Dear parishioners,

In a Public Health Alert issued this afternoon after liaising with Bishop Antoine-Charbel Tarabay and the Parish team, NSW Health is now directing anyone who attended any of four services at Our Lady of Lebanon Cathedral in Harris Park to immediately self-isolate for 14 days and present for testing even if they are not experiencing symptoms. These services are:

• Wednesday 15 July – 5.30pm Mass
• Thursday 16 July – 6pm Mass
• Friday 17 July – 1.30pm Funeral & 6pm Mass

Anyone who has attended the Church since 15 July outside of these specific times should also closely monitor for symptoms and get tested if they begin to feel unwell, no matter how mild their symptoms are.

This is due to two new cases being identified in parishioners who also attended services on these days, both of whom are in isolation.

To facilitate testing for our community, a pop-up testing facility will be set up in the car park of Our Lady of Lebanon Co-Cathedral from tomorrow, Tuesday 21 July 2020, and for the next four days from 9am to 4.30pm.

The church has undergone cleaning and will remain closed at this time and until further notice, as a precaution.

We will continue to live-stream Masses and you can participate in these from home.

No parish committee events or gatherings will be permitted to take place on the premises for the time being.

Further information regarding Mass and Liturgical Celebrations (Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals) will follow in the coming days.

These uncertain times have been very challenging for all of us. From the moment we had to close our churches we have all felt the impact of this pandemic. However, we firmly believe that through the power of the Holy Spirit, we have and will always receive the power to get through these challenges.

We sincerely request your cooperation and understanding, as we try to protect all in our community, especially the elderly and the vulnerable, and we ask for your ongoing prayers during these difficult times. Rest assured that the clergy and parish team here at Our Lady are holding our parish community and the wider world in our daily prayers.

Through the intercession of St Charbel and St Elias, we pray for all those impacted by COVID-19, and ask God for an end to this pandemic.

Fr Tony Sarkis
Dean
Our Lady of Lebanon Cathedral