Guidelines For Mass During The Germ & Flu Season

Dear Friends,

As news reports spread about the severity of this year’s flu, I occasionally hear comments from parishioners that they've heard about other dioceses or parishes where the Sign of Peace has been eliminated or that the Blood of Christ is no longer offered to the community. At this point in time, no such directive has been issued from our diocese. While I can understand the good will of those wishing to take precautions so as to reduce the potential of the flu virus being transmitted among parishioners, what I would like to urge the members of CCOP to do is USE COMMON SENSE. These are some of "the ways to avoid a cold" that our mothers taught us when we were little; they still work! Stay home if you're not feeling well - the Lord will understand. If you have to sneeze or cough, cover your mouth. Wash or disinfect your hands frequently; and, as much as possible, try to avoid touching your nose, eyes or mouth with an unwashed hand.

Regarding the shaking hands and the Sign of Peace or holding hands during the Lord’s Prayer and receiving the Blood of Christ during Communion, please note the following recommendations:

During The “Our Father” - If you are concerned about holding hands, please clasp your hands together and acknowledge your neighbor with a nod.

During the “Sign of Peace” - If you choose NOT to shake hands with those around you, please just clasp your hands and nod at your neighbors to acknowledge their presence and exchange peace in this manner.

Receiving the Blood of Christ - What about receiving the Blood of Christ at Communion? First, remember that one receives the "whole Christ" - Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity - by receiving under the form of bread alone.

Receiving both forms (the Host and the Cup) is commendable, as it is a "fuller sign" of the reality of the Eucharist. Receiving from the Cup is always optional, and anyone who is experiencing any cold-like symptoms should always refrain from receiving the Blood of Christ out of courtesy for others.

But doesn't the common Communion Cup transmit germs and viruses? Well, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has an interesting take on this question. In their report on this matter, these experts on infectious disease say:
“The risk for infectious disease transmission by a common communion cup is very low, and appropriate safeguards -- that is, wiping the interior and exterior rim between communicants, use of care to rotate the cloth during use, and use of a clean cloth for each service -- would further diminish this risk. In addition, churches may wish to consider advising their congregations that sharing the communion cup is discouraged if a person has an active respiratory    infection (i.e., cold or flu) or moist or open sores on their lips (e.g., herpes)."

Source: AJIC: American Journal of Infection Control, October 1998 (Vol. 26, Issue 5, Pages 538-539). [Bold text added – g.w.]
Presently, our Eucharistic Ministers use an alcohol-based anti-germicidal hand wash immediately prior to distributing Communion and all Ministers of the Precious Blood wipe the rim of the cup clean and rotate it ¼ turn between each communicant. 

And remember, Mom was right – “use common sense!"
​
Peace,
Dn. Gary