What some local churches are doing

• Grace Lutheran Church in Wenatchee: Pastor John Nelson said he has made no changes in customs or rituals. That church breaks bread off loaves and distributes the pieces to worshippers. Communion wine continues to be distributed in small, disposable plastic cups.

• First Presbyterian Church in Wenatchee: Officials have told the congregation that shaking hands during the greeting time is optional, as is holding hands during certain times of prayer.

“We’ve let people know they can opt out of that and it’s no reflection on anyone,” said Pat McElroy, senior pastor.

The congregation still passes out grape juice in small plastic cups for communion, and picks up pieces of pre-cut bread off a plate that is passed among the worshippers.

• Comunidad Cristiana Latina Rio De Vida Iglesia Cuadrangular: Church officials have made hand sanitizer available but have made no other concessions to the flu, said Miguel Cardenas, administrative pastor. Worshippers continue to use disposable cups for communion.

• Eastmont Baptist Church: Pastor Steve Brewer said he is not changing any activities. The congregation uses disposable cups, not a common cup, for communion, along with individual pieces of bread on a tray.

— Dee Riggs, World staff

The significance of rituals

At Holy Apostles Catholic Church in East Wenatchee, these three rituals are being stopped over concerns that they may spread H1N1 germs. The Rev. Robert Siler, chancellor of the Diocese of Yakima and a Wenatchee native, explains why the rituals are important in the Catholic faith.

Holy Water

The holy water fonts at the entrances to Catholic churches may have their roots in the fountains outside of Roman homes in the early days of Christianity, fountains used by guests to wash their hands and faces before entering a home.

The purpose today is for the water to be a reminder of Jesus Christ, who called himself the living water come down from heaven, and who established the Sacrament of Baptism.

Catholics entering church are accustomed to making the sign of the cross, using water blessed by a deacon, priest or bishop. Again, it is a reminder of Christ, and of baptism. Some use it as an opportunity to renew the promises of baptism, to reject evil and to live one’s life for God. Blessed water is also sprinkled on religious objects, or in homes, or cars, or just about anything that has the potential to be used for good purposes, as a reminder of baptism, and a request for God’s blessing through Jesus Christ.

Sacramental wine

Catholics believe that the bread and wine offered during Mass through the ministry of the priest are literally transformed into the body and blood of Jesus Christ, though they maintain the appearance of bread and wine.

Before the Second Vatican Council it was common for only priests to receive both the bread and wine but for lay people to receive only the bread.

After the Council, it became possible for all Catholics to receive the bread and wine, a practice that has become more widespread in the United States than in other countries.

Receiving both forms is a more complete memorial of what Jesus celebrated with his apostles at the Last Supper.

Greeting of Peace

The Catholic Mass included a greeting of peace from the priest to the people, echoing Christ’s farewell message of peace to his apostles at the Last Supper.

The Second Vatican Council introduced the option of allowing people to extend that greeting to those around them in the assembly, as a sign of unity and peace.

It calls to mind the words of Jesus in the gospels telling his followers to make peace with those they may be in conflict with, before they bring their gifts to the altar.

The gesture of peace to be used is determined by local custom.

In the United States, a handshake has been the most customary. In other countries, a kiss, bow, hug, or simple spoken greeting are also used.

— Dee Riggs, World staff

Spreading the flu

Concerns over transmitting the H1N1 virus through rituals that involve person-to-person touching or person-to-object touching are not unfounded, according to the ways the Centers for Disease Control states the virus is spread.

The Web site states the main way influenza viruses spread is “from person to person in respiratory droplets of coughs and sneezes. This can happen when droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person are propelled through the air and deposited on the mouth or nose of people nearby.

“Influenza viruses may also be spread when a person touches respiratory droplets on another person or an object and then touches their own mouth or nose (or someone else’s mouth or nose) before washing their hands.”

For more information, go online to www.cdc.gov/H1N1FLU.

— Dee Riggs, World staff