Published: October 24, 2009 11:38 pm      

FLU: Catholics accept changes at Mass

Bishop suspends shared Communion cup in wake of flu

The bishop made the right decision to suspend the distribution of Holy Communion through the cup, the parishioners at St. Mary’s and St. John the Baptist said after celebrating Saturday Mass.

With widespread reports of H1N1 and other influenza-like illness in Western New York, Bishop Edward U. Kmiec also asked church goers that instead of shaking hands during the sign of peace, they offer a nod or a verbal greeting of peace.

“It’s a proper decision because of the flu epidemic, the pandemic,” said Bill Roussie of St. Mary’s. “It’s a little late in coming given the fact that all sorts of people have already died. I have been taking it, but stopped about a month ago because I thought ‘this is just asking for trouble.’ ”

Trustee Michael Ulrich also stopped taking communion from the cup about a month ago. “It’s a good decision with the situation the way it is,” he said. “Early on, I thought it might have been a little overblown. Now, looking at the statistics it seems as though a pandemic is occurring. To protect everybody it’s a good idea to refrain temporarily drinking out of the same cup.”

St. Mary’s pastor, the Rev. Gary Kibler, told the parishioners to use caution and common sense. The parishioners are accustomed to join hands for the Lord’s Prayer and shaking hands at the greeting of peace and most continued that practice at the 4:30 p.m. Mass.

“It’s best we don’t do that for a couple of weeks so we don’t spread the germs,” said Brent Nicholson of St. Mary’s. “It’s quite serious.”

Carol Milazzo, who normally drinks from the wine cup, said, “It’s okay because just getting the bread is still getting the full Communion. I suppose (the bishop) has to respond to the swine flu.”

At St. John the Baptist, Kevin Clark, a biology teacher at Lockport High School usually drinks from the cup, but agreed with the bishop’s decision. “I teach biology, but I realize it’s probably a necessary thing,” Clark said. “It should be temporary and people won’t be offended because it’s optional whether you do it or not.”

“It’s a good decision right now because there’s been a lot of sickness and that’s one way to spread it,” said Debbie Congelli. “That might be a smart thing to do.”

Kmiec noted that in the past few weeks, there has been dramatic increase in sickness in our Catholic schools and in the workplace. He said, “Based on our consultations with Catholic Health officials and a number of county health departments in Western New York, we feel this is a prudent decision to make at this time. If people are sick, they should stay home. They are excused from their Sunday Mass obligation.”

Kmiec quoted the Catechism of the Catholic Church when he noted, “Since Christ is sacramentally present under each of the species, communion under the species of bread alone makes it possible to receive all the fruit of the Eucharistic grace.”

Changes in the liturgy in the Diocese of Buffalo are in effect until further notice.

Contact reporter Bill Wolcott

at 439-9222, ext. 6246.