A Letter from Bishop Skylstad
November 1, 1997

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

All of us are deeply aware of the challenges that AIDS presents to religious communities today. Its impact on our society confronts us with the reality of evil and suffering, particularly as we can no longer type those infected as sopmehow different from us. The epidemic requires that we commit ourselves to the physical, emotional, and spiritual care of those who live with AIDS, recognizing them as our sisters, brothers, and children. The crisis calls us to support those who minister to them in the name of God and in our name or in the name of a common humanity. It challenges us to counter and prejudice or discrimination, whatever its source, with the affirmation that the whole world lives with AIDS.

AIDS also challenges us to solidarity in prayer as well as in service. If we are to devote ourselves to "Creating Hope in a World with AIDS" - the theme chosen for the local celebration of World AIDS Day on December 1 - we must first turn to God who is the reason that hope is in us. Only in communion with God can we share hope and healing with those whose lives are shadowed by HIV infection and AIDS. Only with God's help can we respond to the challenges that AIDS presents.

In that common spirit of service to neighbor and God, I invite you and members of your faith community to join in an ecumenical prayer service for healing and hope on the eve of World AIDS Day. The service will be held at 4pm on Sunday, November 30, at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Lourdes (1115 West Riverside Avenue), and a reception with light refreshments will follow in the hall downstairs. The ecumenical service will bring to prayer the local theme of World AIDS Day, "Creating Hope in a World with AIDS." It will include, for those who wish it, the laying on of hands with prayer for healing persons with HIV/AIDS, their families, friends, and caregivers. Clergy are invited to meet beforehand in O'Connor Hall (behind the Cathedral, entrance off parking lot) and to join the procession which will begin the service.

I look forward to welcoming you and praying with you

Sincerely yours,
William S. Skylstad
Roman Catholic Bishop of Spokane

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