LENT BEGINS THIS WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21ST

PLEASE REFER TO THE LENTEN INSERT FOR ALL ACTIVITIES.

• 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.
• The Parish Center will be closed Monday, February 19th in observance of the Presidents' Day holiday.
• Priests Retirement Fund
  You are invited to express your gratitude to those servants of Christ who may have retired, yet continue to lead active lives of ministry. Next weekend, our parish will participate in a diocesan-wide second collection to benefit the Priests' Retirement Fund. This fund provides life's most basic needs for our senior priests--food, shelter and medical care. Please consider a generous donation to this worthy effort.
• 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 February 28th to register at 295-2789 or e-mail at michelemlacroix@verizon.net.
• 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!!!
• Fundraiser for Bayside Family Healthcare
  The Knights of Columbus Hall will host a turkey dinner at 12:00 noon on Sunday, Feburary 18th. $10.00. All proceeds benefit Bayside. For tickets please call 295-9706.
• Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend
  Help your love grow in your marriage. Upcoming dates are 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.

Ash Wednesday Masses -- 8:00 am & 7:00 pm
Family Prayer Service -- 3:30 pm
Ashes will be given out at these times

The day is a day of fast and abstinence for ages 12-59. This means no meat is to be eaten and our food intake should be restricted. Common sense should rule in these matters.

Wednesday, February 21st
Ecumenical Lunch: 12 noon to 1:30 pm (Ashes will be given)
St. John the Divine, Willet Road, Saunderstown

Friday, February 23rd:
Stations of the Cross 7:00 pm

Friday Abstinence: All Catholics who have reached their 14th year are bound to abstain entirely from meat on all the Fridays of Lent. This practice reminds us that we are all in this season together. It is not just about "me," it is about all who make up the people of God.

No Sacramental Prep classes until Sunday, March 4.

First Reconciliation for Second Graders is scheduled for Tuesday, March 27.

Reconciliation Service for Third Graders preparing for First Eucharist is scheduled for Wednesday, March 28. Children will be receiving more information at their next class.

Attention Confirmation Candidates! Service hour forms are now available online. Check out the "Confirmation Corner" at www.sbcwickford.org.

Home Kits will be available at the Parish Center after Masses next weekend for those who missed their session.

Interested in signing up for a session? Contact the Parish Center for available space.

Next full service day will be Sunday, February 25th. This weekend there are a few books and devotionals for Lent and Easter in the vestibule of the Church. Use the self-service directions to pay. For special orders call Deborah at 885-6405 or leave a message at the parish center.

The Youth Ministry 2007 Summer Mission Camp Team would like to thank all those who laced up their shoes and supported our fund raising campaign. We were pleasantly overwhelmed with your response. We raised a total of $1500, to help with the cost of the transportation, tools and other expenses. If you missed us last weekend and would like to help, please send donations or sponsorships to the Parish Center, care of Youth Ministry, or stay tuned for the next fund raising event.

Dates to remember:

• 2/19 - Family Ice Skating at the Fleet Center (Prov) from 6-10 pm
• 2/24 - Sr. Posse trip to the RI Food bank from 9 am-12 pm
• 3/3 - Sr. Posse 6 pm Dinner - 9 pm Rock N-Bowl at Old Mt. Lanes
• 3/6 - Planning Meeting, 7-8:30 pm
• 3/30 ~ Decorating for Easter Breakfast, 5-8 pm K of C Hall
• 3/31 - Easter Breakfast, 8:30-11 am

Please contact Dawn at 461-3048 or by email at birondawn@yahoo.com) for more information.

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 Lenten season of penance calls us to reject choices that bring death, and instead to choose life in our every action. Penitential acts can include speaking up for life, writing letters or helping local pregnancy centers that provide alternative to abortion.

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.

Ash Wednesday's emphasis on prayer, fasting and almsgiving is an invitation to take a closer look at our stewardship. It is a time to reassess how we are using the gifts God has entrusted to us and to resolve anew to use our time and resources in the service of His Kingdom.

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.

February 10 / 11	Actual $5384.48	Budget
Through 01/31/07	Actual $214,244	Budget $220,471

ACH $2097.50

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.