The tragic loss of life at Virginia Tech this week turns out not to have at its root any "bad guy". Cho Seung-hui was a bright student but a deeply emotionally ill person. He is to be mourned along with the victims that died in his rampage. I can't help but feel that this tragedy becomes just another media orgy. Poor Anna Nicole Smith has been pushed out of the spotlight and off the front page. Just in time too; people were getting tired of that story. This new one will captivate the media and a seemingly huge audience that has no real life of its own. I'm not convinced the media nor a large number of its addicted fans truly distinguish the genuine value of the various headline-consuming reports. As long as it is new and extreme it will do for a few days. The events of September 11, 2001 are the exception I think.

What happens now? The race is on to put the blame on someone for not preventing what occurred. Politicians will posture but probably not do anything that would cost them votes or require a serious long term investment of time and resources. I suppose both sides of the gun control argument will be aired and the most sacred right to "bear arms" will be upheld with few if any limitations on the ease with which arms are obtained or on the type of arms that may be possessed.

Is there a lesson? Yes.

Tragedy is inevitable in life. It affects some for the rest of their lives. They carry the sorrow and are handicapped by that burden. Some will be changed and realize that life is fragile and needs to be lived well for noble purposes. Some will make a real difference because they invest themselves in efforts to bring about change. We are rejoicing in Easter. It is our hope of life beyond death no matter how death comes or at what point in a person's life. Cho Seung-hui and all his victims are together in God's presence. God has a lot of work to do (purgatory as group therapy sessions) before they can enjoy heavenly peace and happiness. God is up to the challenge. I recall some lines from a poem by Kathie Mc Carthy, "Death of a Loved One", that read: "If there is something about this to understand/ It is perhaps that God feels like this/ When we destroy the holy and the beautiful -/ Simply because we must.// Without missing more than a beat or two/ of God's time, God rebuilds."

• 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.
• Please join the St. Bernard's Walkers for the Tomorrow Fund Stroll on Sunday, April 29th in Garden City Center at 10 am. The Tomorrow Fund provides daily financial and emotional support to children with cancer and their families. If you cannot join us, please consider a pledge, just call the Parish Center at 295-0387.
• Knights of Columbus Yard Sale will be held on Saturday, May 5th, from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM, at the Council Hall, 1265 Tower Hill Road. The hall will be open to receive donated items between the hours of 6:00PM and 9:00 PM, Thursday, 3rd, and Friday, May 4th. For pick up service call 295-0507 to leave a message.
• 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! 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 is needed! Call the Parish Center at 295-0387 to arrange for any of these opportunities.
• MARRIED COUPLES
  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 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 5-7:30; 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 is looking for your help with our annual GIANT TAG SALE. We hope that you think of us while you are spring cleaning. We will be accepting your treasures in the next couple of weeks - so please stay tuned. We are looking for old kids toys, books, clothes, kitchen items, appliances that work, outdoor equipment, tools, holiday decorations, nic naks...... and so on. Please DO NOT Donate old TVs, computers/parts, car tires, and any large pieces that are in VERY GOOD condition. If they do not sell then we will need to find a way to be rid of the items and that can be difficult. Thank you in advance for helping with this project. Please call Dawn at 461-3048 or birondawn@yahoo.com if you are in need of a pick-up.

WORKCAMP TEAM YOUTH AND PARENTS: There is a mandatory meeting on Monday, May 7th from 7-8:15pm. Please bring your calendar, health insurance information and check made out to St. Bernard's Church. We will be discussing the Tag Sale (June 9th).

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.

In today's Gospel, Jesus tells Peter again, "If you love Me, feed my sheep." he says the same to each of us, "If you love Me, use the gifts I have given you to serve your brothers and sisters.

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 14 / 15	Actual $6,367.00	Budget
Through 03/31/07	Actual $276,513	Budget $271,846

ACH $477.50

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.