St. Cyril of Jerusalem Catholic Church

Saint Cyril of Jerusalem Parish has been working diligently to safeguard the well-being of our faith community at a time when COVID-19 is threatening public health. We want to inform you that two parishioners have tested positive for COVID-19. One of the infected persons was last on the property at the 7:30AM Mass on Saturday January 8. The other infected person was last on the property at the 8:00AM Mass on Sunday January 9.

We currently have no confirmation of a risk of infection at our location, but we are taking precautionary measures as part of our ongoing efforts to ensure the wellbeing of our entire staff and parish community. We know that all of you have been wearing masks and have been practicing social distancing. The Health Department Guidelines state that you could be exposed if you were within six feet of an infected person for fifteen minutes or longer or for shorter periods of time adding up to 15 minutes over the course of 24 hours. Please monitor your health and consult with a doctor if you have concerns.

We understand that this matter was reported in accordance with law to the Department of Public Health. We have been in communication with the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, who has maintained regular communications with the Department to ensure that we are taking all the appropriate steps to address this situation.

The following are some helpful resources from the LA County Department of Health regarding COVID-19:
http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/.../ReduceRiskInfographi...

FAQs:
http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/.../docs/about/FAQ.pdf

COVID-19 preparedness resources for faith-based organizations:
http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/.../communitiesoffaith/

What if I'm exposed?
http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/.../nco.../covidquarantine/

If you feel any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19, or if you are concerned about whether you have been exposed, please contact your doctor for further instructions. Please let us know if any of you become sick.

The Archdiocese of Los Angeles, in accordance with the Vatican and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), recommends that all members of the Catholic community, who are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine or a booster, should do so as soon as possible.
 
“Receiving one of the COVID-19 vaccines ought to be understood as an act of charity toward the other members of our community.  In this way, being vaccinated safely against COVID-19 should be considered an act of love of our neighbor and part of our moral responsibility for the common good.” -USCCB, Moral Considerations Regarding the New COVID-19 Vaccines
 
The following links might be helpful in understanding the morality of receiving the vaccine:
 
https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_20201221_nota-vaccini-anticovid_en.html
https://www.usccb.org/news/2021/us-bishop-chairmen-doctrine-and-pro-life-address-use-johnson-johnson-covid-19-vaccine
https://www.cacatholic.org/CCC-vaccine-moral-acceptability
 
Since the vaccinations for COVID-19 have been found morally acceptable to protect the lives and ensure the health of all in our communities, the Archdiocese will not provide religious exemptions to receiving a vaccine against COVID-19. Parishes are not to provide individuals with religious exemption letters to enable them to avoid a COVID-19 vaccination. In the event a member of your parish community requests documentation from you for a religious exemption to the vaccination, please decline the request and provide the individual with the above information and links.
 
Let us continue to pray for all who have died from this terrible illness, for their loved ones who are experiencing the pain of loss, and for all who continue to work diligently to care for the sick and serve all in need during these challenging times.