Latest H1N1 Information

Don’t spread the flu! If you are sick with a flu-like illness, stay home. Symptoms of flu include fever (100 degrees F) or chills and cough or sore throat. In addition, symptoms of flu can include runny nose, body aches, headache, tiredness, diarrhea, or vomiting. The CDC recommends that if you are sick, you stay home until at least 24 hours after you are free from fever without the use of fever reducing medicine. If you know you are sick or know that you have an easily communicable disease you are not bound by the obligation to participate in Mass on Sunday. (Code of Canon Law cc 1247-8) Stay at home and return to church when you are well. (For longer illnesses, contact the parish office so that arrangement can be made for someone to bring you Holy Communion.)

The flu season is starting. More than one kind of flu virus will be spreading this season, including seasonal flu and the 2009 H1N1 (Swine) flu. If you get the flu, you can easily spread it to others. Please follow the recommendations of the CDC and health department for everyone’s safety. Wash your hands often, cover your mouth with a tissue or your arm if you sneeze or cough, get a vaccination when available, and stay home when you feel sick.

The Flu is spreading. If you are sick with flu-like symptoms, please stay home. It is important to understand that the Sunday obligation to attend Mass does NOT apply if you are sick or caring for someone who is sick. (Code of Canon Law cc 1247-8)

The Sign of Peace. At the sign of peace we convey peace through Jesus Christ before we share Holy Communion. Remember that there is no single gesture required for this sign. Many people prefer to shake hands while others offer a simple bow. During this time of increased flu activity, please be guided by common sense. No matter the sign offered, “The peace of the Lord be always with you” is appropriate along with the response “Amen.”

What are we asking our Extraordinary Ministers of Eucharist to do to minimize transmission of the flu virus?

We are asking Extraordinary Ministers of Eucharist to:

Thoroughly wash and dry their hands before Mass
Use alcohol based sanitizer immediately before they approach the altar at communion time
Avoid touching face or hands of communicants
Unfold the purificator, and carefully wipe the inside and outside of the chalice rim, rotating the chalice for each communicant. (When the cup is offered.)
If the chalice is offered the ministers are reminded to carefully wipe the inside and outside of the chalice rim and rotate the chalice for each communicant.

Click here for more information about the H1N1 Flu from the Archdiocese.