St Petroc’s Carol Service
Bishop Mark, who is one of the Patrons of St Petroc’s Society for the Homeless, attended a Carol Service in St Michael’s Chapel on St Michael’s Mount on Sunday 15th December. One of the prayer’s read was composed by Bishop Mark for the occasion, shown opposite:
PRAYER FOR HOMELESS
Lord, Jesus, at your birth, there was no room at the inn. Together with Mary and Joseph you knew what it was to be without a home.
This Christmas, there are still many homeless and unemployed who have no one to help them. No one to offer shelter. No one to affirm that their lives have meaning and are precious.
Help us to be close to our brothers and sisters in need, close to the neglected and the lonely, the desperate and the despairing.
Through the work of St Petroc’s and our own personal outreach, help us to provide affordable shelter; to help to rehabilitate;
to obtain where necessary required medication or counselling; to supply education, jobs, retraining, or support;
Bring to the homeless those who are respectfully willing to share their food with them; and with genuine love and wise practicality,
to affirm their unique sacredness.
May we inspire them to have faith in Your merciful love, and their eternal destiny with You, in that place where there is room for everyone.
We ask this through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
+Mark O’Toole
Bishop of Plymouth
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