Sunday Mass in Fairfield (CT) Marks Beginning of Sanctuary Restoration

The Church of St. Pius X, Fairfield (CT) will mark the beginning of a three-month renovation, reconstruction and restoration with a Solemn Mass in the Extraordinary Form in honor of its patron saint on Sunday, at 7 p.m. The mass will be the last big event in the church, which will be closed for renovations until at least Christmas. The mass anticipates St. Pius X’s feast, which is Sept. 3.
The Rev. Samuel Kachuba, pastor, will celebrate his first EF Solemn Mass to mark the occasion. Fr. Kachuba has taken the summer to learn the rite, and saw this first mass as a way to amplify the theme of the renovation work, echoing the saint: To restore all things in Christ.
Fr. Kachuba will be aided by the Very Rev. Michael Novajosky, rector of St. Patrick’s Cathedral as Assistant Priest, the Rev. Timothy Iannacone, parochial vicar, as Deacon, and Seminarian Brendan Blawie as Sub-deacon. The parish choir will provide the proper Gregorian Chants and sing a polyphonic setting of the ordinary.
The plans for the renovation call for a new main altar which allows for celebration on both sides, restoration of the rail, new flooring, pews, side chapels and confessionals. The Patrick Baker Company of Bristol is in charge of the work.
St. Pius has become one of the leading parishes in the Diocese of Bridgeport in the celebration of the Extraordinary Form in a parish setting, with Fr. Iannacone as the celebrant. Fr. Kachuba made the decision to learn the mass and has celebrated private low masses over the summer.