St. Mary's Catholic Church

TO ALL PARISHIONERS:

The health and safety of the parish staff and community at St. Mary’s Parish is our top priority. I am writing to inform you that I have tested positive for COVID-19 on November 29, 2021. I have no fever, just mild cold symptoms. The last day of exposure at the parish was Mass on Sunday, November 28, 2021.  CDC advises that any symptoms of Coronavirus appear between 2 and 14 days from the date of exposure. We are handling this situation with the utmost seriousness.  It is important to listen to facts and not respond to fear or rumor. We would encourage you to visit the CDC website www.CDC.gov for additional factual information.  

The NYS Department of Health has advised that only those unvaccinated individuals who were in “close contact” with the infected person are required to quarantine.  Individuals who were in close contact are persons who were within 6 feet of the infected individual for ten minutes or more.  The parish will contact those individuals who have been identified as potentially being in close contact to alert them to the situation. The Ulster County Health Department will then contact these individuals to initiate contact tracing, if necessary.     

CDC advises that only unvaccinated individuals who come in close contact with an infected person are required to quarantine for 10 days.  If someone is vaccinated and comes in close contact with an infected person, the vaccinated person does not need to quarantine. 

The offering of Mass and the distribution of Holy Communion is not considered “close contact” by the Ulster County Health Department.

The parish is following protocols from the CDC and NYS DOH and will clean and sanitize the church following CDC Guidelines using approved disinfectants. 

If you or your young person develop or have developed COVID-19 symptoms, you should call your medical professional or you can call the ArchCare COVID-19 Hotline at 1-877-239-1998.  Archcare has allocated staff to handle inquiries and provide guidance to members of the Archdiocesan community, including clergy, religious, volunteers, lay personnel, students, and their families.  The Archcare Intake Specialists will answer all questions or route you to someone who can address your concerns.  Archcare can also provide you with information about obtaining a COVID-19 test to determine if you have been infected by the virus.  

Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) New York State Hotline
The New York State Department of Health has set up a hotline at (888) 364-3065 where Department of Health experts will be available to answer questions regarding COVID-19.  
In addition, you can obtain additional information by visiting the Ulster County Department of Health website at covid19.ulstercountyny.gov.

During times like this, the safety and well-being of our Catholic parish families, staff, and those in our care, as well as those in the broader community around us, are our primary concern.

Fr. Tom