For the sake of health and hygiene, we have introduced some changes at Mass. If you were here this past weekend, you heard these changes announced (See below).

A couple of people had a question about not being able to receive both the Body and Blood of Christ. Do we receive the full grace of the Sacrament if we only receive the Body or the Blood of Christ and not both? The answer is “Yes!” Receiving only one form of communion carries the fullness of the grace of the Sacrament. While it is true that, when possible, receiving both species helps us to appreciate and value the fullness of the sacrifice of Christ, either the Body or the Blood of Christ is sufficient.

Liturgical changes:

1. Sign of peace: those who do not wish to shake hands do not need to do so. You may wave, show a “vee” peace sign with your fingers, bow, do a fist bump, or an elbow bump, or use the American Sign Language form for “peace be with you” which is placing the palms of your hands together in front of you, then you twist the hands once and smoothly bring them apart, down, and toward your sides. Those who continue to desire to share a handshake of peace must respect the wishes of others.

2. Communion: We will not offer communion in the form of the Blood of Christ, neither to the Eucharistic Ministers from the presider’s chalice, nor to the congregation.

3. Communion: We encourage people to receive the Body of Christ in the hand to prevent the Eucharistic minister from accidentally touching the tongue of the communicant.

Peace, Fr. Andy