Wednesday of this past week (the 5th) was the tenth anniversary of the death of... no, not Princess Diana, but Mother Theresa. Sunday's Providence Journal carried an opinion piece by Les Csorba of Houston Texas that I thought made a point worth reflecting on.

In part it reads: "the reaction to the deaths of these two women speaks volumes of our age and who we've become. Surveys tell us that if we had a choice of whether we could be smarter, stronger, more beautiful or famous, we pick fame - every time. The psychologists have always said that our greatest human need is to be loved - to be noticed in the crowd. The absurdity of our time of technology is that we have drifted further apart and many of us, especially our teenagers, are more alone."

Not quite a year ago a friend of mine died. His memorial card bore a photo of Mother Theresa on one side and one of her prayers on the reverse side. He both admired her "corporate works of mercy" style faith and he tried to reflect it in his own life. He also left his entire estate to Mother Theresa's Sisters of Charity. The prayer on his card ends "Show us all how to serve your children and help us to make our love practical.

The link to the column is: http://www.projo.com/opinion/contributors/content/CT_csorba2_09-02-07_9E6RHF6.138c1f0.html

• St. Bernard Ornaments
  These remarkable keepsakes will be available at the Stewardship Fair on Sept. 23! These 24K gold plated ornaments depict the front of our current church. They were designed by local artist, Marjorie Vogel and are $17 each including tax. For an additional $4 each, you may have the back engraved by Atlantic Trophy. Ornaments are also always available at the Parish Center and at "Books and More" during regular hours. For an additional $1 per ornament you may have it mailed.
  Don't miss this opportunity to have a little touch of history on your tree or bookshelf.
• 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!
• The Buzz
  The Fall issue of the Buzz is nearly completed. If you would like to be "the first on your block" to receive it, please call the parish center, 295-0387 and give us your email address. You will receive the E-Buzz, in color, before all your snail-mail friends.
• "BREAKING NEW GROUND" is the theme of this year's Stewardship Fair which will be held Sunday, Sept. 23, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. More details to follow.
• "Calling all voices"
  It's time to start a new year with our adult choir. We are looking forward to an exciting year of getting our voices ready for the opening of our new church. We are always looking for new singers-no experience needed.The first rehearsal is Wednesday Sept 5th and from then on are Thursday nights at 7pm in the church. Please see Alison Shea for more info.
• The Annual Memory Walk for the Alzheimers' Association will be held in Newport on Sunday, September 30th. St. Bernard's Walkers and members of this year's Confirmation class will be participating. If you would like to join us, please call the parish center at 295-0387 for sponsor forms. If you cannot join us please consideration sponsoring a walker.
• 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! Call Pat Newell, 295-5160 for more information.
• CHICKEN PARM DINNER
  The Knights of Columbus, will hold a Chicken Parmigiana Dinner on Saturday, September 15th, from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM at the K of C Hall Chicken Parmigiana, Pasta, Peas, Tossed Salad. $9.00 per adult; $5.00 per child 12 and under; children 6 and under are free. Reservations required by September14th. Please call 295-0507.
• Learn to Make Rosaries Friday September 14 at 9 am in the Parish Center or if nights are better for you Thursday, September 20, 2007, at 7 pm. We need a new supply of Rosaries for Columbia and Haiti. Please join us!
• RETROUVAILLE.....a Lifeline
  Rediscover a loving marriage with a Retrouvaille weekend. If your marriage is tearing the two of you apart, if there is little or no meaningful communication, if you are considering separation or divorce, we believe Retroubaille can help you. Look us up on the web at www.HelpOurMarriage.com or call 10800-470-2230. The next Retrouvaille weekend will be held September 21-23.

Do you have a First Grader? Registering for Generations of Faith automatically registers your child for Religious Education classes. Sacramental Preparation Classes for Grades 1,2,3,8 and 9 start Sunday, October 28. Not sure if you are registered? Contact the Parish Center at 295-0387.

10th Grade Confirmation Candidates: A letter went out this week with information about the Alzheimer's Memory Walk on September 30. Please bring the envelope to the Confirmation Meeting on September 23. Volunteers are needed to collect donations at all Masses the weekend of September 16 and 23. Please contact the Parish Center at 295-0387.

Sacramental Preparation Classes (Grades 1, 2, 3, 8, and 9) start October 28th. Teachers will be contacting families at the end of September/beginning of October.

Catechists Needed! Come and share your faith! Pick up an application form at the entrance of the Church or call the Parish Center at 295-0387 for more details!

The Youth Ministry would like to welcome the youth back to School. Your backpacks must be full of books, lunch, and all your supplies. We hope you consider adding the Youth Ministry to your school calendar. Any youth in grades 6th thru 12th or adult are welcome to participate on a volunteer bases. This ministry is not a requirement of CCD classes but should be thought of as a great opportunity for young adults to become involved in their church and give back not only themselves but others, as well.

THERE WILL BE A PLANNING MEETING THIS MONDAY, 9/10 FROM 7-8:30 pm - to discuss this year's activities so if you are interested in being involved, JOIN US and bring a FRIEND!!!

If anyone is interested in being part of Workcamp 2008 in North Kingstown, stop by our table at the Stewardship Fair. Email Dawn at dawnmasterson_sbcworkcamp2008@yahoo.com, read the bulletin each week, and view details on our church website. We will be kicking off this amazing experience with a benefit concert featuring Sign of Life on Sunday, October 21st at 6pm in the church. Please save the date.

The parish center location of Books & More will not be open September 23rd (the day of the Stewardship Fair). A representative of the store will be at the Stewardship Fair with a few book selections on the theme of Stewardship and ministry. Please continue to visit the store whenever the parish center is open and use the self-service instructions. For all other customer service, call Deborah at 885-6405.

JUST IN: Pope Benedict XVI's book Jesus of Nazareth is now available at a discount price of $20.00.

Help needed: Our parish store needs additional help with staffing on Sunday mornings. Please call Deborah for information. 885-6405

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.

RI Right to Life Annual Walk For Life Walk-A-Thon

DATE: Saturday, September 22, 2007
TIME: 9:00 am Registration
10:00 am Walk-A-Thon Begins (Rain or Shine!)
LOCATION: RI Right to Life Headquarters
266 Smith Street, Providence, RI 02908

For More Information: 401-521-1860

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 tells the crowd that only those who renounce all of their possessions can be His disciples. Is He truly asking us to give up everything? Perhaps instead He is trying to help us see that everything we think we own is really a gift from God. Good stewards know that and strive to use those gifts accountably.

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.

September 1 / 2	Actual $7,652.00	Budget
ACH	$3,744.00
Through 06/30/07	Actual $390,614.00	Budget $366,245.00

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.