As the remote Aboriginal community of Santa Teresa in Central Australia grapples with its first COVID-19 outbreak, forcing many families into isolation, the parish is reaching out to support the people with online prayer and other pastoral care.

More than 150 people from a population of just 500 are currently isolating, either because they are infected by COVID or have been classed as close contacts.

“It’s a significant proportion of our population,” says Parish Priest, Fr Elmer Ibarra SVD.

COVID arrived in Santa Teresa in the middle of January, after the community had successfully managed to avoid it for the first two years of the pandemic.

Health authorities are concerned about COVID entering indigenous populations because many people already have underlying health problems, such as kidney disease or diabetes. So far, however, nobody has died from COVID in Santa Teresa and only a few have been hospitalised.

“I’m pleased to say that we do have a good vaccination rate here in Santa Teresa,” Fr Elmer says. “We’ve been telling people to get vaccinated because the virus will come here one day and it’s best to be protected. And so, we have above 80 per cent of people with double vaccination and about 30 to 40 per cent of people who’ve had the booster shot and I’m sure that’s made a big difference. Quite a number of kids have now been vaccinated too.”

Fr Elmer says housing shortages remain a challenge for the community, with many families isolating in over-crowded conditions.

“Santa Teresa received 10 new homes last year, but seven of them remain empty because of legal wrangling,” he says. “It’s very frustrating.”

Fr Elmer says that with so many families in isolation, the parish has tried to respond with spiritual support.

“COVID’s arrival in Santa Teresa has meant we’ve had to cancel our usual home Masses, along with visitation to the sick. We also can’t go to the hospital unless we are called there for an emergency, in which case we will certainly go,” he says.

“So, considering the number of people who are isolating, we thought it was a good idea to start up prayer online, so that the people have an avenue to pray together with the community even if they can’t go to church.

“We are online-streaming prayer in front of the Blessed Sacrament, and the praying of the Rosary, accompanied by a CD of the Santa Teresa ladies’ choir.”

Regular Masses are still being celebrated for those not isolating – with a raft of COVID-safe measures - and Sunday Mass is being live-streamed on Facebook.

“Continuing to have Mass in the community does give people a sense of hope,” says Fr Elmer.

“And being able to pray online, especially to pray for those in our community who are sick, also provides hope and connection to faith in this challenging time.

“So, as a parish, we’re trying to be there for the people, to help keep everyone safe and to offer hope for families that we will eventually get through this pandemic.”  

PHOTOS

TOP RIGHT: Fr Elmer Ibarra SVD celebrates Mass in Santa Teresa for those not isolating with COVID or classed as a close contact.

BOTTOM LEFT: The parish has responded to the needs of its isolating parishioners by having Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and the praying of the Rosary online.