Each year we encounter the cold and flu season and it can raise some questions about our worship together:

SHOULD YOU COME TO MASS? The Obligation to attend Mass on Sunday and other Holy Days of Obligation is the ordinary expectation for Roman Catholics (Canon 1247). However, extraordinary circumstances such as sickness excuse the faithful from this obligation. If you suspect you have the flu or are suffering from a serious cold or other contagious illness, please stay at home to care for yourself and to avoid the risk spreading infection to others. Those who are unable to attend Mass due to illness can always participate in Mass by watching The Chalice of Salvation on WWLP 22 at 10 AM on Sunday mornings.
 
HOLDING HANDS DURING THE LORD’S PRAYER: Well-intentioned folks introduced this practice into parishes in the 1980s. Although holding hands can be a beautiful expression of people united in prayer, the gesture is not envisioned as a proper action in any Church documents governing the Sacred Liturgy, and therefore, neither called for nor required.
 
THE SIGN OF PEACE: Please do not take offense should someone choose not to shake hands with you during the Sign of Peace. An appropriate gesture for those who are concerned about spreading the flu virus might be to clasp your hands together or wave and, with a smile, say “Peace be with you”.
 
RECEIVING HOLY COMMUNION: While the Church encourages reception of both Forms at Mass as a fuller expression of the Last Supper, this may not always be possible. If you are feeling sick, if you have a cold sore, or suspect that you might have been exposed to something contagious, please refrain from receiving Holy Communion from the Chalice, and receive only the Sacred Host in your hand, as opposed to on your tongue.  It is never appropriate to dip your host into the cup, as this is considered irreverent and can contaminate the cup.  
 
HEEDING MEDICAL ADVICE: If you’ve been told by your medical advisor that you are particularly susceptible to infection or to complications due to flu in particular, please refrain from practices that might make you sick, including shaking hands, receiving Holy Communion on the tongue, drinking the Precious Blood from the Chalice, etc.