Archdiocese Asks Ill To Forego Rites (Church Tries To Stem Flu Outbreak)

www.TheBostonChannel.com ^ | 6:50 PM EST December 24, 2003 | Jorge Quiroga

[Momaw Nadon]

BOSTON -- As millions of Catholics prepare for the traditional midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, the Boston Archdiocese is making an unusual plea to parishioners.

NewsCenter 5's Jorge Quiroga reported that church leaders are asking anyone with cold or flu symptoms to take certain precautions and avoid some rituals.

The announcement comes days after two elderly men on Cape Cod died of flu complications. But public health officials warn against overreactions saying the cases are not unusual considering the ages of the victims, 89 and 90.

Parishioners attending Christmas Mass are urged not to shake hands as a sign of peace or take communion from the cup if they are not feeling well.

"With the flu the way it has been around here lately, it's probably good advice," said parishioner Tom Colbert.

In the western part of the country, more than 40 children have died from the flu. The outbreak prompted a run on flu shots and church officials there to suspend parts of the mass.

The archdiocese sent a letter all priests in the Boston-area about flu precautions.

"If a person knows that they have a cold or flu and attend the celebration, for the good of others it would be better not to shake hands, but choose another suitable gesture."

The letter continued, "If one is sick, one should not receive from the Cup."

"My reading of the letter was just basically to use common sense as you would in ordinary social situations," said Rev. Robert Vereecke of St. Ignatius Church.

The experts agree and said the best way to protect against the flu is to get the flu shot if you can and practice good hygiene.

"If you have symptoms, stay home. If you have to go out in public, be careful about keeping your hands clean. Hand washing and hygiene are very important, " said Susan MacDonald of Newton-Wellesley Hospital.

MacDonald suggested coughing into a tissue to help keep hands germ-free.

[Momaw Nadon]

FYI and discussion

[livius]

They should just quit giving the communion cup, which isn't part of the Latin Rite anyway. (It's an option which has somehow become standard.)

In terms of gatherings in public places, for heaven's sake, people, trust in God. If it's your time, it's your time. Make your peace with God and go to Mass.

Furthermore, the flu is not the Black Death, which in any case was not spread by going to church.

[EggsAckley]

Yes, well.....I'm STILL staying away from crowds. Maybe it's not the Plague, but I still don't want it.

[netmilsmom]

Ya KNOW! Better they would have excused those with the flu totally. In fact, asked them NOT to come to mass. Geez oh Pete. I just came back from the Children's Mass at 4:00 and we moved around twice because of people coughing and snorting. We finally stood in the back by the door. This is the CHILDREN'S MASS! My kids are 6 & 3. Please, you who feel a need to go to church when you are sick, think about the little ones and go to Mass for Shut-ins on tv. God won't mind and many moms will thank you. (Understand that if a child dies of flu in your church after YOU attended sick, you may have caused it)

[livius]

That's fine. But I don't think the Church should get into scare-mongering.

Father Bob probably just wants another hour or two in front of the TV, resting blissfully in his Barcalounger...

Seriously, when you go back and read the stories of heroic priests, religious and laypeople who confronted outbreaks of invariably fatal diseases for which there was no cure or even alleviation of pain, you realize what faith they had.

[sinkspur]

In terms of gatherings in public places, for heaven's sake, people, trust in God. If it's your time, it's your time. Make your peace with God and go to Mass.

Well, that's mighty thoughtless. If someone has the flu, or flu symptoms, or is even just getting over the flu, they should STAY AT HOME AND NOT GO TO MASS!!

This is a severe strain, and exposing other people to illness is just plain rude.

[netmilsmom]

>>In terms of gatherings in public places, for heaven's sake, people, trust in God. If it's your time, it's your time. Make your peace with God and go to Mass. <<

And when one of my daughters has to be hospitalized because you "Made your peace with God", it will make me feel so much better /sarcasm off/ How about if you think of someone besides yourself? God gave you the knowledge of the spread of illness, a sneeze onto a pew that my three year old touches then rubs her eye, for example. Time for those with flu to use the brains God gave them. Stay home and pray.

[netmilsmom]

God Bless you and Merry Christmas!
You are the voice of reason.

[JoeFromSidney]

Parishioners attending Christmas Mass are urged not to shake hands as a sign of peace or take communion from the cup if they are not feeling well.

If there were a no-handshaking section, I'd sit in it. As for drinking from the cup, I gave that up when AIDS broke out.

[mystery-ak]

Im going to Mass in a few hours...I hope those that are sick stay home....I noticed at Mass last Sun they are still offering the communion cup and shaking hands and hugging....Im sitting in a back pew tonight.

[sinkspur]

We've suspended distributing the Eucharistic Blood in our parish until this flu stuff calms down, starting last Sunday.

No sense is being responsible for spreading it.

[livius]

People who are extremely sick don't have to be excused, they can simply stay home. In many cases, people who are in the coughing phase actually are no longer contagious, but simply have residual congestion. Furthermore, unless your kids have no contact with other kids, they're probably going to get it at some point anyway. Mine got everything, up to and including meningitis.

But if you're really worried, you should probably stay home with your kids and watch the TV mass, because there's no way of guaranteeing that the people around you - even those not coughing and hacking - haven't been infected.

This is a judgment call, and it's up to you.

[livius]

Many people may have the flu and be in the contagious phase but don't even know it when they go to church. You yourself could have it and be spreading it without realizing it.

Quit the handshaking and get rid of the old ladies with the communion cups, and you'll probably be taking the only sensible step you can take.

Otherwise, if you're seriously afraid of the flu, stay home yourselves. I'm sure God will understand. Not that He told me, but I can't believe He wouldn't...

[1stFreedom]

About time. Now if we could do away with the handshake during cold season, it would be great. (Don't you love it when people cough in the hand they offer you?)

[ladyjane]

if you're seriously afraid of the flu, stay home yourselves

I have had the flu for the past 10 days. I've never been sicker. Just when I think I am getting better - it hits me again. The doctor says you're most contagious when you're coming down with it, before you know you're even sick.

[netmilsmom]

Merry Christmas, Lady!!
I'm with you!

[mystery-ak]

Just got back from Christmas Mass...not one prayer offered for peace or our troops in harms way....GRRRRRR!

[netmilsmom]

I'm so sorry.
Your men are in our prayers every night and we did pray for the troops at mass as well.
I know that has to be frustrating for you.

*Big Hug*