PRIESTS’ JUBILEE DAY — Bishop George J. Lucas and more than 70 diocesan and religious priests gathered together for Priests’ Jubilee Day May 5 at St. Joseph the Worker Church in Chatham. Father Rando Soto, shown here, associate professor of New Testament Studies at Kenrick Seminary in St. Louis, gave the main address on the life of St. Paul. The talk was followed by solemn evening prayer, a social hour, a catered meal, then remarks by the jubilarians.Bishop George J. Lucas has asked priests, deacons and parish life coordinators to exercise commonsense precautions if the spread of the H1N1 virus becomes a pandemic.

"While the seriousness of the current flu outbreak seems to be lessening, I thought it would be good to share USCCB recommendations for liturgical considerations should the flu get worse," said Bishop Lucas in a May 6 communication.

Bishop Lucas' recommendations are based on guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and supported by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. The guidelines advise people to avoid contact with those who are sick. Those who are sick should stay home from work, school - and church.

The guidelines recommend covering the mouth when sneezing or coughing; avoiding hand contact with eyes, nose or mouth; and frequent handwashing.

The bishops say that priests, deacons and extraordinary ministers of holy Communion should practice good hygiene by washing hands before Mass or using alcohol-based antibacterial hand wipes before and after Communion. Instead of shaking hands, a nod or a smile is appropriate at the Sign of Peace. People who feel ill or have symptoms should not receive from the cup.

"All parishioners ... should be encouraged to remain at home at the first sign of illness, out of respect for their brothers and sisters," the bishops say.

The bishops note that "in localities where the outbreak of the disease has been the most significant, bishops have introduced several liturgical adaptations in regard to such practices as the distribution of holy Communion and the exchange of the Sign of Peace in order to limit the spread of contagion."

Although a few bishops have suspended the distribution of the Precious Blood during Communion, Bishop Lucas says he prefers to rely on the discretion of the local pastors.

"In our far-flung diocese, health conditions in Quincy are not identical to those in Effingham or Mattoon," he said. "Pastors can decide on a parish level whether or not to suspend distribution of the Precious Blood. Far more important are good hygiene and common-sense practices such as staying at home at the first sign of illness."

For the complete text of Ten Questions on Influenza/Swine Flu and the Liturgy, visit the Web site of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops at usccb.org/liturgy/swineflu.shtml.