Going to Mass and being (possibly) contagious?

[aggiecatholic85]

My husband is a public school teacher, back his first week, and true to form brought back a stomach flu. We’ve been dealing with the throwing up, the diarrhea, and the mild fever since Tuesday (hubby, me and 17 month old). Although yesterday, we were feeling awful, a day of rest, hydration, etc. today, we are feeling great! But I question going to Mass tonight or tomorrow morning because I think we are still contagious (I think standard is 3 days after symptoms cease?). I’m heading to confession (first in line, very few people so small risk of spreading anything, behind the screen, etc.) and plan on asking the priest, but I have a feeling he’s going to tell me to stay home. I’m torn, because I missed last week due to pregnancy complications and don’t want to miss again if I’m feeling ok.

 

[Rence]

I would ask your priest and go with what he says. But that’s just me…

 

[Mrs_Sally]

At the beginning of the school year, I would hate to infect a bunch of people with stomach flu. However, if you are over your symptoms and avoid sharing germs (ie, no shaking hands in the sign of the peace, wash well, use hand sanitizer, etc.) you are probably fine to go to Mass. If you ask the priest though, abide by his decision.

 

[nodito]

Trust your priest. If he leaves it up to you, and you feel up to it, try to pick a less well attended mass, sit far away from everyone else, and don’t shake anyone’s hands.

 

[SMHW]

My husband is a public school teacher, back his first week, and true to form brought back a stomach flu. We’ve been dealing with the throwing up, the diarrhea, and the mild fever since Tuesday (hubby, me and 17 month old). Although yesterday, we were feeling awful, a day of rest, hydration, etc. today, we are feeling great! But I question going to Mass tonight or tomorrow morning because I think we are still contagious (I think standard is 3 days after symptoms cease?). I’m heading to confession (first in line, very few people so small risk of spreading anything, behind the screen, etc.) and plan on asking the priest, but I have a feeling he’s going to tell me to stay home. I’m torn, because I missed last week due to pregnancy complications and don’t want to miss again if I’m feeling ok.

The kind of symptoms you have sound like they are as likely (if not more likely) to be food/water borne than air borne. (You don’t say you are sneezing, coughing, or the like.) If your husband brought it home maybe it was on his hands or school articles? So chances are you are not likely to be spreading germs around so long as you practice good hygiene, (remembering that some surfaces/objects in your home/car like door handles, faucets, light switches, keyboards, telephones, remotes, etc. could be infected.)

But any case… this is one of those, “use the good judgment the Lord gave you” matters. If you think you are likely to be contagious then avoid people.

 

[Peggy_in_Burien]

Please stay home this week and either watch Mass on TV or listen to it on the radio. I don’t think the Good Lord wants you to accidentally infect many more folks with this bug. I for sure don’t want to be sitting next to someone who is sick, as I get hit with these things much worse than some others.

 

[RosalieM]

Definitely check with your priest. If it’s okay, try to sit away from people and not touch anyone. I was in our parish choir with five teachers of young children. I don’t recall ever being sick so often. Pink eye, sore throats and severe colds that were worse than adult colds, a serious rash and an intense bout of flu that defied a seasonal flu shot.
As far as I know, children’s illnesses affect adults more strongly than they do other children.

 

[Bohm_Bawerk]

First of all, going to Mass on Sunday is not really an “obligation” as it is an invitation. And like all invitations, sometimes there are mitigating factors that can prevent someone from accepting the invitation. This seems (to me at least) to be one of those cases.

The Church says authoritatively that someone does not have to attend Mass if they are seriously ill, face adverse weather conditions, have to care for someone, to name just a few.

You can speak about this with a priest for further guidance. If I were you, I would stay at home. You can watch Mass on TV and be there “in spirit”. You need to ask yourself, and I mean this very charitably, whether you want to attend Mass tomorrow out of your love of God, or out of selfishness and pride? By selfishness, I mean not considering the welfare of those around you; by pride, I mean adopting this “warrior mentality” that induces you to think you made it to Mass despite all hindrances. Missing Mass because of illness does not make you any less “Catholic”. If anything, it means you have adopted the virtue of charity and humility. There are a few saints who have stories similar to this. I myself, during the World Youth Day, fasted for stretches at a time but stopped as soon as one of the Sisters told me to - obedience is looked upon more favourably than stubbornness.

I hope you and your family get well soon. You will be in my thoughts.

“Then he said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” (Mark 2:27)