Dear Parishioners,

As you may have heard from last week’s Mass, we are going to temporarily halt the distribution of Communion from the chalice through Lent. This has been an intense flu season. There are many people getting sick and some even dying in extreme cases. So, just as a matter of public safety, I do not think it is wise to continue any practice that could spread illness.

For some people, I know this may be a controversial decision. Since, they feel that the Mass is incomplete without receiving both forms of Holy Communion. Going by the theology of the Church, though, one can be assured that if one receives Our Lord under either appearance (bread or wine), one is receiving the complete body, blood, soul and divinity of Christ. Receiving both forms is just a fuller expression of our faith. But, it is the same Lord and the same grace whether you receive one or both. You are not receiving any less of an experience of Mass. Some people may even believe it is impossible to get sick from receiving from the chalice. But, this is simply not true. Our Church does not teach that diseases cannot be communicated through communion nor does medical science teach that diseases cannot be transmitted through alcoholic beverages. (You need an alcohol content of at least 60 percent to be effective against viruses. Most wine has an alcohol content of 12 percent. Also, cold and flu viruses can survive a number of hours outside the body.) Furthermore, someone could have a cold or a flu and not show any symptoms. So, they could be infecting others and not even know it.

I do not take these actions lightly and really would prefer to continue practicing our faith as usual. However, I am more concerned with the health of the people in the parish rather than how some people might feel about a particular decision. Many parishes in our area have suspended distributing Communion from the chalice and I think this is the right choice. Of course, all the faithful may continue to receive the Sacred Host like normal.
God bless!

Fr. Carter

STEWARDSHIP REFLECTION: IT TAKES A LIFETIME

Generations of faith filled Catholic people have passed on to us the most precious gift we possess — the gift of faith. As this generation’s “good stewards”, we are obligated to pass on the gift of faith to our children. Children primaril y learn through the examples of their parents. Today, many parents are volunteering their time and talents to their churches and community groups and bringing their children along with them. More and more churches are encouraging children to return a portion of their “treasure” — their allowance or other earnings — with special children’s offering envelopes. As we know from our own experience, it takes a lifetime to develop the habits of good stewardship.

God has blessed us in so many marvelous ways. Stewardship is a way of life built around gratitude to God, lived out by returning a portion of the time, talent, and treasure allotted to us. There is no more precious inheritance we can pass on to our children than this lifestyle of gratitude. “If you will give these instructions . . ., you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound teaching you have followed.” (1 Timothy 4:6