Church hosts remembrance event

Sunday, December 8 at 6:00 p.m. at St. Patrick’s Church, the 17th Worldwide Candle Lighting will take place.

The Worldwide Candle Lighting is an event put on by The Compassionate Friends. The event is to remember and honor families who have had children pass away. It unites loved ones around the globe by lighting candles for one hour.

Candles are all lit at local time, so that a virtual wave of light is created and burns for 24 hours to honor children that have died at any age and any cause. This remembrance surpasses ethnic, cultural, religious and political confines.

The Worldwide Candle Lighting began in 1997 in America, but has spread tremendously over the years. It is now believed to be the largest mass candle lighting in existence.

The Worldwide Candle Lighting first made an appearance in Sidney about eight or nine years ago and switches churches as hosts each year. The last two candle lightings, about 100 people showed up to the services.

“People are welcome to come and participate, and to remember our kids,” Randy Flamig said.