Services are being held in Dublin and Galway on Thursday which is World AIDS Day
Christian Aid – Ireland has organised ‘Advent Hope’, a special evening of music and reflection, at 8pm in Dundrum Methodist Church, Co. Dublin.
In Galway a voluntary organisation which offers support and care to people affected by HIV/AIDS is organising a candlelit memorial service. The Galway Advertiser reports: The event, which is being run by AIDS West, will take place at St Nicholas’ Church at 8pm and will feature the Cois Cladaigh Choir, Delia Boyce and Sandra Shalks. Fr Peter McVerry, the Dublin based Jesuit priest who has been a champion of young homeless people, is the guest speaker. Everyone is welcome.
About 6,000 people nationally have HIV, the virus which causes AIDS, according to John Flannery, the general manager of AIDS West. One person is diagnosed with it in Ireland every day.
AIDS West – which was founded 25 years ago by Evelyn Stevens and Angela Savage and is financed by the HSE, donations and fundraising – has three main roles, he says. To support people living with HIV, to provide education on sexual health and the impact of drugs/alcohol and to heighten awareness.
The organisation, which serves Galway, Mayo and Roscommon and is based at Ozanam House, St Augustine Street, targets students as part of its second and third level education programmes.
More at:
http://www.advertiser.ie/galway/article/46791/city-marks-world-aids-day-with-memorial-service
Dundrum Methodist Church:
http://www.dundrummethodist.com/dev/