Diocese ramps up recommendations for what to do at Mass

As the coronavirus continues to spread in the United States, particularly in New York State, the Diocese of Albany increased precautions on how to combat the virus while at Mass.

After releasing guidelines on March 4, the Diocese added further restrictions on Tuesday, March 10. They include:

•  A diocesan-wide suspension, until further notice, of distribution of the Eucharist from the chalice/cup. (Receiving the host alone imparts all the graces of the full reception of the Eucharist under both forms.) In addition, Catholics are advised to receive Communion in the hand rather than on the tongue. Parishes have been asked to make provisions for those who are unable to receive even a low-gluten host.

•  A Diocesan-wide suspension, until further notice, of the physical sign of peace. People may still, for example, turn to each other and say, “Peace be with you.”

•  Until further notice, holy water fonts are to be emptied and changed regularly. As a further precaution, they may be emptied or removed, if this is judged to be prudent and necessary.

•  Further updates will be given as and when the situation changes.

On March 4, following the lead of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), the Diocese issued these recommendations to parishes, which are still to be followed:

•  Assure the faithful that if they are sick or are experiencing symptoms of serious illness they are not obliged to attend Sunday Mass, and, out of concern for others, ought not to attend.

•  Ask everyone attending Mass to sanitize their hands as they come into church using sanitized gel dispensers. These should be made available at entrances. 

•  Ensure ministers of the Eucharist sanitize their hands before and after distributing Communion. This can be done by washing hands thoroughly (for 20 seconds at least with soap and water) before proceeding to the sanctuary or using good quality hand gel.

•  Ensure regular cleaning of surfaces people touch regularly, including door handles.

From Charlotte, N.C., to Honolulu, diocesan officials were implementing general steps recommended by the USCCB’s Committee on Divine Worship to limit the potential spread of illness during Mass. By March 10, the coronavirus had reached at least 115 countries, including the United States; and health officials in the U.S. confirmed over 700 cases of the illness in 36 states, including at least 22 deaths.

Worldwide by March 10, more than 116,000 cases and 4.091 deaths have been attributed to the coronavirus, with most in China, the epicenter of the outbreak.

In New York State, as of March 10, there were 142 confirmed cases — the second most of any state behind Washington — including two in Saratoga County. The majority of cases were in Westchester County with 98 confirmed cases. Nassau (17), Rockland (four), Suffolk (one) and Ulster (one) all had positive cases with 19 people testing positive in New York City. Scarsdale Public Schools in Westchester County announced on its website that all district schools will be closed until March 18 after a teacher tested positive for the virus.

“These guidelines will be under continuous review, in keeping with updated recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and other health and governmental agencies,” the diocesan statement said. “If the status of the virus changes, precautions will be updated via the diocesan website, parish bulletins and social media.”

Check rcda.org for updates. For the complete and detailed guidelines, head to www.rcda.org/coronavirus.