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Virus Scare Stops Church Handshakes & Chalice Sharing

Jason Wellwood March 9, 2020 1:43 pm Last Updated on July 2, 2025 4:24 am

The Catholic Church in northwestern Ontario is not taking any chances.

In an effort to help stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus Bishop Fred Colli has instructed all churches in the Thunder Bay diocese to ask parishioners to stop shaking hands during the Sign of Peace portion of the Mass.

As well, Bishop Colli has suspended the sharing of the wine chalice during communion.

It is the same sanctions which were put in place during the SARS crisis of the early 2000s.

Jason Wellwood

Originally from southern Ontario, Jason found his way here and fell in love with the community and music scene of Thunder Bay over twenty years ago. In between various stints on radio, television and writing, Jason is a dad, a partner and (some would consider) a zoo keeper (seriously, he has a LOT of pets).

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