The threat of the H1N1 virus is changing the ways of the church.
Last weekend, parishioners at Catholic churches in the Valley and those under the direction of the Archdiocese of Hartford were told there would no longer be hand shaking or communal wine during the Mass – until the threat of the H1N1 flu has passed.
Archbishop Henry J. Mansell sent out guidelines to the churches to protect parishioners from contracting the flu.
“As you know, the potential threat posed by the H1N1 virus has become a cause for concern throughout United States and beyond. It is important that we be cognizant of this risk and prepare ourselves to address it,’’ Mansell said in a directive to churches.
Guidelines to be implemented include no longer shaking hands to share the sign of peace during Mass.
Instead people should smile, wave or nod.
Also, there should not be a communal sharing of wine from a cup. Communicants should be encouraged to receive communion in their hand and not on their tongue.
Parishioners are asked not to hold hands during the recitation of the Our Father prayer.
Many churches implemented the changes last weekend and warnings were issued from the pulpit and in church bulletins. Many ministers and priests are already using hand sanitizers on the altar before and after serving communion.
The idea to ban handshaking during flu season is a good one, say officials from the Naugatuck Valley Health District (NVHD), because churches are often crowded and people are often in close contact with each other.
“Any action to reduce any transmission of flu is a good one,’’ said Deborah Horvath, assistant director of community health services for the NVHD.
Horvath said that several years ago, handshaking was banned in church during flu season, but this is the first time she has seen changes to communion and the use of hand sanitizers at churches.
But she said the bottom line is that if you are sick — with fever, cough and body aches — just stay home.
“If you are sick, please don’t go to church and get other people sick,’’ she said.
The Archdiocese of Bridgeport, which oversees Catholic churches in Shelton, has also issued directives, which can be seen at www.bridgeportdiocese.com.
For more information about the flu log on to: www.flu.gov.
