Praying Together 2021

173 Gather Light a candle as a sign of God’s presence and sit quietly. Ring a bell or chime to start the prayer. The Lord be with you! And with your spirit. COLLECT Saint Vincent de Paul worked for the poor and disadvantaged, especially in small towns. Let us pray for the Saint Vincent de Paul Society which continues his work today. (pause) O God, who upholds the poor and needy, bless the work of the society which has taken as its patron Saint Vincent de Paul. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. SCRIPTURE A reading from the letter to the Hebrews 13:1-3, 16 Brothers and sisters: Keep being concerned about each other as the Lord’s followers should. Be sure to welcome strangers into your home. By doing this, some people have welcomed angels as guests, without even knowing it. Remember the Lord’s people who are in jail and be concerned for them. Don’t forget those who are suffering, but imagine that you are there with them. Don’t forget to help others and to share your possessions with them. The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. RESPONSE Sometimes we get so busy in our own lives that we don’t notice the needs of others. There are many people in the world without a place to live or enough food to eat. There are people right here in our community who need our care and concern. Watch this short story of a little boy who looked like just another member of the class and was trying to be brave but needed the care of those around him. This video from Norway is called “A child has nothing to eat at school” b y Pub Fosterhjem. As we go into our day, let’s ask God to help us be aware of the needs of others and to help them whenever we can. DISMISSAL May the Lord’s face shine upon us and be gracious to us. Amen. May God bless us in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Ring the bell or chime to signal the end of the prayer. Extinguish the candle. “Don’t forget those who are suffering.” Monday St Vincent de Paul 27 September 2021