Holy Bears Benefiting Saint Therese Center - Diocese of Las Vegas
HIV/AIDS Outreach &
Outreach in Guaymate Dominican Republic
The initial design for the Bear is a black and white bear (black & white are the colors of the
Dominican Order). This ties in the fact that the director of the Saint Therese Center is a
Dominican Priest and a part of the world wide Religious Order of Dominicans, many of whom
serve various populations of HIV+ individuals. Half of the sales from this bear will also
benefit a group of Dominican Sisters from the Philippines who are ministering to the HIV+
men, women and children in Loitokitok (pronounced: loi-talk-e-talk) Kenya, Africa. On the chest of the bear is a Red Ribbon, made out of
roses. The red ribbon is the international symbol for AIDS
awareness. The rose is a symbol of Saint Therese (the
Little Flower). Therese promised, "I will spend my heaven
doing good upon earth... I will let fall from heaven a
shower of roses." Thus, the falling petals from the AIDS
ribbon. Also they signify the many lives of people infected
with HIV that, through the intercession of Therese, she has
helped.
The Tag on the side of the bear has the well known "Welcome to Las Vegas" sign with the
"Welcome" removed and "Therese" placed in. this signifies the work of the Saint Therese
Center in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Las Vegas - which is the southern part of the
state of Nevada.
The footpads of the bear contain the Holy Bear Symbol (Halo) and the letters HIV standing
for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. The outreach of the Saint Therese Center is to all
those infected and affected by the virus. It is also a reminder to all people living with
HIV/AIDS that they and we are all called to be holy!
On the chest of the bear is a Red Ribbon, made out of
roses. The red ribbon is the international symbol for AIDS
awareness. The rose is a symbol of Saint Therese (the
Little Flower). Therese promised, "I will spend my heaven
doing good upon earth... I will let fall from heaven a
shower of roses." Thus, the falling petals from the AIDS
ribbon. Also they signify the many lives of people infected
with HIV that, through the intercession of Therese, she has
helped.
The Tag on the side of the bear has the well known "Welcome to Las Vegas" sign with the
"Welcome" removed and "Therese" placed in. this signifies the work of the Saint Therese
Center in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Las Vegas - which is the southern part of the
state of Nevada.
The footpads of the bear contain the Holy Bear Symbol (Halo) and the letters HIV standing
for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. The outreach of the Saint Therese Center is to all
those infected and affected by the virus. It is also a reminder to all people living with
HIV/AIDS that they and we are all called to be holy!
