Cathedral Vaccination Clinic Continues Tradition of Service

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Continuing its long-standing tradition of service to the people of Perth, St Mary’s Cathedral will host a limited number of Vaccination Clinics for those interested in accessing Covid 19 vaccinations in the CBD area. The clinics will be hosted in the Parish Centre beneath the Cathedral. 

Catholic Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB in approving the establishment of these clinics said, “The position of the Catholic Archdiocese of Perth is aligned with the position of the Holy Father, 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”.

“The operational period for these clinics was decided after discussion and consultation with Royal Perth Hospital and the WA 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,” said the Archbishop.

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

Dean of St Mary’s Cathedral, Perth, Very 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.

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 to protect themselves, their loved ones and the community” he said.

Father Sean added: “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 the very professional staff at Royal Perth under, and the resources required to care for each patient.

I encourage everyone to get vaccinated for the good of our community,” said the Dean.

Media organisations are warmly invited to attend the official opening of the first vaccination session on Saturday, 18 December 2021 commencing at 12.00pm.

At 12.00pm on this date, the Cathedral’s Dean, Very Rev Dr Sean Fernandez, is scheduled to receive his vaccination booster Injection. An opportunity to promote the clinic’s opening, and as a practical demonstration of encouragement for everyone in the community to be vaccinated.

Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB will also be in attendance and available to media.

End statement

                Media enquiries and requests should be directed to:
                Brett Mendez
                Media Manager, Catholic Archdiocese of Pertth
                Mobile: 0448 791 661
                Email: brett.mendez@perthcatholic.org.au