From a reader with my emphases:
This notice just appeared in the weekly bulletin of St. Vincent Church of Akron, Ohio:
H1N1 FLU—
Due to the severity of the H1N1 Flu virus, it seems prudent to take whatever measures are necessary to protect ourselves and our children. For that reason, we will suspend the use of the Cup at Holy Communion, until the threat is over. You may also want to do what our children now do at Mass. Rather than shaking hands with our neighbor, we simply turn to them and offer a simple bow.I was unable to locate any instruction from the Diocese of Cleveland to suspend use of the Cup. Rather, the current diocesan memorandum restates the pronouncement of the USCCB that individuals who are ill should refrain from the Cup, and Eucharistic ministers should wash their hands before and after Communion. This leads me to the question: since it is likely more of our churches will follow suit, is suspending the use of the Cup at Mass properly a pastoral decision, or one that is reserved to the Ordinary or USCCB?
I believe it is entirely proper for a pastor of a parish to decide not to have distribution of the Precious Blood, which is an option which can be chosen or suspended for pastoral reasons. Also, the invitation to the congregation for a Sign of Peace is at the option of the celebrant. It seems reasonable to me to suggest how to do it if they are going to do it at all.
