January 17, 2018
Dear Fathers, Parish Life Coordinators and Parish Directors,
As we seem to be in the height of the flu season, the question has been raised as to whether or not we should be sharing the Common Cup or even shaking hands at the Sign of Peace. As large as the Diocese is, and as varied as the seriousness of the flu outbreak may be, I am leaving it up to the local pastor/parochial administrator/parish life coordinator/parish director as to whether or not you deem it prudent to discontinue the Cup and/or the shaking of hands at the Sign of Peace.
If you need more information, please see the additional attachments to this email. I will support whatever decision you make locally so long as we know that once the danger is over we will return to the normal practices of the Diocese.
If you have any questions regarding any of this, please feel free to contact me or Paul Birch in the Office of Worship.
Sincerely yours in the Lord,
Bishop James Powers
Wisconsin-weekly-influenza-report–week ending January 6, 2018
Memo from Paul Birch – flu season – liturgical practice concerns
