Resources from CHA to Combat Human Trafficking

January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, with National Human Trafficking Awareness Day on Jan. 11. Catholic health care is a leader in educating its associates to identify and provide compassionate, quality care to the victims whom they encounter in clinics, emergency departments and other facilities and community outreach endeavors. 

To help bring attention to Jan. 11, the Catholic Health Association (CHA) has several new resources to offer:

• A reflection for your use. Access the reflection.
• A FREE webinar, A Medical Safe Haven for Victims — A CHA Human Trafficking Webinar, Jan. 17, 2018, from 3 to 4 p.m. ET. Register and learn more.

Feb. 8, International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking, is a continuation of this important awareness activity. Designated by the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace and the International Union of Superiors General, it is an annual day of prayer and awareness against human trafficking. Feb. 8 is the feast day of St. Josephine Bakhita, who was kidnapped as a child and sold into slavery in Sudan and Italy. Once Josephine was freed, she became a Canossian nun and dedicated her life to sharing her testament of deliverance from slavery and comforting the poor and suffering. She was declared a saint in 2000.

Here is a prayer you can use Feb. 8

CHA, in support of this ministry commitment, is a partner in working to end human trafficking and identifying ways Catholic health care can advocate on behalf of and help support victims. Through our campaign, Faithfully United Against Human Trafficking, we...

• Convene members for twice annual networking conference calls
• Collect and share the ministry's wealth of resources online
• Provide prayers and reflections on this and many other topics

For additional information and resources, go to:
CHAUSA.org/humantrafficking
USCCB anti-trafficking program
Pontifical #EndSlavery resources

Prayer for World Aids Day

World AIDS Day takes place on the 1^st of December each year. It is an opportunity for people worldwide, and especially the men and women in Catholic health ministry who have served those living with HIV/AIDS, to unite in the fight against HIV, to continue to show support for people living with HIV and to commemorate those who have died from an AIDS-related illness. Founded in 1988, World AIDS Day was the first ever global health day.

So that your organization can participate in this day of awareness and reflection, Catholic Health Association (CHA) is sharing a prayer for use in your meetings, online newsletters, in social media and throughout the communities you serve.

And so we pray …

God of Promise, today we are mindful of our sisters and brothers suffering with HIV and AIDS. We ask your healing presence on millions of people living with the disease today; particularly the children who are infected or who have been orphaned by the disease. Make of us a safe haven for those who are abandoned, discriminated against and rejected on account of their illness. Inspire us to speak out for a just distribution of health care and medical aid in this country and for generosity in sharing our resources with those struggling under the weight of this epidemic overseas. 

As we begin our Advent celebration of waiting in hope for the birth of your Son, let us remember those across the world who wait in hope for a cure. Amen.