BRIDGEPORT— “I feel fortunate that our parish can open a door for people to get vaccinated,” said Father Juan Gabriel Acosta, newly named pastor of the Cathedral Parish in Bridgeport.
Yesterday, more than 100 parishioners took advantage of the opportunity in the St. Augustine Academy school building located behind the historic Bridgeport cathedral on the corner of Pequonnock Street and Washington Avenue, overlooking downtown Bridgeport.
Throughout the day individuals and couples entered the school’s cheerful all-purpose-room to receive the Moderna vaccine.
Father Acosta said he was grateful to the Diocese of Bridgeport and St. Vincent’s/Hartford Health Care for making it possible to bring the vaccine to the parish.
Bill Hoey, vice president of mission integration at St. Vincent’s Medical Center/Hartford HealthCare Fairfield Region, said that the Cathedral Parish was the second to participate in the mobile vaccination program. Last Thursday, more than 100 parishioners of St. Charles Borromeo Parish were vaccinated by Hartford Health.
“We are eager to bring the vaccine to parishioners of Catholic churches located in areas of Bridgeport that have disproportionately low rates of vaccination,” he said.
Hoey said the event, and others like it sponsored by Hartford Health, is part of a concerted effort to eliminate barriers to access and achieve more equitable distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Father Acosta dropped in to say hello to parishioners at the temporary clinic site before preparing to celebrate the 12:10 pm Mass at St. Augustine Cathedral.
“So many of our parishioners have had a tough and difficult time in the past year. They’ve lost loved ones and had other hardships,” he says.
The positive reception to the vaccination on the part of parishioners has made him feel happy that the parish can make things easier for parishioners. “It’s something the parish and the diocese have been able to do for the people.”
Father Acosta, who has been pastor of the Cathedral Parish for only a month and a half, said the vaccine has brought hope to people and he has noticed a gradual increase each Sunday in the numbers of people who are attending Mass. It has given him the opportunity to meet some of the parishioners who have been unable to attend Mass during the pandemic.
On Palm Sunday, the parish saw the largest gathering in months, and he took advantage of it to promote vaccinations before the end of Mass.
Some people came forward with questions, and Father Acosta took the opportunity to reassure them that they’re doing the right thing by getting vaccinated. He believes the vaccine is a gift from God as well as a scientific achievement.
Starting Monday, March 29, Bridgeport residents can schedule an appointment (preferred) or walk in and receive a one-dose-only Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
(To learn more contact HartfordHealthCare.org/vaccine or call Hartford HealthCare’s dedicated Bridgeport Resident Community Care Center 860.827.7400.)
