Patricia M. Drott, M.S.,R.N.
312-948-6500

Provides consultation and direction in HIV/AIDS education and outreach ministry to Catholic parishes within the entire Archdiocese and to departments and staff of Catholic Charities. Coordinates the efforts of the Catholic Charities HIV/AIDS Task Force for the Archdiocese and the HIV/AIDS Program Services Advisory Committee. Collaborates with agencies, institutions and individuals who provide HIV/AIDS services, education and ministry in the Chicago land area. For information contact, Patricia M. Drott, M.S.,R.N. at: (312)948-6500.

World AIDS Day is an international day of celebration, observed in over 150 countries around the world and is commemorated annually on December 1. It originated with the World Health Organization in 1988, and the 2007 event will be its 20th year.

It is a day to bring public attention to the AIDS pandemic; to raise awareness about how we can help stop the spread of HIV/AIDS worldwide; and to bring a message of compassion, hope and understanding about AIDS to every country in the world.

AIDS is a serious health problem which affects men, women and children of every age, gender, educational and socio-economic group, and faith tradition around the world. The numbers of persons infected are staggering and affect entire populations and generations. It primarily affects people who are vulnerable due to discrimination, loneliness and deprivation of resources. (Our country is greatly affected by the pandemic, especially among African-Americans and Hispanics. According to the Center for Disease Control, (CDC), in 2005, 50 percent of new cases were among African-Americans and 20 percent among Hispanic/Latino communities. Additionally, women and adolescents from these populations are greatly impacted.)

Currently there is no cure for AIDS and no vaccine to prevent it, but through education we can control the spread of HIV/AIDS. It is critical that everyone be aware of the risks of infection with HIV and essential that we understand that people with HIV/AIDS should be treated with dignity and respect. As the epidemic continues and more people become infected, they will also face the stigma, discrimination and intolerance that still accompany the disease. Stigma and discrimination are continuing themes of World AIDS Day celebrations. Understanding HIV disease can help us to respond with intelligence and compassion.

Our lives and our health, both physical and spiritual, are God's gifts to us. These gifts hold each of us personally responsible for our health and the health of others. Pope John Paul II called for a culture of solidarity with people who are living with HIV/AIDS and their families.

We at Catholic Charities have celebrated World AIDS Day for the past nine years. Our Lake County office has hosted the event which is jointly planned by our clients and our HIV/AIDS case-management staff. Some of the celebrations have been standing room only affairs in Waukegan, with great participation and sharing by our clients and their families and guest speakers, and other times we have joined in larger local community celebrations. They are always moving and filled with great spirit, followed by the camaraderie of sharing a wonderful lunch. Often the dishes are home-made and donated by members of the community.

World AIDS Day invites us to pray in faith and hope for increased solidarity in the human family.

We pray for all who are infected with or affected by HIV/AIDS. We pray for their caregivers, families and loved ones. We pray for a cure. We pray not just on World AIDS Day but everyday.