Continuing its long-standing tradition of service to the people of Perth, St Mary’s Cathedral will this weekend host the first of two vaccination clinics.
Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB said in approving the establishment of the clinics, the position of the Catholic Archdiocese of Perth is aligned with the position of Pope Francis.
“Who indicated that it is “an act of love” to receive the vaccination to protect the common good and the health and well-being of our community,” Archbishop Costelloe said.
“The operational period for these clinics was decided after discussion and consultation with Royal Perth Hospital and the Western Australian Police Commissioner and Vaccine Commander, Commissioner Christopher Dawson.
“If demand indicates the need for additional support, I would certainly be happy for St Mary’s Cathedral to host additional clinics at other times,” Archbishop Costelloe said.
The clinics will be operational on the following dates and times:
Saturday, 18 December 2021 12.00pm – 6.00pm
Sunday, 19 December 2021 9.00am – 2.00pm
Saturday, 8 January 2022 12.00pm – 6.00pm
Sunday, 9 January 2022 9.00am – 2.00pm
St Mary’s Cathedral Dean, Rev Dr Sean Fernandez said the Cathedral is a home which welcomes people from all over Perth.
“Our community is diverse and includes visitors from Royal Perth Hospital and the homeless who come to receive food bags and support,” Rev Dr Fernandez said.
“Many members of the Cathedral community, which includes medical staff and healthcare workers, have already been vaccinated, but we want to encourage others who may not have given vaccination much thought or who are hesitant to take up the opportunity so as to protect themselves, their loved ones and the community,” he said.
“All the Cathedral priests received their vaccines in May 2021 through Royal Perth Hospital.
“We regularly minister at the hospital and there was no hesitation on our part about the vaccine.
“We thought it important to get vaccinated to protect the patients, the amazing staff at Royal Perth, the Cathedral community, our families, and ourselves. We meet people from all over and some of them would be very vulnerable to this disease and we knew that it was our duty to protect them”
“Last year, I was called in to minister to a number of patients who had COVID-19. This disease is a terrible one. I saw firsthand the impact it had on the patients, but also the stress it put on the staff at Royal Perth Hospital, and the resources required to care for each patient.
“I encourage everyone to get vaccinated for the good of our community,” Rev Dr Fernandez said.