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Better to miss Mass than spread illness, pastors say

If ill, hold off on drinking from chalice, shaking hands for sign of peace

Published: January 24, 2015   

By Aprille Hanson
Associate Editor

Aprille Hanson
St. Joseph Church in Conway spends about $50 a month to provide hand sanitizer for parishioners and visitors to use during peak cold and flu season.

Our Father who art in … (cough) … heaven, hallowed be thy … (sneeze) … name. Thy kingdom … (Honk!) come, thy will be … (sniff) … done (ugh).

If this is you at Mass, then area priests and the Church agree — stay home and get well. Though many parishioners are dedicated to keeping the Sabbath, Church law does not have specific requirements on coming to Mass when sick.

“My best advice for people who are sick, is that God does not oblige in impossible situations, so if you are sick — not just the sniffles, but genuinely sick — you are excused from the obligation of attending Mass,” said Msgr. Francis Malone, pastor at Christ the King Church in Little Rock.

According to a recent release by the Arkansas Department of Health, “widespread influenza activity is being reported in most U.S. states, with influenza A (H3N2) viruses most common. H3N2-predominant flu seasons have been associated with more hospitalizations and deaths in older people and young children in the past.”

Because one of the flu strands has mutated, the 2014 flu vaccine cannot be 100-percent effective. In fact, the Associated Press reported a recent government study found that this year’s vaccine was only 23 percent effective.

However, those who received the shot will still have protection and if they catch this particular strain, their symptoms likely will not be as severe, said Karen DiPippa, director of Westside Free Medical Clinic, a Catholic Charities program in Little Rock.

“I have had people calling with more flu-like symptoms,” DiPippa said in mid-January.

Though many feel well enough to come to Mass despite a cough, cold or flu, receiving the blood of Christ and shaking hands can put others at risk. A simple nod or a whispered, “I’m sorry, I’m sick” can help curb the awkward moment when a fellow parishioner extends a hand to say, “Peace be with you.”

The same goes for a healthy person who does not want to shake hands with someone who is ill.

“There are a lot of ways to exchange a ‘sign of peace,’ other than shaking hands,” Msgr. Malone said. “So please do not be offended if someone does not offer you their hand during the sign of peace.”

DiPippa said other alternatives include showing a “peace sign” or a fist-bump. According to a study published in the American Journal of Infection Control, fist-bumps spread only one-twentieth the amount of bacteria than a handshake.

And though Jesus is present in the wine, that doesn’t mean it’s a germ preventative. 

“There’s no scientific evidence to say that,” Father Erik Pohlmeier, pastor at Our Lady of the Holy Souls in Little Rock, said of illness not spreading because it’s the blood of Christ. “It doesn’t take away the properties of wine or germs.”

Father Richard Davis is pastor at three small parishes, St. Boniface in Bigelow, about 200 members; St. Elizabeth in Oppelo, about 250; and St. Francis of Assisi in Little Italy, about 75. Especially during the fall and winter months, he’s had to remind his small Catholic communities that part of treating our body as God’s temple means taking the time to heal — away from the sanctuary.

“I would tell them. ‘That’s perfectly OK’ if they’re too sick to come to Mass. They shouldn’t be there, they should be taking care of themselves,” Father Davis said. “I’ve had some of them say that they feel guilty not coming because they’re sick. I say, ‘Well that’s an excuse.’ That person sitting next to you might catch what you got when you do come to worship.”

However, no one can stop a parishioner from coming to Mass, which is why many larger parishes throughout the state have hand sanitizer available.

“More than 75 percent at any given Mass use it,” said Marilyn Moix, sacristan at St. Joseph Church in Conway. “We use a dozen bottles on a weekend; I’m constantly changing them out. During November through February we go through a lot of it. All our eucharistic ministers use it. Before Mass, then before they go to give out Communion they’ll go back and use it again.”

A few years ago, Bishop Anthony B. Taylor advised parishes to take extra precautions to prevent the spread of germs when a flu epidemic was plaguing the country, causing many Arkansas parishes to put out hand sanitizer bottles and take preventative measures.

During that time when the “flu strain was particularly virulent,” Msgr. Malone said he did not offer the blood of Christ to parishioners.

Even after the cup was reinstituted, Msgr. Malone still preaches common sense.

“If you are sick, or recovering from the cold or flu, please do not drink from the cup. And if you are concerned about others drinking before you who might also have a cold or the flu, again, don’t drink from the cup,” he said.

Though many parishes have since gotten rid of the hand sanitizer bottles, Moix said St. Joseph parishioners use them all over the church, including in the main sanctuary and adoration chapel. The church spends about $50 a month during peak cold and flu season on hand sanitizer.

Stopping the spread of germs is not just up to parishioners, but priests as well.

Father Davis admitted with a laugh that when he’s sick Mass “will be a little quicker that’s for sure.”

“I make sure my hands are washed before Mass and when giving out Communion,” he said. Ultimately, whether or not to attend Mass when a virus is wreaking havoc on your body boils down to common sense.

“Use your own judgment,” Father Davis said.

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