In this week's bulletin you will read a brief announcement that alerts everyone to the fact that our parish is beginning an Increased Giving program. I'll be speaking about this at all the liturgies this weekend.

Lent may seem like an unlikely, maybe even an inappropriate time to be doing such a crass and worldly thing. Lent, after all, is the time we try to be more spiritual in our lives... more prayer, more almsgiving to the needy and more efforts to fast from food and other things that we love but aren't necessarily much help to our growth in faith.

Putting the focus on money seems crass. I say that what we do with our money says a lot about our spiritual health. Stinginess and self-centeredness are symptoms of sinfulness. Money is an area in which we can measure the pervasiveness of those conditions in ourselves. After our bills are paid and our basic needs are provided for, how do we determine what we do with the remainder of our money? Do we accept that we have a financial responsibility toward the parish to which we belong and to the wider Church of which we are members? Even more important do we accept that we have a real relationship with other people who are not directly connected to us except through the fact that they are also children of our same Heavenly Father?

At any rate Lent is a season that tries to get at us where we need to be awakened to the obstacles that prevent God's grace from flourishing in our lives. I hope you will see the Increased Giving program as an invitation to look at a particularly sensitive and important part of life.

• 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.
• INCREASED GIVING
  This weekend, St. Bernard Church is beginning an Increased Weekly Giving Program. It is very important that our parish improves its financial well being. In the coming week, every family will be asked to consider a reasonable increase in their current weekly offering and make consistent use of our parish envelope system. Please use the burgundy response envelop next weekend, simply return to your regular envelopes while maintaining your new giving amount. Pray for the success of this most necessary program.
• 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!!!
• Msgr. Thomas V. Cassidy Memorial Scholarship
  Two $2000 scholarships will be awarded to eligible 8th grade girls entering a Catholic high school. The Scholarship is based upon scholastic merit and financial need. For an application please apply in writing to: Mrs. Joanne B. Burger, Chairperson, Msgr. Thomas Cassidy Memorial Scholarship, 3 Twins Lane, N. Providence, RI 02904..
• 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.

Wednesday, February 28th
Ecumenical Lunch: 12 noon to 1:30 pm
1st Baptist Church of Wickford
44 Main Street, Wickford

Friday, March 2nd:
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.

Next Sacramental Prep classes are 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 for those who missed their session.

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

Full service today, 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 is marching through March with lots of exciting activities. If you are a 6th grader or up, you can get involved. Just choose to come, maybe bring a friend and check us out!! Please be aware that the Senior Posse is geared toward our high school aged parishioners. But all other events are open to all. If you have never tried it, this is your opportunity. Come to the Planning Meeting and help to make some decisions about what the group will do next and the Easter Breakfast.

Dates to remember:

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.

Lent prepares us to renew our baptism as others prepare to receive it. The baptismal promises call us to reject the "empty promises" of the devil. Included among those empty promises is the idea that abortion and euthanasia are solutions to problems.

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 first reading describes the offering of first fruits the people of Israel were to present to the Lord in thanksgiving for their deliverance from Egypt and the gift of the Promised Land. Is my offering at today's Mass an appropriate response to the many blessing the Lord has given 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.

February 17 / 18	Actual $4,954.00	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.