• Home
  • Diocese
  • Bishop Burns
  • Synod
  • Columnists
  • Revista Catolica
  • Vatican
  • Subscribe
The Texas Catholic
The Texas Catholic

Dallas, Texas

Today is Wednesday, March 22, 2023
  • Home
  • Diocese
  • Bishop Burns
  • Synod
  • Columnists
  • Revista Catolica
  • Vatican
  • Subscribe
  • Follow
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Linkedin
    • Instagram
Home
Top Story

Four Dallas Catholic schools, parish close to COVID-19 concerns

Wednesday, March 11, 2020

Ursuline Academy of Dallas, the all-girls private Catholic high school, announced March 11 that it was cancelling classes out of an abundance of caution over a presumptive positive test for coronavirus.

By David Sedeño
The Texas Catholic

Two Dallas Catholic school campuses and a parish have closed after a person showing symptoms of COVID-19 had come into contact with individuals at those school and church communities, school and Diocese of Dallas officials said Wednesday, March 11.

Officials at St. Rita Catholic Church and School community and Ursuline Academy of Dallas announced early Wednesday that their campuses would be closed. Later in the day, officials at Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas and Cistercian Preparatory School in Irving also announced that they would be closed for the remainder of the week. All of the schools have Spring Break scheduled for the week of March 16-20.

Father Joshua J. Whitfield, the pastoral administrator at St. Rita Catholic Church, sent a letter to parish and school families early Wednesday, telling them that after they were informed by an individual that the school and church officials had contacted the Dallas County Health and Human Services Department and their City Councilmember Jennifer Staubach Gates, also a member of the St. Rita parish.

That individual was being tested and receiving care March 11, the diocese said in a statement.

“At this time, they’ve asked us not to comment further on the details of this particular case,” Father Whitfield said in his letter, referring to county health officials.

Ursuline Academy of Dallas, the all-girls private Catholic high school, posted on its Facebook page that “a member of our extended school community is presumed positive for COVID-19.”

“Out of abundance of caution, Ursuline Academy of Dallas will be closed today and the school will undergo a thorough cleaning,” the statement read. No other details are available at this time.

Bishop Edward J. Burns commended the actions taken by school and church officials.

“We believe that dealing proactively with the issue of COVID-19 was the appropriate thing to do under these circumstances as it is our goal to attend to the physical and spiritual welfare of our parishioners,” the bishop said.

Officials at St. Rita Catholic Church and School announced early Wednesday that their campuses would be closed.

Father Whitfield said that the St. Rita parish and school community had taken immediate measures to address the situation on their campus.

• All weekday Masses and confessions are cancelled for the remainder of the week. Masses are scheduled to resume at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 14.
• All meetings on the campus have been cancelled until further notice.
• The school is out for Spring Break the week of March 16-20
and school administrators will address the future academic schedule during that time.
• The entire parish and school campus is being cleaned
following guidelines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.

“We are taking these measures voluntarily out of a great abundance of caution and out of concern for all our members, as well as the wider community,” Father Whitfield said. “So, let’s be calm and let’s be St. Rita to one another! Let’s hold each other in prayer. And wash hands!”

Jesuit school president Mike Earsing said in a letter to parents of the all-boys private Catholic school that the school would move to an eLearning protocol for the remainder of the week.

“As we prepare for the return from spring break, we will continue to follow all recommendations from the CDC and state health officials as it relates to cleaning protocols and travel advisories,” Earsing said.

He said parents are free to keep their sons “home if you ever have concerns regarding their health” and he asked that if a student or relative shows symptoms to visit a health care professional.

“This is a very challenging time and I am grateful for how we are responding as a community,” Earsing said.

At the Cistercian school, also an all-boys private Catholic school, officials announced on its website that “in an abundance of caution” the classes and extra-curricular activities for the remainder of the week would be cancelled.

“We will monitor the situation throughout spring break as it continues to evolve and ask you to anticipate follow-up communication from the school regarding post-spring break resumption of classes,” the school said.

  • Tags
  • Cistercian Preparatory School
  • Jesuit College Preparatory School
  • St. Rita Catholic Church
  • St. Rita Catholic School
  • Ursuline Academy
Facebook Twitter Google+ LinkedIn Pinterest
Next article Bishop grants dispensation in light of coronavirus concerns
Previous article Santa Clara of Assisi community comes together to grow in faith

Related Posts

Bishop offers dispensation for St. Patrick’s Day Diocese
Tuesday, March 14, 2023

Bishop offers dispensation for St. Patrick’s Day

St. Patrick Catholic School Academic Fair Diocese
Wednesday, March 8, 2023

St. Patrick Catholic School Academic Fair

Kevin, un monaguillo que  da lecciones de inclusión Revista Catolica
Sunday, March 5, 2023

Kevin, un monaguillo que da lecciones de inclusión

Texas Catholic Classics

A look at the five Dallas law enforcement officers who gave their lives while protecting citizens during a mass shooting in downtown Dallas in July 2016.

 

How a child with special needs inspired a high school volleyball team, community and a family who heeded God’s call to protect life.

 

After a young runner collapsed at a Dallas marathon, grace and providence unfolded for those involved in the valiant effort to help her.

   

In the summer of 2016, 50 students and 25 chaperones from Dallas Catholic high schools traveled to Nicaragua for a 10-day mission trip.

 

Early on a November morning, Kenndrick Mendieta bounded from the gym at Cristo Rey Dallas College Prep toward the campus’ athletic fields as clouds lifted on a fresh new day.

 

Subscribe

Get the award-winning Texas Catholic delivered to your door. Use the menu below to subscribe now.


Subscription length




 

Photo Gallery

Click here to find your favorite Texas Catholic photographs.

The Texas Catholic Newspaper

Catholic Diocese of Dallas
Michael Gresham, Editor

3725 Blackburn Street
Dallas, Texas 75219
(214) 379-2800

Our Affiliated Sites

Texas Catholic Youth

Revista Católica

Legal and Other

Contact us

Terms of service

Privacy policy

Site map

Site powered by TexasCatholicMedia

© 2013-2019 The Texas Catholic Publishing Company. All rights reserved.