Baltimore Archdiocese’s Irvington parish offers serene setting for COVID-19 vaccination clinic

More than one recipient found comfort while waiting for a COVID-19 vaccination May 28, thanks to the grace-filled setting of St. Joseph’s Passionist Monastery Church in Baltimore’s Irvington community. 

Sitting in pews in front of the altar, several dozen dropped by for the inoculations, some for their first shot, some for their second. The glowing red tabernacle candle let it be known that they were not alone in confronting the danger of COVID-19. Jesus was present too, in the Eucharist.

“I think the environment does a lot to ease people … to sit in a quiet place that’s attractive and peaceful,” said Father Michael A. Murphy, pastor.

The parish was host to its first clinic April 30. This time around, people were able to get their second dose of the Moderna vaccine, or their first of the Pfizer vaccine.

More than 150 local residents have taken advantage of the clinics. As soon as the parish posted notices letting neighbors know that the church would be the site of a vaccination clinic, interest began growing.

Father Murphy said the parish worked with the Archdiocese of Baltimore and nearby Ascension St. Agnes Hospital to become part of an outreach to help residents get access to the vaccine who might otherwise have a hard time getting a shot.

He noted many residents in the area are older and might not have good access to the Internet, where many were able to schedule appointments. St. Joseph not only is located along an MTA bus line, but has plentiful parking.

“I think the location is perfect for it,” Father Murphy said. 

“It has really been effective with some hard-to-reach folks,” said Dawn O’Neill, vice president of the population health program at St. Agnes. “I’m happy St. Agnes has been able to build community partnerships.”

O’Neill estimated that, city-wide, the Ascension network has administered 1,500 vaccinations at similar clinics.

A third prong in the outreach was provided by volunteers from the Order of Malta, a Catholic lay religious order that dates back to the 12th century, specializing in caring for those with humanitarian needs. Its outreach includes 120 countries.

“The mission of the order is to help the sick and the poor,” said Dame Ann Costlow, a member of the order and parishioner of the Shrine of the Sacred Heart in Mount Washington “We thought it would be great if we could help out.”

Costlow said the order provided 10 volunteers for the first round of vaccinations at St. Joseph’s April 30, and eight more May 28. She was directing traffic on the parking lot. 

“I find it very fulfilling personally and spiritually to help get out of myself and help other people. It brings me joy,” said Costlow, who owns a restaurant in Baltimore. “I feel it’s an opportunity to get out of your own problems and trouble. It feels like it’s the right thing to do.”

Father Murphy noted that the clinic was part of the church’s mission of service. He took inspiration from the words of Pope Francis.

“I was always thinking of what the pope said, ‘Make the church a field hospital,’” Father Murphy related. “Literally it has become that. It’s opening up its doors to take care of people’s physical and spiritual needs.”

Father Murphy, who grew up in the neighborhood,  said Irvington, once predominantly Catholic, holds more Baptists. He has seen unexpected benefits from the clinics.

“I’ve noticed some people (from the clinics) have come for Mass,” he said. “(We’re) trying to build a relationship with (our) neighbors and this is a nice way to do it.”

The open doors were a welcome sight to Tisha Butler, a Baltimore housing inspector, who attended Mass at St. Joseph’s as a child.

“It feels good,” Butler said of the clinic. “I was kind of scared. I’ve been getting shots since I was a little girl for every little thing. As an adult I think this was a good chance to get a little normalcy. 

“Every time I come here I see different beauty – the spiritualness of the church.”

Butler’s memories of the parish include one of its priests repairing the bikes of her and her friends. 

Recipients of the vaccine May 28 included Alvah Gilette, a parishioner, and her mother, Bonnie.

“I wanted to support my parish,” Gilette said. “Father Mike has such a heart to want to help the community. We just really look out for one another.”

Her mother, meanwhile, left the area, but returned 15 years ago.

“I wouldn’t live anyplace else,” she said.

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