Right after Easter Sunday I went to New York City to meet a classmate who flew in from Florida. We've been friends since high school in Hyde Park, New York. When I returned to the New Haven train station after a few great days of rest and relaxation, I discovered that I had a flat tire. I called for assistance and in just over a little more than an hour and a half on was on the road home. I was riding on my "doughnut," advised to go no more than 50 mph, and that it was good for 100 miles. Dutifully I determined not to take any chances and headed for home. It was quite the experience. I can honestly say I do not think any other vehicle was traveling at the same speed I was. Regardless of the posted speed limit, most of the time it was 65 mph; cars seemed to zip past me.

Two things surprised me: first, the more speedy vehicles seemed to cope well with my slower pace. With a rare exception no one rode my tail as if I was personally inconveniencing them. I had expected more pressure to speed it up than I actually experienced. Second, it was fun traveling at a slower pace. I enjoyed not feeling self-imposed pressure to go as fast as was legally permitted or even a bit more. I also enjoyed being to take in more of the scenery along the way. In addition I discovered that there are 2 places along the highway when there are special lanes for "slow moving vehicles". I think it is a great idea to have more of them. The trip back took longer than usual but it was in its own way more fun. I arrived back to the Parish Center 93.7 miles later content to know that people are more understanding than we sometimes expect them to be and equally content to know that life in the slow lane is pretty enjoyable.

• MULCH RAFFLE
  Winners will be drawn after the 10:30 Mass every weekend in May beginning today! You still have a chance to 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/$20.00 and can be purchased after all Masses. All proceeds benefit St. Bernard's Building fund.
• WINNER'S CHOICE AUTO RAFFLE--DRAWING MAY 30th
  This is it--the final month of the raffle. You still have time to purchase a ticket - $20 each or 6 for $100. You only need 1 ticket to win so see John after Mass or call the parish center at 295-0387.
• The Buzz - Deadline for the next issue is Wed., May 23
  Please send photos (with ID provided) and/or articles (no longer than 300 words) to Carol Sarro at oceanus58@cox.net or leave in the pick-up box at the parish center.
• 5th Annual Stewardship Fair -- SAVE THE DATE...Sun., Sept. 23!!!
  Watch the bulletin for more details.
• 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/adults and $4/ 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.
• 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).
• TEXMEX DINNER
  The Knights of Columbus will have a TexMex Dinner on Saturday, May 12th, from 5:30 to 7:00 pm at the Council Hall. Menu:Beef and Chicken Fajitas, Ranch Beans, Spanish Rice, Taco Bar (make your own). $9.00/person, $5.00/children12 and under; children 6 and under free. Reservations required by May 10th. Call and leave a message at 295-0507.
• Budget envelopes have gone out for the next period. If you do not receive them in the next week, please contact Judi at the Parish Center office, 295-0387
• 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"

I would like to express my gratitude to those of you who have made a gift to the 2007 Catholic Charity Fund Appeal. If you have not already contributed, please make your pledge today.
Parish Goal: $95,065.00
Number of Families 406
Actual to Date: $48,634.00
Number of Cash Gifts: 145
Number of Pledge Gifts: 68

The First Eucharist Retreat is today from 9:30 to 12:30 in the Parish Center.

Rehearsal for children making their First Eucharist at 10 AM will be Friday, May 11 at 5:30 at the Church.

Rehearsal for children making their First Eucharist at 1 pm will be Friday, May 11 at 7:00 at the Church.

First Eucharist celebrations are Saturday, May 12 at 10 AM and 1 PM.

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".

Our inaugural year of the program is complete! Thank you to everyone who made the program such a success. Especially the GoF Core Team. Special thanks go out to the Leduc Family who have provided several of the meals over the course of the year.

If you were unable to make it to your last session, please pick up a "Home Kit" at the front of the Church or at the Parish Center. Also, take a few minutes to complete the evaluation form to help us plan for next year. Like to get involved? Call us at the Parish Center!

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 - 8:15 pm. 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). There are still spots open and available for the 2007 Workcamp trip to Lyons, New York. If any youth entering the 9th grade in the fall is interested, please attend this meeting to hear all about it.

The Youth Ministry is looking for your help with our annual GIANT TAG SALE. 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. NO old TVs, computers/parts, car tires, or large pieces 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 continues this week!! "Scripture and the Rosary" focuses on the biblical stories that provide the background for the mysteries of the rosary. Tuesdays from 9:30-11:00 and Thursday evenings from 7:00-8:30 PM. Call Deborah at 885-6405 or emailing dlmccoy@cox.net.

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.

A will is your final statement of your Christian stewardship. I thank God for those of you who have remembered St. Bernard's in your wills. Your faithful stewardship in planning for your death has strengthened our parish immeasurably.

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 28 / 29	Actual $6,821.25	Budget
Through 04/30/07	Actual $321,047	Budget $307,661

ACH $497.50

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.