Confirmation 

We are thrilled that you are engaged in preparing the faithful for the sacrament of Confirmation or helping prepare for the celebration of it. In either case, please reach out if you have any questions about what you find on this page. For inquiries or help with preparation, please contact Lindsay Finn. For questions about the celebration, first reach out to Fr. Greg Ihm, the Masters of Cermony for Bishop Hying.

In general, use the standards and practices in place for the reopening of Masses (Summer 2020).

• At-risk persons (elderly and immune-compromised) should stay at home.

• Hand sanitizer should be made available for all attendees.

• The church should be cleaned and sanitized before and after the Liturgy, especially high touch surfaces like door handles and restrooms.

• County and/or state mask wearing policies must be followed.

• There should be no Choir or Congregational Singing, as is in accordance with the current recommendation from the Diocese. A cantor and organist/pianist may be used. Appropriate instruments may be used if physical distancing can be maintained throughout the liturgy.

Specifically related to Confirmation, please use the following guidelines:

• If a sponsor cannot be present because of an underlying condition or for any other reason due to the pandemic, a proxy can be used in their place. A parent may serve as a proxy, if necessary. The original sponsor (not the proxy) is to be recorded in the parish records.

• Livestream the Confirmation Mass (if possible).

• Mass Attendance is limited to the percentage of occupancy capacity in accordance with current Diocese of Madison guidelines and corresponding instructions from state and county governments, just as has been asked for weekend masses throughout the Diocese. Those in attendance should abide by physical distancing requirements (approximately 6 feet from others; family units may sit together). Seating charts are highly recommended and should be sent to the Office of the Bishop three weeks in advance, if possible.

• Due to social distancing, both group photographs (with or without Bishop Hying) and individual photographs (with Bishop Hying) should not take place. However, if a single professional photographer would be hired or arranged to take pictures during the Mass, that is perfectly acceptable.
   
• What about the process of handling the Confirmation name cards? You can simplify the name card process to involve less people touching them, use nametags instead, or have the Confirmand or Sponsor say the chosen saint name loud enough. The idea is that Bishop needs to clearly hear which name to use when confirming.

• What does contact between the Bishop and each Confirmand look like? Bishop will make contact with the confirmand during the actual anointing. He will only offer the sign of peace verbally, with no shaking of hands.

• Should we use one line or two for Confirmandi approaching the Bishop for the sacrament? Even though it will take a little longer, plan to use one line, rather than two, with social distancing in place as confirmandi and their sponsors approach.

• Should the sponsor still put their hand on the confirmand's shoulder? Yes, just as they approach the Bishop for the actual sacrament. It will be less than a minute of physical contact.

• How many servers should we arrange for? You may have up to two servers, but we would recommend that they are older, more experienced servers who will be able to comfortably wear a mask for the entire Mass. Though, if you would not like to have servers, Fr. Greg (Bishop's Emcee) will make do.