Communion on the tongue - different approach

  • Thread starter Thread starter twf
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
I was addressing a poster’s assertion that the women at the women’s March on March 8 were ‘infected at the March’. Which was only 7 days ago. How can one be sure that people were infected THERE if they are showing symptoms 7–even 6 days actually if this is ‘already being reported, as the symptoms/virus confirmation takes time.

I was NOT addressing the Nursing Home which is an entirely different situation as, so far as these people being in the open air in close proximity to thousands of others, the people in the nursing home were basically indoors and ‘homebound’.

In the latter situation, and among people who were already in the much older ages and with compromised systems due to other health issues, the spread and severity of symptoms would be quite different than among a much larger group of people who were more likely to be younger and not to have preexisting health issues.
 
Last edited:
I wonder why there can’t be a kneeling line at all times. I prefer COTT when possible, but it sure would be easier if I could kneel. I think easier for any ministers of communion (ordinary or extraordinary) as well.
Why not just have one"station" with an individual kneeler (or two)? And preferably an ordinary minister of communion.
 
Last edited:
Not all churches have individual kneelers and, at any rate, these would have to be put out and taken away before and after communion. Altar rails would help but again this depends on the design and layout of the sanctuary. As far as ordinary versus extraordinary minister is concerned, there is absolutely no difference (objectively at least) - still the same Jesus regardless of who’s distributing it.
 
InThePew said:
Not all churches have individual kneelers and, at any rate, these would have to be put out and taken away before and after communion.
Click to expand...
That’s what my priest is planning for Good Friday as we cannot kiss the cross. Washing of the feet has been cancelled too.
 
stpurl said:
In the latter situation, and among people who were already in the much older ages and with compromised systems due to other health issues, the spread and severity of symptoms would be quite different than among a much larger group of people who were more likely to be younger and not to have preexisting health issues.
Click to expand...
No question at all. However, given the 6 degrees of separation, it is going to take a bunch of time before we can really determine what subsequently happens because of the gathering. And as far as “how long anything takes” - from exposure to being a transmitter and to having symptoms, no one seems entirely clear.

Part of the Kirkland issue is not the elderly who died; it is the number of staff showing symptoms; out of 180, 70 appear to be infected. It is entirely possible some of the staff will not transmit to anyone else. The rest? Ah, I am not so sure. The, again I am about 225 miles south.
 
I just hope the Easter vigil mass is back on and divine mercy sunday.
 
Also Windex. 👍
[/quote]

Vicks Vapo-Rub was the all-purpose go-to OTC medication in my home growing up. My mother even consumed small amounts of it on occasion, to address throat and sinus problems. She is 89 and in very good health for her age, so obviously it’s something that can’t hurt you (just take this as an anecdote, not medical advice 🤒).

Windex is great for many kinds of home cleaning. It’s clean, easy to apply, doesn’t smell bad, wipes down easily, and leaves things sparkling. I love the stuff!
 
Yes, those who received on the tongue did so kneeling at the altar rail. And they were strict about it… I saw one woman approach the rector in the middle aisle line and attempt to receive on the tongue… he politely but firmly directed her to the side altar rail to receive in the “tongue only” line.
 
just out of curiosity, what happened if more than 250 people showed up?

I am still debating if I will go to our evening mass, have been getting over a cold, so I may not, but I expect these directives wil last over several weeks
 
Not meaning to be disrespectful, but would it be ok for you to put gloves on before attending to the people wishing to receive on the tongue?
 
twf said:
It’s not airborne. Coughing and sneezing, yes, as it passes in water droplets… but mostly it’s going to be touch. You touch something and then touch your face.

Unless there’s been new groundbreaking science on this that I’m not aware of? The experts have been saying it’s not airborne.
Click to expand...
It’s not airborne for long since it’s contained in water droplets and does NOT come out aerosolized from a person’s breath, cough or sneeze. Hence it can only travel about two feet from a person’s breath, about four feet if the person cough and maybe eight feet in the person sneeze’s but that’s about it.

Hence the recommendation of “social distancing” staying about 6 feet (2 meters) away from other people. But really one needs to stay that far away from people who are sneezing or a persistent cough.

According to the World Health Organization, most of the transmissions have occurred by someone touching a contaminated object and then touching their mouth, nose, eyes or food with their now contaminated hand or with someone who was is close contact with an infected person who was NOT asymptomatic. According to the World Health Organization those who are infected but are asymptomatic are at low risk to spread the disease.

Simply stated: if you’re sick (fever and/or coughing, sneezing, feeling miserable), PLEASE stay home.

For those who aren’t sick, just try to stay away from people who are coughing and sneezing and wash your hands frequently (or use a hand sanitizer) especially before eating ANY food.
 
We’ve stopped public Sunday Mass altogether in Québec. Honestly, whether there are 249 people in a church, or 251, isn’t going to make a bit of difference. Stopping Mass altogether us the only way to avoid the virus at Mass.

Québec has also ordered all bars, pubs and public venues closed. Restaurants may remain open but at half capacity with patrons at least a metre apart.

I doubt you can assure one metre separation in a church whether there are 249 or 251 parishioners.

We need to get serious about this. So far only 35 cases on a population of 9 million, but if you look at the progression, it is exponential over the last few days.

I’m 61 and diabetic and public health authorities suggest I should only go out if absolutely necessary.
 
Last edited:
neophyte said:
40.png
Shakuhachi:
I don’t know. The virus is airborne. It doesn’t require contact. Breath is sufficient.
Click to expand...
No, “airborn” does not mean that breath alone is sufficient. The vector is atomized droplets from coughing or sneezing, not vapor from the lungs.

Wash your hands well and often. Don’t rub your eyes, don’t pick your nose. Minimize contact with things like door knobs, handrails, hymnals, collection baskets or the like. If you’re coughing or sneezing, wear a face mask.
Click to expand...
If you’re coughing or sneezing, please, PLEASE stay at home!

(It don’t matter if you might have the coronavirus or not. Now is not the time to get other people sick even if it’s only a common cold or a less virulent flu.)
 
Last edited:
Mr.Phoenix said:
40.png
InThePew:
Not all churches have individual kneelers and, at any rate, these would have to be put out and taken away before and after communion.
Click to expand...
That’s what my priest is planning for Good Friday as we cannot kiss the cross. Washing of the feet has been cancelled too.
Click to expand...
That’s absolutely ridiculous and shows a complete misunderstanding how the COVID-19 coronavirus is transmitted. The only additional safety step my church is adding in regards to the washing of the feet is after it’s done the priests will go back in the sacristy to wash their hands and then continue on with the liturgy.

(And of course, those selected to have their feet wash cannot be showing any sign of being physically ill.)
 
FiveLinden said:
Not meaning to be disrespectful, but would it be ok for you to put gloves on before attending to the people wishing to receive on the tongue?
Click to expand...
Sure - it happens all the time in hospitals: gloves, gown, the works. thing is though that that’s for one person. For gloves to be effective, they’d have to be changed between each communicant.
Mr.Phoenix said:
That’s what my priest is planning for Good Friday as we cannot kiss the cross. Washing of the feet has been cancelled too.
Click to expand...
Tbh I hadn’t actually turned my mind to Holy Week (other than distribution of communion) until I saw this post. I don’t believe there’s any reason to skip the washing of the feet (which is, after all, a very important part of the Mass of the Lord’s Supper) but I will have to tell the people that the cross should only be venerated through touching and not kissing.
 
otjm said:
no symptoms
Click to expand...
Please note that “no symptoms” does not equal “not infected”. That’s what they mean by incubation period; the amount of time between exposure and symptoms appearing (if they actually ever do; some never feel sick but are still infected and contagious), which is around 14 days for this virus.
 
We don’t have a Deacon, but we did the same thing at my parish with an experienced EMHC.

Seems like a good solution. We had 2 or 3 people at the Mass I attend take advantage and they were very happy that their needs/desires were also respected.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top