St. Cecilia's Catholic Church

From the Desk of Father Doug Decker
(December 2006)

We will soon begin the season of Advent. From the Latin term "ad-venio", used in a secular context to denote the coming or arrival of the emperor, this season inaugurates the entire liturgical year. Advent has a two-fold character: as a season to prepare us for Christmas, when Christ's first coming to us is remembered; and to await Christ's second coming as judge of heaven and earth. Advent is the season of joyful expectation.

During advent we will have daily Mass on Tuesdays, the Miraculous Medal Novena following Mass. We will celebrate the weekly Posadas with Mary and Joseph visiting our families.

We will have some drives for our military and local needy. The last few years, we have made visits to our Latino workers, bring food and gifts.

Soon after Christmas, we will start "Why Catholic?" here at St. Cecilia's. It's a program for our parish to study the Catholic Catechism with small groups. It looks like a great program for our parish.

The 174th fighter wing at Hancock Field will deploy 400 members on December 1st. The chaplains will server 2-week blocks to support the troops deployed. I have to work the first 2 weeks of January.

May the blessings of the season be with you and your families!

- Father Doug