December 29, 2024

Dear Parish Family,

This week 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 2025.  But did you know that there is another song for New Year’s Eve 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.  Here is the text:

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.

Continued Merry Christmas!

Blessed New Year! 

Father Neil Sullivan