As I write this I am thinking ahead to the festivities that will mark my St. Patrick's Day observances with family and friends. I am also thinking about a work I viewed a few months back on a visit to Gordon College. It was included in the exhibition "The Next Generation: Contemporary Expressions of Faith". Donald Forsythe created "Turf Painting/Ireland 2002" while on a fellowship in Ireland. He spent a month in an isolated cottage overlooking the sea in the remote northwest of Ireland. His painting places side by side a rectangle done by mixing actual turf with acrylic medium to create a crude paint and a smaller rectangular map of Ireland.

The turf is seen close up while the map leaves us looking at Ireland from a distance as if in an airplane. Forsythe invites the viewer to compare the actual turf with the map. Clearly visible on the map is the divide that separates Northern Ireland from the rest of the republic of Ireland. He wryly comments that it is "a line drawn by humans representing a different kind of 'turf'." Clearly visible also on the map on the roads and routes for traveling about that he sees as many more lines drawn by humans. Forsythe comments that "One type of line shows us the way, and the other represents a history of political and religious schism." Both are real and neither can by seen completely by a person on the ground. Nonetheless they are there and they affect our lives.

Where do we draw lines in our lives and in our relationships? It's a good Lenten question for reflection as we draw nearer to Easter. Do my lines create divisions that isolate, even imprison, others? Do I cut some individuals, groups out of my life? And where are the lines I draw that help others find their way on the journey of life? How am I helping others to navigate their way through a world, a society, and a culture that is often very confusing? Forsythe's work is only 18 by 24 inches but it merits contemplation and has a big impact on those who are fortunate enough to see it. As they say in the Old Country: 'Beannachtai na Feile Padraig agaibh!'.

• Winner's Choice Auto Raffle
  Tickets are $20 each or $100 for a book of 6. All proceeds benefit the church building fund. For more information call 295-5235 or visit our website at www.sbcwickford.org.
• INCREASED WEEKLY GIVING PROGRAM
  Your participation in St. Bernard's Increased Weekly Giving Program is important. Please give prayerful consideration to Fr. Reardon's request for a reasonable increase in your weekly offering.
• IT'S A BOY!!!!!
  Please join Alison, Jeff and Ryan Shea in welcoming the new member of their family, Evan Francis, born on March 11th. Mother and baby are doing fine. Congratulations, Shea family.
• St Bernard Scholarship Fund applications are now available at the Parish center and on the parish web site for graduating high school seniors of the parish. Eight $1,000 scholarship grants will be awarded in June 2007. To be considered, completed applications must be returned by April 16, 2007.
• Books & More
  Next full service dates are March 25th and April 1st. Self Service available or call Deborah (885-6405). We have reading material for Lent and Easter, Easter cards, religious jewelry and gift items. Books are available in the vestibule of the Church. Special offer: Buy a book and, when you're finished with it, donate it to the parish lending library and you'll pay COST, not retail. This offer does not apply to Bibles or Children's books.
• Parish Lending Library
  Lent and Easter selections are displayed in Room 1. Browse the shelves labeled "spiritual living," "prayer," or "contemplation" for Lenten reading. Donations of religious books should be brought to the parish center only, and clearly labeled "Donations for Library." Any other books left in the vestibule or parish center will be considered lost items and placed in the "lost and found" box.
• Bishop Tobin Retreat
  Bishop Tobin will direct a retreat with an emphasis on sophomores and juniors, who wish to learn more about the priesthood on Saturday, March 24th from 10:00 am to 3:30 pm at the Seminary of Our Lady of Providence. If you or someone you know is interested see your parish priest or call Fr. Michael Najim, Assistant Vocation Director at 831-8011.
• 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. Part Two will take place 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.

Wednesday, March 21st:
Ecumenical Lunch: 12 noon to 1:00 pm
N. K. United Methodist Church
450 Boston Neck Road

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

Tuesday, April 3rd: Penance Service at St. Francis de Sales, at 7:00 pm

HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE:
Holy Thursday *Mass of the Lord's Supper - 7:30 pm
Good Friday Stations of the Cross - 3:00 pm
Celebration of the Lord's Passion - 7:30 pm
Holy Saturday *Easter Vigil - Mass of the Resurrection - 7:30 pm

Easter Sunday Masses:
7:00 am, *8:30 am, & 10:30 am

*Incense will be used

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.

Sacramental Prep classes DO NOT meet today due to the Generations of Faith schedule. Last Class - Sunday, March 25.

First Reconciliation for Second Graders is scheduled for Tuesday, March 27 at 6:30 PM.

Reconciliation Service for Third Graders preparing for First Eucharist is scheduled for Wednesday, March 28 at 6:30 PM.

All 2nd and 3rd graders should have received a notice at their last class with information about their upcoming Sacramental Celebrations. If your family did not receive one, please contact the Parish Center.

Attention Confirmation Candidates! Service hour forms are now available online. Check out the "Confirmation Corner" at www.sbcwickford.org. Mark your calendars- the Good Friday Hunger Walk is scheduled for Friday, April 6. This is REQUIRED for all 9th graders. Information and permission slips will go home after the next class.

How is your Lent going? A great way to grow in your faith this Lenten season is to attend the next Generations of Faith session. The focus is on Holy Week. The upcoming dates are:

• Session 1 - Sunday, March 18 12:00 to 2:30
• Session 2 - Sunday, March 18 5:00 to 7:30
• Session 3 - Tuesday, March 20 6:00 to 8:30

Can't remember which session you signed up for? Or maybe you need to switch. Interested in signing up for a session? Contact the Parish Center for available space.

Next full service dates are March 25th and April 1st. Self Service available or call Deborah (885-6405). We have reading material for Lent and Easter, Easter cards, religious jewelry and gift items. Books are available in the vestibule of the Church. Special offer: Buy a book and, when you're finished with it, donate it to the parish lending library and you'll pay COST, not retail. This offer does not apply to Bibles or Children's books.

The Youth Ministry is feeling spring come our way!!!! And it feels great. Our annual Easter Breakfast is Saturday, March 31st from 8:30 - 11 am at the Knights of Columbus Hall and we will be serving a HOT breakfast. And the Easter Bunny will be there, of course, as well as face painting and crafts.

Youth : Please mark your calendars. We will be decorating on the Friday 3/30 from 5-8 pm. Your help is needed to transport materials from the Church to the Hall, as well. Stay tuned for details. And please bring a $5 donated gift for a Spring/Easter gift basket - suggestions include candy, a toy, a springtime outdoor activity or garden tool. Anyone interested helping with the baskets, please contact Dawn.

• *RESCHEDULED DATE* 3/12-Planning Meeting, 7-8:30pm
• 3/30 ~ Decorating for Easter Breakfast, 5-8 pm Knights of Columbus 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.

Come and Pray the ROSARY FOR LIFE at The State House, on Thursday, March 29th, at 3:00 pm with Mrs. Suzanne Carceiri . All Rhode Islanders are invited to join together and pray to strengthen the Culture of Life in our state. If you have further questions or need additional information, please contact Deirdra Hayes at 782-0007.

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.

The stewardship message in the parable of the Prodigal Son is that it is never too late to become a good steward. Blessed is the elder brother who had been a good steward all along, but blessed, too is the prodigal who had to lose all he had in order to understand the value of what he had been given.

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.

March 10 / 11	Actual $6,730.35	Budget
Through 02/28/07	Actual $238,312	Budget $245,285

ACH $432.50

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.