A memorial service and candlelight vigil to remember those who died while homeless will be held at Old St. Patrick’s Church (700 W. Adams) on Tuesday, Dec. 18.
The 6 p.m. service is a collaborative effort by CCH, Ignatian Spirituality Project, Harmony, Hope & Healing Choir, and Old St. Pat’s. It is part of a movement to mark National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day during the first days of winter, with Chicago among more than 150 cities expected to participate in 2012.
More than 50 residents from A Safe Haven shelters will participate in the hour-long service through the work of Senior Community Organizer Wayne Richard.
During the service, the names of those who have died will be read. Please join us to memorialize the homeless women and men who lost their lives on the streets of metropolitan Chicago this year.
To submit a name of someone to be added to our Memorial Roll Call, click here.
Free parking is available in the lot on the southeast corner of West Adams Street and South Desplaines Street.
The service builds awareness of the plight of homelessness that affects so many among us. According to CCH estimates, 105,338 Chicagoans were homeless in the 2011-12 school year. In the course of one year, 2.5 million to 3.5 million Americans will experience homelessness.
The Ignatian Spirituality Project works to end homelessness by providing Ignatian Retreats to men and women who are homeless and in recovery. The now-national group was co-founded in 1998 by Fr. Bill Creed, SJ and CCH Executive Director Ed Shurna.
Harmony, Hope & Healing provides creative, therapeutic and educational music programs offering emotional and spiritual support to homeless and underserved women, men and children in the Chicago area.
Old St. Patrick’s Church extends hospitality to all that find the church on their path, and serves the life and work of the laity in the world.
– Claire Sloss, Media