Elementary Faith Formation

Welcome to Elementary Faith Formation at St. Pius X

Please review the Important Forms on the sidebar before we begin Elementary Faith Formation for the year. Registration closed on September 23. We look forward to seeing you all at the start of classes!

Elementary Faith Formation Program

Program Basics

  • Classes meet Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 4:30pm-5:30pm from October 7 through May 7
  • Students register and are placed in a class meeting on one of the above three days
  • Please refer to our Program Policies and Procedures for more information! 

Confirmation Preparation Program

Requirements for Confirmation

  • Participation in 14-Week Confirmation Preparation Experience
  • Attendance at Edge Middle School Youth Ministry once (or more) per month from September through June (Wednesdays 6:30 PM – 8 PM, calendar of meetings posted www.fairfieldlt.com/edge)
  • Parent attendance at any communicated Parent Sessions

14-Week Confirmation Preparation Experience (Registration Closed)

Students will attend 14 weekly classes (Mondays ONLY 4:30 PM – 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 9 – December 16, 2024
  • Cohort 2: January 13 – May 5, 2025

Edge Middle School Youth Ministry

Edge helps middle school students in grades 6-8 engage their faith and their parish community, form friendships, ask questions, and grow in their relationship with God. The Diocese of Bridgeport has asked all parishes to encourage and foster both good catechesis for students and a deep connection for students with their community of faith. With Edge Middle School Youth Ministry, we hope to help our students grow in fellowship, faith, and friendship. With our 14-week immediate preparation for Confirmation, our students will be well-catechized to understand their Catholic faith.

When will confirmation take place?

Confirmation will still take place in the spring. The date is set by the Office of the Bishop, and we typically receive the assignment after the Christmas break.

2024-2025 Calendar

Updated June 27, 2024

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.
What time do we need to arrive?
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.
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.
  • Download the Sponsor Affirmation Form
Is it safe to attend an indoor ceremony? Will Confirmations take place outside?
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.
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. 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!
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, 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.
Are seats assigned?
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.
Will the Eucharist be distributed?
Because Confirmation will take place within a Celebration of the Word of God, the Eucharist will not be distributed.

Questions? Contact Us

Shari Mellinger
Director of Elementary Faith Formation
sgarcia@st-pius.org
203.259.4800

Elementary Faith Formation Faith Center Office Hours
(September 2 – May 31)

M–W: 12pm – 5:30pm
Th: 10am – 4pm
F: by appointment

Important Documents & Forms

Tuition & Fees

Tuition for Elementary Faith Formation for 2024-2025 is $225 per child.

A $25 First Communion fee will be added to registrations for First Reconciliation/First Communion Preparation to cover the costs associated with the celebration.

A $50 Confirmation fee will be added to registrations for Confirmation Preparation to cover the costs associated with the celebration.

Families have the option to pay online with a credit card ($5 processing fee applies) or by check.

If paying by check, please make checks payable to St. Pius X with your Invoice # and Child’s Name in the memo line.

Payments can be dropped off in the Faith Center Office (c/o Shari Mellinger) during office hours (Monday – Thursday between 9am and 4pm & Friday, 9am-12pm) or can be mailed to:

St. Pius X
ATTN: Shari Mellinger
834 Brookside Drive
Fairfield, CT 06824

Tuition Assistance

If your family requires tuition assistance, please select the ‘Pay by Check’ option when submitting the Elementary Faith Formation Registration Form, and fill out the request form linked below. Upon reception and evaluation of the request form, you will receive a response via email with your updated invoice attached.