St Catherine Hospital Auxiliary hosts 25th Annual Wings of Healing Tree Lighting Ceremony

St Catherine Hospital Auxiliary hosts 25th Annual Wings of Healing Tree Lighting Ceremony

St. Catherine Hospital Auxiliary will host its 25TH annual Wings of Healing Angel Tree lighting program as a pre-recorded event on Tuesday, Dec. 8.

Changes were made to the ceremony that has been a holiday tradition since 1995 because of the pandemic. This year, the angels that honor or remember a loved one will be hung on the chapel Christmas tree during an online ceremony. 

For the health and safety of participants, donors and their honorees will be invited to view the event virtually through an online link.

Teresa Pedroza, Director of Mission Integration/Volunteers, said participation is important because so many people feel they need an angel in their life at this unprecedented time. “The word, illumination, comes to mind when I think of the Wings of Healing program,” Pedroza said. “Hanging an angel on the tree in honor of someone shines a light on their special qualities, their strength or their victory over a struggle they’ve faced in life. They may be a beacon of hope for a loved one. Other angels represent special memories of those after they are gone.”

Each angel represents a donation to the St. Catherine Hospital Auxiliary Scholarship Fund. The scholarships support students who pursue a degree in healthcare. Anyone may honor a special person in their life. For a $10 donation, individuals, businesses and organizations can have an angel hung on the Wings of Healing tree. Personalized Angel of Hope cards will be sent to honorees or families to let them know of the donation and the ceremony that can be viewed online. For a $25 donation, an angel is hung on the tree and a silver anniversary ornament can be mailed or presented to an honoree.

Much of the online ceremony will be similar to the actual event that has taken place at St. Catherine Hospital over the years.

The keynote speaker is Dr. Edward Williams, president of OptiFormance Consulting Services, East Chicago, and president-Board of Directors for St. Catherine Hospital. Williams, a 2020 inductee to The Times’ Business & Industry Hall of Fame, has been a mentor to many, advising people on personal development, business enhancement and motivational speaking.

To learn more, call 219-392-7009. To download a donation form, visit comhs.org/donate/sch