Dear Friends: Amid growing concerns about the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), Bishop Checchio has issued the following directives to be implemented immediately in all parishes of the Diocese of Metuchen:

• As is practiced in so many of our parishes already, priests, deacons, and extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion are urged to practice good hygiene, washing their hands and using anti-bacterial hand sanitizer before and after distributing Holy Communion.
• Any individual who is sick or has flu-like symptoms should not attend Mass or other Church gatherings. Mass is broadcast on several television channels and also livestreamed on the Cathedral’s website: stfranciscathedral.org, so the sick can make a “spiritual communion” until they return to good health.
• The sign of peace should be exchanged without physical contact.
• Distribution of the Precious Blood of Christ from the chalice is to be suspended. Furthermore, no member of the faithful is obliged to receive the Body of Christ on the tongue; worthy, reverent reception by hand is preferred until otherwise notified.

These directives will be put in place at St. Peter's immediately.

There are two things I want to call your attention about these directives. First, they are temporary. We will return to our normal liturgical practice when notified by the Bishop. Second, there is no prescribed way in which the Sign of Peace is to be exchanged at Mass in the United States. We have by custom adopted the handshake as the way in which we do this. In light of the directive to exchange the Sign of Peace without physical contact, simply turn to those around you and greet them with "peace be with you". The sign of peace is an important liturgical action that denotes our willingness to be reconciled to one another before approaching the altar (Matthew 5:23-24). We should not avoid those around us during its exchange. Rather, simply turn to your neighbors and greet them with the Lord's peace.

By observing these and other common sense precautions, we will be in a better position to protect one another at Mass and remember to pray for those who have died because of the virus and the loved ones they leave behind.