Next Sunday Bishop Tobin joins us for the 10:30 Mass and the ground breaking ceremony that we have been anticipating for a long time. It has been six years since we first began the process of talking about the advantages of building a new parish campus highlighted by a new church. From the very beginning the focus has been not just on "what" we might build but on "why" and "how it might impact our parish life".

This last question is the most important. Buildings are essential for our coming together as a faith community to worship and to form the community itself. From these buildings we will go out to more effectively carry the gospel message to our neighbors and to the wider world community. For me personally this construction process accomplishes two very important goals: first, we give a new and more accurate expression of just who is this Saint Bernard parish community. We are not the small rural community that began the parish over 130 years ago. We are 1600+ households in an area that continues to grow and offer a quality 21st century American lifestyle. The buildings will help us get a true image of our selves and will challenge us to meet the needs of our time.

Second, the church building will itself reflect our new understanding of what it means to be "church" in today's world --- a world that is quite different from the world of past generations. Vatican Council II set in motion a process that has caused the Church to reflect on its identity and mission and to renew itself to be better equipped to accomplish that mission in new and more effective ways. The groundbreaking marks the beginning of something new for us. It is also the first step in the process of closing a chapter in our history. The year ahead will offer us opportunities to focus on both these realities. I look forward to being with you next Sunday.

• 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
• SMILE!!!
  The Parish Center needs your family photo! We are updating our data base on the new parish software. Please email your family photo to parishcenter@sbcwickford.org. Be sure to include your name!
• 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.
• 25th, 40th, 50th, & over, Wedding Celebration Anniversary
  The Office of Marriage Preparation & Enrichment of the Diocese of Providence is sponsoring a Diocesan Wedding Anniversary Celebration for the year 2007 on Sunday, October 14th, 1:00 p.m. at the Cathedral of Sts. Peter & Paul. Diocesan couples that are observing those wedding anniversaries in 2007 will be honored at this celebration. Couples celebrating are encouraged to register for this event by contacting their parish before September 12. The Celebration will include Mass, renewal of Marriage Vows, and opportunity for the couple to have their picture taken with Bishop Tobin. Following Mass, a reception with light refreshments will be held for the couples and their families. For more information, please visit www.dioceseofprovidence.org or call 278-4576.
• 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.

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. Placement confirmations are being sent out as you register for a session. This yellow postcard will have the dates and times for your Generations of Faith Session. Put it on your fridge or bulletin board as a reminder!

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.

The Youth Ministry would like to invite you to join in with us as we journey through our camp week experience. We have left this weekend and will be returning on Saturday, August 4th. This year's camp theme is "Renovate" and we will be renewing our love for Jesus all week. We take part in faith building devotions at lunchtime, during the evening program and with each other in our own youth group. The scripture reading that we will be studying is Colossians 3:9b-17. It is broken down in parts throughout the 6 days of service. Please read along and reflect on the work that we will be doing and how it relates to our service call. Take some time to reflect on your everyday life and maybe how you might be called to Choose, forgive, love, or live for someone else in the coming year. Sunday is verses 9b-11, Monday is 12, Tuesday is verses 13, Wednesday is 14, Thursday is 15, and Friday is 16-17. We look forward to returning and sharing our experience with you (Look for that opportunity in October!!!) Please keep us in your prayers, thank you and God Bless!!

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.

Gabriel Project Workshop: Are you interested in helping mothers in a crisis pregnancy in one of the following ways: by listening, lending a helping hand, helping with specific needs, praying and by sharing your time and talents? Attend the next workshop on Saturday, August 25th from 9:00 a.m. -12:30 p.m. at St. Paul's Church, Cranston. The day will begin with an 8:00 a.m. Mass. To register call Carol Owens at the Respect Life Office--421-7833 x 188.

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.

Jesus is describing God's immeasurable generosity when He says in today's Gospel, "Whoever asks, receives; whoever seeks, finds; whoever knocks, is admitted." But it should also be the description of us as Christian stewards--those seeking to follow Christ by using our gifts in service to others.

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 21 / 22	Actual $6,382.00	Budget
ACH	$500.00
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.