Inter-religious Memorial Service to Honor Homeless Who Died on Orange County Streets
The second annual event highlights the escalating homelessness crisis and seeks to restore dignity to those who have died.
Garden Grove, Calif., (Dec. 7, 2017) – Amid a dramatic increase in homelessness, faith communities will gather to honor the more than 200 men, women, and children who died on the streets of Orange County over the past year.
The event seeks to offer some dignity to these forgotten souls and increase the community’s understanding of this escalating humanitarian crisis.
Event Details
- What: The Homeless Persons’ Inter-religious Memorial Service
- When: Thursday, December 21, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
- Where: The Arboretum at Christ Cathedral (13280 Chapman Ave., Garden Grove, CA)
A Community Responds to an Escalating Crisis
This annual memorial service comes as the homeless census shows a stark increase in people suffering on the streets, reaching 4,792 in 2017.
The Christ Cathedral campus, where the service will be held, is just blocks from one of the largest homeless encampments in Orange County along the Santa Ana River Trail. Catholic parishes, Catholic Charities, and many other faith-based missions work throughout the year to care for this marginalized population, witnessing firsthand the suffering that often occurs hidden from public view. While these houses of worship comprise the largest safety net, organizers stress that a broader response is needed to address systemic issues.
A Call for Dignity and Action
Michael Donaldson, Director of Pastoral Care for the Diocese of Orange, stated:
“As a community of faith, we are called to promote the dignity of all God’s people, particularly the poor and marginalized. It is our prayerful hope that through this memorial service we will offer some respect and dignity to those who have died on our streets, often in great physical and emotional pain. Also, we hope to increase our community’s understanding regarding this escalating humanitarian crisis and call on all people of good will to respond.”
“In honoring the inherent dignity of each of these human beings that have perished, we are called to shine a light on the issue of homelessness in our communities and encourage all to set aside any judgment or callousness and respond to the desperate calls from our streets,” Donaldson continued.