Hospice hosts annual remembrance tree blessings

Outdoor Christmas trees decorated with stars signifying loved ones who have died have become an annual tradition at St. Francis’ two hospice centers.

St. Francis’ Nuuanu and Ewa Beach hospice centers will open the Christmas season again this year with a blessing of the trees in a ceremony that includes holiday music and refreshments.

“A Simple Christmas” gatherings will be held Dec. 1, 6 p.m., at the Sister Maureen Keleher Center, 24 Puiwa Road, and Dec. 8, 6 p.m., at the Maurice J. Sullivan Family Hospice Center, 91-2127 Fort Weaver Road in Ewa Beach.

The public is invited.

With a donation, a star in memory of a loved one is hung on one of the Christmas trees, which will be displayed on the front lawns at both centers throughout the holiday season.

Christmas remembrance requests must be made in advance of the blessings. Call St. Francis Hospice at 595-7566, or mail a check to St. Francis Hospice, 24 Puiwa Road, Honolulu, HI 96817 along with the name of the person to be remembered and the blessing’s location.

Donations will help hospice patients and families and further develop the St. Francis Hospice program.

Established in 1978, St. Francis Hospice is Hawaii’s first and largest hospice program. It provides hospice care in homes and at its two centers. It is a program of St. Francis Community Health Services, a subsidiary of St. Francis Healthcare System of Hawaii.