I pass on two items of interest, both with parish connections. The Providence Journal is doing a special series this week: Back from the Brink: The Corporal Murray Story. It began in Sunday's newspaper and continued through the week. It is well worth reading. Corporal Patrick Murray is from our parish. He is articulate and offers us the opportunity to reflect again on our involvement in Iraq and on the gospel call to be peacemakers as well as the wisdom of relying on violence to establish a world of harmony and tranquility. In addition to the stories which can all be found on line there are also on the web three video interviews with Patrick that are well worth viewing.

The second item is the documentary film "You Must Be This Tall: The History of Rocky Point Park" Featured in the credits of the film is Ryan Arruda who is also from our parish. Ryan served two terms as the youth representative on the Parish Council and headed up our parish response to the terrorism of 9/11. If you visit the official page for the movie, www.rockypointmovie.com, and click on "staff" you will see a photo of Ryan with his name beneath it. Click on the photo and you can read his statement on the film. I have seen the documentary and like a lot of Rhode Islanders relived many visits to the park.

Patrick and Ryan are good examples of stewardship in action: people using their talents and resources and dedicating their time to what they believe in and believe will contribute something that benefits others. Stewardship is living out our faith pure and simple. It is about being church "out there" in the world in which we find ourselves as well as going to church somewhere. This weekend's Stewardship Fair represents the efforts of a lot of parish members convinced we will be a better parish and a more effective church when more of us connect our faith to our lives.

• St. Bernard Ornaments
  These remarkable keepsakes are available now. These 24K gold plated ornaments depict the front of our current church. They were designed by our local artist, the late 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 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. Please call the parish center at 295-0387 to join us or to sponsor a walker.
• 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.
• The Red Mass
  Bishop Tobin will celebrate the annual Red Mass on Thursday, September 27 at 6:00 p.m. in the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul. The Red Mass is held annually for the judiciary and other areas of public service in the State of Rhode Island. Father Paul Shanley, Providence College president will be the Homilist. Everyone is welcome to attend.
• The Buzz, our quarterly newsletter was mailed last week. If you did not receive it or would like to receive it via email, please call the parish center at 295-0387.
• Gabriel Project Wish-list
  This program committed to assisting families and women facing crisis pregnancy is always in need of the following items: cribs, strollers, high chairs, play pens, baby food, newborn to 4T clothing, infant seats (new only), baby toiletries and diapers--always! They are currently in need of girl's size 8-10; any size boy/girl underwear, pajamas, socks, etc. For more information or to help out call 421-7833 x 118.
• 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.

Generations of Faith starts Sunday, October 14!

Volunteer needed to help with a 1st grade student who is hearing impaired. Ideal candidate knows ASL and is available for 1 hour, 10 Sundays starting October 28. Contact the Parish Center.

Mandatory Meeting for ALL 10th Grade Confirmation Candidates: This Sunday, September 23, 2007 at 7 PM to 8 PM in the Parish Center. Confirmation Candidates and their parents will be meeting regarding Confirmation requirements. Please bring any completed Service Project Forms.

Sacramental Preparation Classes for grades 1, 2, 3, 8, and 9 start Sunday October 28. If you have not sent in your Generations of Faith Registration form, your child can not be placed in a class. Contact the Parish Center for more information.

Welcome to the 21st Century! Look for more Religious Education information to be coming to you via e-mail. Please make sure that the Parish Center has your most up to date e-mail address so you don't miss any important notices.

Catechists Needed! Call the Parish Center at 295-0387 for more information.

Any youth in grades 6th thru college or adult are welcome to participate on a volunteer basis. Our next activity is a devotional evening scheduled for Monday, October 1st at 7 pm - come and bring a friend! Any middle school student (Junior Group) interested in going to the Haunted Labyrinth, we will be hooking up with the youth group from St. Francis and going on Friday, October 26. Details are TBA & chaperones are needed, so mark your calendars. The Senior Posse (high school/college students only) will be doing something spooky for Halloween, as well on Saturday, October 27. Plans are in the works!

If anyone is interested in being part of Workcamp 2008 in North Kingstown, 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 6 pm in the church. Please save the date.

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. For further information Deborah at 885-6405.

Thinking of becoming a Catholic? Like to know more about how to become a Catholic? Baptized but never received Confirmation and/or Eucharist? If you answered YES to any of the above then come to an introductory session on the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) Thursday, September 27th at 7:00pm at St. Bernard Parish Center. Bring a friend! 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.

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.

The dishonest manager in today's parable knew how to manipulate money to his own advantage. But the Gospel warns that no one can serve both God and money. Which do I serve? Is my stewardship such that anyone can tell?

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 15 / 16		$6,747.00
ACH		$508.00
Haitian Project Trip		$1,661.00
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.