Diocese adjusts service due to flu

OGDENSBURG —For the first time in its history, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Ogdensburg has suspended parts of the Eucharist and the practice of shaking hands to safeguard against the spread of the flu.

While celebrating Mass, the diocese will stop offering communion wine, which is typically given in a communal cup, and parishioners will no longer shake hands during the sign of peace. Priests also will start giving communion bread in the hand and not on the tongue.

The Rev. Douglas J. Lucia said there has been more sickness in the eastern part of the diocese, but the decision was made Tuesday to change the Mass service at all 105 parishes.

"Especially over in Plattsburgh they seem to be having a more serious time of it, so we decided we'd put the regulations in effect for everyone," Father Lucia said. "I think the church is just being proactive. There have been some of the lay faithful that have been concerned because of the H1N1 in particular and this is to help alleviate that fear at this time."

Priests will clean and change water in the holy water fountains weekly, and the sign of peace will be replaced by a moment of silent prayer or, hand waves and head nods to neighbors, diocese officials said.

"Those practices are suspended until we see that the flu threat is over. Like anybody else, we don't know how long that's going to last," Father Lucia said.

Catholic schools in the diocese have not been hit particularly hard by the flu, but officials continue to urge students and all parishioners to wash hands regularly and stay home when sick, Father Lucia said.

Episcopal churches also celebrate communion with bread and wine and shake hands during services, but the Central New York and Albany dioceses have not asked churches to change their service.

"What we are doing is asking people to use their common sense, to avoid church when they are not feeling well and all Eucharist ministers are using hand sanitizers," said the Rev. Clarke French, rector of Trinity Episcopal Church, which serves about 300 families in the Watertown area.

"That could change. We could get a directive to do something similar to what the Diocese of Ogdensburg has done," he said. "Anything is possible."