This flu season is one of the worst in 15 years. Bishop Serratelli has issued the following guidelines for all Liturgies and the diocese until further notice. Nothing can absolutely prevent spread of the flu virus but a few common sense recommendations can help to lessen the possibility. 1. If you don't feel well and suspect that you may have the flu: Remain at home! 2. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or an alcohol based hand cleanser. 3. Sign of Peace: If you feel uncomfortable with exchange of the sign of peace through a handshake you are under no obligation to do so. You may extend the sign of peace to your neighbors by a nod of the head. 4. Distributing and Receiving the Eucharist: Priests, deacons, and extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist must thoroughly wash their hands with soap and water or an alcohol based hand cleanser both before and after the distribution of the Eucharist. Receiving Holy Communion in the hand is the most practical means to distribute the Blessed Eucharist in a sanitary way. 5. Receiving the Eucharist by also drinking the Precious Blood from the chalice is discontinued until the level of flu cases is dramatically decreased. 6. Children’s Liturgy of the Word - Liturgy of the Word will be suspended until further notice during flu season.