ShineOnCass Blue Christmas invites community to remembrance ceremony on Winter Solstice

by Monica Charette

The ShineOnCass Foundation will host its 5th Annual Blue Christmas Ceremony for grieving families and friends and those who support them on Sunday, December 21, at sunset, starting at 4 p.m., on the Winter Solstice – the longest and darkest night of the year. Blue Christmas at the Oakland Gazebo will feature music, speakers, and a reading of submitted names of loved ones who have died and the lighting of memorial blue candles.

Blue Christmas ceremonies are held around the world in acknowledgement that the holiday season can be especially challenging for many who are grieving.

“While the world celebrates, many are simply just trying to find their way through December while grieving the loss of someone they love – a sharp contrast to the joy of the holidays.” said Monica Charette, founder and executive director of the ShineOnCass Foundation. “Our hope is to bring together bereaved individuals and those who support them to offer a compassionate space where people can hear their loved one’s name, be supported, and feel less alone during the holiday season.”

In addition to the blue light ceremony, the evening will also feature music by local musician Will McPherson and the return of award-winning country recording artist Joan Kennedy, and her daughter Grace, who will perform Candle in the Window and other selections. The event is free of charge and open to everyone.

Charette said the idea to host a community Blue Christmas Ceremony came from a gathering organized by her friends after the passing of her 17-year-old daughter Cassidy Charette 11 years ago. Cass, for whom the ShineOnCass Foundation was created to honor, was a Messalonskee High School student and longtime community volunteer, who died in a tragic hayride accident on October 11, 2014.

Anyone can participate in the Blue Christmas Ceremony by sharing their loved ones’ names being remembered and receive a blue candle to light at the ceremony. To complete the online form, visit Blue Christmas at shineoncass.org. Deadline to submit names is Saturday, December 20. People are also welcome to attend in silent remembrance and offer support to others. To participate virtually via livestream, follow the ShineOnCass Facebook page.