I was reacquainted with Miss Agatha McKee when I recently stumbled upon the news that Jon Hassler had written yet another Staggerford novel. The original novel situated in the fictitious Minnesota town, that is also the title of the book, Staggerford, was published in 1977. This most recent one finds Agatha now 87 years old moving into a slower paced life in housing for senior citizens.

Agatha has changed too. She continues to grow and that is really what makes "The New Woman" such a good read. The difficulty of adjusting to leaving her own home to begin a new life in the Sunset Apartments finds its resolution when Agatha finds her niche as the leader of a support group that over 10 months grows so large that the meetings are held in the high school gym. At the end of a long meeting, when Agatha is exhausted, she says to her nephew Frederick: "I believe 'range of motion' applies to our psyches as well as our bodies. If we shut down parts of our thinking, we'll never get them back, and so you might say these meetings are my psychological therapy."

This weekend is the start of Advent that church season that ends before we have a chance to really get into its spirit. But in large part it challenges us to keep doing our spiritual 'range of motion' exercises and not give in to shutting down parts of our thinking. The basic truth of the season is that Christ is making all things new.

We have to try to keep up with Christ. If you've never read a Jon Hassler novel, I wouldn't recommend starting with The New Woman. As one reviewer wrote: "If Agatha sounds like someone you'd enjoy getting to know, you'll want to go back to the beginning and check out Staggerford, the story where it all began. My favorite of the Staggerford novels is the third, Dear James, in which Agatha tries to come to terms with the fact that she's in love with a man who can never fully be hers (he's an Irish Catholic priest she met on holiday). I can almost guarantee if you like the first novel, you'll start hunting for the others in libraries and bookstores, eager to see what else Agatha is up to...and then you'll wind up here eventually, with the last of the Staggerford novels."

Well, I hope it's not the last just the most recent. I'd like to meet Agatha again when she is ninety.

• The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
  Friday, December 8th is the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is a holy day of obligation. Masses will be celebrated at 8:00 a.m. at 12:00 noon and at 7:00 pm.
• 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 6:00 PM 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.
• Worldwide Marriage Encounter can energize your sacrament. Upcoming dates are February 9-11, and March 2-4. For more information call 1-800-710-WWME or (401) 397-8752 or visit our webpage at www.ri-me.org.
• The annual collection for Retired Religious will be taken up next weekend. Please read the insert in this week's Bulletin.
• FREE DIOCESE ENEWS BULLETIN
  It's fast & easy -- simply log onto www.dioceseofprovidence.org and click on the 'Sign-Up for free newsletter today' link. Only those who sign-up through the diocesan web site will receive these eNewsletters. The eNewsletters, which are scheduled for monthly distribution or as news warrants, may include: messages from the Bishop, links to the Bishop's bi-weekly column Without a Doubt, Holy Day reminders, links to articles in the diocesan newspaper the Providence Visitor, stories of how Catholic Charity Fund donations are making a difference with those in need, and timely news items and information on local parish events happening throughout the diocese. It's a great way to share the good news in the Diocese of Providence.
• 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 start in January. Families will be notified of class assignments within in the next two weeks. Would you like to help out with a class? It is just a commitment of 7 classes. All materials are provided. Think about sharing your faith. Call the Parish Center for more information.

Confirmation pictures are available on the St. Bernard website. Go to www.sbcwickford.org and click on"Events," or select this link to go there directly.

If you did not pick up your "Home Kit," stop by the Parish Center foyer (open 24 hours) and take one home. There are some great things in the "Home Kit" for getting ready for Christmas and making this Advent special.

Did you know? There are some great pictures from our recent gatherings on the St. Bernard website. Just visit our website at www.sbcwickford.org and click on "Events," or select this link to go there directly.

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."

Full Service is available this weekend from 9 to Noon. Advent calendars, wreaths, and candles are still in stock. Christmas cards, ornaments, decorations, books and seasonal devotionals are also available. Self-service is available in the vestibule and in the parish center or call Deborah at 885-6405. A Family Gift Bible is on display in the Parish Center and may be ordered for only $30.00. Order soon for availability before Christmas.

Aboard the Polar Express - St Nicholas is coming!!!! The Youth Ministry is looking for (conductors) YOUTHS to volunteer and help get ready for his arrival. We will decorating the Knights of Columbus Hall on Friday (12/15) from 5-8:30pm. We are looking for anyone interested in helping to create our mountain top train display, by donating decorations or letting us borrow trains to display. We are also, looking for $5 donated items for a toy and candy raffle baskets. Please contact Dawn at birondawn@yahoo.com. Conductors are also needed for the morning of the breakfast at 8am till 11am to help with crafts, breakfast, and face painting.

The Senior Posse is reminded that if anyone is interested in going to the "Catholic to the Core" presentation by Jesse Manibusan on Thursday, December 7th - please contact Dawn at birondawn@yahoo.com to confirm. We will be meeting at the Parish Center at 6:15pm.

From someone who had an abortion...

"[The abortion] gave me grief and sorrow beyond expression. I was petrified to tell anyone. I have committed the most heinous of all crimes. Yet, the Lord forgave me, just as he forgave Paul. Yet I will always regret what I did and will probably always feel grief. But I pray that my experience can somehow prevent other women from making the same fatal mistake. I'm a nurse now, so I wear my uniform to all the pro-life things I do! It helps."

Forgiveness and healing are available. Visit www.RachelsVineyard.org.

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

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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.

"Be on guard," Jesus warns in today's Gospel, 'lest your spirits become bloated with indulgence." Let us heed His warning and follow the advice of St. Paul, conducting ourselves in a way please to God, overflowing with love for one another.

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 25 / 26	Actual $4,799.35	Budget $7,043.17
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.