I am here today to remind you about this wonderful ministry across the parking lot, Francis House. This ministry was started nine and a half years ago by this parish, around one table in the church basement, welcoming people living with, or affected by HIV. The premise was a simple meal centered around Jesus. Needless to say, we have grown over the years. We welcome people from the five surrounding counties. In 2004 we were open 88 days and we served over 3,000 meals; more than 400 walked in our doors. I stress the words Parish Ministry, because for awhile, members of this parish were very involved with Francis House, whether it was making casseroles, donating clothes or personal care items , or coming to Francis House and volunteering their time cooking, cleaning up or just sitting with our people.

What is my main reason for wanting to speak to you today? I’m here to tell you that this virus is not going away, Every 14 seconds a child is made an orphan by HIV. That is over 6,000 of our brothers and sisters worldwide dying every 24 hours! Every 13 minutes someone is diagnosed with HIV. New Jersey ranked 5th in the nation with HIV/AIDS cases. At the end of 2003 we had 16,805 of our brothers and sisters infected with this virus. You may think to yourself, this has nothing to do with me, but the fact is this affects all of us. This is a worldwide pandemic; this is still an epidemic in the United States and we must not be silent, because silence is deadly.

What do we in the HIV community want? Acceptance NUMBER ONE!! We are your fellow brothers and sisters with the same wants and needs that you have: we love, laugh, cry, feel pain just like you. We would love to be able to walk into this church or any church for that matter and not worry about revealing our status of HIV and not have to worry that someone will judge us or think differently of us.

I speak to hundreds of kids a years at the Romero Center at St. Joe`s. These kids come from all over the U.S. to learn and to serve the people of this city. They come to Francis House not knowing what to expect, and when I go to speak to them and ask them to share their experience of the day, I am amazed. They thank our people at Francis House for the privilege of welcoming them. They go away with a different attitude and perspective. We have kids call and write us all the time. They never forget the friendships they have made at Francis House. HIV ministries have started in various cities of this country by some of the young people that have been to Francis House. We can learn a lot from our children, and we need to always educate them. We teach our children by example. We should know by now that we can’t get the virus by a handshake, a smile or a hug. None of us here walk on water and we should never judge anyone. It shouldn’t matter to any of us how someone got the virus; what we should remember is these are our brothers and sisters.

As long as there is one person that needs Francis House, we will be there for them. Do you know what they call that little piece of property over there? They call it sacred ground. The one place they can come and know they are welcome, they can be themselves, they can share, and they can also have their mind, body and soul nourished.

Free Clinic

On Wednesdays, with help from Lourdes Hospital and local volunteers we offer a free health clinic in the friary basement. (Starting up again September 9.)

Sister Rosemarie with volunteers Nora and Herminia, staffing the free health clinic sponsored by Lourdes Health System most Wednesdays in the basement of the friary.