By Mary DeTurris Poust
Most parishes have already issued guidelines to help parishioners navigate the liturgy when they are coughing and sneezing. Refraining from the Sign of Peace is one suggestion, as is opting not to receive from the cup. In my family we abide by those rules. Sometimes we receive suspicious stares when we do not extend a hand at peace, but I try in hurried and hushed tones to let people know that we're not unfriendly, we're just unhealthy. A couple of years ago I started squirting hand sanitizer on the kids' hands before Communion just to be sure that we hadn't picked up any viruses from overly zealous hand-shakers, but that deteriorated into a situation where the Lamb of God was punctuated not with "have mercy on us," but "have you got any Purell in your purse?"
This week, in his regular column, "Put Out Into the Deep," in The Tablet, Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio of Brooklyn elaborated on possible health precautions that should be observed during this especially tense flu season. In "Healthy Distribution of Communion" in the Oct. 17 issue, the bishop suggests that parishes refrain from offering Communion under both species during flu season and also recommends that parishioners receive properly in the hand and not on the tongue, which he says "presents hygienic problems."
Bishop DiMarzio writes:
"There are other recommendations made for those who administer Holy Communion in that they should be advised to disinfect their hands immediately after the conclusion of the Mass with the use of hand sanitizing materials. Pastors have been asked to remind their parishioners that the sign of peace should not be exchanged by anyone who is suffering from cold symptoms or is experiencing any symptoms related to the flu. Again, it would make good sense that if one is not feeling well to stay at home and not come to Mass given the considerations for others during this flu season.
"Any change regarding a liturgical practice, especially the Eucharist, is bound to cause disruption and misunderstanding. For the sake of the common good of the Church, however, we must make these temporary regulations.
"Every time something new occurs; new regulations, new forms, we put out into the deep and recognize that there will be those who misunderstand and misinterpret these regulations. Hopefully, prayerfully we will come to understand our theology of the Eucharist and the practices that surround it, which are wholesome and healthful." (Full column HERE.)
So what do you think about mixing health precautions and Eucharistic celebrations? Do we need to change our ways until flu season is over or proceed with liturgy as usual? Tell us in the comment section.
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6 comments:
Our parish doesn't give us Holy Communion under the species of blood until, I think, March.
However, I wish they'd also go straight to the Lamb Of God and forego the Sign of Peace as well. Some people don't care if they're ill or not, they shake hands anyway as it's their habit to do so.
It just makes for good sense, especially when we're dealing with the H1N1 and in our town we already have several cases, one of which is hospitalized at the hospital where I work.
I think adults can make choices for themselves: taking precautions for catching the flu, staying home when ill, watching over the children, and all. We don't need bishops or pastors altering liturgical procedures.
That said, I have no problem with people bowing instead of shaking hands. As long as clergy realize that they aren't empowered to omit the Rite of Peace.
Are there hand-sanitizer gels in place on buses, trains, planes, in nightclubs, bars, movie-theatres, football stadiums, and other place where large crowds are gathering in confined spaces. Are the surfaces in these places regularly wiped clean of any infectious material that a hand might have left there.
Maybe so, but all I seem to hear about is how you're likely to get infected in Church.
Well, I appreciate that our priest trusts us to make our own choices. Our parish has not issued any guidelines. Each adult makes choices for themselves and their children.
As a nurse I have to laugh at the suggestion that receiving in the hand is more hygienic! Hands are usually filthy- especially children's. To ask the priest to touch everyone's hands at Mass is not just a risk to parishioners, but to himself.
I think the rule should be that everyone should receive on the tounge or by intinction- Believe me- that's less of a risk than a lot of hand contact.
I could tell you many awful stories of what I'v seen people do with their hands at Mass before stepping up to receive communion, but I'll just say that it ranges from picking noses to picking gum off the bottom of their shoes!!
I don't think we can have it both ways: At first we have said that the Eucharist from the cup is not harmful because there is alcohol in it and we wipe the chalice. Now we are concerned about the health concerns. My protestant freinds are saying "I told you so."
The bishops of Pennsylvania decided that for the present we shouldn't receive the cup, and that the Peace should be passed with a smile and a nod. I think that's a reasonable decision, and don't mind the temporary change.
I can only wonder what the Orthodox are doing, given that they share a spoon.
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