Thunderstorms rumbled on the longest, darkest, perhaps most miserable night of the year. Out in the shadows somewhere, in one of the wealthiest pockets of America, a homeless person would soon be taking his or her last breaths.
Every day in Orange County, at least one unhoused person dies, according to data from the coroner’s office. Among the oldest in 2023 was Dewey Worley, 86, who died in Anaheim on April 12. Among the youngest: Lorine Hoang, 12, who took her own life in Orange on Sept. 23.
Paul Kerr, 66. Mark Fava, 62. Kevin Parker, 56.
Candles were lit — and names were somberly read aloud — to commemorate each of the lives lost over the past year at an interfaith service at St. Timothy Catholic Church in Laguna Niguel on Thursday, Dec. 21. It’s a ritual that takes place in cities across the nation on the winter solstice, when the Earth’s poles are tilted farthest from the sun, ushering in the shortest day and longest night of the year.
“For many, this service will be the only commemoration of their lives,” said Mike Valerio, deputy grand knight of the Knights of Columbus St. Timothy Council. “We say their lives mattered. We mourn their passing.”
There were 193 names read aloud at the first memorial eight years ago. This year, there were 511.
David Gulmatico, 31. Melina Sierra Martinez, 30. Christopher Zimmerman, 64.
“The problem gets worse, rather than being solved,” said Paul Finley, senior pastor at Lutheran Church of the Cross in Laguna Woods. “It’s not right. Something must be done.”
Faith leaders from Zoroastrianism, Christianity, Judaism and Islam prayed for the souls of the dead. They demanded that those of us still here learn to see with eyes of compassion and exhorted us to action in recognition of our common humanity.
“The shocking number of people who die on the streets of Orange County indicates our own failures to adequately house, provide services for, accompany, and build up our community in ways that…
Read the full article here