Those of us fortunate to be present at last Sunday's 10:30 liturgy heard our choir offer a flawless presentation of Bernadette Farrell's difficult piece "Restless is my Heart". It is a beautiful contemporary setting of words based on Saint Augustine wedded to music that reflects them in a haunting dissonance that conveys the uneasiness of a searching soul. I take this opportunity to salute the choir for all they do to enrich our worship as they both support us in our singing and inspire us by theirs.

This particular piece by Farrell brings back fond memories of my time on sabbatical at the Irish Institute for Liturgical Studies in Carlow, Ireland. I'll share them at another time. For now I want to share with you these questions that the prolific and very insightful Frederick Buechner suggests we ask ourselves during Lent. He says, and I wholeheartedly agree, that answering these will help us to see who we are and what we are becoming.

1. When you look in the mirror what do you see you most like...you most want to deplore?
2. What last message would you give to a handful of people most dear to you? (25 words or less)
3. Which thing you have done would you most like to undo?
4. What person, or cause would you die for?
5. If this were the last day of your life, what would you do?

It is not too late to have a great Lent even if we are just starting now!

• GOOD FRIDAY HOPE WALK
  Members of this year's Confirmation class will speak at all the Masses today to solicit sponsors for the annual Good Friday walk. If you would like to participate in the walk please call the Parish Center at 295-0387.
• Winner's Choice Auto Raffle is pleased to announce the March 17th Early Bird winner was Robert Bowers of Pocahontas, Arkansas. Robert was thrilled to learn he had won the $500 prize and wished all of us at St. Bernard every success with our new church fundraising. 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.
• 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 return by April 16, 2007.
• McAuley House Pretend Dinner Menus are in all the pews this weekend. The pretend Dinner is a sacrifice. It doesn't take place at a fancy restaurant, there isn't any entertainment or valet parking. It happens in you heart. Instead of going out to dinner, sit down and reflect on all you have, choose your favorite meal from the menu, fill out the "order" and return it with your check or credit card to McAuley House. Your donation will help feed women, men and children who have little. Thank you from the Staff of McAuley House and McAuley Ministries.
• The Chrism Mass The oil of the Chrism is consecrated, the Oils of Catechumens & the Sick are blessed & the priests within the Diocese of Providence recommit themselves to the Priesthood of Jesus Christ on Monday the twenty-first day of March in the year of our Lord two thousand and five at seven o'clock in the evening in the Cathedral of Saints Peter & Paul, Providence. Join us for this celebration; together may we give witness to the faith of our Church in service & sacrament. The procession into the Cathedral will begin promptly at 6:55 pm. Please arrive no later than 6:30pm. General seating is available.
• INCREASED WEEKLY GIVING PROGRAM
  St. Bernard's Increased Weekly Giving Program is very important to our financial stability. It is also important to show our gratitude to God for our many gifts by responding to the needs of our parish. If you have not returned your response envelope, please do so at the first opportunity.
• 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.

Wednesday, March 28th:
Ecumenical Lunch: 12 noon to 1:00 pm
First Baptist Church of North Kingstown
1135 Tower Hill Road

Friday, March 30th:
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: Final Class for all 1st, 2nd and 3rd graders today

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.

Please keep these young people in your prayers.

First Eucharist: A letter went home today with important information for all children preparing to celebrate First Eucharist this May.

Attention 9th Grade Confirmation Candidates! The Annual Good Friday walk is on April 6. The bus will be leaving the Parish Center at 8 AM and return around 1 PM. More information is going home this week.

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

Remember to decorate your butterfly and bring it to the Church on Palm Sunday! If you need a butterfly, please pick one up at the entrance to the church.

Join us next month as we wrap up our first year of Generations and learn what it means to be an Easter People. The dates are: Tuesday, April 24; Wednesday, April 25; Sunday, April 29th and Tuesday, May 1st.

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.

Home Kits for those who missed their session are available in the Church or at the Parish Center.

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 hoping for spring to come our way!!!! Our annual Easter Breakfast is Saturday, March 31st from 8:30 - 11 am. The event is 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 night before on 3/31 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 - suggested items include - Candy, a toy, a springtime outdoor activity or garden tool. Anyone interested in helping to create the baskets, 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.

In today's second reading, St. Paul says, "For his sake I have forfeited everything; I have accounted all else rubbish so that Christ may be my wealth." Does my stewardship suggest that I could say the same?

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 $7805.00	Budget
Through 02/28/07	Actual $238,312	Budget $245,285

ACH $432.50
Catholic Relief Services $1,853.00

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.