Frequently Asked Questions
Spring 2023 Confirmation
- When is Confirmation scheduled for this spring?
- Confirmation will take on Saturday, June 17, 2023 at 1:30pm or 3pm
- Will there be a Confirmation rehearsal?
- Yes, there will be a Confirmation rehearsal.
- Rehearsal for the 1:30pm celebration will be on June 16 at 5pm
- Rehearsal for the 3pm celebration will be on June 16 at 6pm
- Robes will be distributed at this time
- Sponsors, if able, are expected to attend rehearsal. If they are not able to attend, a parent MUST attend the rehearsal with their candidate.
- What if I cannot attend our scheduled Confirmation date?
- You have three options: 1) You may defer until our next Confirmation date in Spring 2024, 2) You may contact other parishes in the area to request they add your child to their Confirmation, OR 3) You may contact the Diocese of Bridgeport to inquire about a group Confirmation at the Cathedral Parish.
- When are all of our forms and documents due? (these forms have not yet been distributed!)
- You must submit all of the following on or before Monday, May 15, 2023:
- Candidate & Sponsor Information (via Google Forms)
- Copy of Baptismal Certificate
- Sponsor Affirmation Form
- You must submit all of the following on or before Monday, May 15, 2023:
- What time do we need to arrive?
- Every candidate and their sponsor MUST be seated in their assigned seat at least 15 minutes before the scheduled ceremony start time, as the Bishop may choose to address the candidates before the celebration begins.
- My family has multiple children being confirmed. Are they allowed to choose the same sponsor?
- Yes! The sponsor must include the names of all children they will be sponsoring on the Sponsor Affirmation Form.
- What is the Sponsor Affirmation Form, and where can we find it?
- The Sponsor Affirmation Form is exactly what it sounds like! It affirms that the candidate’s sponsor meets all of the requirements to act as sponsor, and must be filled out truthfully by every sponsor.
- You can download the Sponsor Affirmation Form here.
- NOTE: Your sponsor does not need to obtain a separate Sponsor Certificate from their parish or have the above Affirmation Form signed by their pastor, though they are welcome to do so if they prefer.
- My child’s sponsor was a sponsor for Confirmation last year. Do they need to submit a new Sponsor Affirmation Form?
- Yes. All sponsors must complete the Sponsor Affirmation Form, regardless of whether or not they have been a Confirmation sponsor before.
- Can we take a picture with the Bishop/Fr. Sam?
- Yes! Please follow all instructions given for photos on the day of Confirmation.
- We encourage you to use the parish grounds to take any additional photos you wish. Please be mindful of others when taking photos, and please do not enter the sanctuary (altar area) without permission.
- Can I take a picture of my child(ren) being confirmed?
- You are welcome to take any photos you wish from your assigned seat. However, I will be allowed to take pictures outside of the pews in order to ensure that the moment is captured, unobstructed, for each candidate.
- Are seats assigned? How many people can we invite?
- Seats are only assigned for the candidate and their sponsor, and there is no maximum number of people you may invite to Confirmation.
- Candidates and sponsors will sit together in the front pews of the church. Family and invited guests will be seated behind the candidates. Pews may not be reserved.
- Please be mindful of the number of people you invite to the celebration. While there is no maximum number of guests you are allowed to invite, we ask that everyone be courteous of the 40+ other candidates and their families who will also be bringing guests.
- My family member is an ordained Catholic priest or deacon. Can they serve at the celebration?
- My other son/daughter (not the candidate) is an altar server at St. Pius X. Can they serve at the celebration?
- Will the Eucharist be distributed?
- Because Confirmation will take place within a Celebration of the Word of God, the Eucharist will not be distributed.
- What is the dress code for Confirmation?
- All candidates, sponsors, and guests in attendance are asked to wear modest, Sunday best for Confirmation. Please keep the solemnity and location of the occasion in mind when choosing your clothing.
- For the boys/men: Slacks (no jeans or shorts), button down shirt, tie, and appropriate dress shoes (no sneakers or sandals). A suit, blazer, or sport coat is optional.
- For the girls/women: A dress of modest length (no strapless/spaghetti straps or inappropriately short hemlines) or dress slacks/skirt and modest blouse, and dress shoes (no sneakers or flip flops). If a candidate or sponsor chooses to wear heels, they should be a comfortable height. This is not the occasion to wear uncomfortable shoes!
- All candidates, sponsors, and guests in attendance are asked to wear modest, Sunday best for Confirmation. Please keep the solemnity and location of the occasion in mind when choosing your clothing.
Spring 2024 First Communions
- When is First Communion scheduled for this spring?
- First Communions will take place on May 11 and May 18, 2024
- There will be two Masses on May 11 – 10am and 12pm
- There will be one Mass on May 18 at 10am
- Will there be a First Communion rehearsal?
- First Communion rehearsals will take place DURING CLASS on May 6-8 at 4:30pm. You only need to attend the rehearsal for your scheduled First Communion date.
- My family has multiple children receiving their First Communion. Will they each have a pew reserved for them?
- No. Each family will have one pew reserved for them. This pew will need to seat the First Communicant(s) and anyone else you choose to invite.
- What if I cannot attend our scheduled First Communion date?
- You have three options: 1) You may attend one of the other two scheduled Masses, 2) You may defer until our next First Communion dates in Spring 2025, OR 3) You may receive the sacrament during a regularly scheduled Mass at the parish.
- What time do we need to arrive?
- Everyone and their family MUST be in their seat no later than 15 minutes before the scheduled Mass time. If you arrive later than 10 minutes before your scheduled start time, you may be required to sit in the back of the church so as to not disturb Mass.
- Can I take a picture of my child(ren) receiving the Eucharist?
- You are welcome to take any photos you wish from your seat. However, only myself or a professional photographer will be allowed to take pictures outside of the pews in order to ensure that the moment is captured, unobstructed, for each child.
- Are seats assigned? How many people can we invite?
- Yes, seats are assigned, and there is no maximum number of people you may invite to First Communion.
- The pew assigned to your child and guests can seat approximately 10-12 guests
- Any overflow seating in the back of the church will be available on a first come, first served basis. These pews cannot be reserved.
- My family member is an ordained Catholic priest or deacon. Can they serve at the Mass?
- My other son/daughter is an altar server at St. Pius X. Can they serve at the Mass?
- What is the dress code for First Communion?
- Please keep the solemnity and location of the occasion in mind when choosing your clothing, and use the following guidelines as a starting point for your First Communicant.
- For the boys: A suit OR blazer/sport coat with dress slacks, button down shirt (tucked in), and tie. Dress shoes required. Absolutely no sneakers or sandals.
- For the girls: A white dress (knee, tea, or floor length) and dress shoes – no sneakers or flip flops. A veil or flower crown may be worn as well, but is not required.
- Please refrain from bringing any accessories for Mass (gloves, Bibles, rosary beads, etc.), as they either cannot be worn during the reception of Holy Communion or may cause a distraction during Mass.
- Please keep the solemnity and location of the occasion in mind when choosing your clothing, and use the following guidelines as a starting point for your First Communicant.
Elementary Faith Formation
- When do classes start?
- Classes begin the week of September 13, 2021
- When do classes end?
- Classes end the week of May 2, 2022
- What are the Prayer & Information Sessions?
- The Prayer & Information Sessions are an opportunity for parents to meet with Father Sam to gather useful information, learn about the resources and material being taught in class, and pray together.
- How many Prayer & Information Sessions do I attend?
- Parents attend two (2) Prayer & Information Sessions throughout the year. The dates for these sessions are highlighted in gold on the 2021-2022 calendar. If you children enrolled in different grades for the year, be sure to attend the first session and then all of the sessions relevant to your family’s circumstances!
- For example, if you have a second grader preparing for First Holy Communion and a fourth grader, you attend the session for all parents and BOTH the First Communion session in December and the Grades 3-5 session in February
- Parents attend two (2) Prayer & Information Sessions throughout the year. The dates for these sessions are highlighted in gold on the 2021-2022 calendar. If you children enrolled in different grades for the year, be sure to attend the first session and then all of the sessions relevant to your family’s circumstances!
- What time do the Prayer & Information Sessions take place?
- Prayer & Information Sessions take place from 4:30pm-5:30pm each day they are scheduled. The location is TBD, based on Father Sam’s plans for the session.
- What do I do if I cannot make a session?
- We post the dates and times for these sessions well in advance so that you can plan accordingly! Because there are only two sessions for parents throughout the year, we ask that you make every effort to attend the scheduled sessions for your child, but understand that things happen. Email Shari as soon as possible to figure out what options are available.
