Mt. Vernon Register-News

Local

December 5, 2012

Candlelight service to be held Sunday

By RORYE O’CONNOR CNHI

MT. VERNON — The Southern Illinois Chapter of the Bereaved Parents of the USA will hold its 12th annual Candlelight Remembrance Service at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9.

The event will be held at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church and is for families who have experienced the death of a child, and the invitation is extended to siblings, grandparents, extended family and friends as well.

Linda Mlot, chapter leader of the Southern Illinois Chapter of Bereaved Parents of the USA, said the order of the event has become a tradition for her and other members.

“It’ll be mainly the same kind of service we’ve had all along,” she said. “We’re asking if they want to bring a gift they might have given their child, lighting the candles, and we’ll have a reception afterward. Family members can bring a picture of their child for the  angel table.”

Those who attend are asked to arrive a little early, so their family member’s name can be registered to be read aloud as they light a candle in memory of their child, sibling or grandchild.

“Anyone who interested more than welcome to attend,” she said. “Anyone who has lost a child, sibling or grandchild, come and remember them. This is for anybody. When they passed away might be in past year, 10 years or even 20 years ago. This is a time to remember their child at the time of the holidays and share their ideas, concerns, feelings with other parents, siblings or grandparents.”

Those who wish may bring a new, unwrapped toy that their child or family might have enjoyed, and it will be donated to a needy child in the area for Christmas with a “donated in memory of” tag courtesy of the Southern Illinois Chapter.

The candlelight service will be one of many taking place across the country, for National Children’s Memorial Day and the 16th annual Worldwide Candle Lighting, initiated by The Compassionate Friends, Inc.

For more information, contact Linda Mlot at 315-9702.

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TESA GLASS/REGISTER-NEWS
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