St. Joseph’s Closed For 2 Weeks After Pastor Diagnosed With COVID-19

In a letter to parishioners on Friday, June 5th, Father Jim Starasinich at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Owatonna disclosed that he had been notified that he had tested positive for COVID-19 and that the church and parish office would be closed for the next two weeks.

The letter reads:

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I just learned this morning that I have tested positive for COVID-19. I am doing fine currently, so thank you for your good prayers. The parish office and the church will be closed for the next two weeks as a precautionary measure. Please remember that we are still dispensed from the obligation for Sunday Mass and have been asked to attend only our respective parish. Please take this notification in faith and I hope to be celebrating public Mass in two weeks.

God Love You! Fr. Jim Starasinich

St Joseph's isn't the only parish affected by Fr. Jim's positive COVID-19 test, Christ The King in Medford will also be closed as Fr. Jim also offers mass there as well.

A Facebook post from the church on Saturday stated that Fr. Jim is "ok right now and appreciates your continued thoughts and prayers."

According to St. Joseph's website, "since 1891, St. Joseph Parish has grown from 80 families to approximately 1,100."