SHOT IN THE ARM!

It was a morning of vaccines and prayers.

The Shrine Church of Our Lady of the Americas and Blessed Sacrament Church, both in Albany, held walk-in vaccine clinics on May 19, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Shrine and 1:30 p.m.-3 p.m. at Blessed Sacrament.

The vaccine was distributed by Caring Wellness Pharmacy, based out of Cohoes. All three of the COVID-19 vaccines approved in the United States (Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson) were available, allowing walk-ins a choice of vaccine.

Judy Krakower, representative for Caring Wellness Pharmacy, helped coordinate the walk-in clinic with her longtime friend, Sister Patricia “Penny” Lynn, RSM, coordinator for Blessed Sacrament’s food pantry. 

The two cracked jokes and exchanged stories from their previous job where they first met. Even after Krakower left that job, the two still stayed in touch, and at the start of the year, when vaccines were first being distributed, she reached out to Sister Penny.

“She asked if there are any nuns who need the vaccine,” Sister Penny said. “And Judy said they have some available.”

Now, the walk-in clinic was able to help both the religious as well as other members of the local community. Father Daniel Quinn, pastor at Blessed Sacrament Church, stopped by Our Lady of the Americas in the morning to get his first vaccine shot. On top of having the clinic in a church, Father Quinn liked that many residents could walk to the appointment.

“It’s nice to have it here, particularly for this community,” he said. “Central Avenue has a lot of people walking up and down all the time.”

Other vaccine sites, such as on SUNY Albany’s campus, can be difficult for downtown residents to get to without a vehicle: “Here, it’s nearby and a lot of people can walk by and walk through,” Father Quinn added.

Father Francis O’Connor, chaplain for the Shrine Church of Our Lady of the Americas, stopped by to chat with a few attendees, some of whom were parishioners. One woman who was nervous about receiving the vaccine shot asked Father O’Connor for a quick blessing beforehand, which he was happy to give.

“I’m glad they’re doing it at the church,” said Sister Grace Diaz, SNJM, former pastoral associate for Our Lady of the Americas. “If you’re doing it at a place people feel safe, they’re more likely to come.”