Chaplain's Message

If you’re reading this newsletter, I suppose that means you have survived . . . the

shopping,

the gift-giving,

the parties,

the family visits,

the Hallmark Christmas movies,

the cooking,

the cleaning,

the family visits (did I already mention that?).

Whew!

I hope you know that I’m writing this tongue-in-cheek. I absolutely love the Advent and

Christmas seasons! (And I love being your Chaplain.) In addition to my involvement

with CDA, I am also a member of the A.C.T.S. Core Team. I know many of you have

been involved with A.C.T.S., so you know what a wonderful experience an A.C.T.S.

retreat can be. We have two retreats each year – one for men and one for women, and

we alternate between English and Spanish. This year we are adding something new for

those who have ever been to an A.C.T.S. retreat – a reunion! An evening of renewal,

prayer, Eucharistic Adoration, and reflection. I hope you can all attend – even if you’ve

never been to an A.C.T.S. retreat. All are welcome! I truly believe we can all benefit

from this two-hour experience.

The English reunion will be on Wednesday, January 14, in the main church from 7 pm

to 9 pm. The Spanish evening will be on January 28th, same schedule. Assuming you are

reading this somewhere around Epiphany or the Baptism of the Lord, that means we are

entering into a very short period of Ordinary Time. Then we will soon be in the

penitential season of Lent. That’s right, Ash Wednesday is on February 18th this year,

and the A.C.T.S. evening of reflection promises to add to your Lenten experience.

Don’t you just love the rhythm of the liturgical seasons? No sooner than we pass

through the seasons of Advent and Christmas, then we’re thinking about the upcoming

seasons of Lent and Easter. It’s amazing to be a Catholic Christian, and it’s amazing to

have the privilege of being your Chaplin. Thank you, ladies, for being such a big part in

enriching my life!

Be blessed!

---Deacon Stacy Millsap