One of my closest friends is a non-Catholic who married a lovely Catholic girl from my last parish. Because he works in a lab and is scientifically minded, he once commented to his wife that the sign of peace was quite the exercise in herd-immunity. When she pointed out that hundreds of people also drink from the same few cups at every Mass, he was even more impressed/concerned. Along these same lines, I have found in the last few years that every practical challenge in the Church seems to get entangled with a thousand political and pragmatic concerns. I remember as an associate doing something as simple as upgrading the patens we used to distribute the host turning into the beginning of a debacle, and it took the deft touch of the pastor to restore peace to the parish. So as the region undertakes some precautionary measures to curb potential spread of the coronavirus, which has recently been confirmed in Ohio, I think it’s important to do everything possible to hear people’s concerns as well as address the spiritual side of Communion distribution as well.

On the practical side, we are going to modify our celebration of the Mass in the following ways:
 
- For an as yet undetermined length of time, we will be suspending distribution of Communion under both species. That is to say, we will not be distributing the chalice until further notice. If you or someone in your family only receives from the chalice for health reasons, please inform me or the office as soon as possible so that we can
consecrate a separate chalice for this purpose.
 
- We will no longer extend the sign of peace, which it should be noted, is an optional rite in the ordinary form of the Mass. This is not an attempt to destroy the sense of community that exists in our parishes, but rather is just a practical step for the time being. We also ask that you refrain from the usual hand-shaking and physical touch that the region typically does just before Mass starts.

From a spiritual standpoint, this seems like as good a time as any to remind folks of the Church’s teachings on the worthy reception of the Eucharist. The Church requires us to make a good confession and Communion at least once a year.
In some corners of the Church this practice has largely been lost or forgotten, and it’s a true obstacle to growing in holiness. Many people are unaware of this through no fault of their own, but any time we are aware of grave sin in our lives,
we should avail ourselves of the sacrament of reconciliation to make sure that nothing stands between us and the graces God wishes to give us in the Eucharist.
 
In both cases, the practical and spiritual, we should avoid overreaction or panic. Practically, in charity we should do everything we can to prevent the spread of illness not only for our own sake, but for the sake of our neighbors. Spiritually, even if it has been decades since our last trip to the confessional, God’s mercy is waiting for us simply to ask and receive. During this Lenten season,as we seek to cut out the unnecessary attachments in our lives, we should also be seeking out opportunities to take advantage of God’s grace and mercy.
 
Prayers always,
Fr. McC