Catholic Health hosts Luminaria Event and Prayer Service Sharing Messages of Hope, Gratitude and Remembrance
It has been a year since the COVID-19 pandemic made its way to Western New York. While the year has been filled with sadness, fear, and uncertainty, there have also been signs of hope and resilience.
On Friday, March 26, at 7:30 p.m., Catholic Health will host Lights of Hope, Gratitude and Remembrance, a special luminaria event and prayer service to remember those who lost their lives to COVID-19, thank caregivers everywhere for their tireless efforts, and celebrate the hope for a brighter tomorrow.
The event will take place simultaneously at the following locations:
- Sisters of Charity Hospital – Main St. and St. Joseph Campuses
- Kenmore Mercy Hospital
- Mercy Hospital of Buffalo
- Mount St. Mary’s Hospital
- Mercy Nursing Facility at OLV
- Father Baker Manor
- St. Catherine Labouré Health Care Center
- McAuley Residence
- St. Joseph Post-Acute Center
Members of the community, former patients, families, and loved ones, are invited to gather at any of the sites for the lighting of the luminaria followed by a brief prayer service. Free parking is available. Area residents are also invited to share a message of hope, gratitude or remembrance at chsbuffalo.org/hope; safely light a candle in their homes, or place a flameless candle in their windows.
Nearly 600 luminarias will be lit to remember Catholic Health patients and residents who lost their lives to COVID-19. They will be visible in front of health system’s hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and post-acute center, located along Abbott Road and Main Street in Buffalo, Elmwood Avenue in Kenmore, Military Road in Lewiston, Union Road in Cheektowaga, Powers Road and Duerr Road in Orchard Park, and Melroy Avenue in Lackawanna.
“While we join with family and friends whose lives have been forever changed by this pandemic, we also want to shine a light on all the caregivers throughout our system who responded to the call to serve others when so much was unknown,” said Mark Sullivan, President & CEO of Catholic Health. “Each light that burns throughout the night will serve as a reminder of the lives we lost, honor our caregivers for their courage and dedication, and be a beacon of hope for brighter days ahead.”
