Dear Friends,

This morning, Saturday, Oct. 17, I tested positive for Covid-19. I noticed yesterday evening that the onions and peppers my wife was sautéing on the stove had no aroma at all. Loss of smell is one of the more distinctive symptoms of Covid, so I went to Harris Urgent Care first thing this morning to be tested. Other than not being able to smell anything, I feel fine, and no one else in my family is experiencing symptoms at this time.

Following medical advice, I will be self-isolating at home with my family for the next two weeks. Any meetings I have scheduled with students will be conducted remotely. Students I have been in physical contact with over the past week have been notified. And while we routinely have been disinfecting the Catholic Student Center twice per day all semester, our student residents are giving it an extra-thorough sanitizing today.

Sunday Masses cancelled Oct 18 & 25

Out of an abundance of caution, the Diocesan Office of Campus Ministry has requested that all in-person campus ministry events be cancelled for the next two weeks, to limit the chances of students who may have been exposed to the virus exposing others. This means no Adoration & Evening Prayer Oct 21 & 28, no Friday Mass Oct 23 & 30, and most notably no Sunday Mass at Hillside Grind Oct 18 & 25.

Because he has been in proximity to me, Fr. Paul also had himself tested this morning. The result of that test was negative. However, it can take up to 48 hours after exposure to receive a positive result, and so as a precaution, he is also cancelling public Masses at St. Mary’s this week, including all weekday Masses through Oct. 24. He hopes to resume public Masses at the parish with the 7:00 pm Vigil Mass on Saturday, Oct. 24.

Working from home

As I mentioned above, other than not being able to smell anything (which is a strange experience), I feel fine, and so plan to continue to work from home as much as I can during my quarantine. I encourage students to please call, text or email me if they need me, or to schedule meeting time online. Any meetings currently scheduled will be shifted online. If my availability changes, I will let students know through the usual channels of email and social media.

Your prayers are appreciated during this time. God willing, I will be back on campus and able to join you for the celebration of the Solemnity of All Saints on Sunday, Nov. 1.

In Christ,
Deacon Matt