He was quite sure of himself and never hesitated to state his firmly held convictions with an authority that made us think twice in order to be sure he wasn't quoting some bit of scripture that we had overlooked in our reading of the bible. He once pointed out my brother's house on the same street where he lived as "the house with too many children and dogs."

Dan stood for something. That in itself is not a bad epitaph. His body was wheeled out of church to the strains of Danny Boy. The congregation spontaneously hummed the tune quietly as we said goodbye to someone we were grateful to have known.

For all the people that God has given us as gifts for short periods or long times, Thank you, God!

• Sparkling memory for your tree
  An ornament depicting St. Bernard Church will be available soon. Each 24K gold plated keepsake will come in an attractive gift box and sell for $16. These would also make nice gifts for anyone who has received the sacraments of First Communion, Confirmation, or Holy Matrimony here at St. Bernard. All proceeds will benefit the Building Fund.
• 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.
• St. Bernard's Women's Guild annual pot luck Christmas party will be held Tuesday, December 12 at 6:00PM in the Parish Center. Since the November meeting was canceled we need to know what you are bringing, call Sue 295-5722 or Pat 294-8199 to let them know. There will be a Yankee Swap - $10.00 Gift at party.
• The Christmas Festival at Msgr. Clarke School will be held Sunday, December 3rd from 9-3. Pictures with Santa will kick off the annual event, games, activities for children, cash drawings, raffles and refreshments. Call 789-0860 for more information.
• The Faith Enrichment Committee of Our Lady of Mercy welcomes Dr. John Quinn on Tuesday, November 28th at 7:00 pm to discuss "Catholicism in America: From the Margins to the Mainstream." Please call 884-4968 for more information.
• Home & Hospice Care of RI-Coping with the Holidays Support Groups will meet weekly at two locations: Tuesdays 6-7:30 pm at 169 George St., Pawtucket and Fridays 4:5-30 at the Westerly Hospital, Wells St. Westerly. For more information call Morgan Ban-Draoi, Bereavement Outreach Coordinator, 312-2364.
• The Office of Black Catholic Ministry would like to thank Fr. Reardon, Debbie Smith and the parishioners of St. Bernard's for their generous donations. Thanks to your generosity, Black Catholic young people will be able to participate in events such as Kujenga Youth Leadership Retreat weekend, the Youth Christian Leadership Institute, the Youth Ministry Institute and a host of other events and programs. By offering these opportunities of involvement for our youth and young adults, our office is hoping to build leadership for Black Catholics throughout Rhode Island. -- Patty January, Coordinator
• 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.
• 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 - 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.

Sacramental Preparation Classes begin on January 7. Families will be notified by December regarding class times and assignments. Please contact the Parish Center with questions.

What a great start to the program! Thanks so much to all of the volunteers who help to make it happen. Please call the Parish Center if you were not able to be placed in a session as we have had some slots open up. The next program will be in February. Watch the bulletin for more information!

JESUS: A HISTORICAL PORTRAIT

The discussion continues Wednesday, November 29th at 7:00pm. Topic is The Death of Jesus: Then and Now (November issue of the Series). We are led to explore three pivotal questions about the death of Jesus: What circumstances led to Jesus' death? Who killed Jesus? Why did Jesus die? Leading us to ponder how does Jesus' death make a difference in my life? Hope to see everyone there!

The Giving Tree has been set up in the church. Please take a tag and purchase the requested gift. The tag should be attached to the gift and the gift placed under the tree by Sunday, December 17th. Assumption Parish, DCYF, St. Mary's Home, Matthew 25, St. Edward's School, and local families having a difficult time this holiday season, have requested our help in brightening the holidays. "Whatever you do the least of my brothers, you do unto me."

Books & More is OPEN with full service this Sunday and next Sunday from 9-12. Advent begins next Sunday December 3rd. We have advent wreaths, candles, candles, devotional booklets and children's books. (Advent calendars for children start with December 1st.)

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family from the Youth Ministry. The Youth Ministry would like to give thanks for the amazing opportunities we have had getting to know each other, working together, and helping others. A special thanks to all those adults who play an active role in supporting the efforts of the YOUTH - from baking, to driving, to listening, to just plain caring. The group is doing some amazing things for our parish family and that is a blessing. We encourage those who have yet to check us out to do so with upcoming activities.

YOUTHS, MARK YOUR CALENDARS: BREAKFAST WITH ST.NICHOLAS is on December 16 from 8:30 - 11 am. We will decorating the Knights of Columbus Hall on Friday (12/15) from 5 - 8:30 pm. The theme this year is All Aboard, The Polar Express. We are looking anyone interested in helping to create our mountain top train display, please contact Dawn at birondawn@yahoo.com.

The King of Life: The liturgy for today's Feast of Christ the King tells us that his is "a kingdom of truth and life, a kingdom of holiness and grace, a kingdom of justice, love, and peace." Indeed, all these realities fit together perfectly. Truth and life go together, because when we know the truth about God's love and care for creation, we will respect all life. When we know the truth about ourselves, that we belong only to God, then we realize we cannot destroy any other person. A respect for life, personally as well as in our laws and policies as a nation, is the first requirement of justice and an absolute condition of peace. And the holier we are, the more we allow God's grace into our every thought and desire, the more we will adhere to truth, defend life, and promote justice and peace.

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.

Today’s second reading reminds us that the sacrifice of Christ frees us from sin and makes us a royal nation of priests in the service of God. How am I using my gifts to serve God and others?

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.

Through 10/31/06

Actual $113,330.00

Budget $114,600.00

Annual Collection $3,3031

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.