As you know, this morning, I informed our parish that both Fr. Paul and I have not been feeling well. As I have said over and over again we are committed to 100% transparency. Later in the morning I tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. At the suggestion of our parish COVID Response Team all the other friars were tested. Fr. Paul, Fr. Manny, and one other friar tested positive. Only one of the friars did not test positive. I am not saying the names of the other friars because it is up to them to explain their situation to their communities.
This all stands to reason. We are in the hospital several times a week, we anoint sick people, we pray with their families. We have taken appropriate precautions and do our best to keep ourselves and others safe, but no effort is foolproof. We could have gotten this sickness anywhere and how we got it doesn’t really matter. We have no regrets.
Until further notice all weekday Masses at St. Anne Church are cancelled. This weekend, Fr. Pablo from Savannah will be covering our parish’s Mass schedule with minor changes. Masses will be held at St. Anne on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday at 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. The 12:30 p.m. Sunday Mass is cancelled. Fr. Pablo will celebrate a Mass in Spanish at 12:15 p.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes. There will be no more confessions until further notice. Communion will still be available in the parking lot for those who wish to watch the live stream from their cars. Out of an abundance of caution the parish staff will work from home this week.
Thank you so much for all of the support you have already given us. We all know that we can count on your prayers as we move forward. We will keep you posted on how we are doing via the parish website and Facebook Page.
Close in Prayer,
Your Friars
