On Thursday afternoon, employees across St. Luke’s University Health Network paused from their duties and routines to participate in a virtual memorial service in honor of COVID-19 victims.

The nondenominational service, led by St. Luke’s Network Director of Pastoral Care the Rev. Mary Catherine Cole, was broadcast live internally via Microsoft Teams from the chapel at St. Luke’s Bethlehem Campus.

It was the first networkwide service of its kind in St. Luke’s 147-year history.

Cole said planning for the service began one month ago. Coincidentally, in the same week it was held, the national death toll from the virus surpassed 100,000.

“We certainly at St. Luke’s have offered memorial services before, but never a memorial service like this,” Cole said. “We’ve never in our history offered a memorial service on this scale.”

“It’s truly an honor to create that space,” Cole said. “My team and I don’t take that lightly.”

During the virtual service, Cole read aloud the names of deceased family and friends of employees.

For each name, a flower was placed in a vase, making a pink and white bouquet on the altar.

The service was for family and friends of St. Luke’s employees who have died because of coronavirus, but also honored those who have been lost nationally.

As the world continues to grapple with COVID-19, Cole issued a reminder to the public: Be kind.

“We’re all in it together,” she said, “and that actually offers me hope. I see it every day here in the hospital. I see people helping out one another, and being kind to one another.”