National Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS-March 7-14

March 1, 2021

National Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS – March 7^th- 14^th
This national week of prayer calls our attention to the AIDS epidemic in the U.S. and the need for faith communities to take an even greater role in the implementation of AIDS education and services within their local communities and across the nation. Members of every church, mosque, synagogue, temple, educational and health care institution and those at home are invited to join in prayer for the healing of AIDS.
In unity with this week of prayer across our nation, we offer the following from the Alexian Brothers, Bonaventure House:
Prayer to Christ the Healer
In the comfort of your love, I pour out to you, my Savior,
The memories that haunt me, the anxieties that perplex me, the fears that stifle me,
the sickness that prevails upon me, and the frustrations of all the pain that weaves
about within me.
Lord, help me to see your peace in my turmoil,
your compassion in my sorrow,
your forgiveness in my weakness,
and your love in my need.
Touch me, O Lord, with your healing power and strength.
Amen.

Please ask your pastor or liturgy team to include a suggested petition with the liturgies on the weekends of March 6/7 and/or March 20/22:
Compassionate God, strengthen all persons living with HIV/AIDS to live fully with hope and peace… WE PRAY.

You can find more National Ethnic HIV/AIDS Awareness Days at www.catholiccharities.net/AboutUs/Media/ParishBulletinAnnouncements.aspx

Blossoms of Hope – April 25th
The Blossoms of Hope Virtual Event will be held on Sunday, April 25, 2021 to support the Catholic Charities Loving Outreach to Survivors of Suicide (LOSS) Program. All are welcome and attendance is free of charge. The event will include inspiring speakers, raffle & silent auction prizes, and the opportunity to remember & honor loved ones lost to suicide and those who survive them. For information, please contact Kaaron Johnson at kajohnson@catholiccharities.net.

Counseling Support Line
If the pandemic has you feeling anxious or depressed and you'd like to talk with a counselor, please call the Catholic Charities Counseling Support Line at (312) 948-6951 anytime M-F from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Health care workers in particular are encouraged to reach out. Spanish speaking counselors are available. If you leave a message after hours, a counselor will call you back.

Legal Assistance Available
Catholic Charities Legal Assistance Department has attorneys and volunteer attorneys available to provide advice in numerous areas of law. If you are unsure about your legal rights or lost in the legal system, they can help. Services include in-depth advice and possible direct representation on many issues, including landlord/tenant disputes, family law, consumer and debtor rights, foreclosure, employment issues, orders of protection, power of attorney, and more. CCLA provides free to low-cost legal services to eligible low-income individuals. For help and more information, contact the legal advice line at (312) 948-6821.