COVID News

Starting March 12, Masks No Longer Required in the Archdiocese of Seattle 

Source: NW Catholic:  SEATTLE – Masks will no longer be required in the Archdiocese of Seattle starting March 12, as the state lifts its indoor mask mandate in many indoor settings.
That means masks won’t be required during Mass or during other parish or school events, but those who wish to wear masks are welcome to continue. The archdiocese “will continue to uphold other COVID safety measures,” Archbishop Paul D. Etienne said in a February 18 letter. (click for the whole article)

Please respect those who choose to wear masks. Distance seating will still be available.



A Message from Fr. Ed about Covid-19 Related Changes at St. Stephen the Martyr

February 26, 2022

You may be aware that the mask mandate will be lifted March 21st in our state and in our churches. At this time of change I would like to let you know what to expect at St. Stephens. 

The Archdiocese has been tracking Covid-19 exposures and transmissions since the reopening of Mass last spring. I’m happy to report that collectively we have safely celebrated tens of thousands of Masses in Western Washington with only a handful of cases of coronavirus spread. Because of this success, Archbishop Etienne removed the dispensation to attend Mass on December 8, 2021 except for the most vulnerable among us. “This includes those who are ill, have significant health risk factors or care for someone who is ill or immunocompromised, as well as those who have significant fear or anxiety about contracting COVID in a large group.” According to the Archbishop, on March 21st “masks will no longer be required in the Archdiocese of Seattle, but we will continue to uphold other COVID safety measures and welcome all people regardless of their mask preference.” The Archbishop has also given pastors broad discretion on how to implement general guidelines according to local circumstances and priorities. 

General Practices for Mass at St. Stephens

• For the immediate future we will continue to offer a distanced seating section. I ask that you respect this dedicated seating section, especially for those who are medically vulnerable. 
• Please continue to wash your hands regularly and stay home when you are sick.
• Allowance for most elements and practices of the Mass have returned to normal.
• Singing of congregational responses at Mass are allowed and encouraged, such as the Alleluia, Responsorial Psalm, and chanted dialogues between the priest and the people.
• Singing of hymns is permissible at this time but not encouraged. 
• The introduction of live-stream technology has made the use of our screens more complex. We ask for your patience as we implement new software and re-plumb our system for the display of prayers and song lyrics.

Holy Communion at St. Stephens

• Distribution of the Precious Blood in a shared communion cup is prohibited.
• Reception of Holy Communion on the tongue is permitted as well as reception on the hand. 
• Proper reception of Communion on the tongue is important to prevent mouth-to-hand contact with the Eucharistic minister and to prevent the Precious Body from falling on the floor.
  • Take your time – this is an intimate moment with the Lord!
  • Open your mouth a moderate amount and extend your tongue. 
  • Please wait before closing your teeth and lips on the host until the minister’s hand is pulled away.
  • Hand sanitizer will be readily available on a table behind the Eucharistic Minister  in the case of contact with a communicant’s tongue.
• Proper reception of Communion on the hand can also minimize hand-to-hand contact and prevent desecration of the Precious Body.
  • Take your time – this is an intimate moment with the Lord!
  • Present your hands by making a flat throne, one hand under the other.
  • Communion is to be received, not taken. Allow the Eucharistic minister to place the Precious Body on your hand completely.
  • Consume the Precious Body immediately either in front of the Eucharistic minister or after taking one step to the side. 
  • Holy Communion may not be carried back to your seat.

Pastoral Care, Meetings, Events, and Food at St. Stephens

The rule of close contact has been the most reliable predictor of transmission of Covid-19. Close contact is defined as interaction with an infected person, within six feet, for a total of 15 minutes. Our goal with all activities is to minimize close contact to provide a safe environment for everyone. 

• We continue to provide pastoral care with safety precautions to those at home, in nursing facilities, and at senior living homes as allowed by individual facilities. Please contact the main office to reach our pastoral care team.
• In-person meetings are currently allowed with physical distancing, masks, and good ventilation. Our availability of large meeting spaces is limited and we may not be able to accommodate all requests.
• Social gatherings with food are permitted by the Archdiocese with sensible health precautions in place. We are in the early stages of determining our capacity to move forward with these events. We ask for your patience and understanding at this time.

Links to Archdiocesan Resources

Archbishop’s letter removing the dispensation for Mass: Letter-to-People-Lifting-Dispensation-from-Sunday-Obligationv2.pdf (archseattle.org)

Archbishop’s letter about the mask mandate: ABE-letter-on-mask-mandate-Final.pdf (archseattle.org)

From the Chancery - February 15, 2022 Guidance: COVID-19 Guidance  [C2P] (mailchi.mp)



Letter from Archbishop Etienne Regarding Mask Mandate

+ February 18, 2022

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Yesterday Governor Inslee lifted the mask mandate for the State of Washington effective March 21, 2022. On that date, masks will no longer be required in the Archdiocese of Seattle, but we will continue to uphold other COVID safety measures and welcome all people regardless of their mask preference. New Department of Health guidance for schools will be forthcoming and some local public health authorities may not lift the mask mandate in their counties. Our archdiocesan COVID Taskforce will continue to track this and provide corresponding guidance as necessary. As the shepherd of this flock, I wish to provide a welcoming environment so that our parishes and schools may continue to carry out the mission of the Church. People will have different comfort levels related to masking and we will respect everyone’s choice, while upholding our other safety measures. Let us continue to pray for the faithful departed, the countless lives disrupted by this pandemic, and the health care workers who have responded to this crisis. Please know of my gratitude to each one of you for your witness of faith in God and love of neighbor. Please know I continue to pray for you, and I ask for your continued prayers.

As always, I remain, In the heart of Christ,
Most Rev. Paul D. Etienne, DD, STL Archbishop of Seattle



Covid-19 Update

This month there have been many exposures at parishes around Western Washington. In many of these cases the individual came to Mass when they weren't feeling well. Sometimes people may believe a symptom is from a cold or allergy. Please, if you have any symptom of illness please do not come to church.  To help distinguish what your symptoms could be, here see the chart from the Washington State Department of Health:

 

• From the Chancery-September 14, 2021 Guidance
• From the Chancery-August 11, 2021 Guidance
• From the Chancery-August 19, 2021 Guidance
• Faith Formation COVID-19 Guidance
• Archdiocese of Seattle Bishops' Statement on Vaccines
• USCCB Answers to Key Ethical Questions About COVID-19 Vaccines
• Video: Pope Encourages People to Receive the COVID-19 Vaccine
• Washington State Vaccine Information
• Vaccine Finder