Author Madeleine L'Engle died last week. She was 88. Although she is best known for her children's books, especially "A Wrinkle in Time" that won the prestigious Newbery Medal as the best children's book of 1963 and has sold more than eight million copies. It is still in print now in its 69th printing.

It was never my favorite book by L'Engle. Perhaps I came upon it too late in life or perhaps because even though it was written for children its scientific material was too deep for me. The thing that always stuck with me about "A Wrinkle in Time" is the fact that L'Engle said it was rejected by 26 publishers before editors at Farrar, Straus & Giroux accepted it.

I loved her for her autobiographical and spiritual works. I have returned to her three-volume work "The Crosswick Journal Books" time and time again and always found some bit of humor and wisdom that I delighted to read again. She wrote, for instance, "The deeper and richer a personality is, the more full it is of paradox and contradiction. It's only a shallow character that offers us no problems of contrast. A perfect person would be inhuman... I like the fact that in ancient Chinese art the great painters always included a deliberate flaw in their work: human creation is never perfect."

I think it speaks a truth that is liberating. At any rate it described her to a tee. Among her poems I often reread "Confession Shortly Before the Forty-eighth Birthday". It begins: "Here I am, beyond the middle middle,/According to chronology,/No closer to solving cosmic riddle,/No further from apology/For clumsy self's continuing ineptitude,/Still shaken by the heart's wild battering." I can't recall ever reading anything in her most recent writing that would make me think she could not have written this on the eve of her 88th birthday as well. I find that encouraging. May she rest in peace!

• 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.
• 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.
• BIBLE STUDY PROGRAM RESUMES IN OCTOBER
  Delve into the Old Testament with one of "Little Rock Scripture Study's" newest studies, "Israel's Story--Part one." This is a 7 week study which will begin the first week of October. Bible Study sessions are held Tuesday mornings from 9:30 to 11:00 AM and Thursday evenings from 7:00 to 8:30 PM. The amount of $12.00 to $14.00 is recommended to cover the cost of the study books. To register or for more information, call Deborah at 885-6405 or email dlmccoy@cox.net.
• KofC SOCCER SHOOT-OUT
  The Knights of Columbus will sponsor a Soccer Shoot-Out at Wilson Park, Wickford, on Saturday, September 22, from 9:00 AM to Noon, The Shoot-Out is for ages10 to 15, with open brackets.
• Pax Christi RI invites You to Attend a teach-in for Concerned Catholics. Presentations by Kevin Regan & Edward Sirois will include:. This war, its background, pre-emption statistics, Meaning of Christian Peace, Origins of Christian non-violence, Just War Theory; overview and problems. Come and gather with other concerned people to Learn Dialogue, Ask Questions, Reflect, Where: Saint William Parish, 200 Pettaconsett Avenue, Warwick RI. When: September 30th 7:00 P.M. to 9:15 P.M.
• 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.

9th Graders: Are you READY? The Challenge Course Retreat at Mother of Hope Camp is scheduled for Saturday, 9/22. All forms should have been turned into the Parish Center. We will meet at the Parish Center at 9 AM and return by 5 PM traveling by bus. Please remember to bring a LUNCH! Contact the Parish Center with questions.

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.

Is your child registered? If you did not complete a Generations of Faith Registration Form, we can't place your child in his/her Sacramental Preparation Class (Grades 1, 2, 3, 8, 9 and 10). Please contact the Parish Center at 295-0387.

Would you like to share your faith? Catechists are needed! Come see us at the Stewardship Fair or call the Parish Center for more information.

The Youth Ministry had their first planning meeting this past week and boy, did we have a great time. We met new friends, played a couple of fun games, and came up with some exciting new activities. Things like roller skating, snow tubing, a trip to LaSalette Shrine and a wicked scavenger hunt. 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, to not only themselves but to others, as well. Come and check us out at the Stewardship fair or visit the church website for a calendar of events.

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.

A small selection of books on stewardship and ministry will be available at the Books & More table at the Stewardship Fair. October 7th and 28th will resume with regular full service hours in the parish center. Self service instructions are provided when the parish center is open. All inquiries or customer service needs should be directed to Deborah at 885-6405.

Taking to heart the words of St. Ambrose: "a psalm is a blessing on the lips of the people, a hymn in praise of God...," our Discussion Group Praying with the Psalms will meet Wednesday, September 19th at 7 pm in the Parish Center. To prepare for this gathering please spend some time with Psalm 23. Hope to see you there!

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 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.

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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.

We can hear God speaking to us today in the words of the father to his elder son: "You are with me always, and everything I have is yours." What is my response to such remarkable generosity? Do I give joyfully and generously as God gives to me?

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.

		Actual		Budget
September 8 / 9		$5,992.76
ACH		$508.00
Catholic Education		$890.00
Through 06/30/07		$390,614.00		$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.