Masses resume at the Chapel

The Chapel of St. Ignatius at Seattle University will reopen to the public for Sunday Masses beginning this Sunday, Aug. 1, with Mass at 11 a.m. We will proceed with Sunday morning Mass only during the summer, and will expand our Mass offerings when the quarter begins in late September.

Here’s some details about returning to the Chapel, please read these carefully before returning to the Chapel:

• All are welcome, regardless of university affiliation.
• No pre-registration, screening or check-in is required. Please monitor your own health and stay home if you are feeling ill to protect those around you.
• You may seat yourself when you enter the Chapel. The doors of the Chapel will open at 10:30 a.m.
• Masks will be required at all times indoors at the Chapel. Liturgical ministers may be briefly unmasked while lectoring at the ambo.
• We will offer a socially distanced seating section. Please maintain a three-foot distance from others in this section.
• A cantor and accompanist will lead congregational singing, which is now permitted.
• We will continue to exchange a "touch-free" sign of peace – no handshakes or hugs, please.   
• Communion will continue to be offered in the hand only, and we will not be distributing the Blood of Christ. You are encouraged to sanitize your hands following Communion.
• Our ministers will wear masks and sanitize their hands thoroughly for the distribution of Holy Communion
• Please continue to follow guidance for mitigating infection: frequent and correct hand-washing, avoid touching your face, use hand sanitizing stations located throughout the Chapel, cover your mouth with your elbow or a tissue when coughing or sneezing, sanitize hands after using a tissue for nose or mouth and stay home if you feel sick.

The above guidance is subject to change, based on evolving policies of the university, state, county or Archdiocese of Seattle. Up-to-date information will be available on our Campus Liturgies webpage and we will email you any significant updates.

As part of our Catholic commitment to the common good, we encourage all who are eligible to get vaccinated. You can find a local vaccination clinic, and more information, through the Washington State Department of Health. For further guidance on staying healthy please visit the Seattle—King County Public Health website, or the CDC COVID-19 website.

As we prepare to welcome you back to the Chapel, we give thanks to all those who have been working tirelessly throughout this pandemic to care for the most vulnerable, and we pray in particular for those who are still impacted by COVID-19. We thank each of you for doing your part to care for yourselves and others. We encourage you to make the best choices for your own health as you consider returning to the Chapel community. As a reminder, Archbishop Etienne has indicated that the dispensation from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass is still in place. We look forward to praying together and connecting with you again in person beginning in August!

- Campus Ministry