Maybe I'm being harsh and judgmental. I don't know what pressure priests are under, and I don't know whether the priest himself is in the high risk category. There was no announcement that Communion would only be given in the hand. I suppose that priests regard the Bishops' decision to be mandatory on everyone. It seems to me that there could be a provision made for Communion on the tongue after everyone else has received or even at the end of Mass. If it were at the end of Mass, priests would be able to sanitise or wash their hands immediately afterwards, and any perceived risk would be the decision of the communicant. I don't see how that's any more dangerous than people going to pubs and restaurants. Rather than moaning, I suppose I should be thanking God that we can still go to Mass because it looks like that option will soon be taken away from us.
You can always express yourself here, even though it might not change things. I agree, we have to be thankful that things are not worse. I pray that they get better soon. I pray that we will still have the Mass.
Am I right in saying that communion in the hand has been common practice in Ireland for a long time back to the early 1990s?
Yes, and long before that. It probably became widespread in the 1980's but I'm sure it was introduced earlier still.
Listen, if you can get to mas to receive communion do it in as humble and reverent a way as possible but do it. The way things are headed the mass will be stopped in many places and Churches may soon be closed. Please, pray the stations of the cross daily if you are able while churches are still open.
You're right Don. Lovely priest at today's Mass reminded us to trust in the Lord because God will never abandon us. "Give it all into God's hands" was his advice. I'm hoping that we'll still have weekday Masses because they usually have smaller numbers. The 100 person rule here is a bit silly, both for churches and pubs/restaurants. You'd hardly notice 100 people in some of our bigger churches while in small churches 100 people couldn't keep a safe distance from each other. Some pubs and cafes here are so small that 100 people would be packed in like sardines. Vulnerable people are already exempted from their Sunday obligation. I think that also applies to their carers. Rather than having Masses behind closed doors, it might be better to exempt people from their Sunday obligation and encourage them to go to the less well attended Masses on weekdays rather than having hundreds show up for Mass on Sunday at 11 or 12 o'clock and hardly anyone at early morning, evening or weekday Masses. If the weather were a bit warmer, it might be possible to have a few open air Masses where the 500 person rule would apply. Unfortunately, global warming seems to have passed us by so open air isn't really an option here.
'When I return will I find faith on the earth'? Not amongst the spineless bishops we have. They have no faith in the Power of God or the intercession of our Lady.
It's very hard to understand why such drastic measures are in effect over something backed by so much unverified speculation. I don't see the rationalization for it and I think this crisis is simply a dry run for something much bigger coming later this year and a warning to everyone with eyes to see and ears to hear. So if by the Grace of God this all blows over soon lets not rest on our laurels with a sigh of collective relief but remain vigilant and continue to prepare and put ourselves in positions to be as self reliant as possible given each of our stations in this life. Encouraging one another to keep our garments clean and all those we know and love as well. This time we had the internet and electricity and all basic services. Next time it may not be quite so comfortable for anyone. I think that when the world economic system is destroyed and replaced it will be much like what we have seen happening these last few months but in a much much shorter time span and lasting possibly for months with great disruptions to critical services. When the government shows up to ones door with an offer to restore them in receipt for an implanted chip in ones arm who will deny such an offer?
They just closed the schools for the next 6 weeks here in Kitsap WA. Now there is a major store run on and my daughter who is a cashier was called into work on her off day because the volume of people is so high. I went to church this morning and spent some time at adoration and prayed the stations for my own penance owed but as well for all here who have requests and loved ones at risk. I am going to try and do this every day but who knows for how long the churches will even be open at this rate. If Pope Francis didn't give the order to close the churches of Italy or St Peter's square it makes one wonder who did and who has that kind of authority to do so without clearing it through the Bishop of Rome or at the least consulting him on it? This should be a warning to all Christians all over the world of what is coming.
Our Archbishop hasn't banned Masses but some priests seem to be interpreting his statement as a ban. The Archbishop's statement seems very reasonable to me. Here it is: https://www.dublindiocese.ie/update-on-pastoral-arrangements-concerning-coronavirus/
Our parish in Mount Juliet TN (right beside Nashville) is doubling the number of Sunday Masses to have fewer people at each one.
