Happy Easter! The feast goes on and on... for 50 days in our church's calendar. That is a lot of celebrating. We have a lot to celebrate. Easter puts on its beautiful human face in a special way through the people initiated into the Church at the Great Easter Vigil. The four women that our parish accompanied on their journey toward the waters of baptism and the anointing in the Spirit and the feasting at the Table of the Lord reflected the excitement and the joy of life in Christ as they stood in front of the congregation to celebrate the Easter Sacraments. They sensed themselves to be "new creatures" to use some biblical language and they reflected this to all gathered by their smiles and their wonderment at it all.

Have you ever seen anyone be reborn? Of course, you have! We've all known individuals who have turned their lives around. Sometimes it is just the process of growing up. Other times it is more a process of giving up -- whatever was the cause of self-destruction, broken relationships, and a sense of going nowhere fast. For those of us who were baptized as infants the renewal of our baptismal promises is our way of buying into this Easter phenomenon. Whether it be the liturgical initiation ceremonies or the radical change we see in the life of another person who "once was blind but now sees" to use language from the well-known hymn "Amazing Grace" (currently there is a movie of the same title which would be a wonderful way to experience and reflect on this Easter change) the moment invites us to make a conscious decision to live a deeper, richer, fuller life. Resolve to have a new spring energize and beautify your life.

My thanks to all who contributed to the Easter celebrations in any way. My thanks to all of you who participated in the liturgies. On with the celebration!

• MULCH RAFFLE
  Win 10 cubic yards of Native Pine Mix Bark Mulch - a $350 value -- DELIVERED (within a 15 mile radius)! Tickets are $5.00 each or 5 for $20.00 and can be purchased next week after all Masses. Four chances to win. Drawings will be held weekly beginning the first week of May. All proceeds benefit St. Bernard's Building fund.
• 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.
• The St. Francis Council 2011 Knights of Columbus will hold an Open House at the Council Hall on Tuesday, April 17, from 7:00pm to 9:00pm. Anyone, both husbands, interested in learning about or joining the Knights, and wives are welcome. Refreshments will be served.
• The Women's Guild Mystery Ride Dinner is scheduled for Tuesday, May 8th at 6:00pm. The entree choice is baked scrod, baked stuffed chicken or veal parmigiana. The cost is $30.00 per person. Please make check payable to St. Bernard's by May 1st. To make reservations call 295-1080.
• Parish Library Service project opportunity
  The Parish library needs an additional bookcase. This is a simple wordworking project for a confirmation student or any interested adult. Please call Deborah for more details - 885-6405.
• The Annual Super French Toast Breakfast, sponsored by the St. Bernard's Scholarship Fund Committee, will be held Sunday morning, May 6th from 7:30 AM to 11:30 AM at Duffy's Restaurant. Donations at the door are $6 for adults and $4 for children under 12. Plan to join us for a hearty breakfast of Texas style French toast, scrambled eggs, sausage, mixed fruit and more. Proceeds benefit the St. Bernard's Scholarship Fund. For those who attend the 10:30 AM mass, stop by for a hearty breakfast before hand.
• Confirmation Service Projects
  Classes may be over but there are still lots of opportunities for service! The Knights of Columbus are looking for volunteers to sell Tootsie Rolls on April 19, 20 and 21. Generations of Faith needs people to set up, clean up and serve April 24, 25, 29 and May 1. Office help at the Parish Center Call the Parish Center at 295-0387 to arrange for any of these opportunities.
• MARRIED COUPLES
  Easter Sunday is like a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend because it's a weekend full of fresh love, rebirth and new beginnings. All married couples deserve a richer, fuller life together! Upcoming dates are April 20-22, 27-29 and June 22-24. For more information call 1-800-710-WWME or (401) 397-8752 or visit our webpage at www.ri-me.org.

2007 Catholic Charity Fund Appeal

"Remarkable Wonders are Done Through You"

Your gift to the 2007 Catholic Charity Fund Appeal reaches out to countless people in need throughout our diocese. No matter where you turn, you find someone who will benefit from your kindness. Please consider pledging your support to this worthwhile endeavor.

First Eucharist Celebrations are scheduled for May 12, 2007 at 10 AM and 1 PM.

Other important dates are:

• First Eucharist Retreat, Sunday May 6
  from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM
• Rehearsal, Friday May 11

A special gift for a special day! Children in the First Eucharist Class should have received a blue order form with the opportunity to purchase an engraved St. Bernard Church ornament. Orders and payment must be received by April 22 to be ready by May 6.

We are an Easter people!

Join us for this year's final Generations of Faith and learn what it means to be an Easter People. We will be having a special meal and DESSERT! The dates are: Tuesday, April 24, 6 to 8:30; Wednesday, April 25, 6 to 8:30; Sunday, April 29th, 12-2:30; and Tuesday, May 1st, 6 to 8:30. Contact the Parish Center for available space.

Upcoming Full service hours are 9 AM - 12 NOON Sunday April 22nd and Sunday May 27th (Note: ONLY ONE DAY in MAY). Self service is available when the parish center is open. Call Deborah at 885-6405 for special order assistance or access to the parish store at other times.

The Youth Ministry would like to send a special Thank you to all who helped out with the Easter Breakfast that was celebrated two weeks ago. It was a hopping great time sharing time with our church community and friends. To: the Knights of Columbus for the use of the their Hall and the delicious HOT Breakfast. To: all the youth who decorated and helped and to: the adults who volunteered their time to help and donated the needed supplies. To: The Schmoegers for the craft supplies, Heikes for the basket help, and the Hoeys for the borrowed trees and egg drop game. And a special thank you to Mark Gardiner for the very large donation of candy for our raffle baskets. We were able to make 5 baskets this year and make a little over $250 from the raffle. And To: the Easter Bunny for spending the morning with us. We created beautiful new life butterflies, Servant Sandals, Picture frames, and flowered leis. Thanks again and God Bless you and your families!

New Bible Study for month of May: "Touching the Mysteries - Scripture and the Rosary"

Our ongoing small group scripture study groups have chosen this 5 week study to take place during May. This study will focus on the biblical stories that provide background for the mysteries of the rosary. A morning group will meet on Tuesdays beginning May 1st from 9:30-11:00 AM. The evening group will meet on Thursday evenings beginnning May 3rd from 7-8:30 PM. Donations for materials will be accepted at the first meetings. Please register early to ensure enough materials for all. Call Deborah at 885-6405 to register for either group or email dlmccoy@cox.net. After this study, the Bible Study groups will break for the Summer and resume in the Fall.

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.

Rachel's Vineyard Retreats are healing weekends designed to help those hurting from a past abortion experience to process and recover from their loss(es). For more information call Kris at 421-7833 x 199.

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.

"Blessed are they who have not seen and have believed," Jesus says in today's Gospel. For those who have not seen to believe, however, we must be good stewards of our faith, living it joyfully and sharing it generously. Then, in our time too, " men and women in great numbers" will be "added to the Lord."

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.

April 7 / 8	Actual $13,561.80	Budget $10,686.32
Through 03/31/07	Actual $276,513	Budget $271,846

ACH $3,166.50
Easter Collection $4,728.46
Flower Donation $2,952.00

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.