The coincidental meeting of last Sunday's gospel, the parable of the Good Samaritan, and Sister Christiana's mission appeal was powerful reminders of how far reaching are the demands our faith makes on us. Our ever-shrinking world puts a lot of "neighbors" in our path. Sister spoke of her community's work in Sierra Leone and alluded to the terrible consequences of the 1990's civil war. Hearing about it is one thing and living through it is another. I was reminded of the 2006 movie "Blood Diamond" which is set in Sierra Leone and stars Leonardo DiCaprio. It is very good, if very brutal, portrayal of what Sister Christiana referred to. She said the film is very accurate in what it portrays.

Watching it is a powerful visual and visceral experience. It is well worth renting and viewing. I also offer 2 quotes that are relevant to continued reflection on both Jesus' story and Sr. Christiana's world. The first is from a book by Fr. Ronald Knox, an English writer who died precisely 50 years ago. He writes: "Is it for you, the beneficiary for all time of that unique act of charity (Christ's coming among us), to haggle over obligations and weigh out mercy with a balance? The world is your neighbor. Your enemy is your neighbor. The people who annoy you, bore you, rub you the wrong way, are your neighbors. Whoever needs your help, however unworthy, however ungrateful, however unwilling, that [one] is your neighbor."

The second quote is from the very well known Anglican Bishop of South Africa, Desmond Tutu. He writes: "Justice is not a case of the 'haves' giving to the 'have nots.' That is far too unworthy and shallow an interpretation of God's intent for us. We must recognize that we are all members of God's family. We would want the best for our family. We would want good education, health care for them and would willingly help in anyway possible for that to happen."

On a lighter note. After Saturday's mass I took Sr. Christiana to the Polish Festival at Our Lady of Czenstochowa Parish in Coventry. She got to hear some great polka music and enjoy a new dining experience of typical polish cuisine: Kapuśniak, Kiełbasa, Pierogis and Gołąbkis. She was a good sport all around.

• Parish Center Summer Hours
  During the months of July and August the Parish Office hours are as follows:
  Mon. through Wed. 8:30 am--5:00 pm
  Thursday and Friday: Closed
• Haitian Project
  The parish mission trip to Haiti scheduled for October 7-12 still has room for anyone interested in this remarkable and rewarding venture! Contact Pat Newell, 295-5160 for further information.
• Save-the-date
  The theme of this year's Stewardship Fair is "Breaking New Ground." It will be held Sunday, September 23, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. More details to follow.
• Parish Family Day in Jamestown
  Remember, Sunday, August 19, will be the second annual Parish feast of family and friends. You do not want to miss it. Everyone had a fabulous time last year. All are welcomed and encouraged to come. Volunteers are needed. Contact Deacon Ron 884-1687.
• "What would the twelve have done, lost in the immensity of the world, if they had not gathered around them men and women, the old and young, saying: 'We carry with us the treasure of heaven. Help to scatter it abroad'" Is God calling you to evangelize? Would you like to welcome our new parishioners? come to a Legion of Mary meeting Saturday at 10 a.m. or call Liz O'Keefe 295-0438.
• F.I.S.H (Friends in Service to Humanity), a non-profit, all volunteer group is looking for volunteer drivers to bring area residents to medical appointments. F.I.S.H. provided transportation to 756 local people last year and our need is growing rapidly. Drivers are reimbursed at .44/per mile. Call Mary at 294-4035 or Amelia at 885-8322 if you can help.
• Msgr. Clarke School 40th Anniversary Cookbook Recipe Request
  Do you have a favorite recipe? The 2007/2008 school year marks the 40th anniversary and celebration plans include the creation of a 40th Anniversary Cookbook. If you would like to submit a recipe please call or e-mail Sharon Dziekan, 294-4271; sdziekan@cox.net or Alison Gurnon, 788-9454, alichad03@msn.com for more information.
• A Wish Come True will hold a giant crafts fair at this year's Autos of the World Car Show at Goddard State Park, Ives Road, Warwick on July 28th & 29th. Tent spaces are still available. For more information, call Gene at 647-2731.
• The Columban Fathers' Festival and Bazaar will be held on Sunday, July 29th from noon to 6 pm. Raffles, games of chance, children's games, chicken Bar-BQ, chowder & clam cakes, etc. For more information call 253-6909.
• Italian Festival will be held at St. Alexander's Church Grounds, 221 Main St., Warren on Friday and Saturday July 27 and 28 from 6 to 10: p.m. Italian foods, games of chance, children's games, etc. For more information call 245-6369.

GroundBreaking for Our New Church....August 5th!!!

Mark your calendar for the long-anticipated groundbreaking for our new church on Sunday, August 5th at the Davis Property. Bishop Tobin will say the 10:30 am Mass at the church and then join us immediately after up at the site of our NEW church at the corner of Ten Rod and Tower Hill Roads. Parking will be available at the Wickford Middle School with shuttle service to the Davis Property. You can also park at the Parish Center and walk up to the property if you prefer. Hope to see you there!

Do you have a child entering 1st Grade this fall?
Or are you and your children new to the Parish?
Please contact the Parish Center at 295-0387 to register for the Religious Education program and make sure that you receive all the mailings.

Generations of Faith - Registrations are coming in quickly! To get your 1st choice of times, send in your registration today! A reminder- if you have a child in religious education, you need to sign up for the full year.

Attention 10th Grade Confirmation candidates! Informational letters regarding important dates and selecting a sponsor were sent out this week. If you did not get one, please contact the Parish Center!

All Confirmation candidates - Need service hours? We need volunteers for the Groundbreaking Ceremony on Sunday, August 5. Call the Parish Center at 295-0387.

We are one week away from leaving on our mission to Group WorkCamp. We are all extremely excited and getting ready for all our trip. We are anticipating a week full of stewardship, making new friends, repairing homes for the elderly, and most importantly - helping us find out a little bit more about ourselves. We have our To pack list, our tool list, and travel maps, our Youth Ministry tie-dyed T-shirts, and our love to share. We met last week for questions/answers session and picnic. All the questions were answered and all the details are being finalized and everyone is preparing for a hot week of service and FUN!! WE ARE SO READY!!

Please join us for the 5pm Saturday Mass, July 28th - to help celebrate our departure and pray for a safety and success journey. We will be leaving the next day, Sunday around 6am and returning Saturday, July 29th around 3pm. We can't say it enough - Thanks so much for your thoughts and prayers, it means the world to us to have you supporting us, the young people through this and all our experiences.

Praying the Psalms

St. Ambrose tells us that "a psalm is a blessing on the lips of the people, a hymn in praise of God...". For over 2000 years the Psalms have been a source of comfort and guidance to Christians and Jews alike. Join us on Wednesday, July 25th at 7:00pm in the Parish Center as we begin to explore praying with the Psalms.

To prepare for this first gathering please read Ps. 16 from your favorite Bible translation.

Hope to see you there!

CRS (Catholic Relief Services) Fair Trade network guarantees fair wages to disadvantaged artisans, farmers and workers. It also provides the technical and financial assistance that poor people so desperately need but so rarely get in the conventional trading system. To find out more about the CRS FAIR TRADE program, join the CRS FAIR TRADE network, purchase FAIR TRADE chocolate, coffee or handcrafts, or organize an educational event or CRS FAIR TRADE sale in your deanery, parish, school or campus, go to www.crsfairtrade.org or contact your local CRS FAIR TRADE ambassador Pat Jaehnig, Diocesan Office of Community Services and Advocacy at 421-7833 x 101 pjaehnig@diocsesofprovidence.org or 421-7833 x 101.

While we are doing inventory and year end reporting this month, there are no scheduled full-service hours; however, you may call Deborah at 885-6405 for flexible openings, questions, or special orders.

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.

Do you wonder? Do you regret? Healing the Wounded Heart is a support group for women and men who have been involved in an abortion experience. The group meets twice a month in a confidential setting. Come meet Jesus and be made whole again. Call Kris at 421-7833x119.

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.

Today's readings speak of hospitality. Abraham, who cheerfully did for his guests all that desert hospitality required, was rewarded with his heart's desire-a son. Martha also busied herself with all the details of hospitality, but grudgingly and with complaint. Am I a cheerful or a grudging giver?

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.

July 14 / 15	Actual $6,382.00	Budget
ACH	$500.00
Mission Co-op	$3,300.00
Through 06/30/07	Actual $390,614.00	Budget $366,245.00

From "Madame Secretary":
Reminder - If your address or phone number have changed please call the Parish Center so we can update our records!

E-BUZZ. See the Buzz in full color! Call us with you e-mail address to receive the next issue via e-mail.

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.