The Canticle - Divine Mercy Fraternity's newsletter

Regular Meeting: Sun., Feb. 13 - South Rm. St. Helen=s Christian Living Ctr., Vero Bch. 2 pm.

Council meeting: Sat., Feb. 19 - Vero Beach at 9 am., at Arby’s on U.S. 1 and 16^th Place (Arby’s between Denney’s
                                                                                                            and the Chevron Gas Station on the west side of US 1)

Agenda and Schedule for meeting:   1:30 pm - Initial Formation sessions before the mtg.

2:00 - Meeting called to order.  Opening Prayer, Reports, Old/New Business.

2:20 - Ongoing Formation: A teaching on St. Francis= Prologue to the SFO Rule presented by Fred Schaeffer SFO.

2:45 - Rite of Admission in the Chapel for Marie Louis-Jacques, Adele Lamour and Elizabeth Smith.  With great joy, we will participate with our Spiritual Assistant, Fr. Richard LaCorte SFO as he presides at this ceremony.  (Formation Leaders are asked to ensure that all study requirements and paperwork have been completed.  Thanks.)

3:10 - Reception for our new Candidates in the south Room.

3:35 - The Liturgy of the Hours in the South Room.

3:55 - Closing Prayer and Dismissal

Refreshment Committee for February: Donna Haro and Carmela La Mattina- Snacks

Hope Leet - Soda and/or fruit drinks

Remember in your prayers:

- Marie, Adele and Elizabeth as their Admission to Candidacy draws near;

- Our fraternity members, Jerry Carey, John Matthews and Marcella Richard;

- Peter Askin=s two grandchildren, Trina Marie (coma) and Danny Jr. (Cancer);

            - Ed O=Donnell=s sister, Mary (83 and in a wheelchair) and his friend, Pat (bone cancer).

 From the Minister=s Desk: It is good to see that members whose lives were disrupted in 2004 by hurricanes, travel, illness and assorted family problems and difficulties are making an effort to attend our monthly meetings regularly.  While such circumstances do impact normal routines, by no means are we to excuse ourselves lightly from regular attendance.

Our meetings must be a very high priority in the life of a Secular Franciscan as the primary means through which we renew our lifelong commitment to follow in the footsteps of St. Francis of Assisi and are challenged to deepen and strengthen our efforts to accomplish this goal.  
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Please pray also for the successful outcome of a case to be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court on March 2^nd, 2005. A News Release issued on 12/15/2004, by Liberty Counsel (Atty. Matthew D. Staver) of Longwood, FL., in part, reads as follows:

   “Today, the United States Supreme Court announced that the Ten Commandments cases will be argued on March 2, 2005 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. The Texas case of Van Orden v. Perry will be heard first followed by the Kentucky cases in McCreary County v. ACLU of Kentucky. Liberty Counsel represents both McCreay and Pulaski Counties in the Kentucky cases. Mathew D. Staver, President and General Counsel of Liberty Counsel, will present oral argument on behalf of the Kentucky counties.

   The McCreary County case involves the Foundations of Law display in the McCreary and Pulaski County courthouses which includes the Ten Commandments along with nine other historical and legal documents contained in eleven equal-size frames. The display is a sampling of some of the documents that influenced American law and government. On December 8, Liberty Counsel filed a 50-page brief with the Supreme Court. The ACLU's brief is due in early January and Liberty Counsel's Reply Brief is due in late January or early February.”

This is a Landmark case. It would be the first time the Supreme Court ever heard oral arguments on the Ten Commandments. A written decision is expected by June 2005.

Many of us attended a dinner given by the American Family Association recently, where Atty. Staver was the guest speaker. What he had to say was very interesting, and we should pray that the Court rule favorably on the case. For additional information (for those who have Internet) see www.lc.org/ten/index.htm

Year of the Eucharist – Plenary Indulgences

On January 14, 2005, Pope Paul II has granted Catholics who venerate the Blessed Sacrament during the Year of the Eucharist, a Plenary Indulgence. A plenary indulgence is the remission of all temporal punishment due to sin. The indulgences are subject to the usual conditions: that the individual seeking the indulgence must make a full sacramental Confession, be free from all attachment to sin, receive the Eucharist, and pray for the intentions of the Holy Father.

The Pope indicated that the faithful may obtain the indulgence "each and every time they participate attentively and piously in a sacred function or a devotional exercise undertaken in honor of the Blessed Sacrament, solemnly exposed and conserved in the tabernacle." Similarly clerics, religious, and others who pray the Liturgy of the Hours can obtain the indulgence "each and every time they recite-- at the end of the day, in company or in private-- Vespers and Night Prayers before the Lord present in the tabernacle." (CWNews)

“All who love the Lord with their whole heart, with their whole soul and mind, with all their strength, and love their neighbors as themselves and hate their bodies with their vices and sins, and receive the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, and produce worthy fruits of penance”…. “Oh, how happy and blessed are these men and women.....”  (First part of Prologue to SFO Rule)