This Sunday, January 28th, begins the national observance of Catholic Schools Week. This year's theme is "Catholic Schools: The Good News in Education". It delivers a strong message to parents and supporters as well. I count myself among the latter group. The logo features an open book, symbolizing both the Bible and knowledge and underscoring the Christ-centered, religious foundation and academic excellence of Catholic schools.

In the interest of full disclosure I have to say that I serve as a member of the Board for Monsignor Clarke School. Both the principals of The Prout School and Monsignor Clarke School are members of our parish: - Gary R. Delneo and John S Hernandez respectively. Father Peterson, of course, is deeply dedicated to Catholic Education at Providence College. Parents decide for various reasons to send their children to Catholic schools or not to do so. Young people later on decide for or against a Catholic high school for various reasons as well. Right now Catholic Colleges are "in" and I am sure the motivation varies widely among applicants on this level as well.

I never studied in a non-Catholic institution. My classroom contacts with public schools have been limited to time spent as a child visiting my mother's class room at Nathaniel Green in Providence and later at Esek Hopkins in Providence. Vicariously I experienced the goings-on of public education through my older brother and younger sister who both taught in the Coventry school system. There are fine public educational systems with very dedicated and generous teachers and great students.

For me Catholic schools remind all of us that life requires more than knowledge. A life worth living embodies values and virtues that reflect God's love and will for us. Our Catholic faith has a strong intellectual component and challenges us to grow in our understanding of it throughout our lives. More importantly our Catholic faith challenges us to live by Gospel values. The amount of time that can be dedicated to learning the faith gives Catholic education an important place in the formation of well-informed leaders for the Church of the future. The atmosphere in which daily life at school is experienced, theoretically at least and practically most of time I believe reinforces what is taught. Certainly having prayer and liturgy as a part of school life is significant. In the long run what counts most, of course, is what happens at home and what happens by the grace of God. Catholic schools continue to play an important role in the church in our nation. This week is a good time to salute those involved in it. It is also a good time to resolve to continue to grow in our faith, intellectually and practically. Generations of Faith, our new Religious Education program, allows all of us to do both. I encourage everyone to consider taking part in G of F when it resumes next month.

• 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.
• Golf Tournament
  St. Bernard's would like to run a Golf Tournament this spring. The proceeds will benefit the building fund. Some of the ground work for a tournament has been laid, but we need an enterprising person or persons to chair the event. If you would like to get involved please call the Parish Center, 295-0387
• Next Week "Souper Bowl" Sunday for the N.K. Food Pantry!
  "Vote" at all the Masses for your favorite team, Bears or Colts by bringing a non-perishable food item and placing in the box with your team's logo. High protein items are needed. One pound boxes of pasta, tuna fish, and canned heat and eat, and peanut butter are great ideas. The Patriots didn't make it but let's make the North Kingstown Food Pantry a winner!
• CALLING THE CHILDRENS CHOIR
  It is time again to begin practice for 10:30 Easter Morning Mass and 1st Communion on May 12th. If you sang with us for Christmas welcome back. If you would like to join us, welcome. Practices will begin Thursday February 1st at 4:30 in the church. Any questions please see Alison Shea.
• LITERACY VOLUNTEERS OF SOUTH COUNTY will be holding weekly meetings at St. Bernard's Parish Center on Thursday, from 9:30-11:00 a.m. Please come and join others who want to improve their conversational skills. If you would like more information on attending these sessions or would like to volunteer to assist, contact Iona Gardiner, Literacy Volunteers of South County, at lvsouthcounty@yahoo.com or 225-1068.
• Msgr. Clarke School Open House will be held on Monday, January 29th from 9-11 a.m. We cannot accommodate children in the classrooms so the Open House is for adults only.
• The Providence Visitor
  Next week, copies of The Providence Visitor will be available near the entrance of the church.
• St. Mary Academy Bay View Open House is scheduled for Monday February 5th and Tuesday February 6th from 9:00 to 2:00. For more information call Betty Sepe at 434-0113 ext. 150.
• ROAST CHICKEN DINNER at the Knights of Columbus, Saturday, February 3, from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM at the K of C Hall Menu: Roast Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Green beans, Peas, Tossed Salad. Cost is $9.00 per adult; $5.00 per child 12 and under children 6 and under are free. Reservations are required by February 1st. Please call 295-0507.
• Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend
  "...the greatest of these is love..." (Second Reading) Help your love grow in 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.
• Bishop's Retreat
  Bishop Tobin will direct a weekend retreat on February 23-24 for men 18-35, who are discerning a call to the priesthood. The retreat will be offered at the Seminary of Our Lady of Providence. If you know anyone interested, please contact Fr. Michael Najim, Asst. Vocation Director, at 831-8011 or www.catholicpriests.com.
• Drive for the cure
  The American Cancer Society Road to Recovery is seeking volunteer drivers who are available between 9 am and 5 pm to assist with providing transportation to cancer patients. Hours and days are up to you. To learn more call 401-243-2632.
• 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.

Sacramental Preparation classes meet this weekend.

Confirmation Candidates (8th and 9th Grade): Please remember that Service Projects (a total of 20 hours) are a required part of the program. Need ideas? Need Service Project Forms? Please contact the Parish Center.

Mark your Calendars! Remember that the February dates are:
Tuesday, February 6, 6-8:30 PM, Session 4
Wednesday, February 7, 6-8:30 PM, Session 5
Sunday, February 11, 12-2:30 PM, Session 1
Sunday, February 11, 5-7:30 PM, Session 2
Tuesday, February 13, 6-8:30 PM, Session 3

Next full service dates will be Sunday, January 28th, February 11th and 25th. Look for the red "OPEN" sign. Self service is available during parish center hours. For help at other times call Deborah at 885-6405. Help yourself to the second hand statues and other religious items in the vestibule of the Church.

The winter has finally arrived and WOW is it cold but the Youth Ministry is keeping HOT with lots of fun, cool stuff happening ....... The Senior Posse is again going to the Food Bank (2/24, date changed from 2/3). We are offering a Parents' Night Out (babysitting service) on Saturday, February 10th - 6-10 pm. And during February school vacation, we are planning a Family Ice Skating Night with dinner at the Fleet Center (date TBA). So, mark your calendars and we hope to see you soon - living out your New Year's Resolution!!!

Anyone youth entering the 9th grade next fall is eligible for our 2007 Workcamp trip to Pennsylvania. If you are interested in attending, please contact Dawn by email (birondawn@yahoo.com) or by calling her at 461-3048. The website for further information is www.groupworkcamps.com/catholic - that is correct - the camp is all Catholic. This is something new for organization and for us. We are very excited about it and we hope that maybe you are too. To spend a week with other Catholic youths, serving God and someone in need. CHECK IT OUT!!

Is this you? Or somebody you know? For any number of reasons baptized Catholics do not always complete their initiation into the Church. This is done through the Sacrament of Confirmation and receiving Holy Communion. This is a simple process of preparation that results in the satisfaction of participating fully in the sacramental life that Christ has given us for our joy and support. For more information call Father Reardon.

The Diocesan Respect Life Office coordinates three ministries to those who seek healing from a past abortion experience. Rachel's Vineyard Retreats are weekends of healing and reconciliation in which participants process their abortion experience in a compassionate group setting. Healing the Wounded Heart is a support group that meets regularly to help women and men deal with the emotional and spiritual conflicts associated with abortion, and Project Rachel provides several one on one encounters with a priest to assist those in need to process and recover from an abortion experience. For more information call Kris at 421-7833 x 119.

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.

Jeremiah declares that the Lord knew him before he was born and dedicated and appointed him to his role as prophet even before he drew breath. We, too, are known and sent by the Lord. What deeds of love and service are mine to perform?

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.

January 20 / 21	Actual $4,447.80	Budget
Through 12/31/06	Actual $190,468.89	Budget $190,234.00

ACH $377.50

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.