Bishop Isern Closing the All-Night Prayer VigilA Christian Response to the HIV Pandemic - “In the early 1990’s, we were going to funerals every week. We came to our knees, thinking about life and God and we prayed to change, and live.” These are the humble words of a Ugandan who has suffered the pain of watching his country be decimated by HIV/AIDS. They are also the words of a Ugandan who has had the joy of watching his country be rejuvenated through prayer and a Christian message.

Ugandans reduced their HIV prevalence rate from 15% in 1991 to 5% in 2001. A publication by USAID later called this success, "The most significant decline of HIV prevalence of any country in the world." How did this happen? The Ugandan people came together as a united group in a vast grassroots campaign that included churches, schools, the government, and community leaders. Their goal was to change behavior. They taught abstinence until marriage and faithfulness in marriage. The Ugandans and others across sub-Saharan Africa, where two-thirds of the 33 million people affected by HIV reside, have been fighting this pandemic for the past 4 decades. The Ugandans have shown signs of winning their fight, and their message gives an entire continent hope for the future.

Michael BahinyozaOn December 1st at 6:30PM in Christ the King parish hall, Universal Chastity Education (UCE) will share this message of hope, and host the 6th annual World AIDS Day Agape Meal and Prayer Vigil. The light prayerful agape meal will be followed by a presentation at 7:30PM by Michael Bahinyoza entitled, "Hope for the Future." Mr. Bahinyoza, a graduate sociologist, trained teacher and media practitioner, was, for years, the voice of 'Radio West' in Uganda, and was a driving force in the original success against HIV/AIDS in Uganda. He served from 2004-2010 as the Uganda National Coordinator for Universal Chastity Education (UCE), a non-profit organization which promotes, through education, healthy Christian lifestyles to prevent HIV/AIDS/STDs.

At the conclusion of the presentation, Msgr. Tom Adrians will open the all night prayer vigil. On Friday, December 2nd, at 7:30AM Bishop Fernando Isern will celebrate mass at Christ the King to close the prayer vigil. Come, stay awake one hour, and pray for our brothers and sisters in Africa. This is a free event open to all, but please RSVP for the Agape Meal and to schedule your prayer time with Michelle Whitney at 542-9248 ext. 21.

Read more about past World AIDS Weeks and see how you can get involved even if you don't live in Colorado by clicking here.