H1N1 Threat Forces Change at Sunday Catholic Services

Sunay was the first Sunday since health officials detected the H1N1 flu in April, that Catholics have been asked to make changes to the way they worship. It was an order handed down by Bishop Kmiec to protect Catholics from getting and spreading the swine flu virus in church.

During mass at the Newman Center Chapel at Buffalo State, Parishioners were not given wine from the chalice during communion, and Catholics were asked not to shake hands during the sign of peace.

The bishop ordered those changes on Friday for all Western New York Catholic churches.

He's also asking Catholics, who are sick, to stay home. Parishioners we talked to were disappointed in the changes, but say they understand they are necessary to keep everyone safe.

"We're used to taking wine. That was absolutely unavailable today, so we hope that will come back also," said parishioner Jack Cosman.

"It was a difficult transition for some of our community members today...but, we adapt and we adjust," said Bill Vaughan, Buffalo State's campus minister.

The bishop is also instructing priests, deacons and Eucharistic ministers to wash or sanitize their hands before handing out Holy Communion.

The changes are in effect until further notice.