Octave of Service 

To commemorate the 200th anniversary of our Diocese, St. Andrew's ministries were invited to participate in the Octave of Service from
September 27th, the feast day of Saint Vincent de Paul, to October 4th.

An Octave of Service is a week-long opportunity for parish/school/campus ministries to carry out various forms of outreach in their communities while living out the Gospel values of encounter and accompaniment.

Our diocesan patron, St. Vincent de Paul (1581–1660), is venerated for his compassion toward the poor and his charitable works. In this same spirit, our bicentennial celebration will include seven days of service opportunities for all ministries.

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If you cannot physically join us for the Octave of Service,
please take time to lift up our community and ministries in prayer.

Prayers of the Faithful
Christ the Lord bore our infirmities and endured our sufferings. He went about doing good, leaving us an example to follow. Having Christ's charity as the foundation of all we do, let us pray to him, saying:

R. Lord, teach us to serve our sisters and brothers.

1.  For the sick and disabled, including those suffering with mental illness, that Christ, who understands pain and suffering, will grant them faith and perseverance in their trials so they will know His healing comfort and grace. We pray to the Lord.
2. For persons who are elderly, that we might cherish their presence in our midst and drink deeply of their wisdom; and especially all the people in nursing homes, that we would be inspired to reach out to them, giving them the love and attention they need. We pray to the Lord.
3. For those on the margins of our society, especially the refugees and immigrants who have fled their countries to escape war and persecution or to look for better livelihoods, that they not grow weary and lose heart, but instead know God’s gracious and abundant mercy and love. We pray to the Lord.
4. For those who do not have equal access to quality education, that they may be granted opportunities for intellectual growth and achievement regardless of their race or economic status, and that we may be advocates of pursuing justice for the youth and schools of our communities. We pray to the Lord.
5. For those who experience persistent hunger or food insecurity, that they may have greater access to nourishing food and be given the physical strength necessary for carrying out their daily lives. We pray to the Lord.
6. For women who are experiencing an unplanned pregnancy, that they may find the spiritual, emotional, and material support they need to care for both themselves and their child, and that they might find strength in the Lord on their journey of motherhood. We pray to the Lord.

Gathering these prayers together into one voice, we ask for the intercession of our diocesan patron, Saint Vincent de Paul, as we pray:

Noble Saint Vincent de Paul,
beloved servant of the poor,
may we follow your example and do good works
among those whom society has abandoned,
enslaved, or forgotten.
Inspire us to feed the hungry,
to love a child,
to provide comfort and medicine to the sick,
to clothe those whose garments are threadbare,
and to offer hope and our Lord's words
to all who need respite.
Pray for us to our beloved God
that we may commit ourselves selflessly
to doing the same charitable acts
that you did all your life,
and intercede with him
that we may have the favor of his guidance
and strength and love upon this important and meaningful work.

Amen.
 

• Prayer resources for social justice issues
  • (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops)
• Examination of Conscience in Light of Catholic Social Teaching
  • (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops)
• Social Justice Prayers
  • (Social Justice Resource Center)
• Prayers and reflections for social justice issues and the Corporal Works of Mercy
  • (Catholic Charities USA)
• Care for Creation liturgical, prayer, and spiritual resources
  • (Global Catholic Climate Movement)