It's still Easter! We are actually entering the fourth week of this joyful season and that means we are just at the half way mark. Pentecost Sunday brings the 50 days of Easter to a close on May 27th this year. The lilies may have wilted and died but our spirits are still high.

What are we supposed to be doing during this time? These fifty days are a gift to us that gives us permission to rejoice. That's right to be happy, glad, giddy and silly even as we try to take in what it means that Christ is alive and we are reborn. Easter isn't an idea. It is an event. It is not simply the historical event that occurred 2000+ years ago. It is also, and equally important (the case could be made even more important) our event.

What are we supposed to be doing during this Easter season? We are supposed to set ourselves up so that Easter happens for us. A good start is plug into the arrival of spring: notice the flowers popping through the once frozen earth, admire their beauty and think about their strength. They are survivors! Cut some daffodils or jonquils and bring them inside and appreciate their simple beauty and the change it has on us. Do some gardening if you are inclined and able. Do any yard work or watch your neighbors do theirs. Think about being a partner in creation. Get out and walk if you are able and breathe in the fresh air. If you are not able to walk, sit outside and breathe in the new air and soak up some sun (safely, of course). These are all Easter experiences of life, of life being renewed and self-renewing, experiences of beauty, and, therefore, experiences of the Living Christ among us.

A friend suggests we focus on the 3 Cs of the season: Our CALL to be partners with Christ in renewing the earth and the world; our CHALLENGE to live our faith in a way that speaks of life and beauty and hope and joy and peace to the culture in which we live; and our COMFORT that we draw from knowing Christ is alive and among us always. Brian Wren's hymn text sings that "Christ is alive! No longer bound/ To distant years in Palestine,/ But saving healing here and now,/ And touching ev'ry place and time.// In ev'ry insult, rift, and war,/ Where color, scorn or wealth divide,/ Christ suffers still, yet loves the more,/ And lives, where even hope has died." Happy Easter!

• 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.
• 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.
• Second Annual Diocesan Night to Honor Mary will be held at the Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul at 7:00 pm on Friday, May 4th. Bishop Tobin will preside at this devotional service. The evening will include recitation of the rosary, Scripture readings, a homily by Fall River Bishop George Coleman, prayers, and hymns to the Blessed Mother. All are invited to attend.
• 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.
• 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.
• St. Michael's Annual Auction and Flea Market will be held on Saturday May 5th at 239 Oxford Street, Providence. Flea Market is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. The Auction will be at 12:00 noon.
• The "Giving Dreams a Hand" Auction sponsored by the Office for Youth Ministry will be held at Aldrich Mansion on Wednesday, May 9. Please do your part to support this vital effort! On-line bidding has begun and will continue through May 6. Go to the Youth Ministry website www.ymcyoprov.org for more information and to place your bids! Tickets to the event are available by contacting the office at 278-4626 ($25 donation).
• 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 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"

The 2007 Catholic Charity Fund Appeal is more than just another collection. It is the way by which every Catholic shares in the work of our diocese and the mission of the Church.

First Eucharist Retreat, Sunday May 6 - Mandatory from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM.

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

One other important date is Rehearsal, Friday May 11.

9th Grade Confirmation Candidates: Watch your mail in the coming weeks for important information about selecting your sponsor.

Service project information is available on the website in the "Confirmation Corner".

We are an Easter people!

Join us for this year's final Generations of Faith today at noon and again at 5 PM. Our final session is this Tuesday, May 1 at 6 PM. Remember when we talked about Spring Training? Well we'll have a special "team meal" of hot dogs and beans with ICE CREAM for dessert!

Next Full Service is Sunday May 27th. Self service is available in Church vestibule and Parish Center. Call Deborah (885-6405) for other times. Mothers' Day and First Communion Cards and gifts can be found in the Parish Center. The vestibule location (inside and to right of front doors of Church) throughout May features books on "Mary and other Holy Women" in honor of the traditional "month of Mary" as well as Mother's Day.

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).

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, knick knacks. 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.

Bible Study starts this week!! The topic, Scripture and the Rosary focuses on the biblical stories that provide the background for the mysteries of the rosary. Newcomers are welcome. If you are unsure and would like to find out more, come to our first meeting, watch the introduction video, look over the booklets and then just let the facilitator know if you plan to attend the following sessions. We meet Tuesdays starting May 1st from 9:30-11:00 and Thursday evenings starting May 3rd from 7:00 - 8:30 PM. You may register in advance by calling Deborah at 885-6405 or emailing dlmccoy@cox.net. Please register early to ensure enough materials for all.

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.

Paul and Barnabas encountered both violent rejection and joyful acceptance of the message that they preached. We, too, may meet with mixed reactions when we use our gifts in the service of God. But, the Gospel assures us, the reward for those who follow faithfully is eternal life.

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 21 / 22	Actual $5,954.12	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.