Keeping the Focus on AIDS

The annual School AIDS Day was commemorated at Our Lady of Mercy College (OLMC) in Heidelberg on August 11. Staff and students gathered in the school hall for the hour-long ceremony, with representatives of other Catholic schools in attendance.

Focusing on women and girls who have HIV/AIDS, the ceremony included songs and a liturgical dance performed by students, Delia Lucca and Abby Telgenkamp.

College captain Yara Abo introduced the guest speaker, Alicia Ross, whose mother and sister both died of the deadly disease. Alicia is a past student of Avila College in Mount Waverley.

The final prayer was delivered by student Stephanie Martis, who said, “Lord help us to accept the challenge of HIV/AIDS. As we return to our schools and communities, help us to be enlightened by the knowledge we have about this disease and lead us to communicate what we know to others, encouraging tolerance and understanding and taking action to support people in need”.

Mary Tobin, Manager, Student Wellbeing at the Catholic Education Office, Melbourne presented OLMC principal Julie Ryan with a plaque as a thank you for holding the service.

Catholic school students could buy a red ribbon on the day through a gold coin donation with proceeds going to Catholic AIDS Ministry.

(AAFI note: Sadly, despite the focus being on women and girls, the original focus on the young Aussie girl..Eve van Grafhorst..has gone missing. You can find it at hyperlink www.aids.net.au/school-intro.htm )