In early November, lights will shine brightly in the night as family and friends honor, in a beautiful, peaceful and meaningful way, the memory of their loved ones.

St. Luke’s Hospice ninth annual Luminaria Lighting will take place at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 13, rain or shine, at Becky’s Drive-In, 4548 Lehigh Drive, Walnutport.

Anyone who has experienced loss, at any time in their lives, is invited to come to honor a loved one.

“This night is an opportunity to slow down, shut out the world’s distractions and focus on the love and memory of our loved ones in a way that is special, unique and meaningful,” said Michelle Udicious, director of Community Outreach at St. Luke’s University Health Network. “The annual luminaria lighting ceremony provides friends and families an opportunity to reflect, honor and celebrate the lives and legacies of those who have passed.”

The luminaria, which consist of votive candles illuminated in small paper bags, represent light and hope.

The lighting is part of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Month observations.

During the St. Luke’s Hospice Luminaria Lighting, guests will arrive at 5 p.m. and receive a welcome bag that includes a personal luminary kit, bereavement resource information and water.

Guests will drive through the entranceway lined with luminarias and memorial signs.

The evening’s program will be presented on the drive-in theater movie screen.

The St. Luke’s Hospice Team will guide a collective lighting of the luminaria along with shared messages of inspiration, hope and reflection.

The event is offered free of charge because of generous sponsors.

Sponsors of the St. Luke’s Hospice ninth annual Luminaria Lighting, their sponsor level and donation are: Connell Funeral Home Inc., luminous sponsor, $1,000; First Commonwealth Credit Union, angel sponsor, $500; R4 Architecture, angel sponsor, $500; Service Electric Cable TV, angel sponsor, $500; Bennett Family Properties, friends sponsor, $250; Griffiths Family Funeral Home, friends sponsor, $250, and Strunk Funeral Home, Inc., friends sponsor, $250.

A suggested donation of $15 is appreciated and helps to keep the Luminaria Lighting and other support resources free to the general public.

“As a not-for-profit hospice, donations allow us to enhance patient and family care support, build our endowment for the future and invest in compassionate end-of-care programs and services,” said Melissa Siegfried, director of Development, St. Luke’s University Health Network. “We are so grateful for the generosity of our sponsors and our community.

“All proceeds support the mission of St. Luke’s Hospice to provide compassionate care for patients and families through the end-of-life journey.”

The required registration can be completed at slhn.org/2021luminaria or by calling 1-866-STLUKES (Option 4).