Catholic Church: Don't come sick to church

[Potemkin]

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcont...11dd67872.html

Catholic Diocese of Dallas: Don't come to church if you feel ill

05:47 PM CDT on Tuesday, April 28, 2009

By SAM HODGES/The Dallas Morning News
shodges@dallasnews.com

The swine-flu scare has prompted a number of recommendations from the Catholic Diocese of Dallas, including a big one about attendance at Mass.

“If you are not feeling well, especially during this time of concern, please stay at home and do not risk spreading infection to others,” said the Rev. Michael Dugan, the diocese’s director of the Office of Liturgy, in a statement posted on the diocese Web site.
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Father Dugan added that parishioners who do attend Mass while feeling under the weather should bow or wave during the “passing of the peace,” rather than shake hands with pew neighbors. Those who extend a hand and have it refused should not be offended, given the circumstances, he said.

The diocese also posted on its Web site a letter from Bishop Kevin Farrell, who said he has encouraged priests to consider suspending the use of wine during communion, since it’s offered from a common cup.

Bishop Farrell also said he has asked the priests to be sure that all Eucharistic ministers use “proper hygiene” when distributing the bread or host during communion.

At the Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe, in downtown Dallas, priests already had been equipped with hand sanitizers. But now those have been placed at the doors of the doors of the cathedral for parishioners’ use, said Sandra Cortinas, director of business administration.

The Diocese of Dallas covers nine counties, and has an estimated Catholic population of 1.1 million, in more than 70 parishes.

[Darkimbolc]

The Catholic Church is actually doing something intelligent and rational!?

[lilly]

They don't want to lose parishoners. The Catholic churches in our area are booming.

We have a thriving population of Latinos who are ardent church goers. Women, men and their children.

Most manual jobs, gardening in particular for large spreads are young latino men. The exact age group that is most at risk for dying.

[CanadaSue]

Attending religious services during a time of 'plague' is insane. I can think of few faster ways to infect a lot of people.

Services of all denominations are televised today. I'll admit it's not ideal for ardent practitioners but it's better than not worshipping at all & better than going.If you're not sick, someone else in the pews might be.

[Old Hawk]

Fastest way is sending kids to school Sue. We are thinking about when to pull that plug.

In the family we have little ones in nursery and biguns in university and others in between.

OH

[CanadaSue]

Thankfully our daughter just graduated from her college program & both brats are out of school until September. But 2 of the 3 will be working 'classic' jobs leading to transmission - a hotel & a base full of young soldiers in barracks.

Groan

[Ross]

If the churches put human welfare above other motives they would
say "stay home" .

Talking about other motives , I imagine church finances are going to take
a major hit . Increased requests for help , decreased parishoner ability to
pay , decreased attendance and decreased return on investments.

No upgrade of the pope-mobile this year folks.