Informational: Flu Season Guidelines

It is that time of year again that the Flu bug impacts members of our family, our friends and our community. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that the number of confirmed flu cases are on the increase (current January 2018 data) around the nation.  With this information in mind, please read the guidelines below.  If there is a question, it is better to be safe and not spread germs than to be friendly and potentially give someone the flu.

If you are at church and think you are getting sick, please refrain from receiving the Precious Blood from the chalice and also refrain from shaking hands at the Sign of Peace.

If you are sick or feeling that you are about to be sick, please stay home.  It is not a sin to miss Mass when you are sick or taking care of someone who is sick. It may well be an act of charity to not expose others to what you have.  

If you have flu like symptoms, the CDC recommends that you stay home for an additional 24 hours after your fever is gone without the use of fever reducing medication. 

If you feel you can not cannot attend Mass for health reasons, please consider viewing the weekly Mass on television. The Archdiocese of Washington airs Sunday Mass filmed in the Crypt Church of the Basilica of the National Shrine every Sunday at 10:30am, on WDCW-50 (Verizon: Ch. 3; Dish or Direct TV: Ch. 50); ABC Family airs Sunday Mass at 6:30am; Catholic TV broadcasts a weekly Mass from the Basilica of the National Shrine on Saturdays at 7:00pm and 11:30pm. 

Please use good judgment when evaluating your health status.