School AIDS Day 2008

Students gather for AIDS Mass

Maria Kirkwood from the Catholic Education Office Melbourne (CEOM) presents a plaque to Mercy College principal Elizabeth Monahan, as a thank you for hosting School AIDS Day.

People who suffer from HIV/AIDS were remembered at special liturgies and Masses, as Catholic schools across the Archdiocese of Melbourne celebrated School AIDS Day on 7 August.

Mercy College in Coburg was the venue this year for the official Schools AIDS Day commemoration. The theme of the Mass was ‘Working Together Sharing the Challenge’.

Father Paul Kane celebrated Mass for Year 10, 11 and 12 students, and a number of special guests, including Margaret Hayes from the Catholic AIDS Ministry and Megan Bourke from the Global Education AIDS Project.

Students were asked to reflect on the impact of the deadly epidemic and to pray for those who are affected in some way. While Africa remains one of the worst affected continents, the gathering was told that countries in our own region, such as Papua New Guinea, are also struggling to contain the disease.

After Mass, Ms Bourke spoke to students about the global epidemic and what’s being done to combat HIV/AIDS. While treatment has improved to the extent that many people with HIV/AIDS are living longer, she said even more effort was needed to curb its spread.

Father Paul Kane celebrates Mass at Mercy College.