Memorial for children lost

The Rev. Cathie Young of St. James Anglican Church presided over her first Easter service this month, as well as her first funeral.

“One of the first things I wanted to do as a priest was host a memorial service for people who have lost children. So many parents who have lost children to miscarriage or abortion have never had a chance to memorialize them,” she said.

St. James will open its doors to the public at 10 a.m. today at 3209 Via Lido for a memorial service for children lost to early death. The service will include talks from parents who have lost children to an early death through illness or an accident, miscarriage, stillbirth or abortion. The Communion service will include a short homily and the reading of scripture. Family members also will have a chance to talk about how the loss of a child has affected them at the service.

Newly ordained as an Anglican priest March 8, Cathie Young has also experienced loss — three of her nephews died young.

“It’s something that has affected all of us as a family and that we continue to talk about and remember,” she said. “It’s definitely something that has shaped my life and ministry.”

Cathie Young’s husband, Philip Young, also will speak at the service.

“The loss of children obviously doesn’t just affect women, and she [Cathie Young] also wanted at least a couple of us men to give a male perspective,” Philip Young said.

Philip Young’s mother had several miscarriages before he was born, and his parents reacted by distancing themselves from him as a child, perhaps to guard against the pain of losing another child, he said.

“There is a death and dying process that created perhaps a distancing and a lack of the love of siblings and a father in my life,” he said. “Losing a child is never easy — no mater what age they are,” Philip Young said.

Cathie Young wanted to host the service soon after Easter Sunday because of the meaning the holiday has for her. She hopes to make the service an annual community event for grieving parents.

Parents and other family members at the today’s service will have the opportunity to pin the pieces of paper with the names of lost children to a cross at the front of the church in a ritual similar to flowering the cross during Easter services. Many Christian churches adorn a wooden cross with flowers at Easter to symbolize new life.

“Last week we wanted to celebrate that Christ is risen, and we also want to celebrate the life Christ has given us,” Cathie Young said. “I hope it will bring healing to the community.”

BRIANNA BAILEY may be reached at (714) 966-4625 or at brianna.bailey@latimes.com.