Guidance for staying healthy during cold and flu season - Diocese of Grand Rapids (2023)

FAQs

How do you stay healthy in cold flu season? ›

A good rule of thumb I found was this: if you are unwell enough that you would call in sick for work it is probably best to not go to Mass. This is not just for your own health but the health of others if you are contagious. If it is some longer term non-contagious ailment then it also falls to the conscience.

Finally, keep in mind that the Catechism of the Catholic Church does not say that you must be “seriously ill” to have just reason to miss Mass. It says that illness (without qualification) constitutes a “serious reason” that justifies missing Mass on a Sunday or holy day. What if I want to go to Mass anyway?

If you suspect you have the flu or are suffering from a serious cold or other contagious illness, please stay at home and do not risk spreading infection to others.

If you are sick, or experiencing flu-like symptoms, please stay home. Your Sunday obligation is waived in this circumstance.

A. It is still considered a mortal sin to miss Mass on a day of obligation without a good reason. The church has always believed that this obligation stems from the Ten Commandments given to Moses, one of which was to “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.”

Animal studies show that strenuous exercise with a fever can worsen the illness and in extreme cases, it could be fatal. Fever also decreases your precision and coordination, which can lead to injury. If you suspect you have the flu, do not exercise.

Is it OK to attend Mass on TV? ›

As a general rule, Catholics are obliged to attend Mass each Sunday. This is in fulfillment of the Second Commandment. Simply watching Mass on TV does not fulfill the obligation. A Catholic who can reasonably do so must attend Mass at a parish church or oratory.

When should I see the doctor for the flu? Since the flu is a virus, you usually have to let it run its course.

A Prayer for Good Health

I ask for Your healing Hand to heal me. Touch my tender soul with Your compassion for we who are Your humble servants; Let Your abounding Love for all and Your courage Touch my heart; touch my mind with Your Wisdom, and may my mouth always proclaim Your praise to all people I meet.

“I would like to remind everyone that closeness to the sick and their pastoral care is not only the task of certain specifically designated ministers; visiting the sick is an invitation that Christ addresses to all his disciples,” the pope said.

Short prayer for the sick

O almighty and everlasting God, hear us on behalf of your servants who are sick; for whom we humbly beg the help of your mercy; that, their health being restored to them, they may render thanks to you.

Hence, a person who is already suffering from cough and cold should avoid foods that are rich in histamines. Some foods to avoid are avocados, mushrooms, strawberries, dry fruits, alcohol, yogurt, vinegar and fermented foods.

As far as what to avoid when you're sick, steer clear of foods that may fuel inflammation or stress your immune system. Those foods include refined sugar, processed foods (especially those with artificial ingredients), conventional dairy and meat, caffeine, and alcohol.

It is an antioxidant that protects body from free radical damage. It is used as therapeutic agent in many diseases and disorders. Vitamin C protects the immune system, reduces the severity of allergic reactions and helps to fight off infections.

What foods build up your immune system? ›

What's smartest is to stay home for the worst of the illness-about two to four days for a severe cold and five to seven days for the flu, Saxinger said. "When you're feeling your worst, try not to be out and about; that's when you are most infectious."

If you have a cold, you should follow these tips to help prevent spreading it to other people: Stay at home while you are sick and keep children out of school or daycare while they are sick. Avoid close contact with others, such as hugging, kissing, or shaking hands. Move away from people before coughing or sneezing.

The common cold and COVID-19 have many symptoms that overlap (Table ^1,2). These symptoms primarily include body aches, cough, runny nose, and sore throat. But some symptoms apply only to COVID-19.

There is no simple answer to whether applause is appropriate in the liturgy. It really depends on who the Catholics are and why they might be clapping! Applause is never called for per se in the rubrics that govern our rites.

They are pride, avarice, envy, wrath, lust, gluttony, and sloth (acedia). Note from the author: For those of you who do not understand why these particular sins are of grave matter, I would suggest that you refer to the Summa Theologiae of St. Thomas Aquinas.

In 1953 and again in 1957 Pope Pius XII reduced the fast to three hours prior to Communion. 1964 Pope Paul VI further reduced the fast to one hour including all food and drink, allowing water and medicine at any time. Therefore, coffee violates the fast, as does chewing gum.

A. Yes, most likely, at least an honest attempt must be made, but let's clarify. It's not necessarily a black-and-white answer. The quick answer is that if you committed a mortal sin, then yes, you should go to confession prior to receiving Holy Communion if possible.

But when it comes to receiving Communion on a weekday, because you can receive Communion even in a Communion service where many parts of the Mass don't take place (because it's not a Mass), you are able to receive Communion even if you haven't fully attended the Mass.

Priests aren't obligated to celebrate the Mass every day. No, priests aren't required to celebrate the Mass every day. However, through the sacrament of Holy Orders, the priest has promised to pursue holiness and serve his people. What better way to do both than through the Sacrifice of the Mass?

Should I go for a walk if I have a cold? ›

Mild to moderate physical activity is usually OK if you have a common cold and no fever. Exercise may even help you feel better by opening your nasal passages and temporarily relieving nasal congestion.

Best: Walking

“If your sinuses are plugged up, walking will stimulate you to take deep breaths and can help open up those passages,” says Besser. (Of course, if you discover that walking – or any type of physical exertion – makes you feel worse, rather than better, stop and focus on getting rest, instead.)

One popular misconception is that you can “sweat out a cold.” You may think of sweating out a cold as a way to get better, but it actually might cause more complications like dehydration that keep your body from healing fast.

Jeans are not appropriate, as they are casual. Shoulders ought to be covered, and no plunging necklines. Chapel veils are also a possibility, though they are optional. These are worn in the presence of our Eucharistic Lord.

Watching Mass on TV is not the same as attending Mass and does not fulfill someone's Sunday/holy day obligation. However, if someone is unable to attend Mass, then there is no obligation to attend Mass. Being with the community of faith and in the presence of the eucharistic Lord is not the same as watching it on TV.

From the context, “lukewarm” means a condition of being neither antagonistic (“cold”) or passionate (“hot”) in the pursuit of his Christian duties. Rather, this Christian, perhaps the bishop, is self-satisfied with what he has, and evidently is unwilling to extend himself on behalf of Christ.

Taking extra doses of vitamin C after you start feeling sick may help relieve symptoms like fever, chills, and chest pain. Research shows that vitamin C won't improve nasal congestion, runny nose, or sore throat.

Studies indicate that “a good quality elderberry extract product might be quite effective in shortening the duration and the severity of symptoms associated with the flu if taken within the first 24 hours of symptoms,” Greenfield said.

Our Sunday Mass obligation is based on the Third Commandment: “Remember the sabbath day — keep it holy” (Ex 20:8). All of the commandments of God are serious matter, so to deliberately miss Mass on Sunday — without a just reason — would objectively be considered a mortal sin.

How much of Mass can I miss? ›

Answer: There is no legal or canonical answer. The Church simply requires us to attend Mass, not parts or percentages of Mass.

The right thing to do is to stay home for your safety and the safety of others. One should not feel guilty for not going to Mass. Catholics are encouraged to offer up their sickness or pastoral care for the sake of those who are seriously ill and for those who have died.

As a general rule, Catholics are obliged to attend Mass each Sunday. This is in fulfillment of the Second Commandment. Simply watching Mass on TV does not fulfill the obligation. A Catholic who can reasonably do so must attend Mass at a parish church or oratory.

They are pride, avarice, envy, wrath, lust, gluttony, and sloth (acedia). Note from the author: For those of you who do not understand why these particular sins are of grave matter, I would suggest that you refer to the Summa Theologiae of St. Thomas Aquinas.

Some felt that the Catholic Church was more interested in money and power than in saving souls. For example, the church sold 'indulgences' for those who had committed sins. For a fine, paid to the church, your sin would be forgiven and when you died, the Church said that you would go to heaven.

About half of cultural Catholics say they attend Mass at least once in a while, including 4% who say they attend weekly, 28% who attend once or twice a month or a few times a year and 15% who say they attend less often.

But when it comes to receiving Communion on a weekday, because you can receive Communion even in a Communion service where many parts of the Mass don't take place (because it's not a Mass), you are able to receive Communion even if you haven't fully attended the Mass.

You have no obligation to come to Mass when it is impossible, either physically or morally, or where charity would require absenting yourself, such as if you have a contagious illness. Examples of legitimate reasons to miss Mass given in the Catechism are illness or the care of infants (CCC 2181).

Catholic Prayer For Improved Health

No disease can stand up to your all-curing might. Grant us your grace, love, and mercy. Hear our prayer, O God of heavenly powers, and can restore bodily health. You drive away all sickness and infirmity from our bodies by the might of your command.

Should you do nothing when you're sick? ›

Beyond not feeling well, taking a sick day can cause stress from feeling idle or unproductive. However, it is extremely productive for your health and the health of those around you. Sometimes you have no choice but to allow yourself to take a pause, rest, and heal.

A. The Catholic Church teaches that a person conscious of having committed a mortal sin must confess it before he or she receives Holy Communion (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1457).

Confession—or the sacrament of reconciliation, as it's officially known—has become the one sacrament casual Catholics feel free to skip.