This Sunday is the third in Advent but it takes us into the final week of this brief but beautiful season of the church year. It is not too late to "prepare the way of the Lord." I came across two prayers recently that I think might be of help to us this week. The first is a prayer before reading scripture (a highly recommended daily habit however brief the passage we slowly read):

In this and every year, in this and every place, O God everlasting, your word resounds in the wilderness of Advent, calling us to stand upon the height and to behold the splendor of your beauty. Fill the valleys of our neglect; bring low our mountains of self-centeredness.

Prepare in our hearts your way of righteousness and peace. Let our love become a harvest of goodness, which you will bring to completion for the day of Christ Jesus, who was, who is and who is to come, your Son who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.

The second prayer may be too late to be of use for many of you but remains timely for people like myself who tend to do things at the last minute. It is a blessing to be prayed before mailing Christmas cards. Read it anyway even if you've sent your cards or send no cards.

Blest are you, Lord our God! You have graced our lives with friends and relatives near and far. May these Christmas cards arrive at their destinations as signs of affection, as tokens of peace. Send Jesus to reign in glory among us. He will lead your people to glad reunion in your holy city, where we will sing your praise, for ever and ever. Amen.

The first prayer is by James Weaver and is found in AT HOME WITH THE WORD, 2007. I'm not sure of the source of the second one.

• MASS SCHEDULE FOR CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR'S

  Christmas Eve	5:00 pm Family Mass 7:00 pm Candlelight Mass 11:00 pm Solemn Mass
  Christmas Day	7:00, 8:30 & 10:30 am
  New Year's Day	8:30 & 10:30 am

  Reminders:
  
  • Both the 5:00 pm Mass and the 11:00 pm Mass are preceded by half-hour musical programs.
  • Only those who are able to be seated will be admitted to the 5:00 pm Family Mass on Christmas Eve. No one will be allowed to stand in the aisles or along the walls. This is a safety compliance regulation.
  Please make alternative plans to participate in a liturgy other than the 5:00 pm Christmas Eve Mass unless you plan to arrive early. Incense will be used at the 11:00 pm Mass and the 8:30 am Masses.
• CONFESSIONS BEFORE CHRISTMAS
  Advent encourages us to prepare well for the celebration of the festival of Christ's birth on Christmas Day. For many of us this includes availing ourselves of the Sacrament of Penance. If you wish to go to confession before the 25th, Fr. Dennis will be assisting at St. Francis de Sales on Wednesday December 20th at 7:00 pm.
• Sparkling memory for your tree
  Sparkling St Bernard signature ornaments are now available after all Masses and in the Parish Center during normal business hours. Each 24K gold plated ornament comes in an attractive gift box with a brief history card. They are $17 each (including tax) and all proceeds will benefit the building fund. There are a limited number available so don't miss out on this opportunity for buy a gift for yourself or especially for anyone who received the sacrament of Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation or Matrimony here at St Bernard.
• 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.
• A Recovering American Soldier
  If you are currently writing cards to friends and family please send an extra one (or 10, or 20) to our American military heroes who are recuperating from wounds this Christmas Season. Please enclose a short note thanking them for their service and personal sacrifice and letting them know we appreciate them. Your small act of kindness will be greatly appreciated. The address is:
  A Recovering American Soldier
  c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center
  6900 Georgia Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20307-5001
• 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.
• 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 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 return the wrapped gift today, Sunday, December 17th.

Our next full service opening "would" be the 4th Sunday, however, since that is Dec. 24th, we will be open TODAY INSTEAD, but ONLY for 30 minutes after the 8:30 Mass and for 30 minutes after the 10:30 Mass. If you would like some assistance or help with orders at other times, please call Deborah (885-6405) for availability. Self service is available whenever the parish center building is open.

We would like to thank all who attended the Breakfast with St. Nicholas and everyone who helped - a special thanks to all the elves and conductors, the Hoey family, the Brown family, and the Heikes and Bates families. With the proceeds we will adopt local families in need of assistance this holiday season.

Christmas: A Gift of Life
"The Gospel of life is at the heart of Jesus' message. Lovingly received day after day by the Church, it is to be preached with dauntless fidelity as "good news" to the people of every age and culture. At the dawn of salvation, it is the Birth of a Child which is proclaimed as joyful news: "I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord" (Lk 2:10-11). The source of this "great joy" is the Birth of the Saviour; but Christmas also reveals the full meaning of every human birth, and the joy which accompanies the Birth of the Messiah is thus seen to be the foundation and fulfilment of joy at every child born into the world (cf. Jn 16:21)"

Pope John Paul II, "The Gospel of Life," n.1

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 Gospel provides a blueprint for good stewardship: "Let the man who has two coats give to him who has none. The man who has food should do the same."

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 9 / 10	Actual $5,082.15	Budget $7,043.17
Through 11/30/06	Actual $145,187.00	Budget $145,975.00

ACH $1,695.00
Retirement for Religious $2,860.80

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.