The Catholic Diocese of Laredo is responding to the threat of swine flu...
By allowing pastors across the city to make any changes they see fit to help prevent the spread of illness.
Today alone, four new cases of swine flu have been confirmed across the state...
Including two in south Texas.
And while many school districts seem to have quarantined students from attending school...
Many are wondering how the church will react to the rising threat of the flu.
Our Cynthia Cano has the story.

Cynthia Cano, ccano@pro8news.com
"While masses on this side of the border have not been cancelled, priests across the city are taking extra precautions to keep the public from getting sick."
Father Richard Hall, Pastor of Our Lady Of Guadalupe Church
"We don't want to panic anybody and, I don't think the church is trying to panic anyone. We’re just trying to let people be aware that this is a serious situation."
Father Richard Hall, Pastor at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church spoke to us about the way swine flu has affected Sunday services.
"Here at Our Lady of Guadalupe, we're not administering the precious blood and we're asking people to receive communion from the hand."
As the number of swine flu cases continue to rise in Texas...
And while the city of Laredo is waiting to hear whether or not we have any confirmed cases on either side of the border...
Pastors, like Father Richard, are taking every possible precaution to make sure that churchgoers stay healthy....
That includes refraining from offering wine as a form of communion.
"At this time, our bishop has not informed us that we have to do this, but, again, to be prudent and use our discretion."
We asked local parishioners how they felt about the changes.
And we got a mixed response.
Gloria Rendon, Parishioner
"I think they're good precautionary measures for everybody who does come to church and receive the Holy Communion. They’re minor changes, but they're good to avoid any spreading of germs."
Bertha Torres, Parishioner
"We don't have to panic. Yes, they closed the schools, but that was only for precautionary measures. There’s no case here in Laredo...so we shouldn't be afraid and
"We need to pray for the people that are sick.
Cynthia Cano, Pro 8 News.
Pastors say they would like to remind everyone that it is okay to miss mass if you're feeling sick.
They also say mass attendance has not been affected by the threat of swine flu just yet.