Regarding the Coronavirus

Please Refer to Father Nathan's Blog Post regarding the Coronavirus here...
https://exsulare.com/2020/03/01/safe-from-all-distress-christian-perspective-on-the-coronavirus-threat/

Sunday, March 1^st, 2020
The First Sunday of Lent
 
Regarding Communion at Mass and the Sign of Peace
in Light of the Concerns Over the Coronavirus
 
Dear Friends at Saint Frances Cabrini Parish and Saint Mary’s Immaculate Conception Parish:
 
Praised be Jesus Christ!  Several of you have raised concerns with me in recent days about your personal level of discomfort with the exchange of the sign of peace at Mass, and also with receiving the Precious Blood from the Communion chalices due to heightened public sensitivity right now over the Coronavirus. 
 
As of this writing there is still much that we do not know about this virus in comparison to the customary illnesses we contend with, especially this time of the year, and there is a great deal of concern that has been raised in the media over this virus.  We also are aware of media reports of very strong measures of public control being taken by other locations and nations to deal with this virus.
 
Therefore, it makes sense that these topics of hygiene sensitivity that relate to our celebration of Mass are on people’s minds in a very heightened way right now.   We can all pray that as time passes and more information becomes available to us, the heightened anxiety level will diminish, and that we will all remain as healthy as possible.
 
In the meantime, Father Andrew and I have made the decision that until further notice, we will not be offering the Precious Blood during any of the Masses at our two parishes.  We will also be omitting the Sign of Peace.
 
The offering of the Precious Blood to the assembly (beyond just the priest himself) at Mass is a great blessing, however in the Catholic understanding of the Eucharist, it is not a requirement. The fullness of the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ is available in only the Host, or only the Precious Blood.  Indeed, for most of the Church’s history, only the Host was offered at Masses.
 
Precisely because we hold the gift of the Precious Blood in its sacramental form with such high regard, it is a disservice to the respect that we all have for our Lord to offer the Precious Blood when many feel such an understandable pressure right now not to receive it.  We do not want to put people into a spiritually uncomfortable position of having to walk past the chalice out of nervousness, nor do we want to make people feel as though they must receive it, in a time of heightened hygiene sensitivity, just because it is offered.  It is also very difficult right now to find Extraordinary Ministers of the Chalice due, it seems, to the same heightened sensitivity.   Without sufficient ministers, there is a great challenge of consuming all the Precious Blood that is left over because it cannot be simply poured down a drain, even the special drain in the Sacristy.
 
In light of these challenges, out of respect for the Sacraments that I know we all share, it seems more appropriate right now to refrain from offering the Precious Blood rather than pressuring people to distribute it or receive it.  
 
The sign of peace at Mass is also, strictly speaking, an optional component of our liturgy according to the instructions in the Roman Missal.  We are very accustomed to it in this part of the Catholic world, and many of us have a great love for the fellowship in the Lord that it symbolizes, so it may seem odd to consider it optional.  However, it is optional, and the same pressures that come to bear on receiving the Precious Blood right now also seem to be impacting people’s willingness to share the sign of peace.  Out of respect for that sensitivity, until further notice we will discontinue it in the exchange of peace.   If perhaps a visiting priest is celebrating the Mass and he does not omit it, anyone attending Mass can feel free to engage the gesture in any manner they feel comfortable.
 
These changes are effective immediately, beginning Sunday the 1 ^st of March, 2020.
 
I am aware that these steps run the risk of only fueling the public anxiety already surrounding this whole situation, and for that I am sorry.  However, in the face of what is becoming such high and widespread cultural pressures on these things, I do not have the ability to adequately protect the respect we owe to the Precious Blood to offer it liturgically.  Much the same can be said for the sign of peace.  Hopefully we will soon be in a social position of greater safety that we will be able to reevaluate the necessity of these changes.   No one knows right now when that point will come.  Between now and then, your understanding and cooperation is much appreciated.   Please do not hesitate to ask us if you have any concerns or questions.
-Father Nathan