GREENSBURG, Pa. — The bishop of the Greensburg Diocese is recommending some changes to weekly Mass rituals until this dangerous flu season is over.
Bishop Edward Malesic started his letter to priests with a prayer for the sick, but followed with a list of recommendations to make sure more parishioners aren't getting the flu from Sunday service.
Westmoreland County is one of the areas hit the hardest by the flu season in Pennsylvania.
More than 1,500 people have tested positive for the flu so far in Westmoreland County alone.
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The bishop is recommending some changes to weekly Mass rituals until this dangerous flu season is over.
In Wednesday’s letter, he suggested priests tell parishioners to exchange the sign of peace by speaking only without actually shaking hands.
He also recommended not drinking wine from the chalice during communion.
He also is asking ushers and greeters to hold open doors at the beginning and end of Mass to prevent people with illnesses from touching the doors themselves and contaminating those public surfaces.
“Use some of these common-sense approaches. If you are sick you can stay home from Mass; don’t come in obviously if you have the flu,” said Jerry Zufelt, the diocese spokesperson.
The bishop says he and other diocesan officials will continue evaluating practices throughout the flu season.
If this spread continues, they could take other preventive actions to keep the flu from spreading in Mass.
Cox Media Group
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