World AIDS Day is an opportunity for our city and churches to pause and remember those who live with and have died of AIDS. It is also a time to be thankful for the many healthcare providers, community organizations, research entities and dynamic pharmaceutical research programs that are providing new drugs therapies to combat the disease. We are also thankful for this cooperative spirit in the ongoing fight against this pandemic.
The many faces of HIV/AIDS in Chicago and the world highlight the universality of this disease in affecting the daily lives of so many.
A service will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1107 N. Orleans St., Thursday, Dec. 1, at 6:30 p.m., with a reception to follow. (Parking is available at the church's parking lot at 363 W. Hill, across the street from the church.)
While Catholics are organizing this service, it is not only for us. We welcome all people of faith to join us on this solemn evening of prayer for people who live with HIV/AIDS as well as their families, friends and loved ones, and those who have go on to new lives.
We understand through Catholic social teaching that is not enough to feed the hungry or shelter the homeless; we must also tend to people's basic needs to help them to live with dignity. We have to promote the dignity of every person and of the whole person.
St. Joseph Catholic Church; Immaculate Conception Catholic Church; Alexian Brothers Bonaventure House; and the Archdiocesan Gay and Lesbian Outreach Ministry are sponsoring this service.
All are welcome.
Joe Murray
Chair, World AIDS Day Prayer Service
St Joseph/Immaculate Conception
Churches, Alexian Brothers
Bonaventure House, Archdiocesan
Gay and Lesbian Outreach Ministry