In an effort to help more New Yorkers get vaccinated, Catholic Charities of New York has partnered with NYC Test & Trace Corp to vaccinate those attending Mass in the Bronx. 

On Sunday, the organization had a vaccine bus outside of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Highbridge for anyone who wanted to get vaccinated while attending the service. 

Richard Espinal, from Catholic Charities, says “people in the community want to do what’s right.” 

“Pope Francis said that getting vaccinated is an act of love,” says Espinal. “I think that people take that seriously.” 

Espinal tells News 12 they wanted to make this accessible.  

“We want to bring it as close as possible,” says Espinal. “If I could, I’d bring it right inside.” 

Parishioner Aida Davis calls having the vaccine available at the church at “incentive” for churchgoers. 

“Some of us that are not willing could change our mind and take it,” she said.  

The charity organization says they believe having a vaccination option at the church will help those who cannot get vaccinated during the week. Since February 2021, they have helped administer 3,000 vaccines to members of at-risk or marginalized communities targeting South Bronx neighborhoods with low vaccination rates.  

Espinal says this effort is important because some people within the community work six or seven days a week.  

“So when you can bring it to them on a Sunday, when they’re able to carve out an hour, we can get them vaccinated,” says Espinal.  

Catholic Charities will host more vaccine events with churches and housing projects in the coming weeks.