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

[po18guy]

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.

That is why we have been blessed with Bishops. But, it still sounds like we have fear of eternity, doesn’t it?

 

[pray4peace]

I went to Mass this morning, and our pastor informed us that they will not be offering the wine at Mass for the time being, and no Communion on the tongue. I think every parish will do what they feel is best. Many of us did not hold hands during the “Our Father”, or shake hands for “Peace Be With You”.

I am glad they are taking precautions. What are they doing at your church?

Here is the letter from the Bishop:

April 28, 2009

Dear Friends in Christ:

During recent days we have all become aware of the potential danger of the possibility of a serious epidemic of “swine flu” for which there is no vaccination. To assist in preventing the spread of such a possible epidemic, I have asked that each pastor give mindful consideration to the following items:
a. Remind all of our people at Mass to be attentive to the indications
of our public health officials with respect to the transmission of this
flu; and
b. Consider suspending in your parish the reception of the Holy
Eucharist under both species for an appropriate period of time;
c. Ensure that all Eucharistic Ministers use proper hygiene before
the distribution of the Eucharist at masses.
I thank you all for your attention to this matter and ask that you offer prayers for the well-being of those afflicted by this illness and for all public health officials as they guide us in eradicating this threat.
Faithfully in Christ,
Most Reverend Kevin J. Farrell, D.D.
Bishop of Dallas

 

[Jenny_Z]

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 a silly way of thinking.

God wants you to be smart, not throw caution to the wind willy-nilly. Don’t test the Lord they God.

 

[whatevergirl]

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.

 

[whatevergirl]

This is a silly way of thinking.

God wants you to be smart, not throw caution to the wind willy-nilly. Don’t test the Lord they God.

***Don’t drink the Precious Blood, then, but if others choose to…then, that is their choice, too. My husband told me that the ‘regular’ flu takes the lives of over 30,000 people each year…each year! The swine flu is a harsher strain, but no one seems to talk about the regular flu…30,000 people is a lot in one year. There are numerous infectious and contagious diseases that people have carried and passed over the centuries since Jesus instituted His mass…But we have the option of not drinking the Precious Blood right now, if we so choose… ***

 

[redrosetea]

It sounds like the Bishops are using common sense to me…we are not to test God, but to be obedient to his clergy

I was reading all of the things my diocese does in times of flu outbreaks, no hand shakes nor holding hands during the Our Father, no wine is to be offered…the greeters only say hello and are not the shake hands

People distributing the host are to use hand sanitizer before and after communion…God gave us a brain for a reason

 

[whatevergirl]

It sounds like the Bishops are using common sense to me…we are not to test God, but to be obedient to his clergy

I was reading all of the things my diocese does in times of flu outbreaks, no hand shakes nor holding hands during the Our Father, no wine is to be offered…the greeters only say hello and are not the shake hands

People distributing the host are to use hand sanitizer before and after communion…God gave us a brain for a reason

***I agree, if the clergy feels it’s necessary to not offer the Precious Blood at mass, I wouldn’t protest…I follow whatever our local priests and Bishops authorize. We also shouldn’t live in fear though. Cautious, yes, but not fear. ***

 

[redrosetea]

Some people have stronger immune systems than others…there is nothing wrong with avoiding things that can make you sick…Seniors don’t always bounce back from illness like a young person does…any Dr will tell you an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure

 

[whatevergirl]

Some people have stronger immune systems than others…there is nothing wrong with avoiding things that can make you sick…Seniors don’t always bounce back from illness like a young person does…any Dr will tell you an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure

***Yes…the age groups to really be cautious are toddlers, children under 10…and seniors. And people who already have compromised immune systems…I was saddened to hear that a toddler died of this in the U.S., they reported today.

I will be praying that we all follow God’s will …if we do that, we can’t go wrong. ***

 

[benedictgal]

Just a point of clarification. At the point of the distribution of Holy Communion (right after the Consecration), it is no longer wine. It is now the Precious Blood. Let’s try to use the wording that the Church uses.

 

[benedictgal]

Well, this is what our neighboring Archdiocese, of which mine is a suffragen, is doing. According to the San Antonio Express-News:

The Archdiocese of San Antonio on Wednesday urged area parishes to use only bread in the celebration of the Eucharist during Masses due to the swine flu outbreak.

Parishes are being asked to refrain from offering sips of wine along with bread. The wine is usually distributed from a communal chalice.

Of course, I do not expect the secular media to get the terminology right, although responsisble journalism would at least give some explanation of the Church’s theology.

Archbishop Gomez has also asked that folks refrain from exchanging the sign of peace (including embracing). I don’t know if my bishop will do anything yet. We do get a lot the faithful from Mexico who assist at Mass on this side, especially at the Cathedral, since it is blocks away from the pedestrian international bridge.

 

[MPM]

Just a point of clarification. At the point of the distribution of Holy Communion (right after the Consecration), it is no longer wine. It is now the Precious Blood. Let’s try to use the wording that the Church uses.

You are right and I apologize for referring to the precious blood as wine. Having said that, I thought partaking of the precious blood during communion was an option so have never done so. Hope I am correct on this.
As far as holding hands during the Our Father, I never do this since it is not written as such in the missal. I clasp my hands in prayer and so do not deal with holding a strangers hand. Our priest has in the past asked parishioners to not hold hands or shake for the sign of peace if there has been alot of flu going around. I myself have refrained from it if I had a cold, etc.
Yes, many lives are lost during every flu season but this outbreak is different in that it is affecting healthy young people as well as those who have compromised health.

 

[Melissa]

Still, with 100 cases in a population of over 300,000,000 … no, I’m not going to allow the media’s reporting to change my behavior.

Then again, it’s not really an issue in my parish … we normally receive under one species anyway. Occasionally by intinction, even more rarely are both offered to everyone (Maundy Thursday is the only day that I can think of off the top of my head).

 

[Joe_Kelley]

***Yes…the age groups to really be cautious are toddlers, children under 10…and seniors. And people who already have compromised immune systems…I was saddened to hear that a toddler died of this in the U.S., they reported today.

I will be praying that we all follow God’s will …if we do that, we can’t go wrong. ***

Not that it makes much difference, especially to his family, but I read that he was visiting from Mexico. with prayers for him and his family - Joe

 

[Miraluna]

Just a point of clarification. At the point of the distribution of Holy Communion (right after the Consecration), it is no longer wine. It is now the Precious Blood. Let’s try to use the wording that the Church uses.

Try explaining that to a 2.5 year-old. I went up for Communion once while carrying my little one. He asked Mommy what did you drink and I automatically replied it was Precious Blood, Blood of Christ…he then wrinkled his nose and all the way back to our pew he was asking you drank blood, you drank blood. I tried to explain this as best as I could…

 

[brigid12]

I went to Mass this morning, and our pastor informed us that they will not be offering the wine at Mass for the time being, and no Communion on the tongue. I think every parish will do what they feel is best. Many of us did not hold hands during the “Our Father”, or shake hands for “Peace Be With You”.

I am glad they are taking precautions. What are they doing at your church?

Here is the letter from the Bishop:

April 28, 2009

Dear Friends in Christ:

During recent days we have all become aware of the potential danger of the possibility of a serious epidemic of “swine flu” for which there is no vaccination. To assist in preventing the spread of such a possible epidemic, I have asked that each pastor give mindful consideration to the following items:
a. Remind all of our people at Mass to be attentive to the indications
of our public health officials with respect to the transmission of this
flu; and
b. Consider suspending in your parish the reception of the Holy
Eucharist under both species for an appropriate period of time;
c. Ensure that all Eucharistic Ministers use proper hygiene before
the distribution of the Eucharist at masses.
I thank you all for your attention to this matter and ask that you offer prayers for the well-being of those afflicted by this illness and for all public health officials as they guide us in eradicating this threat.
Faithfully in Christ,
Most Reverend Kevin J. Farrell, D.D.
Bishop of Dallas

Maybe I missed it, but I didn’t read where the Bishop requested there be no receiving on the tongue.(?)

 

[benedictgal]

Maybe I missed it, but I didn’t read where the Bishop requested there be no receiving on the tongue.(?)

I did not see the reference either. Incidentally, Archbishop Jose Gomez, the Metropolitan for the Archdiocese of San Antonio, sent a similar letter to his priests. The letter reads, in part, that:

I am requesting that you offer Holy Communion in one species only.

He did not mention that the faithful could not receive Holy Communion on the tongue. Since the letter is in a PDF format, it is kind of hard to type the whole thing out.

He also asked that the faithful refrain from shaking hands or embracing during the Sign of Peace. Above all else, though, he urged the faithful not to panic.

 

[PacoG]

From the Diocese of Brownsville in Texas web page (www.cdob.org)

Bishop Raymundo J. Peña issued some precautionary measures to follow for the participation at Mass during the time of the swine influenza (swine flu).

Priests were asked to do the following:

• Give Holy Communion under the one species of BREAD, exclusively; do not offer the Chalice for parishioners to receive the Precious Blood.
• Give Holy Communion in the hand and not on the tongue.
• Ask parishioners to not hold hands during the Our Father and to not shake hands at the exchange of peace–they may bow to their neighbor or place their hands on each other’s shoulders.
• Ask parishioners to take adequate precautions at home and to see a doctor if they develop any sign of illness (e.g., type of fever or other symptoms).

“We are confident that there is no immediate danger, but it is good to take precautions.”

The Bishop’s spokesman told one of the local TV news reporters that the diocese’s guidelines were promulgated after consultation with the Texas Bishop’s Conference.

There might be some uniformity among the Texas dioceses, or at least in the Galveston-Houston province, in which both Brownsville and Dallas are suffragans.

 

[benedictgal]

From the Diocese of Brownsville in Texas web page (www.cdob.org)

Bishop Raymundo J. Peña issued some precautionary measures to follow for the participation at Mass during the time of the swine influenza (swine flu).

Priests were asked to do the following:

• Give Holy Communion under the one species of BREAD, exclusively; do not offer the Chalice for parishioners to receive the Precious Blood.
• Give Holy Communion in the hand and not on the tongue.
• Ask parishioners to not hold hands during the Our Father and to not shake hands at the exchange of peace–they may bow to their neighbor or place their hands on each other’s shoulders.
• Ask parishioners to take adequate precautions at home and to see a doctor if they develop any sign of illness (e.g., type of fever or other symptoms).

“We are confident that there is no immediate danger, but it is good to take precautions.”

The Bishop’s spokesman told one of the local TV news reporters that the diocese’s guidelines were promulgated after consultation with the Texas Bishop’s Conference.

There might be some uniformity among the Texas dioceses, or at least in the Galveston-Houston province, in which both Brownsville and Dallas are suffragans.

So far, my diocese, a suffragen of San Antonio, has not made any pronouncements. There is nothing in our diocesan website to indicate that any action is taken. For the time being, I will continue to receive on the tongue.

 

[benedictgal]

I just peeked at the website for the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. Cardinal DiNardo has also suspended the distribution of Holy Communion under both species. He is also suggesting, but, not requiring, that communicants receive by hand rather than on the tongue. Again, he is not requiring this, only making a suggestion.

Here is his letter:

diogh.org/SwineFluLetter-DiNardo.pdf

He is my hero!