Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates

November 20, 2020

CGS and Youth Programs

Given the directives of the Governor and the Seattle Archdiocese, in addition to cancelling all in-person ministry meetings until further notice, Fr. Nagel has decided to cancel in-person CGS and Youth programs until after the new year.  The Formation leaders for each program will notify impacted families when we are able to meet in-person again.

 

November 17, 2020

Bishop Mueggenborg has provided guidance for the necessary changes we will be making to be compliant with Governor Inslee’s new COVID-19 restrictions.  None of these changes were taken lightly and the great news is that we are still allowed to worship in our churches thanks in large part to the great work all the parishes in Western Washington have been doing adhering to COVID-19 safety measures.  The changes outlined below go into effect immediately and will remain until at least December 14th.

Here’s a recap of what will impact us:

  • From the Governor: “Congregation singing is prohibited. No choir, band, or ensemble shall perform during the service. Vocal or instrumental soloists are permitted to perform, and vocal soloists may have a single accompanist."
    • From Bishop Meuggenborg: For all Masses, as well as weddings and funerals, there may be one instrument and one vocalist. Both must always be masked, which is a change to previous guidance.
      • At Holy Family, this means that all cantors must wear a mask when singing during Mass.
  • From the Governor: Any office that must remain open must limit occupancy to 25 percent of indoor occupancy limits.”
    • From Bishop Meuggenborg: In light of this new guidance, employees should be encouraged to work from home. Parish offices should be operating with minimal skeletal staff and should not exceed 25% normal occupancy. Please change operating hours so that the office is open by appointment only.
      • At Holy Family, we will be closing the office immediately and encouraging all but essential staff to work from home.  We are still here to serve you, so please call us at 425-822-0295 or email a staff member to set up appointment to meet with them in person. Masks and social distancing will be required, but the same warm staff member will be happy to help you.
  • From the Governor: “All retail activities and business meetings are prohibited.”
    • From Bishop Meuggenborg: Based on the Governor’s guidance, here are other items to keep in mind: Please cancel any in-person non-sacramental indoor religious services at this time. This means that indoor annual traditions like Christmas concerts or living Nativities should be canceled or moved online.
      • At Holy Family, starting immediately, all in-person meetings at Holy Family will be cancelled. If you have any questions, you can contact Sharon Harris (sharonh@hfkparish.org) or Katy Bergevin (katyb@hfkparish.org). HFK has two Zoom accounts available for parish groups to use for online meetings.  They are booked on most evenings, but if you want inquire about meeting via Zoom, please contact Katyb@hfkparish.org to schedule Zoom for your ministry/program meetings.

Thank you for your understanding and patience.  We know these changes are a hardship on everyone.  On the upside, we will still have in-person Masses, the school can remain open and Confession will continue as scheduled.  Let’s all work together in prayer that the curve is flattened so that we can begin to open soon.

 

November 16, 2020

Masses and Confession Schedule Resumes Tomorrow

Out of an abundance of caution, Fr. Tyler, Fr. Steve and Fr. Nagel had COVID19 tests this weekend. Fr. Steve and Fr. Tyler’s tests have come back negative and we expect Fr. Nagel’s to come back negative today.  Since they didn’t have direct contact with the staff member who has COVID-19, we will resume full schedule starting tomorrow, with Fr. Tyler and Fr. Steve saying Mass (it’s Fr. Nagel’s day off).  In-person Masses start tomorrow, Tuesday the 17th and Confessions will begin Wednesday.  Thank you for your understanding and patience as we navigate these new times. 

Office Closure

As we await guidance from the Archdiocese on the implications of Governor Inslee’s directives yesterday, we are going to close the Parish Office at least one more day, Tuesday the 17th and staff will work from home.  We are here to serve, so please send us email, or call the parish office (425-822-0295) and leave a voicemail. We will get back to you as soon as possible.

 

November 13, 2020

We do have a confirmed positive COVID-19 diagnosis with a staff member and are exercising all precautions so that we keep our community safe. Out of an abundance of caution, in-person Masses are cancelled this weekend as well as Saturday confession from 3:00-4:00 PM.  As always, the 5:00 PM Saturday Mass and the 9:00 AM Sunday Mass will be livestreamed on HFK's YouTube Channel.

This staff member was not in contact with many parishioners and those that might have been exposed have been contacted. We are awaiting guidance from the Archdiocese, but for now, the parish office will be closed at least through Monday.  The staff is working from home, so we can continue business. If you need to reach a staff member, please send them and email or leave a message on the office phone.

Please pray for our staff member and all people infected with this virus.

 

 

 

The news surrounding COVID-19 seems to change often. In order to stay well-informed, here are some great resources that are updated frequently:

 

Coronavirus Mental Health Resources

Self Help and Support Strategies

 

PLEASE: IF YOU ARE DIAGNOSED WITH COVID-19 AND HAVE BEEN ANYWHERE IN THE CHURCH BUILDINGS, CALL THE OFFICE (425-822-0295) AND LET US KNOW WHICH AREAS YOU WERE IN SO THAT WE CAN CLOSE AND DISINFECT THOSE BUILDINGS.  BE ASSURED THAT THE INFORMATION WILL BE KEPT CONFIDENTIAL.

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