October 24th, 2004

Flu Shots

No, alas we don’t have any flu shots to give away through St. Brigid’s. But people are concerned about getting the flu and spreading germs. I have had a few people talk with me or write to me to suggest that I ought to tell people not to shake hands or hold hands at mass in order to prevent the spread of the flu. Well I think common sense tells a person that if he/she is contageous that it his/her duty not to infect others! (Some days it’s best to stay home, especially if you’re contagious.)

Of course we also don’t want to be rude or seem to exclude others (especially at mass, at the sign of peace.) So this calls for extra friendliness, expressed in other ways. For example...

Don’t wait til the Our Father or the Sign of Peace to acknowledge the person next to you. When someone sits next to you or you go to your seat briefly greet the person near you with a smile and a word of welcome. In fact at the start of mass we usually invite folks to turn and greet one another. At that time you might say something like, “Good morning...I’d shake hands but I’m trying to avoid speading a cold.” That would make it less awkward at the sign of peace where people could choose a different (but friendly) way to share the peace of Christ (word, nod, wave, etc.)

Also, don’t judge others who are choosing not to hold hands at the Lord’s Prayer or who don’t actually shake hands at the Sign of Peace. (They may be showing great Christian charity in not spreading a cold.)

As the cold weather approaches, people often wear gloves and might choose to keep the gloves on at the time of hand contact.

And it has always been the practice to ask people who have colds from refraining from receiving from the cup until they are well again.

The fear of the flu ought to make us somewhat cautious but no flu can stop us from being welcoming.

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