On Dec. 1st as the bright, waxing moon looked down on our neighbours St. Joseph’s Hospice of London, a group of special people gathered outside the hospice to celebrate Light Up the Night.
Supporters of hospice, staff and people who had lost loved ones who had spent their last days within those loving walls, gathered to distribute lanterns in memory of their loved ones. Amid brightly lit candles, a huge lighted LOVE sign, singing and camaraderie, the crowd sipped cocoa and joined in the activities.
Inside hospice, the doors were adorned with paper lanterns highlighted with names of deceased loved ones printed on them. Some contained messages of love. We Sisters who live next door to hospice, purchased two lanterns for the celebration. One, for all the Sisters in our Congregation who have died this past year, and the second for all the women and men who are homeless on our streets and who have died this year.
Sister Ann pictured in the middle, between Hospice staff/volunteers.
As we mingled with the colorful group, some sporting necklaces of flickering Christmas lights, we became part of a heartwarming event that praises the gift of life and gives thanks for wonderful hospices that provide supportive, compassionate care to those experiencing their final weeks of life.
-Sister Jean Moylan, csj