The Canticle
June, 2003
Divine Mercy Secular Franciscan Fraternity Vero Beach, Florida
 www.franciscan-sfo.org

 Meetings:  Regular: Pentecost Sun., Jun.8, 2003 - 2:00 pm,

                                South Rm., St. Helen Christian Living Ctr.
                         Council: Sat., June 14, 2003 - 9:15 am, Hibiscus
                                Cafe, Vero Beach

Agenda: Note: Initial Formation will be held during
                          the regular meeting in June, July &   

                          August.

2:00 - Regular Meeting begins with our Opening Prayer
2:05 - Secy/Treas./Commissioners Reports. Old and new business.
2:30 - Initial/Ongoing Formation: The chapters of "Fully Mature in
         the Fullness of Christ" being studied by our Candidates and
         Inquirers will be the focus for Professed members as well. It
         will provide a good opportunity to review or to be introduced
         to the material covered in this great Formation Study Guide.
         Chapters to be covered are: I-4 and C-8. Professed members
         are asked to review the material beforehand.
3:00 - Mid-meeting break/Refreshments/Library Time
3:15 - Report on Annual Regional Meeting held on the weekend of May 23rd at San
          Pedro Center.
3:25 - Franciscan Crown Rosary
3:45 - Liturgy of the Hours
4:00 - Dismissal

Please Note:
▪ Refreshment Committee for June: Snacks - Caroline DiGennaro and Jennie Donlin
                                                Soda or fruit drinks - Sarah Hardy
▪ Remember our fraternity apostolate, St. Helen's Food Pantry
 

Remember to include in your prayers:
▪ A truly beautiful program on 10/4/03. . . and for the full commitment it will require from each of us.
▪ Our Inquirers and Candidates: Ed, Pauline, Kathleen, Julie, and Peter.
▪ Peace and stability in the Middle East. . . efforts to stabilize and rebuild Iraq will not be easy. Pray and fast.

From the Minister's Desk:

▪ Many, many thanks to Jennie for volunteering to be our librarian. Her years with the NYC Library System
  certainly qualify her for this assignment! In order to make Jennie's life a little easier, I ask each of you to
  check around at home to see if you have any books from our library. It is not necessary to return them
  immediately if you are still reading them. Just let her know which books you are responsible for and when you
  will be able to return them to our bookshelf.
▪ The Profession Ceremony and Mass on May 3rd for Andrea and Peggy was truly joy-filled. St. Lucie Chapel
  was filled with friends, family members and fraternity brothers and sisters. Andrea's son participated as an
  Altar Server and Peggy's brother, a Permanent Deacon, concelebrated the Mass with Fr. Tom Murphy, OFM
  and Deacon Ric Nagle. Pam Nagle and Fred Schaeffer were our Cantors and "Candidate" Julie McHugh served
  as a Eucharistic Minister. It was a beautiful culmination to all those months of study and prayer.
  The Reception following the Mass was great - lots of good food, and laughter and fellowship! Even the
  weather cooperated. Saint Francis of Assisi is surely with us on such a day!

Page 2...
Here are important concerns contributed by Sarah Hardy, SFO, Peace & Justice Commissioner of our Fraternity: (Note: This information is elsewhere on this website and has already been distributed to those who attended the May Fraternity Meeting)

About the security wall between Israel and the West Bank
This letter, posted on the website of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, asked Ambassador Daniel Ayalon to protest the extension of the security wall between Israel and the West Bank.

Background on the security wall separating Israel and the West Bank 

The decision to make a 217 mile fence between Israel and the West Bank was made by the Israel in June of 2002.  According to the Israeli government the fence is meant to provide security from suicide bombers, not to form a border.  When finished the barrier will be a combination of fences, walls, ditches, patrol roads and electronic surveillance devices.  The project will cost $200 million. 

The Gaza strip is already sealed off from Israel by a fence.  The situation is different for the West Bank because of the Israeli settlements that already control 41.9 percent of the West Bank.  Since the fence does not match with the borders of June 4, 1967, several villages and Palestinian residential concentrations are included in the fence.  To the Palestinians this proves that the Israeli government wants to annex these lands into Israel. 

According to an editorial in Al-Quds, a Palestinian newspaper, June 18, 2002:  "It is clear that this fence will transfer the villages inside it into a big prison that people have to move in and out of through permits to be issued by the Israeli military authorities.  It is strange that the public opinion in Israel remains silent regarding such measure that will transform our people into a group of prisoners and detainees.  Erecting the security fence amid international silence will not assist in achieving the security to Israel because this fence will complicate matters on the Palestinian-Israeli track.  The sole means to achieve security and calm is to conclude the peace process in a manner that ends the sufferings of the Palestinian people because of occupation and settlements."

The construction of the fence has continued with continual Palestinian protests.  On September 11, 2002, the Israeli security cabinet approved plans to annex Rachel's Tomb, a holy site for Israelis, at Bethlehem's entrance, absorbing it into the city of Jerusalem. The annexation of the tomb has taken place. This has meant the loss of 2.5 percent of Bethlehem's municipal land, a total of 625 acres. 

Background on the extension of the security wall in the area of Rachel's Tomb. 

Israel captured Bethlehem from Jordan in the 1967 Mideast War.  Israel handed over the town to Arafat's Palestinian Authority in 1995, but retained control of Rachel's Tomb, which was part of Bethlehem.  Before the Palestinian uprising began in 2000, the  tomb was a popular tourist attraction. In quieter times, Israelis often visited on Saturdays, the Jewish Sabbath, and had pizza at a nearby restaurant.  Today the rare visitors tend to be ultra-Orthodox Jews.  The arrive in armored busses, outnumbered by the soldiers guarding them.

Now Israel plans to build a two-mile concrete wall to protect Jewish pilgrims visiting Rachel's Tomb.  This is the extension that is the subject of Bishop Ricard's letter. The wall will be 30 feet high in some areas, and completely enclose a section of northern Bethlehem that abuts the southern fringe of Jerusalem. This is where the sixty Christian families live. After the wall is built they will need permits and will have to pass Israeli security checkpoints to reach the other side of Bethlehem.

 According to an AP dispatch from the West Bank: Israel says the wall is a necessary security measure because Palestinians have failed to safeguard the religious site.  "We will insure free access to one of the holiest Jewish sites, so we will build the fence,"' said Raanan Gissin, an aide to Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.

The tomb is hidden behind a long stone wall topped with a military guard and mounted security cameras.  Large concrete slabs covered with camouflage netting are part of the recent security additions. Palestinian gunmen and stone throwers have frequently clashed with Israeli troops guarding the tomb, and at least one soldier has been killed during the current uprising.  According to Bethlehem Mayor Hanna Nasser, Israeli civilian visitors have not been attacked.

But Raanan Gissin said, ". . . we cannot trust the Palestinian Authority. . .in the spheres of security and the prevention of terror attacks."  He said the wall wasn't permanent, and the measure would be taken according to Israeli law, with compensation  for those losing land.

Palestinians say the tomb and surrounding areas have always been an integral part of Bethlehem.  The Bible in Genesis 35:19-20, says "Rachel died and was buried on the road to Ephrath, which is Bethlehem."

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