HIV/AIDS Update

by Fr. Paul Schumacher

Please keep families affected by HIV/AIDS in your prayers. The AIDS epidemic concerns us all. Why? One in 100 adults worldwide and 1 in 300 Americans is living with HIV. The HIV virus doesn’t skip over people living in rural areas.

Parish-based HIV/AIDS Ministry:

Here is an invaluable resource for those both engaged in and looking to start a parish-based HIV/AIDS ministry in their community. It is Many Threads, One Weave, a collaborative project of the National Catholic AIDS Network and Catholic Charities USA. Many Threads, One Weave is the product of three years work by a task force of HIV/AIDS educators and caregivers from across the United States. This resource is very user friendly. It is a resource manual with a video, Living With AIDS: An Occasion of Grace.

In the 1987 pastoral statement, "The Many Faces of AIDS: A Gospel Response", the United States Catholic Conference made the following statement: "As pastors of dioceses throughout the United States, we commit ourselves and our resources, within our moral restraints and prudent judgment, to provide education to limit the spread of AIDS and to offer support for persons with AIDS." Countless folks have attempted to put this commitment into action. Yet, more and more people in the United States and throughout the world are sorely in need of HIV/AIDS education and care which can best be provided at the parish level.This resource is $74.95. For more information contact the National Catholic AIDS Network office at (707) 874-3031. Or call Fr. Paul Schumacher at (320) 693-6878.