December 21st, winter solstice, is the longest night of the year. Nationally, The Longest Night is observed as National Homeless Person’s Memorial Day. Communities throughout the country are encouraged to host ceremonies to acknowledge and honor the many souls that have died homeless over the past year. This year marks not only the 30th anniversary of this observance, but a dramatic rise in the number of homeless and those in need as a result of the pandemic.
As friends and loved ones gathered together and lit their candles at Campbell Lodge on this special Monday evening, Vann Ellison, President and CEO of St. Matthew’s House, Father Michael Orsi, Parochial Vicar at St. Agnes Catholic Church and a member of the Board of Directors of St. Matthew’s House and Joe Trachtenberg, St. Matthew’s House Board Chairman each took a few minutes to convey a special message to those in attendance.
Father Orsi also spoke a prayer in honor of individuals lost over the last year, and in memoriam, Vann read the names of those 39 precious friends and loved ones.
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