Masses and Confessions Canceled This Weekend
Dear Parishioners of St. Mary:
We regret to inform you that one of our priests, Father Sean Koehr, has tested positive with COVID-19. Father has authorized us to release his name. First, we ask all our parishioners to pray for Father. Out of an abundance of caution, the other priests in the rectory are being tested. Fr. Mosimann has tested negative, and we are awaiting results for the other priests. None of the other priests were in close contact, and precautions have been put into place to isolate Father Koehr from the other priests and staff.
While COVID is serious, most people have mild illnesses and are able to recover at home[1]. Father Koehr is taking steps in according with the CDC guidelines, “What To Do If You Are Sick.” Father Koehr will self-isolate at the rectory for 14 days.[2]
We are notifying all persons who have been in “close contact” with Father Koehr over the past 48 hours (per CDC guidelines), and they are encouraged to self-quarantine and monitor for symptoms of COVID in accordance with CDC Guidelines, “What To Do If You Are Sick.”2
Close contact is defined as being with someone infected at less than 6 feet for more than 15 minutes. If you were in close contact with Father (less than 6 feet for longer than 15 minutes), you are encouraged to self-quarantine and monitor for symptoms. If you had incidental contact, you are encouraged to monitor symptoms like everyone should do during this pandemic.
Please understand that there will be temporary impact to our sacramental ministries. Out of an abundance of caution, public Masses and Confessions will be suspended this weekend with a possible resumption on Wednesday January 13th per health guidelines. We will continue to stream daily Masses @ 9am, Sunday Masses @ 8:30 am & 2:30 pm Spanish, and daily Rosary @ 6:00 pm. Please remember that the dispensation from the Sunday obligation to attend Mass is still in effect.
Please check the parish website and facebook for updates to the schedule as they become available.
Per CDC guidelines, the church will be cleaned Friday to include all common surfaces such as door handles, light switches, bathrooms, etc. Moreover, out an abundance of caution, we will be cleaning the Parish Office before reopening.
We conclude, by asking all of you to please pray to Our Lord and Our Lady for protection from the illness and a safe recovery for those infected.
Pax,
Fr. John Mosimann
Pastor
[1] https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/steps-when-sick.html
2Ibid.
3 https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/cleaning-disinfection.html
