The Catholic Weekly 26 July 2020

$2 Having a case of Covid-19 within our Maronite community is an important reminder of the need for us to be cautious during these times.” Bishop Antoine-Charbel Tarabay HUNDREDS OF people queued at a pop-up COV- ID-19 testing facility at a Syd- ney church after three parish- ioners tested positive for the virus last week. Churchgoers at Our Lady of Lebanon Co-Cathedral in Harris Park who attended four Masses between 15-17 July were told on 20 July to present for testing and self-quarantine for twoweeks after a single case identified in the community grew to three. The north-west Sydney church was closed after organ- ist and choir member Michael Nouh was found on 18 July to have contracted the virus. The two additional parish- ioners had also attendedMass- es on those days when he was present. Cathedral dean Fr Tony Sarkis advised anyone who had attended the church since 15 July at other times to close- ly monitor for symptoms and be tested if they began to feel unwell. The testing facility in the cathedral car park was set to run from last Tuesday to Fri- day from 9am to 4.30pm. Ma- ronite Bishop Antoine-Charbel Tarabay urged worshippers to be patient with the restrictions imposed as the result of their church’s outbreak. “Having a case of Covid-19 within our Maronite commu- nity is an important reminder of the need for us to be cau- tious during these times,” he said during a live-streamed Mass last Sunday. “If you are showing symp- toms of COVID-19 please to do not attend Mass at any church so as to not put anyone at risk. “Those who are elderly or are otherwise vulnerable to infection are also encouraged to stay away at this time. “We have a responsibility to act in a way that respects the health and safety of every- one in the community and the wider community.” Mr Nouh tested positive af- ter visiting the Thai Rock res- taurant at Wetherill Park, one of a growing list of sources of local transmission of the virus in NSW. Last Sunday assistant par- ish priest Father Danny Nouh posted on the church’s Face- book page a message iden- tifying his son as the COV- ID-infected parishioner. “My wife, my son, my daughter and I have all been tested and our results are negative with the exception of Michael,” he wrote. “We are in good health and Michael is doing well. “We apologise if this news has caused you any stress and panic and we ask you to continue praying for this pandemic to be over and for a vaccine to be developed soon.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 Virus closes church COVID tests as Maronite co-cathedral closes after three parishioners test positive ¾ ¾ Marilyn Rodrigues LOOKING OUT across at the Botanical Gardens from his Macquarie Street office, he reclines back in his leather chair while chatting warm- ly, arms waving about as he makes his point. He laughs into the phone before signing off “God Bless ya mate”. Sir Peter Cosgrove AK CVO MC has come a long way in his life from a sacked altar boy to holding the highest office in the land, yet through it all, admits his faith has been his one con- stant companion. A proud Catholic, this month he marks one year since retiring as Australia’s 26th Governor General and more than 50 years’ service to his country. FULL STORY PAGE 6 ¾ ¾ Debbie Cramsie Faith’s a constant in the General’s life 26, July, 2020 CHARITIES 2020 ST ROMERO INSPIRES EXPELLED ACTIVIST P12 LIFTOUT INSIDE advertising supplement Former Governo r General Sir Peter Cosgrove at his desk in his office in Macquarie Street, Sydney. PHOTO: ALPHONSUS FOK Call Caritas Australia on 1800 024 413 or visit caritas.org.au/neighbours Be a Neighbour to those in need Become a Regular Giver Today