MESSAGE FROM BISHOP ANTOINE-CHARBEL TARABAY TO THE PARISH OF OUR LADY OF LEBANON, HARRIS PARK
24 JULY 2020

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, As you are already aware, we have taken the precautionary measure to close our Cathedral due to parishioners testing positive to COVID-19. All our clergy at Our Lady of Lebanon have tested negative and they remain in isolation for 14 days, as instructed by the health authorities. This directive does not include Reverend Fr Tony Sarkis, Dean of the Cathedral, and Deacon Charbel Dib as they were on annual leave during that period, or Subdeacon Ghassan Nakhoul, as they did not participate in any of the Masses with confirmed cases of COVID-19.

Upon consultation with NSW Health and following their advice, and as an extra precaution at this time, we have taken the decision to keep Our Lady of Lebanon Cathedral closed for public Masses for one more week, until Friday 31 July 2020. By that date, the 14-day isolation period would be over. Although the church itself has been cleared as a safe venue, gatherings of 100 people at each Mass could pose a risk of transmission within our community.

For your convenience, the testing clinic in the Our Lady of Lebanon carpark will also be open for one additional day: Saturday 25 July 2020 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm If you have not yet been tested for COVID-19, please visit the clinic on Saturday.

If you have already tested and received negative results but have since developed symptoms of the virus, please get tested again and remain in isolation.

During this week, we encourage you to join us in praying for our community and in particular for those who have tested positive to have a speedy recovery. We also encourage you to participate in the Mass in your homes via the Livestream services, at the following times:
• Saturday 25 July 2020 at 6:00 pm (English & Arabic)
• Sunday 26 July 2020 at 9:30 am (English), 11:00 am (Arabic) and 7:00 pm (English)
• Monday 27 July to Friday 31 July 2020 at 6:00 pm (English & Arabic)

We hope and pray that the parish will be open for Mass on Saturday 1 August and we will continue to update you throughout the week.

A reminder that all parishioners who attended the following masses: Wednesday 15 July at 5.30 pm, Thursday 16 July at 6:00 pm or Friday 17 July at 1:30 pm and 6 pm, should continue the 14-day isolation period which ends on Friday 31 July 2020. Please continue to monitor yourselves for any symptoms and visit the nearest clinic to get tested. A list of the clinics can be found here: https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/how-to-protect-yourself-and-others/clinics

If you require any assistance during this period, please contact the Parish office on 02 9689 2899 or the Chancery on 02 8831 0000. With you, I seek the intercession of Our Lady to protect our parishioners and envelop us all in her maternal care, especially those who are fighting COVID-19 or are in isolation.

In God’s Love,

+ Antoine-Charbel Tarabay Maronite Bishop of Australia