New Covid-19 Guidelines
Saturday, July 31, 2021
The monks of St. Martin’s Abbey have been pleased these past weeks to welcome back all our friends and guests to share with us in our liturgies. Recently new guidance has been shared by the Archdiocese of Seattle regarding public liturgies (see below). In keeping with these new guidelines, we strongly encourage anyone who attends liturgy at St. Martin’s Abbey to wear a mask, even if vaccinated. We thank you for your cooperation on this in these difficult times and look forward to seeing you.
God Bless,
-Prior Nicolaus Wilson O.S.B. on behalf of the monks of St. Martin’s Abbey.
From the Seattle Archdiocese:
The Delta variant, which is highly transmissible, is now widespread across the United States and has quadrupled the case count this month alone. Reports acknowledge that even people who have been vaccinated may still transmit the virus and be infected by this Delta variant. Because of this, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated is masking guidance, recommending that everyone wear masks in indoor public spaces – even if they’ve been vaccinated.
Due to the risks of the Delta variant and our desire to protect our children and the vulnerable in our communities, we are recommending mask wearing during indoor Mass celebrations. Please note that all altar servers must wear a mask.
While we will not turn away people who refuse to wear a mask, we should encourage them to do so. Please offer them a mask and encourage them to wear one to not only protect themselves but everyone in the parish community.
Given the rise in cases, it is also a good time to remind people of the safety basics:
• Do not come to Mass if you are feeling ill.
• Do not come if you have a temperature.
• Wash your hands frequently.
• Avoid “close contact” with people outside your family, which is 15 minutes of face-to-face contact within 6 feet of an infected person.
• Wear a mask.
We’re Now Open!
Friday, July 2, 2021
Given the recent relaxation of Covid-19 pandemic restrictions and guidelines, it is with great joy that we monks of Saint Martin’s Abbey announce our general reopening to the public. The abbey church will now be open during regular hours 6:00 am to 9:00 pm for private prayer. Beginning Sunday, July 4th 2021, our liturgies will be open to the public following the archdiocesan guidelines (which can be found here and here) with the following exception: The archdiocese recommends that “A separate section of church should be created for people who wish to remain physically distanced.” Due to the small size of the abbey church, we cannot provide this section. During the pandemic we installed within the church’s HVAC system an air purification device that uses ionization technology which, we are told, will greatly reduce the risk of airborne pathogens and allergens. This we hope will mitigate some of the risk associated with the lack of social distancing.
While the time of pandemic had brought us back to our roots as monks, detached from the world praying for its salvation, we have missed the presence of all our friends and guests at liturgies. We look forward to seeing you all again at our masses and prayers.
Upcoming Retreats
Abbatial Election of Abbot Marion
Monday, July 6, 2020
It is with great joy that the monks of Saint Martin’s Abbey announce the election of our ninth abbot, Abbot Marion Qui-Thac Nguyen. Abbot Marion was ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of Seattle in 2004 before joining Saint Martin’s Abbey, making his first profession of monastic vows on August 15th, 2013. Please join us in giving thanks to the Holy Spirit for guiding our community in the process of finding this most worthy successor to Abbot Neal Roth and let us also give thanks for his many years of service as we begin a new chapter for Saint Martin’s Abbey.
Thank you and God bless,
Br. Nicolaus Wilson O.S.B., Prior, Saint Martin’s Abbey.
