This Sunday, December 10, is the annual Blue Christmas Service. Sponsored by the local clergy association, it is held each year in the United Methodist Church on Boston Neck Road. I have come to look forward to participating in this quiet and calming time of prayer. I have an ever-growing list of people who were truly God's gifts to me and who are no longer here on earth. I like to have the opportunity to sit and remember them and like Mary as described in Luke's gospel "treasure them in my heart."

This doesn't make me melancholy or blue. On the contrary it makes me feel profoundly content and deeply grateful for the many people who have enriched my life so fully. I recall New England poet May Sarton's "All Souls":

Did someone say that there would be an end,
an end, Oh, an end to love and mourning?

What has been once so interwoven cannot be raveled,
not the gift ungiven.

Now the dead move through all of us still glowing.

Mother and child, lover and lover mated,
are wound and bound together and enflowing.

What has been plaited cannot be unplaited--
only the strands grow richer with each loss
and memory makes kings and queens of us.

Dark into light, light into darkness, spin.

When all the birds have flow to some real haven,
we who find shelter in the warmth within,
listen and feel new-cherished, new-forgiven,
as the lost human voices speak through us and blend our complex love,
our mourning without end.

• Blue Christmas, An Ecumenical Service of Healing and Hope will be held tonight, Dec. 10th at 7:00 pm at the North Kingstown United Methodist Church. For more information please see the insert in today's Bulletin.
• 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.
• Wanted! Salvation Army Bell Ringers Salvation Army
  Do you have some time on Saturday December 16th to give back to the Community? The Salvation Army has asked for volunteers from St. Bernard's to be Kettle Ringers at Wal-Mart in N. Kingstown. (It's a great way for 8th and 9th graders to get service hours!) Please call Kriss at the Parish Center for more information
• Morning of Reflection
  A morning of reflection based on the spirituality of Thomas Merton will be taking place at Sabbath Place, One Wright Lane in North Kingstown on Wednesday morning, December 13, 2006 from10:00 a.m.- 12:00 noon. For further information call Sister Joanne at 294-9022.
• WINNER'S CHOICE
  Tickets for the 2007 Chrysler vehicle raffle will be available after all Masses or call 295-5235 to order. Drawing will be held May 30, 2007. 2 Early bird drawings for $500 will be held on Dec. 24th and Mary 17th, 2007. All proceeds to benefit St. Bernard Church Capital Campaign. Tickets may also be purchased via the SBC web site, at http://www.sbcwickford.org/ec/winnerschoice/.
• CARNATION SALE
  Parish nurses will be selling pink carnations for $1.00 after all the Masses next weekend, Gaudete Sunday. The proceeds which will benefit the HIV/AIDS Ministry in the Diocese, will be used for retreats and evenings of reflection for those infected and affected by AIDS. Please buy a pink carnation.
• Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend
  "And this is my prayer: that your love may increase ever more... said that you may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ...." (Second Reading) Come to a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend and recharge your marriage. 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.
• 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, Dec. 12 in the Parish Center. All women are invited to share a dish and join the Yankee Swap with a $10 gift. Call Sue 295-5722 or Doloris 294-2734 to let them know what you will share. Hope to see you there for a fun evening.
• 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.
• "Letters from the Heart"
  The Providence Visitor, in cooperation with the R.I. National Guard, diocesan Respite Care Services and Neighborhood Friendly Visitors programs, will be collecting "Letters from the Heart" Christmas greetings for soldiers serving overseas, and locally isolated seniors and nursing home residents. We invite everyone to submit cards or letters in the spirit of the season to be distributed to our troops and thousands of others who might not otherwise be remembered. Cards may be dropped off at the Parish Center no later that Friday, December 15th.

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 pain of abortion - from one who knows...

"When I found out I was pregnant, I was so scared and felt like I didn't know where to turn. I felt like I had no other choice. After I had my abortion I felt relief at first. But after 7 years of denial it finally hit me. I was so scared when I found out what an abortion really [is]. I was so angry at my family and boyfriend (now husband). I felt like nobody was there for me. I was angry at the clinic personnel for saying everything would be fine. I found Project Rachel and they helped me start to grieve [for] my child. So many women feel that if they had more support and truth during their crisis pregnancy many lives would have been saved." Help is available: Call 1-800-395-HELP.

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.

Good stewards believe that God, who has begun this good work in them, will carry it through to completion. In words and deeds, they can sing with the Psalmist, "The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy!"

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.

December 2 / 3	Actual $5,737.50	Budget $7,043.17
Through 11/30/06	Actual $145,187.00	Budget $145,975.00

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.