Black History Month began on Thursday. The first of February is the anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln's signing of the Thirteenth Amendment abolishing slavery in our nation. The year was 1865. One hundred forty-two years later racism remains deeply ingrained in our society. This month gives us the opportunity to look into our own hearts and minds and claim as our own the prejudices we discover. It's a first step towards a long process of national healing. Prayer for better understanding and greater interaction among all races is another step we can accept responsibility for during this short winter month.

Father Robert Drinan, S.J., died this week. Those of us who are old enough will remember him as the priest from Massachusetts who was elected to Congress principally on his anti-war stand. Fr. Drinan's life and career as a priest and an attorney were remarkable for his commitment to peace, civil rights and efforts to eliminate poverty in our society. He was also controversial. He made us proud to be Catholics even when many of us weren't sure that priests actually should be elected officials.

His position on legislation regarding abortion was also very problematic to many Catholics. No one is perfect and few among us achieve what he did. He is in my book of heroes who gave his all for all of us. Fr. Drinan liked to tell a story about the late Senator Mo Udall. Fr. Drinan had gone out to visit Udall who at that time was ill with Parkinson's disease. Drinan had gone out to visit Udall. "Father," said Udall, "I have a request. After I die, I want to be buried in Chicago, so I can still be politically active after I've gone." He had a good sense of humor. May he rest in peace and may we continue to run the race and fight the good fight.

• 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.
• 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.
• The St. Bernard's Bereavement Group will be holding a two part Grief Share Seminar during March for anyone dealing with a loss of a loved one. Seminars will include a brief video and open discussion. The first part on Monday, March 12th at 7:00 pm in the Parish Center. The second part on Monday, March 19th at 7:00 pm in the Parish Center. All are welcome. Please call Michele by Feb 28th to register at 295-2789 or e-mail at michelemlacroix@verizon.net.
• LITERACY VOLUNTEERS OF SOUTH COUNTY will be holding weekly meetings at St. Bernard's Parish Center on Thursday, from 9:30-11:00 am. 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.
• The Buzz
  Any interesting news and/or great pictures for the next issue of The Buzz? Please submit them for publication to Carol Sarro by Friday, February 23. Send to Carol at oceanus58@cox.net or leave in pick-up box in the lobby of the parish center. Thanks!!!
• Books & More will be open with full service on February 11th and February 25th from 9 AM to Noon. A Selection of Lenten items will be featured before most Generation of Faith sessions this month. . Self Service instructions can be followed in order to purchase something when there is no sales person present. For customer service at other times call Deborah McCoy at 885-6405.
• 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.
• 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.

Sacramental prep classes meet this Sunday morning. There are no evening classes due to the Super Bowl.

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.

Let's Get Ready for LENT!

This month's GOF sessions are all about Lent. How do we prepare for the journey? And what do pretzels have to do with it? Join us for a meal of pasta and salad with DESSERT as we find out more about this season that leads to the joy of Easter.

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, 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 Youth Ministry is very busy next weekend. Check us out!!

During all the masses, the 2007 Workcamp Team will be speaking about their upcoming trip and how their Shoes are Made for Serving. They will being looking for your support and prayers. Please consider helping out by adding a contribution to their paint buckets as you exit church. And stay to tuned for many other ways to support the trip during the months ahead. Next Saturday night, we will, also, be hosting a Parents' Night Out (2/10) for any of you sweethearts looking for some alone time. Drop off your kids at the parish center for 6 pm and enjoy a night out till 10 pm. Cost is $15 for one child and $20 for two and $25 for three or more. Please confirm your spot with Dawn. We are in need of babysitters and adult chaperones for this evening, please let Dawn know if you are available.

And on Sunday, February 11th, we are planning to attend a concert presented at St. Teresa's Parish in Pawtucket. The Sign of Life music band is providing a concert of Praise and Worship to fundraise money for their Youth Ministry. The concert begins at 7 pm and is approximately 1 1/2 hours. So, we will meet at the parish center at 6:15pm and should be returning by 9:15pm. If you are interested in attending, please contact Dawn by email at birondawn@yahoo.com) or by calling her at 461-3048.

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.

In today's readings, both Isaiah and Peter hear the call of God and feel themselves unworthy. But, reassured by the Lord, both answer and follow. Do I hear the Lord asking, "Whom shall I send?" Am I prepared to answer "Here I am. Send me!"

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 $5,492.32	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.