November 19, 2021

‘An Evening of Lights’ event celebrates Advent and honors deceased loved ones

Archbishop Charles C. Thompson blesses those present during the 2018 archdiocesan “An Evening of Lights” event at the Archbishop Edward T. O’Meara Catholic Center in Indianapolis. (Submitted photo)

Archbishop Charles C. Thompson blesses those present during the 2018 archdiocesan “An Evening of Lights” event at the Archbishop Edward T. O’Meara Catholic Center in Indianapolis. (Submitted photo)

By Natalie Hoefer

The archdiocesan Catholic Community Foundation will host “An Evening of Lights” event at the Archbishop Edward T. O’Meara Catholic Center in Indianapolis beginning at 6 p.m. on Dec. 2. The deadline to register is Nov. 22. During the event, Archbishop Charles C. Thompson will light a Christmas tree and lead a prayer service to help prepare hearts for the coming of Christ as the light of the world.

A new addition to the ceremony this year is a supervised program for children ages 4 and older as an alternative to participating in the prayer service.

Doors will open at 6 p.m., and the service will begin at 6:30 p.m. A reception with light refreshments will follow the program.

For a donation of $10 or more, a luminaria can be dedicated in memory of a loved one. The luminarias will be lit during the event. The donations will be invested in the Catholic Community Foundation to support the growth of parish, school and agency ministries in the archdiocese.

“In light of the pandemic, we know the past year has been difficult for so many, but COVID has particularly impacted families whose loved one passed,” said event coordinator Kimberly Pohovey, archdiocesan director of major and planned gifts. “Our hope is to provide a tangible way for families to remember that their loved ones live on in Christ’s light.

“Of those who have attended Evening of Lights in past years, we have received comments expressing their gratitude for the archdiocese providing such a meaningful remembrance of their loved ones.”

To register for the event by Nov. 22, go to cutt.ly/EveningOfLights. For questions, contact ccf@archindy.org or call 317-236-1482. †

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