The bishop made the right decision to suspend the distribution of Holy Communion through the cup, the parishioners at St. Mary’s and St. John the Baptist said after celebrating Saturday Mass.
With widespread reports of H1N1 and other influenza-like illness in Western New York, Bishop Edward U. Kmiec also asked church goers that instead of shaking hands during the sign of peace, they offer a nod or a verbal greeting of peace.
“It’s a proper decision because of the flu epidemic, the pandemic,” said Bill Roussie of St. Mary’s. “It’s a little late in coming given the fact that all sorts of people have already died. I have been taking it, but stopped about a month ago because I thought ‘this is just asking for trouble.’ ”
Trustee Michael Ulrich also stopped taking communion from the cup about a month ago. “It’s a good decision with the situation the way it is,” he said. “Early on, I thought it might have been a little overblown. Now, looking at the statistics it seems as though a pandemic is occurring. To protect everybody it’s a good idea to refrain temporarily drinking out of the same cup.”
St. Mary’s pastor, the Rev. Gary Kibler, told the parishioners to use caution and common sense. The parishioners are accustomed to join hands for the Lord’s Prayer and shaking hands at the greeting of peace and most continued that practice at the 4:30 p.m. Mass.
“It’s best we don’t do that for a couple of weeks so we don’t spread the germs,” said Brent Nicholson of St. Mary’s. “It’s quite serious.”
Carol Milazzo, who normally drinks from the wine cup, said, “It’s okay because just getting the bread is still getting the full Communion. I suppose (the bishop) has to respond to the swine flu.”
At St. John the Baptist, Kevin Clark, a biology teacher at Lockport High School usually drinks from the cup, but agreed with the bishop’s decision. “I teach biology, but I realize it’s probably a necessary thing,” Clark said. “It should be temporary and people won’t be offended because it’s optional whether you do it or not.”
“It’s a good decision right now because there’s been a lot of sickness and that’s one way to spread it,” said Debbie Congelli. “That might be a smart thing to do.”
Kmiec noted that in the past few weeks, there has been dramatic increase in sickness in our Catholic schools and in the workplace. He said, “Based on our consultations with Catholic Health officials and a number of county health departments in Western New York, we feel this is a prudent decision to make at this time. If people are sick, they should stay home. They are excused from their Sunday Mass obligation.”
Kmiec quoted the Catechism of the Catholic Church when he noted, “Since Christ is sacramentally present under each of the species, communion under the species of bread alone makes it possible to receive all the fruit of the Eucharistic grace.”
Changes in the liturgy in the Diocese of Buffalo are in effect until further notice.
Contact reporter Bill Wolcott
at 439-9222, ext. 6246.
Local News
FLU: Catholics accept changes at Mass
Bishop suspends shared Communion cup in wake of flu
- Local News
-
-
Paying Respect
- Sense of resignation escorts AES tax pact
- Town considering WNYLC's request
-
Palace, Hartland get Greenway funding
The Historic Palace Theatre and the Town of Hartland both were cleared Tuesday to receive Niagara River Greenway funding for improvement projects.
The eight-member Host Communities Standing Committee voted unanimously to approve funding requests of $151,000 for the Palace and $244,000 for Hartland, which is planning a multi-phase town park enhancement project.
-
Erie Canal photo contest underway
The seventh annual Erie Canalway photo contest is under way.
Entries are being accepted now through Sept. 7. Winning photos will be published in the 2013 Erie Canalway calendar.
-
Jobless totals drop slightly
Unemployment in the Lockport area decreased slightly last month, but it wasn't because more people are going back to work.
The New York State Department of Labor reported Tuesday about 1,000 city residents were without a job in April, the fifth straight month with over 1,000 unemployed. That was down from the 1,100 it reported in March, however, the number of employed stayed the same at about 9,700 people.
-
Fishing for 'Ultimate' perks
Olcott teaming up with Ontario town in running for Canadian equivalent.
-
Sprinkler work coming
Piping in high school fire sprinkler system will be addressed in July.
-
Willow Street victim identified
The victim of a self-inflicted gunshot wound on Willow Street on Saturday was identified by Lockport Police as Richard Boye, 46.
-
Cutting the travel time
For the most part, there is a lot of planning that goes into traveling. Some like to handle the details on their own, making arrangements on the phone or using travel websites to book hotels, planes, vehicles and so on.
But lately, working with a travel agent is becoming more popular.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Raw Video: 19 Dead in Qatar Shopping Mall Fire
Beryl Makes Landfall on Florida Coast
Service Dogs Help Wash. Soldiers Battling PTSD
Raw Video: Heckler Bursts in on Blair Testimony
Japan Farmers Plant, Seek Radiation-free Rice
UN Blames Syrian Forces for Shelling Houla
Raw Video: Gay Protest Blocked in Moscow
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
