[female
vocals] (
Soft
ambient
swell,
gentle
piano
notes)
Nine
years
of
light.
Nine
years
of
grace.
Standing
at
the
threshold
of
His
heart.
Oh,
let
the
prayer
rise.
Today
we
look
back
at
the
path
you
have
walked,
Nine
years
of
the
collar,
the
promise
you
talked.
From
the
first
humble
step
at
the
altar
of
stone,
You
made
it
your
mission
to
make
His
love
known.
You
did
not
just
serve,
you
were
light
in
the
dark,
Igniting
the
spirit,
a
holy,
bright
spark.
For
every
lost
soul
that
you
pointed
to
Him,
You
light
up
the
candles
when
the
world
grows
dim.
Oh,
Father
Michael,
we
celebrate
you
today,
For
nine
years
of
service
in
the
narrowest
way.
For
the
hands
that
hold
heaven
in
the
bread
and
the
wine,
May
the
fire
of
the
spirit
eternally
shine.
Nine
years
of
the
'Yes'
that
you
whispered
so
true,
May
the
grace
of
the
heavens
fall
over
you.
Ad
multos
annos,
let
the
anthem
resound,
In
the
beauty
of
service,
your
blessing
is
found.
We
thank
you
for
every
Mass
offered
in
love,
For
the
wisdom
you
carry
from
the
Spirit
above.
When
the
weight
of
the
world
tries
to
heavy
your
hand,
You
stand
as
a
rock
in
this
shifting,
vast
land.
You’
ve
stood
in
the
gap
for
the
weary
and
weak,
Finding
the
lost
ones,
the
humble,
the
meek.
May
the
Lord
give
you
strength
for
the
road
still
ahead,
By
the
grace
of
the
Shepherd,
your
spirit
is
fed.
Oh,
Father
Michael,
we
celebrate
you
today,
For
nine
years
of
service
in
the
narrowest
way.
For
the
hands
that
hold
heaven
in
the
bread
and
the
wine,
May
the
fire
of
the
spirit
eternally
shine.
Nine
years
of
the
'Yes'
that
you
whispered
so
true,
May
the
grace
of
the
heavens
fall
over
you.
Ad
multos
annos,
let
the
anthem
resound,
In
the
beauty
of
service,
your
blessing
is
found.
May
your
heart
never
weary,
may
your
joy
never
fade,
In
the
beautiful
promise
that
you
have
once
made.
With
greater
anointing
and
wisdom
so
deep,
For
the
fold
that
you
guard,
for
the
souls
that
you
keep.
Protect
him,
O
Father,
with
armor
of
light,
Through
the
heat
of
the
day
and
the
chill
of
the
night.
Oh,
Father
Michael,
we
celebrate
you
today,
For
nine
years
of
service
in
the
narrowest
way.
For
the
hands
that
hold
heaven
in
the
bread
and
the
wine,
May
the
fire
of
the
spirit
eternally
shine.
Nine
years
of
the
'Yes'
that
you
whispered
so
true,
May
the
grace
of
the
heavens
fall
over
you.
Ad
multos
annos,
let
the
anthem
resound,
In
the
beauty
of
service,
your
blessing
is
found.
Ad
multos
annos,
Father.
Nine
years
of
grace.
We
honor
the
call.
We
honor
the
love.
May
you
shine
on,
forever. (
Music
fades
out
with
lingering
organ
chords)