HOUSTON — A Southwest Houston church canceled public Masses until further notice after five members of its religious order tested positive for COVID-19 and a priest, who died last week, may have had it, too.
The five members of the religious order live and work at Holy Ghost Catholic Church. The church said a priest, Donnell L. Kirchner, died on May 13 and may have been infected with the virus as well. Father Kirchner was 79.
The church said those who tested positive are in quarantine and are asymptomatic. Two priests who tested positive were active in celebrating public Masses at Holy Ghost since it reopened on May 2.
Holy Ghost is asking anyone who attended Mass at the church since it reopened, should monitor their health and get tested for the coronavirus.
"It’s a real sad situation, we want to make sure that all the parishioners and the priests are in good health,” parishioner Steven Foxford said.
Click here for a list of free testing sites or call the City of Houston Health Department at 832-393-4220.
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