Dec. 21 memorial service honors homeless who died in 2010

From press release

Crusader Clinic Health Care for the Homeless Program will sponsor a memorial to honor the homeless who have died in the community in the past year.

The memorial service will be at Carpenter’s Place, 1149 Railroad Ave., Rockford, from 10 to 11 a.m., Tuesday, Dec. 21.

The event reflects on the lives of those who died while homeless and celebrates the community’s continuing commitment toward creating a society without homelessness.

The service will be officiated by Father David Beauvais, retired pastor of St. James Catholic Church and a member of the Carpenter’s Place Board of Directors, and Pastor Gary Schwerin from Caledonia Congregational Church.

The service will include a candle-lighting ceremony, a Scripture reading, and a message of comfort and hope.

This event is held in conjunction with National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day, and similar services will be conducted throughout the country. Each year since 1990, on or near the first day of winter and the longest night of the year, the National Coalition for the Homeless (NCH) has sponsored National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day to bring attention to the tragedy of homelessness and to remember our friends who have paid the ultimate price of homelessness.

For more information, contact Kay Larrick at Carpenter’s Place at (815) 964-4105.

Crusader Community Health serves the Rock River Valley area with quality primary health care for all people in need.

Carpenter’s Place provides the tools necessary for rebuilding the lives of the homeless. Inspired by Christ’s compassion, Carpenter’s Place offers direction with accountability to people with broken lives, helping them find peace with God, themselves, and their communities.