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ALBUQUERQUE – Monday, January 14, 2019–IMMEDIATE RELEASE—New Mexico is one of the states listed by the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as having widespread flu outbreaks and high Influenza-like Illness (ILI) Activity. Due to the severity of the flu season, the archdiocese will be taking the following steps in regards to the celebration of Mass: • During the Sign of Peace, instead of shaking hands or hugging, as is practiced in some parishes, it would be best to simply nod your head and avoid bodily contact.

The sign of peace at Mass has not always led to serenity among liturgists or within the congregations gathered each Sunday in Catholic churches around the world. After nine years of study and consultation, the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments has told Latin-rite bishops around the world that the sign of peace will stay where it is in the Mass. However, the congregation said, “if it is foreseen that it will not take place properly,” it can be omitted. But when it is used, it must be done with dignity and awareness that it is not a liturgical...

Priests told to cut out the huggingStay at Altar During Mass By Jonathan Petre, Religion Correspondent(Filed: 30/04/2004) Roman Catholic priests who wander up and down hugging or shaking hands with worshippers during services are to be told to stay at their altars under a new Vatican crackdown. Members of the congregation will also be urged to curb their enthusiasm by offering the "sign of peace" only to their immediate neighbours in a "sober manner" rather than hopping from pew to pew. The new rules, published at the weekend, are part of a Vatican effort to counter "abuses" during Mass, which...

BOSTON -- As millions of Catholics prepare for the traditional midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, the Boston Archdiocese is making an unusual plea to parishioners. NewsCenter 5's Jorge Quiroga reported that church leaders are asking anyone with cold or flu symptoms to take certain precautions and avoid some rituals. The announcement comes days after two elderly men on Cape Cod died of flu complications. But public health officials warn against overreactions saying the cases are not unusual considering the ages of the victims, 89 and 90. Parishioners attending Christmas Mass are urged not to shake hands as a sign of...

SARS curtails Easter rites for Catholics Toronto parishes suspend communion from the cup, kissing crucifix and shaking hands for peace. At least one Ottawa church takes similar measures Tom Blackwell, with files from Katie Martin CanWest News Service TORONTO -- With the SARS outbreak, many Catholics going to church during Holy Week won't be sharing wine at communion or shaking hands during mass to limit any chance of infection. The emergence of SARS in a close-knit prayer group forced Catholic leaders in Toronto to suspend many of the church's practices for Easter, the holiest of days in the church's calendar....