Past Events

DECEMBER 2006
17th Annual Interfaith Memorial Service for Homeless People
 
Once again this year MHSA joined with partner agencies, city officials and faith communities to commemorate National Homeless Persons' Memorial Day on December 21, 2006.  This solemn event fell on the longest night of the year and provided an opportunity to memorialize those who have paid the ultimate price for our nation's failure to end homelessness.

         
          Joe Finn, MHSA            Jim Greene, City of Boston 

The interfaith service was held at the Church on the Hill (Swedenborgian) in Boston.  Religious representatives from Islamic, Jewish, and Christian faiths each shared a sacred text or prayer from their tradition and the name of each known homeless individual who has died in Massachusetts during the year was read aloud.  As each name was read, a candle was lit in remembrance of the deceased.  In a solemn tribute to the individuals, tombstones with their names were handmade by guests at St. Francis House and lined the sanctuary of the Church on the Hill.  Among those offering reflections were City Councilor Sam Yoon and Jim Greene, Director of the City of Boston Emergency Shelter Commission.

Click below for media coverage of the service:

12.17.06 Globe - Buried in Obscurity
12.21.06 Herald - Memorial service
12.22.06 Metro - Advocates, city leaders
12.22.06 Herald - Service pays respects