H1N1 Reccomendations from the Bishop
ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF PROVIDENCE OFFICE OF THE BISHOP
TO: Pastors/Administrators of the Diocese of Providence
FROM: Bishop Thomas Tobin
DATE: October 29, 2009
RE: HlNl Flu (Swine Flu)
====================================================
I know that we are all very concerned with the rapid spread of the HlNl Flu (Swine Flu). As pastors committed to promoting and protecting the well-being of our parishioners, we need to be as cautious and prudent as possible in responding to this threat, which has proven to be very serious, even fatal, in certain circumstances, especially for children and youth.
Since conditions vary widely from one locale to another, I believe that the most effective approach is at the level of the local parish. Nonetheless, during the Swine Flu epidemic (and during other times of widespread health concerns) I strongly recommend that you consider taking the following actions:
• During the Eucharistic Liturgy, the Sign of Peace need not be announced or exchanged. (As you know, that is always optional in the liturgy.) If it is announced, parishioners should consider avoiding handshakes, embraces, and other physical contact. A simple gesture, or even a silent prayer, could easily suffice. Likewise, if your parish is in the habit of holding hands during the Lord's Prayer, this practice should be eliminated.
• If your parish has the laudable practice of distributing Holy Communion under both species, the distribution of the Precious Blood of Christ in the chalice should be discontinued for the time being.
• Those who are distributing Holy Communion should be especially mindful of the particular need for personal hygiene before the distribution of Holy Communion. It is permissible to use hand sanitizer before Mass or even immediately before Holy Communion is distributed.
• You might want to consider having hand sanitizer easily available at the doors of your church, school, or other public buildings.
• If the parish has a school, and for all programs of religious education and youth ministry, please follow very carefully the directives of the Department of Health.
• Parishioners who have symptoms of illness should be very careful to avoid any physical contact that might share the virus with others. Likewise, parishioners should be reminded that if they have symptoms of illness they are dispensed from attending Holy Mass on Sundays, and in fact should not attend Holy Mass. This is an obligation in charity that parishioners should take very seriously.
• Finally, but certainly not least in importance, we approach this crisis as we approach everything in life, from the perspective of our faith and in prayer. Please ask the Lord's protection upon our community during this time of widespread illness. You might want to offer a parish Mass for this intention. The Sacramentary has special prayers "For the Sick," and "For Any Need" that would be very appropriate. Also, please include a petition in the "General Intercessions" for this intention.
• Let us be united in prayer the peaceful of repose of a beautiful young lady, Victoria Sousa of Bristol and a student at St. Philomena School who passed away as a result of the H1Nl Virus, and her family and friends who mourn her loss, and all those who have been and will be affected by this very difficult health crisis.
(For additional information, please log onto the Diocese of Providence’s H1N1 webpage at http://www.dioceseofprovidence.org/?id=355)
