Cold & Flu Season Precautions (Updated 2-10-2020)
Dear Parishioners,
Statistics on Illness
We are now in the middle of the cold and flu season. As such, I believe we need to be mindful of the health risks that that can impact us and put into place guidance that will reduce the risks. The data from Oregon’s Health Authority which tracks flu stats reported that influenza and related illnesses is currently three times higher than the during rest of the year. They qualify Oregon to be at a “Moderate Level.” The peak for reported illness was in the final days of December, though there have been three influenza outbreaks reported in Oregon this month. The wellbeing of our parishioners is my concern. So in that vein I offer these thoughts.
Ways to Avoid Illness
Common known methods to reduce potential illness are 1. Wash your hands, 2. Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth with dirty hands, 3. Avoid sick people, 4. When coughing, cover your mouth and wash your hands immediately, and 5. Disinfect surfaces as needed. These are all common sense things. The most at-risk are our young and old.
Missing Mass
Common sense would say that if you are experiencing symptoms and/or you think you may be contagious, please stay home which would include avoiding going to Mass. If you do have to stay home from Mass, attempt to listen or watch Mass via various media outlets such as radio, TV, and internet streaming. Websites such as ewtn.com or catholictv.org are good options via a web browser. If those don’t work, consider spending an hour in prayer and reading the Scriptures for that weekend. In lieu of not being able to receive the Eucharist that Sunday, spend time in prayer asking God for the grace that you would have received if you had attended Mass and received the Eucharist. This is called a “Spiritual Communion.” Here’s a good prayer in this regard by St. Alphonsus Liguori:
My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You.
Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.
Office of Divine Worship Recommendations (#10-#13 added 2-10-2020)
The Office of Divine Workshop issued some recommendations during the cold and flu season:
While communion under both species has “a more complete form as a sign when it is received under both kinds,” [GIRM 281], it is not always necessary or advisable.
It is left to the prudent judgment of the pastor whether communion under both kinds should be offered during a period in which there is a high incidence of colds and the
If Communion under both kinds is retained those who are not feeling well should refrain from receiving from the chalice, and should receive Holy Communion under the form of bread alone to avoid transmitting any illness.
Due to the fact that our hands are often transmitters of the cold and flu, care should be taken that:
No one should ever be permitted to self-intinct (dip) the consecrated host into the Precious Blood. The practice is prohibited by law and its result can be the unknowing transmission of illness.
In place of the regular way of offering the sign of peace a nod of the head and a verbal greeting of peace rather than the shaking of hands during this cold and flu season may be used.
Holding hands during the Our Father should be discouraged.
Those who are Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion in the parish church or those involved in ministry to the homebound should take special precautions. They should heed all health directives and frequently wash their hands, avoiding contact with others, especially those most susceptible to illness.
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion who are feeling unwell or have any symptoms of illness should excuse themselves from this ministry.
Catholics who are ill are excused from Sunday worship out of respect and concern for their fellow worshipers. Catholics who are ill are encouraged to make a spiritual communion during the time of their illness.
Parishes who cease the distribution of Holy Communion under both species during the winter period should take the opportunity to catechize the faithful regarding the Church’s teaching about the Most Holy Eucharist, especially regarding the true, real and substantial presence of Our Lord Jesus Christ under either species.
For more information please refer to the document Communion under Both Kinds which can be found of the Office of Divine Worship webpage.
Given the outbreak of the coronavirus the Office of Divine Worship has consulted the State of Oregon Office for Public Health Practice. Scientific consensus seems to be that although bacteria & viruses can be found on the communion cup, despite wiping and able to survive the alcohol, the risk of transmission is thought to be low. However, the cessation of the distribution of Holy Communion from the Chalice would significantly lower the risk.
It is important ensure that those who receive or distribute for the Chalice are free from any symptoms of infection. Some advice from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) “Churches may wish to consider advising their congregation that sharing the communion cup is discouraged if a person has an active respiratory infection (i.e., cold or flu) or moist or open sores on their lips (e.g., herpes).”
“We have thousands of cases of influenza and many hundreds of hospitalizations from influenza right here in the Portland area this year. And we have zero cases of this Novel Corona virus. Right now, a bigger threat to all of us is influenza.” - Medical Director of Communicable Disease and Immunization for the Oregon Health Authority.
This Office would reiterate that Holy Communion under both kinds is not mandatory at any Mass in the Archdiocese of Portland.
What Will We Be Doing?
During Mass, be mindful of the times when you might hold or shake someone’s hand. Since this is a common way of spreading illness, consider IV B and C above. I like to offer what I call, “A papal wave,” whereby I stretch out my hand in greeting instead of shaking hands.
Regarding the Communion Rite at Mass, we will rescind the use of the chalice until at least through February and likely through March. We will also communicate what regulations will be in place when March arrives. While we appreciate the full sign of offering both species at Mass, we all need to remember that the “whole Christ is present under either species” (Summa Theologiae, III, q. 80, a. 12, ad 3). So, under the species of bread there is also present, by concomitance, the precious blood.” (Doctrinal Formation and Communion under Both Kinds, Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon, Dec. 2017).
In addition, when receiving the Host, please pay attention to how you receive whether in the hand or on the tongue. If you choose to receive on the tongue, be mindful to properly stick out your tongue and not to lean into the Host minister. It is not uncommon for a communicant’s tongue to touch the priest or Extraordinary Minster’s finger(s) when offering the Host and then, when the minister offers another host to the next communicant, the minister may transmit the saliva to that next communicant. With this in mind, all Host ministers have been carrying, since a year ago, a Purificator to wipe their fingers if such contact occurs. If you receive in the hand, please make sure you have washed your hands beforehand and be mindful of how you offer the Sign of Peace just prior. I recall once an Altar Server sneezing into his hand then, ruching out to shake mine at the Sign of Peace. I tried to gracefully wave and then ask him to go wash his hands before he does anything else. This advice is also recommended for all Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion at Mass or when offering communion to the homebound.
Thank you for your understanding in advance, as this is a prudential judgement based solely on my concern for the wellbeing of us all. Stay healthy!
Blessings,
Fr. William Holtzinger
Pastor