Countless studies have shown how singing can have a positive effect on a person’s emotional and physical wellbeing. When we sing, we release endorphins, which reduce pain and increase feelings of pleasure, as well as oxytocin, which can alleviate anxiety and stress. These benefits are amplified when people sing together, strengthening feelings of togetherness and improving feelings of social wellbeing.
Members of CatholicCare’s HIV/AIDS Ministry can vouch for the power of song; their recording of “Sparks of Beauty”, released publicly to mark World AIDS Day 2020, has delivered many such benefits.
“We recorded it as a group of [HIV] positive people,” said Mary* one of the group members who participated in the song. “It is about us; how we feel when we are together; what we mean to each other; how we support each other through the dark times and how we celebrate the good times together.”
The idea for a song came from Marg Hayes, Coordinator of CatholicCare’s HIV/AIDS Ministry. “We had already written a book,” said Marg, “I thought, ‘I’d like us to write a song!’”
The HIV/AIDS Ministry annual retreat would provide the perfect opportunity for creating a song. “Each year the retreat has been a place where the members can have deeper conversation – to find the spiritual, and the meaning in their lives,” said Marg.
Melbourne singer/songwriter and Director of Black Sheep Music, Phil Hudson was invited to join the group at their retreat, held in Lysterfield in September 2019. There, John Stuart, Spiritual Director of the Living Well Centre, facilitated a morning workshop while Phil listened, and captured the words, as participants shared their lived experiences of living with HIV/AIDS.
Throughout the day, the group continued to play around with the words until it all came together after dinner. The group sang the song at the end of the night, and months later – just before Melbourne went into lockdown, Phil joined the group at their weekly lunch in Fitzroy to record a high quality version.
The song has reinforced the important sense of community that the HIV/AIDS group has built over the years.
“Being [HIV] positive still brings stigma, isolation and loneliness,” said Mary. “This group of positive people is like a family. A warm blanket. Trust.”
“This song means a lot to me: HOPE that I can overcome the hard times because I never walk alone. RESPECT so I can be respected for who I am. And PURPOSE, because I have purpose - we all have purpose - we have so much to offer to each other.”
*Name changed for privacy.
Bernadette Garcia | Executive Manager Communications, Fundraising and Marketing
World AIDS Day is held on 1 December each year. It raises awareness across the world and in the community about HIV and AIDS. It is a day for the community to show their support for people living with HIV and to commemorate people who have died of AIDS related conditions or other conditions associated with HIV.
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