Several employees with Duluth-based Benedictine Living Communities gather around candles at St. Thomas More in St. Paul during a prayer service honoring senior living residents who have died in the past year. The service, which also honored all employees, was streamed on the internet March 23. COURTESY BENEDICTINE LIVING COMMUNITIES

Residents, family members and employees of Duluth-based Benedictine Living Communities gathered March 23 for a virtual remembrance and renewal service in honor of residents who died the past year and to acknowledge all employees.

With a return to spring and many marking a traditional March 21 feast day of St. Benedict (the Catholic Church now celebrates St. Benedict’s feast day July 11), Benedictine president and CEO Jerry Carley said it is the perfect time to pause, reflect and remember “what we have been through this last year and what we have to look forward to as a faith community caring for our residents.”

Last March, senior living centers and nursing homes across the country were closed to visitors to reduce the threat of COVID-19 to vulnerable seniors. Employees stepped up to support residents, who had to visit with family members and friends through windows or technology.

With parts of the program pre-recorded and other sections recorded in the early morning March 23 at St. Thomas More in St. Paul, the prayer service was streamed on the internet at 10 a.m. and in coming days will be posted on the organization’s Facebook page.

The service features a message from Benedictine Sister Beverly Raway, prioress of St. Scholastica Monastery in Duluth; a choir of Benedictine employees; readings and reflections from Benedictine leaders; and a video thank-you from residents and family members from senior living centers in Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota and Wisconsin.

Each Benedictine Living Communities site hosted a watch party and fellowship gathering after the service.

Benedictine owns and manages skilled nursing, assisted living and independent living communities across the upper Midwest. They offer services including therapy, rehabilitation, memory care, home health care, adult day and transitional care. Sponsored by the Benedictine Sisters of St. Scholastica Monastery, the organization operates 10 facilities in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.