The Newman Center Is Closed This Week

Dear Parish & Newman family,

We write to share that two members of our ministry team who reside in the parish rectory have tested positive for COVID-19. Both individuals were tested after they recently began to experience symptoms consistent with the virus.

Upon confirmation of the positive test results, we contacted senior administrators from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and Penn Medicine. Based on the circumstances, all members of the ministry team who reside at the parish rectory are being tested for COVID-19 and are in quarantine pending test results. We have also contacted members of our community who have come into close contact with the COVID-19 positive members of the ministry team.

Out of an abundance of caution, the public celebration of daily Mass has been postponed now through Friday (1/29). Our parish will stream Daily Mass at 12:05 p.m. via Facebook. Sunday Masses will take place as scheduled, and substitute priests will celebrate if necessary.

In addition, the Newman Center will be closed for the remainder of the week. All Parish and Newman Center virtual events for the week will proceed as scheduled.

We ask that you abide by the following CDC guidelines to protect your health and those around you: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/index.html.

If you or someone in your household exhibits COVID-19 related symptoms, please stay home. The health and safety of every member of our parish community is paramount. Our parish follows all liturgical directives developed by the Archdiocesan Office for Divine Worship and authorized by Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez. These liturgical guidelines are intended to provide for the pastoral needs of the faithful while respecting and abiding by directives from government agencies. All directives are published to the Archdiocesan Office for Divine Worship’s website: http://www.odwphiladelphia.org/news/.

We will send a follow up communication once all members of our ministry team receive their COVID-19 test results. Thank you for your patience and understanding during this difficult time and know of our prayers for you always.

God bless,

Parish & Newman Ministry Team