Stay home or go - Mass question

[JSRG]

I can’t say anything one way or the other as to whether you should go to mass or not–but I will say that if you do, try to sit in places where there aren’t other people; seats towards the front or balcony seats often have few or no people sitting there. This is made easier if you attend masses that aren’t particularly packed.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

I think a question to ask is what if the coronavirus never foes away?

Viruses mutate so it’s likely this one will come and go. Also likely that vaccine research is going into overdrive so we will soon have vaccines for it and it will be more like the flu, the vaccine will prevent some from catching it and cause others to have a milder case.

Half the reason we don’t have a vax already is that the similar diseases SARS and MERS went away quickly and caused a lack of research dollar interest in funding vaccines research in this area. Obviously that’s no longer the case. Money talks.

 

[DisorientingSneeze]

I had planned to go to the earliest mass like we usually do so my pack of wiggly touchers who touch things will have less masses worth of people in the pew before them. We were foiled by daylight savings and deciding everyone should rest as rest seems good for the immune system.

Im going to bring lysol wipes for the pew and hand sanitizer for our hands. Planning to recieve in the hand for the first time in a long time.

 

[Convert3]

Mass this morning was maybe a little more than half the regular numbers. Our county announced late yesterday two presumptive cases of Coronavirus. I guess the word got out.

 

[Allegra]

I’m not sure I’d place much value in the opinion of a doctor that wants to go on the record saying there will never be anything, in the medical world!

 

[Zzyzx_Road]

I’m still going to Mass. I served communion this morning. Bread only, no chalice. So far as I can tell this was optional in my diocese as we don’t have any cases nearby but most pastors here elected to do that. Our pastor has long since asked for the EMHC’s serving bread to use the hand sanitizer behind the altar, that was a result of the 2018-19 flu season which struck here pretty bad. But the chalice was never suspended at that time like it is now. Attendance was off maybe 10%, no one wore masks and a fair number of people were refusing to shake hands.

Got off the phone with a relative back in LA. The LA Archdiocese has officially suspended the chalice and requested everyone to keep their distance and not shake hands during the Sign of Peace.

 

[Johnofendore]

The original commandment still stands: Keep holy the Sabbath day. So, when events arise that mean I am unable to attend Church on Sunday, then I still must keep holy the Sabbath day, but the Lord understands my intention, i.e. I would attend, but for that hurricane; or I have the flu; or I have no other means of getting there, etc. The Lord knows our hearts and our intentions. Few things annoy me as much as people who have the flu attend Church. Charity before piety!! I wonder what notion of God they have, which means they attend even if they make others sick?? Stay home and make a spiritual communion, say your rosary, and read the scriptures; and I know that God will bless you. When you are able to return to Mass: rejoice!

 

[Zaccheus]

I’m 63, have Asthma, heart disease, high blood pressure. I’m going to mass. I will take simple precautions and not shake hands, use hand sanitizer and such.

72, diabetes, respiratory problems. Circumstances alter cases and you need to decide for yourself.
If you must miss Sunday mass for health reasons, maybe weekday mass will still be safe? Or attend late mass on Sunday, where there might be fewer people?

Definitely do what is best for you and your wife! And rest assured that God knows your desire to attend

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want;

Oh yes.

I think it might be a good idea to discuss this with your priest, if it really is a serious issue for you, he could also give you a dispensation if need be

And good advice.

God’s blessing and protection for you.

 

[gracepoole]

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want;

2 he makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters;
3 he restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow
of death,
I fear no evil;
for thou art with me;
thy rod and thy staff,
they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
thou anointest my head with oil,
my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life;
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
for ever.

Forgive me, but I find this kind of post — with no original content or explanation — troublesome. Are you sharing it to claim that God won’t allow anyone to get sick? Or that because we trust God no precautions are necessary? Or that fears of the virus are generally unfounded? Without any commentary or context, it’s hard to know why you’re sharing it.

 

[Mark121359]

Maybe Our Lady can be of some help? After all, she’s our mother!

Pray This Novena for Protection Against Coronavirus| National Catholic Register

 

[gracepoole]

gracepoole:

Forgive me, but I find this kind of post — with no original content or explanation — troublesome.

You are welcome to find “this kind of post” however you like. It speaks for itself, no explanation on my part feels needed.

If it spoke for itself, I wouldn’t have asked. I’m not sure why you feel you can’t simply answer the question?

 

[gracepoole]

I asked what its context was. I don’t think it was me who was “triggered” here… You’ve been here for 2 months. Some friendly advice: other members will have questions from time to time about your comments. The polite thing to do is answer. Or put me on mute, if you prefer.

 

[Thom18]

But you did not simply ask, you got triggered and reacted with all sorts of assumptions. Hence, I don’t feel like entertaining that brand of drama on a Sunday evening. It spoke to a few people, including the OP himself (whom this thread is actually about). Those to whom it didn’t simply moved on. It’s a Psalm for goodness sake. - Peace

Answer the question or leave in peace. You’ve been causing quite a bit of drama yourself

 

[phantom197676]

Thank you for the replies all, Bishop just sent out a memo advising the elderly, anyone with an underlying health condition and those who feel even remotely unwell are excused from the obligation of attending Sunday Mass.

 

[whatistrue]

Our Bishop has done similar. Until further notice, all persons 60 or older, those with a chronic illness, those with immune system deficiencies, and caregivers for the previous groups are dispensed from the Sunday Mas obligation. He also suspended the use of a common chalice and several other instructions that are fairly common for this time. He did not suspend COTT - the advice from the health officials assisting the Diocese was that it did not present a greater risk than CITH.