Sometime in the late 1990s, Earl Bobby Johnson scheduled a normal check-up with his doctor. Routine testing produced an alarming result: Earl tested positive for the HIV virus.

Earl’s reaction? “I freaked out! I wasn’t feeling bad and it was unexpected news. I didn’t know how I got it.” Unfortunately, Earl’s family reacted out of fear and ignorance about the disease. His siblings didn’t want him in their living space and Earl found himself without a home and support when he most needed it.

Earl was born March 31, 1961 in West Ashley, South Carolina, near Charleston. He grew up with his mom Ida and dad Booker T. Johnson (both now deceased) along with six brothers and six sisters including five step sisters and three step brothers. Earl said, “My four older step sisters helped raise me.”

He remembers the siblings enjoyed cowboy and military movies and played army. Six of his siblings later served in the armed forces. Luckily, none faced combat.

Earl liked school and attended Christian Baptist Church, serving as altar boy. He played football and basketball at St. Andrews High School and earned his degree in 1979.

After high school, Earl’s focus went astray. “I was hanging out with the wrong people and got in over my head with alcohol and drugs.”

House of Mercy ResidentAims for the Sunny Side of Life

Fall & Winter 2016 News

INSIDEThanks to Our Donors ............ 3-5Walk for AIDS Recap ............... 5House of Mercy Notes .............. 6Residence Wish List ...................6

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Send your email address to:houseofmercync@gmail.com

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Support House of Mercy as a Giving Tuesday Sponsor

at our December 6 receptionInfo on our EVENTS page at

thehouseofmercy.org

House of Mercy residentsenjoy exercise outdoors

in our local parks.

Bingo is a favorite pasttime of House of Mercy residents. They are very competitive and candy prizes sweeten the win!

HOUSE OF MERCYProviding a Home and 24-hour Care since 1991 for Persons Living with AIDS

continued on page 2

Earl enjoyed meeting and working on the residence grounds with youth from the Catholic Heartwork Camp.

House of Mercy is a Ministry of the Sisters of Mercy

Resident Aims for the Sunny Side...continued from page 1

2

raise money for their room and board. He was spending time begging on the streets to raise money and became weaker every day. He prayed for God to help him. Soon Earl ended up in the hospital.

Hospital staff called Shirley Stowe, our Director of Nursing, to talk with Earl. Shirley showed him a photo album of the residence and said there was a room available. Earl replied, “I’m ready to come!” Earl asked if Shirley would take him to the Salvation Army to see if they could help with clothes. Then he said he had a voucher for two bags of groceries and asked if Shirley could help him get food stamps. Shirley assured Earl that House of Mercy would provide food and help obtain clothing and medical care. Shirley told Earl it was now his time to rest, take care of himself and that House of Mercy staff would help him do that.

At first, Earl spent a lot of time in his room but Geraldine White, CNA, coaxed him out. Earl now enjoys the community and is helpful around the residence. Earl says, “I love it here and all of ‘em (staff) but eventually I’ll be moving out.” The good news is that Earl has improved and can soon return to independent living. “The first thing I plan to do is look for a part time job and stay in touch with AA (Alcoholics Anonyous). It’s important to get my mind right and not be around people who do drugs.”

Earl’s advice? “Do the right thing! Be safe and be smart.”

He was charged with nonviolent drug possession and spent time in jail. Later, his parole officer set Earl up with Job Corps in Frenchburg, Kentucky - a job training program for low-income youth. Over 18 months, Earl learned bricklaying,

plumbing and auto mechanic skills. He also took Job Corps’ GED courses to stay busy and sharpen his skills.

Earl returned to the Charleston area and shared an apartment with a friend who eventually died of complications from AIDS. Over the years, Earl was employed as a dishwasher, cook and landscape worker.

When Earl received the HIV diagnosis, it turned his world upside down. Earl and his younger sister had become roommates and now she wanted him to move out. Fortunately, an aunt and cousin offered their home as a place to stay while he got himself together.

Earl’s doctor prescribed

antiretroviral therapy to treat his HIV, but Earl was distraught over the falling out with his family and eventually he quit taking his medications.

Earl was traveling through Charlotte when he landed in a church “shelter.” Apparently the shelter required those who stayed there to

Residents and staff prepare

jack-o-lanterns for Halloween 2015.

A new chapter lies ahead for Earl.

Earl celebrated his 54th birthday withcurly candles on a cupcake.

Earl loves to walk and enjoys outings.Residents enjoyed a waterfall at

the Romare Bearden Park in Charlotte.

“Earl is doing so well!We are happy when residents

improve and can move onbut we will miss them.”

Shirley Stowe, Director of Nursing & Case Manager

3

Listed arethose who donated$25 or more to House of Mercy from

7.1.15 to 6.30.16

Anonymous DonorsHolly AdkissonJohn AlbersAll Saints Catholic Church Lake WylieAlpha Kappa Alpha Sorority GastoniaSarah AmarFrances AmbrusBlas & Melissa ArroyoATCOM Business Technology SolutionTheresa AusbandNicholas AzzolinaMary BakerBank of America Matching GiftsBank of North CarolinaBeverly Earl Barksdale IVJoshua BassingerJoe & Maggie BaucomLesley Keith BaxterBeam Electric CompanyBrianna BeaverCatrina BeesonDr. & Mrs. Michael BellBelmont Abbey CollegeBelmont Flooring CenterDr. & Mrs. Andrew BeloniDavid & Cynthia BlantonLarry BlytheTerrance & Dawn BolonElizabeth BoulusBradley Memorial United Methodist Church GastoniaDr. & Mrs. Charles BriscoeBroadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDSDale & Sage BrookTom BrownTracie BruntGeorge & Mary BurazerRaquel BushnellGail ButlerAlbert & Grace ButtrissJohn CaceciDomenick CambriaSandra CampMatthew & Aviva CantorCarolinas CARE Partnership CaroMont Health / Gaston Memorial HospitalMax Carroll

Catholic Human Services FoundationCentral United Methodist Church - ShelbyFrank & Carol CerarNathaniel & Patricia ChambersPatricia CharltonElias ChavezCherry Bekaert LLPLinda ChiricoWilliam ChrisleyChristine CicotelloMarco CipollettiDavid Cloninger & Mary GillhamEarl & Doris CloningerRebecca CloningerRichard & Susan CloningerScott CloningerCommunity Foundation of Gaston CountyComplete Eye Care, OD, PAMr. & Mrs. Thomas CondonKathryn ConstantinidesHarold & Carolyn CookRobert CookWilliam CookJoyce CorbettLarry CourtneyWilliam CraemerRobert & Rebecca CrispScott CrowderElsa CruzMarion DanforthAnne DavantTerence & Dayle DaviesElizabeth DavisRichard & Lucile DeckerSamantha DeloacheLance & Lenore DeutschJohn & Audrey DevineDiocesan Ministry for Gay & Lesbian CatholicsCarlton & Paula DixonMr. & Mrs. Josef DohmenDr. Kathleen DomanThe Dover FoundationMichael & Katherine DuceyMark & Leigh Ann DudaThe Dudley T. Dougherty FoundationTimothy DuftDuke Energy Foundation Matching GiftsH. Yates DunawayKaren DunawayJames & Tessa DunnKeller EarnstGaylen & Barbara ElliottDee Dee EllisLeonard Engle & Marjorie HoganMr. & Mrs. John EnglerRobert & Mary EstockScott EvansFancy Hill Baptist Church DallasFathom SEO LLC

Kathleen FinniganFirst Baptist Church Kings MountainFirst Gaston FoundationFirst United Methodist Church – GastoniaFirst United Methodist Church – StanleyRobert FitchStephen FitchRaymond & Nora FitzgeraldChristopher FletcherGeorge & Lore FlowersScott FlyntJohn FondrliakTommy FosterScott & Elise FowlerFraley Memorial Baptist Church – LowellJohn FrancisJamie FranklinJames FridayCharles A. Frueauff FoundationJames & Josephine FulginitiGary Fulker & Deleslie Smith-FulkerKenneth FuquayHarvey & Lucinda GanttBarbara & Mike Gardner Charitable FundMuriel GennariEllen GibsonDempsey GibsonJoe & Carol GiglerJim & Marge GiguereGilead Sciences, Inc.Dr. Stephanie GlennGina GoffEdward & Vickie GoodEddie GoodwinMike & Laura GraceEdwin Chandler GrahamGreater Providence Baptist Church – Charlotte

P. GutrerrezDonald HallGilla HammontreeDewey & Connie HastingsAngie HatleyKrishna HeavenerJan & Elinor HeermansFelicia HenryRobert & Carol HintzeHoly Trinity Catholic Middle School - CharlotteScott HoosierKim HoosierDr. James Horton & Dr. Kathleen ReardonJay HowardThe Howe FoundationBradley & Erin HultgrenRebecca Brown HuskinsIBM International Foundation Matching Gifts CampaignMichael JacksonJack JamesGloria JefferiesJeremiah JenkinsRobert JeterMary Lou JohanekRaymond JohnsonMarc Johnson, MDJohn & Dorothy JonesGeorge & Charlotte JonesAlonzo JonesChris JoyDr. Donald & Carmel JoyceFrank KalianPatrick & Joan KeaneWalter KearnsJohn KennedyKent R Hofmann FoundationHenry KepplerMary KijeskyJames KimblerWillie King, Jr.Dylan & Stephanie Kinneman

Knights of Columbus #11076 BelmontDavid & Mary KnobleAngela KochJohn KrolewskiRaymond LambRonald & Joye LamberthRobert LancasterRonald LancasterRichard & Catherine LandryRyan LaPradeJo-An LattanziPasquale & Barbara LauroLaura LayeTimothy LeeDavid & JoAnn LehmanHans & Patricia LengersThe Leon Levine Foundation Leon & Sandra LevineThe Jerry R. Licari FoundationLiquid Handling EquipmentKeith & Theresa LiscinskyMark LittletonCharity LiutaiJohn LocklearEdward LongHarry & Patricia LoomisHelena LopezRegina LordanThe Lovett FoundationKeith & Tobey LowePauline LoweHarold LowryEdward & Nancy LuckeyLutheran Chapel Church GastoniaMAC AIDS FundNeal & Jan MannTania MaricianoMr. & Mrs. Charles MartinMargaret & Susan MayesDon McAllisterRev. Edward McDevittThomas McGinnis

continued on page 4

Thank You for Your Generous Support!

House of Mercy President Stan Patterson and Shirley Stowe (L) accept a donation from the MAC AIDS Fund in recognition of volunteer services to House of Mercy by MAC Cosmetics employees.

cont. from page 3

Thanks to thosewho donated $25 or more to House of Mercy from 7.1.15 to 6.30.16

Cynthia McGuire Larry & Gail McLaughlinReginald McMillanJanice McRorieWilliam & Norma MeeceThe Merancas Foundation - Casey MermansMicrosoft Matching GiftsKathryn MillerMMB BearingsAndrew MoellerJohn Scott MonaghanJohn MooreLeonard & Stephania MorganJeffrey & Tama MorrisDavid MossMt. Pleasant United Methodist Church - StanleyMt. Sinai Baptist Church Mt. HollyJohn & Patricia MurphyRick & Erin MyerThe Charles & Irene Nanney FoundationDavid NeesmithDavid Newton & Mary GiguereJearl & Carolyn NoblettYvonne NolanFred & Juanita NormanCynthia Norman-BeyBeverly Norman-CooperThomas & Rachelle NorrisEdward & Patricia NortonBarbara & Frances NunziataMargaret O’BarTimothy & Anna O’BrienJoseph O’Connor, Jr. & Debbie Arrant O’ConnorJ.C. & Sheila O’DanielSuzanne O’DonoghueFrancis & Patricia O’NeillDavid & Johnette OrrOur Lady of Grace Church GreensboroOur Lady of Guadalupe Church – CharlotteJohn Owens, IIIP.C. Godfrey, Inc.Kimberly PadgettEllen PalmerSamuel Harrison Paris

Jurgen & Bettie Jean PatauYadao & Sheela PatilBrad & Erin PattersonCharles PattersonSharon PattersonStan & Jane PattersonStephen PattersonMolly PeraltaPilgrim Way Baptist Church Windsor, CTWilliam Farrar Price Jr.Prime Timers of CharlotteJack PughCatherine PullenQueen of the Apostles Catholic Church – BelmontRaskob Foundation for Catholic ActivitiesBrian RedmondChristine RemmeCharles & Denise RenaudRicky & Landrea RhyneMary RichardsonAlice Carmichael RicheySuehonor RileyDr. David RinehartGary & Deborah RobinsonAndrew & Beverly RobinsonRockwell AME Zion Church CharlotteRodgers BuildersPatrick RogersDr. Bobbie RowlandKaren Rubin, PhDEdward & Joan RuffValerie RumfeltRandy & Brittany RussellCarole RutherfordMatee SackieRev. Ronald Sams

Jane SangesLee SangesCourtney SansingPeter SantiniRoger & Marilyn SarowGabriele SchneiderSecond Baptist Church Mt. HollyMelissa SellersFekade Sergew & Kara SulmasyShed LeathersMeredith Shelkey

Sidelines Sports Bar & BilliardsMichael SimmonsSisters of Mercy – South Central CommunitySisters of Mercy of NC FoundationAntoine SmithDennis SmithPhillip & Peggy SmithRodney & Sharon SmithMartin & Susan Sniezek

Abbott Placid SolariWilliam SpeightJohn & Mary SplainSt. Aloysius Catholic Church HickorySt. Ann Catholic Church CharlotteSt. Benedict Catholic Church GreensboroSt. Dorothy Catholic Church LincolntonSt. Gabriel Catholic Church CharlotteSt. Luke Catholic Church CharlotteSt. Mary Catholic Church ShelbySt. Matthew Catholic Church CharlotteSt. Paul Baptist Church CharlotteMindy StahlStarmount Management LLCStephen & Mary Birch FoundationDerek StiefelJoanne StorchMargie StorchShirley StoweWilliam StrongCasey SuttonCarl TaskerSteven & Nancy TaylorGene TedderAndrew & Shirley ThomasDr. & Mrs. John ThompsonThe Titmus FoundationToal Industries Inc.Toby Outdoor LLCJefferson TolerThe Tradesmen L/L Inc.Donald & Debbie TrappCharles UnderwoodNatalie UrigNick UrigPatrick & Karen ValentineWalt VernooyWalmart FoundationSr. Maria Goretti WeldonWilliam WeldonWells Fargo BankGeraldine WhiteDr. & Mrs. Mack White, IIIRansel & Pamela WildesKay WilkesLarry WilliamsJeffrey Williams-KnightJohnny & Trish WilliamsonRichard & Grace WilsonCathey Winfield

Dr. & Mrs. Richard WingLawrence & Loretta WnetrzakWoodforest National BankDavid WorthingtonMary WrightRobert & Ann WyattMadelyn YapMadeline ZieverinkZion Hill Baptist Church Lincolnton

We also thank, too manyto list here, those who contributed less than $25. Every gift is important to us.Please let us know if we have inadvertantly omitted your name, listed it incorrectly or if you’d prefer to remain anonymous.

Thanks to those who contributed non-cash gifts to House of Mercy from 7.1.15 to 6.30.16*Anonymous DonorsAltrusa Club of Gaston CountyWendy AranaMary BakerDave & Cindy BlantonRaquel BushnellCatholic Heartwork CampCarol CookCovenant United Methodist Church New Spirit Circle GastoniaTerence DaviesNara ExpressFaith Victory Ministry &Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church Waxhaw, NCOsie B. Ferguson Chapter #674 OES-PHA DavidsonJohn FerriFirst Baptist Church BelmontFirst United Methodist Church - BelmontFirst Ward Creative Arts Academy Booster ClubFood Donation ConnectionTommy FosterMuriel GennariDanielle GrouseConnie HastingsYates Hazelhurst

continued on page 5

Your Gifts Transform Lives at House of Mercy

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“We rejoice in the continued invitation toseek justice, to be compassionate and to reflect mercy in the world.”

From the Constitutions of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas

Give a Gift of Stock

If you would like to give a gift of stock and benefit from

charitble tax deduc-tions, please contact

Stan Patterson at 704-825-4711.

Thanks to 2016 Catholic Heartwork Camp youth for their service to House of Mercy - cleaning windows, gutters, vans and visiting with residents!

Walk for AIDS Surpasses Goal !

5

cont. from page 4Thanks for non-cash gifts to House of Mercy from 7.1.15 to 6.30.16*

Holy AngelsMercy Place HousingChuck HoweyBillie HutchisonGloria JefferiesKaren Kickham & Samantha CappsJames KimblerRyan LaPradeLas Amigas - GastoniaKeith & Tobey LoweJohn MalpeliMama’s FamilyTania MaricianoMargaret MayesNick MichaelLarry & Shirley MorrisonMatt & Takasha MorrowMelissa NicolettiOne World Dragon Boat TeamPapa John’s Pizza BelmontPrime Timers of CharlotteQueen of the Apostles Catholic Church BelmontSteve Rader

We appreciate those who have contributed food, household items and other goods to House of Mercy. The value of these in-kind donations is over $15,000 annually!

RK T-Shirts, LLCCustom Novelty Wholesale

Bank of North Carolina • Beam Electric Company • Cherry Bekaert LLP • Toal Industries • Troy Outdoor

Thanks to Our 2016 Walk for AIDS SponsorsIn Memory of

Doug Newton

St. Gabriel Catholic Church ST. ANN CATHOLIC CHURCH

Steve RedmondRK Tshirts C.J. GrouseRockwell AME Zion Church - CharlotteCarolyn RoseSam’s Club #6414 GastoniaDr. & Mrs. Alton ShacklefordSharon Sharpe & Carolyn CookeWayne SimpsonJohn SinclairAntoine SmithSouth Central Mercy AssociatesSt. Gabriel Catholic Church CharlotteSt. Paul Baptist Church CharlotteTony’s Ice CreamThe Tradesmen L/L, Inc.Dot VaughnWalt VernooyGeraldine WhiteWoodlawn Baptist Church Ladies Ministry -LowellMadelyn YapClaude & Joan YorkZeta Mu Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Gastonia

SAVE THE DATE: Tuesday, December 6You will receive an invitation to our

World AIDS Day/Giving Tuesday Receptionin November.

House of Mercy will celebrate 25 years of service.

THANK YOU!Together we raised over $41,000

at our 25th Anniversary Walk for AIDS!Top Fundraising Team

South Central Associates of theSisters of Mercy

2nd Place TeamOur Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church

3rd Place TeamTeam Maggie (Maggie Baucom)

Top Individual FundraiserScott Cloninger

2nd Place Individual FundraiserMargaret Mayes

Best Banner / AIDS MessageHouse of Mercy Cares Team

• Congrats to Connie Hastings, Director of HR & Administration, for 20 years employment with House of Mercy! Board Chair Maggie Baucom (R) presented Connie a gift certificate and plaque of appreciation at the August Board meeting. Connie is our longest serving employee.

• Welcome to Davd Guidry, Senior Associate with King & Spalding Litigation Group, who recently joined the House of Mercy Board.

• House of Mercy appreciates recent grants from the Michael & Elizabeth Sweeney Charitable Fund, Dover Fdn., First Gaston Fdn., Howe Fdn., The Leon Levine Fdn. (Leon & Sandra Levine), MAC AIDS Fund, Titmus Fdn., Carolinas Care Partnership, and the Sisters of Mercy of NC Foundation.

• Please consider a donation to House of Mercy via the reply envelope or credit card at www.thehouseofmercy.org This year we must raise $308,775 to meet our operating expenses.

• Is your will up to date? Make sure your loved ones are cared for and consider leaving a legacy through a charitable bequest to House of Mercy. See the Give A Gift link on our website.

NONPROFITU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPERMIT NO. 16

House of Mercy Board of DirectorsMaggie Baucom, Chair • Yates Dunaway IV • Kathleen Finnigan • Mike Grace, Treasurer • David Guidry

Tania Mariciano, Secretary • Ellen Palmer, Vice Chair • Stan Patterson, President/CEO • Sister Jill Katherine Weber

HOUSE OF MERCYPO Box 808, Belmont, NC 28012

www.thehouseofmercy.orgA Ministry of the Sisters of Mercy

Providing a Home for Persons Living with AIDSLeft: Nidia Esparza helps set up

a House of Mercy

resident for painting.

Read about House

of Mercy resident

Earl Johnson’s

journey inside.

HOUSE OF MERCY NOTES

• Pantry staples• Canned foods• Canned fruit cups• Flushable wipes• Kleenex• Hand Sanitizer• Paper towels

RESIDENCE WISH LISTThese items are needed at House of Mercy and

can be dropped off at 304 McAuley Circle in Belmont on theSisters of Mercy campus (or call 704-825-4711).

• Donated meals and drinks: bottled juice, soda, Kool Aid, Crystal Light, tea bags, Gatorade• XL garbage bags, liquid laundry & dish detergent, Clorox, Lysol, Mr. Clean• Movie tickets to Franklin Square (Gastonia) • Gift cards: WalMart, Cook-Out, Pizza Hut, Golden Corral, Tony’s Ice Cream, KFC, local restaurants• Individually wrapped snacks • Gallon freezer Ziplock bags• Dove soap: bar or liquid• Dove body wash, deodorant• Shampoo, conditioner• Triple blade razors• Vaseline, chapstick• Toilet paper

Welcome to Nidia Esparza, our new bilingual Coordinator of Resident Recreation & Volunteers.