Elementary Faith Formation
Welcome to Elementary Faith Formation at St. Pius X
Registration for 2026-2027 will begin on June 15!
We are always looking for volunteer catechists! This opportunity is open to anyone ages 16 & up. Those under the age of 18 must have a co-catechist and those 18+ must be VIRTUS Safe Environments compliant. For more information about becoming a catechist, contact Shari Mellinger.
Elementary Faith Formation Program - Grades 1-6
Elementary Faith Formation at St. Pius X partners with families in nurturing children in the Catholic faith—rooted in the Eucharist, nourished by God’s Word, and formed in the sacramental life of the Church.
Registration Period
- Registration Opens: June 15, 2026
- Confirmation Preparation Deadline: August 14, 2026
- Grades 1–5 Deadline: September 21, 2026
Program Requirements & Class Times
- Weekly Mass attendance (monitored via QR code sign-in or signed bulletin)
- Parent Kickoff Session on September 22, 2026 at 7:00 PM
- Weekly class attendance:
- Grades 1–5: Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday from 4:30–5:30 PM
- Confirmation Preparation (Grade 6): Mondays only from 4:30–5:30 PM
- Expectations outlined in the Elementary Faith Formation Handbook
Reconciliation & Holy Communion Preparation
Requirements for First Reconciliation & First Holy Communion
- Requirements set forth for participation in Elementary Faith Formation above
- Completion of an approved 1st grade Faith Formation curriculum
- Note: As this is a new requirement, students entering Grade 2 in Fall 2026 are eligible to participate in the program as expected. Students entering Grade 1 in Fall 2026 will be required to provide proof of completion of a Grade 1 curriculum upon registration for First Holy Communion next year, 2027-2028.
- Completion of the First Reconciliation curriculum and the First Communion curriculum
- Parent attendance at any communicated Parent Sessions
Class Times
First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion classes meet Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday from 4:30–5:30 PM.
Confirmation Preparation
Requirements for Confirmation
- Requirements set forth for participation in Elementary Faith Formation above
- Completion of an approved 5th grade Faith Formation curriculum
- Note: As this is a new requirement, students entering Grade 6 in Fall 2026 are eligible to participate in the program as expected. Students entering Grade 5 in Fall 2026 will be required to provide proof of completion of a Grade 5 curriculum upon registration for Confirmation next year, 2027-2028.
- Participation in 14-Week intensive Confirmation Preparation program. This is offered in-person only.
- Parent attendance at any communicated Parent Sessions
14-Week Confirmation Preparation Experience
Students attend 14 weekly classes (Mondays ONLY 4:30–5:30 PM). The 14 week program will be offered twice during the academic year (Cohort 1 & Cohort 2) as noted below:
- Cohort 1: September 14 – December 14, 2026
- Cohort 2: January 4 – April 26, 2027
Middle School Youth Ministry
Middle school can be a challenging time, and that’s why a relationship with Jesus Christ is so important. Our Middle School Youth Ministry provides a safe and welcoming space where young people can build lasting friendships, grow in their faith, and discover the joy of living as disciples. Through prayer, fellowship, and community service, they learn how to put their faith into action—while still having the freedom to laugh, play, and simply be kids. This ministry helps them form strong connections with God, their peers, and the Church, setting a foundation for a lifelong journey of faith.
For more information about Middle School Youth Ministry at St. Pius X, visit the Youth Ministry website or contact Shari Mellinger at sgarcia@st-pius.org.
2026-2027 Calendar
Uploaded May 27, 2026
*Calendar is subject to change
All families are welcome and encouraged to attend VIRTUS Training, the Diocesan Safe Environment program. For more information and to register for a session, please click here.
Sacrament Dates & Rehearsals
First Reconciliation
March 8-10, 2027 during class (4:30-5:30 PM Mon/Tue/Wed)
No rehearsal
First Holy Communion
May 1, 2027 at 11 AM; May 1, 2027 at 1 PM; or May 8, 2027 at 11 AM assigned by class (Mon/Tue/Wed) no later than before Christmas Break.
Rehearsals April 26-28 during class
Confirmation
May 5, 2027 at 5 PM (Cohort 1) or 7 PM (Cohort 2). Date set according to Bishop Caggiano’s availability.
Rehearsals May 3 at 4:30 PM and 5:30 PM
Every candidate and their family MUST be seated no less than 10 minutes prior to your scheduled start time. Late arrivals will forfeit their assigned pew and will be moved to a pew in the back of the church, so as to not disturb the celebration.
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.
- Download the Sponsor Affirmation Form
We have been celebrating Masses publicly at St. Pius X since June 2020 without any confirmed COVID-19 cases linked to Mass attendance (thank God!), and any COVID-19 protocols still in place at the time of Confirmation will be followed without exception. Because of this, Confirmations will not take place outside of the church.
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. This allows us time to prepare for the next Confirmation celebration and/or our Saturday Vigil Mass. Please be mindful of others when taking photos, and please do not enter the sanctuary without permission!
You are welcome to take any photos you wish from your assigned seat! However, only myself or a professional photographer (based on availability) will be allowed to take pictures outside of the pews in order to ensure that the moment is captured, unobstructed, for each candidate.
Yes. The candidate, sponsor, and family will have one pew reserved for them on the date of Confirmation. A seating chart will be emailed for reference the week of Confirmation.
Because Confirmation will take place within a Celebration of the Word of God, the Eucharist will not be distributed.
Questions?
Shari Mellinger
Director of Elementary Faith Formation
sgarcia@st-pius.org
203.259.4800
Elementary Faith Formation Office
The Elementary Faith Formation Office is located in the Faith Center
Important Documents & Forms (updated 6/16/2025)
Tuition & Fees
2026-2027 Tuition
$260/child
Sacrament Fees
First Reconciliation/First Communion: $40
Confirmation: $75
Accepted Payment Methods
Cash, Check (payable to St. Pius X), Credit Card ($5 processing fee)
Check Payments: Put Invoice No. and Child’s Name in the memo line.
Cash and checks can be dropped off in the Faith Center Office (c/o Shari Mellinger) during office hours (Monday – Thursday between 9am and 4pm). Checks can be mailed to:
St. Pius X
ATTN: Shari Mellinger
834 Brookside Drive
Fairfield, CT 06824
Please do not mail cash.
Tuition Assistance
Cost should not be a factor when pursuing Faith Formation and Sacramental Preparation for your child. If your family requires tuition assistance* or a multiple child discount, please select the ‘Pay by Check’ option when submitting the Elementary Faith Formation Registration Form, and fill out the request form linked below. Upon receipt of the request form, you will receive a response via email with your updated invoice attached.
*Sacrament Fees are not eligible for assistance
