Outreach Ministries

AIDS Ministry of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee

Fr. Mike Hammer is the Coordinator for AIDS Ministry in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee which has its home in the Weakland Center at the Cathedral. Fr. Mike's commitment to those suffering with AIDS and HIV began in 1984 when he read about an AIDS patient in a national magazine. The man's friends and family had all pulled away, but his church group stuck with him. Fr. Mike was inspired to go to one of Milwaukee's hospitals and approach the nursing sister with an offer to visit one of their AIDS patients. She informed him that there were two such men and Fr. Mike should visit both.

The next turning point for Fr. Mike was when he flew to the East Coast to visit a patient's family and was informed that they had already processed the man as deceased! This experience was the catalyst for Fr. Mike to seek full-time ministry with those affected by HIV and AIDS and he has been actively involved ever since.

Currently, Fr. Mike collaborates with the AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin (ARCW), runs workshops for priests, promotes the annual AIDS Walk Wisconsin, and visits hospitals, hospices, and inner-city homes to assist the newly diagnosed in processing their illness with partners and family.

Fr. Mike participates in a drive to educate elementary and high school students about AIDS issues. He also coordinates various support groups in the city. When asked for ideas on how people can help, Fr. Mike said that if we get up in the middle of the night for any reason, we might whisper a prayer for the person suffering with AIDS ... nighttime is the most frightening for them as it is when they feel most alone.

People can contact ARCW at 414/273-1991 to volunteer for light housekeeping duties, driving patients to doctor appointments, and other needed assistance.

There is an AIDS Ministry Prayer Group that meets to pray for those suffering from AIDS and their family and friends. They gather at 7:00 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month in Fr. Mike's office in the Weakland Center, 831 N. Van Buren St.

Anyone wishing to speak with Fr. Mike confidentially can reach him through his private office at 414/223-5105.