HIV and AIDS Ministry at Imago Dei
Our Purpose
Our Purpose
- Continue to facilitate personal contact by Imago Dei MCC congregants to the local AIDS community.
- To more frequently provide information on HIV/AIDS to Imago Dei MCC.
- To continue and expand remembrance of those lost to AIDS.
- To continue to pursue ways to perform corporal care in the AIDS community whenever and where ever possible.
Imago Dei MCC and Gift of Mary
Imago Dei MCC and Gift of Mary
In 1991 Mother Teresa visited the city of Chester and established a hospice called the Gift of Mary for women dying from HIV disease. Not only was the city a center of HIV transmission among its own population, but was receiving patients from throughout the metropolitan area dominated by the City of Philadelphia. The patients were principally minority and were clearly becoming more identified as women of color with histories of prostitution, substance abuse, or crime. In addition, Gift of Mary provides residential care for women with HIV/AIDS and their children.
Imago Dei MCC and Ralph Moses House
Imago Dei MCC and Ralph Moses House
Ralph Moses House - HIV/AIDS Supportive, Transitional Housing Program
Family and Community Service of Delaware County
This program provides supportive, transitional housing for twelve men living with HIV/AIDS. The project assists residents to gain skills needed to manage their health more effectively, and to become able to live independently and self-sufficiently. Residents may stay in the program up to eighteen months before moving on to permanent, independent housing.
The project is named for Ralph Moses, a lifelong Chester resident, HIV/AIDS activist and person living with AIDS. Ralph currently works as a driver for the AIDS CARE Group and is a member of the Board of Directors of FCS.
Want to get involved?
We need people who are warm, genuine and caring. No experience in any field is needed to join our ministry.
Be prepared to visit once a month or as often as possible and interact with the girls of Gift of Mary. Donate to the various collections of supplies for AIDs agencies. Prepare, transport and serve at Church sponsored dinners. Eventually visit the mens hospice and those sick in Hospitals.
Contact HIV/AIDS facilitator, Nancy Whitton HIVMinistry (at) imagodeimcc (dot) org
The Blue Candle
We will keep the "Blue Candle" on our altar for the year 2005. Several people have asked why this odd little candle was there, especially during the Christmas Season when it appeared so out of place with the poinsettias and greens. I told them it was there to remind us of those who live with HIV and of those who have died because of it. To a person the response was, "That's wonderful.", "How loving.", or "I guess it will be there forever." So the Blue Candle will remain with us for many years to come!
Donations Appreciated
Monetary donations will be used for entertainment supplies, prizes for game nights, and on the rare occassion that the Sisters have asked for a particular item for a patient. Example: a plus sized woman who had no nighties and they asked if I could shop for 2 for her. I did and we picked up the cost.
We also collect useful household items to help establish residents of the Gift of Mary in their own homes. These might be things that would normally go to Good Will Industries. Keep them coming!
And we collect clothes ongoing for both men and women.
Other ways to connect with us
Please review our News section to learn more about what's going on at Imago Dei!
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