Is anyone changing the way they receive communion because of the swine flu?

[zab]

You will only have something that will spread to others IF you CATCH it… I think that’s the point. So, if you refrain from receiving the blood of Christ… will that help all the others, inside and outside of Mass and the church that will catch it???

Say what? Don’t try to put too much thought into what my reasons are. I am just saying that I am not afraid to receive from the cup. But if I know that I have a bad cold or flu, I will not receive from the cup out of consideration for those who will and the possibility that my germs could infect them.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I work in a very public place. I have five children and ten grandchildren. If I’m susceptible to this flu, and if it spreads to this area (which it most likely will), I’ll get it whether I drink from the chalice or not. Guaranteed.

So, no, my plans won’t change.

 

[Miraluna]

That is my diocese, and I do not even know about it? Oh, don’t I look stupid?

It is my diocese, too. On Monday, we did have both species. I guess, I can just expect the one tomorrow morning. Well, the chalice part of my question has been answered for me.

 

[po18guy]

No. I must trust God, Who gave me life and Who will call it home when He desires.

 

[estesbob]

No. I must trust God, Who gave me life and Who will call it home when He desires.

If you had the Flu would you still recieve from the cup?

 

[pnewton]

I will not refrain from the cup yet. That is about all I can say. My parish is heavily hispanic, many who are new to America, both legally and illegally. I will not refrain only because I am on of the first to receive. I can surely see the prudence in not allowing the chalice if things get bad, especially since there will always be one or two who believe that they should receive even if they are ill. There is almost a superstition that the Chalice is immunion from spreading germs.

 

[redrosetea]

It seems the Govt has guidelines for churches during a pandemic…they might just be suggestions, I am not sure

pandemicflu.gov/plan/pdf/faithbaseedcommunitychecklist.pdf

 

[Charioteer]

No. I must trust God, Who gave me life and Who will call it home when He desires.

I would suggest God gives us everything – including the ability to reason. That’s why we shouldn’t drink from the chalice if we are ill. That would just be wrong.

 

[po18guy]

If you had the Flu would you still recieve from the cup?

No.

 

[po18guy]

I would suggest God gives us everything – including the ability to reason. That’s why we shouldn’t drink from the chalice if we are ill. That would just be wrong.

NOT if I had the flu!!! I am speaking of receiving it in good health.

 

[estesbob]

NOT if I had the flu!!! I am speaking of receiving it in good health.

I suspected that was the case. In my case I never recieve from the Chalice anyway so its not an issue-I am a recovering alchoholic and made the decison 24 years ago to never drink any alchohol again-even that that had been changed to the Blood of Christ.

I am in Mexico now and it is not an issue here as they do not receive under both species.

 

[barb_finnegan]

I will add one thing ----- If you are sick STAY HOME. Stay home from work, shopping and yes, even Church.

I’m in total agreement with this last point. People, let’s use our common sense!

I go to the TLM, and receive Communion on the tongue. The priests distribute it in a way that their fingers avoid touching the tongue.

 

[Cat]

I work in a hospital microbiology lab. It’s been horrible the last few days. This morning when I went to work, I opened the drawer in the frig that contains our send-out tests. The drawer was so full of swine influenza send-outs that I couldn’t even open it. And we’re doing rapid influenza tests along with these send-outs. And we can’t just send out the tests, we have to write out a fairly detailed history, which means that the clinics have to send us the history, or we have to call them and get them to fax the history.

And on top of everything else, we’re having a Strep outbreak.

So many people with runny noses, sore throats, aches, and pains, and so many of these people have some connection with Mexico or with one of the states that has had a case of swine flu. So we have to rule out swine flu.

I feel so sorry for immunocompromised people (cancer, HIV +, Down’s Syndrome, etc.) They must be so afraid.

I wish that the mayor would shut down the city and tell everyone to STAY HOME and get well. Close all the stores, malls, theaters, BARS, tourist sites, etc., and just stay home. And that includes children, too–I know so many people who tell me that they send their children to school if they are sick because they have no choice–no other child-care and no spouse. Yes, we’ve come a long way, baby.

Anyway, what does this have to do with the topic? I’m just asking that all of us cooperate in any way you have to for the sake of all of us who are on the “front lines” trying to fight this thing. It’s exhausting and scary. Our wise Holy Mother Church has given us permission to receive Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament in our hands, and to receive only one species. If your bishop asks people to do this to help contain the spread of the disease, please obey him. It may have nothing to do with the spread of the disease, but at least your conscience will be clear that you have obeyed. Thanks.

Hopefully nothing will come of this scare and in a few weeks, we’ll have an empty drawer in that send-out frig.

As for those of you who scoff at Group A Strep (flesh-eating strain), please don’t. Yes, it isn’t widespread, but when it does strike, it’s awful. The reason it’s not widespread is that Strep is still susceptible to penicillins and cephalosporins, and other antibiotics that can be used by those allergic to penicillin. So many bacteria have developed resistance to antimicrobials, and if GAS were to develop resistance, we would see a whole lot more flesh-eating happening.

 

[MPM]

II had not even thought of the spread of swine flu from communion. I never partake of the wine because of fear of germs but what about the handshake during the sign of peace? This has always been a concern of mine during cold and flu season.

 

[po18guy]

Consider: If we decline to, or are afraid to drink from the cup, we are “sentencing” the Priest or EMHC to drink it all.

 

[Jenny_Z]

Consider: If we decline to, or are afraid to drink from the cup, we are “sentencing” the Priest or EMHC to drink it all.

I’m sure that ones the priests realize that less people are taking the blood, they’ll use less. Some Bishops have already taken the initiative.

And why is that necessarily a bad, horrible thing anyway?

 

[Indyann]

II had not even thought of the spread of swine flu from communion. I never partake of the wine because of fear of germs but what about the handshake during the sign of peace? This has always been a concern of mine during cold and flu season.

Yesterday, the first case of swine flu was confirmed in Indiana.
So needless to say, this is addressed on every local news broadcast.

Each broadcast, usually, has an interview with an official of the State Board of Health. Most address the best way to avoid the spread of the virus.

1. wash hands frequently.
2. STOP shaking hands.

One official asked all Hoosiers to forego shaking hands for the time being.

The Archdiocesan newspaper comes out on Friday. I will be watching to see if this is addressed.

 

[po18guy]

I’m sure that ones the priests realize that less people are taking the blood, they’ll use less. Some Bishops have already taken the initiative.

And why is that necessarily a bad, horrible thing anyway?

IMHO, it is because it is based on fear, rather than faith. According to god’s will, if we are to remain on earth, nothing can kill us. If we are to answer God’s call - nothing can keep us on earth. Jesus knows everything - past, present and future, and yet He instituted the Cup that we drink of it.

 

[Cat]

IMHO, it is because it is based on fear, rather than faith. According to god’s will, if we are to remain on earth, nothing can kill us. If we are to answer God’s call - nothing can keep us on earth. Jesus knows everything - past, present and future, and yet He instituted the Cup that we drink of it.

But we shouldn’t test the Lord. I agree that if the Lord wants me to live, I pick up poisonous snakes and live. But I shouldn’t pick up poisonous snakes just to prove that God will preserve my life! (And as you know, there are Christians who do this.)

If our bishops tell us to do something, we should obey. And if our bishops tell us not to do something, we should obey. So far our bishop has not issued any directions for or against receiving Communion on the tongue or hand, or not shaking hands. I’m guessing that if the news continues to be so gloomy, that he may issue a directive to not shake hands during the Sign of Peace, but to pass the Peace of Christ with a nod and a smile.

 

[pnewton]

IMHO, it is because it is based on fear, rather than faith. According to god’s will, if we are to remain on earth, nothing can kill us. If we are to answer God’s call - nothing can keep us on earth. Jesus knows everything - past, present and future, and yet He instituted the Cup that we drink of it.

This is why I will refrain. It only takes one person who believes that immunity exists in the elements of community to infect everyone. This is also why the Church will have to prohibit the Chalise if this thing worsens.