(St. Cloud, Minn., October 1, 2009) Most Reverend John F. Kinney, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saint Cloud, has issued guidelines for reducing the spread of the H1N1 Novel Flu virus specifically in parishes and schools. He specifically addresses the use of a common Cup for Communion and physical contact at the sign of peace. Along with the other Catholic bishops in Minnesota, Bishop Kinney issued the directives below, effective immediately, in a letter to clergy this week as a follow-up to an initial letter in May 2009:

For faith communities I make the following recommendations, effective immediately:

1. In accordance with the advice from the Minnesota Department of Health, I am asking parishes, schools, and institutions of the Diocese not to offer the common Cup for Communion at this time. Provisions should be made for those with celiac disease who cannot receive the Host, perhaps consecrating a small chalice for their Communion. Priest celebrants and concelebrants and assisting deacons will continue to receive under both forms, per liturgical norms. Deacons, extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist, and the lay faithful will not be offered the Cup. Not only is there risk of infection from contact with saliva, but also from handing the Cup from person to person.
2. Communion in the hand is better hygiene in this situation; however, Communion is not to be denied to those who choose to receive on the tongue. If the situation worsens, these suggestions will be revised. Other liturgies such as First Communions and Confirmations should follow these suggestions as well.
   
3. Because viruses are transmitted by contact, a verbal exchange at the Sign of Peace is appropriate under these circumstances. The priest or deacon may either omit the invitation: “Let us offer one another the Sign of Peace” or specify a manner of exchange in the invitation, such as: “Let us offer a verbal sign of peace.”
4. Holding hands during the Lord’s Prayer is to be excluded.
   
5. Priests, Deacons, Extraordinary Ministers, Sacristans, Greeters and Ushers are to exercise good hand hygiene, i.e., washing hands with soap and water before and after the liturgy. In particular those distributing Communion should use hand sanitizer before and after Communion. Boxes of tissue and additional hand sanitizer are to be provided in the gathering spaces, restrooms, kitchens or church entrances for those who wish to use them.
6. An announcement should be made at the beginning of Mass regarding these precautions and reminders given prior to the Sign of Peace and distribution of Communion. If you have a website, please post this information as soon as possible.
7. To reduce the transmission of the virus, clean bathrooms more frequently. Disinfect door handles and ask ushers or parish nurses to freshen those areas between Masses. Toys in play areas should be sanitized after each use.

Each pastor has been asked to speak the following message at each Mass:

In light of the concerns regarding the H1N1 Novel flu virus, Bishop Kinney has issued the following precautions for our diocese, effective immediately:

- At the Sign of Peace, a verbal exchange of peace is to be offered rather than a handshake or other contact.

- (If it is your parish’s custom) Holding hands during the Lord’s Prayer is to be excluded.

- In accordance with the recommendations from the Minnesota Department of Health, Communion will be offered to the faithful only under the form of the Host; the common Cup will not be offered until further notice.

- Good hygiene is recommended for all. Hand sanitizer and tissues are available near the church entrances. Please cover your coughs and sneezes.

- Those who are exhibiting flu-like symptoms (fever over 100 with either cough and/or sore throat) are dispensed from attending the Sunday liturgy and asked to stay home. You may participate in liturgy remotely by viewing a televised Mass. Thank you for your cooperation.

Bishop Kinney also urged people everywhere to follow the guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control to help curb the transmission of the virus. Bishop Kinney and his staff will monitor the situation closely and readdress it when it changes.

For more information, contact Rebecca Kurowski, Director of Communications at (320) 251-0558 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

-END-

NOTE: Bishop Kinney lifted all liturgical restrictions February 1, 2010, and reminded faith communities to continue to use good hygiene.