December 31, 2023

Dear Parish Family,

This Sunday we will look back and look forward.  New Year’s is a time for us to remember what has been and hope for what is yet to come. We will hear and sing Auld Lang Syne as it rings in 2024.  But did you know that there are two other songs (hymns) that are part of New Year’s as well?

New Year’s Eve is a time to pray the Te Deum. It is an ancient Christian hymn of praise. The title is taken from its opening Latin words, Te Deum laudamus, rendered as “You, O God, we praise.” Through these sacred words, we offer thanks to God for the gifts received throughout the course of the entire year. The Veni Creator Spiritus (Come, Creator Spirit) is a hymn to the Holy Spirit. It is prayed on the first day of the year to ask for the Holy Spirit to guide and renew us through the year ahead. 

TE DEUM (NEW YEAR’S EVE)

You are God: we praise you; You are the Lord: we acclaim you; You are the eternal Father: All creation worships you. To you all angels, all the powers of heaven, Cherubim and Seraphim, sing in endless praise: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. The glorious company of apostles praise you. The noble fellowship of prophets praise you.  The white robed army of martyrs praise you.  Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you: Father, of majesty unbounded, your true and only Son, worthy of all worship, and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide. You, Christ, are the king of glory, the eternal Son of the Father. When you became man to set us free you did not spurn the Virgin’s womb. You overcame the sting of death, and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. You are seated at God’s right hand in glory. We believe that you will come, and be our judge.  Come then, Lord, and help your people, bought with the price of your own blood, and bring us with your saints to glory everlasting.

VENI CREATOR SPIRITUS (NEW YEAR’S DAY)

Come, Creator Spirit, O Holy Spirit, by whose breath life rises vibrant out of death; Come to create, renew, inspire; come, kindle in our hearts your fire.  You are the seeker’s sure resource, of burning love the living source, Protector in the midst of strife, the giver and the Lord of life. In you God’s energy is shown, to us your varied gifts made known. Teach us to speak, teach us to hear; Yours is the tongue and yours the ear. Flood our dull senses with your light; in mutual love our hearts unite. Your power the whole creation fills; confirms our weak uncertain wills. From inner strife grant us release; turn nations to the ways of peace. To fuller life your people bring that as one body we may sing: Praise to the Father, Christ, his Word, and to the Spirit: God the Lord, to whom all honor glory be both now and for eternity. Amen.

Grace and peace,

Father Neil Sullivan